Abstract: The invention relates to a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) a first abrasive comprising cationically modified colloidal silica particles, (b) a second abrasive having a Mohs hardness of about 5.5 or more, (c) a cationic polymer, (d) an iron containing activator, (e) an oxidizing agent, and (f) water. The invention also relates to a method of chemically mechanically polishing a substrate, especially a substrate comprising tungsten and barrier layers (e.g., nitrides), with the polishing composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) a first abrasive comprising cationically modified colloidal silica particles, (b) a second abrasive having a Mohs hardness of about 5.5 or more, (c) a cationic polymer, (d) an iron containing activator, (e) an oxidizing agent, and (f) water. The invention also relates to a method of chemically mechanically polishing a substrate, especially a substrate comprising tungsten and barrier layers (e.g., nitrides), with the polishing composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising providing a substrate comprising a tungsten layer on a surface of the substrate and a silicon oxide layer on a surface of the substrate, providing a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising a tungsten layer and a silicon oxide layer using a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising a) surface-modified colloidal silica particles, comprising a negatively-charged group on the surface of the particles, wherein the surface-modified colloidal silica particles have a negative charge, a particle size of about 90 nm to about 350 nm, and a zeta potential of about ?20 mV to about ?70 mV at a pH of about 2, b) an iron compound, c) a stabilizing agent, and d) an aqueous carrier, and contacting the substrate with a polishing pad and the chemical mechanical polishing composition to polish the substrate.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for facilitating a customer transaction via a point-of-sale terminal. One example system may comprise a point-of-sale terminal for facilitating a customer transaction. The system may further comprise a receipt printer for printing a receipt associated with the customer transaction. The printer may be built into the point-of-sale terminal. The point-of-sale terminal may be configured to be positioned on a substantially horizontal surface elevated above the ground. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for facilitating a customer transaction via a point-of-sale terminal. One example system may comprise a point-of-sale terminal for facilitating a customer transaction. The system may further comprise a receipt printer for printing a receipt associated with the customer transaction. The printer may be built into the point-of-sale terminal. The point-of-sale terminal may be configured to be positioned on a substantially horizontal surface elevated above the ground. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a complex shaped part includes the steps of forming a polymer core by an additive manufacturing process. A metal is plated about surfaces of the polymer core, and the polymer core is removed, leaving hollows within a plate core. Metal powder is deposited within the hollows. An integral blade rotor is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of matter, methods of their synthesis, and methods of their use in polymerization reactions. The compositions include polyfunctional initiators used to make star polymers when polymerized with monomers. The polyfunctional initiators are synthesized out of a multifunctional core with at least two functional groups and two or more initiator units bonded to the functional groups. The initiator units have two electron-withdrawing groups bonded to a central carbon atom and an azo group between the central carbon atom and the functional group. The polyfunctional initiators are particularly effective because when they decompose to form the radical core of a star polymer, the electron-withdrawing groups prevent the corresponding radical from forming any linear polymer contamination and only desired star polymers result.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of matter, methods of their synthesis, and methods of their use in polymerization reactions. The compositions include polyfunctional initiators used to make star polymers when polymerized with monomers. The polyfunctional initiators are synthesized out of a multifunctional core with at least two functional groups and two or more initiator units bonded to the functional groups. The initiator units have two electron-withdrawing groups bonded to a central carbon atom and an azo group between the central carbon atom and the functional group. The polyfunctional initiators are particularly effective because when they decompose to form the radical core of a star polymer, the electron-withdrawing groups prevent the corresponding radical from forming any linear polymer contamination and only desired star polymers result.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions of matter, methods of their synthesis, and methods of their use in polymerization reactions. The compositions include polyfunctional initiators used to make star polymers when polymerized with monomers. The polyfunctional initiators are synthesized out of a multifunctional core with at least two functional groups and two or more initiator units bonded to the functional groups. The initiator units have two electron-withdrawing groups bonded to a central carbon atom and an azo group between the central carbon atom and the functional group. The polyfunctional initiators are particularly effective because when they decompose to form the radical core of a star polymer, the electron-withdrawing groups prevent the corresponding radical from forming any linear polymer contamination and only desired star polymers result.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing an aqueous solution of polyaminoamide-epichlorohydrin resin comprising sequentially adding to the solution about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of one or more strong acids and about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of one or more weak acids to prepare a stabilized solution having a pH of about 3-4.

Abstract: A method of sizing paper for use in applications which require resistance to liquids comprising incorporating in the paper a size composition comprising one or more alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) compounds prepared from the reaction of maleic anhydride and one or more substantially symmetrical C20-C28 internal olefins.

Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane biological reactor comprising adding to the mixed liquor an effective coagulating and flocculating amount of one or more water soluble cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, or combination thereof and methods of reducing membrane fouling, enhancing membrane flux and reducing sludge production.

Abstract: A water-soluble, cationic polymer comprising from about 1 to about 65 mole percent of one or more cationic monomers, from about 99 to about 35 mole percent of one or more nonionic monomers and from about 1 to about 1000 ppm, based on the total monomer content, of one or more hyperbranched monomers wherein the hyperbranched monomer contains from about 2 to about 20 allyl, vinyl, or acrylic end groups and method of dewatering sludge is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane biological reactor comprising adding to the mixed liquor an effective coagulating and flocculating amount of one or more water soluble cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, or combination thereof and methods of reducing membrane fouling, enhancing membrane flux and reducing sludge production.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching a material. The apparatus includes a support for receiving the material; and an outlet adjacent the support for impinging a fluid against a first section of the material. The apparatus increases a cooling rate of the first section relative to a cooling rate of a second section of the material, preferably minimizing a differential between the cooling rate of the first section and the cooling rate of the second section.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of increasing retention and drainage in a papermaking furnish comprising adding to the furnish an effective amount of a structurally rigid polymeric coagulant and an effective flocculating amount of a flocculant and a microparticle.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of increasing retention and drainage in a papermaking furnish comprising adding to the furnish an effective amount of a structurally rigid nonionic or anionic polymer.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of increasing retention and drainage in a papermaking furnish comprising adding to the furnish an effective amount of a structurally rigid polymeric coagulant and an effective flocculating amount of a flocculant and a microparticle.

Abstract: The simultaneous precipitation of soluble heavy metal ions from semiconductor wastewater containing abrasive solids and enhancement of microfilter operation is achieved through the addition of an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer containing dithiocarbamate functionalities to the wastewater.

Abstract: This invention is directed to water-soluble fluorescent polymers incorporating fluorescent moieties, to a method of monitoring the water-soluble fluorescent polymers in water and to a method of controlling the dosage of a water-soluble polymeric treating agent.