Abstract: A prosthetic or orthotic sleeve includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a center portion extending between the distal and proximal portions. An external surface of the sleeve includes at least one peripheral profile portion having an undulating wall thickness defined as a plurality of projections arranged in a pattern.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing shock module comprises two pylons telescopingly engaged to permit axial and rotational motion therebetween. A resilient element, such as a spring-fluid combination, a plurality of interconnected disks, or a Belleville spring, provides axial shock absorption. A tubular torque-resisting cuff provides rotational resistance, or torsion-resistance. A fluid valve is optionally provided so that the fluid pressure may be varied to adjust the torsion resistance.

Abstract: A novel synthetic aluminium tanning agent as an alternative for chromium based tanning salts without using formaldehyde was prepared by using aromatic polymeric matrix and aluminium (III) salts as raw materials with suitable masking agents. The preparation of the syntan consists of sulphonation of aromatic molecule, which is incorporated with a polymeric network along with ligands specially designed for the complexation of aluminium (III) salts. The complex can be used as a self-tanning agent in leather industry with fairly good filling behavior. The tanned leathers exhibit shrinkage temperature about 85° C. Due to the higher precipitation point of the product, it can be used for tanning directly after deliming thus eliminating the pickling process. This product, unlike the conventional phenol based products, does not undergo photo-oxidation thereby preventing the discoloration of the tanned leathers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using heterogeneous cleaning compositions, particularly for cleaning textiles.

Abstract: There are provided compositions for improving the washfastness and color intensity of colored fibers, especially keratin fibers, which comprise a) at least one sugar surfactant chosen from the group consisting of alkyl and alkenyl oligoglycosides or fatty acid N-alkylpolyhydroxyalkylamides and b) at least one fatty acid partial glyceride.

Abstract: A dye composition for dyeing human keratin fibers, such as hair, comprising at least one direct tricationic dye of formula (I) below: Col—Z—Col ??(I) wherein: Col, which may be identical or different, is a monocationic dye chosen from azo dyes, cyanomethine dyes and phenothiazine dyes and Z is chosen from linear and branched, saturated and unsaturated C1–C20 hydrocarbon-based groups comprising at least one nitrogen atom and bearing a cationic charge. Also processes for dyeing human keratin fibers using the dye composition, to the use of the at least one direct tricationic dye of formula (I) as direct dyes, and to multi-compartment devices.

Abstract: In a capacitor 10, a first electrode 21, a dielectric layer 23, a solid electrolytic layer 50 and a second electrode 31 are provided. In a manufacturing process, the dielectric layer 23 and a first solid electrolytic layer 24 formed by a chemical polymerization film are provided on the first electrode 21 side, while a second solid electrolytic layer 32 formed by an electrolytic polymerization film is provided on the second electrode 31 side. Then, the solid electrolytic layers are bonded to each other.

Abstract: A fuel or fuel additives is disclosed which includes particles of cerium oxide which have been doped with a divalent or trivalent metal or metalloid which is a rare earth metal, a transition metal or a metal of group IIA, IIIB, VB, or VIB of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: Solid waste resource recovery in space is effected by pyrolysis processing, to produce light gases as the main products (CH4, H2, CO2, CO, H2O, NH3) and a reactive carbon-rich char as the main byproduct. Significant amounts of liquid products are formed under less severe pyrolysis conditions, and are cracked almost completely to gases as the temperature is raised. A primary pyrolysis model for the composite mixture is based on an existing model for whole biomass materials, and an artificial neural network models the changes in gas composition with the severity of pyrolysis conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a sintered, microcrystalline ?-Al2O3-based shaped body, which are used, for example, as abrasive bodies, wherein an ?-Al2O3 powder is used as starting material, said powder having an average particle diameter of <2 ?m, and processed with at least one binder and a solvent with the purpose of obtaining an extrudable material that is subsequently extruded. The extrudate is then further processed into a shaped body that is sintered at a temperature range of between 1300° C. and 1750° C.

