Abstract: A method of wastewater/water treatment includes introducing an influent into a reactor so that a portion of contaminants in the influent is decomposed by microorganism in the reactor during a retention time of the influent in the reactor, and thus an effluent has a less amount of contaminants in comparison with the influent. The microorganism is grown fixedly on modified porous carriers in the reactor. The modified porous carrier contains a polymer foam and adsorbent particles entrapped in pores of the polymer foam, so that the modified foam not only has a large specific surface area, but also characteristics such as water affinity or an affinity to a certain type of contaminants. As a result, the efficiency of reducing contamination in the influent water is enhanced.

Abstract: Method of waste water/water treatment in a submerged membrane bioreactor is disclosed. The bioreactor includes a tank containing a mixed liquor having microorganism; porous carriers in the mixed liquors; and a filtration module immersed in the mixed liquor and having a permeate side into which fluid can flow only through the filtration module. The method includes introducing an influent into the tank; applying a negative pressure source to the permeate side so that liquid in the tank penetrates the filtration module into the permeate side and flows out from the tank; and aerating the mixed liquor in the tank so that the porous carriers keep contact with the filtration module, and thus reduce fouling of the filtration module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floated biological treatment apparatus and a process for purifying refractory wastewater or raw water for drinking water. The treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a supporting plate for dividing the treatment apparatus into upper and lower portions. The upper portion is formed into a reactor, and porous compressible carriers are filled with the reactor in an amount of 80 vol % to 100 vol % of the reactor volume. The lower portion is provided with a liquid inlet for introducing the refractory wastewater or raw water and a gas inlet. The reactor is provided with at least one top carrier blocking plate at the top, such that the carriers can be limited by the top carrier blocking plate to be retained in the reactor, and the carriers can become a floating state.

Abstract: A submerged membrane bioreactor includes a tank containing a mixed liquor having microorganism; and a filtration module immersed in the mixed liquor and having a permeate side in fluid communication with the mixed liquor only through the filtration module. The filtration module includes a porous support having a first surface forming the permeate side and a second surface opposing to the first surface; and a non-woven fabric membrane covering the second surface and having a thickness of 0.1-2 mm and a pore size of 0.2-100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A new and unique method for fabricating a microlens array is provided. First, a mask layer is applied to an optical substrate. One or more holes are then created in the mask layer so that corresponding first cavities can then be created in the substrate. Each of these first cavities has a predetermined depth and a first width. The mask layer is then removed so that one or more second cavities can be created in the substrate, the second cavities corresponding with the first cavities. Each of these second cavities has approximately the same predetermined depth as the corresponding first cavity and having a second width greater than the first width.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floated biological treatment apparatus and a process for purifying refractory wastewater or raw water for drinking water. The treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a supporting plate for dividing the treatment apparatus into upper and lower portions. The upper portion is formed into a reactor, and porous compressible carriers are filled with the reactor in an amount of 80 vol % to 100 vol % of the reactor volume. The lower portion is provided with a liquid inlet for introducing the refractory wastewater or raw water and a gas inlet. The reactor is provided with at least one top carrier blocking plate at the top, such that the carriers can be limited by the top carrier blocking plate to be retained in the reactor, and the carriers can become a floating state.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for automatically starting an image-pickup apparatus having an upper cover and a scanning flat for putting an object to be scanned thereon. The apparatus includes: (a) a detector generating a triggering signal in response to a closing operation of the upper cover; and (b) a recognition device detecting the presence of the object on the scanning flat in response to the triggering signal to generate an actuating signal to have the image-pickup apparatus perform a pickup operation of an image of the object.

Abstract: Automatic alignment methods for a membrane prober are disclosed. Alignment patterns are designed and manufactured on both a membrane prober and a wafer under test. The patterns are properly designed for acquiring a first set of measurement data that provide relative position information when the prober contacts the wafer. A second set of measurement data can be obtained by a controlled move between the prober and the wafer. The relative position including the translation offset and the rotation angle can be computed by the information derived from the two sets of measurement data. The second set of measurement data may also be acquired by having two alignment pattern pairs that are made to contact in a single touch. More accurate aligrnent can be achieved by using more pairs of alignment patterns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystallization process for removing fluoride from waste water. Fluoride-containing waste water is introduced into a fluidized bed crystallizer provided with a carrier. A water soluble sodium reagent and a water soluble aluminum reagent are added into the fluidized bed crystallizer to form crystallized cryolite (Na3AlF6) onto the carrier. The treated waste water is separated from the fluidized bed crystallizer to obtain a primary treated water. The formed cryolite is in the form of crystals, which contain about less than 10% water, and is very convenient for re-utilization.

Abstract: A switchable I/O buffer for multi-chip modules comprising a conventional I/O buffer and a miniaturized I/O buffer. A path switch selects the conventional I/O buffer or the minaturized I/O buffer according to whether the I/O interconnection is for communication off the module or chip-to-chip communication within the module. The miniaturized I/O buffer comprises a single-ended I/O buffer without electrostatic discharge protection. Two layout structures are designed for the switchable I/O buffer. A first layout structure having its path switching control provided by either a cell-programmable method or a mask-programmable method can be used for a multi-chip module or a PWB single package. A second layout structure using a pad-programmable method to provide the path switching control is suitable for a multi-chip module with flip-chip attachment technology. Four different circuit implementations of the switchable I/O buffer are presented.

Abstract: An address decoder having non-overlapping word line enable is disclosed having a dynamic logic gate-based decoding section. The decoder includes a deadtime signal generator that produces a pulse at the rising edge of every input clock cycle. The decoder further includes a transmission gate responsive to the deadtime signal for selectively passing the decoder section output signal to a latch. The decoder further includes a NOR logic having an output for coupling to a memory word line which is gated by the deadtime signal to disable the output while the transmission gate passes the decoder output to the latch. When the deadtime pulse transitions to a low state, the latch captures the decoder output signal and enables the output of the NOR gate.