Abstract: A powder feeding apparatus of manufacturing a heat pipe includes a vibration tray having a supporting board and a plurality of pipes positioned in the supporting board of the tray. A mandrel is coaxially inserted in each of the pipes. A feeder is located corresponding to an end of each pipe for feeding powder into the pipe. A vibration source is located under the tray to drive the tray to vibrate with substantially a same amplitude in a vibration direction when feeding the powder into the pipes from the feeder.

Abstract: A powder feeding apparatus and a method of manufacturing a heat pipe are disclosed. The method includes: a) proving the powder feeding apparatus including a vibrating tray and a pump (800); b) positioning a tube in the vibrating tray; c) inserting a mandrel (400) into the tube from a first open end of the tube, wherein at least one groove (410) is defined in an end of the mandrel corresponding to a second open end of the tube; d) positioning a feeder (300) on the first end of the tube; e) driving the vibrating tray to vibrate and feeding powder into the tube from the feeder whilst the pump is operating to generate a forced airflow flowing from the first to the second open end of the tube. By using this method, bridging of the powder is prevented.

Abstract: A method (100) and an apparatus for manufacturing a heat-dissipation device (10) with a vacuum chamber and a working fluid therein are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: vacuuming a hollow metal casing (12) through a first open end (121) thereof until an interior of the casing reaches a predetermined vacuum degree; sealing the first open end; filling a predetermined quantity of working fluid into the casing through a second open end (123) thereof; and sealing the second open end. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump, a liquid-storage tank and a set of processing device, as used respectively for the above vacuuming, liquid-filling and sealing steps. By this apparatus, the heat-dissipation device can be manufactured at a same place without the requirement to shift the casing from one place to another place during the manufacture of the heat-dissipation device.

Abstract: A heat sink base (10) includes a rectangular body (11) made of aluminum and a circular core (12) made of copper. The body defines a circular through opening (111). A diameter of the opening is slightly less than a diameter of the core. The core is attached within the body according to the following steps: a) pressing the core into the through opening of the body; b) stamping the core to cause it to plastically deform in radial directions and thereby become firmly combined with the body; and c) removing any burring of the core flowing out from the opening such that surfaces of the core and the body are coplanarly smooth.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for dispersing and exfoliating fillers in a thermoplastic polymer by sonicating a mixture of the thermoplastic polymer and the filler. The method of the present invention is particularly useful in dispersing layered silicate clays in thermoplastic polymers. A reinforced composite comprising a filler dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer is also disclosed. In another variation, the method of the invention is incorporated into conventional plastic extruder and injection molding equipment.

Abstract: A washer system which includes a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein. The drain port is in fluid communication with the freezable washer liquid when the first reservoir is in at least a full state. The washer system also includes a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of the freezable washer liquid, a drain plug sealingly communicating with the drain port, and an electrical control unit in operative communication with the temperature sensor and the drain plug. The electrical control unit controls the drain plug to drain the liquid from the first reservoir in response to the critical temperature.

Abstract: Data presented herein provide a molecular mechanism for circadian gene mPer2 in DNA damage response and tumor suppression in vivo. Mice deficient in mPer2 gene display neoplastic phenotypes. These mice are deficient in p53-mediated apoptosis in thymocytes and have increased tumor occurrences after &ggr;-radiation. Core circadian genes are induced by &ggr;-radiation in wild-type mice but not in mPer2 mutant mice. Temporal expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation and tumor suppression, such as c-Myc, Cyclin D1, Cyclin A, Mdm-2 and Gadd45&agr; is dependent on mPER2 in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening individuals at risk for developing diseases caused by trinucleotide repeat sequence instability. Specifically, the present invention is drawn to screening individuals at risk for developing autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 by determining the length of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the &agr;1A calcium channel gene of the individual. In addition, there is provided a method of identifying genes which are disease-causing due to trinucleotide repeat sequence instability by large scale genotyping.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for dispersing and exfoliating fillers in a thermoplastic polymer by sonicating a mixture of the thermoplastic polymer and the filler. The method of the present invention is particularly useful in dispersing layered silicate clays in thermoplastic polymers. A reinforced composite comprising a filler dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer is also disclosed. In another variation, the method of the invention is incorporated into conventional plastic extruder and injection molding equipment.