Abstract: A curable emulsion comprises: an oil phase comprising blocked polyisocyanate and curative; and an aqueous phase comprising at least partially neutralized crosslinked copolymer of monomers comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable carboxylic acid and at least one of an alkyl or alkaryl (meth)acrylate. In some embodiments, the curable emulsion further comprises nonionic surfactant. Methods of making the curable emulsions and their use in the manufacture of abrasive articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A particulate trap has a plurality of filters and an air distributor. The air distributor has an inner tube and an outer tube. Each of the inner and outer tubes have a plurality of openings to allow exhaust flow to the plurality of filters. One of the inner and outer tubes is rotatable to selectively block exhaust flow to at least one of the plurality of filters at a given time.

Abstract: A cyclone separating apparatus and a vacuum cleaner having the same are disclosed. More specifically, the cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner comprises a first cyclone for separating drawn-in air, and a plurality of second cyclones installed on an outer periphery of the first cyclone to enclose the first cyclone. Accordingly, because a plurality of the cyclones separates dust, and a bulky structure is improved to a compact structure, suction force deterioration does not occur, and, dust-collecting efficiency is increased.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a reusable filter frame and a replaceable, pleated, reversibly expandable, self-spacing filter removably arranged in the frame. The self-spacing pleated filter expands uniformly with equal pleat spacing to allow the filter to be easily installed in the reusable filter frame without the aid of a secondary spacing structure. When the filter is expanded to the length of the filter frame, the filter is under tension, thereby allowing the length of the filter to be readily adjusted to match the length of the frame and allowing the pleats to be aligned with corresponding ribs provided in the frame.

Abstract: There is disclosed a honeycomb structure comprising a plurality of honeycomb segments (12), bonded into one piece, having an outer peripheral wall (8), cell walls (2) disposed inside the outer peripheral wall, and a large number of cells (3) partitioned by the cell walls and passing through an axial direction. The honeycomb structure (1) comprises the honeycomb segment (12) in which the cell walls (2) have an angle in a range of 25 to 65 degrees to a straight line along an outermost point of the outer peripheral wall (8a) adjacent to another honeycomb segment, in a vertical section to an X-axis direction of the honeycomb structure (1). The honeycomb structure including the honeycomb segment can be used in a filter for trapping particulate in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, boiler, etc. and can be superior in resistance to cracks by a thermal stress.

Abstract: An improved process for enhancing the plant nutrient value of relatively low analysis organic waste material (e.g., sewage sludge) involves treating the waste material with an acid and base in a pipe-cross reactor. The process more particularly involves mixing the waste material with water to form a slurry (or initially taking the waste material as a slurry); pumping the slurry to a pipe-cross reactor for reaction with a base, acid, and water to form a melt; spraying the melt onto a recycling bed of fines in a granulator, and flashing off the water contained in the melt as steam; rolling the melt onto recycled fine particles in a granulator to form granulated particles; and drying these granulated particles to form an enhanced plant nutrient value composition (e.g., a fertilizer or soil conditioner having a greater “NPK” value than the original relatively low analysis organic waste material).

Abstract: A process for producing liquid smelting iron in an electric arc furnace includes several electrodes, equipped with a hearth, and containing a heel covered with a non-foaming liquid slag. The process further includes the reduction of the metallic fines, in order to form pre-reduced metallic fines containing an excess of free carbon; the hot transfer of the pre-reduced metallic fines within a curtain of inert gas into the heel contained in the electric arc furnace; the agitation of the heel by the injection of gas in such a manner that the formation of crusts is avoided; and the smelting of the pre-reduced metallic fines in the electric arc furnace in order to obtain the liquid smelting iron.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of Co or Ni, comprising the steps of: preparing a metallurgical charge comprising Fe, slag formers, and a useful load containing either one or both of Co and Ni; feeding the charge to a shaft furnace; and smelting the charge so as to form a Co or Ni-bearing alloy, an Fe-bearing slag and a gaseous phase, characterised in that the useful load comprises at least 30 wt. % electrochemical batteries or their scrap, and in that the redox potential in the furnace is chosen so as to slag at least 20 wt. % of the Fe, and at most 20 wt. % of the Co or 20 wt. % of the Ni present in the charge.

