Abstract: Solid acid catalysts for use in alkylation processes are described. The solid acid catalysts include a multimetallic (e.g. bimetallic, trimetallic or tetrametallic) component that performs a hydrogenating function for the reactivation (or regeneration) of the catalyst in the presence of hydrogen. The multimetalic catalyst includes a noble metal such as platinum or palladium. The invention also relates to alkylation processes using the multimetallic solid acid catalysts having a multimetallic component for hydrogenation.

Abstract: A microscopic imaging apparatus with flat-top distribution of light is disclosed, which includes an incident light source, a diffractive optical element, a beam-splitter, a tunable filter and an image sensor. The diffractive optical element receives an incident light provided by the incident light source and generates a uniform incident light. The uniform incident light illuminates a sample so that an optical signal is emitted from the sample. The optical signal passes through the beam-splitter and the filter unit to reach the image sensor for obtaining the detected image of the sample.

Abstract: A microscopic imaging apparatus with flat-top distribution of light is disclosed, which includes an incident light source, a diffractive optical element, a beam-splitter, a tunable filter and an image sensor. The diffractive optical element receives an incident light provided by the incident light source and generates a uniform incident light. The uniform incident light illuminates a sample so that an optical signal is emitted from the sample. The optical signal passes through the beam-splitter and the filter unit to reach the image sensor for obtaining the detected image of the sample.

Abstract: An ignition distributor of an automotive vehicle has a magnetic pick-up device mounted in the housing of the ignition distributor and including a magnetoresistor. The magnetoresistor is electrically connected to a primary ignition circuit in the ignition coil, which produces a high voltage when said magnetic pick-up device produces a voltage pulse output signal. A permanent magnetic plate is attached to the magnetoresistor and provides a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of the current flow through the magnetoresistor. When each of the teeth of an armature rotated with the distributor shaft mounted in the ignition distributor passes the magnetic pick-up device to change temporarily the magnetic field applied to the magnetoresistor, the resistance of the magnetoresistor is correspondingly varied so that said magnetoresistor can produce a voltage pulse by the magnetoresistance effect, and open and close the primary ignition circuit for firing the spark plugs.