Abstract: The water purifier according to the present invention is provided with a flow meter which measures the integrated flow of purified water through a water purification cartridge, and the flow display of the flow meter has an indicator portion which rotates with an increase of the flow, and a graduated portion which can rotate around the same axis as the indicator portion rotates around. In this water purifier, there is no flow meter which has a complex mechanism built in for measuring the flow, and resetting of the flow display can be performed easily and accurately. Therefore the main body of the water purifier can be made compact, and the amount of material and the number of parts comprising the water purifier and its cost can be reduced, it is possible to carry out a compact product and low cost.

Abstract: A filter unit comprises a housing through a wall of which is formed an aperture, an annular insert of a plastics material located in said aperture to make sealing contact with the defining walls of the aperture, a closure member removably mounted in, to make sealing engagement with, the annular insert, and a filter cartridge mounted on the closure member to extend into the housing, the closure member and filter cartridge being locatable on and removable from the housing as a unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a multiple well filter plate and method of producing same, the multiple well filter plate comprising a molded plate and a filter sealed via an adhesive, the method particularly adapted for producing multiple well filter plate having substantial well densities and small volume sample wells.

Abstract: There is provided an improved ceramic foam filter for use in filtering molten metals, metal prepared from a ceramic slurry containing silicon carbide, a colloidal silica binder and at least 10 percent of fumed silica. The filter has enhanced strength properties.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to achieve more high-speed rotation of a rotor to which a test object is stored, extending the duration of high-speed rotation, and temperature control of a rotor at the time of high-speed rotation. A high-speed rotation testing apparatus of the present invention comprises: a rotor having a hollow for a test object, to which a predetermined test object is stored; a spindle connected to the rotor; a torque applying device for applying a predetermined torque to the spindle, and a casing for sealing the rotor. The casing comprises a decompressing device and a holder for holding the spindle. The holder has a bushing for supporting the spindle and a bushing supporting member for supporting the bushing by inserting thereto. By forming the inner diameter of at least one of the bushing supporting member larger than the outer diameter of the bushing, the bushing supporting member supports the bushing to be rotatable.

Abstract: A method of biological treatment of wastewater laden with organics in a reactor having a biomass, the wastewater and biomass form mixed liquor, a treated wastewater, biological gases, and new biomass are generated in the reactor, biomass is separated from the treated wastewater by vaporization and condensation and is at least partially retained in the reactor, and further providing at least one step of physical-chemical treatment of said mixed liquor prior to the vaporization, whereby the free dissolved volatile gases are substantially removed from the mixed liquor and the efficiency of said biomass and wastewater separation by vaporization is improved. The main biological gases are carbon dioxide and methane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remediating metal contaminants using hydrocarbons which stimulate the growth of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. The metal contaminants may include heavy metals such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, iron, manganese, magnesium, radium, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium and zinc. The hydrocarbon may include alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, poly(alkene)s, poly(alkyne)s, aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbon polymers and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Butane is a particularly suitable hydrocarbon which stimulates the growth of butane-utilizing bacteria. Remediation may occur in-situ or ex-situ, and may occur under aerobic, anaerobic or dual aerobic/anaerobic conditions. Examples of applications include the remediation of heavy metals, the remediation of arsenic impacted surface water, groundwater and/or soil, the remediation of acid mine drainage, and the treatment of spent metal plating solutions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of digesting raw animal waste using diffusers to force circulation and aerate a digesting lagoon. Several lagoons may be used in series to treat raw waste and different variations may be employed to successively digest raw waste. Aeration with slightly ozonated air facilitates a blend of aerobic and anaerobic microbes to quickly and completely digest large amounts of raw animal waste.

Abstract: A separation column and a method of making the separation column are provided. The separation column includes a separation channel and fritless separation medium in the channel. The separation medium includes a porous matrix, and the porous matrix includes a metal organic polymer, such as a photopolymer. The separation medium can be used to separate a sample of analytes.

Abstract: A separation column and a method of making the separation column are provided. The separation column includes a separation channel and a separation medium in the channel. The separation medium includes a porous matrix, and the porous matrix includes a support and a stationary phase. The support includes a metal organic polymer, such as a photopolymer, and the stationary phase includes a bonded phase. The separation medium can be used to separate a sample of analytes.

