Abstract: A method for soft annealing of high carbon steel, characterized by taking objects to be soft annealed directly from a hot forming step and cooling to below Al−20° C.; heating the objects to Al+20° C. or above, and then cooling the objects down to beneath the Al temperature of the steel quickly as in air, which step is performed at least once; heating the objects to Al+20° C. or above, cooling the objects down to about 740° C., and then cooling the objects down to about 690° C. at a cooling rate of 3.5° C./min. or lower; and finally cooling the objects down to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A process for treating an alpha-beta titanium alloy to improve cryogenic notch tensile ratio comprises heating the alloy to near or above its beta transus temperature for a sufficient time to dissolve substantially all alpha grains and thus transform the alloy to the beta form, rapidly cooling the alloy from this temperature to induce a martensitic transformation and produce a fine platelet microstructure, isothermally forging the alloy about 50 to 80 percent at about 300° C. below the beta transus temperature to attain a fine equiaxed microstructure such that the largest microstructural unit is about 2-5 &mgr;m, and then aging the alloy at a temperature about 25° C. to 75° C. below the beta transus to grow the refined equiaxed microstructure such that the largest microstructural unit is about 5-10 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A gas generating composition having a low combustion temperature and a low heat of combustion at the time of burning and therefore enabling downsizing of gas generators themselves, which comprises as the essential components nitroguanidine and an oxidizing agent comprising (a) nitrates or nitrites of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, (b) oxides or multiple oxides of metals selected from among copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, nickel, zinc, molybdenum and bismuth, or a mixture of the components (a) and (b).

Abstract: Compositions are provided which, when burned, produce significant levels of infrared radiation, but only limited levels of visible radiation. The basic components of the compositions include a binder, an oxidizer, and a fuel, where the binder also acts the fuel. Preferred oxidizers include those compounds which produce large quantities of infrared radiation when the flare composition is burned. Such oxidizers include potassium nitrate, cesium nitrate, rubidium nitrate, and combinations of these compounds. Selection of the binder is important in order to provide the composition with the desirable characteristics identified above. The binder of the present invention does not produce significant soot. At the same time, the binder serves to form a composition which is processible, avoids chunking, and is compatible with the oxidizers used. It has been found that polymer binders which include relatively short carbon chains (1-6 continuous carbon atoms) are preferred.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing gypsum board having at least one facing sheet, a core of cementitious material such as low density gypsum, and an intermediate layer of bond promoting material, such as higher density gypsum located therebetween. The apparatus includes a forming table having a transverse gap. The facing sheet travels along the forming table over the gap. A spreader roller has an outer surface extending partially into the gap to depress the facing sheet. The bond promoting material is deposited on the facing sheet upstream of the spreader roller and the spreader roller outer surface rotates in the same direction as the facing sheet to coat the facing sheet with the bond promoting material. The core layer material is deposited on the facing sheet downstream of the spreader roller on top of the bond promoting coating.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for preparing a release layer suitable for facilitating release of green ceramic laminates from a lamination fixture. The process comprises applying an electrostatic charge to at least one variably electrostatically chargeable portion of at least one lamination fixture and dispensing a layer of ceramic particulates, glass particulates or glass-ceramic particulates onto the charged portion of the lamination fixture to form a release layer on the lamination fixture. The apparatus provides a particulate dispenser for dispensing a layer of particulates of ceramic, glass, or ceramic-glass mixture, at least one lamination fixture having at least one variably electrostatically chargeable portion disposed in particulate receiving communication with the particulate dispenser; and a variable voltage electrostatic generator in electrical communication with the at least one chargeable portion of the lamination fixture.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle having at least one wheel at each corner, the tire comprising a ground contacting tread extending axially between first and second edge regions and having tread grooves formed therein, wherein in the first axial edge region of the tread the tread grooves are aligned substantially in the tire circumferential direction and in the second axial edge region of the tread the grooves are aligned substantially in the tire axial direction and in a third axial region of the tread axially between the first and second edge regions the alignment of the grooves changes progressively from circumferential to axial.

