Abstract: A dryer for drying a substrate includes: a bath containing a fluid; a chamber; and an isopropyl alcohol delivery system supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor to the interface between the substrate and the fluid when the substrate is removed from the fluid of the bath into the chamber. The isopropyl alcohol vapor is supplied perpendicularly to a vertical axis of the substrate. The dryer further includes a chamber environment control system that supplies a gas into the chamber to dry the substrate and controls temperature and humidity in the chamber and a chamber heater attached to the chamber to transfer thermal energy into the chamber. A drying method includes: immersing a substrate into a fluid contained in a bath; removing the substrate from the fluid into a chamber; and supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor into an interface between the substrate and the fluid perpendicularly to a vertical axis of the substrate.

Abstract: Liquid is removed from wafers for drying a wafer that has been wet in a liquid bath. The wafer and the bath are separated at a controlled rate as the wafer is positioned in a gas-filled volume. The controlled rate is generally not less than the maximum rate at which a meniscus will form between the liquid bath and the surface of the wafer when the liquid bath and the wafer are separated. The gas-filled volume is defined by a hot chamber that continuously transfers thermal energy to the wafer in the gas-filled volume. Hot gas directed into the volume and across the wafer and out of the volume continuously transfers thermal energy to the wafer.

Abstract: In the texturing unit of this invention a data storage disk is gripped between a pair of opposed, counter-rotating cylindrical abrasive mandrels, which are covered with soft, porous pads. The frictional force between the disk and the pads raises the edge of the disk against a pair of driven rollers which impart a rotational motion to the disk. A texture pattern of uniform grooves, having controlled peak heights and valley depths, is formed simultaneously on both sides of the disk. A system for delivering an abrasive slurry to the pads includes a closed loop in which the slurry is recirculated and a dispense section of that loop, from which a blast of pressurized air periodically expels the slurry through applicators and onto the pads. The continuous recirculation of the slurry prevents settling.A unique feature is that the groove length may be controlled by adjusting the ratio between the rotational speeds of the disk and mandrels.

Abstract: In the texturing unit of this invention a data storage disk is gripped between a pair of opposed, counter-rotating cylindrical abrasive mandrels, which are covered with soft, porous pads. The frictional force between the disk and the pads raises the edge of the disk against a pair of driven rollers which impart a rotational motion to the disk. A texture pattern of uniform grooves, having controlled peak heights and valley depths, is formed simultaneously on both sides of the disk. A system for delivering an abrasive slurry to the pads includes a closed loop in which the slurry is recirculated and a dispense section of that loop, from which a blast of pressurized air periodically expels the slurry through applicators and onto the pads. The continuous recirculation of the slurry prevents settling.A unique feature is that the groove length may be controlled by adjusting the ratio between the rotational speeds of the disk and mandrels.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the presence of an electrically conductive sample solution in a sample injection metering valve by electrical sensing the leading edge of the sample solution, wherein the amount of sample solution in excess of the metered amount required to cause detection is minimized. A conductive probe is positioned on the valve body just downstream of the sample metering passage of the valve, the probe being electrically insulated from the valve body. The probe and valve body form electrodes which will detect the arrival of the leading edge of a conductive sample solution which completes a conductive circuit between the electrodes.

Abstract: A temperature control system used to precisely and accurately control the temperature of a fluid stream in an analytical system designed for investigation of the chemical constituents of the fluid stream. One example of use is in chromatography such as for the chromatographic column in an amino acid analyzer system. The temperature control system utilizes a set of thermoelectric modules to transfer heat between a thermoconductive block which holds the chromatographic column and an air exchange heat sink which obtains heat from or disposes heat into ambient air as required. The control system regulates the temperature at a very rapid rate in order to minimize the recycle time of the instrument.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for a high temperature reactor in an analytical instrument of the type in which a development reagent is added to a flowing stream as part of the detection process. The temperature control apparatus utilizes solid state heat transfer means to transfer heat between a thermoconductive block to which is mounted the reactor and an air exchange heat sink which obtains heat from or disposes heat into ambient air as required. The control apparatus regulates the temperature of the reactor at a very rapid rate in the high temperature range of approximately 90.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. without the use of a separately contained heat exchange medium. The ability of the apparatus to cool the reactor rapidly eliminates the requirement to keep reactor contents at elevated pressures to prevent vaporization of the stream being analyzed.

Abstract: An elongate straight column for use as a reactor in an analytical instrument. The column contains inert packed material which provides for the necessary flow path length for a fluid stream entering the reactor. Fittings are incorporated onto the ends of the column in such a manner that their width is no larger than the width of the column. The column configuration for a reactor allows more versatility in the type of temperature regulator mechanisms used to heat and cool the reactor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring flow rate through a conduit. A flow number indicative of the flow rate of a liquid through the conduit is compared with a preselected reference number. The actual liquid flow through the conduit provides a clocking signal which determines the time span during which a count signal, indicative of the intended flow rate into the conduit, is accumulated thereby providing the flow number.

Abstract: A temperature regulating apparatus which increases optical sensitivity and resolution of a liquid in a reaction chamber by heating while providing rapid cooling to prevent vaporization of the liquid within the reaction chamber. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger containing the reaction chamber and an insulating chamber surrounding the heat exchanger. A coolant may be passed through the heat exchanger to prevent boiling should a change in liquid flow make such occurrence likely. The change in liquid flow is monitored by an analyzer monitor, and the temperature in the reaction chamber is changed accordingly.

Abstract: A composite bipolar electrode structure is described. The structure includes an anode face comprised of a layer of a platinum group metal, metal oxide, or mixtures thereof, deposited on a layer of a valve metal, preferably titanium, a cathode face comprised of a cathode material, suitably a ferrous material, and an intermediate layer of conductive, porous material, such as graphite, positioned to be in electrical contact between the valve metal layer and the cathode material layer. The electrode is assembled by applying a thin layer of a polymeric material on the interfaces of the porous intermediate layers and pressing the components with sufficient pressure to force the polymeric material into the interstices of the intermediate layers.

Abstract: An electrode, for use in electrolytic processes, especially as an anode for use in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal halides, comprises a valve metal substrate coated on at least a portion of the surface thereof with a mixed oxide of hafnium and ruthenium wherein the molar ratio of ruthenium:hafnium is from about 0.25 to about 4.0.

Abstract: An improved electrode, useful as an anode for the electrolysis of brines comprises an electrically conductive substrate having adhered thereto and extending over at least a portion of the surface thereof, a coating of mixed oxides comprising about 10 to about 80 mole percent indium oxide and about 10 to about 90 mole percent of a platinum group metal oxide. Up to about 20 mole percent of tin oxide may be incorporated in the coating to lower the electrical resistivity thereof.

Abstract: An electrode useful as an anode for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of ionizable chemical compounds, and especially the electrolysis of brines comprises an electroconductive substrate, such as a valve metal having a coating thereon of electroconductive tin oxide containing about 0.1 to about 15 mole percent of niobium based on the moles of tin. An additional electrocatalytic phase may be present as a minor component of the tin oxide coating and/or as a coating thereon.

Abstract: A light beam is passed through a cuvette, through which flows liquid to be analyzed optically for concentration of color reacted amino acids. The emergent beam is directed through a series of dichroic beam separators and pass band filters to produce three beams of substantially three different wavelengths. Photoelectric detectors produce electrical signals corresponding to each of the three wavelengths. Two of the signals are characteristic of the substance to be detected. The third is subtracted from the other two wavelength signals to produce a pair of output signals from which base line noise has been substantially eliminated.