Abstract: A separation column and a method of preparing the separation column are provided. The separation column includes a separation channel and a porous matrix in the channel. The porous matrix includes a metal organic polymer, such as a photopolymer. The porous matrix can be a separation medium adapted to separate a sample of analytes or a frit adapted to retain a separation medium in the channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for immobilizing ion exchange particles, and to the products of those process. One embodiment of the invention encompasses a process of immobilizing ion exchange particles within a porous polyolefinic material. A second embodiment encompasses a process of immobilizing ion exchange particles within a hydrogel. Preferred hydrogels are comprised of polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: An activated carbon that is capable of adsorbing taste-and-odor-causing and other organic compounds, wherein the activated carbon comprises a uniquely modified carbonaceous material. The activated carbon comprising: (a) a pore volume per gram of the activated carbon more than about 0.32 mL in the pore width range between about 4 to 63 angstroms; and (b) a pore volume per gram of the activated carbon more than about 0.21 mL in the pore width range between about 63 to 500 angstroms; provided that the pore volume per gram of the activated carbon in the pore width range of about 20 to 63 angstroms is at least about 25% of the total pore volume per gram of the activated carbon in the pore width range of 4 to 63 angstroms, as measured per the Argon Adsorption Density Functional Theory protocol; provided that the activated carbon has a pH equal to or greater than 9.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the art of making the required liquid out of various liquids like water of ponds, lakes, marshes, the rivers, life waste water and industrial water, rain water, underground water, urine, sea water, aqueduct water, improving the quality of these waters to a required level that allows them to be discharged, and used for growing plants and breeding fishes and shells, and to a higher lever allowing them to be drunk while providing good health to the human body, wherein the liquid to be processed will be improved both by the filtering step for passing the liquid through the filtering material and the magnetic process for passing the liquid through the magnetic field and wherein the said liquid will be refluxed to the said filtering material and/or to the reserving part for reserving the said liquid upon being processed and also relates to the method of improving the quality of liquid and its device, whereby, during the said reflux, the said liquid is to be sprayed upon being proces

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetically separating target particles of a selected type from a sample in order to produce a concentration of the target particles in the sample, or a depletion of the sample with respect to the target particles, by producing a sample mixture of the sample with magnetic particles having a selective affinity to magnetically stain the target particles; producing a flow of a buffer liquid through a tube which includes an inlet connectable to a source of buffer liquid, and an outlet for the buffer liquid; after a flow of the buffer liquid has been produced through the tube, introducing the sample mixture into the buffer liquid flowing through the tube such that the buffer liquid forms a continuous liquid carrier for the sample mixture as both are fed through the tube; and applying a magnetic field across the tube at a magnetizing station therein to cause the magnetically-stained target particles to be separated and retained in the buffer liquid within the tube at the magnetizing stat

Abstract: The deleterious effects of metal ions in water, for example water hardness and formation of deposits, may be combated by application of an algin, for example alginic acid or a salt of alginic acid, such as sodium alginate or potassium alginate. Such a compound may bring about water purification and/or softening and prevent formation of deposits. Furthermore, such a compound may promote the removal of existing deposits, for example scale.

Abstract: The levels of iron sulfide present in a conduit, such as a pipeline, are reduced by contacting the conduit, on an inner surface, with a composition obtained from an aqueous solution containing at least one compound of Formula (I) 1

