Abstract: The present invention provides a ceramic structure for improving the resistance against a corrosive substance and to diffuse and supply a fluid over a larger area of the structure. A ceramic laminated article has a ceramic sintered body, and a ceramic film provided on the sintered body by means of chemical vapor deposition. A hollow surrounded by the sintered body and film, and holes in communication with the hollow and the outside are formed in the article. A filling material is filled in the recess of the sintered body and the holes are formed. The thus obtained assembly is heat treated to dissipate and remove the filling material through the communicating holes, so that the recess is left as the hollow.

Abstract: A multilayer structure, used especially as a material of high relative permittivity, includes a plurality of separate layers, each having a thickness of less than 500 Å, and based on hafnium dioxide (HfD2), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and alumina (Al2O3). In practice, the hafnium dioxide, zirconium dioxide and alumina layers form alloys of formula HfxZrAlyOz. Advantageously, the stoichiometry of the HfxZrAlyOz alloys varies from one layer to another.

Abstract: A pellicle formed by bonding a pellicle membrane composed of synthesized glass on a pellicle frame by an adhesive wherein a light shielding member for shielding ultra-violet rays irradiated to the adhesive is provided at a portion where the pellicle membrane is bonded to the pellicle frame, whereby the adhesive for bonding the pellicle membrane to the pellicle frame is prevented from being deteriorated due to the irradiation of ultra-violet rays for cleaning.

Abstract: A system in accordance with a present invention includes a host device and a fuel cell apparatus with an information storage device. A method of operating a host device in accordance with a present invention includes the step(s) of writing data to, and/or accessing data on, a fuel cell apparatus information storage device.

Abstract: A multifuel fuel cell system includes a hydrogen production unit; at least one fuel cell; means for heating a first catalytic converter element in the hydrogen production unit to an operating temperature which can be preset; means for metering liquid fuel, air, and optionally water to the catalytic converter element to produce a synthetic gas mixture containing hydrogen or a reformate; and means for passing the synthetic gas or reformate to further components of the hydrogen production unit which are connected between the catalytic converter element and the at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell system also contains means for switching the fuel cell system between a first and a second operating mode.

Abstract: A tube having a passage for passage of a temperature-regulating medium therethrough has a surface covered with an elastic insulating layer which is coated with an insulating lubricant. The tube is inserted in a through hole which is defined in a fuel cell stack in the direction in which generator cells are stacked.

Abstract: The present invention provides the fuel cell system, in which the decrease in the power generation and the degradation of the durability of the fuel cell can be prevented even if the temperature of fuel cell is low at starting or the ambient temperature is low. On the fuel cell starting electric power generation, the air supplied to the cathode inlet is humidified by the hollow fiber membrane humidifier and the hydrogen gas supplied to be anode inlet is humidified by another hollow fiber membrane humidifier. The cooling fluid of the cooling line, which absorbs the heat from the fuel cell and flows into the heat exchanger, heats the hollow fiber membrane humidifiers. Thus the humidification is promoted by heating the humidified air and hydrogen gas to raise their dew-point temperatures.

Abstract: A sealing material for sealing the edges on at least one side of a solid polymer fuel cell separator is provided. This sealing material includes (A) an organopolysiloxane with at least two alkenyl groups bonded to silicon atoms within each molecule, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane with at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms within each molecule, (C) a fumed silica with a specific surface area of 50 to 250 m2/g which has undergone surface treatment with at least two different surface treatment agents, and (D) an addition reaction catalyst. This sealing material displays excellent moldability, heat resistance and elasticity, has a compression set within air and within an acidic aqueous solution which can be suppressed to a low value, and produces an excellent seal, particularly in an acidic aqueous solution.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a parallel laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane electrode assembly obtained by bonding electrodes to both surfaces of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane suitably for use in a solid polymer fuel cell. In order to maintain not only the solid polymer electrolyte but also the electrode in appropriate wet states, the catalyst layer of the assembly contains a metalloxane polymer in the intra-catalyst-layer electrolyte including an electrode catalyst preferably in an amount of 0.5 to 50 wt % of the total weight of the intra-catalyst-layer electrolyte and the metalloxane polymer contained therein exclusive of the electrode catalyst.