Abstract: The device and method of the present invention employs a column having a gas inlet in its lower part and a gas outlet in its upper part. Carbon particles are introduced into the column through a supply pipe. The supply pipe is movable so that by manipulating the height of the supply pipe in conjunction with discharging particulate matter through the column, the height of the bed of particulate matter in the column can be adjusted so that the retention time of the off gas in the particulate bed is constant. By maintaining a constant retention time of the off gas in the bed, complete conversion of the off gas is achieved.

Abstract: A composition for use with alloys including extra-fine nickel powder dispersed with a hydrophobic inorganic dispersant which is preferably high-purity silica treated with hexamethyldisilazane (fumed silica). The composition breaks and prevents the agglomeration of the nickel powder, thereby preventing weaknesses in alloys, like steel for example, formed with the nickel powder. A method for making an alloy with the composition includes mixing the nickel powder with other metals and/or nonmetals and the hydrophobic fumed silica to form an alloy blend, pressing the alloy blend, and sintering the alloy blend.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal alloy particles containing substantially no lead, each exhibiting a plurality of different melting points including an original lowest melting point (a) and a highest melting point, wherein, when the metal alloy particles are subjected to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), at least one exothermic peak is observed in the DSC, wherein each of the metal alloy particles exhibits the original lowest melting point (a) at least at a surface portion thereof, and wherein, when each metal alloy particle is heated at a temperature equal to or higher than the original lowest melting point (a) to melt at least a surface portion of each metal alloy particle, followed by cooling to room temperature to thereby solidify the melted portion of each metal alloy particle, the resultant solid metal alloy particle having experienced the melting and solidification exhibits an elevated lowest melting point (a?) higher than the original lowest melting point (a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas recycling system that includes a) a source of gas having a predetermined purity; b) an application system that uses the gas and adds contaminants to the gas; c) an adsorption system for removing the contaminants from the gas to produce a purified gas and a waste gas; d) a gas purity analyzer for measuring the amount of the contaminants in the waste gas; and e) conduits connecting the gas source to the application system, and the application system to the adsorption system.

Abstract: The fumes from gas turbine TG are cooled by heat exchangers E1, E2, E01, E02 and E03 and compressed by compressors C1 and C2. The cold and high-pressure fumes are depleted in carbon dioxide in treating plant 10. The fumes depleted in carbon dioxide are heated by heat exchangers E1 and E2, and expanded by turbines T2, then T1. The energy recovered in form of heat in exchangers E01, E02 and E03 is converted into mechanical energy by the engine cycle used by turbine T, condenser E and pump P. The mechanical energy is available at the shaft of turbine T.

Abstract: This invention relates to gas separation processes using a Li-rho zeolite, in particular to an air separation process where the Li-rho zeolite is an oxygen selective adsorbent.

Abstract: A multi-channel modular device (10) processes between two fluid streams of different compositions. The device (10) includes a porous body (150) having a first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110) disposed in the body (150) for transporting a first stream (180). A pathway wall (114) surrounds each of the first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110) for processing the first stream (180) into a first composition (1852) and a second composition (1802). At least one feed-flow inlet (1101) is disposed in the body (150) for introducing the first stream (180) into the first plurality of feed-flow pathways (110). At least one feed-flow outlet (1102) is disposed in the body (150) for discharging the remaining first stream containing the second composition (1802). At least one second pathway (210) is disposed in the body (150) for transporting a second stream (280) having a second inlet (2101) and a second outlet (2102).

Abstract: A high pressure tank has a cylindrical liner and a fiber reinforced plastic layer which covers the outer surface of the liner. At least one end of the liner is separable. The liner includes a cylindrical liner body and a lid. An O-ring is located between the contact surfaces of the liner body and the lid in the circumferential direction. Each contact surface has a seal surface which contacts the O-ring. One of the liner body and the lid has a deformable portion which deforms toward the seal surfaces. The structure can securely seal the separated portions of the liner when the high pressure tank is in a high pressure state.

Abstract: Materials and methods are described for electroless deposition of copper molybdenum. An aqueous bath composition for the electroless deposition of copper molybdenum includes; a soluble source of copper ions, a soluble source of molybdenum ions, and a reducing agent comprising boron, wherein the composition is adapted to electrolessly produce a copper molybdenum deposit.

