Abstract: A system for controlling the operation a one or more crystallography laboratory comprises a user interface coupled to an input device. The laboratories each house test samples and include imaging devices and automated machinery configured to retrieve specific samples for imaging. A controller is configured to receive scheduling information from the user interface indicating one or more samples to be imaged and one or more times to image the samples, wherein the controller communicates the scheduling information to each laboratory housing at least one of the test samples to be imaged. The laboratory devices may communicate asynchronously via a server configured to receive messages, determine process(es) to be executed based on the type of the received message, the source of the message, and/or the destination of the message. A transmit message may then be generated, through execution of the process(es), and transmitted to the determined destination device when available.

Abstract: An image analysis system and related methods for automation of the monitoring of samples to determine crystal growth. Samples are imaged from time to time using a set of imaging parameters. The resulting images are evaluated to determine the contents of the samples. If the evaluation of the image indicates the presence of crystals, the sample may be re-imaged using a different set of imaging parameters, and the resulting image analyzed to determine its contents. The sample may also be evaluated by generating multiple images of a sample using various sets of imaging parameters, identifying pixels that depict regions of interest in a plurality of images, merging the pixels from each region of interest into a composite image and analyzing the composite image. An image of a sample can also be evaluated by classifying the pixels of the image based on the contents of the sample that they depict, color-coding the pixels using the classifications, and displaying the colored image for analysis.

Abstract: In a method for treating a semiconductor substrate, a single substrate is positioned in a single-substrate process chamber and subjected to wet etching, cleaning and/or drying steps. The single substrate may be exposed to etch or clean chemistry in the single-substrate processing chamber as turbulence is induced in the etch or clean chemistry to thin the boundary layer of fluid attached to the substrate. Megasonic energy and/or disturbances in the chamber surfaces may provide the turbulence for boundary layer thinning. According to another aspect of a method according to the present invention, megasonic energy may be directed into a region within the single-substrate process chamber to create a zone of boundary layer thinning across the substrate surface, and a single substrate may be translated through the zone during a rinsing or cleaning process within the chamber to optimize cleaning/rinsing performance within the zone.

Abstract: In a method for treating a semiconductor substrate, a single substrate is positioned in a single-substrate process chamber and subjected to wet etching, cleaning and/or drying steps. The single substrate may be exposed to etch or clean chemistry in the single-substrate processing chamber as turbulence is induced in the etch or clean chemistry to thin the boundary layer of fluid attached to the substrate. Megasonic energy and/or disturbances in the chamber surfaces may provide the turbulence for boundary layer thinning. According to another aspect of a method according to the present invention, megasonic energy may be directed into a region within the single-substrate process chamber to create a zone of boundary layer thinning across the substrate surface, and a single substrate may be translated through the zone during a rinsing or cleaning process within the chamber to optimize cleaning/rinsing performance within the zone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel 2S cocoa albumin protein that has now been isolated, purified and identified from cocoa beans. The present invention is further directed to flavor precursors generated from the enzymatic hydrolysis of this novel protein and to use of the flavor precursors to form a cocoa flavor useful in making chocolate flavored compositions.

Abstract: In a method for treating a semiconductor substrate, a single substrate is positioned in a single-substrate process chamber and subjected to wet etching, cleaning and/or drying steps. The single substrate may be exposed to etch or clean chemistry in the single-substrate processing chamber as turbulence is induced in the etch or clean chemistry to thin the boundary layer of fluid attached to the substrate. Megasonic energy and/or disturbances in the chamber surfaces may provide the turbulence for boundary layer thinning. According to another aspect of a method according to the present invention, megasonic energy may be directed into a region within the single-substrate process chamber to create a zone of boundary layer thinning across the substrate surface, and a single substrate may be translated through the zone during a rinsing or cleaning process within the chamber to optimize cleaning/rinsing performance within the zone.

Abstract: In a system for dynamically and remotely providing user interface (UI) display and processing information to a touch panel embedded within a multifunction peripheral (MFP) such as a digital copier having an internal computer for controlling the touch panel, a method that comprises linking the internal computer to an external data communication network having an external remote computer on the network; and upon the inputting of desired selections by a user at the UI and communicating the same over the network to the external computer, providing information from the external computer via the network back to the internal computer that enables dynamically changing or updating the UI display and behavior during run time of the MFP.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing flight information data to an airport. A flight information provider collects airline-specific flight information data from several airlines. The airline-specific flight information is then processed by the flight information provider to generate airport-specific flight information containing flight information for flights arriving at and departing from each airport. Web pages are then generated for each airport containing the airport-specific flight information for that airport. The web pages are then transmitted to the airports for display on monitors in the airports.

Abstract: A method to transfer information among or between parties for a commodity contract includes: A) providing at least one application service provider (ASP) control site, and at least one adapter at a remote site; B) inputting data about a transaction involving at least one party to the transaction to the ASP control site; C) if necessary, electronically communicating from the ASP control site and through the adapter to the at least one party; C) if necessary, receiving instructions or data at the ASP control site through the adapter from the at least one party; and E) processing the data and/or instructions at the ASP control site. The method can be practiced through a global computer communications network, and is well adapted for agricultural commodity transactions and those conducted through an exchange.

Abstract: Described herein is a chemical injection system and method utilizing a chemical storage vessel coupled to a bulk source of chemical and proportioned to contain a volume of chemical useful for multiple applications for which the chemical is to be utilized. A dispense vessel proportioned to contain a volume of chemical useful for a single application is fluidly coupled to the chemical storage vessel. A controller controls operation of a system of valves and sensors, which operate to fill the chemical storage vessel, and to precisely dispense the volume required for a single application from the storage vessel into the dispense vessel and then ultimately into the vessel in which the chemical is needed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the use of inexpensive volatile fuels in the calcining zone of a cement kiln during the manufacture of cement clinker in a rotary vessel.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the use of inexpensive volatile fuels in the calcining zone of a cement kiln during the manufacture of cement clinker in a rotary vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning fuel in an annular-nozzle burner wherein a compact flame is generated by inhibiting the dispersion of fuel particles and concentrating the fuel particles in a primary combustion area having a high rate of radiant heat transfer between the fuel particles by maintaining a sufficiently high velocity of the fuel particles and causing them to undergo essentially linear flow in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the burner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning fuel in an annular-nozzle burner wherein a compact flame is generated by inhibiting the dispersion of fuel particles and concentrating the fuel particles in a primary combustion area having a high rate of radiant heat transfer between the fuel particles by maintaining a sufficiently high velocity of the fuel particles and causing them to undergo esentially linear flow in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the burner.