Abstract: A process for producing organic acid esters using continuous countercurrent reactive distillation using acid catalysts in a structured packing in a single column (10) is described. In the reactive distillation an organic acid ester is formed by chemical reaction and can be purified to its final state within the single column. Organic acid esters are produced at relatively low cost, with less waste production, and in a less complicated manner than prior processes. Organic acid ester have uses as solvents, as intermediate chemicals, and in consumer products.

Abstract: A biomolecular array includes a substrate across which is distributed an array of discrete regions of a porous substance. The porous substance is designed to bind chemical targets useful in biotechnology applications, such as gene expression, protein, antibody, and antigen experiments. The regions are preferably optically isolated from each other and may be shaped to enhance detection of optical radiation emanating from the porous substance, e.g., as a result of irradiation of the regions with ultraviolet light. The discrete regions may be configured as microscopic wells within the substrate, or they may reside on top of the substrate in the form of microscopic mesas.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid detergent dispersions are claimed which essentially comprise 5% by weight to 35% by weight of anionic surfactant 10% by weight to 50% by weight of builders, 0% by weight to 10% by weight of electrolytes and 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight of quaternary alkylhydroxyethylammonium salt, where the % by weight ratio of anionic surfactant to quaternary alkylhydroxyethylammonium salt is 50:1 to 2:1.

Abstract: A process for planarizing a patterned metal structure for a magnetic thin film head includes the steps of applying an encapsulation/planarizing material on a substrate, spinning the substrate in a photoresist spinner or similar machine, curing the encapsulation/planarizing layer by energetic particles such as an electron beam. The planarizing process further comprises the step of polishing the entire structure using a conventional chemical-mechanical polishing step. The curing step takes place at the substrate temperature less than 200° C., which prevents the damages of the thin film head structures such as MR and GMR sensors. This process is cheap, efficient and easy to apply.

Abstract: Crosslinked particles are provided that are useful in the manufacture of dielectric materials for use in electronic devices such as integrated circuits. The crosslinked particles are prepared by activating crosslinkable groups on synthetic polymer molecules, where the crosslinkable groups are inert until activated and, when activated, undergo an irreversible intramolecular crosslinking reaction to form crosslinked particles.

Abstract: A securement mechanism includes a tie down cleat assembly for engagement with a mating component, the tie down cleat assembly including a pin, a lock plate adjacent one of the ends of the pin, and a housing with an aperture receiving the pin. An actuating member is operationally connected to the pin and causes selective movement of the pin and lock plate between a secured and unsecured orientation. The lock plate includes two dimensions, a first dimension permitting the lock plate to be inserted into a channel associated with the mating component and a second dimension permitting the securement of the mating component between the housing and locking plate. The pin and locking plate and preferably the housing all rotate as a single unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that minimize the impedance discontinuity between a component and a signal trace is described. The methods and apparatus generally comprise at least one signal trace disposed on a dielectric layer, wherein the signal trace comprises a first width which is wider than a second width, a via connected to the first width of the signal trace, and a component electrically attached to the via, wherein an impedance discontinuity between the signal trace and the component is lowered.

Abstract: A heat treated steel strap usable in a strapping machine has a tensile strength of at least about 170 KSI, and an elongation of at least about 6.5 percent. The steel strap is fabricated from a coiled steel reduced by cold rolling. The strap has a composition of 0.30 to 0.36 percent carbon, 0.90 to 1.25 percent manganese, and 0.75 to 1.10 percent silicon. The strap is heated to a temperature of about 815° C. to about 900° C. and quenched to a temperature of about 370° C. to about 510° C. The strap has a seal joint break strength of about 4350 pounds when the strap has a width of about one inch and a thickness of 0.030 inches. A method for forming the strap is also disclosed.

Abstract: Defect-free dielectric coatings comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The dielectric coatings are useful in a number of contexts, including the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric coatings are prepared by admixing, in a solvent, a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer miscible therewith, coating a substrate surface with the admixture, heating the uncured coating to cure the host polymer and provide a vitrified, two-phase matrix, and then decomposing the porogen. The dielectric coatings so prepared have few if any defects, and depending on the amount and molecular weight of porogen used, can be prepared so as to have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0.