Abstract: An electroless copper plating solution using glyoxylic acid as a reducing agent, which is small in the reacting quantity of Cannizzaro reaction, does not largely cause precipitation of the salt accumulated in the electroless copper plating solution by the plating reaction and Cannizzaro reaction, and can be used stably over a long period of time. The electroless copper plating solution comprises copper ion, a complexing agent for copper ion, a reducing agent for copper ion and a pH adjusting agent, wherein the reducing agent for copper ion is glyoxylic acid or a salt thereof, the pH adjusting agent is potassium hydroxide and the electroless copper plating solution contains at least one member selected from metasilicic acid, metasilicic acid salt, germanium dioxide, germanic acid salt, phosphoric acid, phosphoric acid salt, vanadic acid, vanadic acid salt, stannic acid and stannic acid salt in an amount of 0.0001 mol/L or more.

Abstract: An ink containing water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a colorant, wherein the ink exhibits a (? cos ?)1/2 value of 4 to 6, and satisfies Formula (I): 0.3?((?? cos ??)1/2/(? cos ?)1/2)?0.85, wherein ? represents a surface tension (mN/m) of the ink upon initial exposure to atmospheric conditions, ? represents an initial contact angle of the ink with respect to plain paper upon initial exposure to atmospheric conditions; and ?? represents a surface tension (mN/m) of the ink after standing for one hour at 40° C. and relative humidity of 2 percent, and ?? represents an initial contact angle of the ink with respect to plain paper after standing for one hour at 40° C. and relative humidity of 2 percent.

Abstract: An ink set for reducing intercolor bleed and a multi-colored ink jet printing process utilizing the same is provided. The ink set comprises a black ink composition and a plurality of color ink jet ink compositions comprising a colorant and an ink vehicle. The ink vehicle of at least one of the color inks matches the ink vehicle of the black ink. An ink set may also be a hybrid ink set comprising a black/color ink subset that includes a black ink composition and at least one color ink composition, and a color/color ink subset that includes a plurality of color ink compositions, wherein the ink vehicle of the color ink composition(s) in the black/color ink subset matches the ink vehicle of the black ink composition and the ink vehicles of at least one of the color inks in the color/color subsets match the ink vehicle of another color ink in the color/color ink subset.

Abstract: A peelable stenciling ink for imprinting indicia such as letters, numbers and symbols on a surface of an article such as a sport ball made of leather or a synthetic polymer, e.g., a thermoplastic material, consists of a solvent, a dye dispersed in the solvent, and a film-forming polymer soluble in the dye-solvent solution to form a thick paste and hardenable into a solid, flexible film upon evaporation of the solvent from a thin layer of ink applied to an article surface.

Abstract: A water base ink for ink-jet recording contains 0.1% by weight to 4.0% by weight of C.I. Direct Yellow 132; not less than 0.5% by weight of glycol ether having a melting point of not more than ?45°C.; and a water-soluble organic solvent in which a solubility of C.I. Direct Yellow 132 at 20° C. is not less than 5%. The ink satisfies 0.2?B/A and 3?C/A. B/A represents a weight ratio of the glycol ether to the C.I. Direct Yellow 132 contained in the ink, and C/A represents a weight ratio of the water-soluble organic solvent to the C.I. Direct Yellow 132 contained in the ink. The stability in long-term storage after the evaporation of water or at low temperatures can be obtained even when C.I. Direct Yellow 132 is used in the water-base ink for the ink-jet recording.

Abstract: Multilayer interference pigment consisting of a transparent carrier material coated with alternating layers of metal oxides of low and high refractive index, the difference in the refractive indices being at least 0.1, which is obtainable by alternate coating of the transparent carrier material with a metal oxide of high refractive index and with a metal oxide of low refractive index in a wet process by hydrolysis of the corresponding water-soluble metal compounds, separation, drying and, if desired, calcination of the resulting pigment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to effect pigments having a color flop comprising metal oxide-coated SiO2 flakes having a uniform layer thickness, where the color flop runs through all four quadrants of the a,b color coordinate system (CIELAB L,a,b system). The present invention likewise relates to processes for the preparation of these pigments in which SiO2 flakes having a uniform layer thickness are coated with metal oxides, and to the use of these pigments in cosmetics, paints, coatings, plastics, films, in security printing, in security features in documents and identity papers, for coloring seed, for coloring foods or in medicament coatings and for the preparation of pigment compositions and dry preparations.

