Abstract: Disclosed are waste processing systems capable of being used on-board a transport such as a train, bus, airplane, boat, or other similar vehicles. The liquid waste is evaporated and condensed primarily as water vapor. The resulting liquid may be safely discharged in most places without adverse environmental and health effects. If desired, the liquid can be stored and reused for non-potable applications such as toilet flushing. The solid waste is converted to inert ash or carbon and may be either stored in a filter or discharged as carbon or ash into the water, air, or onto the railroad tracks. The system may also be used in stationary or semi-stationary applications where on-site treatment of waste may be desired.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of sludge which produces a dry sludge free of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms enriched with nitrogen which can be used as a fertilizer, and which uses as raw materials: elemental sulfur, formaldehyde, ammonia, urea, chlorine, and sulphuric acid, and comprises the steps of feeding the sludge into a pre-dryer into which is fed a hot gas stream containing sulfur trioxide produced by the combustion and catalytic oxidation of sulfur with air and finally completely drying the sludge by feeding it into an ammoniator.

Abstract: A method of draining water from low-consistency water-fiber suspensions, in which the water-fiber suspension is fed to a filtering surface comprising holes. The rougher fibers are first separated from the water-fiber suspension and fed to the filtering surface to form a separate filtering layer and the water-fiber suspension is led to flow through the filtering layer formed by the rougher fibers.

Abstract: An integrated lead suspension is formed from a five layer laminate of stainless steel, polyimide and copper. Prior to lamination, the steel layer has preformed voids which may have various configurations. The voids are provided for intentionally weakening high strain flexure areas in the suspension so that strain energy can be dissipated more effectively.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic circuit board design 10 having selectively formed apertures or cavities 26 which have improved solder-wetting characteristics by causing a first insulating layer to separate from a portion of a first conductive layer of the multi-layer electronic circuit board 10 which allows for communication by and between some or all of the various component containing surfaces, and portions of the formed multi-layer electrical circuit board 10, which selectively allows components contained within and/or upon these portions and surfaces to be interconnected.

Abstract: A process is revealed whereby resistors can be manufactured integral with a printed circuit board by plating the resistors onto the insulative substrate. Uniformization of the insulative substrate through etching and oxidation of the plated resistor are discussed as techniques for improving the uniformity and consistency of the plated resistors. Trimming and baking are also disclosed as methods for adjusting and stabilizing the resistance of the plated resistors.

Abstract: A leadless plastic chip carrier comprising a die attach pad, a semiconductor die mounted to a portion of the die attach pad and at least one row of contact pads circumscribing the die attach pad. The row of contact pads have a thickness greater than the thickness of the portion of the die attach pad. A plurality of wire bonds connect the die attach pad and the contact pads. An overmold covers the semiconductor die and all except one surface of the at least one row of contact pads and the die attach pad.

Abstract: A method for recycling a disk having a layered structure on a glass substrate is disclosed. Initially, the disk is exposed to gaseous sulphur dioxide in a humid environment. Then, the disk is treated with hot water to remove the layered structure from the glass substrate.

Abstract: An inductive-coupled plasma apparatus employs a shield to reduce sputter contamination. A method for manufacturing the shield is included. An apparatus for generating a high-density plasma includes a process chamber having a dielectric window located along a plane, a coil located outside the process chamber proximate to the dielectric window and substantially parallel to the plane, and a shield located between the coil and the dielectric window. The shield has multiple openings, wherein the multiple openings of the shield are disposed at locations corresponding to areas between the turns of the coil.

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: An oxide for use in a bolometer with an oxide thin-film formed is manufactured on an insulating substrate. Metal organic compound is dissolved in solvent to form solution during manufacturing the oxide thin-film. The solution is applied on the insulating substrate, and the applied solution is dried. A bond between carbon and oxygen is cut and decomposed by irradiating a laser ray with wavelength of 400 nm or less. A generated oxide is crystallized.

Abstract: An etching treatment agent which can etch insulating film with high speeds without damaging the resist pattern, provide realistic throughput when the insulting film etching process in the semiconductor manufacturing process is replaced with the single wafer processing etching treatment method, and prevent roughness on the surface of the semiconductor after etching.

Abstract: A flux is described for making borate phosphors with a discrete particle morphology. The flux is comprised of a salt of barium, sodium, potassium, or a combination thereof. The discrete particle morphology permits the borate phosphors to be used directly without deagglomeration.