Abstract: A cured tread making apparatus and method including a tread extruder from which a hot rubber compound continuously exits, a continuous rotational curing device comprising a heated rotatable drum and a cooperating moving tension belt adapted to provide continuous curing pressure against the rotating drum, and cast segments, incorporating a particular tread design, attached to the exterior circumferential surface area of the heated drum.

Abstract: A flexible double-walled plastic tubing product includes a helically wound support bead between inner and outer walls, and an helically wrapped electrical resistance heating conductor is disposed adjacent to the inner wall in good heat transfer relation to fluid flow within the tubing product. Fluid flow within the tubing product is insulated against heat loss to ambient by the helical support bead and a trapped “dead-air” space between the walls of the tubing product. Apparatus and method for making the tubing product are disclosed.

Abstract: The pressure vessel of the present invention comprises an inner shell capable of serving as a gas barrier and a pressure resistant outer shell provided to cover the inner shell, said outer shell being made of an FRP comprising reinforcing fibers and a resin and is 35 GPa or more in tensile modulus and 1.5% or more in tensile breaking strain. The present invention can provide a pressure vessel not only light in weight, but also excellent in retaining its internal pressure against repetitive impacts and also excellent in reliability. The process for producing a pressure vessel of the present invention comprises the step of forming a pressure resistant outer shell made of an FRP comprising reinforcing fibers and a resin and is 35 GPa or more in tensile modulus and 1.5% or more in tensile breaking strain, around an inner shell capable of serving as a gas barrier, by a filament winding method or a tape winding method.

Abstract: A process of laminating textiles for producing air-permeable or moisture-permeable laminated textile materials involves generating a discontinuous layer of adhesive with a precise pattern of voids by means of temporarily introducing sets of parallel yarns or, alternatively, mesh-like webs in contact with an initially uniform layer of adhesive temporarily carried on a release-coated carrier. After the adhesive layer and the mesh-like web have been pushed into contact with a first fabric layer, the release-coated carrier is stripped away, along with the mesh-like web, from the first fabric layer. The adhesive layer remaining on the first fabric layer will exhibit a discontinuous pattern that is complementary to the mesh-like web pattern. Subsequently, a second fabric, or film, is bonded to the exposed adhesive surface on the first fabric to create a laminated material exhibiting air permeability or moisture permeability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical conductor, in which method, a mixture of a resin and of a photo-initiator is exposed to UV radiation in order to form, by cross-linking, the covering of the optical conductor. The cross-linking takes place by causing the conductor (10) to advance past a UV source at a speed of at least 10 meters per minute (m/min). The invention provides a first source (18) which emits monochromatic UV radiation to achieve cross-linking mainly on the surface, and a second UV source which emits UV radiation of broad spectrum containing wavelengths that are longer than the wavelength of the monochromatic source to achieve cross-linking mainly in depth.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a monolithic composite wing without using mechanical fasteners is described. The process begins with the formation of a center wing box in combination with a pair of spars, riblets and a pair of skin-molds including the wrapping and binding of the box by means of resin impregnated composite tapes. Next, additional cells are adjoined contiguously on either side of the current framework and an overlap wrapping and bonding process is continued around the current framework. The overlap wrapping and binding procedure provides increased torsion stiffness and reduced structural weight. All cells up to the leading and trailing edges will be included in the assembly process. Conduits to convey fuel, hydraulic fluid and electrical wiring will also be installed in designated cells. Finally, the completed wing will be cured in an autoclave under uniform pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing multi-ply tubular containers for food products is provided including the steps of advancing a continuous body ply formed of paperboard towards a shaping mandrel and advancing a continuous polymeric liner ply adjacent to one surface of the paperboard body ply. The polymeric liner ply includes a moisture barrier layer and an adhesive layer defining one surface of the liner ply, wherein the adhesive layer includes a polymeric adhesive which is activated at a predetermined activation temperature. The body ply is heated to a temperature above the activation temperature of the adhesive, and the body ply and the liner ply are then passed in face-to-face contact through a nip to adhere the liner ply to the body ply. The body ply and liner ply are then wrapped around a shaping mandrel to create the tubular container.

