Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating heavy metal ions from a processing solution includes a filter. A cylindrical separating member divides the filter into two discrete compartments, an inner cylindrical portion and an outer annular portion concentrically arranged outside the inner cylindrical portion. The separating member is made of chemical and heat resistant material. The processing solution is made to flow through the inner portion in one direction and a gas is made to flow through the outer portion in the opposite direction. The flowing has negatively charges the separating member, which results in formation of an electrical double layer on the surface where the processing solution contacts the separating member. The heavy metal ions in the processing solution, which ions are positively charged, are attracted and adsorbed to the negatively charged separating member, thus removing the heavy metal ions from the processing solution.

Abstract: A spacer in the form of an elongated, rectangular parallelepiped for use between the two glass plates of a gel cassette to delimit a space for receiving an electrophoresis gel between the glass plates where the spacer is made of glass.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell generator configuration is made having a generator section which contains a plurality of axially elongated fuel cells, each cell containing a fuel electrode, air electrode, and solid oxide electrolyte between the electrodes, in which axially elongated dividers separate portions of the fuel cells from each other, and where at least one divider also reforms a reformable fuel gas mixture prior to electricity generation reactions, the at least one reformer-divider is hollow having a closed end and an open end entrance for a reformable fuel mixture to pass to the closed end of the divider and then reverse flow and pass back along the hollowed walls to be reformed, and then finally to pass as reformed fuel out of the open end of the divider to contact the fuel cells, and further where the reformer-divider is a composite structure having a gas diffusion barrier of metallic foil surrounding the external walls of the reformer-divider except at the entrance to prevent diffusion of the refor

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed in which a pair of elongated solid cylindrical metal conductors mounted with their central axes mutually parallel are connected at their ends to form a closed electrical circuit path, there being heat sinks at spaced positions along their length which serve as heat transfer means setting up a temperature gradient along the lengths of the conductors. A strong electrical current flow in the conductors creates a circumferential magnetic field in the metal directed at right angles to the heat flow and this, by the Nernst Effect, produces a radial electric field gradient in the metal coupled with the transient accumulation of stored electrical energy. The apparatus disclosed serves for the experimental testing of energy conversion and storage by thermoelectric processes occurring in the metal and the ultimate utilization of the technology involved.

Abstract: Insertion compounds that are not stable in pure water can be prepared by an aqueous electrochemical method. The pH of the electrolyte and/or the concentration of ions of the inserted species must be sufficiently high to provide stability for the product compound. The method is useful for further lithiation of conventional lithium ion battery cathode materials.

Abstract: A metallic sheet for an electronic housing having a zinc coating on a steel base and a thin metal film, preferably a copper film, covering the zinc coating on one or both sides of the sheet, and a method of making the metal film. The metal film reduces whiskering of the zinc in the zinc coating. Whiskering can also be prevented on other metals anodic to copper such as, for example, tin and cadmium.

Abstract: The visualization of RNA bands in denaturing electrophoresis gels is improved by staining the gels with a 2,7-diamino-10-(N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-propanediamino)-propyl-9-phenylp henanthridine dihalide hydrohalide or a 2,7-diamino-10-?3-(diethylmethylammonio)propyl!-9-phenylphenanthridine dihalide. These dyes provide effective contrast for sensitive detection without the need for extensive washing of excess dye from the gels to lower background noise.

Abstract: Novel batteries formulated with compositions comprising liquid electrolyte plasticizers having enhanced ambient temperature conductivity are provided. These plasticizers have the following general structures ##STR1## in which R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, X, Y, Z, .alpha., .beta., .gamma., and l are as defined herein. Novel compositions and films comprising these plasticizers are also provided.

Abstract: A copper electroplating process using alkoxylated dimercaptan ethers as an additive. The additives prevent dendritic formations which short out electrodes. Also provided is a method for polarizing the electrodes, allowing for current reduction and cost savings.

Abstract: A capillary array electrophoresis system by which measurement is conducted using a large number of capillaries. The electrophoresis system includes a plurality of capillary array sheets stacked one on top of another wherein end portions of the capillaries at a detection region are arranged two-dimensionally in such a manner as to elute two-dimensionally a sample from the distal end of each capillary. Excitation light is applied to the sample eluted into a buffer solution, and a two-dimensional fluorescent image is picked up by a detector.

