Abstract: The present invention provides lignin nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic active agent and a process for the production of the lignin nanoparticles. The process involves the following steps: (i) dissolving modified lignin and a hydrophobic active agent in an organic solvent having low solubility in water; (ii) combining the solution with water and a surfactant to form a pre-emulsion; (iii) forming an emulsion from the pre-emulsion; and (iv) crosslinking the modified lignin to form the lignin nanoparticles, in which the modified lignin is lignin which is chemically modified to contain at least two functional groups suitable for polymerization and/or crosslinking.

Abstract: Machine tool with a workpiece receptacle for receiving a workpiece to be machined and with a tool receptacle for receiving a tool that is needed for machining a workpiece. A hardness measuring device is integrated in the machine tool, and a hardness measurement can be carried out in an automated manner at the workpiece by the hardness measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides lignin nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic active agent and a process for the production of the lignin nanoparticles. The process involves the following steps: (i) dissolving modified lignin and a hydrophobic active agent in an organic solvent having low solubility in water; (ii) combining the solution with water and a surfactant to form a pre-emulsion; (iii) forming an emulsion from the pre-emulsion; and (iv) crosslinking the modified lignin to form the lignin nanoparticles, in which the modified lignin is lignin which is chemically modified to contain at least two functional groups suitable for polymerization and/or crosslinking.

Abstract: The present invention provides lignin nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic active agent and a process for the production of the lignin nanoparticles. The process involves the following steps: (i) dissolving modified lignin and a hydrophobic active agent in an organic solvent having low solubility in water; (ii) combining the solution with water and a surfactant to form a pre-emulsion; (iii) forming an emulsion from the pre-emulsion; and (iv) crosslinking the modified lignin to form the lignin nanoparticles, in which the modified lignin is lignin which is chemically modified to contain at least two functional groups suitable for polymerization and/or crosslinking.

Abstract: A spark plug, including a central electrode, a first ground electrode, which is situated in a curved shape having a horizontal area and an essentially vertical area, and at least one second ground electrode, which is situated adjacent to the central electrode in such a way that a distance between the first ground electrode and the central electrode is less than a distance between the second ground electrode and the central electrode.

Abstract: Machine tool with a workpiece receptacle for receiving a workpiece to be machined and with a tool receptacle for receiving a tool that is needed for machining a workpiece. A hardness measuring device is integrated in the machine tool, and a hardness measurement can be carried out in an automated manner at the workpiece by the hardness measuring device.

Abstract: An electrode for a spark plug includes an electrode base material and a noble metal element, the noble metal element being fastened to the electrode base material using a welding connection. The welding connection has a maximum extension perpendicular to an area of the electrode at which the noble metal element is fastened, and the welding connection has a maximum width at the area. A ratio of the maximum extension to the maximum width is greater than, or equal to 3.

Abstract: A spark plug including a housing as a ground contact to an internal combustion engine, a center electrode situated in the housing along a center axis of the spark plug, an insulator between the center electrode and the housing, and a two-legged ground electrode whose legs are located on the combustion chamber side of the center electrode and angled with respect to one another in a leg plane which is perpendicular to the center axis, the two ends of the ground electrode being connected to the housing respectively by one connection point, a first gap between one end of the housing on the combustion chamber side and the leg plane being smaller than or equal to a second gap between one of the connection points and the center axis, and/or the ground electrode being tapered toward the center axis.

Abstract: A spark plug, including a central electrode, a first ground electrode, which is situated in a curved shape having a horizontal area and an essentially vertical area, and at least one second ground electrode, which is situated adjacent to the central electrode in such a way that a distance between the first ground electrode and the central electrode is less than a distance between the second ground electrode and the central electrode.

Abstract: A spark plug including a housing as a ground contact to an internal combustion engine, a center electrode situated in the housing along a center axis of the spark plug, an insulator between the center electrode and the housing, and a two-legged ground electrode whose legs are located on the combustion chamber side of the center electrode and angled with respect to one another in a leg plane which is perpendicular to the center axis, the two ends of the ground electrode being connected to the housing respectively by one connection point, a first gap between one end of the housing on the combustion chamber side and the leg plane being smaller than or equal to a second gap between one of the connection points and the center axis, and/or the ground electrode being tapered toward the center axis.

