Abstract: This invention relates to processes useful for fabricating electronic devices, more particularly to a process for laminating a layer of dielectric material onto a semiconductor.

Abstract: A programmable signal analysis device for detecting and counting neurological and muscular events in living tissue that incorporates one or more signal threshold levels to identify an event, a counter to count events, and a timer to determine event frequency as events per unit time. The threshold levels and counter/timer operating modes/parameters are digitally programmable to identify and count events, i.e., electrical signals having defined parameters. Such a circuit is of particular use in a microstimulator/sensor which is capable of being injected into living tissue at the site of interest. The microstimulator/sensor is used to stimulate a neural pathway or muscle and/or to block a neural pathway to alleviate pain or block stimulation of a muscle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to two component coating compositions that cure under ambient conditions and more particularly to those having low VOC (volatile organic content) that are suitable for use in automotive refinish and Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) applications. The coating composition includes crosslinkable and crosslinking components, wherein the crosslinkable component includes a low polydispersity, low molecular weight copolymer having on an average 2 to 25 crosslinkable functional groups, such as hydroxyl, acetoacetoxy, carboxyl, epoxy, primary amine and secondary amine. The copolymer is polymerized from a monomer mixture that includes one or more non-functional methacrylate monomers and one or more functional acrylate monomers provided with the functional groups. The crosslinking component includes polyisocyanate, polyamine, epoxy, polyacid, ketimine, melamine, or a combination thereof. The invention is also directed to coating produced from the coating composition.

Abstract: A method for flipping pages of an electronic book via an electromechanical information browsing device that controls page flipping actions of information displayed as an e-book on a display device. The browsing device includes a controller that provides tactile feedback so as to lessen the user-interface differences between conventional books and e-books. Sensors and control mechanisms in the controller generate a series of electrical signals that are interpreted by the computer that displays the e-book to control various browsing operations, such as flipping pages, controlling a rate of page flipping, jumping to pre-set locations in the e-book, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of chipboard comprising a centre layer (18) of coarse chips and outer layers (20) of chips whose fibers are oriented in the plane of the board. In order to be able to reduce the density of the finished board while retaining the intrinsic characteristic profile of the board, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the chips used to compose the centre layer (18) will comprise end-grain cut, flake-like chips (22) whose fibers are oriented in the thickness direction (24) of the chips, the chip fibers in the centre layer being oriented substantially transversely to the plane of the chipboard. The invention also relates to chipboard manufactured in accordance with the method.

Abstract: Multilayer articles, particularly multilayer articles having electrical or ionic conductivity, are made using an improved melt extrusion process. The process includes a combination step in which a macroscopically homogeneous mass is formed prior to introduction into an extruder. The multilayer article may include an electrode layer and a separator layer that are extruded onto a metal current collector. Such structures are particularly useful in lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: A Network Address Register (NAR) is a routing device for use in a GSM telephone system. The NAR receives network messages and determines the network address of the appropriate network elements (network items) that is the destination of the message. The NAR allows subscribers and network elements of the GSM telephone system to be assigned independently. Existing methods of assigning subscribers and network elements using fixed association, such as telephone number blocks, are eliminated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electro-active lens is disclosed. The lens is manufactured by providing a lens blank having a front and back surface, a thickness, and an index of refraction. An electro-active element is placed on one of the front or back surfaces of the lens blank. A covering surface is then formed over the surface of the lens blank containing the electro-active element. In some embodiments, the electro-active lens may then be surfaced to provide a desired fixed optical power and edged to fit within a spectacles frame.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display (100) comprises a front light-transmissive substrate (112), a rear substrate (116) spaced from the front substrate (112) so as to leave a cavity, and an electrophoretic medium (102) in the cavity, the electrophoretic medium (102) comprising a liquid external phase (120) and a plurality of capsules (104) suspended in the liquid external phase (120), each of the capsules comprising a capsule wall, a suspending fluid (106) held within the capsule wall and at least one electrically charged particle (108, 110) suspended in the suspending fluid (106).

