Abstract: The tool handle of the invention includes a shank connected via a ratcheting mechanism to a male square drive. A pair of handle wings are pivotally connected to the shank at a transverse pivot hinge such that the handle wings can be changed between a screwdriver-type configuration, an L-shape configuration, a T-shape configuration or other intermediate configurations. When the handle wings are in the fully open position, the handle wings bear against the shank to create a mechanism for transferring power between the handle wings and the tool shank without the need for a separate lock. A quick change adapter having a female drive can be connected to the male square drive such that the tool handle can be used with a wide variety of tools including taps and extractors, sockets, screwdriver bits and the like.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing composition contains 1) water, 2) optionally an abrasive material, 3) an oxidizer, preferably a per-type oxidizer, 4) a small amount of soluble metal-ion oxidizer/polishing accelerator, a metal-ion polishing accelerator bound to particles such as to abrasive particles, or both; and 5) at least one of the group selected from a) a small amount of a chelator, b) a small amount of a dihydroxy enolic compound, and c) a small amount of an organic accelerator. Ascorbic acid in an amount less than 800 ppm, preferably between about 100 ppm and 500 ppm, is the preferred dihydroxy enolic compound. The polishing compositions and processes are useful for substantially all metals and metallic compounds found in integrated circuits, but is particularly useful for tungsten.

Abstract: A barrier safety system (3) for supporting a barrier rail (1) between a pair of frangible upright posts (2) includes a pair of pins (8) insertable in respective sockets (4) in the posts, the pins each having a weakened portion designed to break upon the application of a vertically downward load onto the barrier rail within or above a predetermined range. In one embodiment stop members (10) are provided to vary the distance the support pin may be inserted into the socket for accommodating different sizes of barriers, to thereby ensure that similar leverage is applied to the weakened portion by different sized barrier rails such that they all break the pin when a similar load has been applied to the top of the barrier rail. In another, preferred, embodiment the weakened portion is in the form of a generally ‘V’-shaped notch (9a) providing a sharply defined fracture point for the pin when under load.

Abstract: A method of forming a bipolar interconnect for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell or electrolyser stack. The method includes providing a planar electrically-conductive blank, and deforming a portion of the conductive blank to provide a raised part on the blank defining an electrical contact and a fluid flow channel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a central active area and a perimeter area, the electrochemical cell including: a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) having a first electrode, a proton exchange membrane, and a second electrode of opposite electrical polarity to the first electrode; a pressed metal interconnect having on a first side a raised portion in electrical contact with the first electrode; the interconnect and the first electrode defining at least one fluid channel between the interconnect and the first electrode in the central active area, such that a fluid conveyed in the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the first electrode; a gasket interposed between the membrane and the interconnect in the perimeter area, such that the fluid is sealed within the fluid channel; and a fluid opening in the gasket allowing fluid communication between the fluid channel and a manifold in the perimeter area.

Abstract: A method of polishing a substrate with a polishing composition comprising an oxidizing agent and abrasive particles having a surface, said surface of the abrasive particles being at least partially modified with 1) at least one stabilizer compound comprising aluminum, boron, tungsten, or both, said stabilizer compound being bound via a covalent bond to said abrasive particles, and 2) an organic chelating compound, said chelating compound being bound via a covalent bond to said stabilizer compound. The organic chelating compounds include one or more of 1) a nitrogen-containing moiety and between one and five other polar groups; 2) a sulfur-containing moiety and between one and five other polar groups; and 3) between two and five polar groups selected from carboxylic acid groups or salts thereof and hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A low solids-content slurry for polishing (e.g., chemical mechanical planarization) of substrates comprising a dielectric and an associated method using the slurry are described. The slurry and associated method afford high removal rates of dielectric during polishing even though the slurry has low solids-content. The slurry comprises a bicarbonate salt, which acts as a catalyst for increasing removal rates of dielectric films during polishing of these substrates.

Abstract: A device with two handles and a blade a first handle that connects to the blade and a second handle that attaches to the blade at a permanent connection point in front of a load. A process for shoveling snow or moving material that lifts the material, load or snow by simultaneously exerting upward forces on the first handle and the second handle while the load is between the two handles with a load force in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A composition and associated method for chemical mechanical planarization (or other polishing) are described which afford high tantalum to copper selectivity in copper CMP and which are tunable (in relation to polishing performance). The composition comprises an abrasive and an N-acyl-N-hydrocarbonoxyalkyl aspartic acid compound and/or a tolyltriazole derivative.

Abstract: A low defectivity colloidal silica-based product slurry for use in chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) and an associated production method are described. The product slurry is produced using centrifugation of and optionally with addition of a surfactant to a starting colloidal silica (which can be a commercially available colloidal silica). The product slurry has substantially lower levels of soluble polymeric silicates than does the starting colloidal silica and affords lower defectivity levels when used in a slurry for CMP processing than does the starting colloidal silica.

