Abstract: The present invention provides semiconductor workpiece position sensors and methods of monitoring the position of a semiconductor workpiece. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of monitoring position of a semiconductor workpiece including providing a process module including a process container having a process fluid therein and a workpiece holder configured to support the semiconductor workpiece, moving the semiconductor workpiece toward the process fluid within the process container, applying a reference signal to the process module, and indicating position of the semiconductor workpiece with respect to the process fluid responsive to the reference signal.

Abstract: A polymeric imaging medium comprising a receptor layer and a polyvinyl chloride backing layer particularly useful in electrophotographic printing processes with liquid toners comprising thermoplastic toner particles in a liquid carrier that is not a solvent for the particles at a first temperature and that is a solvent for the particles at a second temperature or with dry toner, methods of imaging such a medium, and such an imaged medium.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a magnetically enhanced plasma reactor for processing a semiconductor workpiece, including a reactor enclosure defining a vacuum chamber, a wafer support for holding the workpiece inside the chamber, a plasma power source for applying plasma source power into the chamber, a first plurality of electrically conductive elongate filaments, each being of a finite length, distributed about a periphery of the chamber enclosure, each of said filaments extending at least generally in an axial direction relative to the chamber. The plurality of filaments is capable of permitting different currents through different ones of at least some of the filaments in accordance with a distribution of currents among the filaments corresponding to a desired magnetic field configuration. Respective current sources are preferably connected to deliver respective currents to different ones of the plurality of filaments.

Abstract: A composition in the form of pellets comprising a thermoplastic and wood fiber composite material suitable for forming structural members as a replacement for wood in the manufacture of doors and windows. The composite has less than about 10 wt % water based on pellet weight and a Young's modulus of at least about 500,000. Structural members are typically formed from the composite in an extrusion or an injection molding process.

Abstract: Provided by the invention is a recording film suitable for recording by using an ink-jet printer capable of giving very sharp printed images and having advantages of rapid drying of the water-base printing ink thereon and little re-transfer of the printed images directly after printing onto the surface coming into contact with the printed surface of the recording film. The recording film is a layered sheet material comprising (A) a base film of a plastic resin; (B) an ink-receptive layer formed from a mixture of a polyvinyl alcohol and a polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and (C) an overcoating layer on the ink-receptive layer. The overcoating layer is formed from a mixture of a water-insoluble polyvinyl acetal resin, fine particles of an acrylic resin and a polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: A display device is provided comprising one or more masking discs being printed on a surface and a transparent area for viewing printed matter on a substrate disc such as a compact disc. A masking disc or a protective layer includes a bushing extending through a central hole of the compact disc so that each masking disc and substrate disc are rotatably mounted relative to each other. The bushing cooperates with a securing disc to maintain the masking discs and substrate disc together. A magnetic layer secured to the substrate disc comprises means for mounting the display device on a substrate independent of the display device.

Abstract: A shaped article having EMI shielding properties, having been shaped by thermoforming of a planar sheet, and having a shape requiring the planar sheet to exhibit a stretch ratio of at least about 300%, and up to about 500%. The article consists essentially of a fibrous metal mat substantially surrounded by a fiber-coat and a polymeric carrier for support of the mat. The fiber mat may also be embedded into the carrier material. The fiber-coat may be sprayed onto the mat or, as a thermoplastic material, may be forced together with the metal fiber mat to surround it, and such procedure may take place before or after attachment to the carrier material.

Abstract: A thin adhesive sheet for working semiconductor wafers is described, comprising a light-permeable support and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the support, wherein the adhesive layer is a composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a base polymer, from 1 to 100 parts by weight of a low molecular weight compound containing at least two photopolymerizable carbon--carbon double bonds in the molecule, and from 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a photopolymerization initiator. This adhesive sheet is firmly bonded to a semiconductor wafer during the wafer cutting process, the adhesive force of the adhesive sheet is markedly reduced. As a result, the pick-up operation can be carried out easily. This adhesive sheet is useful in working semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A high speed data transmission cable comprises a pair of primary cables positioned adjacent to each other along their lengths with each primary cable including a pair of generally parallel conductors coupled together and surrounded by insulation. A shield layer surrounds each primary cable along its length to isolate the primary cables from each other. The primary cables and corresponding shield layers are twisted together around a center axis and form a double helical structure, thereby providing improved transmission characteristics in the high speed data transmission cable.

Abstract: A surgical suture material of absorbable, synthetic polymer is formed from glycolide-trimethylene carbonate copolymer with a glycolide content higher than 76 wt. % and with a statistical distribution of the monomers. Within 9 to 21 days, the suture material has a complete breaking strength loss and is completely absorbed in vivo after 35 to 91 days.

