Abstract: An improved fuel processor for fuel cells is provided whereby the startup time of the processor is less than sixty seconds and can be as low as 30 seconds, if not less. A rapid startup time is achieved by either igniting or allowing a small mixture of air and fuel to react over and warm up the catalyst of an autothermal reformer (ATR). The ATR then produces combustible gases to be subsequently oxidized on and simultaneously warm up water-gas shift zone catalysts. After normal operating temperature has been achieved, the proportion of air included with the fuel is greatly diminished.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and respective process for distribution of mixed charges comprising a flat tray in the form of a disc drained by a series of drainage tubes located above the surface of fixed beds of catalysts, capable of promoting the homogenisation and distribution of charges by means of said device. Such drainage tubes mounted in said manner have the objective of restricting and reorienting the flow of mixed charges, multiplying the points whereon they fall, principally of the liquid phase, onto said beds of catalysts. For the purpose of doing so said drainage ducts, being segments of tubes, distributed on the entire surface of said tray possess caps affixed at the upper extremity thereof impeding the direct flow of charge onto the bed of catalyst, creating a reservoir of liquid on the tray, subsequently being drained down such device in a more controlled manner.

Abstract: A dispersion containing a high-surface-area, pyrogenically-produced aluminium oxide with a surface area and BET of more than 115 m2/g and a Sears number of more than 8 ml/2 g, is produced by mixing a high-surface-area, pyrogenically-produced aluminium oxide having a BET specific surface area of more than 115 m2/g and a Sears number of more than 8 ml/2 g, with water, setting a pH value of 2 to 11 (preferably 3 to 8) and dispersing the mixture by the introduction of controlled shearing forces. It can be used for the production of Inkjet media, digital imaging products and other printing medium.

Abstract: The invention teaches the use of an addressable nanoscale device to create a programmable substrate useful in selectively attracting proteins, nucleating protein crystals and growing protein crystals of a size amenable to diffraction analysis. Further taught is the use of nanoscale assemblies to create charge patterns, where such charge patterns are useful in purifying, nucleating or crystallizing protein molecules. Charge extension moieties, including water, are taught. The invention provides rapid and efficient identification, purification and detection of proteins and protein-related complexes.

Abstract: A reversible thermal thickening grease for microelectronic packages, in which the grease contains filler particles; at least one polymer; and a binder; in which the filler particles are dispersed within the binder, in which one or more segments of the at least one polymer may be attached to the filler particles prior to dispersion in the binder, and in which the polymer collapses at temperatures below a Theta temperature and swells at temperatures above a Theta temperature. During the operation of a microelectronic package, grease pump-out and air proliferation are minimized with use of the reversible thermal thickening grease, while grease fluidity is retained under repetitive thermal stresses.

Abstract: Process for the production of a condensed-phase product from one or more gas-phase reactants, by feeding one or more reactants into a reactor, in which reactor the one or more reactants react in the gas-phase in the presence of a solid catalyst having one or more catalyst components to produce at least one product which is in a condensed-phase under reaction conditions. The solid catalyst is present as a bed having two or more regions in which the contact time of the one or more gas-phase reactants with the one or more catalyst components is different.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of dispensing drops of material with volumes on the order of zeptoliters is described. In some embodiments of the inventive pipette the size of the droplets so dispensed is determined by the size of a hole, or channel, through a carbon shell encapsulating a reservoir that contains material to be dispensed. The channel may be formed by irradiation with an electron beam or other high-energy beam capable of focusing to a spot size less than about 5 nanometers. In some embodiments, the dispensed droplet remains attached to the pipette by a small thread of material, an atomic scale meniscus, forming a virtually free-standing droplet. In some embodiments the droplet may wet the pipette tip and take on attributes of supported drops. Methods for fabricating and using the pipette are also described.

Abstract: A semi-solid lubricant composition for transmission elements which is excellent in lubricity, antiwear properties, and energy-saving performance, has high reliability, and is for use as a turbine oil, machine tool oil, metal working oil, plastic working oil, cutting oil, compressor oil, vacuum-pump oil, electrical-contact oil, grease, or machine oil; and a mechanical system provided with the composition. The composition, which reduces the wear of sliding parts of a transmission element, comprises: an amide compound having one or two amide groups and forming a three-dimensional network structure; and a liquid base oil ingredient having a dynamic viscosity at 100° C. of 25 mm2/s or lower and a viscosity index of 120 or higher. The composition contains substantially no ingredients other than the amide compound and liquid base oil ingredient. The mechanical system has a transmission element including sliding parts which are provided with the semi-solid lubricant composition for transmission elements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit without employing a primary fractionator. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating high pressure steam, and then cooling the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by reactions among constituents of the effluent, condenses. The gaseous effluent and the condensed tar are fed to at least one knock-out drum, whereby the tar is separated from the gaseous effluent. The gaseous effluent is then further cooled to condense a pyrolysis gasoline fraction from the effluent and to reduce the temperature of the effluent to a point at which it can be compressed efficiently. The condensed pyrolysis gasoline fraction is separated from the effluent and then distilled so as to reduce its final boiling point.

