Abstract: An information handling system, such as a disc drive, including a base, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. The actuator assembly also includes a load spring and a slider attached to said load spring. The slider for a disc drive includes a block of material having a leading edge, a trailing edge and an air-bearing surface. The air-bearing surface has at least one contact surface. Attached to the slider is at least one post for controlling the pitch of the slider. The post is movable between a first position and a second position. The post is attached to a piezoelectric element for moving the post between a first position and a second position. The post is actuated between the first position and the second position. In one embodiment of the invention, one post is attached to the trailing edge of the slider.

Abstract: A DC magnetron sputter reactor for sputtering copper, its method of use, particularly the ignition sequence, and shields and other parts promoting self-ionized plasma (SIP) sputtering, preferably at pressures below 5 milliTorr, preferably below 1 milliTorr. The SIP copper layer can act as a seed and nucleation layer for hole filling with conventional sputtering (PVD) or with electrochemical plating (ECP). Preferably, the plasma is ignited in a cool process in which low power is applied to the target in the presence of a higher pressure of argon working gas. After ignition, the pressure is reduced, and target power is ramped up to a relatively high operational level to sputter deposit the film.

Abstract: A DC magnetron sputter reactor for sputtering copper, its method of use, and shields and other parts promoting self-ionized plasma (SIP) sputtering, preferably at pressures below 5 milliTorr, preferably below 1 milliTorr. Also, a method of coating copper into a narrow and deep via or trench using SIP for a first copper layer. SIP is promoted by a small magnetron having poles of unequal magnetic strength and a high power applied to the target during sputtering. The target power for a 200 mm wafer is preferably at least 10 kW; more preferably, at least 18 kW; and most preferably, at least 24 kW. Hole filling with SIP is improved by long-throw sputtering in which the target-to-substrate spacing is at least 50% of substrate diameter, more preferably at least 80%, most preferably at least 140%. The SIP copper layer can act as a seed and nucleation layer for hole filling with conventional sputtering (PVD) or with electrochemical plating (ECP).

Abstract: A printing medium comprising a substrate having at least one surface and a coating on the surface wherein the coating comprises: (a) binder comprising: (1) organic polymer which is substantially free of ammonium groups, (2) first cationic addition polymer consisting essentially of quaternary ammonium-containing mer units derived from addition monomer and ammonium-free mer units derived from addition monomer, and (3) second cationic addition polymer consisting essentially of secondary, tertiary, or both secondary and tertiary ammonium-containing mer units derived from addition monomer and ammonium-free mer units derived from addition monomer, wherein the binder constitutes from 20 to 90 percent by weight of the coating; and (b) finely divided substantially water-insoluble filler particles which have a maximum dimension of less than 500 nanometers, are distributed throughout the binder, and constitute from 10 to 80 percent by weight of coating.

Abstract: A method comprising heating to elevated temperature a ceramic substrate having thereon a sequence of coatings of pigmented coating compositions wherein each of said pigmented coating compositions comprises: (a) reactive organic resin which is polyhydroxy-functional, polyepoxy-functional, or both epoxy-functional and hydroxy-functional; (b) reactive wax; (c) color-imparting pigment; and (d) blocked polyisocyanate; wherein: (e) the pigmented coating composition of at least one coating of the sequence is substantially free of amino-functional curing agent; and (f) the pigmented coating composition of at least one other coating of the sequence further comprises amino-functional curing agent; to crosslink all of the pigmented coating compositions of the coatings of the sequence and to adhere the sequence to the ceramic substrate. The preferred ceramic substrates are glass bottles.

Abstract: A radially expandable endoluminal covered stent assembly and a method and apparatus for making the same. A longitudinally and radially expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular graft is circumferentially engaged about one or more radially expandable stents and is retained thereon by a radial recoil force exerted by the tubular graft against the stent. The graft is retained on the stent or stents prior to and during endoluminal delivery and radial expansion without the use of adhesives, sutures or other attachment means. Further, upon radial expansion the stent or stents do not require retaining means for preventing contraction, despite the inherent recoil imparted by the tubular graft. The covered stent is assembled by joining a dilation mandrel and a stent mandrel, placing the graft on the dilation mandrel where it is radially expanded, and passing the expanded graft over the stent that is positioned on the stent mandrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a flanged polytetrafluoroethylene cuffed section from a tubular polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The flanged polytetrafluoroethylene graft is well suited for use as a distal bypass graft, for arteriovenous grafting, or as a hemodialysis access graft. The graft includes an integral terminal polytetrafluoroethylene flanged skirt or cuff section which facilitates an end-to-side anastomosis directly between an artery and the polytetrafluoroethylene flanged graft without need for an intervening venous collar or venous patch.

