Abstract: An apparatus that enables one or more people to simulate on land the action of rowing on water, including the simulation of an oar blade entering into and being extracted from water that is moving relative to a boat, and including feedback on rowing performance and technique. The apparatus includes the same fundamental elements as a real rowing boat, with one or two oar handles 6 per person, a sliding seat 4, adjustable footplate 5 and rigging 7 that supports rowlocks. The inertia, momentum and drag of a real boat are simulated using a damped flywheel. The percentage of torque that is transmitted between each oar handle and this flywheel is controlled using magnetic clutches, and is based upon an analysis of the position and angle of each simulated oar blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for tensile stress on a layer deposited on a substrate. The method includes disposing the substrate between a bladder and a contact ring, and applying pressure against a back side of the substrate toward the contact ring to bend a center region of the substrate until the substrate assumes a convex shape relative to an upward flow of a plating solution.

Abstract: A method for immersing a substrate into a plating solution. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a first waveform to the substrate as the substrate is being immersed into the plating solution, stopping the application of the first waveform to the substrate as soon as the substrate is fully immersed inside the plating solution, and applying a second waveform to the substrate prior to the substrate being situated into a plating position.