Abstract: The invention is a method of bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by heating a component assembly comprised of the metal part, the ceramic part, and a very thin essentially pure interlayer material of a compatible interlayer material placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the eutectic formed between the metal part and the metal interlayer material, but that is less than the melting point of either the interlayer material, the ceramic part or the metal part. The component assembly is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a hermetic and strong bond between the ceramic part and the metal part. The bonded component assembly is optionally treated with acid to remove any residual free nickel and nickel salts, to assure a biocompatible component assembly for implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: A hose apparatus used as part of an air and water supply system to deliver water and air to a firefighter. The hose apparatus includes an air hose and a water hose with an adaptor at each end of the air and water hoses. The adaptors have an inner passageway with an air groove. The adaptors have a first air hole in fluid communication with the air hose and the air groove and a second air hole in fluid communication with the air groove and the air supply or breathing hose for the firefighter. The second air hole has a coupling which prevents air from exiting the adaptors when the hose apparatus is not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is related to providing sensing functions that are similar to “human touch” when located in a prosthetic device such as a BION microstimulator that is implanted in a patient. The apparatus includes a power circuit, a communication circuit, and a sensor circuit. The power circuit provides power to the communication circuit and the sensor circuit. The sensor cooperates with the communication circuit, which communicates to the brain. The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity, return signal spectrum, return signal rate, and return signal phase to name a few. For example, the impedance observed by the sensor changes when: the skin tissue is deformed around the sensor, or when the skin is surrounded by water. The sensory information is interpreted by the brain as an analog of touch or feel.

Abstract: An implantable, integrated apparatus that contacts the brain with a plurality of metal needles to detect electrical signals or to transmit signals to the brain. The needles are connected by wires that pass along a flex connector to a ceramic case that contains electrodes to carry the signals to the electrical processing components that are hermetically contained in the ceramic case. The processed signals are received by or are transmitted by an antenna to a remote central processor.

Abstract: An encapsulation material, intended for use in encapsulated electrophoretic displays, comprises the coacervation product of a polyanionic polymer having a vinyl main chain and a plurality of anionic groups bonded to the main chain, with a cationic or zwitterionic water-soluble polymer capable of forming an immiscible second phase on contact with the polyanionic polymer.

Abstract: A two-phase electrophoretic medium comprises a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase. The discontinuous phase comprises a plurality of droplets, each of which comprises a suspending fluid and at least one particle disposed within the suspending fluid and capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the electrophoretic medium. The continuous phase surrounds and encapsulates the discontinuous phase. To reduce the humidity sensitivity of the medium, a non-ionizable or crystalline polymer may be used as the continuous phase.

Abstract: An eyewear assembly comprises a primary lens assembly including a primary frame that secures a pair of primary lenses in position relative to one another. A pair of extensions is provided, each of the extensions positioned on an outer periphery of the primary frame. An arm is connected to each extension by a hinge. A safety shield is carried by the eyewear assembly and extends around a portion of the periphery of one of the primary lenses and extends longitudinally along one of the arms, wherein an open space between the primary lens, the arm, and an eye of the wearer is substantially enclosed. The safety shield has an aperture formed therein that extends from the primary lens rearward proximal the hinge, wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a portion of an auxiliary lens assembly.

Abstract: A convertible retaining ring pliers has a pivot, first and second jaws and first and second handles rotatably secured about the pivot. A pair of transfer pins is slidably disposed for selective movement in the first and second jaws and the first and second handles for establishing alternative operating positions enabling the jaws to move inwardly as the handles move inwardly and allowing the jaws to move outwardly as the handles inwardly. A switching mechanism is mounted to the handles and pivot for providing simultaneous shifting of the transfer pins in the jaws of the handles. The switching mechanism includes first and second flexing spring plates which are mounted on opposite ends of the pivot and disposed on opposite external surfaces of the handles. Each of the spring plates includes a pair of boss pins engageable with opposite ends of the transfer pins.

Abstract: A two-stage cure coating composition of a binder and a crosslinking component; the binder comprises and acrylic polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 to 50,000 and hydroxyl moieties in the range of 7.0 to 40.0 weight; wherein at least 40.0 weight percent of the hydroxyl moieties are provided by hydroxy butyl acrylate; the crosslinking component comprises an organic polyisocyanate; and the first stage curing of a finish of the composition forms a water spot free finish within 90 minutes of application and the composition has a pot life of less than a 2 second rise in Zahn cup viscosity in 150 minutes; and the invention also is directed to a method of producing a finish on a substrate utilizing the coating composition.

Abstract: The invention is a method of bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by heating a component assembly comprised of the metal part, the ceramic part, and a very thin essentially pure interlayer material of a compatible interlayer material placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the eutectic formed between the metal part and the metal interlayer material, but that is less than the melting point of either the interlayer material, the ceramic part or the metal part. The component assembly is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a hermetic and strong bond between the ceramic part and the metal part. The bonded component assembly is optionally treated with acid to remove any residual free nickel and nickel salts, to assure a biocompatible component assembly for implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing N-aryl-2-lactams and N-cycloalkyl-2-lactams by reductive amination of lactones with aryl amines utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.