Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: A water insoluble additive for improving the performance of an ion-exchange membrane, such as in the context of the high temperature operation of electrochemical fuel cells. The insoluble additive comprises a metal oxide cross-linked matrix having acid groups covalently attached to the matrix through linkers. In one embodiment, the metal is silicon and the cross-linked matrix is a siloxane cross-linked matrix containing silicon atoms cross-linked by multiple disiloxy bonds and having acid groups covalently attached to the silicon atoms through alkanediyl linkers.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a structure for a solar cell. The structure includes a silicon substrate with P-type and N-type active diffusion regions therein. An oxynitride passivation layer is included at least over the P-type and N-type active diffusion regions. The structure further includes contact openings through the oxynitride passivation layer to the P-type and N-type active diffusion regions, and metal grid lines which selectively contact the P-type and N-type active diffusion regions by way of the contact openings. Another embodiment relates to a method of fabricating a solar cell. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a variable term security including assessing life extension risk of the variable term security due to a deviation from nominal life expectancy of the variable term security, computing a summary factor of said life extension risk, and comparing the summary factor of said life extension risk to a predetermined criterion and thereby evaluating the variable term security.

Abstract: An oscillator and a method for producing an improved oscillator that will generate an accurate frequency when encountering a vibration. The oscillator and method uses a crystal with minimal cross-axis coupling. Further, a first accelerometer produced using MEMS technology is used. The first accelerometer is positioned inside of the oscillator so that the accelerometer accurately measures any vibration encountered by the oscillator. The first accelerometer and the crystal are maintained at constant temperature to minimize phase shifts and gain variations.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating substrates has a receptacle for a source of coating material and a plurality of mounts for substrate carriers arranged in a circle round the receptacle.

Abstract: A process for preparing a graft copolymer membrane is provided comprising exposing a polymeric base film to a dose of ionizing radiation, and then contacting the irradiated base film with an emulsion comprising a fluorostyrenic monomer.

Abstract: An oscillator and a method for producing an improved oscillator that will generate an accurate frequency when encountering a vibration. The oscillator and method uses a crystal with minimal cross-axis coupling. Further, a first accelerometer produced using MEMS technology is used. The first accelerometer is positioned inside of the oscillator so that the accelerometer accurately measures any vibration encountered by the oscillator. The first accelerometer and the crystal are maintained at constant temperature to minimize phase shifts and gain variations.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided which includes one or more device elements formed above a base substrate, a structure forming a sealed cavity above at least a portion of the one or more device elements, and one or more conductive devices formed above the sealed cavity. A method for fabrication of such an integrated circuit is also provided. An exemplary embodiment of the integrated circuit includes a surface acoustic wave device having a plurality of tracks each with a first interdigitated transducer configured to convert a receiving electric field energy into mechanical wave energy and a second interdigitated transducer configured to convert the mechanical wave energy into an output electric field energy. The SAW device also includes a conductor arranged above and spanning across at least two tracks of the plurality of tracks and coupled to the first interdigitated transducers of at least the two tracks.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly has two gas diffusion layers, two catalyst layers and an ion-exchange membrane interposed therebetween wherein the ion-exchange membrane is cast from a sulphonated polyether ketone/sulfone ionomer. Specifically, the ionomer can be represented as A-B-C wherein Further x, y, z represent the mole ratios of each moiety in the ionomer such that x is between 0.25 and 0.40; y is between 0.01 and 0.26; and z is between 0.40 and 0.67. Melt viscosity of the corresponding base polymer also affects performance in the fuel cell, particularly at values over 0.4 kNsm?2 as measured at 400° C., 1000 s?1. In preparing the membrane electrode assembly, the catalyst layers may be coated directly on the membrane and then bonded with two gas diffusion layers.

Abstract: A water insoluble additive for improving the performance of an ion-exchange membrane, such as in the context of the high temperature operation of electrochemical fuel cells. The insoluble additive comprises a metal oxide cross-linked matrix having phosphonic acid groups covalently attached to the matrix through linkers. In one embodiment, the metal is silicon and the cross-linked matrix is a siloxane cross-linked matrix containing silicon atoms cross-linked by multiple disiloxy bonds and having phosphonic acid groups covalently attached to the silicon atoms through alkanediyl linkers.

Abstract: Graft polymeric membranes and methods for making graft polymeric membranes have one or more trifluorovinyl aromatic monomers that are radiation graft polymerized to a polymeric base film. The membranes comprise a polymeric base film to which has been graft polymerized substituted ?,?,?-trifluorostyrene and/or ?,?,?-trifluorovinylnaphthylene monomers, which are activated towards graft polymerization. As ion-exchange membranes, the membranes are suitable for use in electrode apparatus, including membrane electrode assemblies in, for example, fuel cells. The membranes can also be crosslinked.

Abstract: A fishing lure has an attachment for a fishing line to pull the lure through a body of water to attract and catch fish. One or more hooks are attached to the body of the lure. A refillable chamber enclosed within the lure body is arranged to hold a liquid fish attractant. An elongate wick made of a material that absorbs the liquid attractant is immersed in the liquid in the chamber. One end of the wick extends from the chamber through a passage in the body of the lure to be in communication with the body of water. The liquid attractant is thereby eluted from the end of the wick in very small amounts as the lure is pulled through the water to attract fish to the lure.

Abstract: Ion-exchange materials comprising a polymeric backbone and a plurality of pendent styrenic or fluoridated styrenic macromonomers covalently bonded thereto, wherein the plurality of pendent styrenic or fluorinated styrenic macromonomers comprise a uniform number of styrenic or fluoridated styrenic monomer repeat units, and wherein predominantly all of the styrenic or fluoridated styrenic monomer repeat units have at least one charged group. Processes for making such material, as well as products related thereto, are also disclosed. In a representative embodiment, the ion-exchange material is utilized as a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) for use in a PEM fuel cell.

Abstract: A precision oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) uses an adjustment feedback signal that, when mixed with a reference signal from a stable reference oscillator, accurately controls the generation of an output signal from a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO). An OCXO according to the invention has high stability and high accuracy. The digital OXCO can be manufactured at low cost, and is particularly beneficial for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) base station applications in cellular communication networks an the like.

Abstract: Graft polymeric membranes and methods for making graft polymeric membranes have one or more trifluorovinyl aromatic monomers that are radiation graft polymerized to a polymeric base film. The membranes comprise a polymeric base film to which has been graft polymerized substituted &agr;,&agr;,&bgr;-trifluorostyrene and/or &agr;,&agr;,&bgr;-trifluorovinylnaphthylene monomers, which are activated towards graft polymerization. As ion-exchange membranes, the membranes are suitable for use in electrode apparatus, including membrane electrode assemblies in, for example, fuel cells. The membranes can also be crosslinked.