Abstract: The inventions discloses a method for reducing fouling on the surface of a ceramic membrane or filter with a recalcitrant filtration cake thereon that is non-responsive to regular back-flushing or other physical means of removal, where the ceramic membrane or filter is subjected to steam fast-flushing by injecting steam directly in feed channel of the ceramic membrane or filter while back-flushing the ceramic membrane or filter at the same time to heat and remove fouled layer on the ceramic membrane or filter while cooling a selective layer of the ceramic membrane or filter to avoid thermal shocking of the ceramic membrane or filter, the surface is cleaned with the ceramic membrane or filter being stationary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified ceramic membranes for the treatment of water. The invention discloses a modified ceramic membrane, comprising: a ceramic membrane, and an outer surface of said ceramic membrane is grafted by a hydrophilic organosilane, wherein said organosilane is selected from the group consisting of: CH30(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH3)3, where x is >4 and y is >0; CH30(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH2CH3)3, where x is >4 and y is >0; (CH30)3Si(CH2)yO(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH3)3, N where x is >4 and y is >0; and (CH3CH20)3Si(CH2)yO(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH2CI-13)3, where x is >4 and y is >0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified ceramic membranes for the treatment of water. The invention discloses a modified ceramic membrane, comprising: a ceramic membrane, and an outer surface of said ceramic membrane is grafted by a hydrophilic organosilane, wherein said organosilane is selected from the group consisting of: CH30(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH3)3, where x is >4 and y is >0; CH30(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH2CH3)3, where x is >4 and y is>0; (CH30)3Si(CH2)yO(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH3)3, N where x is >4 and y is >0; and (CH3CH20)3Si(CH2)yO(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH2CI-13)3, where x is >4 and y is >0.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel or fuel additive comprising providing a reaction mixture comprising oil and an alcohol in an oil-in-alcohol emulsion and a catalyst for converting the oil to the fuel or the fuel additive. The oil and the alcohol are reacted in the presence of the catalyst, at a concentration below that used in a conventional batch process, to produce the fuel or fuel additive. This low level of catalyst reduces the formation of diols and oxidation products that can diminish the quality of the fuel or fuel additive. The fuel or fuel additive produced is continuously removed during the reaction, effectively de-coupling the concentration of catalyst used from the rate of the two phase reaction.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a display controller is included in a graphics processing system where the display controller includes a plurality of look up tables in a data path. According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of look up tables is configured to be coupled to a source of surfaces, each of the plurality of look up tables includes circuitry that is physically separate from circuitry included in others of the plurality of look up tables, and the display controller is configured to employ a combination including at least two of the plurality of look up tables to process a first component of a plurality of pixels included in a surface received from the source of surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive from plant-derived oils, animal fats or a mixture thereof, suitable for use in a diesel engine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a porous membrane for separating a reaction mixture from a permeate, the reaction mixture comprising an alcohol, a feedstock comprising plant-derived oils, animal fats or mixture thereof, and a catalyst for converting said feedstock to a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive, wherein said porous membrane is substantially impermeable to the feedstock and substantially permeable to said bio-fuel or bio-fuel additive. A method using said porous membrane in the production of a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a method and system for inputting/outputting multiple data streams of variable widths. Input/output pins are grouped together via a plurality of transfer blocks, each transfer block being controlled by an independent clock. Data streams can therefore be input/output using asynchronous clocks. Two data streams can also be input/output on a single pin using the rising and falling edge of the clock.

Abstract: There is described a method and system for inputting/outputting multiple data streams of variable widths. Input/output pins are grouped together via a plurality of transfer blocks, each transfer block being controlled by an independent clock. Data streams can therefore be input/output using asynchronous clocks. Two data streams can also be input/output on a single pin using the rising and falling edge of the clock.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a display controller is included in a graphics processing unit. In some embodiments, the display controller includes a read memory requester configured to provide a data request to a source of image data, a data path configured to be coupled to the source of image data, an output coupled to the data path and a control unit in electrical communication with the read memory requester and the data path. In accordance with one embodiment, the output is configured to provide image data processed by the display controller and the control unit is configured to stop an output of image data processed by the display controller. In accordance with a further embodiment, the control unit includes a stop-output register configured to provide information employed by the control unit to stop the output of image data processed by the display controller.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel or fuel additive comprising providing a reaction mixture comprising oil and an alcohol in an oil-in-alcohol emulsion and a catalyst for converting the oil to the fuel or the fuel additive. The oil and the alcohol are reacted in the presence of the catalyst, at a concentration below that used in a conventional batch process, to produce the fuel or fuel additive. This low level of catalyst reduces the formation of diols and oxidation products that can diminish the quality of the fuel or fuel additive. The fuel or fuel additive produced is continuously removed during the reaction, effectively de-coupling the concentration of catalyst used from the rate of the two phase reaction.

