Abstract: An optical switch includes a substrate with a waveguide-coupling area and a fluid channel with an anti-wetting layer on a first surface. First and second fluids are on the anti-wetting layer in the fluid channel and at least one fluid is selectively movable relative to the waveguide-fluid coupling area. A fluidic driving mechanism has at least one electrode positioned to apply an electric field to at least one of the fluids in the fluid channel and is capable of moving at least one of the fluids in the fluid channel. The anti-wetting layer has an alkyl silane coating, which includes alkyl silane molecules covalently bonded to the first surface of the fluid channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter apparatus, especially intended for incorporation into a fluid reservoir tank (10) with at least one preferably exchangeable filter element (18) through which fluid can flow from the inside outward and which is surrounded, in each case maintaining a presettable radial distance and with formation of a fluid flow space (66), by a housing wall (44) which has a plurality of passage sites of which some are arranged below the particular adjustable fluid level (68) in the reservoir tank (10) and the rest are arranged above this fluid level (68). The invention further relates to a filter element for this kind of apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a support part, in particular, for use with a filter element. Said support part is shaped in the form of a support tube (10) provided with through holes for fluid (12), the periphery thereof forming a bearing surface (14) for the filter material, wherein at least one annular shaped head (16) is applied, separating the bearing surface (14) into partial bearing surfaces (18). By reducing the free bead cross-section and by forming a support ring (24), the adjacent opposite bead edges (22) of the respective associated bead (16) are arranged on top of each other in order to achieve high stability and functional reliability. The invention also relates to a filter element which is produced according to said method. method.

Abstract: A fermenter for use in biotechnical processes in particular for culturing cells is disclosed. The object, to provide a fermenter vessel (1) the inner volume of which can be optically monitored and which fermenter vessel can also be efficiently sterilized, is achieved by a fermenter vessel (1) having an outside wall (2) enclosing a vessel volume with a view port (7) being provided in the outside wall (2) for inspecting processes within the vessel volume, the view port (7) having a transparent member (8) wherein the transparent member (8) is provided with a heating device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel pyridazinone derivatives of the general formula (I) wherein A is A1 or A2; R is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-C10-alkyl, aryl, aryl-(C1-C10-alkyl)-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-(C1-C10-alkyl)-, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C10-alkyl)-, C3-C10-cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, C2-C10-alkenyl or C2-C10-alkinyl and Ar is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aryl or heteroaryl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel pyridazinone derivatives of the general formula (I) wherein A is A1 or A2; R is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted C1-C10-alkyl, aryl, aryl-(C1-C10-alkyl)-, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-(C1-C10-alkyl)-, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C10-alkyl)-, C3-C10-cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, C2-C10-alkenyl or C2-C10-alkinyl and Ar is unsubstituted or at least monosubstituted aryl or heteroaryl.

Abstract: An inner actuator for automobile doors includes a lever-like handle adapted to be pivoted about an axis within a housing which is attached to the door, a linkage or an actuating cable which is led to a door lock and engages the handle, a spring which biases the handle into a rest position, a damper which is connected to a portion of the handle such that the movement of the handle into the rest position is damped, whereby a linear damper is provided which is linked to the door with one end and to a portion of the handle with the other end.

Abstract: Processes for determining whether a test substance contains lipases or lipase inhibitors are provided. Processes for determining the activity of lipases or lipase inhibitors are also provided. Furthermore, processes for the preparation of micelle or vesicle substrates comprising monoacylglyceride having a fluorescent label are described.

Abstract: Self crosslinking aqueous polymer dispersions containing hard and soft copolymers containing polymerized units of a conjugated diene, a vinyl aromatic compound, an organic carboxylic acid and/or anhydride, and at least one crosslinker may be included in consolidated nonwoven constructions. The consolidated nonwoven construction is useful as a base material such as a bituminized roofing mat.

Abstract: Self-crosslinking aqueous polymer dispersions which are suitable for consolidating nonwovens, which may be subsequently bituminized.

Abstract: An air damper for a movably supported structural part in automobiles comprises a hollow cylinder closed at one end thereof, a closure cap mounted on the other end of the cylinder, a piston slidably guided within the cylinder, an annular recess at the circumference of the piston, and an annular sealing ring in the recess. The block-like sealing ring is made of a thermoplastic elastomer coated with a layer which has the same static and sliding frictions with the inner wall of the cylinder and the bottom of the recess. A coil spring is placed between the closure cap and the piston. A piston rod of the piston has an elongated rib contacting the spring when the spring is in a relieved state.

Abstract: A method for preparing a dispersion for a pressure sensitive adhesive is provided, wherein the dispersions contain a copolymer (CP) having units of butyl acrylate and meth)acrylic acid; the method involving the steps of polymerizing an aqueous emulsion (EM) containing butyl acrylate, an anionic emulsifier and a non-ionic emulsifier, in the aqueous phase, under heating and in the presence of at least one water-soluble initiator (IN) of formula (I) MR1  (I) where M represents a metal cation, and R1 represents an anion of a peroxyacid or azo-group-containing acid, wherein (IN) is present in an amount of 0.5-1.5 wt. % (based on weight of the monomers); emulsifying-in (meth)acrylic acid while maintaining an elevated reaction temperature; and adding a second initiator (RI) to complete the polymerization.

Abstract: Self-crosslinking aqueous polymer dispersions which are suitable for consolidating nonwovens, which may be subsequently bituminized.

Abstract: A method for preparing a dispersion for a pressure sensitive adhesive is provided, wherein the dispersions contain a copolymer (CP) having units of butyl acrylate and (meth)acrylic acid, the method involving the steps of polymerizing an aqueous emulsion (EM) containing butyl acrylate, an anionic emulsifier and a non-ionic emulsifier, in the aqueous phase, under heating and in the presence of at least one water-soluble initiator (IN) of formula (I)M R.sub.1 (I)where M represents a metal cation, andR1 represents an anion of a peroxyacid or azo-group-containing acid,wherein (IN) is present in an amount of 0.5-1.5 wt. % (based on weight of the monomers);emulsifying-in (meth)acrylic acid while maintaining an elevated reaction temperature; andadding a second initiator (RI) to complete the polymerization.