Abstract: A method for bonding heat sinks to packaged electronic components comprises the steps of: (a) exposing to a plasma a surface of a molded polymer formed on a substrate; (b) allowing the plasma to at least partially convert silicon-containing residue on the surface to silica; and (c) bonding an article to the surface by applying an adherent between the article and the surface. Often, the silicon-containing residue is silicone oil, a mold release compound, which may prevent the formation of a bond when using conventional bonding methods and materials. The silica layer formed on the surface of the molded polymer assists in formation of a proper bond. The plasma may be an oxygen plasma and the adherent may be selected from either a heat cured silicone-based paste adhesive with a metal oxide filler or a heat cured porous polymer film impregnated with adhesive.

Abstract: The invention is a method for forming a solid carbonaceous material into a pumpable fluid by combining the solid with an aqueous treatment solution and then subjecting the mixture to shearing forces. The solid carbonaceous material can be deasphalter unit rock (“DAU rock”), coke, and mixtures of DAU rock and coke. Aqueous treatment solutions contain a water soluble polymer.

Abstract: A single-site olefin polymerization catalyst and method of making it are disclosed. The catalyst comprises an activator and an organometallic complex. The complex comprises a Group 3 to 10 transition or lanthanide metal, M, and at least one indenoindolyl ligand that is &pgr;-bonded to M. The key ligand is made in two steps from readily available indanones and aryl hydrazines. Reaction of its anion with a source of the metal completes a remarkably simple synthetic route to a new family of single-site olefin polymerization catalysts.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: A composition comprising the reaction product of: a) a polycarboxylic member selected from the group consisting of polycarboxylic acids comprised of a diacid having more than about 12 carbon atoms and reactive derivatives thereof (e.g. alkyl esters thereof wherein the alkyl group has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), b) an ethylenically unsaturated member selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids and reactive derivatives thereof, (e.g. alkyl esters thereof wherein the alkyl group thereof has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms), and c) an ethoxylated alkanetriol having an average degree of ethoxylation per hydroxyl of less than about 2 and comprised predominantly of ethoxylated alkanetriol species having one ethoxylate group per hydroxyl. This composition is useful as a polymerizable component, particularly for UV curable coatings and inks.

Abstract: A process additive for polyolefin films and foams produces products having reduced aging time and reduced greasiness and reduced grease-like transfer as compared to glycerol monostearate (GMS). Carbon dioxide based blowing agents are suitable. The process additive comprises a fatty acid N-aliphatic alcohol amide of the general formula R—CON(R′)R″. R is a fatty hydrocarbon radical having from about 8 to 30 carbons. R′ typically is hydrogen. R′ can also be an alkyl radical of from about 1 to 6 carbons or an alkyl alcohol radical of from about 1 to 6 carbons. R″ is an alkyl alcohol fragment of from about 1 to 6 carbons. The alkyl alcohol fragments can be monohydric or polyhydric. Secondary fatty monoalkanolamides in which R′ is hydrogen are particularly useful, especially stearamide monoethanolamine (MEA).

Abstract: A transfer charging device is arranged with dual transfer-assist blades consisting of a pressure blade and a halo blade. The pressure blade is arranged for contacting and thereby urging a substrate against an image-bearing photoreceptor. The pressure blade is formed of a relatively conductive material. The halo blade is formed of a dielectric material. The halo blade is positioned between the transfer charging device and the pressure blade to shield the pressure blade from being charged-up by the transfer charging device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current collector for a battery which comprises a lead or lead alloy substrate and a thin cladding of tin, batteries utilizing such a current collector and methods for manufacturing such batteries. Preferably the tin cladding is composed of substantially pure tin and the concentration of the tin cladding relative to the weight of the current collector (i.e., the combined weight of the substrate and cladding) is less than 4% by weight. The tin cladding forms a noncontinuous layer over the outer surface of the substrate such that there are interspersed regions of lead and tin at the current collector surface. Batteries utilizing such current collectors exhibit marked improvement in performance compared to similar cells composed of tin alloys. In particular, batteries using current collectors of the present design offer superior cycle life and shelf life performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst having the general formula where L is a ligand having the formula L′ is L, Cp, Cp*, indenyl, fluorenyl, NR2, OR, or halogen, L can be bridged to L; X is halogen, NR2, OR, or alkyl from C1 to C12, M is zirconium or hafnium, R is alkyl from C1 to C12 or aryl from C6 to C12, R1 is R, alkaryl from C6 to C12, aralkyl from C6 to C12, hydrogen, or Si(R)3, R2 is R1, halogen, COR, COOR, SOR, or SOOR, R3 is R2, OR, N(R)2, SR, or a fused ring system, Cp is cyclopentadienyl, Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, n is 0 to 3, and LB is an optional Lewis base. Also disclosed is a method of making a poly-&agr;-olefin comprising polymerizing an &agr;-olefin monomer using a catalyst such as that described above where M can be titanium, zirconium, or hafnium.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage medium includes a dedicated transducing head contact zone for engaging an air bearing slider, primarily when the disk is stationary. The contact zone is textured with at least one elongate ridge extending in the circumferential direction. When a single ridge is formed, it runs in a spiral path in multiple turns with a predetermined radial pitch at least ten times the nominal ridge width. The ridge protrudes axially outward from a nominal surface plane of the contact zone, and is rounded and free of sharp edges. The ridge, or plurality of ridge sections, can be formed by a texturing process that includes directing a laser beam, focused, onto the contact zone surface. While the disk is rotated to maintain a constant circumferential speed relative to the laser, it also is translated radially to provide the desired radial pitch. The laser is operated in a CW (continuous wave) mode, to create a more uniform ridge.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is related to a process for desalting crude oil that requires less wash water than conventional desalting methods. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a chemical demulsifier formulation comprising an emulsion-breaking chemical and a solvent carrier is added to the crude oil. Wash water is then added to the crude oil until the volume of water in the oil ranges from about 0.1 to about 3 vol. %. Subsequently, the mixture of crude oil, wash water, and chemical demulsifier formulation is subjected to opposed-flow mixing. Chemical emulsion-breakers useful in the invention have a hydrophobic tail group and a hydrophilic head group. Preferably, the emulsion breaker has the formula: x ranges from 1 to 5, y ranges from 0 to 2, and R is an alkyl group having 4-9 carbon atoms, and n ranges from 3 to 9.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting between a plurality of antennas utilized by a microcellular communications terminal for reception of a signal, wherein a gain imbalance exists between the antennas.