Abstract: An aluminate phosphor activated with Eu or coactivated with Eu and Mn, which contains sulfur; a process for its production; a phosphor paste composition; and a vacuum ultraviolet ray excitation type light-emitting device having a fluorescent layer made of such a phosphor.

Abstract: Scintillator compositions useful for the detection of high-energy radiation, such as X, &bgr;, or &ggr; radiation, contain alkali and rare earth pyrotungstates. In particular, the pyrotungstate is a double tungstate containing an oxide of an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, and Cs and an oxide of a rare-earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Gd, La, and Lu. The scintillators are characterized by high light output, reduced afterglow, short decay time, and high X-ray stopping power.

Abstract: The new fluorocarbon-functionalized and/or heterocycle-modified polythiophenes, in particular, &agr;,&ohgr;-diperfluorohexylsexithiophene DFH-6T can be straightforwardly prepared in high yield and purity. Introduction of such modifications to a thiophene core affords enhanced thermal stability and volatility, and increased electron affinity versus the unmodified compositions of the prior art. Evaporated films behave as n-type semiconductors, and can be used to fabricate thin film transistors with FET mobilities ˜0.01 cm2/Vs—some of the highest reported to date for n-type organic semiconductors.

Abstract: A process for producing a carbon material for an electric double layer capacitor electrode, including activating a graphitizable carbon or a graphitizable carbon source to have its pore volume in the range of 0.6 to 1.5 cm3/g, and imparting mechanical impact force to the graphitizable carbon or the graphitizable carbon source activated in the activating step to reduce the pore volume to at most 75% of that before the mechanical impact force is imparted.

Abstract: An electrically conductive paste which ensures formation of a dense electrode film even in a low-oxygen-concentration atmosphere without strict control of the atmosphere is described. The electrically conductive paste comprising Cu powder, glass frit and an organic binder resin, wherein the glass frit comprises Zn- and Cu-containing borosilicate glass and in the melt state has a contact angle with respect to Cu of 90° or less as measured in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: A dielectric fluid with improved performance in capacitors contains 65% by weight or more monobenzyltoluene. Capacitors including the dielectric fluid can have improved discharge extinction voltages at 60° C.

Abstract: A process for modifying a uniformity of a tire comprising a radial carcass ply of rubberized organic fiber cords is modifications of radial force variation (RFV) and conicity force (COF), which is carried out by dividing RFV- or COF-rejected tire into two portions and applying different thermal hysteresis to these portions under specified conditions.

Abstract: Injection molding method and apparatus for repeatedly performing an injection molding cycle including the steps of closing and clamping a mold having a mold cavity, injecting a resin material into the mold cavity, cooling and solidifying the resin material filling the mold cavity, and opening the mold so as to remove a molded product, in order to successively form the molded product, wherein a cycle time is measured at a measuring point in the injection molding cycle, and a difference between the measurement of the cycle time and a predetermined reference cycle time is obtained, and then a time compensation on the basis of the difference is executed at a time-controlled step which is arranged to be executed before the next measuring point comes.

Abstract: Embossed oriented thermoplastic films and a method of making same are described. The embossed oriented thermoplastic films have substantially the same mechanical properties as unembossed oriented thermoplastic films. The method includes providing an oriented thermoplastic film having first and second major surfaces, softening at least one of the first and second major surfaces to produce a softened surface, embossing the softened surface to produce an embossed oriented thermoplastic film, and cooling the embossed oriented thermoplastic film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardable fiber blend which forms a moldable fiber batt, the blend comprising fibers having a modulus of 550 g/denier or more with fibers of a thermoplastic polymer wherein the high modulus polymer fibers are all uncrimped fibers or a mixture of crimped and uncrimped fibers. The moldable batt is useful in making speaker cones.

Abstract: A fiber composition which comprises a blend of modified polypropylene and modified poly(ethylene oxide). This fiber composition can be melt-processed to make fibers useful in flushable personal care products. A process for making this fiber composition is also provided.

Abstract: An extrusion method and an extruder, the material to be extruded being fed with a material feeding device (1) into a radial pump unit included in the equipment. The radial pump unit comprises conical gearwheels (2) which are adjacently positioned and rotate in opposite directions. The radial pump unit transfers the material in an annular flow into the extruder's nozzle (4). Additional material (20) can be supplied into the product through the radial pump unit.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a heat fusion fitting, which comprises i) forming a body (1) comprising at least a first layer of a first cross-linked polymeric material, ii) embedding or partly embedding a ferromagnetic heating element (11, 12) in a second polymeric material (13, 14) to form an insert (7, 8), the ferromagnetic heating element (11, 12) having a Curie temperature equal to or greater than the crystalline melting point or softening point of the second polymeric material (13, 14), and iii) assembling the body and the insert (7, 8) to form the fitting.