Abstract: There is a method of capturing, removing or collecting the particulate matter from a fluid containing a toxic liquid reaction and particulate matter produced from the reaction. The method includes partly or completely disposing a screen into the toxic fluid. Mixing the toxic fluid allowing the particulate matter to contact the screen. Moving the screen to capture the particulate matter on the screen. Removing the particulate matter from the screen by washing or scraping. There is also a cleaning apparatus to capture, remove or collect particulate matter from a toxic fluid. A cleaning apparatus contains at least a screen and a structure securing the screen. The cleaning apparatus can optionally include a scraping or washing means, a drive means, a flow inducer and a housing structure.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods convey whole blood from a donor into a centrifugal separation device for separation into red blood cells and a plasma constituent. The plasma constituent and red blood cells are removed from the separation device at least in part while whole blood is conveyed into the separation device. The systems and methods generate, at least in part while whole blood is conveyed into the separation device and plasma constituent and red blood cells are removed from the separation device, a control command affecting separation within the separation device based, at least in part, upon a factor representing hematocrit of red blood cells separated in the separation device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating waster water holding areas and the like includes a closed, foraminous dewatering membrane that is positioned adjacent to the wastewater holding area. Sludge and adjacent water on the bottom of the wastewater holding area are pumped in the form of a sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane. The water is removed from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane. The dewatering membrane is then opened, and the dewatered sludge is removed for depositing at an appropriate site.

Abstract: The invention relates to the used of coated formed bodies, comprising a coating with wetting properties, for solar desalination plants. Said solar desalination plants comprise coated formed bodies, made from transparent thermoplastic plastics, which may be produced by coating a section of the formed body surface, or the total formed body surface, with a coating agent, comprising a) 0.005 to 2 parts by weight of a compound of formula (1), b) 1 to 20 parts by weight of a water insoluble oxide or several water insoluble oxides of a metal, or a semi-metal and c) 80 to 100 parts by weight of a mixture of an acid and water, which may comprise more than 90% water.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a water treatment device in which temperature does not affect performance in nitrogen removal. Water circulates in a first anaerobic filter bed chamber 5, a second anaerobic filter bed chamber 10, a contact aeration chamber 14, a sedimentation chamber 19, and an electrolytic chamber 59 for phosphorus removal. The supernatant in sedimentation chamber 19 flows into a disinfection chamber 21 and is then sent to an electrolytic chamber 100 for nitrogen removal. An electrode pair is provided inside electrolytic chamber 100. Halogen ions present in the water are oxidized on the anode side. After halogen gas is generated, this gas reacts with water and generates hypohalous acid. On the cathode side, the nitrogen components in the water are converted to nitrate ions, and these nitrate ions are further converted to ammonium ions. The hypohalous acid and ammonium ions react, and the nitrogen components are converted to nitrogen gas by way of chloramine.

Abstract: A cost-effective method for reducing the dissolved sulfide content in a wastewater stream and thereby hydrogen sulfide emissions therefrom involving the steps of adding a transition metal salt to the wastewater stream at the upper reaches of a wastewater collection system prior to at least some hydrogen sulfide volatilization followed by addition of an oxidant to the wastewater stream to generate elemental sulfur and a transition metal salt which subsequently participates in additional hydrogen sulfide capturing steps, thereby also improving water quality and wastewater treatment plant operations.

Abstract: According to a method of desalinating sea water, sea water sampled from deep sea is injected into a decompression chamber of a reduced pressure tank having a steam chamber, steam at an atmospheric pressure superheated to a boiling temperature or higher by high-frequency heating is supplied to the steam chamber at a surrounding of the decompression chamber at an interval of a heat conducting wall therebetween, water in the sea water is evaporated by heating sea water in the decompression chamber and the evaporated water is condensed to thereby provide fresh water. Concentrated sea water remains in the decompression chamber and therefore, the method can be utilized also as a method of concentrating sea water. Salt can be obtained by further evaporating the water of the concentrated sea water as necessary.

Abstract: The oil-water separator includes a tank defining an enclosed volume. The oil and water mixture is introduced into the enclosed volume by a length of coalescing pipe that causes the oil to coalesce together and separate from the water. In the enclosed volume, the oil floats on top of the water. To discharge the water from the enclosed volume while retaining the oil, an outlet is provided in a lower region of the enclosed volume that the oil cannot access.

Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid stream The system includes a first separator device mounted to a container. The container includes a settling compartment and baffle plate module, with the initial settling compartment receiving the fluid from the first separator device. The fluid stream proceeds through the baffle plate module. The solids within the fluid stream will descend to the bottom of the container. A spiral blade is positioned at the bottom of the container, with the spiral blade adapted to convey solids to a first pump member. The speed of rotation of the spiral blade may be varied. The first pump member discharges the slurry to a second separator device. The second separator device will discharge the separated fluid stream into the baffle plate module. In one embodiment, the first separator device is a linear shaker and the second separator device is a cyclone separator and linear shaker mounted in tandem.