Abstract: An electrode for a spark plug includes an electrode base material and a noble metal element, the noble metal element being fastened to the electrode base material using a welding connection. The welding connection has a maximum extension perpendicular to an area of the electrode at which the noble metal element is fastened, and the welding connection has a maximum width at the area. A ratio of the maximum extension to the maximum width is greater than, or equal to 3.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, having an insulator including an insulator shoulder designed for mounting a tensioning nut or a housing and having a first outer diameter, an insulator head which is situated farther from the combustion chamber and adjoins the insulator shoulder, and which has a second outer diameter which is smaller than the first outer diameter, and a continuous cavity, a composition including a first contact composition, a second contact composition, and a composition resistor situated between the first contact composition and the second contact composition, a connecting pin which contacts the first contact composition, a center electrode which contacts the second contact composition, and a ground electrode. The connecting pin, the composition, and the center electrode are situated in the cavity, and the composition resistor has a third outer diameter, and a ratio of the third outer diameter to the second outer diameter is between 0.35 and 0.7.

Abstract: A method for producing a spark plug is provided, which includes a ground electrode fixed to a housing, and a center electrode insulated electrically from the housing by an insulator, the ground electrode having a ground electrode base and a ground electrode section, which ground electrode section including an electrode base and a noble metal section. In order to produce the spark plug, the ground electrode base is connected to the ground electrode section, in which, in a first step, the electrode base is connected to the noble metal section to form the ground electrode section, and in a second step, the ground electrode section is connected to the ground electrode base.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a plurality of strings of a photovoltaic system connected to a power inverter includes measuring current values from individual strings to the power inverter; determining a reference current value from the measured current values; and standardizing the measured current values to the reference current value. The method further includes and analyzing the standardized current values of individual strings within representative time periods by comparison with comparison values established for the individual strings. Based on the analysis a failure of an individual string is ascertained.

Abstract: In a device for supplying electrical energy from a plurality of strings of photovoltaic modules to a power grid that includes a connection terminal for each string of the plurality of strings, wherein each connection terminal includes an over-current protection component including a power switch for selectively disconnecting the respective string. The device further includes a central insulation monitoring unit providing an insulation status of the entire plurality of strings, and the power switch of each over-current protection component includes an all-pole disconnecting power switch that can be opened and closed by a controller via a motor in response to the insulation status provided by the central insulation monitoring unit to select and selectively disconnect a string having an insulation failure. The device is further configured to supply electrical energy from the remaining strings of the plurality of strings having no insulation failure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a spark plug having a central electrode and a ground electrode, the central electrode and the ground electrode being spaced apart from each other and a first planar electrode face being formed on the central electrode and a second planar electrode face being formed on the ground electrode by a separative manufacturing method.

Abstract: A method for producing a spark plug is provided, which includes a ground electrode fixed to a housing, and a center electrode insulated electrically from the housing by an insulator, the ground electrode having a ground electrode base and a ground electrode section, which ground electrode section including an electrode base and a noble metal section. In order to produce the spark plug, the ground electrode base is connected to the ground electrode section, in which, in a first step, the electrode base is connected to the noble metal section to form the ground electrode section, and in a second step, the ground electrode section is connected to the ground electrode base.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a ground electrode, a center electrode, an insulator, a housing, and a folded packing which is situated on an outer circumference of the housing. The folded packing has: a hollow profile in cross section; a free leg directed outwards; and a support region. The folded packing lies on a contact surface in a support region, and the free leg is situated at an angle to the support region. The folded packing is pressed together during the mounting of the spark plug, and the free leg of the folded packing is designed to bend over in the direction of the support surface during the mounting to provide a diameter enlargement of the folded packing.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, having an insulator including an insulator shoulder designed for mounting a tensioning nut or a housing and having a first outer diameter, an insulator head which is situated farther from the combustion chamber and adjoins the insulator shoulder, and which has a second outer diameter which is smaller than the first outer diameter, and a continuous cavity, a composition including a first contact composition, a second contact composition, and a composition resistor situated between the first contact composition and the second contact composition, a connecting pin which contacts the first contact composition, a center electrode which contacts the second contact composition, and a ground electrode. The connecting pin, the composition, and the center electrode are situated in the cavity, and the composition resistor has a third outer diameter, and a ratio of the third outer diameter to the second outer diameter is between 0.35 and 0.7.

Abstract: A spark plug, including a central electrode, a first ground electrode, which is situated in a curved shape having a horizontal area and an essentially vertical area, and at least one second ground electrode, which is situated adjacent to the central electrode in such a way that a distance between the first ground electrode and the central electrode is less than a distance between the second ground electrode and the central electrode.