Abstract: A self-doping electrode to silicon is formed primarily from a metal (major component) which forms a eutectic with silicon. A p-type dopant (for a positive electrode) or an n-type dopant (for a negative electrode) is alloyed with the major component. The alloy of major component and dopant is applied to a silicon substrate. Once applied, the alloy and substrate are heated to a temperature above the major component-silicon eutectic temperature such that the major component liquefies more than a eutectic proportion of the silicon substrate. The temperature is then decreased towards the eutectic temperature permitting molten silicon to reform through liquid-phase epitaxy and while so doing incorporate dopant atoms into its regrown lattice. Once the temperature drops below the major component-silicon eutectic temperature the silicon, which has not already regrown into the lattice, forms a solid-phase alloy with the major component and the remaining unused dopant.

Abstract: Plastics material-containing closed containers (e.g., elastomer-stoppered vials) for contrast agents and contrast agent precursors which incorporate or are adapted to incorporate a volatile substance (e.g., a gaseous halocarbon such as a perfluorocarbon), where the plastics material is pretreated by exposure to the volatile substance. Such containers may enhance the storage stability of the contrast agent or precursor content.

Abstract: A tubular film for encasing food. The tubular film comprises a material which has been regenerated from a viscose solution. The tubular material is longitudinally stretched by from +8 to +40 percent and transversely stretched by from −20 to +40 percent while wet and the stretch is maintained during drying, said transverse stretch and longitudinal stretch being sufficient to obtain a surface area increase of at least 10 percent from the point of regeneration. In general, the tubular material has a wall thickness of from about 60 to about 90 percent of the same tubular material except without the combined stretch. The invention also includes the method for making the tubular material by stretching the regenerated tubular material while wet and maintaining the stretch during drying.

Abstract: A separator pad for use in transporting stacked equal-height containers comprised of a liquid and gas impervious polymer film overlying a flexible core fabric. The core fabric preferably has a basis weight from about six to about eleven ounces per square yard, and the overall thickness of the pad preferably is from about 20 to about 40 mils. The polymer film, such as a polypropylene film, is chill rolled with rolls having a polished finish to impart a high friction gloss surface on the separator pad. The gloss-finish separator pad should have an average static coefficient of friction of at least 0.35, and an average kinetic coefficient of friction of at least 0.2. Due to the high friction surface, the separator pad prevents containers such as aluminum cans from falling during transport.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is disclosed that is useful in the manufacture of ceramic articles, and particularly ceramic electronic components such as capacitors. The tape can be used to adhere a green ceramic article to a rigid surface for handling during the manufacturing operation. The adhesive can be deactivated after the green ceramic article has been laminated and diced to release the laminated and diced ceramic articles. The adhesive tape comprises a substrate; a light-reflective metallic layer on the substrate; a first adhesive layer of a heat stable adhesive composition on one surface of the substrate, and a second adhesive layer on the opposite surface of the substrate. The second adhesive layer comprises a heat stable, radiation curable adhesive composition which loses its adhesive characteristics upon exposure to radiation.

Abstract: A reusable environmentally friendly chemical free anti-static ball and a method of using the same in an automatic heated tumble laundry dryer in order to reduce the build up of electrostatic charges and thereby reduces static cling and annoying electrical shocks produced in the laundry, without the use of any chemical anti-static fabric conditioning agents. The anti-static ball preferably consists of a one-piece porous inner foam ball and a two piece outer shell of a shape retaining molded plastic. The outer shell contains apertures or holes that permit communication between the inner foam ball and environment that surrounds the anti-static ball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a ceramic or ceramic-like coating on a substrate in the absence of oxygen. The method comprises coating the substrate with a solution comprising a solven and one or more preceramic materials selected from the group consisting of hydrogen silsesquioxane and hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed RxSi(OR)4-x wherein R is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and unsaturated hydrocarbons and x is 0-2. The solvent is evaporated and a preceramic coating thereby deposited on the substrate. The preceramic coating is then ceramified by heating the coated substrate to a temperature of between about 500 up to about 1000° C. under an inert gas atmosphere to thereby produce a ceramic or ceramic-like coating on the substrate. The process of the invention is useful for forming protective coatings on any substrate prone to oxidation at the temperature necessary for ceramification.

Abstract: A composite sheathing material comprises a first layer of paperboard having a layer of a permeable resin on a surface thereof, a core layer of paperboard, a first adhesive layer positioned intermediate and adhered to the first layer of paperboard and the core layer of paperboard, said first adhesive layer including a plurality of apertures therethrough, a second layer of paperboard having a second layer of a permeable resin on a surface thereof, and a second adhesive layer positioned intermediate and adhered to the second layer of paperboard and the core layer of paperboard, said second adhesive layer including a plurality of apertures therethrough.

Abstract: A solar cell (1) is proposed, which is having at least at one side a semiconductor surface (2), on which edges (3) are formed having flank-like regions (4) running substantially parallel to the substrate normal and on which the electrical conductive contacts (5) are arranged. To be able to produce solar cells using simple technology with high cell efficiencies the electrical conductive material is deposited to the flank-like regions as well as to some none flank-like areas (6). The electrical conductive material is removed mask-free and selectively from the none flank-like areas resulting in electrical conducting contacts remaining on the flank-like regions only.