Abstract: A self-inflatable mattress is formed from an open pore foam core and one or more layers of dual melt film. Initially, a layer of dual melt film is placed on top of the open pore foam block such that the side with the lower melting temperature contacts the foam core. A non-stick, heat transferable buffer layer is then placed on top of the film and heat and pressure are applied, preferably through a roller, causing the bottom surface of the film to stick to the top surface of the foam core. The edges of the top sheet are also adhesably attached to the sides of the core using a pair of heated side pressure rollers. Lastly, the cushion is inverted and a second, or bottom, sheet of dual melt film is placed on top of the foam core and attached to the bottom surface and the sides in a similar manner. Finally, a valve, which may be either oral, or one way, is attached to the side of the mattress.

Abstract: A ring shaped medical positioner and method for its manufacture the positioner includes a ring shaped insert wrapped in a surgical vinyl. The vinyl is divided into a first and second pieces, the first piece being formed by forming dyes engaging opposite sides of the vinyl, which is stretched between the dyes and progressively relaxed as the material is drawn into the female forming dye by the male dye and suction. The insert is placed within the formed surgical vinyl. The second piece is a flat disc which is placed over one of the surfaces of the insert and sealed to the edges of the first piece of vinyl to thereby provide a wrinkle free covering which may be easily disinfected for repeated use.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel in which two substrates are faced to each other with spacers interposed therebetween, applied with heat and pressure in an overlapped condition, and adhesive arranged between two substrates is cured for fixing, characterized in that at least one of a pair of pressurizing plates for applying pressure to the two substrates is a graphite plate and in that upper and lower pressurizing plates are made to be of different rigidity. The graphite plate of low rigidity is made to stick to the substrate, and shifts between substrates can be prevented while securing uniformity in gaps between substrates.

Abstract: A lamination method, which is a method in which a dry resist film, formed by providing a color resist layer on a base film, is cut based upon the length of a substrate in the feeding direction, and press-bonded onto the substrate, and then the color resist layer is transferred onto the substrate by separating the base film, is provided with the following steps: in the cutting process, cutting the film so that the rear end of the dry resist film, after the press-bonding, extrudes from the rear end of the substrate by a predetermined width; and cutting the dry resist film again at a position inside the rear end of the substrate prior to separating the base film after the dry resist film has been press-bonded so as to eliminate the portion of the dry resist film extruding from the substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an insulated storage enclosure comprising the steps of providing a slab of polyurethane, forming recesses in the slab representing access openings to the enclosure, applying a layer of fiberglass reinforced resinous material to one side of said slab, cutting said slab into sections representing the side and ceiling members of the enclosure, providing a base, erecting the side and ceiling members on the base, and applying a layer of the reinforced material over the uncoated side and ceiling surfaces. Also disclosed is the method of constructing an insulted closure member for the enclosure.

Abstract: An organic shell inlay blank is provided including a first layer of organic shell matter having two opposed surfaces defining a first thickness therebetween rendering the first layer flexible, a second layer of organic shell matter having two opposed surfaces defining a second thickness therebetween rendering the second layer flexible. One of the surfaces of the first layer substantially overlaps and is secured to one of the surfaces of the second layer. A bonding agent secures the layers together to form the inlay blank. A method for manufacturing an organic shell inlay blank includes the steps of cutting a plurality of flexible pieces of organic shell matter from an organic shell, stacking the pieces in a substantially overlapping relationship with a bonding agent between the pieces, and urging the pieces together while the bonding agent cures to form the inlay blank.

