Abstract: A showerhead including a body having an opening, a first plate positioned within the opening and having a plurality of slots, a second plate positioned within the opening and having a plurality of slots, and wherein each of the first plate plurality of slots are concentrically aligned with the second plate plurality of slots.

Abstract: A gas inlet system for a wafer processing reactor includes a tubular gas manifold conduit adapted to be connected to a gas inlet port of the wafer processing reactor; and gas feeds including a first feed for feeding a first gas into the tubular gas manifold conduit and a second feed for feeding a second gas into the tubular gas manifold conduit. Each feed has two or more injection ports connected to the tubular gas manifold conduit at a first axial position of the tubular gas manifold conduit, and the injection ports of each of the gas feeds are evenly distributed along a circumference of the tubular gas manifold conduit at the first axial position.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the oxidation and thermal decomposition of metal chlorides, leading to an efficient and effective separation of nuisance elements such as iron and aluminum from value metals such as copper and nickel. In the first instance, oxidation, especially for iron, is effected in an electrolytic reactor, wherein ferrous iron is oxidised to ferric. In a second embodiment, the oxidised solution is treated in a hydrothermal decomposer reactor, wherein decomposable trivalent metal chlorides form oxides and divalent metal chlorides form basic chlorides. The latter are soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid, and may be selectively re-dissolved from the hydrothermal solids, thereby effecting a clean separation. Hydrochloric acid is recovered from the hydrothermal reactor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the recovery of cobalt, nickel and manganese from ores, concentrates, tailings, scrap alloys and spent batteries in an oxidic form, which is suitable for direct use in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, in particular. The process is unique in being able to recover cobalt, in particular, from concentrated solutions wherein the nickel to cobalt ratio is close to unity, rather than the more common 10:1 or 1:100. The process comprises selective oxidative precipitation of each metal under differing conditions of pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential). Sodium hypochlorite is the preferred precipitant, since it does not generate any acid, and is therefore self-buffering at the selected pH. A unique aspect of the process is to use Mn(VII) to effect the precipitation of Mn(ll).

Abstract: An atomic deposition (ALD) thin film deposition apparatus includes a deposition chamber configured to deposit a thin film on a wafer mounted within a space defined therein. The deposition chamber comprises a gas inlet that is in communication with the space. A gas system is configured to deliver gas to the gas inlet of the deposition chamber. At least a portion of the gas system is positioned above the deposition chamber. The gas system includes a mixer configured to mix a plurality of gas streams. A transfer member is in fluid communication with the mixer and the gas inlet. The transfer member comprising a pair of horizontally divergent walls configured to spread the gas in a horizontal direction before entering the gas inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring and/or detecting concentrations of a chemical precursor in a reaction chamber. The apparatus and method have an advantage of operating in a high temperature environment. An optical emissions spectrometer (OES) is coupled to a gas source, such as a solid source vessel, in order to monitor or detect an output of the chemical precursor to the reaction chamber. Alternatively, a small sample of precursor can be periodically monitored flowing into the OES and into a vacuum pump, thus bypassing the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A vapor deposition device includes a reactor including a reaction chamber and an injector for injecting vapor into the reaction chamber. The device also includes a manifold for delivering vapor to the injector. The manifold includes a manifold body having an internal bore, a first distribution channel disposed within the body in a plane intersecting the longitudinal axis of the bore, and a plurality of supply channels disposed within the body and in flow communication with the first distribution channel and with the bore. Each of the first supply channels is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore, and each of the supply channels connects with the bore at a different angular position about the longitudinal axis. The distribution channel (and thus, the supply channels) can be connected with a common reactant source. Related deposition methods are also described.

Abstract: A vapor deposition device includes a reactor including a reaction chamber and an injector for injecting vapor into the reaction chamber. The device also includes a manifold for delivering vapor to the injector. The manifold includes a manifold body having an internal bore, a first distribution channel disposed within the body in a plane intersecting the longitudinal axis of the bore, and a plurality of supply channels disposed within the body and in flow communication with the first distribution channel and with the bore. Each of the first supply channels is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore, and each of the supply channels connects with the bore at a different angular position about the longitudinal axis. The distribution channel (and thus, the supply channels) can be connected with a common reactant source. Related deposition methods are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel rationale and methods for identifying human and primate taste-specific genes, including genes involved in salty taste perception, especially human salty taste perception, but also genes involved in sweet, bitter, umami, and sour taste perception, and genes involved in other taste cell or taste receptor related activities such as digestive function and digestive related diseases, taste cell turnover, immunoregulation of the oral and digestive tract, and metabolic regulation such as in diabetes and obesity, the genes identified using these methods, and assays for identifying taste modulators (enhancers or blockers) and potential therapeutics using these genes. These compounds have potential application in modulating (enhancing or blocking) taste perception, especially salty taste perception and as potential therapeutics.

