Abstract: A nanostructured tungsten carbide bulk material, sintered from tungsten carbide and metal such as cobalt nano-powders, comprises a tungsten carbide and a metallic binder such as cobalt phases. The tungsten carbide phase has nanostructures comprising a plurality of dislocations, twins, stacking faults, dislocation cells, nano-subgrains with preferred orientation or texture, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A woofer module is used for outputting alow-frequency audio signal, and can be inserted into and removed from anexpansion slot of a portable computer. The woofer module has a housing, a speaker unit positioned inside the housing for generating the audio signal, a predetermined space positioned inside the housing for resonating the audio signal, and a bass reflex duct positioned inside the housing which is connected to an output vent of the predetermined space and an output vent of the housing for transmitting the audio signal from the output vent of the housing to an ambientenvironment.

Abstract: The invention proposes an air conditioning system for motor vehicles which is fitted with an injection computer and an electronic control device. The system comprises a first measuring member suitable for supplying a value relating to the pressure of the fluid at a first point in the air conditioning circuit which is situated between the outlet of the expansion member and the outlet of the evaporator, and a second measuring member suitable for supplying a value relating to the pressure of the fluid at a second point in the air conditioning circuit which is situated at the inlet to the compressor. The electronic control device makes use of the solution of an equation which relates the mass flow rate of the refrigerant fluid to the difference in pressure between the first point and the second point in order to calculate an estimate of a magnitude relating to the refrigerant fluid.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating one-dimensional composite nanofiber on a template membrane with porous array by chemical or physical process are disclosed. The whole procedures are established under a base concept of “secondary template”. First of all, tubular first nanofibers are grown up in the pores of the template membrane. Next, by using the hollow first nanofibers as the secondary templates, second nanofibers are produced therein. Finally, the template membrane is removed to obtain composite nanofibers. Showing superior performance in weight energy density, current discharge efficiency and irreversible capacity, the composite nanofibers are applied to extensive scopes like thin-film battery, hydrogen storage, molecular sieving, biosensor and catalyst support except applications in lithium batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanostructured metal powder and a method of fabricating the same. A twin-wire electric arc process is performed to melt the wire tips, and metal melt is formed. Simultaneously, the metal melt is broken up into melt droplets by an atomizing device. The operating temperature of the electric arc process is controlled between melting point and boiling point of the wire, to avoid vaporization of the melt droplets. Then, a fast cooling is performed to quench the melt droplets. Thus, melt droplets are solidified to &mgr;m-scaled, spherical and dense powders comprising nano-grains (d<100 nm).

Abstract: A low-cost, simple method for manufacturing highly-ordered nanofibers is provided. The feature of the procedure is using a self-catalytic mechanism. First of all, a porous membrane template is used as a filter to spread metal nanoparticles, which have a self-catalytic characteristic, onto a current collector. After removing, the membrane template, the nanoparticles grow and become highly-ordered nanofibers by heat treatment in an oxygen atmosphere. The nanofibers show superior field emission effects and are therefore ideal field emission sources.

Abstract: A system and method for processing YCbCr video data stored in a paged memory with reduced page breaks. A method is disclosed for retrieving YCbCr planar video data in 4:2:0 format from paged memory. A page of the paged memory containing Y data is accessed; Y data corresponding to M pixels of video data is then retrieved, where M is a value greater than or equal to two. The retrieved Y data is then stored in a shift register. Similar steps are taken to access, retrieve and store Cb and Cr data. Within the shift register, the Y, Cb, and Cr data is stored as sets of planar video data. The Y, Cb, and Cr data is retrieved from the shift register as a series of pixel data for generating pixels on a video display unit.

Abstract: A system for generating compensation pixel data for pixel data having adjacent values. The compensation pixel data is the pixel data adjusted by a value in order to perform an effect with the pixel data. The system has a comparator for determining whether the pixel data varies between adjacent values. Furthermore, the system includes a look-up table in communication with the comparator. The look-up table replaces the subsequent value of the pixel data with the compensation pixel data only when the preceding value of the pixel data is different than the subsequent value thereby reducing the number of look-ups for the compensation pixel data.

Abstract: The invention proposes an air conditioning system for motor vehicles which is fitted with an injection computer and an electronic control device. The system comprises a first measuring member suitable for supplying a value relating to the pressure of the fluid at a first point in the air conditioning circuit which is situated between the outlet of the expansion member and the outlet of the evaporator, and a second measuring member suitable for supplying a value relating to the pressure of the fluid at a second point in the air conditioning circuit which is situated at the inlet to the compressor. The electronic control device makes use of the solution of an equation which relates the mass flow rate of the refrigerant fluid to the difference in pressure between the first point and the second point in order to calculate an estimate of a magnitude relating to the refrigerant fluid.

