Abstract: Flocked textile materials are disclosed as a support media for bacteria that actively biochemically convert noxious chemical species. Flocked fibrous netting materials as bioconversion support media are favorable to biological growth and provide excellent liquid (e.g. wastewater) flow through its structure as well as accommodating aeration processes. The disclosed support materials can be geometrically designed and positioned in many ways including stacked sheets/plies, rolled sheets in single or multi-walled tubes, and continuous belts or webs that can be self-cleaning and configured to operate in an automated process control mode. The disclosed support media facilitate development of compact and durable biofilter structures at a low cost.

Abstract: Fiber based z-directional reinforced composites having enhanced inter-laminar strength, impact toughness, transmission properties (electrical and thermal conduction) and coefficient of thermal expansion are provided. The composites include at least two substrates separated by a reinforcement zone that includes a plurality of fibers disposed in a binder resin. At least some, and in one embodiment, a majority, of the fibers are oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to the substrates. Multi-layered composites having more than two substrate layers can also be formed. Methods for forming such composites are also provided.

Abstract: A direct charging electrostatic flocking method is provided for the fabrication of a fibrous structure. Fibers are deposited directly on a first electrically conductive surface while a second electrically conductive surface with an adhesive thereon is disposed over the first surface. A vacuum is created in the space between the first electrically conductive surface and the second electrically conductive surface. The vacuum is then filled with sulfur hexafluoride gas. An electric field is generated between the first and second electrically conductive surfaces. The fibers leave the first electrically conductive surface, accelerate through the electric field and sulfur hexafluoride gas, and are coupled on one end thereof to the adhesive. As a result of using sulfur hexafluoride rather than air there is an increase in fiber density of the fibrous structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for the fabrication of a fibrous structure. Fibers are deposited in a hopper connected to an electrode. A mesh covers the hopper opening and the hopper is inverted and suspended over an adhesive coated substrate. An electric field is generated between the hopper and the substrate while the hopper is simultaneously shaken. As a result, fibers fall through the mesh, aligned along the electric field lines, travel through the electric field, and are coupled on one end thereof to the adhesive.

Abstract: An improved level shifter circuit is provided which is designed for use with an extremely low power supply voltage. The level shifter circuit includes a fourth NMOS transistor, a third PMOS transistor, and a fifth NMOS transistor connected in series and interconnected between the high voltage and the output terminal. As a result, the high voltage will still be passed to the output terminal when the high voltage is lowered to be equal to the low power supply voltage.

Abstract: A reference voltage generator circuit is provided for use with an extremely low power supply voltage. The reference voltage generator circuit produces a lower reference output voltage which is compensated for temperature variations and is independent of changes in the supply voltage. The reference output voltage relies upon the threshold voltage V.sub.T of a MOSFET transistor as a reference source.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor including the steps of: forming a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions and a plurality of vertical charge coupled device (VCCD) regions by a selective injection of second conductivity-type ions into a first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of transfer gate electrodes over the plurality of VCCD regions for transmitting image signal charges in four phases after forming a gate insulation film on the entire surface; depositing a first insulation film on the entire surface, and forming light shielding metal thereon; forming a first metal layer by selective removal of the optical shielding metal over the plurality of photoelectric conversion regions and the plurality of VCCD regions; forming contact holes for exposing the transfer gate electrodes the same clock signals applied thereto within one VCCD region of the plurality of VCCD regions, after depositing a second insulation film on the entire surface; and f

Abstract: Unusually high-analysis low-temperature-stable solution-type fertilizers are produced by mixing urea and phosphoric acid with urea-ammonium nitrate solution (UAN). The ratio of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 to total nitrogen and the ratio of CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 --N(nitrogen) to NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 --N(nitrogen) must be maintained within broad specified parameters in order to ensure the production of the instant high-analysis clear-liquid fertilizers which are stable at temperatures as low as 0.degree. C. For example, to produce a 35 percent total plant nutrient (TPN) product, the weight ratio for P.sub.2 O.sub.5 :N (total) must be within the range of about 0.316 to about 0.538, the weight ratio of urea-N to NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 --N+P.sub.2 O.sub.5 must be in the rang of 1.41 to 1.59, and the weight ratio of CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 :NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 must be in the range of 15.25 to 3.75. Similar solutions may be produced by dissolving solid urea and ammonium nitrate in pure or impure phosphoric acid or by utilizing urea.H.sub.3 PO.

