Abstract: In the production of cement clinker or cement with the addition of a cement additive (40), such as for example slag, which is ground in a closed-circuit grinding installation into slag meal (32) of equal fineness to cement, in order to utilize excess slag capacity in a beneficial way in the cement clinker production process, an intermediate slag fraction (33, 34) withdrawn from a three-fraction classifying device (31) is added as a raw material component to the stock inlet of the rotary kiln (20) of the cement clinker production line, and at the same time the chemical composition of the remaining raw material components (10) is adapted to the added quantity (34) of the intermediate slag fraction.

Abstract: A method for growing solid state laser crystal boules is disclosed that when made into laser rods do not need separate end caps attached to the laser rods. The crystal boule is grown as a single integral unit with three segments. Two segments, the end segments, are un-doped or non-laser active, and they flank a central segment of the boule that is doped with an active laser ion. A first end segment of the crystal boule is first grown from un-doped melt material in a first crucible by slowly withdrawing its growing end from the first melt. The boule is then transferred to a doped melt in a second crucible where its growing end is submersed therein to grow the doped, laser active central segment. The temperature of the melt in the second crucible is initially higher than the growing temperature of the first melt and causes the growing end of the boule to melt.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode or laser diode comprises a sapphire substrate and, grown on the substrate, a GaN buffer layer, an n-doped GaN contact layer, an n-doped (AlGa)N cladding layer, a Zn-doped (InGa)N active layer, a p-doped (AlGa)N cladding layer and a p-doped GaN contact layer. Graded layers are introduced at the interfaces between the cladding layers and both the contact layers and the active layer. The constituency of each graded layer is graded from one side to the other of the layer such that the layer is lattice matched with the adjacent layer on each side with the result that the strain at the interfaces between the layers is reduced and the possibility of deleterious dislocations being introduced at the interfaces is minimised. By removing or reducing such dislocations, the efficiency of the operation of the device is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a workpiece in a micro-environment includes a workpiece housing connected to a motor for rotation. The workpiece housing forms a processing chamber where one or more processing fluids are distributed across at least one face of the workpiece by centrifugal force generated during rotation of the housing. An array of workpiece housings are contained within an enclosure. A robot moves workpieces into and out of the workpiece housings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use.

Abstract: A paint applying roller is positioned over the sidewall of a tire rotating about a vertical axis and the roller is vertically movable into contact with the sidewall to apply and spread protective paint over white sidewall surfaces.

Abstract: A flow through felt liquid dispensing apparatus for applying liquids to a receiving surface. The dispensing apparatus may include one or more dispensing heads each including a dispensing gun and an articulated rub block. The articulated rub block includes a recess or galley just behind the felt so as to provide a puddle of liquid material for soaking through the felt during a dispensing operation. The apparatus may be tilted so as to present only one dispensing head at a time to the receiving surface. The galley has a geometry to improve the bead profile of the liquid material dispensed onto the surface. Liquid material is dispensed by relative lateral movement between the apparatus and the receiving surface.

Abstract: An improved shaft is described with which a sponge saturated with carbon coating can be pushed through the narrow neck of a cathode ray tube funnel to fully coat the interior of the neck with the carbon coating. The improved shaft is made of a plastic composite material, for example. This improved shaft is much less expensive than previous stainless steel shafts and has enough flexibility that it is not easily bent when plunged into a funnel that is not properly aligned and centered under the shaft.

Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus for applying a coating liquid onto the surface of particles includes a vertically disposed cylindrical product container having a peripheral wall, at least one cylindrical partition defining a centrally located up bed region and a peripherally located down bed region. A nozzle is centrally located through the orifice plate and is adapted to generate a spray of coating liquid upwardly into the up bed. A nozzle ramp is provided around the nozzle. The nozzle ramp is generally cusp shaped and includes nozzle-ramp surface. The nozzle ramp is centrally positioned around the nozzle and is directed upwardly towards the partition so that the nozzle-ramp surface directs particles moving generally horizontally across the orifice plate from the down bed upwardly into the partition and the up bed. The nozzle ramp may further include air passages for passing fluidized air upwardly to the nozzle-ramp surface.