Abstract: Nanoporous structures are constructed that have hydrophilic regions separated by hydrophobic regions. The porous, hydrophilic regions have reaction sites suitable for use in a bioassay application and have a higher density of reaction sites than that of a non-porous (2-D) surface. The structure may be made by depositing a layer of a matrix material (e.g., an organosilicate) and a porogen, and then crosslinking the matrix material to form a nanohybrid composite structure. The porogen is decomposed to form pores within the matrix material, and a reactive gas phase species (e.g., ozone) is patternwise directed onto a surface of the matrix material. Ultraviolet light (directed through a mask) activates the gas phase species to form a reactive species that then reacts with the matrix material to make it hydrophilic. The porogen may be decomposed thermally or by exposing it to an oxidizing atmosphere in the presence of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A gas phase species (such as ozone, H2O2, or N2O) is photodissociated with ultraviolet light into a reactive species that is patternwise directed (e.g., through a mask) onto a surface of a material, such as an organosilicate. The reactive species reacts with the material to form a polar oxidation product such as —OH, thereby resulting in discrete hydrophilic regions separated from each other by hydrophobic regions. The degree of hydrophilicity of the discrete regions may be tailored by controlling the concentration of the reactive species, the ultraviolet light intensity, the temperature to which the material is heated, and exposure time. End products made with the methods are suitable for use in a biomolecular array.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid detergent dispersions are claimed which essentially comprise

Abstract: A heat treated steel strap usable in a strapping machine has a tensile strength of at least about 170 KSI, and an elongation of at least about 6.5 percent. The steel strap is fabricated from a coiled steel reduced by cold rolling. The strap has a composition of 0.30 to 0.36 percent carbon, 0.90 to 1.25 percent manganese, and 0.75 to 1.10 percent silicon. The strap is heated to a temperature of about 815° C. to about 900° C. and quenched to a temperature of about 370° C. to about 510° C. The strap has a seal joint break strength of about 4350 pounds when the strap has a width of about one inch and a thickness of 0.030 inches. A method for forming the strap is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for planarizing a patterned metal structure for a magnetic thin film head includes the steps of applying an encapsulation/planarizing material on a substrate, spinning the substrate in a photoresist spinner or similar machine, curing the encapsulation/planarizing layer by energetic particles such as an electron beam. The planarizing process further comprises the step of polishing the entire structure using a conventional chemical-mechanical polishing step. The curing step takes place at the substrate temperature less than 200° C., which prevents the damages of the thin film head structures such as MR and GMR sensors. This process is cheap, efficient and easy to apply.

Abstract: A homogeneous, transparent microemulsion comprises

Abstract: A biomolecular array includes a substrate across which is distributed an array of discrete regions of a porous substance. The porous substance is designed to bind chemical targets useful in biotechnology applications, such as gene expression, protein, antibody, and antigen experiments. The regions are preferably optically isolated from each other and may be shaped to enhance detection of optical radiation emanating from the porous substance, e.g., as a result of irradiation of the regions with ultraviolet light. The discrete regions may be configured as microscopic wells within the substrate, or they may reside on top of the substrate in the form of microscopic mesas.

Abstract: Defect-free dielectric coatings comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The dielectric coatings are useful in a number of contexts, including the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric coatings are prepared by admixing, in a solvent, a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer miscible therewith, coating a substrate surface with the admixture, heating the uncured coating to cure the host polymer and provide a vitrified, two-phase matrix, and then decomposing the porogen. The dielectric coatings so prepared have few if any defects, and depending on the amount and molecular weight of porogen used, can be prepared so as to have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0.

Abstract: Dielectric compositions comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric compositions are prepared by admixing a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer in a suitable solvent, heating the admixture to cure the polymer and provide a vitrified matrix, and then decomposing the porogen using heat, radiation, or a chemical reagent effective to degrade the porogen. The highly porous dielectric materials so prepared have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0. Integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices manufactured so as to contain the dielectric material of the invention are provided as well.

Abstract: A process for planarizing a patterned metal structure for a magnetic thin film head includes the steps of applying an encapsulation/planarizing material on a substrate, spinning the substrate in a photoresist spinner or similar machine, curing the encapsulation/planarizing layer by energetic particles such as an electron beam. The planarizing process further comprises the step of polishing the entire structure using a conventional chemical-mechanical polishing step. The curing step takes place at the substrate temperature less than 200° C., which prevents the damages of the thin film head structures such as MR and GMR sensors. This process is cheap, efficient and easy to apply.

Abstract: A series of progressive opthalmatic lens elements, each lens element including a lens surface having an upper viewing zone having a surface power to achieve a refracting power corresponding to distance vision; a lower viewing zone having a greater surface power than the upper viewing zone to achieve a refracting power corresponding to near vision; a corridor of relatively low surface astigmatism connecting the upper and lower zones, said corridor having a surface power varying from that of the upper viewing zone to that of the lower viewing zone; the progressive opthalmatic lens series including a first set of lens elements having a base curve(s) suitable for use in providing a range of distance prescriptions for a first category of patient; and a second set of lens elements having a base curve(s) suitable for use in providing a range of distance prescriptions for a second category of patient; each lens element within a set differing in prescribed addition power and including a progressive design, in at least