Abstract: A method is disclosed of fabricating micromechanical components provided with free-standing microstructures or membranes with predetermined mechanical stress, by initially depositing a sacrificial layer on a substrate followed by depositing a polysilicon layer on the sacrificial layer by a gaseous phase deposition and, finally, at least partial removal of the sacrificial layer. During deposition of the polysilicon layer, the process pressure selected determined the type of stress in the polysilicon layer, and the value of the stress is set by the process temperature selected. The process pressure is above the pressure range used in LPCVD reactors.

Abstract: A water flow rate sensing device for water ducts, comprising a thermal sensor (20) capable of measuring the flow by measuring the removal of heat by a heater from the water; an elongated support (9)/in particular, tubular, having the sensor (20) mounted at a free end thereof so that the support is inserted laterally with respect to the duct through a hole and cantilevered in order to keep the sensor in a central zone of the duct. The free end of the support comprises a lamina-shaped extension member. Furthermore, the device comprises means (5,7) for transmitting a measuring signal to a remote control unit. The invention comprises also a method for measuring the water flow.

Abstract: A composition based on polyvinyl alcohol and a sulfonated ketone/formaldehyde condensate in the preferred mixing ratio of 1:1 as a further component, is provided as a fluid loss additive in mixtures containing hydraulic binders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a shared media resource are disclosed. One embodiment includes an edge device adapted to control the media resource based on content selection votes received from users in the shared space who transmit their votes to the edge device over a wide area communication network. In a particular example, a user can submit a vote via a mobile communication method such as text messaging. In another example, votes can be submitted by interacting with a web page or an email program. In another aspect, the edge device tallies the votes and, based on a configuration setting that defines a voting policy, the edge device controls a content selection of the media resource. In another example, the edge device can also receive input from one more local remote control devices that communicate directly with the edge device such as, for example, a standard infrared remote control unit.

Abstract: Subject matter of the present invention is a drilling fluid additive based on sulfonated asphalt, which comprises a water soluble and anionic polymer component in quantities of 0.1 to 20 wt. %, with respect to the total additive in addition to the asphalt component. With this additive the water solubility of sulfonated asphalt can be markedly increased. This additive, whose polymer component is thermally highly stable, is utilized primarily in water- and/or oil-based drilling fluids and in particular in the exploration of subterraneous petroleum and natural gas deposits. Typical polymer components to consider are representatives of polycondensation products, such as phenol resins, ketone resins and sulfonated naphthalene, acetone and amino plasticizer resins (for example urea and melamine resins).

Abstract: A radio base station in a mobile communication network collects information about the network and exchanges data with a configuration device, the Internet System Manager (iSM). The iSM automatically configures and integrates the base station into the network by defining configuration parameter settings that allow fill interoperation of the base station with the network, with regards to roaming and handover in particular, without the need to add or modify parameter settings in other existing network elements. A very large number and high geographical density of such base stations is supported with full interoperation between them, allowing to overcome limitations of conventional mobile communication networks in this regard, by utilizing a certain combination of parameter settings and a new method to address the different base stations in the network.

Abstract: A novel method for breaking the viscosity of an aqueous phase thickened with preferably hydrophilic polymers in the exploration and production of mineral oil and/or natural gas is proposed. For this purpose, the breaking is carried out via the formation of a low-viscosity emulsion, with water as the continuous phase, this emulsion being formed by the addition of at least one surface-active component to a system which consists of the thickened drilling fluid and an oil phase which is crude oil present in the reservoir and/or oil introduced into the reservoir. Solubilizers between oil phase and water phase and in particular non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and/or amphoteric surfactants are used as a preferred surface-active component. In addition to the surface-active component, it is possible to use further components, which are demulsifiers, non-emulsifiers, co-surfactants or surface tension modifiers.

Abstract: A composition based on polyvinyl alcohol and a sulfonated ketone/formaldehyde condensate in the preferred mixing ratio of 1:1 as a further component, is provided as a fluid loss additive in mixtures containing hydraulic binders.

Abstract: Semiconductor dies and methods to mold lock a semiconductor die are disclosed. A disclosed example semiconductor die includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sides joining the top surface and the bottom surface. At least one of the sides includes an interference structure to mold lock the die in a package.

Abstract: Methacrylate derivatives are added to salt-containing media to thicken the media, and are particularly useful in the exploration of mineral oil or natural gas deposits. The salt-containing media have a specific density of 1.2 to 2.5 kg/l. The respective methacrylate derivatives, which may be, e.g., mono- and/or difunctional variants, have been found to be particularly suitable, are used in a volume ratio of 100 to 1:1 and an amount of 0.5 to 15% by volume. The thickening of the salt-containing media is effected primarily as gel formation, which can be carried out with the aid of free radical initiators and at elevated temperatures. In particular, completion brines, drilling and drill-in fluids and fracturing fluids and acids having high salt contents are to be regarded as aqueous media. The methacrylate derivatives have a markedly good solubility in heavy brines, as are used primarily in upstream processes of the oil industry.

