Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a process for purification of grey water and recovery of surfactants and purified water. In particular the invention relates to in-home purification of grey water generated from laundry wash and/or rinse liquor and recovery of surfactants and purified water for water saving by re-use.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between a projection system of the lithographic projection apparatus and a substrate. A sensor positioned on a substrate table, which holds the substrate, is configured to be exposed to radiation when immersed in liquid (e.g., under the same conditions as the substrate will be exposed to radiation). By having a surface of an absorption element of the sensor, that is to be in contact with liquid, formed of no more than one metal type, long life of the sensor may be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a plurality of articles (10) includes a transport belt (6), a bumper stopper (14), and a rotator (12). A motor moves the transport belt which is adapted to rotate the rotator as the belt conveys the plurality of articles. The stopper can move between first and second positions relative to the transport belt wherein the bumper stopper guides one article toward the rotator when the bumper stopper is in the first position. The bumper stopper allows the article to be conveyed to another location when the bumper stopper is in the second position. The transport belt can continue to convey other articles while the one article is temporarily held in place by the bumper stopper. The rotator is configured to rotate the article conveyed by the transport belt. The article can remain in contact with the transport belt while the rotator is rotating the article.

Abstract: A new and distinct Aloe aristata cultivar named ‘AMIAL1605’ which is characterized by a flattened globular plant shape, a short plant height, ovate foliage with a short apiculate apex, dark green mature foliage with a moderately dense occurrence of prominent white papillae on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces, as well as the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Abstract: A tilt-less liner apparatus and system for unloading bulk cargo from a container liner using a first layer on the container liner floor having a friction reducing top layer and a friction enhancing bottom layer to secure first layer against movement. A second layer of flexible high strength material folded in over lapping multiple pre-folded sections from at least two to eight folded stacked layers are used to cover the friction reducing top first layer. The second layer is connected to a coiling means and motor for coiling up and removing the second layer from the container over the friction reducing top layer of the first layer and the bulk cargo comes out with the second layer into a hopper provided with means for bulk product distribution. Vibrators, depth measuring devices and speed controls are provided to control bulk cargo unloading and prevent blockage build up.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging kinetic energy between a fluid and a structure moveable relative to the fluid and connected to the apparatus, including a channel enclosed by a channel wall connected with the structure, and adapted to guide the fluid, at least four identical blades moveable within the channel and being connected to an energy converter coupled with the structure.

Abstract: A loading car for picking up, transporting onward and discharging bulk material has a car frame supported on on-track undercarriages and a distributing conveyor belt extending in a longitudinal direction of the car, for transporting the bulk material to discharge devices. The distributing conveyor belt is constructed to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the car for selectively charging the discharge devices. A first discharge device is constructed as a chute disposed above a track. A second as well as a third discharge device are constructed in each case as a conveyor belt pivotable about a vertical axis and each has a receiving end positioned in the region of the axes.

Abstract: A method of protecting a coloured or dyed substrate from dye transfer during exposure to aqueous cleansing solutions, the method comprising the step of treating said a dyed or coloured substrate with a composition comprising a surfactant system, wherein said system comprises a biosurfactant in the range 50-100 wt. % of the total surfactant system.

Abstract: A tooth shroud for a demolition tool is disclosed wherein forces produced during demolition operations may be dissipated so as to avoid excessive forces at stress points. A tooth block for a demolition tool comprises a first tooth shroud and a second tooth shroud. The first and second tooth shroud each comprising a body having a front wall and an end wall wherein a cavity is enclosed by the front wall and the end wall; an impact member extending longitudinally from the body; and a cut-out disposed on the end wall, wherein the first tooth shroud is connected to the second tooth shroud.

Abstract: Embodiments of a buffer device, an electronic system, and a method for operating a buffer device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a buffer device includes buffer bus connections, a peripheral bus interface connectable to a peripheral bus, a buffer memory module, and a buffer memory controller connected between the buffer bus connections, the peripheral bus interface, and the buffer memory module. Each of the buffer bus connections is connectable to a respective peripheral device. The buffer memory module comprises memory segments corresponding to the peripheral devices. The buffer memory controller is configured to control data communications between the buffer bus connections, the peripheral bus interface, and the buffer memory module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patterning device configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern during a lithographic process. The patterning device comprises first features configured to form a first target on a substrate during the lithographic process and second features configured to form a second target on the substrate during the lithographic process. The second features are taller, in a direction transverse to the plane of the first and second targets, than the first features, such that the first and second targets have a relative best focus offset.