Abstract: A vent valve includes a vent cap closed by a cover plate with an orifice through it. The vent cap has a circular section and includes two diametrally opposed vent holes on its circumferential wall. An elastic seal having three vertices arranged in a triangle and connected in pairs by respective circular arcs—and preferably in the shape of a REULEAU triangle—is compressed between the bottom of the vent cap and the cover plate. The seal therefore blocks the orifice. If the fluid pressure at the orifice is sufficiently high, the fluid compresses the seal further and makes a path for itself between the seal and the cover plate and then escapes through the vent holes. The vent valve is suitable for use in a storage cell, in which case the cover plate can be used to close its casing.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a safety feature that finds particular utility in batteries with flexible shells. Conductors to be attached to the electrodes of a battery are thin strips, and the strength of such a conductive strip (20) is reduced at one point e.g. by cutting a slit (22) on its side. At one side of the slit the conductive strip is attached to the top part (61) of the battery shell, and at the other side of the slit to the bottom part (62) of the battery shell. If overcharging, for instance, generates an overpressure inside the battery, the battery shell bulges and tears (B) the conductive strip in two starting at the slit. This way, the structures and equipment around the battery will avoid damage possibly caused by battery chemicals or high temperature. The arrangement according to the invention makes separate internal battery protection components redundant and has low costs.

Abstract: A PTC device formed integrally on a PCB substrate, such a PCB substrate, a secondary battery protection circuit device comprising such PCB substrate provided with a circuit to control the voltage and current of secondary batteries, and a secondary battery assembly provided with said device. A PCB substrate 1 is provided with an electronic component 2 and a PTC device 3. The PTC device 3 has a construction having a PTC material 6 in the center, which is provided with foils 7, 7′ made of nickel foil on its top and bottom; an outlet electrode 4 is provided on the foil 7, and an outlet electrode 5, provided on the PCB substrate, is soldered below.

Abstract: A square shaped battery includes: an electrode plate group including a belt-like positive electrode plate, a belt-like negative electrode plate, and a belt-like separator, the belt-like positive electrode plate, the belt-like negative electrode plate, and the belt-like separator being laminated and rolled up to form the electrode plate group; and a pair of power collectors disposed on sides of the electrode plate group for collecting electric power from the electrode plate group.

Abstract: A solid, gel type non-aqueous electrolyte for use in an electrochemical cell, the electrolyte including: (a) at least one polymer compound; (b) at least one organic solvent, and (c) at least one electrolytically active salt represented by the formula: M′(ZRnXq-n)m in which: M′ is selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, and aluminum; Z is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, phosphorus, antimony and arsenic; R represents radicals selected from the following groups: alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, phenyl, benzyl, and amido; X is a halogen (I, Br, Cl, F); m=2-3; n=0-5 and q=6 for Z=phosphorus, antimony, and arsenic, and n=0-3 and q=4 for Z=aluminum and boron, wherein the polymer compound, organic solvent, and electrolytically active salt interact to form a non-aqueous electrolyte having a solid, gel type structure.