Abstract: A mandrel for supporting a stent and a method of applying a coating to the stent supported by the mandrel are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hoop support for semiconductor wafers reduces contamination of the wafer during edge beveling operations through the use of support pins that make only line contact with the wafer. The support pins are spaced around the periphery of the hoop and possess a triangular cross section. Two intersecting sides of the pins form an edge that defines the line contact with the wafer. These intersecting sides are preferably inclined relative to the wafer at an angle of between 60 and 80 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention is a film forming unit for applying a coating solution to a substrate to form a coating film on the substrate, which has a heating and/or cooling member brought into direct or indirect contact with said substrate for changing a temperature of at least a peripheral portion of the substrate. By changing the temperature of a perimeter portion of the substrate by means of it, a temperature of the coating solution applied on the substrate can be changed. Consequently, surface tension of the coating solution decreases or increases, and swelling of the coating solution occurring at the substrate perimeter portion and reduction in film thickness can be prevented. As a result, a coating film with a predetermined film thickness is formed also on the perimeter portion of the substrate, thus making it possible to enhance yield.

Abstract: A multiple orifice applicator system for dispensing a plurality of rows of fluid material onto a work piece is disclosed. A source of fluid material is in fluid communication with the multiple orifice applicator. The multiple orifice applicator is mounted to a robotic arm, which positions the multiple orifice applicator relative to the work piece to enable the multiple orifice applicator to dispense fluid material onto the work piece. Fluid material is caused to flow from the source of fluid material into the multiple orifice applicator. The fluid material enters the multiple orifice applicator through an inlet port and is dispersed and spread out in a dispersing chamber. The fluid material is dispensed onto the work piece through a plurality of outlet orifices in the multiple orifice applicator.

Abstract: A method for improving the flavor and aroma characters of a smoking article is provided. A mixture consisting essentially of a reducing sugar and optionally a hydroxide of an alkali metal is subjected to heat treatment for a time and under conditions sufficient to produce a flavorful composition. The flavorful composition is then applied to tobacco leaves or cut filler made thereof, and smoking articles are prepared from the tobacco leaves or cut filler.

Abstract: A method and an equipment for cleaning a dispersion head of a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) machine applied to the semiconductor manufacturing industry are provided. The method includes the steps of providing a chemical reaction tank for immersing the dispersion head therein and cleaning the dispersion head with ultrasonic, providing a water tank for immersing the dispersion head therein, providing an organic solvent tank for immersing the dispersion head therein, and providing a drying system for drying the dispersion head. The equipment comprises a chemical reaction tank for immersing the dispersion head therein and cleaning the dispersion head with ultrasonic, a water tank for immersing the dispersion head therein, an organic solvent tank for immersing the dispersion head therein, and a drying system for drying the dispersion head.

Abstract: A method of treating semiconductor wafers in a sealed container is provided and includes transferring and vertically placing a plurality of wafers in the container and sealing the container. An inert gas is fed into the sealed container and a quantity of warm pure water is fed into the sealed container sufficient to completely submerge the plurality of wafers and establish a level of the warm pure water in the sealed container. A vapor or fog of an organic solvent is fed into at least a space in the sealed container above the level of the warm pure water and is then terminated at a prescribed time. The plurality of wafers is dried by aspirating the warm pure water through an outlet in the bottom of the container wherein the pressure in the container is reduced during the aspiration. The inert gas is fed into the sealed container until at least the termination of the drying of the plurality of wafers.

Abstract: A method and a solution are provided for cleaning a container, in particular a boiler of a conventional power station. The container is degreased and pickled in one method step using an alkaline cleaning solution. A suitable cleaning solution includes, for example, an ammonium EDTA salt, hydrazine and a surfactant.