Abstract: A printing medium comprising a substrate having at least one surface and a coating on the surface wherein the coating comprises: (a) binder comprising: (1) organic polymer which is substantially free of ammonium groups, (2) first cationic addition polymer consisting essentially of quaternary ammonium-containing mer units derived from addition monomer and ammonium-free mer units derived from addition monomer, and (3) second cationic addition polymer consisting essentially of secondary, tertiary, or both secondary and tertiary ammonium-containing mer units derived from addition monomer and ammonium-free mer units derived from addition monomer, wherein the binder constitutes from 20 to 90 percent by weight of the coating; and (b) finely divided substantially water-insoluble filler particles which have a maximum dimension of less than 500 nanometers, are distributed throughout the binder, and constitute from 10 to 80 percent by weight of coating.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrins, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxides, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and anion exchange membrane, (2) an anolyte compartment containing an anode assembly comprising an anode and a cation exchange membrane, and (3) an intermediate compartment partitioned from the catholyte and anolyte compartments by the anion and cation exchange membranes respectively. An aqueous solution of .alpha.-halohydrin is charged to the catholyte compartment, while hydrogen halide solutions are charged to the intermediate and anolyte compartments. Direct current is passed through the electrolytic cell and an aqueous solution comprising epoxide is removed from the catholyte compartment.

Abstract: Described is a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrins, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxides, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and an anion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) an intermediate compartment separated from the catholyte and anode compartments by the anion exchange membrane and either (i) the hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode or (ii) the hydraulic barrier respectively. An aqueous solution of .alpha.

Abstract: Water-soluble or water-dispersible addition copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprise N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone and ethylenically unsaturated polyether, is useful as a component of inkjet printable coatings. The copolymer serves to reduce later migration of inks printed on the coatings.

Abstract: Described is a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrins, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxides, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. An electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating the catholyte and anode compartments and separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane. The following are introduced into the cell: a first aqueous conductive electrolyte solution into the catholyte compartment; hydrogen gas into the anode compartment; an aqueous solution of .alpha.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrin, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxide, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. An aqueous solution of .alpha.-halohydrin is charged to the catholyte compartment of an electrolytic cell, which contains a cathode, hydrogen gas is charged to the anode compartment of the cell, which contains an anode assembly comprising a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode fixedly held between a current collecting electrode and an anion exchange membrane. The catholyte and anode compartments of the cell are separated by the anion exchange membrane. An aqueous solution containing epoxide is removed from the catholyte compartment.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., ethyleneamine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and an anion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) an intermediate compartment separated from the catholyte and anode compartments by the anion exchange membrane and either (i) the hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode or (ii) the hydraulic barrier respectively.

Abstract: Describes a method of electreochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., amine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. An electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating the catholyte and anode compartments and separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., ethyleneamine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and anion exchange membrane, (2) an anolyte compartment containing an anode assembly comprising an anode and a cation exchange membrane, and (3) an intermediate compartment separated from the catholyte and anolyte compartments by the anion and cation exchange membranes respectively. An aqueous solution of amine hydrohalide is charged to the catholyte compartment, while hydrogen halide solutions are charged to the intermediate and anolyte compartments. Direct current is passed through the electrolytic cell and an aqueous solution comprising free amine is removed from the catholyte compartment.

Abstract: An interactive device for lapping transducers has a body with an abrasive surface that communicates with the transducers in order to provide information for controlling the lapping and testing the transducers. The lapping body is preferably shaped as a disk, drum or tape, and communicates with the transducer using a type of signal that the transducer is designed to read and/or write. Thus for lapping a magnetic head or slider to be employed in a hard disk drive, the lapping body contains a magnetic medium layer that is either prerecorded or written by the head during lapping, while the signal received by the head is monitored and analyzed by a processor in order to determine, in part, when to terminate lapping. A series of transducers can be simultaneously lapped while individually monitored, so that each transducer can be removed from the lapping body individually upon receipt of a signal indicating that transducer has been lapped an optimal amount.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., ethyleneamine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine, by charging an aqueous solution of amine hydrohalide to the catholyte compartment of an electrolytic cell, which contains a cathode, charging hydrogen gas to the anode compartment of the cell, which contains an anode assembly comprised of a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode fixedly held between a current collecting electrode and an anion exchange membrane. The catholyte and anode compartments of the cell are separated by the anion exchange membrane. An amine hydrohalide solution containing free amine is removed from the catholyte compartment.

Abstract: The dehydrochlorination of 1,1,2,3,3-pentachloropropane to produce 1,2,3,3-tetrachloropropene is conducted using aqueous alkali metal hydroxide in the substantial absence of added ethanol.The 1,2,3,3-tetrachloropropene is recovered from the reaction mixture in the substantial absence of added ether. The preferred methods of recovery are steam distillation and flash distillation.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar bushing adapted to receive a metal stabilizer bar and to be secured within a mounting assembly that is attached to a vehicle frame for cooperatively resisting excessive sway when a vehicle is turning and a method of manufacture. The stabilizer bar bushing includes an elastomeric member and a low coefficient of friction film layer. The elastomeric member has an outer diameter, an inner diameter defining a bore and a slot extending the longitudinal length of the elastomeric member from the outer diameter to the inner diameter. The low coefficient of friction film layer is adhered to the inner diameter and the slot to facilitate ease of insertion of the stabilizer bar within the bore and reduce frictional engagement of the elastomeric member with the stabilizer bar.