Abstract: A four-column rack including a first rack having a pair of upright columns connected by a first cross-member, a second rack having a pair of upright columns connected by a second cross-member. The first and second racks are connected by an adjustment member. The adjustment member has a first end attached to the first cross-member of the first rack and a second end attached to the second cross-member of the second rack.

Abstract: An inexpensive, portable desktop bookcase is an open-sided carton suitable for holding a small number of books. The desktop bookcase allows the books to be portably stored together on the desktop, conveniently accessible, removable and replaceable. The bookcase carton is formed from folding a two-dimensional production blank, resulting in a storage unit which is suitable for its desktop purpose, as well as for transporting books from one location to another.

Abstract: The present invention a sports equipment holder comprises a flexible bag for placement of sports equipment therein; and a device for releasably attaching said flexible bag to a chain link wherein said attaching device includes at least one hanger connected to said flexible bag for releasably latching said sports equipment holder onto a chain link fence. The attaching device may also include two hangers connected to said flexible bag for releasably latching said sports equipment holder onto a chain link fence. Further the hangers include a top hooked portion for engagement with a chain link fence. Preferably the flexible bag includes a left edge and a right edge and said hooks connected to said bag proximate said left and right edges and a bag opening proximate a top edge for placing of articles there through.

Abstract: A closure member for a container, including a first member having a first set of threads with a predetermined pitch and a first orifice formed therethrough, and a second member having first and second sets of threads, both with the same pitch as the first set of threads of the first member, and a first orifice formed therethrough. When the threads of the first and second members are fully engaged, alignment between the first orifices formed through the first and second members occurs only when the first set of threads of the first member engages the first set of threads of the second member.

Abstract: A closure system useful for storing fluids under cold storage conditions. The closure system includes cap and container components which combine to form a dual sealing system. The container has a generally cylindrical side wall, a closed bottom end, and an open top end having an inner beveled lip depending from an annular top rim. The cap has a generally circular top wall from which inner and outer skirts depend. The outer skirt is adapted to grip the open top end of the container. The inner skirt includes an outer surface having a lower seal bead and an upper beveled portion mated with the beveled lip. When the cap is fitted onto the container, the seal bead contacts an inner surface of the container and the upper beveled portion and the beveled lip are engaged in an interference fit, thereby impeding the loss of fluid from the closure system under cold storage conditions.

Abstract: A bottle stopper for sealing and resealing bottle neck is disclosed. The present invention is the bottle stopper which mainly includes a body, a plug and a jacket. The body comprises a plurality of legs and axially guiding grooves thereof provided on its inner circumference. The plug comprises a plurality of axially positioning ribs being adapted to engage with the corresponding axially guiding grooves in order to increase reliability of structurally combining. A combined body and plug member is inserted into the jacket to form a bottle stopper. When the radially inner flange is engaged with the groove, the plug cannot be removed from the body. As the plug is axially pressed full-scale into the body and the radially inner flange is then disengaged with the groove, the outer circumference of the jacket may radially expanded to seal or to reseal a bottle neck.

Abstract: A method for fabricating MEMS structures includes etching a recess in either an upper surface of a substrate that is bonded to a wafer that ultimately forms the MEMS structure, or to the lower surface of the wafer that is bonded to the substrate. Accordingly, once the etching processes of the wafer are completed, the recess facilitates the release of an internal movable structure within the fabricated MEMS structure without the use of a separate sacrificial material. Furthermore, a bridge, which is preferably insulating, is pre-etched before the wafer is attached to the substrate.

