Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for optimizing heat treatment of precipitation-hardened alloys having at least one precipitate phase by decreasing aging time and/or aging temperature using thermal growth predictions based on a quantitative model. The method includes predicting three values: a volume change in the precipitation-hardened alloy due to transformations in at least one precipitation phase, an equilibrium phase fraction of at least one precipitation phase, and a kinetic growth coefficient of at least one precipitation phase. Based on these three values and a thermal growth model, the method predicts thermal growth in a precipitation-hardened alloy. The thermal growth model is particularly suitable for Al-Si-Cu alloys used in aluminum alloy components. The present invention also discloses a method to predict heat treatment aging time and temperature necessary for dimensional stability without the need for inexact and costly trial and error measurements.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to treat fabrics with lipophilic fluid and a hydrophobic chelant are provided by the present invention.

Abstract: Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions.

Abstract: Laundry or cleaning composition comprising: (a) a catalytically effective amount, preferably from about 1 ppb to about 99.9%, of a transition-metal bleach catalyst which is a complex of a transition-metal and a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand; and (b) at least about 0.1% of one or more laundry or cleaning adjunct materials, preferably comprising an oxygen bleaching agent. Preferred compositions are laundry compositions and automatic dishwashing detergents which provide enhanced cleaning/bleaching benefits through the use of such catalysts.

Abstract: Laundry or cleaning composition comprising: (a) an effective amount, preferably from about 0.0001% to about 99.9%, more typically from about 0.1% to about 25%, of a bleach activator and/or organic percarboxylic acid; (b) a catalytically effective amount, preferably from about 1 ppb to about 99.9%, of a transition-metal bleach catalyst which is a complex of a transition-metal and a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand; and (c) at least about 0.1% of one or more laundry or cleaning adjunct materials, preferably comprising an oxygen bleaching agent. Preferred compositions are laundry compositions and automatic dishwashing detergents which provide enhanced cleaning/bleaching benefits through the use of such catalysts in combination with bleach activators and/or organic percarboxylic acids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for building signs combining tile and wood, such as but not limited to nameplates, is disclosed. The nameplates are produced in several steps, including woodworking, sanding, tile-cutting, stencil-applying, sandblasting, and polishing.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer manufactured with a precise crystallographic-orientation alignment mark and a method of manufacturing. The method of manufacturing may include forcibly directing a carrier medium containing an abrasive material through a stencil to effect abrasive impact removal of a semiconductor surface in a defined machining area. The abrasive impact removal may be part of an automated machining process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a cross-bridged tetraaza macrocyclic ligands having formula (I), wherein each R is independently C1-C22 linear alkyl, C1-C22 branched alkyl, C7-C22 alkylenearyl, C8-C22 alkyl substituted alkylenearyl, and mixtures thereof; each index n is independently from 0 to 3, by contacting the a di-quaternary cis tetracycle precursor with as little as one equivalent of a borohydride reducing agent. The present process eliminates the need to use up to a twenty fold excess of reducing agent thereby further eliminating the need for work-up conditions which liberate significant amounts of hydrogen gas and which requires the disposal of large amounts of boron waste products.

Abstract: A system is described for providing at least one interface for a repository (102). A first interface (304) is provided with a plurality of objects (502), each object (502) representing an entity or group of entities for which there is metadata (306) provided in the repository (102). A means for selecting an object (502) in the first interface (304) provides access to the relevant metadata (306) in the repository (102). The first interface (304) represents a metamodel of the repository (102). The first interface (304) also has a plurality of lines (504) joining the objects, each line representing a relationship between the entities or group of entities represented by the objects (502) and a means for selecting a line (504) provides access to relevant metadata (306) in the repository (102) relating to the relationship represented by the line (504).

Abstract: A drinking vessel comprises a body part (10) to receive a drinks liquid, a lid (30) to seal the top of the body part, a liquid outlet passage (50, 52) extending down to a lower region of the interior space of the body part, and an air intake passage (54) also extending down to the lower region of the interior space of the body part. As the user draws liquid out of the vessel through the liquid outlet passage (50, 52), replacement air enters through the air intake passage (54) and then bubbles upwardly through the liquid within the vessel.

Abstract: A tripot joint includes a tripot housing having a plurality of longitudinally extending ball channels for receiving a corresponding plurality of trunnions projecting from a shaft. Each trunnion is fitted with a ball module formed as a separate sub-assembly from the trunnions. Each ball module includes a roller ball having a bore in which a plurality of needle bearings is disposed. A bearing cage is received with a snap-fit connection within the bore to retain the needle bearing within the roller ball independently of the trunnions.

Abstract: Acids having a pKa of less than about 4 may be used to stabilize certain perfluoroalkyl alkyl ketones, particularly a substantially pure perfluoroalkyl alkyl ketone, a substantially pure aqueous solution of a perfluoroalkyl alkyl ketone or a substantially pure hydrate of a perfluoroalkyl alkyl ketone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bleaching, pre-soak, pre-treatment, and laundry detergent compositions comprising:

Abstract: Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images, of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an emergent network that is autonomous at the service level. Network nodes have policies that enable them to process different types of service requests, with the processing earning the nodes ‘rewards’. Successful nodes can pass some or all of their policies to other nodes using the evolutionary biology of bacteria as a model.

Abstract: A software implementation of guitar tablature is disclosed. The invention can be implemented using any computer text editor, and can incorporate lyrics therein. The files created therefrom are small, easily transportable even between dissimilar computers, and rendered into .html without difficulty.

Abstract: Laundry or cleaning composition comprising: (a) an effective amount, preferably from about 0.0001% to about 99.9%, more typically from about 0.1% to about 25%, of a bleach activator and/or organic percarboxylic acid; (b) a catalytically effective amount, preferably from about 1 ppb to about 99.9%, of a transition-metal bleach catalyst which is a complex of a transition-metal and a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand; and (c) at least about 0.1% of one or more laundry or cleaning adjunct materials, preferably comprising an oxygen bleaching agent. Preferred compositions are laundry compositions and automatic dishwashing detergents which provide enhanced cleaning/bleaching benefits through the use of such catalysts in combination with bleach activators and/or organic percarboxylic acids.

Abstract: A miniaturized solid-oxide fuel cell and process for making the same are provided. A fuel cell is provided that contains an electrolyte material, electrodes, and interconnects. Manifolds can be placed either within the electrodes or within the interconnects. Techniques common to the microelectronic industry are used to manufacture a miniaturized fuel cell. The miniaturized fuel cell is created by stacking individual fuel cells over one another to maintain a sufficient level of power density and durability.

Abstract: Improved synthesis of a macropolycycle, more particularly, of a cross-bridged tetraazamacrocycle.