Abstract: An apparatus to capture and display an image of an object includes a frame, at least one optical sensor for capturing the image of the object, means for moving the frame relative to a surface of the object in a first direction, and means for moving the optical sensor relative to the frame in a second direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and plant for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes, such as propane. The plant is a plant of hybrid architecture wherein one or more membrane-assisted reactor configurations according to open architecture are combined with one or more membrane-containing reactors of closed architecture. Hydrogen remaining in the reaction mixture after separation in the membrane separation unit of a first open architecture configuration, is fed to a first membrane-reactor of the closed architecture type. Also disclosed are methods of modifying plants so as to create the hybrid architecture plant.

Abstract: The disclosure is in the field of cell therapy, more in particular, stem cell transplantation therapy. The disclosure provides methods and compositions for improving the efficacy of stem cell transplantation therapy by reducing the inflammatory activity of a stem cell transplant. More in particular, the disclosure provides a method for preparing a stem cell transplant with reduced inflammatory activity comprising a step of suspending a composition comprising stem cells in a fibrinogen-depleted plasma and/or in a fibrinogen and C-reactive protein-depleted plasma.

Abstract: A viscous fluid cleaning composition for a cleaning a substrate comprising (a) a surfactant combination comprising (i) at least one surfactant; and (ii) a glycolipid biosurfactant which is present at a level in the range 10-95 wt % of the total surfactant in said surfactant system, and (b) one or more viscosity modifiers; and (c) ethoxylated polyethylene imine (EPEI) and (d) a volatile benefit agent; wherein the composition has a pour viscosity as measured at 21 s-1 of between 250 CPs to 3000 Cps.

Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus, a localized area of the substrate surface under a projection system is immersed in liquid. The height of a liquid supply system above the surface of the substrate can be varied using actuators. A control system uses feedforward or feedback control with input of the surface height of the substrate to maintain the liquid supply system at a predetermined height above the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: To provide an improved ?-fructofuranosidase which is capable of efficiently producing kestose while inhibiting the production of nystose. This improved ?-fructofuranosidase comprises either: an amino acid sequence (a) obtained by introducing, into the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, an amino acid mutation i) in which the 85th glycine (G) from the N-terminal is substituted for a protein-constituting amino acid other than glycine (G), and/or an amino acid mutation ii) in which the 310th histidine (H) from the N-terminal is substituted for lysine (K), arginine (R), or tyrosine (Y); or an amino acid sequence (b) which exhibits ?-fructofuranosidase activity, and which comprises an amino acid sequence obtained by deleting, substituting, inserting, or adding one or more amino acids in (a) other than the amino acid into which the amino acid mutation has been introduced.

Abstract: A method including performing a simulation to evaluate a plurality of metrology targets and/or a plurality of metrology recipes used to measure a metrology target, identifying one or more metrology targets and/or metrology recipes from the evaluated plurality of metrology targets and/or metrology recipes, receiving measurement data of the one or more identified metrology targets and/or metrology recipes, and using the measurement data to tune a metrology target parameter or metrology recipe parameter.

Abstract: A process to treat a gas comprising hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans is described. The following steps are part of this process: (a) contacting the hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans comprising gas (1) with an aqueous solution (3) comprising sulphide-oxidising bacteria thereby obtaining a loaded aqueous solution (5) and a gas (4) having a lower content of hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans, (b) contacting the loaded aqueous solution with mercaptan reducing microorganisms immobilized on a carrier under anaerobic conditions, (c) separating the aqueous solution obtained in step (b) from the mercaptan reducing microorganisms to obtain a first liquid effluent (7), and (d) contacting the first liquid effluent (7) with an oxidant (9) to regenerate the sulphide-oxidising bacteria to obtain a second liquid effluent (11) comprising regenerated sulphide-oxidising bacteria. The sulphide-oxidising bacteria as present in step (a) are comprised of regenerated sulphide-oxidising bacteria obtained in step (d).

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with cross-domain electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary semiconductor device includes first domain circuitry, second domain circuitry, and an interface coupled between an output node of the first domain driver circuitry and second domain receiver circuitry. The receiver circuitry includes a transistor having a gate electrode coupled to the interface, with a body electrode of the transistor being coupled to protection circuitry of the first domain circuitry. The body electrode is effectively biased to a reference voltage node of the first domain by the protection circuitry in response to an ESD event to protect the gate oxide of the transistor from a potentially damaging ESD voltage.