Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a printed circuit board and one or several integrated circuit substrates mounted to the printed circuit board. At least one SMT component with two or more terminals is arranged between the printed circuit board and the package. In one embodiment, the SMT component replaces interconnects in the ball grid array used to mount the substrate to the printed circuit board while simultaneously connecting the SMT terminals to the substrate and the printed circuit board. The disclosed apparatus of SMT components mount results in significant reduction of inductance of the SMT connection to the substrate.

Abstract: A perfluoropolyether, a composition comprising the perfluoropolyether, a process for producing the perfluoropolyether, and a process for improving the thermostability of grease or lubricant are provided. The perfluoropolyether comprises perfluoroalkyl radical end groups in which the radical has at least 3 carbon atoms per radical and is substantially free of perfluoromethyl and perfluoroethyl end groups.

Abstract: A composition that is or comprises a phosphorus-, perfluoropolyether-, and perfluoroalkyl-containing compound is provided. The compound comprises either (i) mono- or polyalkylene oxide linking groups between the phosphorus and the fluorocarbon group, or (ii) no linking group between the phosphorus and fluorocarbon group, or (iii) individual mixtures of (i) and (ii); and the fluorocarbon group can be the perfluoropolyether or perfluoroalkyl group. The compound can also be a partially esterified phosphate, a partially esterified phosphonate, a salt of a partially esterified phosphate, a salt of a partially esterified phosphonate, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A perfluoropolyether, a composition comprising the perfluoropolyether, a process for producing the perfluoropolyether, and a process for improving the thermostability of grease or lubricant are provided. The perfluoropolyether comprises perfluoroalkyl radical end groups in which the radical has at least 3 carbon atoms per radical and is substantially free of perfluoromethyl and perfluoroethyl end groups.

Abstract: A perfluoropolyether and a composition comprising the perfluoropolyether are provided in which the perfluoropolyether comprises at least one bromine or iodine atom at the primary position of the perfluoropolyether. Also provided is a process for producing the composition in which the process comprises contacting a perfluoropolyether acid fluoride moiety with a metal bromide or metal iodide or a suitable polyether secondary iodide under a condition sufficient to effect the production of a perfluoropolyether comprising at least one bromine or iodine at the primary position.

Abstract: A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slide the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card.The fluorescence station has a linear flash lamp that illuminates a column of the wells of the cards simultaneously. A reference detector and dichromatic beam splitter design is used to insure that the fluorescence measurements are independent of lamp output changes over time.

Abstract: A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slides the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card.The fluorescence station has a linear flash lamp that illuminates a column of the wells of the cards simultaneously. A reference detector and dichromatic beam splitter design is used to insure that the fluorescence measurements are independent of lamp output changes over time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting an incoming analog signal into an outgoing PCM signal, comprising a .DELTA. M-encoder in which a comparator circuit has a first and a second analog input of which the first analog input is arranged to be fed with the incoming signal and a digital output arranged to supply a delta signal with a clock frequency considerably higher than the upper limit frequency of the incoming signal and in which a feedback filter for the delta signal is connected between the digital output and the second analog input of the comparator circuit, and a digital .DELTA. M-PCM converter in which a digital filter is connected to the digital output of the comparator circuit in the .DELTA. M-encoder and is arranged to generate an average signal related to the delta signal and a PCM word generator is connected in cascade with the digital filter and is arranged to generate the outgoing PCM signal with a sampling frequency considerably lower than the clock frequency.