Abstract: Heat dissipation devices and molding processes for fabricating such devices, which have at least two regions comprising different conductive materials such that efficient thermal contact is made between the different conductive materials. The molding processes include injection molding at least two differing conductive materials.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous elastic membrane that may be used in a balloon assembly of a balloon catheter is described. In the method, an elastic membrane material is expanded beyond an intended deployment expansion to a hyper-expanded state. Apertures are then formed in the hyper-expanded material. After contraction, the now-porous membrane can be used to form the outer wall of the balloon assembly. An aperture formed in the hyper-expanded membrane will have a smaller diameter than when the balloon is inflated to a smaller deployment expansion in the patient's body.

Abstract: A stereolithographically fabricated marking for a semiconductor device component, such as a packaged or unpackaged semiconductor device or another substrate. When formed on a semiconductor device with a stereolithographically formed package structure, the marking may be integral with the package. The marking may be formed as apertures through or recesses in one or more stereolithographically fabricated layers of material, or the marking may include one or more stereolithographically fabricated layers that protrude from a surface of a semiconductor device component. Raised markings may also be formed on the surfaces of packaged or bare semiconductor device components. Alternatively, the marking may be fabricated separately from a semiconductor device component, then secured thereto. Methods for stereolithographically marking semiconductor device components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of dispensing or pouring molten metal, e.g., aluminum, from a container or vessel, the flow rate controlled to minimize splashing of the molten aluminum exiting the container, the method comprising the steps of providing a container for containing molten metal, the container having an outlet for dispensing molten metal therefrom and providing a body of molten aluminum in the container, the body having a top surface. A pressure lower than atmospheric pressure is maintained on the surface of the body in the container vessel for purposes of controlling the flow of molten metal through said outlet. Molten metal is dispensed through the outlet by increasing the pressure maintained in the container towards atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A direct smelting vessel which is adapted to contain a molten bath of metal and slag is disclosed. The vessel includes an off-gas duct that has: (a) a first section which has a relatively slight upward inclination to the horizontal from an inlet end of the first section; and (b) a second section which extends upwardly from an upper end of the first section at a relatively steep inclination to the horizontal.

Abstract: A binder, and a method of using it in conventional powder metallurgy processes and solid free form fabrication including metal powder, or combinations of metals and ceramics, in which the binder contains at least one carbohydrate as the active binding compound. The carbohydrate generally contains between 6 and about 900 carbon atoms and may be selected from various categories including but not limited to: 1) monosaccharides; 2) disaccharides; 3) trisaccharides; and 4) polysaccharides containing the base sugars identified in 1)-3) above; and 5) hydrolyzed starches in which the hydrolysate contains between about 6-900 carbon atoms, including dextrins such as limit dextrin, hydrolyzed amylose, and hydrolyzed amylopectin. The amount of carbohydrate in the binder solution is generally on the order of about 5-50 grams carbohydrate per 100 ml of carrier solution, more preferably 5-30 g/ml, and most preferably 15 g/ml (or comparable amounts on a dry basis).

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) anode includes the steps of: forming a Ni coating solution for coating a surface of alumina powder by mixing nickel acetate and ethanol in a predetermined ratio, adding distilled water to the mixture in a predetermined ratio and refluxing the resultant; coating a pre-treated surface of alumina powder with the Ni coating solution; mixing a pure Ni powder and Ni-coated alumina powder obtained in the Ni coating step, and then forming a green sheet of an electrode from the mixture of pure Ni powder and Ni-coated alumina powder; and drying and sintering the electrode in a reducing atmosphere. Thus, various problems in manufacturing conventional anodes of Ni-metal alloy powder can be solved, and an anode for an MCFC having greatly enhanced creep resistance and electrode performance can be obtained.