Abstract: Purposeful addition of crack-initiating voids in the form of low tensile strength particulates, particulates having low matrix interaction, or gas bubbles formed by chemical reaction, in a size range of 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, and preferably of a size commensurate with or larger than naturally occurring crack-initiating gaseous voids, to fiber-reinforced strain hardening cementitious composites generates controlled and uniform cracking which increases strain hardening behavior in conventionally dense cementitious compositions.

Abstract: The present invention describes improved anhydrite cementitious compositions that control or avoid ettringite formation, as well as procedures for manufacture. These compositions exhibit good compression resistance in early stages, good resistance to abrasion and good behavior under water.

Abstract: A method of fabricating high-quality, substantially relaxed SiGe-on-insulator substrate materials which may be used as a template for strained Si is described. A silicon-on-insulator substrate with a very thin top Si layer is used as a template for compressively strained SiGe growth. Upon relaxation of the SiGe layer at a sufficient temperature, the nature of the dislocation motion is such that the strain-relieving defects move downward into the thin Si layer when the buried oxide behaves semi-viscously. The thin Si layer is consumed by oxidation of the buried oxide/thin Si interface. This can be accomplished by using internal oxidation at high temperatures. In this way the role of the original thin Si layer is to act as a sacrificial defect sink during relaxation of the SiGe alloy that can later be consumed using internal oxidation.

Abstract: A method for making a free-standing, single crystal, aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) wafer includes forming a single crystal AlGaN layer directly on a single crystal LiAlO2 substrate using an aluminum halide reactant gas, a gallium halide reactant gas, and removing the single crystal LiAlO2 substrate from the single crystal AlGaN layer to make the free-standing, single crystal AlGaN wafer. Forming the single crystal AlGaN layer may comprise depositing AlGaN by vapor phase epitaxy (VPE) using aluminum and gallium halide reactant gases and a nitrogen-containing reactant gas. The growth of the AlGaN layer using VPE provides commercially acceptable rapid growth rates. In addition, the AlGaN layer can be devoid of carbon throughout. Because the AlGaN layer produced is high quality single crystal, it may have a defect density of less than about 107 cm?2.

Abstract: An applicator for application of a substance onto a material. The applicator has a housing, a valve and a nozzle. The applicator may also have a journal that is connected to the valve which together translate in a linear motion to provide shuttering functionality. The valve may be circular or non-circular in shape. The applicator may extrude hot-melt onto a continuous web or drum. In another embodiment, the applicator may have a housing and a valve. The applicator may also have a journal that is connected to the valve which translate together in a linear motion to profiled product application functionality and rotate together to provide shuttering functionality. The valve may be circular or non-circular in shape. The applicator may extrude hot-melt onto a continuous web or drum.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a coating apparatus and method in which most of the relative movement between a dispensing head and the substrate to be coated is provided by the coating head. The moving head configuration reduces the system footprint and diminishes leveling problems. A powered shuttle mechanism carries a dispensing head above a substrate to be coated while riding on a bearing located underneath the chuck holding the substrate thereby providing rigidity and reducing the system footprint. Chuck support is designed to accommodate anticipated vertical sag in the dispensing head by supporting the chuck at points along its periphery thereby permitting the chuck to sag in conjunction with the dispensing head. The shuttle mechanism is equipped with means for automatically adjusting the height of the dispensing head with respect to substrate to compensate for substrate placement error, substrate dimensional variation, and mechanical drift in the mechanical machine parts.