Abstract: A system for reducing energy consumption in an unoccupied room is disclosed in which a battery-powered card reader placed inside a room has a keycard switch adapted to be activated upon insertion of a keycard and to be deactivated substantially upon its removal. The card reader also has a controller and a transceiver and is adapted to transmit an insertion signal substantially upon activation of the keycard switch, a removal signal after the deactivation of the keycard switch, and a periodic status signal indicating the activation state of the keycard switch. At least one secondary unit comprising a means to connect to a power source, a means to connect to a room appliance, a transceiver, and a controller, is adapted to cause a room appliance to enter a powered mode substantially upon receipt of the insertion signal or receipt of a periodic status signal indicating the keycard switch is activated, and to cause that room appliance to enter an energy-saving mode after receiving the removal signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive from plant-derived oils, animal fats or a mixture thereof, suitable for use in a diesel engine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a porous membrane for separating a reaction mixture from a permeate, the reaction mixture comprising an alcohol, a feedstock comprising plant-derived oils, animal fats or mixture thereof, and a catalyst for converting said feedstock to a bio-fuel or a bio-fuel additive, wherein said porous membrane is substantially impermeable to the feedstock and substantially permeable to said bio-fuel or bio-fuel additive.

Abstract: Multiple independent displays from one graphics controller can be driven in a wide variety of modes using multiple display controllers. This invention incorporates a unique combination of enhancement building on a generic single multi-display graphics subsystem. Digital video is gaining vast popularity in the worldwide consumer, professional and commercial market. The applications of this invention cover all these market segments and include (but are not limited to) Digital Content Creation, Digital video playback, digital entertainment, DVD Authoring etc etc.

Abstract: Provides an apparatus and method for displaying dual Digital Visual Interface (DVI) displays simultaneously, with independent images, by using a Transition Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) serializer with dual channels and one clock. Also provides an apparatus and method allowing either two low-resolution displays or one high-resolution display to be driven by a reduced circuit.

Abstract: A cavity forming formed in an encapsulation structure under a vacuum in a vacuum chamber is sealed with a capping layer. A stiff protective layer under tensile stress is deposited on the capping layer prior to venting the vacuum chamber to atmospheric pressure. The capping layer is preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the protective layer is preferably ?-TiN having a suitable high Young's modulus.

Abstract: In order to make a charge couple device including an interconnect layer to contact active areas, a first layer of a first titanium nitride layer on the active areas, and then a series of alternating titanium and titanium nitride layers are deposited to form a composite sandwich structure. This structure is less prone flaking while able to withstand high temperature treatment during fabrication of backside illuminated sensors to improve quantum efficiency and reduce dark current.

Abstract: Multiple independent displays from one graphics controller can be driven in a wide variety of modes using multiple display controllers. This invention incorporates a unique combination of enhancement building on a generic single multi-display graphics subsystem. Digital video is gaining vast popularity in the worldwide consumer, professional and commercial market. The applications of this invention cover all these market segments and include (but are not limited to) Digital Content Creation, Digital video playback, digital entertainment, DVD Authoring etc.

Abstract: A method of making highly reflective mirrors on a wafer in the manufacture of photonic devices involves preheating a wafer to remove adsorbed volatile contaminants at a temperature between about 300 and 600° C. The wafer surface is etched at a temperature between about 300 and 600° C. to remove absorbed and chemically absorbed contaminants in the presence of a plasma to prevent poisoning. The wafer surface is thoroughly cooled so as to as reduce the surface mobility of the impinging atoms during the subsequent metallic deposition. A deposition is then carried out on the cooled wafer of a gettering layer for gettering hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. A metallic reflective layer is then deposited in a deposition chamber, and finally the wafer is removed from the deposition chamber to prevent excessive bulk oxidation.

Abstract: A cavity forming formed in an encapsulation structure under a vacuum in a vacuum chamber is sealed with a capping layer. A stiff protective layer under tensile stress is deposited on the capping layer prior to venting the vacuum chamber to atmospheric pressure. The capping layer is preferably aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the protective layer is preferably &dgr;-TiN having a suitable high Young's modulus.

Abstract: In order to make a charge couple device including an interconnect layer to contact active areas, a first layer of a first titanium nitride layer on the active areas, and then a series of alternating titanium and titanium nitride layers are deposited to form a composite sandwich structure. This structure is less prone flaking while able to withstand high temperature treatment during fabrication of backside illuminated sensors to improve quantum efficiency and reduce dark current.