Abstract: A method for the production of (meth)acrylic acid and/or a (meth)acrylic ester is provided. This method for the production of (meth)acrylic acid and/or a (meth)acrylic ester includes washing the device constructed for the production thereof with a basic solution and subsequently rinsing them with a solvent for the purpose of removing solid substances such as polymer and precipitate which occur during the production of (meth)acrylic acid and/or a (meth)acrylic ester.

Abstract: A melt of an iron-based rare earth material alloy, represented by (Fe1-mTm)100-x-y-zQxRyMz, is prepared, wherein T is Co and/or Ni; Q is B and/or C; R is selected from Y (yttrium) and the rare earth elements; M is selected from Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Pt, Au and Pb; 10≦x≦30 at %; 2%≦y<10 at %; 0≦z≦10 at % and 0≦m≦0.5. The melt is fed onto a guide to form a flow of the melt thereon and move the melt onto a melt/chill roller contact region, where the melt is rapidly cooled by the chill roller to make a rapidly solidified alloy. An oxygen concentration of the melt yet to be fed onto the guide is controlled at about 3,000 ppm or less in mass percentage.

Abstract: Steel alloys susceptible to case and core hardening comprise 0.05 to 0.24 wt % carbon; 15 to 28 wt % cobalt and 1.5 to 9.5 wt % in nickel, small percentages of one or more additives: chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium; and the balance iron. Carburized roll form and punch dies and tools made from case hardened steel alloys with a reduced hardness core provide high wear and fatigue resistance as well as improved contact and bending fatigue resistance thereby avoiding premature failure and extending the useful life of such tools.

Abstract: This invention is a method for forming a chemical conversion coating on ferrous metal substrates, the chemical solutions used in the coating and the articles coated thereby. By modifying and combining the features of two existing, but heretofore unrelated, coating technologies, a hybrid conversion coating is formed. Specifically, a molecular iron/oxygen-enriched intermediate coating, such as a dicarboxylate or phosphate, is applied to a ferrous substrate by a first oxidation. The intermediate coating pre-conditions the substrate to form a surface rich in molecular iron and oxygen in a form easily accessible for further reaction. This oxidation procedure is followed by a coloring procedure using a heated (about 120-220° F.) oxidizing solution containing alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal nitrate, alkali metal nitrite or mixtures thereof, which reacts with the iron and oxygen enriched intermediate coating to form magnetite (Fe3O4).

Abstract: The present invention provides a cold-rolled sheet exhibiting superior strain-aging hardenability which is suitable for use in automobile bodies, and a method for manufacturing the same. In particular, a slab including, by mass, not more than 0.15% carbon, not more than 0.02% Al, and 0.0050% to 0.0250% nitrogen in which Si+Mn/5+10P is adjusted to less than 0.44 and the ratio N/Al is adjusted to not less than 0.3 is hot-rolled at a finish-rolling delivery temperature FDT of not less than 800° C., and then coiled at a temperature of not more than 650° C. Next, after cold-rolling, continuous-annealing at a temperature between the recrystallization temperature and 950° C., primary cooling for cooling to a temperature zone of not more than 500° C., and overaging in the temperature zone of 350° C. to 450° C. for a retention time of not more than 30 seconds are performed to prepare a steel sheet containing not less than 0.

Abstract: An ultra-high strength cold rolled steel sheet having a tensile strength of 880 to 1170 MPa, that consists essentially of 0.01 to 0.07% C, 0.3% or less Si, 0.1% or less P, 0.01% or less S, 0.01 to 0.1% sol.Al, 0.0050% or less N, 1.6 to 2.5% of the sum of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cr, and Mo, by mass, and a balance of Fe, and that has an inner zone deeper than 10 &mgr;m from the surface of the steel sheet being substantially a martensitic single phase structure. Since the steel sheet has a hole expansion ratio of 75% or more, specified by the Standard of Japan Iron and Steel Federation, JFST1001-1996, the steel sheet has a tensile strength in a range of from 880 to 1170 MPa, and an excellent mechanically joining property, and is suitable for fabricating automobile seat frames.

