Abstract: Surface modification methods based on a combination of plasma and chemical treatments render an unfilled butyl rubber surface highly reactive toward organosilanes, allowing formation of an organosilane self-assembled monolayer (SAM). Plasma oxidation of the butyl rubber surface followed by vapour deposition of SiCl4 produces a hydrophilic surface suitable for anchoring organosilanes. Fabrication of SAMs on this hydrophilic butyl rubber surface with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane (FOTS) via vapour deposition resulted in a 15% and 25% decrease in gas permeability, respectively, with no change in optical transparency of the butyl rubber.

Abstract: A sensor assembly including one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) microarray modules which are provided with a number of individual transducers. The transducers include silicon device and backing layers joined by a fused benzocyclobutene (BCB) layer which defines the transducer air gap, and which are arranged to simulate or orient individual transducers in a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry. The transducers/sensor are arranged in a matrix and are activatable to emit and receive reflected beam signals at a frequency of between about 100 to 170 kHz.

Abstract: A method of processing a metal for improved damping of a metal part is provided. The method comprises placing the metal part inside a current carrying coil and closing a circuit for to apply current to the coil, thus producing a magnetic field in the metal part. Thereafter, the circuit is opened for a time and then the circuit is closed a second time to apply a second current to the coil. The circuit is then opened a second time and the metal part is removed from the current carrying coil.

Abstract: A sensor assembly including one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) microarray modules which are provided with a number of individual transducers. The microarray modules are arranged to simulate or orient individual transducers in a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry. The transducers/sensor are arranged in a rectangular or square matrix and are activatable individually, selectively or collectively to emit and received reflected beam signals at a frequency of between about 100 to 170 Hz.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus, is used to effect multiple images of a tumor in which a contrast agent has been localized as a detectable marker over a selected time to map the change in the imaged marker. The rate of change in the imaged marker and/or contrast intensity of the dyed tissues is used to assess tumor aggressiveness and as an early predictor of response to cancer therapy. In particular, following the marking of tumor or cancerous tissues by the initial localization of an imageable contrast agent, the rate of change in the volume and/or area of the imaged marker is used to provide an indication of tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP).

Abstract: One embodiment includes a biometric sensor for generating a three-dimensional representation of a portion of a finger, the finger comprising a three-dimensional structure including a surface tissue layer and a subsurface tissue layer, the biometric sensor comprising: a platen; a first transducer; a drive system; a controller; and a software module. The platen is configured to receive the finger. The first transducer is arranged about the platen, configured to scan at least a portion of the finger by transmitting ultrasound waves toward the finger and receiving the ultrasound waves after the waves reflect off of the finger, and further configured to output signals based upon the received ultrasound waves. The drive system is configured to motivate the set of transducers accurately about a central axis substantially parallel to the length of the finger to be scanned. The controller is configured to control the motion of the drive system.

Abstract: A plating bath for electroless deposition of gold and gold alloy layers on such silicon-based substrates, includes Na(AuCl4) and/or other gold (III) chloride salts as a gold ion source. The bath is formed as a binary bath solution formed from mixing first and second bath components. The first bath component includes gold salts in concentrations up to 40 g/L, boric acid, in amounts of up to 30 g/L, and a metal hydroxide in amounts up to 20 g/L. The second bath component includes an acid salt, in amounts up to 25 g/L, sodium thiosulfate in amounts up to 30 g/L, and suitable acid, such as boric acid in amounts up to 20 g/L.

Abstract: A system and method for determining fluid flow of compressible and non-compressible liquids is described. The system may include input means for receiving a model of an object defined as a plurality of cells having a plurality of nodes P, and a processor coupled to a memory. The processor may be configured for: discretizing a partial differential equation (PDE) corresponding to the received model; for each node P: (i) locating all neighbouring cells that share the node P; (ii) grouping all of the neighbouring cells to form one larger cell having a common vertex at node P; (iii) approximating the PDE at the common vertex at node P using the discretized PDE; and iteratively updating the solution for all the nodes P from an initial guess until a convergence criterion is satisfied.

Abstract: A plating bath for electroless deposition of gold and gold alloy layers on such silicon-based substrates, includes Na(AuCl4) and/or other gold (III) chloride salts as a gold ion source. The bath is formed as a binary bath solution formed from mixing first and second bath components. The first bath component includes gold salts in concentrations up to 40 g/L, boric acid, in amounts of up to 30 g/L, and a metal hydroxide in amounts up to 20 g/L. The second bath component includes an acid salt, in amounts up to 25 g/L, sodium thiosulfate in amounts up to 30 g/L, and suitable acid, such as boric acid in amounts up to 20 g/L.