Abstract: Separate adhesive is avoided in the manufacture of a thermal ink jet printhead by positioning a thermoplastic nozzle plate (1) on a semiconductor circuit chip (3) and electrically firing the ink ejection resistors (5) in a controlled amount to melt the lower surface in contact with the chip while not damaging the body of the nozzle plate. The resistors are fired in their intended pattern of operation during use so not to damage the resistors. Additional resistors may be added just for this bonding operation if needed with particular chip designs.

Abstract: A thin-film multilayer wiring board comprising a first and a second metallic wiring layers formed on a substrate with an organic insulating layer interposed between the metallic wiring layers, wherein the lands of the first and second metallic wiring layers are electrically connected by via studs made of a conductive metal filler formed by electroless plating, and the difference between the top end diameter and the base diameter of each via stud is 10% or less, or the angle made by the taper of the interface between the insulating layer and each via stud against the axis thereof is 5° or less, can provide a high wiring density and signal transmission performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for endpointing a planarization process of a microelectronic substrate. The apparatus can include a source of electrical power having first and second electrical contacts coupled to the microelectronic substrate to form a conductive path through the substrate. An impedance of the conductive path changes as conductive material is removed from the substrate during planarization. In one embodiment, one contact can be attached to an upper surface of the substrate and the other contact can be attached to an intermediate surface between the upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate. In another embodiment, both contacts are connected to the intermediate surface and in still another embodiment, one contact can be connected to a retainer adjacent the substrate. In yet another embodiment, the power source induces a current in the conductive material, and the endpoint is detected by detecting a change in the induced current as the conductive material is removed.

Abstract: The magnetron plasma processing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber in which a semiconductor wafer is accommodated. In the chamber, a pair of electrodes are provided to face each other, and the wafer is placed on one electrode. Between a pair of the electrodes, a vertical electric field is formed, and a horizontal magnetic field is formed by the dipole ring magnet to cross perpendicularly to the electric field. The magnetic field has a gradient of the magnetic field intensity such that the intensity is high on the upstream side and is low on the downstream side in the electron-drift direction. Further, the magnetic field is formed such that the intensity is made uniform over a large area including the end portion of the wafer on the upstream side in the electron-drift direction and a region right outside it.

Abstract: A plasma etch reactor 20 includes a reactor chamber 22 with a grounded upper electrode 24, a lower electrode 28 which is attached to a high frequency power supply 30 and a low frequency power supply 32, and a peripheral electrode 26 which is located between the upper and lower electrode, and which is allowed to have a floating potential. Rare earth magnets 46, 47 are used to establish the magnetic field which confines the plasma developed within the reactor chamber 22. The plasma etch reactor 20 is capable of etching emerging films used with high density semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A bonding tool for applying pressure and ultrasonic energy simultaneously to join miniature components together includes an ultrasonic driver having four composite wafers separated by electrodes. Such bonding tools are known that use wafers made of wholly of ceramic material. By using wafers having four sector parts of ceramic material separated by layers of polymer as shown, bonding tools are provided with broader bandwidth operation and reduced spurious resonance modes.

Abstract: A relatively simple portable evaporator for quickly evaporating large volumes of water includes a stand with adjustable legs, a frame carrying a tubular housing and a motor rotatably mounted on the stand for rotation around a vertical axis, a fan in the housing driven by the motor, a nozzle rotatably mounted on one end of the housing for directing air from the fan upwardly and outwardly from the housing, and a manifold carrying a plurality of jets for receiving water from a tailings pond or other source and spraying the water into a stream of air exiting the nozzle for expediting evaporation.

Abstract: Wet pressed absorbent papers having temporary or permanent wet strength properties are disclosed. These are useful as bathroom tissue and napkins. In many applications, these products need not be creped, and in that case they do not have the serpentine configuration.