Abstract: A washer system which includes a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein. The drain port is in fluid communication with the freezable washer liquid when the first reservoir is in at least a full state. The washer system also includes a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of the freezable washer liquid, a drain plug sealingly communicating with the drain port, and an electrical control unit in operative communication with the temperature sensor and the drain plug. The electrical control unit controls the drain plug to drain the liquid from the first reservoir in response to the critical temperature.

Abstract: A heat sink base (10) includes a rectangular body (11) made of aluminum and a circular core (12) made of copper. The body defines a circular through opening (111). A diameter of the opening is slightly less than a diameter of the core. The core is attached within the body according to the following steps: a) pressing the core into the through opening of the body; b) stamping the core to cause it to plastically deform in radial directions and thereby become firmly combined with the body; and c) removing any burring of the core flowing out from the opening such that surfaces of the core and the body are coplanarly smooth.

Abstract: A clip (10) includes a first member (12) and a second member (14). The first member includes a spring portion (122), a first leg (126) extending from one end of the spring portion, and a handle (128) extending from an opposite end of the spring portion. The spring portion has flanges (130) extending from opposite sides thereof and folded back thereover for reinforcing the clip. The handle defines a cutout (134) including a receiving section (136) and a locking section (138). The second member includes a connect portion (144) forming a plurality of teeth (148) on opposite edges thereof, and a second leg (142). The connect portion is received in the receiving section and engages in the locking section. A slot (146) in the connect portion facilitates elastic deformation. The effective length of the second member is adjustable according to the particular teeth selected to engage in the locking section.

Abstract: A clip (10) includes a first member (12) and a second member (14). The first member includes a spring portion (122), a first leg (126) extending from one end of the spring portion, and a handle (128) extending from an opposite end of the spring portion. The spring portion has flanges (130) extending from opposite sides thereof and folded back thereover for reinforcing the clip. The handle defines a cutout (134) including a receiving section (136) and a locking section (138). The second member includes a connect portion (144) forming a plurality of teeth (148) on opposite edges thereof, and a second leg (142). The connect portion is received in the receiving section and engages in the locking section. A slot (146) in the connect portion facilitates elastic deformation. The effective length of the second member is adjustable according to the particular teeth selected to engage in the locking section.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of delaminating a layered silicate to provide improved mechanical properties to select materials such as polymers. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes contacting the layered silicate particles with the supercritical fluid to define contacted layered silicate particles and catastrophically depressurizing the contacted layered silicate particles to exfoliate the layered particles so that the layered particles are substantially dispersed, defining treated silicate particles.

Abstract: A clip (10) for securing a heat sink (20) to a CPU (30) mounted on a CPU socket (40) includes first and second latching arms (50, 70) and a connecting portion (80). The first latching arm includes a horizontal first main body (52), and a first through hole (58) defined in the first main body. The second latching arm includes a horizontal second main body (72), and a second through hole (78) defined in the second main body. An end of the second main body directly confronts an end of the first main body. The connecting portion defines a pair of first and second pivot holes (86, 88), and is pivotally connected to each of the first and second latching arms. The connecting portion is rotated, and the second latching arm climbs up and along the first latching arm. The clip thereby firmly engages with catches of the CPU socket.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes a heat sink (10), a fixing device (40), and a fan (30). The heat sink has a base (16), an engaging body (12), an annular groove (14) defined in the engaging body, and a plurality of radial fins (18). A plurality of external teeth (122) extends from the engaging body. A protrusion (20) extends outwardly from one fin, and an engaging space (22) is defined adjacent the protrusion. A central space (24) between the fins accommodates the fan. The fixing device has a frame (42) defining an engaging opening (44) and having a plurality of internal teeth (442). The internal teeth are engaged in the groove against the external teeth. The fixing device has a stop tab (52) accommodated in the engaging space, and a latch (54) extending from the stop tab. The stop tab abuts the protrusion, and the latch presses against the protrusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening individuals at risk for developing diseases caused by trinucleotide repeat sequence instability. Specifically, the present invention is drawn to screening individuals at risk for developing autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 by determining the length of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the &agr;1A calcium channel gene of the individual. In addition, there is provided a method of identifying genes which are disease-causing due to trinucleotide repeat sequence instability by large scale genotyping.