Abstract: An aluminum-based material and method of manufacturing products from the aluminum-based material formed by a solid solution of zinc, magnesium and copper in aluminum with dispersed phase particles of aluminum, zinc, magnesium and copper essentially evenly distributed in the solution and particles of nickel aluminide being essentially evenly distributed in the matrix of the aluminum-based material that contains particles, essentially evenly distributed in the matrix, of at least one of the aluminides group such as chromium aluminide and zirconium aluminide, with a total content of 0.1-0.5% of the volume with the maximum amount of nickel aluminide particles being 3 &mgr;m and the proportion between the maximum and minimum amount of nickel aluminide particles of no more than 2 and with the maximum amount of chromium aluminide and zirconium aluminide particles is 0.

Abstract: A method and composition for controlling corrosion of metals, particularly ferrous-based metals in contact with aqueous systems is disclosed, which includes treating industrial waters with a combination of a tetrazolium salt of the general formula: where R1, R2 and R3 may be various organic or inorganic substitutents, where n may be 1 or 2, and at least one other aqueous system treatment material.

Abstract: A system for reprocessing and sterilizing a previously used endoscope having at least one lumen is disclosed. The reprocessing system includes a reaction chamber into which individual chemical components of a sterilant are transferred by pneumatic force. The system includes a central processor which controls the asynchronous reprocessing and sterilization of at least two endoscopes. A novel sterilant is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a combination of the sterilization device and the sterilant and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A footwear sanitizing device is insertable into footwear to be sanitized. The device includes a self-contained ion generator that subjects the footwear to an outflow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays disposed in a pair of electrode assemblies. Preferably each first array comprises at least one metal pin spaced coaxially-apart from a metal ring-like structure. Alternatively, the first array may comprise at least one wire electrodes spaced staggeringly apart from a second array comprising hollow “U”-shaped electrodes. Preferably a ratio between effective area of an electrode in the second array compared to effective area of an electrode in the first array exceeds about 15:1 and preferably is about 20:1. An electric field produced by the high voltage between the arrays produces an electrostatic flow of ionized air containing safe amounts of ozone.

Abstract: An automated slide stainer with fluid flow control. The fluid flow control controls the flow rate of fluid, e.g., water, applied to at least one slide by the slide stainer. In an automated slide stainer that applies reagents to slides to stain biological specimens on the slides, the flow rate controlled fluid can be used to adequately rinse the slides without damaging the biological specimens contained on the slides.

Abstract: A sample pre-separation and concentration system for detecting low levels of analytes in highly complex mixtures includes a plurality of trapping columns having a high selectivity for classes of compounds of interest, upstream of a standard separation column. The system may be used, for example, to measure urinary 8 hydroxy 2′ deoxyguanoisine.

Abstract: There is provided a gas concentration-detecting device for detecting the concentration of gas in oil, which is capable of detecting the concentration of gas in oil with accuracy, irrespective of the temperature of oil, and even when oil is degraded. The gas concentration-detecting device includes two electrodes for being arranged in the oil such that the electrodes are opposed to each other and spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, and a capacitance amplifier for outputting a signal indicative of a concentration of gas in oil, the signal being dependent on a capacitance between the electrodes. The predetermined distance between the electrodes is set to a value equal to or larger than a predetermined value at which an amount of drift of the signal output from the capacitance amplifier dependent on variation in a temperature of the oil starts to gradually decrease as the distance between the electrodes is increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microstructures which a fabricated from a cast or molded polymer material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The invention describes and claims methods and compositions from which a variety of microstructures may be prepared. The microstructures are particularly useful for use in assays and reactions in the relating to biological assays, including applications in medical diagnostics. Such assays and reactions included, but are by no means limited to, polynucleotide sequencing and polynucleotides analysis, including analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms, and for polynucleotide amplification such as PCR. The microstructures of the invention may contain many features that are useful for such applications. For example, the microstructures may comprise wells or channels for biological fluids and/or reagents, as well as pumps and valves for directing such fluids, e.g., in a biological assay.

Abstract: A reformer is disposed in the flow path of a reactant fluid. The reformer includes an electrically heatable heater unit of honeycomb structure, in the upstream of the flow path of a reactant fluid, and a catalyst unit of honeycomb structure capable of generating hydrogen from a reactant fluid containing an organic compound or carbon monoxide, by catalysis, in the downstream of the above heater unit. The heater unit and catalyst unit satisfy the following relationship: Cell density of the heater unit≦Cell density of the catalyst unit. The reformer improve efficiency for production of hydrogen and reduce CO as the by-product.