Abstract: A cooling/heating and power generating device utilizes waste heat from an automobile to produce an auxiliary energy source for driving various accessories such as a cooling/heating apparatus, an electric generator, a super charger and the like. Waste heat is dissipated from the engine by waste gases in an exhaust tube and by a cooling fluid circulating between the engine and a radiator. The inventive cooling/heating and power generating device comprises a heat absorber disposed between the engine and the radiator, a heater mounted on the exhaust tube, and an expansion turbine. A cooling medium is heated in the heat absorber by the cooling fluid of the engine, and in the heater by the waste gases in the exhaust tube. The heated cooling medium drives the expansion turbine thus providing a source of power auxiliary to the engine for driving an electric generator, a super charger, etc. After driving the expansion turbine, the cooling medium is condensed and pumped back to the heat absorber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the reaction of phosphate rock with nitric acid and urea to produce nitrogen-phosphorus containing slurries, which slurries, in turn, may be granulated and dried to produce solid N-P fertilizer products with agronomically advantageous low pHs (1.0-4.0). The products have excellent storage characteristics. The improved properties of these products result partially from the formation of a new compound, Ca(H.sub.2 PO.sub.4)(NO.sub.3).CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2, which was discovered during the course of the investigation that led to the instant invention.

Abstract: An improved process for the purification of wet-process phosphoric acid (WPPA) with acetone and ammonia. The main product is the purified acid and a byproduct is the impure acid fraction in a liquid form containing most of the impurities including the added ammonia. The WPPA is mixed with acetone and the specified amount of ammonia to form two liquid phases that separate rapidly. The top layer contains about 75 percent of the phosphoric acid, nearly all the acetone, and a small fraction of the impurities. The bottom liquid layer has a viscosity usually in the range of 40 to 2500 centipoises, depending on the acid concentration and the amount of ammonia used. The acetone is distilled from the two liquid phases for recycle to the process.

Abstract: A process for the removal and recovery of sulfur oxides from gas streams by contacting the gas stream with an aqueous suspension of melamine whereupon a mixture of solid, hydrated melamine sulfites, hydrated melamine sulfate is formed. The solids are separated from the reaction product and the clarified liquid recycled. The solids are then heated to temperatures up to 200.degree. C. to decompose the hydrated melamine sulfites into free melamine, gaseous water, and sulfur dioxide, and the gaseous water and sulfur dioxide withdrawn as product. The hot solids are cooled and split into two portions. One portion is recycled and the other portion is treated with a base stronger than melamine to decompose the contained melamine sulfate into free melamine and a basic sulfate salt solution. The basic sulfate salt solution is separated from the melamine and withdrawn as product and the melamine is recycled to the process.

Abstract: a process for the removal and recovery of sulfur oxides from gas streams by contacting the gas stream with an aqueous suspension of melamine containing an oxidation inhibitor such as para-phenylenediamine whereupon a mixture of solid, hydrated melamine sulfites and solid, hydrated melamine sulfate is formed. The solids are then separated from the reaction product and the clarified liquid recycled. The solids are then heated to temperatures up to 200.degree. C to decompose the hydrated melamine sulfites into free melamine, gaseous water, and sulfur dioxide, and the gaseous water and sulfur dioxide withdrawn as product. The hot solids are cooled and split into two portions. One portion is recycled and the other portion is treated with an aqueous inorganic base stronger than melamine such as ammonia or potassium hydroxide to decompose the contained melamine sulfate into free melamine and a basic sulfate salt solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the reaction of phosphate rock with nitric acid and urea to produce nitrogen-phosphorus containing slurries, which slurries may be granulated and dried to produce solid N-P fertilizer products with agronomically advantageous low pHs (1.1-4.0). Products with optimum physical and chemical properties were discovered by investigating the characteristics of each individual material as a function of the nitric acid acidulation ratio (mole ratio HNO.sub.3 :CaO) and the mole ratio urea:CaO present in each product. Acidulation ratios ranged from 1.2 to 2.1 while ratios urea:CaO ranged from 1.6 to 4.0. Selected products with optimum physicochemical properties are tabulated below:______________________________________ Acidulation Ratio Ratio Melting HNO.sub.3 :CaO, M/M Urea:CaO, M/M Grade Pt, .degree.C. ______________________________________ 1.2 2.2 23.8--11.7--0 137-139 1.4 2.4 25.0--11.0--0 136 1.6 2.8 25.9--9.9--0 133-137 1.8 3.0 26.4--9.2--0 134-135 2.0 3.3 27.2--8.7--0 130 2.1 3.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of urea and its derivatives by reacting CO, NO, and a hydrogen source over a supported noble metal catalyst at atmospheric pressure is described. Preferably, stoichiometric amounts of reactory gases are used. Reaction temperatures are in the range of 75.degree. C. to 225.degree. C.