Abstract: A sensor assembly including one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) microarray modules which are provided with a number of individual transducers. The microarray modules are arranged to simulate or orient individual transducers in a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry. The transducers/sensor are arranged in a rectangular or square matrix and are activatable individually, selectively or collectively to emit and received reflected beam signals at a frequency of between about 100 to 170 kHz.

Abstract: An automatic test equipment (ATE) unit, which incorporates a mass interconnect system. The mass interconnect system is provided with a universal mounting table for use with receiver and test interface modules for electronically mounting and testing a variety of different types of electronic components or unit under test thereon. The mounting table test interface module incorporates MEMS based spring contacts to provide high-speed micro test-channels in order to establish signal connectivity between the components or unit under test and the tester, and which maintain the signal integrity up to 50 GHz without significant signal loss distortion.

Abstract: A process for surface treatment of aluminium foils includes steps of applying an etching solution to chemically etch at least one surface of the foil to form an etched surface, and forming an aluminium oxidized coating on the etched surface. The etching solution comprises an aqueous solution which includes hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant and sulfuric, orthophosphoric or nitric acid.

Abstract: A plating process using an electroless plating bath formed from a single component solution used to effect nickel or nickel alloy plating on magnesium. The plating solution is provided with a nickel hydrate compound as a source of plating ions, a sodium hydrate compound and ammonium hydroxide. The bath solution is heated to a temperature of 50° C. or more, and the substrate is immersed therein for upto ten minutes to allow for formation of the heating layer.

Abstract: A plating process using an electroless plating bath formed from two separate prepared component solutions. The component solutions mixed within 120 hours prior to plating operations, to provide a highly alkaline plating bath solution. One component solution of the two-part plating bath, is provided with a metal salt or source of plating ions, and which is initially kept in a separate solution from the second other prepared component solution. The second component solution contains formaldehyde, and preferably paraformaldehyde, used to reduce the metal salts into the metal to be deposited on a substrate. Each component solution further includes sodium hydroxide in concentrations selected so that when the two solutions are preferably mixed the final plating bath solution has a pH greater than 11.5.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel and improved method of functionalizing a C—H bond of an arene compound comprising the step of reacting an organometallic compound having a group 14 element with the arene compound having at least one hydrogen bonded to a carbon in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Single-domain antibodies that bind pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 are identified and isolated. These single-domain antibodies may be used to modulate the activity of Bax and caspase-3, thereby modulating the symptoms and steps of oxidative stress and/or cell apoptosis, including Bax dimerization, mitochondrial permeabilization and the release of apoptotic proteins.

Abstract: Single-domain anti-bodies that bind pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 are identified and isolated. These single-domain antibodies may be used to modulate the active of Bax and caspase-3, thereby modulating the symptoms and steps of oxidative stress and/or cell apoptosis, including Bax dimerization, mitochondrial permeabilization and the release of apoptotic proteins.

Abstract: An energy dissipation assembly is provided for mounting between a fixed support and moveable support. The assembly includes a sacrificial deformation tube, a hardened cutter/deflector assembly and, optionally, a connecting cable to maintain the cutter/deflector assembly in juxtaposed coaxial alignment with an end deformation tube. The cutter/deflector assembly has a generally flattened disc shaped profile and includes a central hub, a circular support ring and one or more cutting blades. The support ring is concentrically about the hub and has an inner diameter greater than the outer tube diameter. On the occurrence of a shock force, the cutter/deflector assembly moves axial to cut/deform the deformation tube to dissipate force energy.

Abstract: This invention provides novel stable metallic mesoporous transition metal oxide molecular sieves and methods for their production. The sieves have high electrical conductivity and may be used as solid electrolyte devices, e.g., in fuel cells, as sorbents, e.g. for hydrogen storage, and as catalysts. The invention also provides room temperature activation of dinitrogen, using the sieves as a catalyst, which permits ammonia production at room temperature.

Abstract: Novel mononuclear Z.sup.IV trihydride, monoalkyl dihydride and deuteride compounds are prepared and are used as catalysts in dehydrocoupling reactions.