Abstract: A method for producing a setting retarder for hydrate-forming binders, wherein a) a first reactant A, comprising an amino acid and/or an amino acid derivative, is reacted with b) a second reactant C, including an amine-free carboxylic acid and/or an amine-free carboxylic acid derivative, to form a reaction product, characterized in that the reaction is carried out at a pH value of 7.5-11.5 and the pH value is held constant in the specified range of 7.5-11.5 during the reaction. In order to hold the pH value constant in the specified range and to avoid fluctuations, in one process step an aqueous solution of reactant A is prepared and a pH of 7.5-11.5, preferably 8-11, in particular 8.5-10.5, is set by adding a base.

Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.

Abstract: A polymer having the formula (XIV) as a dispersing agent for powder-form substances, typically selected from the group consisting of clays, porcelain slip, silicate flour, chalk, carbon black, rock flour, pigments, talc, plastic powders and mineral binders, and methods for improving the flow properties of powder-form substances and mixtures including powder-form substances and polymers having the formula (XIV).

Abstract: A tibial prosthesis including an articulating component and a tray component with a rim that extends proximally to support the articulating component, the tray component enabling flexion of the rim relative to a bone-contacting surface of the tray component.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of generating hydrogen including contacting magnesium and silicon to form a mixture and reacting the mixture with an aqueous solution, sufficient to generate hydrogen. The solution can include water and salt.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including, among other things, one or more of a fuel cell, a fuel reservoir, a current collecting circuit, a plenum, or a system cover. The fuel reservoir is configured to store fuel, and may include a regulator for controlling an output fuel pressure and a refueling port. A surface of the fuel reservoir may be positioned adjacent a first fuel cell portion. The current collecting circuit is configured to receive and distribute fuel cell power and may be positioned adjacent a second fuel cell portion. The plenum may be formed when the fuel reservoir and the first fuel cell portion are coupled or by one or more flexible fuel cell walls. The system cover allows air into the system and when combined when a fuel pressure in the plenum, may urge contact between the fuel cell and the current collecting circuit.

Abstract: A collector for a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography comprises a plurality of reflective sections which are embodied and arranged in such a way that they can be impinged upon during the focusing of radiation from a first focus into a second focus with angles of impingement in a predefined angular spectrum.

Abstract: Comb polymers having carboxyl/carboxylate and ester groups, containing a) 0.1-0.9 mol fractions of a partial structural unit S1, which is derived from an acrylic/methacrylic or maleic acid unit, b) 0-0.4 mol fractions of a partial structural unit S2, which is derived, for example, from an acrylic/methacrylic or maleic acid unit, which is esterified by means of a C1 to C20-alkanol or a polyalkylene glycol, alkyl-capped on one end, preferably a polyethylene glycol, and c) 0.1-0.4 mol fractions of a partial structural unit S3, which is derived from an acrylic/methacrylic or maleic acid unit, which is esterified by means of a polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ether, which has a terminal, secondary hydroxyl group of the form-CH(R3)OH, wherein R3 is bulky alkyl group, preferably a methyl group.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable fuel cell power source including an expandable enclosure, a first reactant contained within the enclosure, one or more fuel cells and a fluid port positioned in the expandable enclosure and adapted to be in fluidic communication with the one or more fuel cells. The enclosure may also include an opening to insert a second reactant. When the first reactant is contacted with the second reactant a fuel is generated for use with one or more of the fuel cells. The volume of the portable fuel cell power source in a collapsed state may be smaller than the volume of the amount of first reactant and second reactant needed to substantially consume the first reactant in a fuel generation reaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to optical systems of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, and to a microlithographic exposure method. According to an aspect of the disclosure, an optical system has a light source, a ray-splitting optical element, which splits a light ray incident on this element when the projection exposure apparatus is in operation into a first partial ray and a second partial ray, with the first and the second partial ray having mutually orthogonal polarization directions, and at least one ray-deflecting optical element for generating a desired polarized illumination setting from the first partial ray and the second partial ray, wherein the ray-splitting optical element is arranged such that light incident on this ray-splitting optical element when the projection exposure apparatus is in operation has a degree of polarization of less than one.

Abstract: An illumination optical unit for projection lithography has a first polarization mirror device to reflect and polarize of illumination light. A second mirror device, which is disposed downstream of the polarization mirror device reflects an illumination light beam. At least one drive device is operatively connected to at least one of the two mirror devices. The two mirror devices are displaceable relative to one another via the drive device between a first relative position, which leads to a first beam geometry of the illumination light beam after reflection at the second mirror device, and a second relative position, which leads to a second beam geometry of the illumination light beam after reflection at the second mirror device, which is different from the first beam geometry. This results in a flexible predefinition of different illumination geometries, in particular of different illumination geometries with rotationally symmetrical illumination.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a reservoir assembly for use in a device, such as a fuel cell system, hydride storage system, hydrogen compressor system, heat pump system or air conditioner system. The assembly includes a first cellular component interconnected with at least a second cellular component in which the interconnected cellular components are arranged together to substantially fill an available device space, one or more end caps coupled to a portion of the first or the second cellular components, one or more external ports for adding or removing a fluid from the reservoir in which the external ports are positioned in one or more of the end caps or cellular components, and one or more internal ports in which each internal port fluidly connects the first interconnected cellular component to at least the second interconnected cellular component.

Abstract: A fluidic control system includes featured layers. The featured layers include two or more features which collectively form at least one functional component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate a charge indicator for determining the mass of a fluid contained within a fluid enclosure, wherein the charge indicator responds to a deformation of a solid component in contact with the fluid and wherein the deformation is a function of the mass of fluid contained within the fluid enclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to comb polymers of maleic acid or derivatives thereof, allyl ethers and (meth)acrylic acid or derivatives thereof, and to the preparation thereof by free radical polymerization at a reaction temperature of 10° C. to 50° C. The invention further relates to the use of such comb polymers for improving the processability of hydraulically setting compositions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fluid enclosure including a structural filler and an outer enclosure wall conformably coupled to the structural filler. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to a method of manufacturing a fluid enclosure. The method includes conformably coupling an outer enclosure wall to a structural filler.

Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.

Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.

Abstract: A method for refilling a hydrogen reservoir comprising a first hydrogen-storing material comprises establishing a fluid connection between the hydrogen reservoir and a cartridge containing a second hydrogen-storing material. The second hydrogen-storing material releases hydrogen at a pressure sufficient to charge the first hydrogen-storing material. Some embodiments involve heating the second hydrogen-storing material and/or allowing heat to flow between the first and second hydrogen-storing materials.