Abstract: A barrier safety system (3) for supporting a barrier rail (1) between a pair of frangible upright posts (2) includes a pair of pins (8) insertable in respective sockets (4) in the posts, the pins each having a weakened portion designed to break upon the application of a vertically downward load onto the barrier rail within or above a predetermined range. In one embodiment stop members (10) are provided to vary the distance the support pin may be inserted into the socket for accommodating different sizes of barriers, to thereby ensure that similar leverage is applied to the weakened portion by different sized barrier rails such that they all break the pin when a similar load has been applied to the top of the barrierrail. In another, preferred, embodiment the weakened portion is in the form of a generally ‘V’-shaped notch (9a) providing a sharply defined fracture point for the pin when under load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of matter represented by the general formula LnxLn′x′AyTizCe1−x−x′−y−zO2−&dgr; wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of Sm, Gd, Y, Ln′ is selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; A is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, 0.05≦x≦0.25, 0≦x′≦0.25, 0≦y≦0.03, 0.001≦z≦0.03, 0.05≦x+x′≦0.25, 0.001≦y+z≦0.03, wherein &dgr; is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral. The compositions can be formed into sintered bodies suitable for use as solid electrolytes in devices including solid-state oxygen generators. Such sintered bodies have greater than 95% theoretical density at temperatures at or below 1600° C., and can be produced by a solid-state method.

Abstract: A micro device programming system is provided which permits fast placement of a plurality of unprogrammed micro devices and fast removal of a plurality of programmed micro devices. The system includes a circuit board having electronic components connected to a backplane having a plurality of backplane contacts thereon electrically connected to the circuit board contacts. The flat surface of the backplane is held in a fixed relationship with the flat surface of the circuit board leaving a space for passage of a tape transporting the micro devices under the backplane. A socket adapter has a predetermined plurality of in line sockets capable of holding the plurality of micro devices over the backplane with the plurality of backplane contacts exposed through the sockets.

Abstract: A method for controlling the sulfur dioxide partial pressure in a pressurized, heated, oxygen-containing gas mixture which is contacted with an ion-conducting metallic oxide membrane which permeates oxygen ions. The sulfur dioxide partial pressure in the oxygen-depleted non-permeate gas from the membrane module is maintained below a critical sulfur dioxide partial pressure, pSO2*, to protect the membrane material from reacting with sulfur dioxide and reducing the oxygen flux of the membrane. Each ion-conducting metallic oxide material has a characteristic critical sulfur dioxide partial pressure which is useful in determining the required level of sulfur removal from the feed gas and/or from the fuel gas used in a direct-fired feed gas heater.

Abstract: A method for controlling the sulfur dioxide partial pressure in a pressurized, heated, oxygen-containing gas mixture which is contacted with an ion-conducting metallic oxide membrane which permeates oxygen ions. The sulfur dioxide partial pressure in the oxygen-depleted non-permeate gas from the membrane module is maintained below a critical sulfur dioxide partial pressure, pSO2*, to protect the membrane material from reacting with sulfur dioxide and reducing the oxygen flux of the membrane. Each ion-conducting metallic oxide material has a characteristic critical sulfur dioxide partial pressure which is useful in determining the required level of sulfur removal from the feed gas and/or from the fuel gas used in a direct-fired feed gas heater.

Abstract: A programmer system and method of programming programmable micro devices with significantly increased throughput are provided. The programmer system includes a multiple number of sockets for programming a multiple number of micro devices simultaneously. A buffer circuit is also provided which is capable of providing a number of logic levels suitable to drive different micro devices during programming by a programmer system adapted to program a number of micro devices simultaneously. A method for programming a programmable micro device is further provided which uses the standard bus cycle from a processor for programming. Finally, a data compare circuit and a method for verifying data programmed by a programmer in a plurality of programmed micro devices using a single read-back operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of matter represented by the general formula

Abstract: An electrochemical device for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas comprises a plurality of planar ion-conductive solid electrolyte plates and electrically-conductive gas-impermeable interconnects assembled in a multi-cell stack. Electrically-conductive anode and cathode material is applied to opposite sides of each electrolyte plate. A gas-tight anode seal is bonded between the anode side of each electrolyte plate and the anode side of the adjacent interconnect. A biasing electrode, applied to the anode side of each electrolyte plate between the anode seal and the edge of the anode, eliminates anode seal failure by minimizing the electrical potential across the seal. The seal potential is maintained below about 40 mV and preferably below about 25 mV. A gas-tight seal is applied between the cathode sides of each electrolyte plate and the adjacent interconnect such that the anode and cathode seals are radially offset on opposite sides of the plate.

Abstract: An electrochemical device for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas comprises a plurality of planar ion-conductive solid electrolyte plates and electrically-conductive gas-impermeable interconnects assembled in a multi-cell stack. Electrically-conductive anode and cathode material is applied to opposite sides of each electrolyte plate. A gas-tight anode seal is bonded between the anode side of each electrolyte plate and the anode side of the adjacent interconnect. A regulating electrode, applied to the anode side of each electrolyte plate between the anode seal and the edge of the anode, eliminates anode seal failure by maintaining the 24-hour anode seal power density below about 1.5 .mu.W/cm.sup.2. A gas-tight seal is applied between the cathode sides of each electrolyte plate and the adjacent interconnect such that the anode and cathode seals are radially offset on opposite sides of the plate.

Abstract: An electrochemical device for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas comprises a plurality of planar ion-conductive solid electrolyte plates and electrically-conductive gas-impermeable interconnects assembled in a multi-cell stack. Electrically-conductive anode and cathode material is applied to opposite sides of each electrolyte plate. A gas-tight anode seal is bonded between the anode side of each electrolyte plate and the anode side of the adjacent interconnect. A biasing electrode, applied to the anode side of each electrolyte plate between the anode seal and the edge of the anode, eliminates anode seal failure by minimizing the electrical potential across the seal. The seal potential is maintained below about 40 mV and preferably below about 25 mV. A gas-tight seal is applied between the cathode sides of each electrolyte plate and the adjacent interconnect such that the anode and cathode seals are radially offset on opposite sides of the plate.