Abstract: Methods for packaging light-sensitive semiconductor devices in packages are described in which a transparent window aligned with light-sensitive surfaces of the devices are provided. The methods of the invention include steps for affixing a transparent body to a light-sensitive surface of the semiconductor device, affixing the device to a leadframe, and placing the assembled leadframe, device, and transparent body into a mold configured for contacting the transparent body. The assembled leadframe and device are encapsulated and removed from the mold, forming a package encased in encapsulant and having a transparent window aligned with the light-sensitive surface of the device.

Abstract: The use of dicarbonyl compounds for increasing the thermal stability of biopolymers in aqueous liquid phases in petroleum and natural gas exploration is claimed. The biopolymer component preferably comprises polysaccharides prepared by fermentation, such as, for example, scleroglucan or welan gum. The aqueous liquid phase is typically a drilling fluid which may also contain high salt concentrations (“brines”). Glyoxal may be mentioned as a particularly suitable member of the dicarbonyls. It can either be admixed with the liquid phase or preferably also be incorporated in the course of the preparation of the biopolymer. The use according to the invention shows their advantages, particularly at temperatures in the rock formation which are above 250° Fahrenheit.

Abstract: Rheological control of liquid phases is provided with a composition comprising a high-alumina cement component a) for controlling the rheology of liquid phases based on a clay component b). Component a) is preferably a calcium aluminate cement and component b) is preferably a clay of the smectite variety. The compositions comprise at least 20% by weight representative of the calcium aluminate cement and is preferably used for rheology control of water- or oil-based systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of an adhesive and an adhesive kit for joining similar or different metal surfaces or ceramics, especially in the field of biomedicine. The objective of the invention is to avoid polymerization-linked by-products and disadvantageous effects, in addition to enabling a temporary biocompatible bond between metal and metal or metal and ceramics. The inventive method consist in using a monomer-free polymethylmethacrylate which is mixed with a suitable, non-toxic solvent and a bioactive vitreous-crystalline material with a particle size ranging from 0.05–20?, consisting of 15–45 wt. % CaO, 40–45 wt. % P2O5, 10–40 wt. % ZrO2 and 0.7–3.5 wt. % fluoride, having apatite and calcium zircon phosphate as main crystal phases and a glass phase as an auxiliary component until a flowable mixture is obtained. The invention also relates to an adhesive kit consisting of said components.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an epilator apparatus for the removal of hair. The epilator apparatus comprises a tape, which adheres to the hairs as the apparatus is moved relative to the skin. The motion of the apparatus relative to the skin feeds the tape into the plucking zone where the tape with the hairs adhered thereto is redirected perpendicular to the skin. This redirection results in the hairs being plucked from the skin as the epilator apparatus is advanced.

Abstract: Subject matter of the present invention is a drilling fluid additive based on sulfonated asphalt, which comprises a water soluble and anionic polymer component in quantities of 0.1 to 20 wt. %, with respect to the total additive in addition to the asphalt component. With this additive the water solubility of sulfonated asphalt can be markedly increased. This additive, whose polymer component is thermally highly stable, is utilized primarily in water- and/or oil-based drilling fluids and in particular in the exploration of subterraneous petroleum and natural gas deposits. Typical polymer components to consider are representatives of polycondensation products, such as phenol resins, ketone resins and sulfonated naphthalene, acetone and amino plasticizer resins (for example urea and melamine resins).

Abstract: Hair-care appliances such as curling tongs are provided. The hair care appliances include a heating device that is controlled in dependence on temperature by a thermostat adjacent to the heating device. The thermostat may be shielded thermally from the heating device by a partition wall.

Abstract: A radio base station in a mobile communication network collects information about the network and exchanges data with a configuration device, the Internet System Manager (iSM). The iSM automatically configures and integrates the base station into the network by defining configuration parameter settings that allow fill interoperation of the base station with the network, with regards to roaming and handover in particular, without the need to add or modify parameter settings in other existing network elements. A very large number and high geographical density of such base stations is supported with full interoperation between them, allowing to overcome limitations of conventional mobile communication networks in this regard, by utilizing a certain combination of parameter settings and a new method to address the different base stations in the network.

Abstract: A catalytic gas combustion device for an appliance for personal use with a gas supply device and a catalyst connected to the gas supply device is disclosed. To ignite the gas/air mixture and therefore to initiate catalytic combustion at the catalyst, an ignition device which can be controlled by an ignition system is provided. The gas supply device has a bypass for branching off part of a gas stream which flows onto the ignition device. In this way, the ignition system is actuated even shortly after the gas valve device is opened, and the catalyst is brought to its operating temperature as a result of the explosion of the gas/air mixture.

Abstract: Appliances for shaping hair are provided. The hair-shaping appliances may include, for example, (a) a forward and reverse stroke liquid dosing device; (b) a tubular drum constructed to contact the hair, the tubular drum having through-passages; and (c) an evaporating device comprising an evaporator chamber to which a liquid is delivered by the dosing device, the evaporating device being constructed to produce steam from the delivered liquid and to deliver the steam through the through-passages in the tubular drum to treat the hair. Excess liquid is removed from the evaporator chamber by a return stroke of the dosing device.