Abstract: A copper base alloy consisting essentially of tin in an amount from about 0.1 to about 1.5% by weight, phosphorous in an amount from about 0.01 to about 0.35% by weight, iron in an amount from about 0.01 to about 0.8% by weight, zinc in an amount from about 1.0 to about 15% by weight, and the balance essentially copper, including phosphide particles uniformly distributed throughout the matrix, is described. The alloy is characterized by an excellent combination of physical properties. The process of forming the copper base alloy described herein includes casting, homogenizing, rolling, process annealing and stress relief annealing.

Abstract: Aluminum-magnesium alloy product for welded mechanical construction, having the following composition, in weight percent: Mg 3.5-6.0, Mn 0.4-1.2, Zn 0.4-1.5, Zr 0.25 max., Cr 0.3 max., Ti 0.2 max., Fe 0.5 max., Si 0.5 max., Cu 0.4 max.; one or more selected from the group: Bi 0.005-0.1, Pb 0.005-0.1, Sn 0.01-0.1, Ag 0.01-0.5, Sc 0.01-0.5, Li 0.01-0.5, V 0.01-0.3, Ce 0.01-0.3, Y 0.01-0.3, and Ni 0.01-0.3; others (each) 0.05 max., (total) 0.15 max.; and balance aluminum.

Abstract: To identify and manufacture metallic glass forming alloys, large inertial forces or “g”-forces are used to sequentially separate crystalline phases (particles) as they sequentially form and grow in a molten alloy during gradual cooling of the alloy below its liquidus temperature. These forces physically remove and isolate the actual crystalline particles from the remaining liquid as they are formed. Under the influence of a large g-force, this is accomplished by rapid and efficient sedimentation and stratification. Further contamination and nascent solid “debris” in the form of oxides, carbides, or other foreign particles can be removed from the molten alloy using the same sedimentation/stratification technique. Finally, a method of efficiently cooling and solidifying the final low melting stratified and decontaminated liquid into a solid glass component is proposed which utilizes convective heat transport by a cooling gas.

Abstract: A golf club head is comprised of cryogenically treated steel resulting in the striking face having a reduced face thickness of between 0.115 inches and 0.130 inches, and therefore, a reduced striking face mass. Extra material which is eliminated from the striking face, is distributed in other areas of the club head to enhance performance. In an iron club head embodiment, the club head includes a heel portion, toe portion, bottom sole portion, top ridge portion, hosel portion, striking face, rear surface, and peripheral mass on the rear surface which forms a rear cavity. A cantilevered mass extends from the bottom sole portion toward the top ridge portion within the rear cavity, spaced apart from the rear surface. In a wood club head embodiment, the club head includes a hollow body having an inner cavity delimited by a sole portion, a striking face, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a crown portion which links the striking face, toe portion, and heel portion.

Abstract: The reduced toxicity hypergolic bipropellant fuels of the present invention contain a hypergolic fuel and rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer, preferably HTP. The hypergolic fuel may be a reactive fuel or a catalytic fuel. The rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer consists of about 90 weight % to about 99 weight % H2O2, more preferably about 94 weight % to 99 weight % H2O2. However, hypergolic ignition may be attained with a H2O2 content as low as 70 weight % for some reactive fuels. The reactive fuel comprises about 6 weight % to 10 weight % reducing agent in a solvent. The catalytic fuel comprises about 6 weight % to 10 weight % catalytic agent in a solvent. The reactive fuels contain ingredients that are intrinsically reactive with rocket grade hydrogen peroxide. Upon contact with rocket grade hydrogen peroxide oxidizer, reactive fuels react vigorously with the hydrogen peroxide resulting in ignition. The catalytic fuels are produced by dissolving a catalytic agent in a solvent.