Abstract: In order to obtain a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a high capacity and excellent charge/discharge cycle characteristics, a halogen-containing organic magnesium compound represented by the formula (1): RMgX, where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, X is fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom or iodine atom; or the formula (2): RMgY, where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, Y is —ClO4−, —BF4−, —PF6− or —CF3SO3− is added to the non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: A secondary battery is characterized by using an organic material including carbon having a conjugate electron cloud and coupled with an electron attractive group; or a material obtained by baking a fluorocarbon polymer or graphite fluoride in an inert atmosphere at a temperature in the range of from the decomposition start temperature to 1000° C., as a positive electrode active material for the secondary battery.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery is resistant to the reflow temperature during reflow soldering. The non-aqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery has a positive electrode having an active material comprised of an oxide of molybdenum, a negative electrode comprised of lithium and SiO, an electrolytic solution comprised of a material containing a supporting salt and resistant to the reflow temperature during reflow soldering of the non-aqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery, and a gasket comprised of a compound selected from the group consisting of LCP, PEEK, PEN, and tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer resin.

Abstract: A member having a lithium metal thin film is provided, which is extremely thin, uniform, and not degraded by air. The member includes a substrate and a thin lithium metal film formed on the substrate by a vapor deposition method. The thin film typically has a thickness of 0.1 &mgr;m to 20 &mgr;m. The substrate is typically made of a metal, an alloy, a metal oxide, or carbon. The substrate typically has a thickness of 1 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m. The member is used as an electrode member for a lithium cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and more particularly to its separator, and it is an object thereof to prevent electrolyte leakage accident due to elevation of cell internal pressure even if the cell is exposed to high temperature without sacrificing the cell capacity. To achieve the object, by using the polyolefin group separator large in endothermic calorie per unit area by the heat of fusion in a temperature range of 70 to 150° C., and selecting appropriate graphite powder for negative electrode and organic solvent in nonaqueous electrolyte, the electrolyte leakage accident can be successfully eliminated by suppressing the reaction between the cell active substance and organic solvent, thereby suppressing elevation of cell internal pressure.

Abstract: A reticle having a pellicle frame and pellicle membrane is cleaned without removing or damaging the pellicle membrane. A cover encases the pellicle membrane and pellicle frame, sealing the pellicle membrane from the external environment during a cleaning process. The cover fits around the periphery of the pellicle frame and covers the pellicle membrane. An edge of the cover in contact with the reticle forms a seal. The reticle is fastened to reticle supports on a spin chuck during the cleaning process. An anchor plate presses the cover to the reticle, maintaining the pellicle sealed from the external environment. The cover and reticle are sandwiched together between the anchor plate and spin chuck.

Abstract: A substrate exposure apparatus, having a line light source and a control system. The line light source has several point light sources. The control system converts the pattern into a timing signal to control the light status and dark status of each point light source. The control system also controls a scan light source to radiate the photoresist on the substrate, so that the photoresist is exposed. Further, in a substrate exposure method, multiple point light sources are arranged as at least one line light source to scan the photoresist once or several times to obtain a better resolution of the pattern transferred to the photoresist.

Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member comprised of a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer and a charge transport layer, and wherein said charge transport layer contains a component that substantially prevents light of a wavelength of about equal to or about less than 700 nanometers from interaction with said photogenerating layer.

Abstract: An ester wax is obtained by a condensation reaction of carboxylic acid and alcohol; wherein the carboxylic acid contains a single kind of saturated linear monocarboxylic acid having 14 to 30 carbon atoms as a main component, and the single kind of carboxylic acid is contained in a ratio of 60 wt % or more of the entire carboxylic acid; the alcohol contains a single kind of saturated linear monohydric alcohol having 14 to 30 carbon atoms or a single kind of polyhydric alcohol having 2 to 6 hydroxyl groups and having 2 to 30 carbon atoms as a main component, and when the monohydric alcohol is the main component, the monohydric alcohol is contained in a ratio of 60 wt % or more of the entire alcohol, and when the polyhydric alcohol is the main component, the polyhydric alcohol is contained in a ratio of 80 wt % or more of the entire alcohol; and the ester wax has an acid value of 3 mgKOH/g or less, and a hydroxyl value of 5 mgKOH/g or less, and a maximum peak temperature in a differential thermal curve is in a r

Abstract: A process for crosslinking an image comprising applying ultraviolet light to an image comprised of a toner containing an unsaturated resin and colorant.