Abstract: A multilayer linerboard product having a top layer made up of bleached/unbleached virgin or recycled pulp and at least one bottom layer made up of unbleached pulp. The external surface of the top layer has reduced gloss mottle and improved printing properties. In particular, the top surface of the multilayer linerboard has a Parker smoothness less than 6.5 and a Hagerty/Sheffield smoothness in the range of 240 to 280. Print voids on a flexo printed product are less than 0.20% (by area) as measured by image analysis. These improvements are achieved in an extended nip calender section having a heated calender roll, a backing roll or shoe and a conformable belt. Preferably, the nip width is 1 to 25 cm. The temperature of the surface of the heated calender roll is preferably maintained in the range of 300 to 500° F. The nipload between the heated calender roll and the conformable belt is preferably maintained in the range of 500 to 2,500 pli.

Abstract: An electric double-layer capacitor includes a casing, a pair of porous electrodes disposed within the casing, a permeable separator sandwiched between both the porous electrodes, and an electrolytic liquid formed of an organic solvent, injected into the casing and permeating the porous electrodes and the separator. The separator is formed from an aggregate of cellulose fiber having a surface modified by an organic solvent thereby. A method of making a separator for an electric double-layer capacitor includes producing a cellulose fiber aggregate, forming a sheet of the cellulose fiber aggregate, modifying a surface of the cellulose fiber aggregate sheet by immersing the sheet in an organic solvent for a predetermined time period, drying the modified sheet, and cutting the dried sheets to form the separator of a desired size and shape. The cellulose fiber aggregate sheet may also be pretreated by immersing the sheet in an amphipathic solvent.

Abstract: A fibrous sheet coated with a water-soluble binder of polyvinyl alcohol is impregnated with an aqueous solution dissolved with water-soluble carboxylate, so as to produce a water-disintegratable fibrous sheet. Salting out of the polyvinyl alcohol with the carboxylate maintains wet strength of the water-disintegratable fibrous sheet even in a wet state, which is easily disintegrated when immersed in a large amount of water after use. Furthermore, it does not suffer from deterioration in water-disintegratability and wet strength if it is left at high temperatures, and is good in water-disintegratability in cold water.

Abstract: Wastewaters and circulation waters in papermaking, in deinking and in pulp bleaching are treated by adsorption of water-soluble anionic compounds and compounds dispersed in water from the wastewaters and circulation waters over finely divided adsorbents which consist of insoluble, only slightly swellable polymers which contain polymerized vinylamine units, and these polymers are used as adsorbents for treating water circulations in papermaking and for treating paper machine wastewaters and wastewaters from the deinking process and from pulp bleaching.

Abstract: A method in a paper machine for arrangement of water circulation therefor and arrangement of a water circulation system in a paper machine. In view of full or partial closing of the water circulations in a paper machine, the wash water flows from the fabrics and from other devices in the paper machine as well as the water drained from the paper web to be produced are recovered selectively based on the place of origin thereof in the paper machine. At least a part of the recovered different water flows are cleaned, and the cleaned water flows are recirculated to applications of reuse suitable in view of their washing potential in the papermaking process.

Abstract: An apparatus for moistening a material web, the material web having opposed edges and a marginal region at each edge, the apparatus including a moistening device adapted to cover the marginal regions of the material web, so that only the marginal regions are moistened. Also provided is a method for moistening a material web, the method including covering the marginal regions of the material web with a moistening apparatus, and moistening only the marginal regions of the material web covered by the moistening apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a continuous web on a forming fabric includes providing a pressurized chamber, processing the forming fabric through the pressurized chamber, and distributing a pressurized flow of a slurry having a first composition in the pressurized chamber across the width of the forming fabric to form the continuous web.

Abstract: A method for non-thermal plasma aftertreatment of exhaust gases the method comprising the steps of providing short risetime (about 40 ps), high frequency (about 5G hz), high power bursts of low-duty factor microwaves sufficient to generate a dielectric barrier discharge and passing a gas to treated through the discharge so as to cause dissociative reduction of the exhaust gases. The invention also includes a reactor for generating the non-thermal plasma.