Abstract: Generally, a method for pre-cleaning native oxides and other contaminants from apertures on a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a method for pre-cleaning apertures on a substrate includes disposing the substrate on a support member in a process chamber, cooling the substrate at least to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius, and exposing the substrate to a pre-clean process. In another embodiment, a method for pre-cleaning apertures on a substrate includes cooling the substrate at least to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius in a first chamber, transferring the substrate to a second chamber and pre-cleaning the substrate in the second chamber while maintaining a substrate temperature of 100 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: In a method for forming a micro-pattern on a substrate by employing a mold having a predetermined pattern structure, a mold having a predetermined pattern structure containing a recessed portion and a protruded portion is prepared. A polymer material is deposited on the substrate. Then the protruded portion of the mold is controlled to be in contact with the polymer material and the polymer material in contact with the protruded portion of the mold is incorporated into an empty space of the recessed portion thereof by using capillary force thereof, thereby removing the polymer material in contact with the protruded portion of the mold. Thereafter, a portion of the top surface of the substrate is exposed by detaching the mold to thereby form a polymer micro-pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: A process for smoothing a rough surface on a substrate, such as a diamond or silicon carbide substrate, said rough surface including protruding peak portions separated by valleys, said smoothing comprising (a) depositing a coating on said rough surface so as to adhere to and to fill at least the valleys of said rough surface, (b) mechanically polishing the thus coated rough surface so as to achieve a smooth coated surface, and (c) dry etching the smooth coated surface, such as by PACE, so as to remove the remaining coating and at least protruding peak portions of the substrate so as to achieve a smooth surface on the substrate, wherein in the mechanical polishing step (b) the coating is removed at a rate of reduction of thickness greater than the rate at which the substrate is subject to reduction of thickness by the mechanical polishing, and in the dry etching step (c) the coating and substrate are removed at substantially the same or a similar rate of reduction of thickness, and, if necessary, steps (a), (b

Abstract: A method for removing a dielectric layer formed upon a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes subjecting the dielectric layer to a dry etch process and subjecting an adhesion promoter layer underneath the dielectric layer to a wet etch process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for determining a real-time etching rate during a plasma mediated etching process. Real-time etching rate determination includes monitoring an interference pattern generated by a direct light beam and a reflected light beam from a wafer surface. A viewing angle for recording the interference pattern is nearly parallel to the wafer plane and at a fixed focal point on the layer to be removed. The direct light beam and reflected light beams are generated in situ during plasma processing.

Abstract: Corruption of features formed by etching a metal-containing web in a continuous etch process is reduced by distorting the original design or designs of the features to compensate for localized areas subject to excessive etching during the continuous etch process. In the case of a planar speaker diaphragm, for example, the width of the portions of the trace that are in a cross-machine direction is increased to compensate for the higher etching rate caused by the motion through the etch bath. While this causes the modified trace design to appear to be distorted relative to the original trace design, the etched trace resulting from the modified trace design has improved uniformity and greater fidelity to the original trace design than if the original trace design had been used in the continuous etch process.

Abstract: An integrated metrology and lithography/etch system and method (10) for micro-electronics device manufacturing. A process control neural network (30) is used to develop an estimated process control parameter (32) for controlling an etching process (28). The process control neural network is responsive to a multi-parameter characterization of a patterned resist feature MPC(PR) (16) developed on a substrate. The process control parameter is used as a feed-forward control for the etching process to develop an actual final mask feature. A multi-parameter characterization of the actual final mask feature MPC(HM) (36) is used as an input to a training neural network (40) for mapping to an ideal process control parameter. The ideal process control parameter is compared to the estimated control parameter to develop an error parameter (46), which is then used to train the process control neural network.

Abstract: A hybrid gas insulation switchgear apparatus comprises an enclosure in which an insulating gas is sealed, a bushing unit provided for the enclosure, a breaker unit disposed inside the enclosure, a disconnector unit disposed inside the enclosure and including disconnectors to be connected electrically in series to both sides of the breaker unit, an earth switch unit disposed inside the enclosure and including earth switches disposed between the breaker unit and the disconnectors, respectively, the earth switches being provided with main pole side electrodes disposed on the side of the breaker unit, and a current transformer unit mounted to the enclosure. The bushing unit including bushings each having a conductor connected to an electrode in the disconnector on a side opposite to the breaker.

Abstract: An arc quenching device for an air-switching low-voltage switching device includes quenching plates, which are arranged between and attached to parallel insulating walls, as well as a cover. A separate cooling device may be introduced into the space between the quenching plates and the cover. The cooling device is in the form of an insert cartridge and contains deionization technology for switching gases. Attachment pins on the cooling device and corresponding holding openings on the inside of the cover make it possible to fit the cooling device to the cover before this cover engages with the insulating walls.