Abstract: A device for articulated connection between a control element and a control rod having a ball head comprising a main body attachable to the control element. The main body envelops a locating section providing positive location for the ball head and has an opening area through which the control rod extends when the device is assembled. According to the invention, the locating section is in two parts whereby the main body forms a part into which the ball head can be introduced through a joint duct located outside the opening, while a molding insertable into the joint duct forms the other part of the locating section. As a result, a simple device is created, guaranteeing connection between the control element and the control rod which is backlash-free or has little backlash.

Abstract: A black and white silver halide motion picture sound recording film is disclosed comprising a transparent support bearing at least one silver halide emulsion layer and an antihalation layer comprising filter dye which is incorporated in the form of a solid particle dispersion which is readily solubilized and removed or decolorized upon standard processing in the D-97 process as specified in Kodak publication H-24, so as to result in a minimum density of 0.07 or less.

Abstract: The invention provides a 1,2-naphthoquinone-2-diazidesulfonate ester photosensitive agent which is useful as a photosensitive agent employed in a photoresist for producing semiconductor integrated circuits, liquid crystal displays, EL displays, etc., a method for producing the photosensitive agent, and a photoresist composition containing the photosensitive agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrahigh contrast photographic material comprising a support bearing a silver halide emulsion layer, containing at least one hydrazide nucleating agent in the emulsion layer and/or a hydrophilic colloid layer, wherein the nucleating agent comprises 2 to 4 hydrazide moieties which are linked directly to one another or to one another by a linking group. The material optionally contains a booster compound in the emulsion layer or hydrophilic colloid layer to enhance the ultrahigh contrast and to promote activity, or a booster compound may be present in the developer solution. The nucleating agents show unexpectedly good nucleation and low sensitivity to variation in development conditions and their synthesis is consistent, efficient and robust.

Abstract: A color filter array having a green filter layer on a substrate wherein the green filter layer comprises a copper phthalocyanine dye having its absorption maximum at a wavelength of 600 to 700 nm, and a pyridone azo dye having its absorption maximum at a wavelength of 400 to 500 nm; and has a transmittance at a wavelength of 450 nm of 5% or less and that at 535 nm of 62% or more is provided; and the color filter array shows excellent spectroscopic characteristics with respect to green light and has a green filter layer excellent in light fastness.

Abstract: Provided are alkenyl ether-based monomers having multi-ring structure, and photosensitive polymers and resist compositions obtained from the same. The photosensitive polymer includes a monomer unit represented by the following formula: wherein R4 and R5 are independently -H or -CH3, and R4 are independently -H, -OH or a alkyl group having 1-20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Copolymers and terpolyers are used in chemically amplified resists. The terpolymers are of the formula: wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1 to C10 aliphatic hydrocarbon, wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon contains substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride, and combinations thereof; R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1 to C10 aliphatic hydrocarbon, wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon contains substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride, and combinations thereof; R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; R6 is selected from the group consisting of t-butyl and tetrahydropyranyl; m and n are each integers; and wherein n/(m+n) ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.5.

Abstract: Provided is a novel photosensitive resistive ink composition, comprising: (A) a photo curable prepolymer containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated bonds with an a,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid, represented by the formula I, (B) a photocurable monomer containing at least three vinyl groups and an a,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid, (C) a photo-initiator, (D) organic solvents, (E) an epoxy compound containing at least one vinyl group and one epoxy group in the molecule unit, (F) a curing agent capable of allowing a photocurable prepolymer (A) undergo a thermal reaction, and (G) a clay nano-composite capable of increasing the surface area of inorganic materials of the photosensitive resistive ink composition.

Abstract: To alleviate the absolute value control accuracy of phases in a mask having a groove shifter structure, transfer regions 4C, 4D formed at different planar positions on the same plane of the same mask 2 are subjected to a multiple exposure by scanning exposure. Although identical mask patterns are formed over the transfer regions 4C, 4D, respective groove shifters 2d provided to these mask patterns are arranged opposite from each other.

