Abstract: A method is provided for forming a capacitor structure for a memory element of an integrated circuit. The method comprises providing a first conductive electrode, forming a layer of a first dielectric material thereon, opening a via hole through the dielectric layer, providing within the via opening a capacitor dielectric having a higher dielectric strength than the first dielectric, the capacitor dielectric contacting the first electrode, planarizing the resulting structure and then forming a second conductive electrode thereon. Preferably, when the second dielectric comprises a ferroelectric dielectric material, sidewalls of the via opening are lined with a dielectric barrier layer to provide diffusion barrier between the ferroelectric and first dielectric layer. Advantageously, planarization is accomplished by chemical mechanical polishing to provide fully planar topography.

Abstract: Surfaces of polymeric materials are coated with a layer of thermally denatured fibrinogen. The fibrinogen may be treated with thrombin to produce fibrin, and additional fibrinogen and factor XIII added to produce a cross-linked fibrin coating. The resulting coated surface is stable, anti-thrombotic and resistant to platelet adhesion. Polymeric materials coated in this way are useful in constructing vascular grafts and prosthetic devices, and provide test systems useful in the study of thrombogenesis.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the transfer of nucleic acids into cells comprising preparing a mixed lipid dispersion of a cationic lipid with a co-lipid in a suitable carrier solvent. The lipid has a structure which includes a lipophilic group derived from cholesterol, a linker bond, a spacer arm including from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in a branched or unbranched linear alkyl chain, and a cationic amino group selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amino groups. The method further comprises adding the nucleic acids to the dispersion to form a complex. The cells are then treated with the complex. There is also disclosed a novel cationic amphiphile useful for this purpose.

Abstract: Surfaces of polymeric materials are coated with a layer of thermally denatured fibrinogen. The fibrinogen may be treated with thrombin to produce fibrin, and additional fibrinogen and factor XIII added to produce a cross-linked fibrin coating. The resulting coated surface is stable, anti-thrombotic and resistant to platelet adhesion. Polymeric materials coated in this way are useful in constructing vascular grafts and prosthetic devices, and provide test systems useful in the study of thrombogenesis.

Abstract: A dynamic environmental control system for managing the environment in a super insulated tightly sealed home which has a heat recovery ventilator connected to a forced air heating system for ventilation. The system controls indoor temperature, humidity and fresh air levels as well as temperature gradients using a heat recovery ventilator, heater and an air ventilation fan. The system can initiate operation of the heat recovery ventilator to exchange moist and polluted inside air for drier fresher outside air to control both inside moisture and air pollutant levels. Air exchanges can be initiated by an internal system timer, manually by building occupants or by the system in response to humidity levels inside the home. The system will determine the moisture contents of inside and outside air and will only attempt to exchange air to lower inside humidity levels when the outside air contains less moisture than the inside air.

Abstract: A surface-strengthened composite ceramic material has a ceramic matrix and a refractory phase dispersed at least in and close to the surface of the matrix. The refractory phase includes beta-alumina particles in which larger cations producing a larger molar volume replace sufficient smaller cations in beta-alumina particles in and close to the surface of the composite ceramic material to cause compressive surface stresses which increase the surface strength of the composite ceramic material. The smaller cations are replaced by the larger cations after firing of the composite ceramic material.

Abstract: A process for forming derivatives of organic compounds as a step during their analysis. A macroreticular resin is used as both an adsorbent for the analyte and the derivatizing reagent and also as a catalyst for the derivatization reaction. Subsequent serial elution of the absorbed compounds leads to simple separation of the derivatized analyte from the starting materials. Further, the resin impregnated with derivatizing reagent can be used to combine the extraction and derivatization of the analyte. As macroreticular resins are relatively inexpensive, they result in reduced costs compared with conventional catalysts, and their ease of separation from liquid systems makes them easy to use and makes it possible to automate the procedure.