Abstract: A jump control apparatus for an electric discharge machine capable of ensuring high machining precision while reducing machining time by removing sludge speedily regardless of differences in shape among workpieces includes a feed control unit (7) for controlling a vertical position of an electrode (1) relative to a workpiece (2), a jump condition estimating unit (8) for estimating jump conditions for the electrode (1) for removing the sludge occurring between the electrode (1) and the workpiece (2) during machining. The jump conditions generated are inputted to the feed control unit (7). The apparatus includes an input unit (10) for inputting machining conditions relating to the jump conditions in precedence to machining, and a numerical control unit (11) for determining various parameters in dependence on the machining conditions. The parameters are inputted to the jump condition estimating unit (8)for estimating the jump conditions through a feed-forward control performed by using the parameters.

Abstract: A first method for metallurgically attaching together two members. A first member is obtained having a through hole and having a longitudinally-projecting flange surrounding the through hole. A second member is obtained having a transversely-projecting annular rim. The second member is at least partially positioned in the through hole of the first member with the flange of the first member projecting away from the rim. The first and second members are resistance welded together, wherein after the weld is created, the rim of the second member is seated on the first member. In an other method, which is similar to the first method, the second member has no rim.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a plasma reactor has a capacitive electrode driven by an RF power source, and the electrode capacitance is matched at the desired plasma density and RF source frequency to the negative capacitance of the plasma, to provide an electrode plasma resonance supportive of a broad process window within which the plasma may be sustained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making a lens on the end of an optical waveguide fiber. The apparatus includes a laser, wherein the laser emits a laser beam. The apparatus further includes a beam expander disposed to receive the laser beam, whereby the beam expander increases the diameter of the laser beam, thereby producing an expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a first aperture disposed within the expanded laser beam, wherein the first aperture blocks a portion of the expanded laser beam, and a second aperture disposed within the expanded laser beam, wherein the second aperture blocks a portion of the expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a first mirror disposed in the path of the expanded laser beam wherein the first mirror redirects the expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a focusing mirror disposed to receive the expanded laser beam, wherein the focusing mirror focuses the expanded laser beam thereby forming a heat zone.

Abstract: A method of vacuum holes formation on carrier film of chemical mechanical polishing machine; the formed vacuum is to fit the dimension and position of vacuum hole on the wafer carrier of the chemical mechanical polishing machine. The present invention is that providing a formed plate and a mold for fixing and positioning, and then adjusting to produce the best laser parameters, thus forming vacuum hole of need of carrier film on chemical polishing machine via laser machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for deflashing integrated circuit (IC) packages by laser irradiation. The method and apparatus include two lasers scanning flash area for performing deflashing operation. CO2 laser is used to remove top layer of flash and YAG laser is used to remove the thin layer of flash remained after CO2 laser deflashing. CO2 laser deflashing and following YAG laser deflashing can effectively remove flash and avoid damage of heat sinks as well as leads and bars in the IC packages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cutting a non-metallic substrate. A designated cutting line formed on the non-metallic substrate is cut using a thermal stress generated by rapidly heating and cooling the designated cutting line. Further, a shape and an arrangement, etc., of an energy source is optimized, thereby maximizing a cutting speed of the non-metallic substrate and also precisely cutting the non-metallic substrate.

Abstract: A method for quality control monitoring of laser shock peening a surface of a production workpiece during which laser beam pulses form a plurality of corresponding plasmas. An acoustic signal of each laser beam pulse during a period of time during a duration of each corresponding one of the plasmas is monitored and an acoustic energy parameter value for each of the acoustic signals for each of the corresponding laser pulses is calculated. A statistical function value of the workpiece based on the acoustic energy parameter values is calculated and compared to a pass or fail criteria for accepting or rejecting the workpiece. The criteria may be based on a pre-determined correlation of test piece statistical function data such as high cycle fatigue failure data of test pieces. The statistical function value may be an average of the acoustic energy parameter values of the laser beam pulses.