Abstract: A method for plating a graphite aluminum metal matrix composite material with nickel and gold utilizes the steps of: cleaning a surface of the metal matrix composite material so as to substantially remove grease and particulates therefrom; forming a layer of copper upon the surface of the metal matrix composite material; heating the copper layer to drive out entrapped fluids; applying acid to the copper layer to remove oxidation therefrom; forming a layer of nickel upon at least a portion of the layer of copper; heating the nickel layer to relieve stress therein; and electrolytically forming a layer of gold upon at least a portion of the layer of nickel.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous eletrocoating ?sic! compositions containing cathodically depositable synthetic resins, which electrocoating compositions are characterized in that they contain polymer microparticles which have a particle size of 0.01 to 10 .mu.m and are preparable by reacting(a) a polyisocyanate or a mixture of polyisocyanates with(b) an organic compound containing not only at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond but also at least one active hydrogen atom per molecule or a mixture of such organic compounds and(c) an organic compound containing not only at least one active hydrogen atom but also at least one tertiary amino group and/or at least one ketimine group and/or at least one aldimine group per molecule or a mixture of such organic compounds and, if desired,(d) an organic compound other than (b) and (c) containing at least one active hydrogen atom per molecule or a mixture of such organic compounds.

Abstract: A poreless first layer is electroformed on the conductive surface of a mandrel in an electroforming solution containing a substantial amount of a surface active agent. After the mandrel and the first layer are lifted from the solution, small straight pores each having an approximately equal diameter along a length thereof are formed through the first layer defining the front side of a porous electroformed shell. A second layer is deposited on the back side of the first layer in an electroforming solution containing less than the substantial amount of a surface active agent to form the back side of the shell, while undeposited hollow portions are formed in alignment with the straight pores in the first layer in initial formation of the second layer, the hollow portions enlarging to form diametrically enlarged pores through the second layer, the enlarged pores having a diameter which becomes larger toward a surface of the second layer opposite from the first layer.

Abstract: A lead frame for a semiconductor device includes a base which is coated by a protective coating. The lead frame base is made of a ferrous material. The protective coating is made by sequentially electroplating a copper-containing layer, a silver-containing layer and a palladium-containing layer. Protective coatings constructed in this way are bondable, solderable, oxidation resistant, corrosion resistant, free of lead (Pb), resistant to high temperatures, cost effective, and cosmetically acceptable. It is also possible to use a layer of tin or a tin alloy in place of the silver layer.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis separation matrix for single-stranded nucleic acids, along with methods for using and preparing the matrix, are disclosed. The separation matrix provides denaturing conditions and contains hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) in combination with urea, and preferably also includes formamide. The separation matrix may be used for DNA sizing and sequencing applications and provides a single-base resolution to approximately 500 base pairs. The separation matrix is inexpensive, easy to prepare, requires no polymerization steps, and is of low enough viscosity to be pumped easily into and out of capillary tubes for electrophoresis. The low viscosity allows for high throughput of samples and reuse of the capillary tubes for numerous separations.

Abstract: In a plating apparatus 10, a known control signal for detection is supplied from a computer 50 to a motor 13 in advance; the motor 13 is rotated at a variable speed within a predetermined range; and the displacement of a basket 18 is detected by a displacement sensor 30 to obtain displacement characteristics data. Next, the computer 50 controls the rotating operation of the motor 13 through a motor controller 60 to put the basket 18 in a desired optimum state of vibration using the obtained displacement characteristics data and data of an optimum amplitude for the plating process obtained in advance.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell system with stacked fuel cells arranged in a fuel cell block, with an inlet for fresh combustion gas at the anodes on one side of fuel cell block and an outlet for the used combustion gas on the opposite side, as well as inlet for fresh cathode gas at the cathodes on another side of fuel cell block and an outlet for used cathode gas on the opposite side. A reforming device, which utilizes heat given off in the fuel cell reaction to reform the fresh combustion gas fed to the anode inlet of fuel cells, has an area provided with a catalyst. An inlet to the catalyst area receives fresh combustion gas to be reformed, which passes through the area containing the catalyst, in which the reforming process takes place, and exits through an outlet. The reforming device is designed as a heat exchanger located in the exhaust gas stream directly behind the fuel cell block.

Abstract: A thermo-electric power generating element has the structure that two kinds of metal sheets, or foils, which form a thermocouple combination are laminated together and alternately connected at one end and the other end so as to form a plurality of thermocouples connected in series. When hot junctions are held at a high temperature, a temperature gap along the thermal flux is generated in the sheets, or foils. Electromotive force at every thermocouple derived from the temperature gap is summed up to a voltage level effective for outputting electric power through takeoff leads. This power generator is useful for converting waste heat to electric power. When the thermocouple pile is made from corrugated sheets, or foils, electric power is outputted with high efficiency.

Abstract: A process, particularly a continuous process, for industrially producing a high-quality inexpensive porous iron metal while preventing the conventional rusting problem which process comprises coating the surface of a conductive porous base material by iron electroplating, removing the base material, and then reducing the coating. The iron electroplating was conducted in an acid iron plating bath which contains at least one from acid aluminum compound and/or at least one acid titanium compound, using an anode which contains at least either of aluminum and titanium and has a surface area not smaller than 1/3 of and not larger than that of the base material. The reduction is conducted by a two-step heat treatment for improving the iron structure and for softening.

Abstract: Thermoelectric material contains one or more than one element selected from the transition metals and the rare earth metals, and the element promotes the amorphous phase in the thermoelectric material so as to increase the figure of merit.