Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing pellets which are capable of providing free flowing powder suitable for firing an industrial furnace from municipal and/or other waste, the process comprising the following steps: (i) providing waste material comprising one or more thermoplastic material(s) of more than 40%, based on the total dry weight of the waste and one or more cellulosic material(s) of more than 30%, based on the total dry weight of the waste, wherein the waste has a particle size distribution with more than 80% larger than 5 mm, more than 95% smaller than 60 mm, (ii) subjecting the waste material through a pelletiser with holes between 4-16 mm and a length ratio of more than 2, and subjecting the pellets through a second pelletiser with holes between 4 and 10 mm, and a length ratio of more than 2 to provide pellets with a diameter between 4 and 10 mm, and a length of between 3 and 50 mm. The invention also relates to pellets obtained and having advantageous properties.

Abstract: Systems directed to a stage apparatus in an electron beam inspection tool to inspect a sample are disclosed. The stage apparatus comprises a short stroke stage; a long stroke stage; a first sensor configured to measure a position of the short stroke stage with respect to a measurement reference; one or more roller bearings configured to support the long stroke stage; and a controller having circuitry and configured to control a motion of the long stroke stage and a motion of the short stroke stage for following movement of the reference at least partly based on measurement from the first sensor, wherein the controller is operable such that control of the long stroke stage is decoupled from the movement of the reference in at least a part of operation of the stage apparatus for reducing debris generation of the one or more roller bearings.

Abstract: A method for determining a component of optical characteristic of a patterning process. The method includes obtaining (i) a plurality of desired features, (ii) a plurality of simulated features based on the plurality of desired features and an optical characteristic of a patterning apparatus, and (iii) a performance metric (e.g., EPE) related to a desired feature of the plurality of desired features and an associated simulated feature of the plurality of simulated features; determining a set of optical sensitivities of the patterning process by computing a change in value of the performance metric based on a change in value of the optical characteristic; and identifying, based on the set of optical sensitivities, a set of components (e.g., principal components) of the optical characteristic that include dominant contributors in changing the value of the performance metric.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed that includes a table, a shutter member, a fluid handling structure, and a fluid extraction system. The fluid handling structure may be configured to supply and confine liquid between a projection system and (i) a substrate, or (ii) the table, or (iii) a surface of the shutter member, or (iv) a combination selected from (i)-(iii). The surface of the shutter member may adjoin and be co-planar with a surface of the table. The surfaces of the shutter member and the table may be spaced apart by a gap. The fluid extraction system may be configured to remove liquid from the gap.

Abstract: Mobile device includes a frame with displacement means, a working arm connected to the frame including at least a first and a second articulation which are hinged to each other. The working arm is hinged to the frame, and at least a first, second and third control devices are adapted for moving the first and second articulation of the working arm and a tool, respectively, at a free end of the second articulation. A control system is adapted for controlling the first, second and third control means. The control system is adapted to drive the first, second and third control means such that the free end of the second articulation follows a predetermined upward movement along an upwardly directed path and the tool remains in a lifting position, the first, second and third control means are simultaneously controlled.

Abstract: A fixation unit for use in a printing apparatus includes a substantially closed box for enclosing a heated space, the substantially closed box including an entry opening and an exit opening for enabling transport of a print substrate through the substantially closed box, a heating element arranged for heating the heated space enclosed by the substantially closed box, and a transport mechanism for engaging a sheet of the print substrate from the entry opening to the exit opening of the substantially closed box. The transport mechanism includes a nip of two belts that are pressed together and run concurrently and in the same direction, the belts being impermeable to any ink component. A printer includes such a fixation unit and a printing method uses such a fixation unit.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, a control circuit and method are provided for a controlled start-up of N LED groups, wherein the control circuit comprises a LED switching element and a chargeable element in parallel with each LED group, and a low-power source, and wherein the method comprises a step of prior to supplying power to the LED groups, setting the LED switching elements in a second state which corresponds with the LED group being off, by charging the chargeable elements with the low-power source. According to a second aspect a control circuit and method are provided for controlling X LED groups, wherein the control circuit comprises a LED switching element and a chargeable element in parallel with each LED group, wherein the top of a lower chargeable element is connected via a diode with the top of a higher chargeable element.

Abstract: A method for categorizing a substrate subject to a semiconductor manufacturing process including multiple operations, the method including: obtaining values of functional indicators derived from data generated during one or more of the multiple operations on the substrate, the functional indicators characterizing at least one operation; applying a decision model including one or more threshold values to the values of the functional indicators to obtain one or more categorical indicators; and assigning a category to the substrate based on the one or more categorical indicators.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cosmetic composition comprising (i) 0.5 to 20 wt % of an organic sunscreen; and (ii) 2 to 60 wt % of a blend comprising a silicone elastomer gel of the Formula (I) and a non-silicone solvent selected from a hydrocarbon, an oil, a modified oil, an ester, an ether, an alcohol or a mixture thereof; wherein the composition comprises less than 1 wt % volatile silicone solvent.

