Abstract: A photolithography system includes a light source and illumination optics which receive light from the light source and project illumination light onto a mask. Light transmitted through the mask is received by projection optics which generate an enlarged image of the mask. The enlarged image is projected onto the surface of a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer or flat panel display. The system achieves a wafer or panel feature size of less than 10 &mgr;m, preferably 3 &mgr;m, while enlarging the image of the mask to produce large wafers and panels in a single exposure. A deformable substrate chuck is selectively deformable to ensure a flat substrate surface. An alignment subsystem ensures precise registration between exposure layers.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a brake controller is provided for controlling an amount of braking force applied to a plurality of wheels of a vehicle running on a surface. Each of the plurality of wheels has a sensor for providing an output signal indicative of a corresponding speed of the wheel. The controller includes a state estimator which estimates an amount of friction between each of the plurality of wheels and the surface based on the output signals of the sensors, the estimated amount of friction for each wheel being based on the estimated amount of friction for the other wheels. The controller further includes a control output which adjusts the amount of braking force applied to the plurality of wheels based on the estimated amount of friction.

Abstract: A drainmast including an electronic temperature detecting and control circuit contained in a fairing detects the temperature of a drain tube and the electronic temperature detecting and control circuit selectively applies voltage to one or more heating elements in accordance with the detected temperature. The applied voltage may be unequally applied to the heating elements. The electronic temperature detecting and control circuit only requires two leads, one for ground and one for the supplied voltage. The drainmast is reliable, has a long life span and rapidly responds to temperature changes.

Abstract: A blend of one or more crosslinked polymers or copolymers prepared from an olefinically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic or anhydride monomer and at least one high molecular weight essentially linear polymer prepared from an olefinically unsaturated polymerizable carboxylic acid monomer. The blend is neutralized to typically a low pH, and generally contains a noncovalent, e.g. ionic, crosslinking agent, and a cure rate modifier. The hydrogel blend is capable of containing a large amount of water, has good tack, good adhesion, and can be utilized as an application vehicle having a backing thereon as well as containing various substances such as personal care compounds, pharmaceuticals, active ingredients, and the like.

Abstract: An implant device is provided which is responsive to an external interrogation circuit. The implant device includes a structure implantable within a living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal. The device further includes an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function. In particular, the sensing circuit includes an inductive element wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an alkylated diphenylamine composition to generate an alkylated diphenylamine composition with relatively low amounts of unsubstituted diphenylamine, based on the total weight of substituted and unsubstituted diphenylamine in the alkylated diphenylamine composition. The method includes reaction of unsubstituted diphenylamine with at least two olefins. In at least some instances, the alkylated diphenylamine composition may be used, for example, as an antioxidant in a lubricating fluid or polymer composition.

Abstract: Blocky chlorinated polyolefins are disclosed as compatibilizers of PVC and/or CPVC resins with polyolefin elastomers. The blocky chlorinated polyolefins facilitate the dispersion of the elastomers as a dispersed phase with the proper size for impact modification of the PVC and/or CPVC. The blocky chlorinated polyolefin provides better adhesion between the elastomer and the PVC and/or CPVC providing better physical properties such as impact strength as measured by Notched Izod and variable height impact testing (VHIT) than did the randomly chlorinated polyolefins, often used as processing aids and as impact modifiers in PVC or CPVC. The differences in properties achieved with blocky chlorinated polyolefins versus randomly chlorinated polyolefins are attributed to the individual blocks of the blocky polyolefin being compatible (and/or co-crystalizable) with either the polyolefin elastomer or the PVC/CPVC resulting in better adhesion between phases.

Abstract: A method of preparing amorphous copolymers of ethylene and at least one norbornene (NB)-type comonomer is disclosed. These polymers may be random or alternating depending on the choice of catalyst and/or the relative ratio of the monomers used. This method comprises polymerizing said monomers in a diluent or in bulk in the presence of a neutral nickel catalyst which may be represented by the formula wherein Y may be a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl chain, X may be oxygen or sulfur, E may be phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, oxygen or nitrogen, R and R′ independently each is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, L is a ligand containing a heteroatom P, N or O or L and R together with L may form part of a chelating structure in which case L is an ethylenic double bond.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride compound and an article made therefrom. The compound comprises a two step CPVC resin, chlorinated polyethylene as well as an impact modifier. The compound exhibits good physical properties, chemical resistance as well as ease of processability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to zeolites and the process for forming such zeolites. In addition, the instant invention relates to modified zeolites having a reduced water content while retaining the reactivity toward the acid species. The reduction in the water content is achieved by shock annealing or coating. The modified zeolite is useful as a stabilizer for halogen containing polymers.