Abstract: A coater apparatus (10) is disclosed for applying coating material onto a moving web. The apparatus (10) includes an applicator having a first and a second end, the applicator (16) defining a feeding chamber (22) for the reception therein of the coating material (12). The applicator (16) includes a fixed lip (24) which extends from the feeding chamber (22) towards the web (14). A movable lip (26) extends from the feeding chamber (22) such that when the movable lip (26) is disposed in a first disposition thereof, the movable lip (26) cooperates with the fixed lip (24) for defining therebetween a slot for guiding the coating material (12) from the feeding chamber (22) towards the moving web (14). However, when the movable lip (26) is pivoted away from the fixed lip (24) to a second and third disposition thereof, flushing and cleaning of the applicator (16) is permitted.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing different gases to different zones of a processing chamber is provided. A gas supply for providing an etching gas flow is provided. A flow splitter in fluid connection with the gas supply for splitting the etching gas flow from the gas supply into a plurality of legs is provided. A tuning gas system in fluid connection to at least one of the legs of the plurality of legs is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in making a device by forming repetitive sequences of coatings on a flexible substrate including defining a path for the flexible substrate; the flexible substrate being disposed about at least a portion of the path; a first deposition source for depositing material located around the path periphery and in cooperative relationship with the surface of the disposed flexible substrate; an actuable structure effective when actuated for moving the flexible substrate around at least more than one revolution around the path; and actuating the actuable structure and the first deposition source so that at least two separate material coatings are provided on the substrate by the deposition source.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing chamber having an upper wall, a lower wall, and two side walls. The upper and lower walls each comprise two thin, flat plates that are slightly out of parallel so that the wall has a pitch. The pitches point away from the interior chamber space to enable the chamber to withstand reduced pressures.

Abstract: A substrate support assembly positively secures a substrate holder support to a rotation shaft with respect to rotationally applied forces. A substrate holder support is configured to have an opening in a socket into which, when aligned with an indentation in the rotational shaft to form a passage, a retaining member is removably inserted to engage both the socket opening and the shaft indentation. Methods of rotating a substrate while minimizing rotational slippage of the substrate holder support with respect to the shaft are also provided.

Abstract: A method is suitable for cleaning substrates, after polishing, that require a high degree of cleanliness, such as semiconductor wafers, glass substrates, or liquid crystal displays. The method includes polishing a substrate using an abrasive liquid containing abrasive particles, and cleaning a polished surface of the substrate by supplying a cleaning liquid having substantially the same pH as the abrasive liquid or similar pH to the abrasive liquid so that a pH of the abrasive liquid attached to the polished surface of the substrate is not rapidly changed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and controlling the cleaning of membrane separation systems or processes are provided. The present invention uses detectable amounts of one or more inert fluorescent tracers added to a membrane cleaning process stream to evaluate and control the removal of contaminants and impurities during cleaning. The methods and systems of the present invention can be used in a variety of different industrial applications including raw water processing and waste water processing.

Abstract: A stabilized basic aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition is disclosed. The composition contains about 0.3 wt % to about 15 wt % of hydrogen peroxide; water; and a stabilizer system that contains about 10 ppm to about 1% of a stannate stabilizer; 10 ppm to about 1% of a phosphonic acid chelating agent or a mixture of phosphonic acid chelating agents; and 10 ppm to about 1% of an aromatic chelating agent or a mixture of aromatic chelating agents. The composition comprises less than about 10 ppm pyrophosphate, preferably no pyrophosphate; and has a pH greater than 7.0, preferably about 8.0 to about 10.5.

Abstract: An article and method for forming an article having a hard-finished surface including a predetermined density of carbides to improve pitting and wear resistance and to significantly increase the overall life of the article. This method comprises selecting a carburizing grade material to form an article, carburizing the article to form a microstructure on at least one portion of the article having a predetermined density of carbides dispersed in the microstructure to a predetermined depth, quenching the article to form a hardened matrix dispersed with carbides and hard finishing the article to form the surface, the surface having at least approximately 20% by volume fraction carbides dispersed in the hardened matrix.

Abstract: A very low carbon steel alloy is provided for use in manufacturing tubular members such as oil country tubular goods. The tubular members may be radially expanded from at least twenty percent to forty percent. Sections or joints of casing formed from the steel alloy may be installed within a wellbore and radially expanded during completion of the wellbore.