Abstract: A liquid composition comprised of a micellar casein concentrate (MCC), more specifically a MCC that is of non-bovine origin. Food products comprised of the liquid composition and methods for the production of the liquid composition of present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric for purification of water. An object of the present invention is to provide a fabric for purification of liquids which achieves at least 2 log reductions of bacteria, and viruses. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fabric for purification of liquids which provides high flow rates in gravity fed water purification systems. The present inventors have surprisingly found that a fabric having a matrix of polymer impregnated with organosilane superimposed on a surface of the fibre of a fibrous support not only provides reduction of viruses from a liquid to be purified at low pressure drops but also removes bacteria without using a separate microfiltration membrane and also retains high flow rates.

Abstract: A substrate table for supporting a substrate includes a surface and coarse burls. Each of the coarse burls includes a burl-top surface and fine burls. The coarse burls are disposed on the surface of the substrate table. The fine burls are disposed on the burl-top surface. The fine burls contact the substrate when the substrate table supports the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes conveying baggage through a baggage claim system, receiving a code from a first passenger in a queue, and scanning codes on the baggage in the baggage claim system for a baggage item that matches with the code received from the first passenger. The method includes detecting the bagging item that matches with the code received from the first passenger and diverting the baggage item from the baggage conveyed through the baggage claim system for retrieval by the first passenger. This can be performed without the first passenger touching any of the baggage in the baggage claim system other than the baggage item that matches with the code received from the passenger, and without any other passengers touching the baggage item.

Abstract: A method for predicting a property associated with a product unit. The method may include: obtaining a plurality of data sets, wherein each of the plurality of data sets includes data associated with a spatial distribution of a parameter across the product unit; representing each of the plurality of data sets as a multidimensional object; obtaining a convolutional neural network model trained with previously obtained multidimensional objects and properties of previous product units; and applying the convolutional neural network model to the plurality of multidimensional objects representing the plurality of data sets, to predict the property associated with the product unit.

Abstract: A method of producing a substrate holder for use in a lithographic apparatus, the substrate holder comprising a main body having a main body surface, wherein the method includes the steps of: coating at least part of the main body with a layer of a first coating material; and treating a plurality of discrete regions of the first coating material with laser irradiation to selectively convert said first coating material in said regions to a second coating material having a different structure or density.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions and methods using the compositions for preventing or minimizing live body weight loss in livestock animals subjected to a prolonged period of feed deprivation, e.g., such as during the period before slaughter or during a period surrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or after), and/or for minimizing carcass weight loss or carcass yield loss, and/or meat quality deterioration and/or for preventing or minimizing deterioration of the well-being or health of livestock animals subjected to a prolonged period of feed deprivation, e.g., such as during the period before slaughter or during a period surrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or after).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process to make high water bars with a high speed extrusion process by using specific types and amounts of electrolytes in combination. The bars are produced with no negatives generally associated with use of electrolytes. Disclosed is an extruded soap bar composition wherein the bar comprises: a) 20 to 40% of water; b) 20 to 75% by wt. anhydrous soap; wherein C16 to C24 saturated soap comprises 12% to 45% by wt. of total bar. c) structurants comprises at least from 0.05 to 35% by wt.

Abstract: A semiconductor package including a lead frame, an Ag plated surface positioned on the lead frame, an adhesion promotion layer positioned on the top of the Ag plated surface, and mold body covering the top of the lead frame is provided. The Ag plated surface covers a significant part of an interconnection area of the lead frame surface, and the Ag plating surface does not exceed the area of the mold body.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of a solid material containing hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, which process comprises the following steps: (i) hydrolyzing, at a temperature equal to or less than 40° C., preferably equal to or less than 30° C., at least part of the hemicellulose of the solid material by contacting the solid material with a first aqueous hydrochloric acid solution, which first aqueous hydrochloric acid solution has a hydrochloric acid concentration in the range from equal to or more than 15.0 wt. % to less than 40.0 wt. %, based on the weight amount of water and hydrochloric acid in such first aqueous hydrochloric acid solution, yielding a remaining solid material and an aqueous first hydrolysate product solution; (ii) displacing aqueous solution from the remaining solid material with a non-aqueous displacement fluid; (iii) hydrolyzing, at a temperature equal to or less than 40° C., preferably equal to or less than 30° C.

Abstract: A decoring hammer for decoring cast workpieces, includes: —a housing; —a striker which is coupled to the housing and which includes a contact surface serving for contact on the cast workpiece to be decored. Moreover, a downholder is formed which is coupled to the housing and which includes a downholder surface serving for contact on the cast workpiece to be decored, wherein the striker is displaceable relative to the downholder.