Abstract: A superficial flow sensor may include a substrate; a thin film with a self-rolled portion, a stationary portion, and a free ribbon portion; an embedded strain gauge circuit; and at least one contact pad. According to some aspects, the self-rolled portion may deform under external forces, and the embedded strain gauge circuit may detect the deformation of the self-rolled portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gear assembly (10) for use in a space craft for control of a moveable component thereof. The assembly comprises a load gear (11) in engagement with a drive gear (12) and an auxiliary gear (13). The drive gear (12) is coupled to a drive motor (14) so as to drive the load gear (11) in a first rotational direction. The auxiliary gear (13) is coupled to a retardation device (15) that is configured to passively resist the load gear (11) from rotating in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: Embodiments related to managing the process feed conditions for a semiconductor process module are provided. In one example, a gas channel plate for a semiconductor process module is provided. The example gas channel plate includes a heat exchange surface including a plurality of heat exchange structures separated from one another by intervening gaps. The example gas channel plate also includes a heat exchange fluid director plate support surface for supporting a heat exchange fluid director plate above the plurality of heat exchange structures so that at least a portion of the plurality of heat exchange structures are spaced from the heat exchange fluid director plate.

Abstract: An assembly and method for removably installing a round linear track to a floor is provided. The assembly includes a track guide having a plurality of curved bearing surfaces to support a round track segment and a clamp to removably capture the round track in the track guide. The method includes placing a segment of round track on a lead portion of the track guide; moving the segment of track into a supporting portion of the track guide; and capturing the segment of round track in the track guide with a clamp.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrochloric acid and metal oxides from a chloride liquor is described. The method uses a chloride liquor including the metal and mixing the liquor and a matrix solution to produce a reaction mixture, wherein the matrix solution assists oxidation/hydrolysis of the metal with HCl production. In a preferred embodiment the matrix solution includes zinc chloride in various stages of hydration and an oxygen containing gas is added to the mix. A method where the improvement is the mixing of a liquor and a matrix solution where the solution assists hydrolysis of the metal with HCl production is also disclosed. The reactor is a column reactor in a preferred embodiment. Further disclosed is the method of using the matrix solution and a reactor for recovering hydrochloric acid and for oxidizing/hydrolysis of a metal.

Abstract: Embodiments related to managing the process feed conditions for a semiconductor process module are provided. In one example, a gas channel plate for a semiconductor process module is provided. The example gas channel plate includes a heat exchange surface including a plurality of heat exchange structures separated from one another by intervening gaps. The example gas channel plate also includes a heat exchange fluid director plate support surface for supporting a heat exchange fluid director plate above the plurality of heat exchange structures so that at least a portion of the plurality of heat exchange structures are spaced from the heat exchange fluid director plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel rationale and methods for identifying human and primate taste-specific genes, including genes involved in salty taste perception, especially human salty taste perception, but also genes involved in sweet, bitter, umami, and sour taste perception, and genes involved in other taste cell or taste receptor related activities such as digestive function and digestive related diseases, taste cell turnover, immunoregulation of the oral and digestive tract, and metabolic regulation such as in diabetes and obesity, the genes identified using these methods, and assays for identifying taste modulators (enhancers or blockers) and potential therapeutics using these genes. These compounds have potential application in modulating (enhancing or blocking) taste perception, especially salty taste perception and as potential therapeutics.

Abstract: An assembly for a smelting process including a lifting actuator for adjusting a height of an anode with respect to a smelting pot is provided. The lifting actuator includes a body supported adjacent to the smelting pot. A motor is connected to a drive screw located in the body and the motor rotates the drive screw. A floating nut is connected to the drive screw, and a carriage plate rests on the floating nut. At least one linear bearing rail is supported on the body and guides the carriage plate. The anode is mounted on the carriage plate such that the motor drives the floating nut axially within the body to adjust a height of the anode with respect to the smelting pot.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel rationale and methods for identifying human and primate taste-specific genes, including genes involved in salty taste perception, especially human salty taste perception, but also genes involved in sweet, bitter, umami, and sour taste perception, and genes involved in other taste cell or taste receptor related activities such as digestive function and digestive related diseases, taste cell turnover, immunoregulation of the oral and digestive tract, and metabolic regulation such as in diabetes and obesity, the genes identified using these methods, and assays for identifying taste modulators (enhancers or blockers) and potential therapeutics using these genes. These compounds have potential application in modulating (enhancing or blocking) taste perception, especially salty taste perception and as potential therapeutics.

Abstract: A simplified installation tool for installing a cover strip in a linear guide rail assembly is provided. The installation tool includes a body having a channel that extends across a bottom surface of the body that is adapted to receive a guide rail. The channel is defined by an upper surface with a lead-in angled projection and sides defined by two L-shaped guide portions that extend from the upper surface and that face each other. Two undercut areas of the channel are located between the L-shaped guide portions and the upper surface of the channel. Retention tabs of the installation tool can attach to the carriage of the linear guide rail assembly. The lead-in angled projection provides a downward force on the cover strip as the carriage travels along the guide rail to press the cover strip into a flattened state within a slot of the guide rail.

Abstract: A vapor deposition device includes a reactor including a reaction chamber and an injector for injecting vapor into the reaction chamber. The device also includes a manifold for delivering vapor to the injector. The manifold includes a manifold body having an internal bore, a first distribution channel disposed within the body in a plane intersecting the longitudinal axis of the bore, and a plurality of supply channels disposed within the body and in flow communication with the first distribution channel and with the bore. Each of the first supply channels is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore, and each of the supply channels connects with the bore at a different angular position about the longitudinal axis. The distribution channel (and thus, the supply channels) can be connected with a common reactant source. Related deposition methods are also described.