Abstract: A semiconductor wafer spinning chuck includes a rotatable base, a plurality of arms, upstanding from the base, a selectively releasable clamping mechanism, associated with the arms, and a spray nozzle, extending through the base. The clamping mechanism has a first portion configured to mechanically clamp an edge of a first semiconductor wafer and hold the first wafer in a substantially horizontal orientation upon all of the arms, with a backside of the first wafer facing down. The spray nozzle is oriented to direct a spray of fluid at the backside of the first wafer.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and comprising a multi-position brush control electrically coupled to the brush motor whereby the brush motor is operable in at least two different modes. An upright surface cleaning apparatus with a removable portable surface cleaning unit is also provided. The upright surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path extending from the cleaning head air outlet to the air treatment member air inlet and comprising a flexible electrified air flow conduit wherein the brush motor is electrically connected to the surface cleaning unit by a circuit that includes the flexible electrified air flow conduit, a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and a brush control electrically coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A multi-functional cleaning system usable as both a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner includes (a) a body having a motor assembly for generating suction and a dust collector for collecting foreign matters, (b) a first cleaning head, such as a vacuum nozzle, . detachably coupleable to the body and having an inlet for directing the foreign matters into the dust collector, and (c) a second cleaning head, such as a steam cleaning head, detachably coupleable to the body and having an outlet for directing steam onto a surface. Attaching the body to the first cleaning head forms a vacuum cleaner configuration. while attaching the body to the second cleaning head forms a steam cleaner configuration. Electrical wiring and connectors enable operation of the blower motor only in the vacuum cleaner configuration, and include protection against water ingress that can cause malfunctioning or create a safety hazard.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning unit is disclosed. The surface cleaning apparatus includes a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet, an upper portion moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, a portable surface cleaning unit comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member removably mounted to the upper portion, a cleaning wand removably mounted to the upper portion, a flexible air flow conduit forming at least part of an air flow path from the wand to the surface cleaning unit, and a wand lock having a locked position in which the wand is secured to the upper portion and an unlocked position in which the wand is removable from the upper portion. The wand lock may include a wand release actuator which is provided on the wand and is removable with the wand from the upper portion.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed having an upper portion mounted to a surface cleaning head, a portable surface cleaning unit mounted to the upper portion, an above floor cleaning wand removably receivable in the upper portion, and a wand lock having a locked position in which the wand is secured to the upper portion and an unlocked position in which the wand is removable from the upper portion. The upper portion may stabilize the wand when the wand is drivingly connected to the cleaning head. An electrified flexible air flow conduit may electrically connect the surface cleaning head to the cleaning unit.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed having an upper portion moveably mounted to a surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, an above floor cleaning wand removably receivable in the upper portion, a flexible air flow conduit, a lower mounting member provided on an outer surface of the upper portion, an upper mounting member provided on at least one of the outer surface of the upper portion and the wand, and a portable surface cleaning unit comprising a suction motor and an air treatment member removably mounted to the upper portion.

Abstract: A system and process for drying biosolids and wherein nutrients and/or minerals are blended into partially dried biosolids. Further, the system and method compresses the mixture of biosolids and nutrients into a selected form and this is followed by completion of the drying process. In the end, a more uniform and higher value dried biosolids product is produced.

Abstract: A pivoting and swiveling floor treatment appliance includes a lock-prevention member that prevents a body from becoming pivotally locked in a forward/backward direction when a portion of the body is in a swiveled position. The lock-prevention member may move relative to an appliance head and to a portion of the body that swivels. In some embodiments, components of the lock-prevention member contribute to locking the swivel of the body when the body is pivotally locked.

Abstract: Magnetic write heads for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) are disclosed that include a laser diode having a light emitting edge or surface mounted on a slider, an optical waveguide, and a printed bonding agent disposed in an air gap between the laser diode and the slider. The printed bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing. Also included is a method that includes attaching a laser diode to a slider of a magnetic write head and depositing a bonding agent into the air gap using a focused stream of bonding agent. A light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode is adjacent to an optical waveguide. The light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode and the optical input of the waveguide define an aligned direction and an air gap extends from the light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode in a direction perpendicular to the aligned direction. The bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for influencing movement of a handle of a floor treatment device, such as a vacuum. The floor treatment device may include a handle portion that is attached to a base, which includes a floor treatment portion. The handle portion may be pivotally movable about a rotation axis relative to the base between at least first and second positions, where the rotation axis lies in a vertical plane that includes a longitudinal axis of the handle when the handle portion is in the first position and the longitudinal axis is a non-vertical position. A pivot assist device may apply a bias to the handle portion that urges the handle portion to move from the second position to the first position, e.g., to help support the weight of the handle when a user steers the floor treatment device across a floor.

Abstract: Magnetic write heads for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) are disclosed that include a laser diode having a light emitting edge or surface mounted on a slider, an optical waveguide, and a printed bonding agent disposed in an air gap between the laser diode and the slider. The printed bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing. Also included is a method that includes attaching a laser diode to a slider of a magnetic write head and depositing a bonding agent into the air gap using a focused stream of bonding agent. A light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode is adjacent to an optical waveguide. The light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode and the optical input of the waveguide define an aligned direction and an air gap extends from the light-emitting edge or surface of the laser diode in a direction perpendicular to the aligned direction. The bonding agent can be applied by ink jet printing or aerosol jet printing.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): wherein: R1 is —SR10, —O—C(O)—R11, —NR12R13, where R10 is a C1-8-alkyl group or a phenyl group unsubstituted or substituted by a C1-4-alkyl group, R11 is a thiophenenyl, furanyl or pyrrolyl group, R12 is H or a C1-4-alkyl group and R13 is a C1-8-alkyl group or a phenyl group unsubstituted or substituted by a C1-4-alkyl group; R2 is H or a C1-4-alkyl group; R3 and R4 are independently H or C1-4-alkyl groups; R5 and R6 are independently H, OH or OR14, or taken together are ?O, where R14 is a protecting group; R7 is H or a C1-4-alkyl group; and, R8 is H, R9 is OH and R15 is H, or R15 is H and R8 and R9 taken together are —O—, or R9 is OH and R8 and R15 taken together form a bond; and, R18 and R19 are both H, or R18 and R19 taken together form a bond, or a plant physiologically acceptable salt thereof is useful for inhibiting 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) in a plant or seed and is therefore useful for regulating ABA biosynthesis in the plant or seed.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient generation of electric current from force remote from the generation apparatus and where the operative force for the generation apparatus may be readily directed through hydraulic coupling from the force due to the mass of vehicles acting on a surface to operate the moving component member of a linear induction generator. Optimally hydraulic fluid is made to act directly on a movable magnetic member within a linear induction generator to cause the generation of electric current in conductor windings when the magnetic force from a permanently magnetised member of the generator is caused to be focussed through the conductor windings by the position of alignment between the movable magnetic member and other parts of the fixed magnetic structure.