Abstract: An antiskid brake controller which utilizes measured wheel speed in order to provide brake control for a vehicle such as an aircraft. The measured wheel speed is differentiated to determine the deceleration of the wheel, and the controller then compares the deceleration to a predefined deceleration threshold. If the wheel decelerates faster than the deceleration threshold, the controller reduces the command pressure provided to the brakes by a scaling factor. Full command pressure may eventually be applied otherwise. The controller is capable of operating based only on measured wheel speed.

Abstract: A device and system for remotely interrogating a diagnostic implant device utilizes acoustic energy to power and/or interrogate the device. Acoustic energy is utilized to excite the device from outside the body of a patient. By analyzing the response of the device to such excitation, it is possible to ascertain the condition of the device. Additionally, acoustic energy may be used to provide operating power to the device.

Abstract: The invention is relates to CVI/CVD furnace apparatus. More specifically, the invention is directed to a sealed gas inlet for a high temperature CVI/CVD furnace. A method and apparatus are provided for preventing gas leakage around a gas inlet extending through a hole in a susceptor floor in a CVI/CVD furnace. According to the invention, the gas inlet is sealed to the susceptor floor with sufficient intimacy to block leakage of gas through the hole around the gas inlet while allowing the gas inlet to cyclically translate through the hole due to thermal expansion and contraction induced by thermal cycles in the CVI/CVD furnace.

Abstract: Polycyclic polymers containing pendant aromatic moieties are disclosed. The polymers exhibit light transparency properties to deep UV wave lengths making them useful for high resolution photolithographic applications. These polymers are particularly useful in chemically amplified positive and negative tone resists.

Abstract: A controlled free-radical polymerization process for forming end-functionalized polymers is disclosed, particularly by degenerative iodine transfer. The end-functionalized polymers are characterized by a polydispersity less than 2.5 and a predetermined molecular weight. The end-functionalized polymers are useful as reactive intermediates in condensation polymerization, chain polymerization and heterogeneous polymerization reactions.

Abstract: A low molecular weight polyether oligomer is modified with a salt during chain extending reaction of the polyether oligomer to form electrostatic dissipative polymer products such as polyurethanes, polyether amide block copolymers and polyether-ester block copolymers. The reaction product polymers exhibit relatively low surface and volume resistivities, and static decay times which are not too fast or too slow, yet are free of excessive amounts of extractable anions, particularly chlorine, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate. The electrostatic dissipative polymers can be blended with a variety of base polymers to form plastic alloys, which in turn can be utilized to form articles useful in the manufacture of electrostatic sensitive electronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation sensitive photoresist composition comprising a photoacid initiator and a polycyclic polymer comprising repeating units that contain pendant acid labile groups. Upon exposure to an imaging radiation source the photoacid initiator generates an acid which cleaves the pendant acid labile groups effecting a polarity change in the polymer. The polymer is rendered soluble in an aqueous base in the areas exposed to the imaging source.

Abstract: A venting system venting inflated inflatables at a predetermined time period after inflation utilizes non-flaming pyrotechnic materials. The system is used in the restraint system of a vehicle and senses the initiation of a crash pulse to control the passage of inflation fluid to the inflatable. A pyrotechnic delay column responds to the inflation gas to activate an output member connected to the outside surface of the inflatable to weaken the threads of the fabric. As adjacent threads weaken, a rip is created which very quickly cause the inflatable to deflate. In an alternative embodiment, an initiator responsive to an actuating signal generated by a crash pulse activates the pyrotechnic delay column.

Abstract: A deicer comprises a skin heating device immediately subjacent an outer skin overlying an apex of a leading edge, and a skin deflection device immediately subjacent the outer skin chordwise aft of the apex. The skin heating device prevents the formation of ice over the apex and the skin deflection device deflects the outer skin to expulse ice formed chordwise aft of the apex. A controller controls the heating and deflection cycles to minimize power consumption of the deicer.

Abstract: An antiskid brake controller utilizes measured wheel speed in order to provide brake control for a vehicle such as an aircraft. The controller estimates the speed of the vehicle via approximation based on the measured wheel speed and a model of the mu-slip ratio curve representing the wheel to running surface friction characteristics. The controller then predicts the slip ratio based on the measured wheel speed and estimated vehicle speed. The difference between the predicted slip ratio and a predefined desired slip ratio is used to drive a modified integral controller segment to achieve maximum obtainable friction. In another embodiment, the controller measures and integrates the applied braking torque in order to estimate the vehicle speed. The estimated vehicle speed is again combined with the measured wheel speed to determine an estimated slip ratio. The controller compares the estimated slip ratio with a predefined desired slip ratio which again drives a modified integral controller.