Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes an over-arching algorithm for providing a strategy that reduces relative humidity cycling of the cathode outlet gas between wet and dry operation to extend the useful life of the membrane. The algorithm receives sensor signals indicative of operating parameters of the fuel cell system. The algorithm maintains a cathode exhaust gas relative humidity in a wet operating mode if the operating parameters of the fuel cell system are able to sustain the cathode gas relative humidity above a first predetermined value, and maintains the cathode exhaust gas relative humidity in a dry operating mode if the operating parameters of the fuel cell system are able to sustain the cathode gas relative humidity below a second predetermined value.

Abstract: Described is a method as well as an apparatus for hydration of a particulate or pulverulent material containing CaO. The method is peculiar in that water is added in a quantity which will ensure that the partial pressure PH2O of the added water as a function of the temperature (° C.) is maintained within the interval defined by the formula (I), where PH2O is the partial pressure of water vapour in atm. and T is the temperature in ° C. Hereby is obtained that the material particles do not lump into agglomerates, and that the particles are hydrated evenly from the outside and inwards so that it is the active surface of the material particles which undergoes hydration in connection with partial hydration. This is due to the fact that the liquid water will not get into contact with the material particles since the water will appear in vapour form within the specified interval.

Abstract: Electrically conductive polymer composite materials comprised of: a) an effective amount of substantially crystalline graphitic carbon nanofibers comprised of graphite sheets that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nanofiber, preferably wherein said graphite sheets form a multifaceted tubular structure; and b) a polymeric component.

Abstract: Cadmium selenide, and other quantum dot materials, can be integrated into thin films of poly(para-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) or other polymer compounds without aggregation of the nanocrystals. Solid-state photoluminescence spectra of composite materials prepared by these novel techniques reveal the effect of this greatly enhanced quantum dot-polymer interface relative to cases where the nanoparticles are aggregated, such that electronic communication and energy transfer between the nanoparticle and polymer components is made more efficient.

Abstract: Disclosed are synthetic silica glass having a low polarization-induced birefringence, process for making the glass and lithography system comprising optical element made of the glass. The silica glass has a polarization-induced birefringence measured at 633 nm of less than about 0.1 nm/cm when subjected to excimer laser pulses at about 193 nm having a fluence of about 40 ?J·cm?2·pulse?1 and a pulse length of about 25 ns for 5×109 pulses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus utilizing hydrogen peroxide are useful to reduce SOx and mercury (or other heavy metal) emissions from combustion flue gas streams. The methods and apparatus may further be modified to reduce NOx emissions. Continuous concentration of hydrogen peroxide to levels approaching or exceeding propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide facilitates increased system efficiency. In this manner, combustion flue gas streams can be treated for the removal of SOx and heavy metals, while isolating useful by-products streams of sulfuric acid as well as solids for the recovery of the heavy metals. Where removal of NOx emissions is included, nitric acid may also be isolated for use in fertilizer or other industrial applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dense ceramics having ESD dissipative characteristics, tunable volume and surface resistivities in semi-insulative range (103-1011 Ohm-cm), substantially pore free, high flexural strength, light colors, for desired ESD dissipation characteristics, structural reliability, high vision recognition, low wear and particulate contamination to be used as ESD dissipating tools, fixtures, load bearing elements, work surfaces, containers in manufacturing and assembling electrostatically sensitive microelectronic, electromagnetic, electro-optic components, devices and systems.

Abstract: Polyhedral silsesquioxane anions are economically prepared by reaction of a silica source derived from combusted organic material with a quaternary ammonium hydroxide compound. Reaction of the resulting anions with chlorosilanes may be effected in near stoichiometric fashion in organic solvent containing reactive quantities of organic acids such as formic acid. The functional groups on the resulting functionalized silsesquioxanes may be substituted for other functional groups by reaction with di- or polysiloxanes in the presence of a synthetic ion exchange resin.

Abstract: Chemical grade silicon metalloid having improved performance in the direct process for making organohalosilanes is selected by (A) measuring the temperature of each batch of silicon metalloid during both the refining and the casting of the silicon metalloid; (B) measuring the elemental impurity levels in each batch of the silicon metalloid after refining of the silicon metalloid; (C) predicting the properties of the slag phase produced during refining of the silicon metalloid based on equilibrium calculations using the elemental impurity levels and the measured temperatures of each batch of silicon metalloid; and (D) selecting a chemical grade silicon metalloid for use in the direct process for making organohalosilanes based upon the predicted slag properties; such that the slag density, the viscosity, and the melting point of the slag, are within acceptable and predetermined ranges for each individual batch.

Abstract: A method of soldering electronic component (6) having solder bumps (7) formed thereon to substrate (12), wherein bumps (7) are pressed against a flux transferring stage on which a thin film is formed of flux (10) containing metal powder (16) of good wettability to solder so as to cause metal powder (16) to penetrate oxide films (7a) and embed in the surfaces on the bottom parts of bumps (7), and bumps (7) in this state are positioned and mounted to electrodes (12a) on substrate (12). Substrate (12) is then heated to melt bumps (7) and allow the melted solder to flow and spread along the surfaces of metal powder (16) toward electrodes (12a). The method can thus provide solder bonding portions of high quality without any soldering defect and deterioration of the insulating property.