Abstract: Resist residues, which is formed in a process of forming Al interconnections, are removed through use of a single chemical. A chemical which contains an organic acid or a salt thereof and water and which has a pH below 8 is used as a treatment for removing resist or resist residues. The chemical may be used in a process in which Al, W, Ti, TiN, and SiO2 are exposed on the surface of a wafer after etching of an Al interconnection; in a process in which Al, W, Ti, TiN, and SiO2 are exposed on the surface of a wafer after etching a hole reaching an Al interconnection in an dielectric layer; in a process in which Cu is exposed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer after dry-etching of a Cu interconnection or etching of an interlayer dielectric film laid on a Cu interconnection; and in a process in which metal material such as W, WN, Ti, or TiN; poly-Si; SiN; and SiO2 are exposed on the surface of a wafer after etching of a metal gate.

Abstract: A multiple pass write method and a reticle made from the method are described. A reticle preform is provided including a transparent substrate, a metal layer, and a layer of a photoresist material. In a first write pass, a first portion of the photoresist material is exposed by an electron beam device. Then, in a second write pass, a second portion of the photoresist material is exposed. The first exposed portion is smaller or has finer dimensions than the second exposed portion. The exposed portions of photoresist material are removed, and the unexposed portions of photoresist serve as a mask. The uncovered portions of the conductive layer are etched. Further, the unexposed portions of the photoresist material are removed, creating a reticle through a multiple write pass strategy.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for fabricating a device using a photolithographic process. The method includes providing a first anti-reflective coating over a surface of a substrate. A layer which is transparent to a wavelength of light used during the photolithographic process is provided over the first anti-reflective coating, and a photosensitive material is provided above the transparent layer. The photosensitive material is exposed to a source of radiation including the wavelength of light. Preferably, the first anti-reflective coating extends beneath substantially the entire transparent layer. The complex refractive index of the first anti-reflective coating can be selected to maximize the absorption at the first anti-reflective coating to reduce notching of the photosensitive material.

Abstract: Supports (3) are formed to be arrayed on a support base (1), a sacrifice layer (15) is formed of a resin material, and the sacrifice layer (15) is planarized so as to expose the top of the respective supports (3), thereby forming a thin-film substrate (5) on top of the sacrifice layer (15) as planarized, and the supports (3). The sacrifice layer (15) is removed by plasma selective etching thereof through the intermediary of the thin-film substrate, and thereby a large-area thin-film substrate (5) floatingly spaced by a space (7) away from the support base (1) can be fabricated.

Abstract: A lithography method for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, which prevents lithographic exposure of a periphery region or edge region of a semiconductor wafer and which prevents the formation of black silicon related particle contamination in a patterned region on the periphery region as a result of, e.g., a deep trench manufacturing process. A quencher solution is applied at peripheral areas of the wafer on which a photoresist layer is formed. The quencher solution neutralizes acid generated in the photoresist when the photoresist is exposed to radiation, thereby preventing the photoresist on the peripheral region of the wafer to dissolve during a subsequent developing process.

Abstract: A method for making a magnetic sensor for a disk drive read head, the method comprising the steps of depositing a magnetoresistive stack on a surface of a first layer of material, depositing a resist layer on a first portion of the magnetoresistive stack, removing a second portion of the magnetoresistive stack not covered by the resist layer, depositing a layer of additional material on the magnetoresistive stack, the resist material, and the surface of the first layer, removing the additional material from sidewalls of the resist material, and using a lift-off process to remove the resist material. Magnetic sensors made by the above process are also included.