Abstract: A woofer module is used for outputting alow-frequency audio signal, and can be inserted into and removed from anexpansion slot of a portable computer. The woofer module has a housing, a speaker unit positioned inside the housing for generating the audio signal, a predetermined space positioned inside the housing for resonating the audio signal, and a bass reflex duct positioned inside the housing which is connected to an output vent of the predetermined space and an output vent of the housing for transmitting the audio signal from the output vent of the housing to an ambientenvironment.

Abstract: In the present invention, an apparatus and method for performing alpha blending calculations in a fast and efficient manner is disclosed. When implemented as an integrated circuit, the apparatus of the present invention occupies reduced area. The apparatus comprises a plurality of multiplexers and an adder. Each of multiplexers is configured to receive a bit value, &agr;1, of the digital value alpha, &agr;. Each of the plurality of multiplexers is configured to receive the first and second digital image values. Each of the plurality of multiplexers is also configured to direct to outputs of the multiplexers either the first or second digital image value responsive to the bit value, &agr;i. Each of the outputs of the plurality of multiplexers is shifted left according to the order of the bit values, &agr;i, to produce a plurality of left-shifted outputs. The adder is produces the sum of the left-shifted outputs.

Abstract: A nanostructured tungsten carbide bulk material, sintered from tungsten carbide and metal such as cobalt nano-powders, comprises a tungsten carbide and a metallic binder such as cobalt phases. The tungsten carbide phase has nanostructures comprising a plurality of dislocations, twins, stacking faults, dislocation cells, nano-subgrains with preferred orientation or texture, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A mail opening bag for preventing infection of bacteria-by-mail includes a containing body, and a pair of gloves. The containing body has an opening, a transparent upper part, and sealing elements for sealing the opening. The gloves are received in the containing body, and are formed together with the containing body with the wrist portions thereof being connected to the containing body. The gloves have coarse surfaces at the fingertip portions for increasing the friction against a mail to be opened in the containing body. Thus, a user can be sure whether there is suspicious powder when opening mail in the mail opening bag, and protected against possible infection.

Abstract: A signal value is derived that is representative of the cooling power produced by an air-conditioning evaporator, the signal value being derived from at least one temperature sensor placed in thermal contact with the evaporator, or downstream from it in the cooled airflow, and the signal value is compared with a reference value corresponding to a normal refrigerant-fluid level. A signal value below the reference value indicates a low level of refrigerant-fluid.

Abstract: The temperature of an airflow cooled by an evaporator of a closed loop air-conditioning system, determined by means of a sensor, is compared with a theoretical value corresponding to the control current of an external-control, variable-displacement compressor, in order to detect a low level of refrigerant fluid in the system or any blocking of a compressor valve.

Abstract: In a device for air conditioning a motor-vehicle passenger compartment, a control module adjusts electrical power supplied to a motor-driven fan unit delivering airflow to a condenser of the device. Means are furthermore provided for recording an air throughput passing over the condenser and produced, at least in part, by the motor-driven fan unit. A regulation module estimates a maximum value of the electrical power supply to the motor-driven fan unit, for a given air throughput, with a view to limiting the electrical power supply to this maximum value, as a function of the air throughput.

Abstract: A signal value is derived that is representative of the cooling power produced by an air-conditioning evaporator, the signal value being derived from at least one temperature sensor placed in thermal contact with the evaporator, or downstream from it in the cooled airflow, and the signal value is compared with a reference value corresponding to a normal refrigerant-fluid level. A signal value below the reference value indicates a low level of refrigerant-fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to compound of the general formula (I): R—O—A  (I) wherein: R represents the radical of formula (II): A is as defined in the description, and medicinal products containing the same which are useful in treating or in preventing cancer.

Abstract: In a device for air conditioning a motor-vehicle passenger compartment, a control module adjusts electrical power supplied to a motor-driven fan unit delivering airflow to a condenser of the device. Means are furthermore provided for recording an air throughput passing over the condenser and produced, at least in part, by the motor-driven fan unit. A regulation module estimates a maximum value of the electrical power supply to the motor-driven fan unit, for a given air throughput, with a view to limiting the electrical power supply to this maximum value, as a function of the air throughput.

Abstract: The temperature of an airflow cooled by an evaporator of a closed loop air-conditioning system, determined by means of a sensor, is compared with a theoretical value corresponding to the control current of an external-control, variable-displacement compressor, in order to detect a low level of refrigerant fluid in the system or any blocking of a compressor valve.