Abstract: In an bonding apparatus, a piezoelectric element 4 being built into the vicinity of the capillary attachment portion of a bonding arm 1 so that the capillary 3 can be caused to vibrate in the axial direction of the bonding arm 1. The preparatory pressure application device that applies a preparatory pressure to the piezoelectric element 4 includes two wedge-form attachment bases 5 and 6 which are disposed to the rear of or behind the piezoelectric element 4, and a preparatory pressure bolt 7 which is screwed into the wedge-form attachment base 6 from the outside of the bonding arm 1; and a preparatory pressure is applied to the piezoelectric element 4 by the movement of the wedge-form attachment base 5 in the axial direction of the bonding arm 1 caused by the rotation of the preparatory pressure bolt 7.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic silica glass optical material having high resistance to optical damage by ultraviolet radiation in the ultraviolet wavelength range, particularly in the wavelength less than about 250 nm and particularly, exhibiting a low laser induced wavefront distortion; specifically a laser induced wavefront distortion, measured at 633 nm, of between about ?1.0 and 1.0 nm/cm when subjected to 10 billion pulses of a laser operating at approximately 193 nm and at a fluence of approximately 70 ?J/cm2. The synthetic silica glass optical material of the present invention comprises OH concentration levels of less than about 600 ppm, preferably less than 200 ppm, and H2 concentration levels less than about 5.0×1017 molecules/cm3,and preferably less than about 2.0×1017 molecules/cm3.

Abstract: A method of solubilizing carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes, and urea are mixed together and then heated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a noise suppressor for electronic signals. The noise suppressor at least includes Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) that is sintered under high temperature, resulting in ceramic Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) for effectively absorbing or suppressing noise, and reshaping the waveform or filtering waveform glitch of the electronic signals.

Abstract: Catalytic systems are provided that include a metallic catalyst attached to a ceramic support that has alumina as a principal ingredient. The ceramic support is doped with an adhesive agent so that the surface of the support includes the adhesive agent. The adhesive agent is designed to form an open-shell electronic structure at the interface between the metallic catalyst and the support. The open-shell structure promotes extended useful catalyst lifetimes. The adhesive agents are early transition metals that include titanium, zirconium, scandium, hafnium, lanthanum and yttrium. Doping of the ceramic support surface with the adhesive agent also increases the adhesion between the ceramic support and metallic monoliths to which the ceramic support may be attached.

Abstract: A burning-on alloy for the production of ceramically veneered dental restorations, containing: cobalt 55-65 percent by weight, chromium 20-30 percent by weight, tungsten and/or where the sum of the content by weight molybdenum of molybdenum and half the content by weight of tungsten is in the range of 4-12 percent by weight, gallium 2-4 percent by weight, silicon 0-2 percent by weight, manganese 0.05-1.9 percent by weight, nitrogen 0-0.4 percent by weight, carbon 0-0.02 percent by weight, vanadium, niobium, in total 0-5 percent by weight, tantalum, iron, titanium, zirconium, hafnium nickel 0-0.1 percent by weight, rhenium, gold, in total 0-0.09 percent by weight, silver, copper other metals, 0-1 percent by weight, semi-metals and impurities where the percent by weight data are in each case based on the total weight of the alloy, is described.

Abstract: An aluminoborosilicate glass having a density less than 2.40 g/cm3 and a specific modulus of elasticity greater than 30 GPa·cm3·g?1 is disclosed that comprises the following components (in wt. %): SiO2 58-70, Al2O3 12-20, B2O3 5-15, MgO 0-9, CaO 2-12, BaO 0, 1-5, SnO2 0-1, As2O3 0-2, the glass, apart from random impurities, being free of SrO and free of alkali oxides. The glass is particularly suitable as a substrate glass for LCD displays, for example.

Abstract: A ceramic green sheet of the invention contains an inorganic powder and an organic resin and is characterized in that the inorganic powder contains 72 to 98% by weight of aluminum oxide, 1 to 12% by weight of copper oxide, 0.1 to 3% by weight of titanium oxide, and 0.25 to 10% by weight of silicon oxide based on 100% by weight of the total weight of the inorganic powder.

Abstract: Oxo-acid salts, halogenated oxo-acid salts, double oxides or complex oxides contain 0.001-10 atom % of Zr or Hf and 0.001-5 atom % of Mn. They emit radiation in the visible range of 390-750 nm when excited with vacuum-ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: An alumina-titanium oxide-zirconia fused grain presenting, for a total of 100%, the following chemical composition: Al2O3: more than 10% and less than 50%; TiO2: more than 10% and less than 40%; ZrO2: more than 50%; and impurities: less than 2%; the percentages being percentages by weight on the basis of the oxides. The invention is applicable to slide gates for continuous casting of steel.