Abstract: The formation of self-assembled patterns in a substrate through deformation induce by a mask placed above the substrate are disclosed. Methods of the present invention may be used to form arrays of nanometer sized pillars as well as mesas from a thin deformable layer of the substrate or a thin film of material deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: A solution having a photosensitive radical is applied onto a resist film, a developing solution is applied thereonto, and the entire surface of the solution having the photosensitive radical is exposed all at once. Developing of the resist film progresses all at once after a coating film of the solution having the photosensitive radical dissolves in the developing solution, and hence time difference in the start time of developing does not occur in the surface of a substrate, thereby enabling uniform developing and an improvement in line width uniformity (CD value uniformity) in the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Aqueous-based photothermographic materials comprise a hydrophilic binder, preformed silver halides, an organic silver salt other than a silver carboxylate, a reducing agent composition, and one or more mercaptotriazoles as toners in one or more thermally developable imaging layers. These layers have a pH less than 7. These photothermographic materials can be used in combination with phosphor intensifying screens for radiographic imaging.

Abstract: Aqueous-based thermally sensitive emulsions and imaging materials include a mixture of binders in at least one imaging layer. These binder mixtures include from 70 to about 99 weight % of hydrophilic binders such as gelatin and gelatin derivatives, and the remainder of the total binder weight is composed of one or more hydrophobic binders or water-dispersible polymer latexes. These binder mixtures are particularly useful in imaging layers of thermographic and photothermographic materials and provide long term keeping and reduced crystallization of fatty acids.

Abstract: A processing method has been provided for an exposed silver halide black-and-white negative working sound recording film element, said processing method comprising the steps of processing said sound recording film element in a processing apparatus providing processing ability in a daylight environment, said processing method comprising the steps of developing in a time of less than 20 seconds; fixing in a fixer; rinsing and drying; making use of an automatic processing machine, the mentioned processing steps being followed by a step of controlling black-and-white densitometry, therefor providing the processing machine with a densitometer; further recording in a motion picture color print film and processing therein image area frames originating from an exposed and processed color negative recording film and from (an) optical soundtrack(s) originating from a silver halide black-and-white negative working sound recording film element, wherein said film element has been processed, after having been exposed, by t

Abstract: A silver halide photosensitive material in which a noncoloring compound is used as a high-boiling-point organic solvent for dissolving components of the silver halide photosensitive material that have low solubility in water. Preferably, the silver halide photosensitive material has a hydrophilic colloid layer containing a hydrophilic polymer and the noncoloring compound is contained in the hydrophilic colloid layer. The silver halide photosensitive material produces durable colored images, reduces the formation of stains, improves storability, alleviates fogging and soft-toning of emulsion during storage, inhibits migration of a dispersion medium, is inexpensive, and is produced from materials that cause little damage to the environment.

Abstract: A silver halide emulsion comprising a silver halide grain having a high silver iodide-containing phase, the surface of the silver halide grain being adsorbed with a substance capable of reducing by 50% or more the light emission intensity at 460 nm attributable to the high silver iodide-containing phase at 77° K.

Abstract: The instant methods pertain to an improved methods for storing neural cells, preferably dissociated neural cells, prior to their use in transplantation and to the cells obtained using such methods. One embodiment pertains to methods for storing the neural cells in medium lacking added buffer or added protein, other embodiments feature neural cells which are maintained at 4° C. prior to cryopreservation and have comparable viability and/or functionality to freshly harvested cells. In addition, methods for storing and/or transplantation of porcine neural cells are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing interleukin-1 receptor antagonists, a prophylatically or therapeutically effective protein. A syringe is filled with a body fluid and incubated. The prophylatically or therapeutically effective protein is then produced in the body fluid.

Abstract: Conditionally-immortalized human CNS progenitor cell lines are provided. Such cell lines, which may be clonal, may be used to generate neurons and/or astrocytes. Such cell lines and/or differentiated cells may be used for the development of therapeutic agents to prevent and treat a variety of CNS-related diseases. Such cell lines and/or differentiated cells may also be used in assays and for the general study of CNS cell development, death and abnormalities.