Abstract: In a method of producing an interior trim material, a laminated structure is formed by laminating a skin material, a mat-like fiber structure, and a high-melting-point fiber sheet in this order. The mat-like fiber structure is prepared by blending thermoplastic fibers and inorganic fibers, and the high-melting-point fiber sheet is formed from fibers having a melting point higher than that of the thermoplastic fibers. At least the mat-like fiber structure is heated so that the thermoplastic fibers are melted. The laminated structure is then compressed under pressure by a hot press machine, and then expanded to restore at least part of the thickness thereof. The laminated structure thus expanded is then formed into a certain shape by a cold press machine, while the thermoplastic fibers of the mat-like fiber structure maintains plasticity.

Abstract: Very thin cast ceramic tape, preferably approximately 12 &mgr;m in thickness, is wrapped, preferably in a reversing spiral or helix, around a mandrel, preferably a mandrel made of steel and coated with a wax releasing agent, for so many times, preferably five or greater, as achieves a desired thickness of a tube wall, preferably about 100 &mgr;m. The green ceramic tube is then laminated in a pressure laminator, preferably a hydrostatic laminator at 3000 to 5000 psi, linking polymer chains between each ceramic layer, cross-linking polymer chains within each ceramic layer, and densifying the produced ceramic laminate tube by reducing porosity.

Abstract: A method of forming a nonwoven fabric suitable for metal-finishing buffing operations includes providing a precursor web comprising polyester, staple length fibers, with hydroentanglement of the web effected to impart desired physical characteristics. Hydroentanglement is effected on a three-dimensional, image transfer device having an array of three-dimensional surface elements for patterning the fabric which is formed. Application of a binder composition lends desired durability to the fabric, with the binder composition preferably including a melamine polymeric composition to achieve the desired strength and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing motor car steering wheels with an external shell made of composite materials, which comprises preparing a pile of sheets of composite materials, hot molding thereof for obtaining respective half-shells with a shape corresponding to that of respective halves of the steering wheel being manufactured, mechanical flattening of the front surfaces of the two half-shells, applying the two half-shells to opposite parts of a steering wheel body formed by a metallic core covered by resin, and mutual fixing of the two half-shells along said front surfaces. After flattening, the front surfaces of the two half-shells are mechanically worked to form respective complementary teeth which can be male-female coupled when the two half-shells are applied around the steering wheel body.

Abstract: A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wood board for use as flooring panels and a method of making the wood board. The wood board has the strength and outer surface finish of hardwood boards, increased flexibility, and a lower cost than hardwood boards. The wood board of the present invention comprises a core layer having plural veneer layers oriented such that longitudinal grain structures of adjacent layers are perpendicular with respect to each other, and each veneer having longitudinal pierced slots placed therein oriented in parallel with their respective longitudinal grain structures; and a longitudinally sliced face layer placed upon the inner core layer. This wood board and flooring panel of the present invention have high strength, high flexibility and superior surface smoothness. Further, the present invention provides lower manufacturing costs and thus lower costs for the consumer.

Abstract: A method of anchoring fastening tabs to side portions of a disposable sanitary garment, such as a diaper or an incontinence guard includes the steps of cutting out holes in a backing sheet in opposite side portions of the rear or front part thereof; joining a top sheet to the cut backing sheet with an absorbent body disposed between these sheets to create a composite blank; placing fastening tabs in the side portions of the composite blank containing the cut out holes in the backing sheet with the manufacturer's ends of the tabs each being disposed in one of the holes, the tabs being made of a material which is compatible to the top sheet material from a welding point of view; and anchoring the manufacturer's ends of the fastening tabs to the top sheet by welding.

Abstract: A cooling system and a semiconductor apparatus, in which the cooling system may supply a reaction chamber with a coolant (such as helium or a mixture containing helium) during a semiconductor wafer fabrication process. The cooling system may generally include a printed circuit board, a coolant flow controller having a setpoint control to set a flow of coolant by transmitting a voltage signal to the printed circuit board, and a filter for removing undesired noise from the voltage signal to stabilize the flow of coolant.