Abstract: An apparatus safely fills and empties a pressurized vessel charged with flammable and/or reactive gas. The apparatus features an upper flap combination, an intermediate lock vessel having a flushing apparatus, and a lower flap combination. The present invention also relates to a pressurized reactor which is charged with flammable and/or reactive gas and is equipped with a filling lock apparatus and an emptying lock apparatus for the simultaneous preparation of tetrachlorosilane, trichlorosilane and hydrogen. In addition, the present invention relates to a special process for filling and emptying such a reactor.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing, storing and transporting medical instruments is provided with a collar-shaped base, a lid, and a removable bottom received within the base. Circumferentially spaced channels are provided on the walls of the base which receive removable inserts which not only secure the bottom against upward movement relative to the base but also provide landings to support insert trays received within the container. The inserts can also be provided with slots that support dividers within the container.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system (26) for an automated processor (A) delivers washing, microbial decontaminant, and rinse fluids to spray nozzles (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) in a chamber (12) for sequentially spraying the fluids over a lumened device (B), such as an endoscope. The fluid delivery system also delivers the fluids to connection ports (150, 152, 154) which connect with internal passages (187) of the device for delivering the fluids thereto. Leaking connectors (184) connect the automated processor connection ports with inlet ports (196) of the device and allow a portion of the washing, decontaminant, and rinsing solutions to leak from each inlet port. A computer control system (80) controls cleaning, decontamination, rinsing, and drying stages of a cycle, which are all carried out within the chamber, obviating the need for human contact with the device during processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high oxygen ion conducting/oxygen storage (OIC/OS) capacity materials, a catalyst employing the OIC/OS materials, and a method for converting hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides using the catalyst. The OIC/OS materials have stable cubic crystalline structures such that after aging for greater than about 36 hours at temperatures up to about 1,200° C., greater than about 60-95% of the cerium present is reducible. These materials comprise up to about 95 mole percent (mole %) zirconium, up to about 50 mole % cerium, up to about 20 mole % of a stabilizer such as yttrium, rare earths, and the like; and about 0.01 to about 25 mole % of a base metal selected from the group consisting of iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, silver, manganese, bismuth and mixtures comprising at least one of the foregoing metals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfur tolerant catalyst composites useful for reducing contaminants in exhaust gas streams, especially gaseous streams containing sulfur oxide contaminants. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with improved NOx trap catalysts for use in diesel engines as well as lean burn gasoline engines. The sulfur tolerant NOx trap catalyst composites comprise a platinum component, a support, and a NOx sorbent component prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. The NOx sorbent component comprises a first metal oxide and a second metal oxide. The metal in the first metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, zirconium, silicon, and composites thereof, and the metal in the second metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of Group IIA metals, Group III metals, Group IV metals, rare earth metals, and transition metals. The metal in the first metal oxide is different from the metal in the second metal oxide.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a single phase magnesium- and carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite composition, which process comprises the steps of (i) preparing an aqueous solution containing CO32− and PO43− ions in the substantial absence of cations other than H+ ions; (ii) mixing the solution from step (i) with an aqueous calcium- and magnesium-containing solution or suspension; and (iii) collecting and drying the precipitate formed in step (ii); the ratio of (Ca+Mg/P) in the calcium- and magnesium-containing solution or suspension and the phosphorus-containing solution, when mixed together, being maintained at 1.67, or above. The product of the process is novel and comprises up to 0.5% magnesium and up to 1% of carbonate substituted into the hydroxyapatite structure and which does not contain Na+ or NH4+ ions, the ratio of (Ca+Mg/P) being greater than 1.67.

Abstract: A method for producing the silicon nanoparticle of the invention is a gradual advancing electrochemical etch of bulk silicon. Separation of nanoparticles from the surface of the silicon may also be conducted. Once separated, various methods may be employed to form nanoparticles into colloids, crystals, films and other desirable forms. The particles may also be coated or doped.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon molecular sieve material. It is prepared by a method comprising the step of adsorbing a mixture of an aqueous carbohydrate solution and an acid or a polymer precursor into pores of an inorganic molecular sieve material; drying and polymerizing the adsorbates; re-adsorbing a mixture of an aqueous carbohydrate solution and an acid or a polymer precursor onto the resultant mixture obtained in the previous steps, and drying and polymerizing the adsorbates; carbonizing the adsorbates through thermal decomposition; and removing the framework of the inorganic molecular sieve from the carbonized adsorbates by use of a fluoric acid or a sodium hydroxide solution. With uniformity in pore size and regularity in structure, the carbon molecular sieve is suitable for use in catalysts, adsorbents, supports, sensors, electrodes, etc.