Abstract: A method of forming oxide from nitride, in which the oxidation is enhanced by illuminating the nitride material with UV light. This method produces a rapid growth of oxide and allows for the monitoring of the oxide thickness in situ. The method comprises the steps of (i) placing the nitride material on an illuminating holder; (ii) dipping the nitride material and the illuminating holder in an electrolyte; and (iii) illuminating the nitride material with a light having an energy larger than the energy gap of the nitride material. The nitride material can be connected to a conductive electrode located in the electrolyte via a galvanometer to monitor a photo current generated by the oxidation of the nitride material so as to monitor the thickness of the oxide formed on the nitride material in situ. A metal coating can be coated on the nitride material to define the oxide forming region. The pH value of the electrolyte is in a range of approximately 3 to 10, and is preferably about 3.5.

Abstract: A method of making an anisotropic conductive element for use in microelectronic packaging includes providing a layer of an anisotropic conductive material incorporating a dielectric material in a fluid condition and electrically conductive particles in the dielectric material and applying a field to the anisotropic conductive material so as to alter the configuration of the particles. The layer has a pair of oppositely directed major faces, a vertical direction between the major faces and horizontal directions parallel to the major faces. The field applied to the layer of anisotropic conductive material may include electrical or magnetic fields. In certain embodiments, at last some of the conductive particles are elongated so that when the field is applied to the layer of anisotropic conductive material, the field turns the axes of elongation of at least some of the elongated particles towards the vertical direction.

Abstract: Provided are a process and apparatus for purifying a gas. In accordance with the process, the gas to be purified flows through a hollow dielectric tube. An electric field is created in the gas to be purified by a traveling electromagnetic wave which travels in the dielectric tube and creates, in the gas, an atmospheric-pressure plasma which is not in local thermodynamic equilibrium, for the purpose of dissociating impurities in the gas to form reactive compounds. The formed reactive compounds are reacted with a corresponding reactive material for eliminating the reactive compounds from the gas to be purified.

Abstract: A technique for ion beam sputter deposition of optical coatings. The technique includes the following features (i) an assist chemical emitted towards the sputter target to oppose the tendency of film growth on the target; (ii) a discriminate baffle to capture ions or assist chemicals reflected from the target; (iii) a screen chemical to protect the coating area from the assist chemical; (iv) compartmentalized of the coating chamber to reduce crossing effects between the different chemicals (D.W.) (C.L.); (v) a compartmentalized assist ion beam to modify the coating and to reduce microstructure, defects and impurities in the coating (D.W.) (C.L.); and (vi) to combine the above features or multiply use one of the above features to further advantage or to increase throughput.

Abstract: The specification discloses a power supply circuit which reduces oscillations generated upon ignition of a plasma within a processing chamber. A secondary power supply pre-ignites the plasma by driving the cathode to a process initiation voltage. Thereafter, a primary power supply electrically drives the cathode to generate plasma current and deposition on a wafer.

Abstract: A deposition system in a semiconductor fabrication system provides a slotted grounded darkspace shield, which protects the target sidewalls. It has been found that an axial slot in the grounded darkspace shield can prevent eddy currents from flowing in the darkspace shield and thereby prevent RF power losses due to eddy currents that would otherwise flow in an unslotted darkspace shield due to RF power applied to an RF coil-shield. By preventing the RF power losses, the RF coupling efficiency of RF power applied to the RF coil-shield can also be improved.