Abstract: There is provided a clustered device for manufacturing a semiconductor device in which a cleaning chamber, a rapid thermal processing chamber, an optical measurement chamber, and the like are arranged around a load-lock room. In an optical measurement system, there are disposed an exciting light source, a measuring light source, a light detector, a control/analyze system, and the like. During the formation of an oxide film, for example, a wafer is cleaned in the cleaning chamber and then the amount of a natural oxide film remaining on the wafer or the like is measured by optical modulation reflectance spectroscopy in the optical measurement chamber. As a result, the surface state of the wafer can be monitored in the course of sequential process steps. By measuring the thickness of a film on a semiconductor region by optical evaluation in the clustered manufacturing device, the manufacturing process using the clustered device can be controlled.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing container 53 whose interior has a mount table 10, a glass plate 8 for covering an upper opening of the processing container 53, a microwave supplier 50, a coaxial waveguide 52 having its end connected with the microwave supplier 50 to have an inner conductor 52B and an outer conductor 52A, a radial waveguide box 54 connected to the other end of the outer conductor 52A of the coaxial waveguide 52 and formed to expand from the other end of the outer conductor 52A outward in the radial direction and subsequently extend downward, a disc-shaped antenna member 60 for covering a lower opening of the radial waveguide box 54, the antenna member 60 having its central part connected with the other end of the inner conductor 52B, and a metallic reflector 64 arranged on the opposite side of the antenna member's part connected with the inner conductor 52B, for reflecting ah electric field reflected by an inner wall of the processing container 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding device for strip-shaped tire components. The inventive device is situated in a conveying device for a tire construction drum. The feeding device comprises one or several storage means, feeding and cutting devices pertaining thereto as well as transport devices by means of which the cut tire components are transported to the tire construction drum. The transport devices which withdraw the tire component from the storage means and position said tire component under the cutting device and the transport devices which transport the cut tire component to the tire construction drum are configured as an interconnected one-piece transport system in a transport line. The transport system can be displaced between a rear cutting and feeding position and a support position that is moved to the front. The conveying devices are arranged in such a way that the one-piece transport system engages with the cutting devices in the rear position thereof.

Abstract: Paper comprising aldehyde modified cellulose pulp having selected aldehyde content. Another embodiment involves a method of preparing celullose aldehydes using selective oxidation with a limited amount of oxidant and a nitroxyl radical mediator and defined reaction conditions to provide oxidized cellulose material with effective aldehyde content making it particularly suitable for use in making paper with desirable wet strength, temporary wet strength and dry strength properties, including compressive strength and resistance.

Abstract: The present water reclamation system includes a series of concentric thin shells. The shells mount within a housing that can be maintained under vacuum or low pressure. The shells rotate at high velocity. Contaminated liquid from outside the housing is injected into the space between half the shells. The centrifugal force causes the liquid to form a thin film along the inward facing surface of the shell. A compressor lowers the pressure adjacent the thin film causing the liquid to boil. The compressor carries the vapor to the other side of those shells at a slightly higher temperature. There the vapor encounters the wall, which is cooler because its heat was transferred to boil the contaminated liquid. The vapor condenses, and rotation throws the condensate against the adjacent wall where it is collected. When condensing, the heat of condensation transfers to the shell for boiling the incoming contaminated liquid.

Abstract: A method for the separation and purification of an aqueous mixture of main components, namely acetic acid and formic acid and non-volatiles by extraction, uses a solvent in a circulatory system. A raffinate stream is mixed with the larger proportion of water from a solvent stripper column (11) for the removal of water. The extraction stream is introduced into a solvent distillation column (8), from which in a first step involving the use of a mixture (A) containing a larger proportion of the solvent is separated out via a header and a mixture (B) of formic acid, water and solvent is separated out via a side offtake and a mixture (C) of acetic acid and non-volatiles is also separated out. A mixture (B) is introduced into a formic acid distillation column (4) for further processing, and a mixture (C) is introduced into an acetic acid distillation column (5), and purified acetic acid is subsequently isolated in the acetic acid distillation column (5) from the header.