Abstract: A rubber composition comprising: (A) at least one copolymer ingredient selected from the group consisting of ethylene/&agr;-olefin copolymer rubber and ethylene/&agr;-olefin/unconjugated diene copolymer rubber, (B) nickel diisobutyldithiocarbamate, and (C) carbon black, and not containing any compound having zinc; a vulcanized rubber composition obtained by vulcanizing the rubber composition; and a heat-resistant rubber product using the vulcanized rubber composition.

Abstract: A low trauma pressure-sensitive adhesive coated substrate comprising a sheet material, tape or laminate structure designed to adhere to skin or like surfaces. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of this adhesive coated substrate is a fibrous adhesive layer generally having a basis weight of from 5 to 200 g/m2 applied to a conformable backing or substrate. The fibrous adhesive layer has a textured outer face and persistent porosity between discrete adhesive fibers. Generally, the fibrous adhesive layer has a MVTR (measured by ASTM E 96-80 at 40° C.) of at least 1000 g/m2/day, preferably at least 6000 g/m2/day.

Abstract: A generally flat rectangular pencil blank made from a composite celluosic and resin material or cross-linking agent includes a longitudinal axis, a first surface and a second surface with a repeatable profile transverse to the longitudinal axis on the first surface of the blank, the profile representing an approximate peripheral shape of a repeated series of longitudinal sections of an outside peripheral portion of a series of parallel elongated pencils, and an integral web between each adjacent pair of the series of longitudinal sections and extending to the second surface. In one embodiment, the second surface further includes a series of spaced parallel longitudinal grooves for reception of pencil cores, formed on the second surface and positioned laterally so as to be aligned to an apex of each repeatable profile. Methods of making the pencil blanks including dies and molds for making the pencil blanks are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high-quality solar battery module having an excellent adhesive property, weathering resistance, and reliability of battery function and a method of assembling the same are disclosed. The solar battery module is constituted of a solar cell panel provided with solar cell elements arranged on the back said of a transmitting panel opposite to the light-receiving surface of the light-transmitting panel; and a frame provided with plate or flange projecting therefrom and arranged over the entire periphery of the panel in order to support the back side of the light-transmitting panel and keeps the light-receiving surface in open. The solar cell panel is bonded to the projecting plate of the frame with a moisture curing hot-melt adhesive composed mainly of a polymer containing at least two hydrolytic silyl group in one molecule.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell in accordance with the present invention includes at least a metal layer, a semiconductive layer and a transparent electrode formed on a substrate. The metal layer is composed of a metal mainly containing aluminum; and has an x-ray diffraction pattern in which a (111) peak intensity is enhanced to at least 2.1 times a (200) peak intensity, at least 4.4 times a (220) peak intensity and at least 4.1 times a (311) peak intensity. The metal layer essentially consists of an aluminum-titanium alloy or an aluminum-magnesium alloy. An interlayer may be provided between the metal layer and the substrate.

Abstract: An improved, “fail-safe” safety device comprising, in combination, a backlighted fluorescent film and a retroreflective sheet.

Abstract: A crystalline silicon based solar cell module comprising: (a) a crystalline silicon based solar cell array formed by interconnecting a plurality of crystalline silicon based solar cells with an interconnect; (b) a hot melt adhesive applied above and below the interconnect to reduce mechanical and thermal stress between the interconnect and the crystalline silicon based solar cells. The hot melt adhesive can be an ethylene-polymer along with a variety of additives such as oxidation inhibitor, UV stabilizer, and UV absorber.

Abstract: A microbridge structure includes a thin film section provided to be spaced from a substrate, and a supporting section formed around the thin film section and also spaced from the substrate, for supporting the thin film section. The supporting section is reinforced by a first reinforcement section, and the thin film section is reinforced by a second reinforcement section.

Abstract: A viscous liquid deoxidizer including a metal powder, a water absorptive polymer and/or a tackifier and water as an essential component, where the metal powder is a reacting component and the deoxidizer is formed in the form of a viscous liquid. It also relates to a deoxidizing sheet using this deoxidizer and a method for producing such deoxidizing sheet.

Abstract: A flexible package is provided made of plastic, having a wall made of a thermoplastic blend containing a first and of a second polymer, wherein the first polymer is a propylene homopolymer (PP) and the second polymer is a copolymer of propylene (PP) and of ethylene (PE), and a method for producing the package by injection molding of the blend in a suitable mold. The package can be an injection-moulded tube, and is particularly suitable for the packaging of small volumes of cosmetic and/or dermatological products.

Abstract: The invention relates as a whole to composite structures and may be used, in particular, in the manufacture of bodies or compartments of flying vehicles used in rocketry and aeronautics.A composite shell shaped as a body of revolution comprises a load-bearing framework of a multilayer structure consisting of intersecting spiral and annular strips arranged at intervals and forming cross nodes and stiffening ribs therebetween, an outer load-bearing shell, fine-cellular layers consisting of spiral and annular strips therebetween, surrounding the stiffening ribs of the framework in the directions thereof, and having the width exceeding the width of the strips in the ribs and forming their bearing flanges. The spiral and annular strips of the framework and of the fine-cellular layers, and the outer load-bearing shell are made of unidirectional fibers and a polymer binder.