Abstract: A press plate for producing decorative laminate from resin impregnated paper, with alumina particles on its pressing surface, is coated with diborides selected from the group consisting of hafnium diboride, molybdenum diboride, tantalum diboride, titanium diboride, tungsten diboride, vanadium diboride, or zirconium diboride or mixtures thereof for making the press plate resistant to scratching using a process wherein the press plate and the sputtering head are moved relative to one another to provide a scanning speed sufficient to give a thermal gradient in the press plate of 50° F. or less, to provide reduced built-in stress and more delocalized heat distribution throughout the press plate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a silver refining installation operating according to the Moebius method and designed for treating particulate raw silver. The anodes contain a section for receiving the raw silver, an underlying section for receiving anodic slime and, inserted between these two sections a support permeable to anodic slime and designed for the raw silver overflow. The support has at least two mutually mobile conveying elements with horizontal axes extending substantially over the support length and between which a slot allows the anodic slime to pass through. The invention is characterized in that the conveying elements have a reciprocating motion in the axial direction.

Abstract: A planar ferromagnetic sputter target is provided for use as cathode in the magnetron sputtering of magnetic thin films, wherein the ferromagnetic material has localized regions of differing magnetic permeability. A solid, unitary, planar sputter target is formed from a ferromagnetic material, such as cobalt, nickel, iron or an alloy thereof, and this planar target is subjected to mechanical deformation, heat treatment, and/or thermal-mechanical treatment to create regions within the sputter target having different permeability than adjacent regions. The permeability differences in the ferromagnetic sputter target guides the path of the magnetic flux flow through the target to thereby increase the magnetic leakage flux at the target sputtering surface.

Abstract: An electro-magnet array for use in a sputtering apparatus. The array has a magnetisable core member extending substantially horizontally and having magnetisable outward projections arranged as at least two pairs of symmetrically opposed projections projecting outwardly from the core member. A pole member is associated with each projection and vertically displaced with respect thereto. A magnetisable coupler is arranged to couple each pole piece magnetically to its respective projection. A magnetising coil around each projection is arranged for producing a magnetic field aligned substantially with a horizontal axis of symmetry of its respective projection in dependence upon the direction of flow of electric current through the magnetising coil.

Abstract: An improved sputter etching technique is provided for substantially preventing or reducing plasma etch damages associated with sputter etching. The plasma etch technique can utilize a semiconductor wafer having at least one diode formed within an inactive region of the wafer near the outer periphery of the wafer. The diode is capable of preventing charge transfer or arcing between the grounded anode and the p-channel gate region. By placing a diode within the inactive region of the wafer, problems such as gate oxide breakdown, threshold voltage skew, flat-band voltage skew, etc. can be minimized or substantially reduced. Alternatively, a standard wafer not having an implanted or diffused diode can be utilized to obtain similar beneficial results provided the sputter etch anode is retrofitted to include a diode placed between the anode and the ground terminal. Similar to the diode placed on the wafer, the retrofitted anode is used to provide a depletion region for preventing charge transfer therethrough.

Abstract: In a gas sensor element, an alkali metal ion conductor is provided with a detection electrode comprising an alkali metal carbonate in dissociation equilibrium with CO2 gas on one side thereof and a solid standard electrode on the other side thereof. The alkali metal carbonate is bonded to the alkali metal ion conductor via a bonding agent comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate which is capable of forming an eutectic low-melting composition with the alkali metal carbonate.

Abstract: A first solution is brought into contact with a surface of a sample so that impurities, which exist in the sample or on the surface of the sample, and the sample are dissolved in the first solution, and a voltage is applied across electrodes by putting the electrodes into the first solution so that substances including the impurities are deposited on the surface of the electrodes, and the deposited impurities are dissolved in a second solution so that impurities dissolved in the second solution are measured. As a result, an impurity measuring method and an impurity measuring device, which are capable of measuring a very small amount of impurities with high sensitivity, which exist in the sample or on the surface of the sample, are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for introducing a sample into the separation capillary of a capillary zone electrophoresis apparatus, which capillary zone electrophoresis apparatus comprises two reservoirs which contain a background electrolyte solution, the reservoirs being interconnected by a capillary tube which contains background electrolyte solution; electrodes placed in the reservoirs, the electrodes being connected to a high-voltage source; and a detector at the outlet end of the capillary.