Abstract: Novel accelerated methods involving corona discharge, and preferably pulsed streamer high voltage corona discharge, in combination with an effective amount of suitable particles to break down organic contaminants, such as phenol and phenol red, in aqueous mediums are disclosed. More particularly, it has been discovered that the addition of an effective amount of suitable particles to the aqueous phase of a corona reactor greatly affects the properties of the corona discharge, i.e., streamer length, intensity, number of streamers and sparkover voltage, thereby significantly increasing the breakdown voltage (i.e., the maximum voltage prior to sparkover), so that the removal of organic contaminants may be accelerated, since the production of hydroxyl radicals, aqueous electrons and hydrogen peroxide increases with increases in the applied discharge voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a layer of a material which contains a metal on a workpiece surface, in an installation including a deposition chamber; a workpiece support providing a workpiece support surface within the chamber; a coil within the chamber, the coil containing the metal that will be contained in the layer to be deposited; and an RF power supply connected to deliver RF power to the coil in order to generate a plasma within the chamber, a DC self bias potential being induced in the coil when only RF power is delivered to the coil. A DC bias potential which is different in magnitude from the DC self bias potential is applied to the coil from a DC voltage source.

Abstract: A method of forming polycrystalline silicon for a liquid crystal display device is disclosed in the present invention. The method includes forming an amorphous silicon layer on a substrate, forming a plurality of catalytic metal clusters on the amorphous silicon layer, forming a catalytic metal gettering layer adjacent to the amorphous silicon layer, and heat-treating the substrate including the amorphous silicon layer to transform the amorphous silicon layer into a polycrystalline silicon layer, wherein unreacted catalytic metal clusters migrate to the catalytic metal gettering layer in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

Abstract: An oxygen-concentrating equipment comprising an oxygen-concentrating means for separating oxygen from air and concentrating the oxygen, a humidifying means for humidifying the oxygen-concentrated air produced by said oxygen-concentrating means, and an oxygen-supplying means for supplying the humidified oxygen-concentrated air to a user, characterized in that said humidifying means has at least a cation-conducting solid electrolyte membrane equipped with electrodes on both the sides of the membrane and an electric source for applying an electric current to said electrodes.

Abstract: A plating cell base design that utilizes a single connection that provides both fluid communication and electrical communication to the cell. The design eliminates many of the components previously necessary to effectuate fluid and electrical seals. With fewer connections, material cost is reduced, reliability is enhanced, and downtime is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for detecting substance concentration or activity or for determining the presence of substances based on electrochemical reactions. The electrochemical sensor comprises an electrode with surfaces inside the electrode, wherein electrochemical detection reactions occur. Said sensor guarantees high flow densities and is suitable for miniaturization. A substance-recognizing agent is advantageously placed in the electrode in contact with the inner surfaces. This enables not only short response times and long service life but also measurements with excellent linearity.

Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor, which has a substantially more compact design and is manufactured with a considerably reduced manufacturing effort. A conical, calotte-shaped, hemispherical or cylindrical outer housing is provided with gas admission openings (3, 203). A cover (8, 208) as well as a layer structure is provided with, from the outside to the inside, the diffusion membrane (4, 204) with the electrodes (5, 6, 7; 205, 206, 207) applied thereto in a planiform manner, a layer (11, 211) consisting of a mat material or a porous body, which accommodates the electrolyte, and an electrolyte space (10, 210), which is filled at least partially with the electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method comprising a step which consists in producing, on a precursor alloy powder containing at least the elements Cr, Al and Y, using a chemical or electrolytic deposition bath, a deposition containing at least a modifying element such as platinum, palladium, ruthenium or rhenium. The modifying element enhances the capacity of the coating to form from phase &bgr;, by exposure to oxygen at high temperature, an adhesive alumina surface barrier. The invention is useful for protecting against corrosion and oxidation at high temperatures aviation turbine blades.