Abstract: A method of processing one or more surfaces is provided, comprising: providing a switchable ion gun which is switchable between a cluster mode setting for producing an ion beam substantially comprising ionized gas clusters for irradiating a surface and an atomic mode setting for producing an ion beam substantially comprising ionized gas atoms for irradiating a surface; and selectively operating the ion gun in the cluster mode by mass selecting ionized gas clusters using a variable mass selector thereby irradiating a surface substantially with ionized gas clusters or the atomic mode by mass selecting ionized gas atoms using a variable mass selector thereby irradiating a surface substantially with ionized gas atoms.

Abstract: An adjustable shunt assembly for use with a sputtering magnetron having at least two magnets spaced from one another and disposed with respect to a sputtering target having a sputtering surface. The magnets define a longitudinal axis and the adjustable shunt assembly moves a shunt between the two magnets for altering the magnetic field therebetween. A transporter is used for moving the shunt so that such movement may be occurred without disassembling the components of the magnetron and such movement may also be done remotely. A method for moving such shunts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of sputter coating a glass substrate includes providing a glass substrate and providing a sputtering assembly for sputtering a coating onto the glass substrate in a vacuum deposition chamber. The sputtering assembly includes a backing plate and a separating element disposed on the backing plate. At least one target element is provided and disposed at and in contact with a surface of the separating element. The target element is not bonded the separating element when disposed at and in contact with the surface of the separating element. An expansion gap is provided at or adjacent to the target element to allow for expansion of the target element during the sputtering process. Material from the target element is sputtered and the target element is heated to a substantially elevated temperature during the sputtering process. The sputtering process coats a surface of the glass substrate with the target element material.

Abstract: The invention relates to industrial preparation of contrast agents, and further to an improved process for the purification of contrast agents. In particular, it relates to a process for reducing the salt content of compositions comprising an MR contrast agent or an X-ray contrast agent, such as a non-ionic iodinated monomeric compound or a non-ionic iodinated dimeric compound.

Abstract: A catalyst removal apparatus and method for removing catalyst from a polycrystalline cutter. The cutter includes a substrate and a cutting table. The apparatus includes a tank forming a cavity therein, an electrolyte fluid occupying the cavity, the cutter, a covering surrounding at least a portion of the cutter's sidewall and extending from at least the substrate's top surface towards the bottom surface, a cathode submersed within the fluid, and a power source. The cutting table is submersed within the fluid and positioned near the cathode, thereby forming a gap therebetween. The power source is coupled to the cutter and the cathode and electrolyzes the fluid to react with the catalyst in the cutting table to produce a salt. The salt dissolves in the fluid and is removed from the cutter. Optionally, a transducer is sonically coupled to the cutter and emits vibrations to remove salt from the cutting table.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for effecting a photocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic reaction of a reactant comprising contacting a metallic material having an electrical conductivity of 105 to 106 S/m with the reactant and exposing the metallic material and the reactant to visible light so as to catalyze the reaction of the reactant.

Abstract: An electrolytic process may be used to generate reactive metal silicides with Group 1 metals of the periodic table and/or Group 2 metals of the periodic table, and/or aluminum. Exemplary reactive metal silicides include magnesium silicide (Mg2Si).

Abstract: Provided are systems that comprises an oxygen-metal catalyst, which systems can be used to perform water-splitting or other reactions. The systems can be operated in a photochemical manner.

Abstract: A thin film forming apparatus includes a substrate holding portion and a target portion. The target portion has a plurality of targets arranged at predetermined intervals and parallel to a substrate held by the substrate holding portion. The substrate holding portion is configured to move the substrate parallel to the target portion. A shield portion configured to block sputtered particles flying from the target portion is placed on the target portion side of the substrate so as to face a gap between adjoining ones of the targets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolytic process, methods and apparatus for the preparation of carbon monoxide and in particular to electrolysis of molten carbonates to yield carbon monoxide which may be used for chemical storage of electrical energy and further as chemical feedstock for other organic products.