Abstract: A glide test head which includes a pillar or column member positioned on the lower surface of the laterally-extending wing that mounts the piezo element of the glide test head, and extends toward the disc surface being tested. The preferred location of the column member is near the trailing and outermost edges of the laterally-extending wing. The dimensions of the column member and the flying attitude of the glide test head are selected to make the lowermost surface of the column member the closest contact point of the entire test head during test operation, and to contribute minimal effect on the overall hydrodynamic operation of the glide test head. In a related aspect of the invention, it is envisioned that the test system in which the inventive glide test head is implemented will spin the disc under test at a greater than normal speed, thus increasing the throughput of the test system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for solving the year 2000 problem involves limited modifications in the data definition portions of the source code and compiler support for processing the modified source code. Fields in the source code that contain a year or date values are identified and, for each such field, the user selects an appropriate technique (for example, expansion, compression or windowing). The user modifies the data definition for each identified field, by adding new attributes to request the selected technique. The user then compiles the program and resolves any ambiguous references to the variables whose definitions were modified. This procedure is applied, module by module, and each processed module is merged into production, after testing, by using a compiler option to disable the use of the new attributes.

Abstract: A three stage hydroprocessing process includes two liquid and one vapor reaction stages, both of which produce an effluent comprising liquid and vapor. Both vapor effluents comprise vaporized hydrocarbonaceous material. Fresh hydrogen is used for the hydroprocessing in both liquid stages. The second stage liquid effluent comprises the product liquid. The first stage liquid effluent is the feed for the second stage. The first stage vapor effluent is hydroprocessed in the vapor stage and then cooled to condense and recover at least a portion of the processed vapor as additional product liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article for the optical storage of data having low birefringence prepared from a mixture of a polycarbonate and a cycloaliphatic polyester. The article may optionally have stabilization and mold release additives that retain transparency, color and processability.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable backseamed casing film comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, with the first and third layers being outer layers and the second layer being between the first layer and the third layer. The first outer layer serves as an inside casing layer, and comprises polyolefin; the second layer comprises polyester and/or polyamide; the third layer serves as an outside casing layer and comprises polyolefin, polystyrene, and/or polyamide. The second layer has a thickness of at least about 5% of a total thickness of the heat-shrinkable casing film. Alternatively, the first layer comprises polyolefin and has a surface energy level of less than about 34 dynes/cm; the second layer comprises a polyamide having a melting point of at least 300° F.; and the third layer comprises polyolefin, polystyrene and/or polyamide. A package comprises a cooked meat product within the backseamed casing.

Abstract: In an acrylonitrile based retarder, relatively uniform performance is obtained as the angle of incidence varies over a wide range. A toughening material may be blended with an acrylonitrile based polymer to facilitate processing of a retarder and improve mechanical properties of the retarder without compromising the optical performance. A rubber-modified acrylonitrile based retarder which provides relatively uniform wide angle can be fabricated using conventional processing techniques. Such retarders are particularly suited for a number of specific applications which use relatively wide ranges of incidence angles.

Abstract: A processor including at least one execution unit generating out-of-order results and out-of-order condition codes. Precise architectural state of the processor is maintained by providing a results buffer having a number of slots and providing a condition code buffer having the same number of slots as the results buffer, each slot in the condition code buffer in one-to-one correspondence with a slot in the results buffer. Each live instruction in the processor is assigned a slot in the results buffer and the condition code buffer. Each speculative result produced by the execution units is stored in the assigned slot in the results buffer. When an instruction is retired, the results for that instruction are transferred to an architectural result register and any condition codes generated by that instruction are transferred to an architectural condition code register.

Abstract: A system and method for thermal overload detection and protection for a processor which allows the processor to run at near maximum potential for the vast majority of its execution life. This is effectuated by the provision of circuitry to detect when the processor has exceeded its thermal thresholds and which then causes the processor to automatically reduce the clock rate to a fraction of the nominal clock while execution continues. When the thermal condition has stabilized, the clock may be raised in a stepwise fashion back to the nominal clock rate. Throughout the period of cycling the clock frequency from nominal to minimum and back, the program continues to be executed. Also provided is a queue activity rise time detector and method to control the rate of acceleration of a functional unit from idle to full throttle by a localized stall mechanism at the boundary of each stage in the pipe.