Abstract: A nanotube device and a method of depositing nanotubes for device fabrication are disclosed. The method relates to electrophoretic deposition of nanotubes, and allows a control of the number of deposited nanotubes and positioning within a defined region.

Abstract: Described herein are novel devices for the study of transport characteristics of complex or simple fluids, interactions among molecules in suspension, interactions between molecules in suspension and wall-bound molecules, and biochemical sensing devices made of reservoirs for fluid containment linked by a nanotubes. Also disclosed are methods of delivering medicaments and monitoring fluidic interactions of molecules or analytes.

Abstract: Compositions for wood pellets including grape vine and methods of making wood pellet compositions including grape vine are described. The wood pellets include wood particles, grape vine particles, and a lubricant. The method includes mixing wood particles and grape vine particles with a lubricant, heating the mixture, and forming the mixture into pellets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising: i) at least one compound of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-19 hydrocarbyl or a group of formula (II): wherein Q is a bond or an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl group; wherein R3 is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen and unsubstituted or substituted C1-18 hydrocarbyl; wherein the R1—C—R2 backbone is from 5 to 20 atoms in length; wherein each A and B is independently an unsubstituted or substituted unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbyl group; and wherein n is an integer from 0 to 10; and ii) a diluent or carrier; wherein the compound(s) of formula (I) is present in an amount sufficient to provide, at ?30° C., at least 1 wt % of iron, based on the weight of the composition.

Abstract: Provided is a chemical sensor that may include a first electrode on a substrate, a sensing member covering the first electrode on the substrate, and a plurality of second electrodes on a surface of the sensing member exposing the surface of the sensing member. The chemical sensor may be configured to measure the change in electrical characteristics when a compound to be sensed is adsorbed on the sensing member. Provided also is a chemical sensor array including an array of chemical sensors.

Abstract: Provided is a lubricant solution for a magnetic recording media, wherein the lubricant solution includes a lubricant that is excellent in chemical stability and capable of imparting excellent lubricity to the lubricant solution, and a solvent having a suitable dissolving power for the lubricant, being excellent in drying properties and not influential over the ozone layer. Also provided is a lubricant solution including a lubricant and a fluorinated alkyl ether. Further provided is a lubricant solution including a compound of the formula (HO—CH2—CF2(OCF2CF2)dO—)3Y, wherein Y is a trivalent perfluorohydrocarbon group, as the lubricant and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether as the fluorinated alkyl ether.

Abstract: To provide a lubricant for hot plastic working which is excellent in lubricating properties, feedability and operability and will produce no adverse affects on the corrosion resistance of the products. A lubricant for hot plastic working which is characterized in that the composition is comprised of, in an anhydrous condition, 50 to 80% by mass of iron oxide, 20 to 50% by mass of sodium silicate and 1 to 20% by mass of calcium oxide and that the total content of the impurities of zinc oxide, lead oxide and copper oxide is not higher than 5% by mass, where the content of the stabilizer is not counted. This lubricant is suited for use in lubricating guide shoes in piercing-rolling of high-Cr steel species.

Abstract: A continuous steam pyrolysis method is provided. The method comprises feeding a material to be pyrolyzed into a tubular reactor and carrying out a pyrolysis reaction in the tubular reactor in the presence of a superheated steam flow. The material to be pyrolyzed passes through one or more proceeding zones and one or more blending zones during the pyrolysis reaction in the tubular reactor. The total length of the one or more blending zones ranges about 5% to about 35% of the total length of the proceeding zones and the blending zones.

Abstract: A method for removing metals from fuel containing vanadium or nickel including intimately mixing an adsorbent with the fuel and isolating the treated fuel. The treated fuel has reduced levels of vanadium, nickel and other metals. Systems for fuel treatment are also provided.

Abstract: A power transmission fluid composition having improved characteristics. The fluid may include a base oil and an additive composition, wherein the additive composition includes an ashless dispersant and an oil-soluble aliphatic tertiary amine. The resulting fluid may have improved durability characteristics.

Abstract: Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal overbases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, barium, strontium, aluminum, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum, overbases and dispersions. Particularly useful metals include magnesium alone or magnesium together with calcium, barium, strontium, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum. In one non-limiting embodiment, no added hydrogen is employed. Coker feedstocks and visbreaker feeds are particular hydrocarbon feed streams to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.