Abstract: An eraser for a dry surface erase is disclosed. The eraser includes a cylinder having a tangentially extending flat surface to thereby form a "b" shaped member. The cylinder is provided with a covering of felt, cloth or other substance suitable for erasing material written on a dry-erase board. The felt covering extends over approximately one-third of the external surface of the cylinder. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, an eraser may be comprise a half-cylinder having a tangentially extending flat surface. A cylindrical insert is inserted into the half-cylinder and is retained by friction fit or by an adhesive. The cylindrical. Insert preferably comprises a foam material suitable for erasing dry erase surfaces.

Abstract: A composition in the form of pellets comprising a thermoplastic and wood fiber composite material suitable for forming structural members as a replacement for wood in the manufacture of doors and windows. The composite has less than about 10 wt % water based on pellet weight and a Young's modulus of at least about 500,000. Structural members are typically formed from the composite in an extrusion or an injection molding process.

Abstract: A color changeable device that has been partially activated. The device comprises a flexible substrate with a first major surface and a second major surface and an interference color generating laminate on the first major surface. The color generating laminate comprises a first layer and a second layer in intimate contact. When the first and second layers are in intimate contact, the laminate generates an interference color. When the first and second layers are not in intimate contact, the laminate does not generate the interference color. The substrate and laminate include a first permanent deformation causing separation of the first and second layers at a first portion of the device while retaining the first and second layers in intimate contact at a second portion of the device. The device is particularly useful for confirming the authenticity of an article without having to remove the color change device from the article.

Abstract: An article and method for marking elastomeric articles, such as tires, floor mats, and the like, includes an elastomeric sheet which is marked with indicia using a solvent based ink which contrasts with the elastomeric sheet. The indicia is cured with a clear thermoset layer such as a polyurethane. This is then applied to an uncured elastomeric article and the elastomeric article is cured. The heat and the pressure of curing causes the elastomeric sheet to bond to the elastomeric article. The indicia remains discernible and is not easily marred or dulled. After curing, the transfer can be further marked by heat transferring indicia in the form of a sublimation dye through the clear polyurethane layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mat-faced gypsum board of the general type having a gypsum-based core formed from a gypsum slurry compressed through an extrusion ratio of at least about 3:1 wherein the fibrous mat facing on at least one side of the board has a weight per unit surface area of greater than about 1.85 lb./100 ft..sup.2 and consists essentially of inorganic fibers having a diameter of less than about 15 microns. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing such a gypsum board and the use of such a gypsum board in exterior finishing systems, interior lath systems and as a door core.

Abstract: A biocompatible material comprising a substrate made of a polyolefin material, and having a coating of biocompatible carbon material, wherein the coating is obtained by a process comprising the following steps:introducing a preformed substrate into an atmosphere of gaseous monomer vinylidene chloride (1,1 di-chloro ethylene);inducing a graft-polymerization reaction and grafting a uniform layer of polyvinylidene chloride on the substrate; andsubstantially eliminating and removing hydrogen chloride (dehydrochlorination reaction) from the polyvinylidene chloride in order to convert the polyvinylidene chloride layer into a coating of biocompatible carbon material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithographic printing plate precursor element capable of being used on a printing press immediately after imagewise exposure without the requirement of bath processing. A preferred embodiment has in order (a) a substrate; and (b) a photoresist photohardenable upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, the photoresist comprising (i) a macromolecular organic binder; (ii) a photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one terminal ethylenic group capable of forming a high polymer by chain-propagated polymerization, and (iii) a polymerization initiator activatable by actinic radiation; and (c) an on-press removable polyphosphate-containing overcoat. The polyphosphate-containing overcoat imparts the plate with a non-tacky surface and an enhanced resistance to the adverse influence of ambient humidity.

Abstract: A nonaqueous sizing for glass fibers useful for reinforcement of polymers. The sizing composition comprises one or more film formers miscible with the polymer to be reinforced and one or more coupling agents. The sizing composition of the invention provides a glass fiber which may be wirecoated with the polymer to be reinforced, eliminating the need for extrusion or pultrusion processing to make glass/polymer composite fibers, compound or pellets.

Abstract: A coated aramid fiber is disclosed wherein the coating is a small amount of chitosan and the coated fiber is useful in manufacture of an improved friction paper. An improved friction paper is, also, disclosed wherein chitosan is present throughout the paper as a coating on all components.

Abstract: A flat electrical wire having a substantially rectangular cross-section is prepared from an electrical conductor having a circular cross-section, first by applying a benzimidazol-based polymer coat to the wire, then rolling the coated conductor to yield the flat wire. The flat wire thus prepared has a high heat resistance and dielectric breakdown resistance and can avoid dislocation or slippage when used in a magnet coil.