Abstract: Apparatus for purifying a fluid through a through-flow condenser, which includes a tank of solubilizing product and a mechanism for inserting it into a momentarily interrupted supply conduit. After having inserted a measured dose of solubilizing product received from a tank into the same supply conduit, a logic control unit controls its forward motion in the condenser through the passage of a fluid transportation flow rate measured to transport the dose of solubilizing product up to the electrodes of the condenser.

Abstract: A reactor assembly comprising a reservoir, a reaction chamber, and a valve assembly comprising at least one valve. The reservoir, reaction chamber, and valve assembly are non-magnetic. The valve assembly is adapted to selectively provide fluid communication between the reservoir and the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment of wastewater. In some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more modules such as an electrochemical module, an electrocoagulation module, a flotation module, an evaporation module, and an ultrafiltration module. One or more detection modules may also be provided to analyze the concentration of one or more wastewater components in the wastewater. Data from such modules may be used to adjust one or more operational parameters or conditions in the treatment system. The system may also comprise one or more features designed to minimize adverse effects on the environment, such as avoiding adding chemicals to the stream, extracting salt or other chemicals for re-use, and/or use of carbon dioxide gas from on-site combustion processes.

Abstract: A method (20) of making a fuel is disclosed. The method has a first step of exposing a liquid having biologically derived particles therein to an ultrasonic wave producing cavitation in the liquid and release of a precursor of the fuel from at least some of the particles into the liquid (22). The method also comprises the step of exposing the liquid with another ultrasonic wave insufficient to produce substantial cavitation in the liquid, the another ultrasonic wave providing a reaction between the liquid and the precursor to form the fuel (24).

Abstract: A solar cell module structure is disclosed, which at least comprises a frame and a solar cell. The frame is composed of four sidebars that are mounted respectively at four sides of the solar cell. Each of the two opposite ends of each sidebar is formed with a 45-degree angle cut while each sidebar is composed of a top tongue plate, a bottom tongue plate, and a junction plate in a manner that the top tongue plate is arranged parallel to or near parallel to the bottom tongue plate while allowing the junction plate to connected and disposed perpendicular to the top and bottom tongue plates in respective. In addition, the solar cell is arranged at a position enclosed between the junction plate and the top and bottom tongue plates while being disposed at a distance respectively from the three plates.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for the production of coatings by physical vapor deposition (PVD), wherein a binary target or a target with more than two constituents is evaporated in a curvilinear cathodic arc discharge, causing the ions with different masses (elements) to be splitted and the ion splitting results in variations for the ratio of the different masses (elements) at different positions in the deposition chamber.

Abstract: A biosensor (102) for determining the presence or amount of a substance in a sample and methods of use of the biosensor (102) are provided. The biosensor (102) for receiving a user sample to be analyzed includes a mixture for electrochemical reaction with an analyte. The mixture includes an enzyme, a mediator and an oxidizable species as an internal reference.

Abstract: A method of forming a nano-structure involves forming a multi-layered structure including an oxidizable material layer established on a substrate, and another oxidizable material layer established on the oxidizable material layer. The oxidizable material layer is an oxidizable material having an expansion coefficient, during oxidation, that is more than 1. Anodizing the other oxidizable material layer forms a porous anodic structure, and anodizing the oxidizable material layer forms a dense oxidized layer and nano-pillars which grow through the porous anodic structure into pores thereof. The porous structure is selectively removed to expose the nano-pillars. A surface (I) between the dense oxidized layer and a remaining portion of the oxidizable material layer is anodized to consume a substantially cone-shaped portion of the nano-pillars to form cylindrical nano-pillars.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing multi-layer bodies which carry at least one metal layer. The invention further relates to multi-layer products having at least three layers, comprising a substrate layer made of a substrate and containing special copolycarbonates, a metal layer and at least one additional layer.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a selection is made for a first major constituent, a second major constituent and a minor constituent for forming a desired material. The method can include mixing the first major constituent, the second major constituent and the minor constituent in a single mixing step to provide a mixture of constituents. The method can include drying the mixture of constituents to provide a dried mixture of constituents and calcining the dried mixture of constituents to provide a calcinated mixture of constituents. The method can include processing the calcinated mixture of constituents to provide a powder of constituents. Other embodiments are disclosed.