Abstract: A niobium or tantalum powder of the present invention comprises aggregates in which primary particles of niobium or tantalum are aggregated, and have a pore distribution having a peak in the range from 1 to 20 ?m as measured by mercury porosimetry. That is, the niobium or tantalum powder of the present invention comprises aggregates having large pores, which connect with vacancies between the primary particles and facilitate the permeation of an electrolyte over the entirety of the inside of each aggregate. Accordingly, a solid electrolytic capacitor comprising an anode electrode made of the niobium or tantalum powder has high capacity and also a low ESR.

Abstract: Contemplated plants comprise an acid gas removal unit that receives a compressed gas from an injection gas compressor, wherein acid gas is removed from the compressed gas in the acid gas removal unit at a pressure approximately above pipeline pressure.

Abstract: An inert gas generating system for generating inert gas on a vehicle having a fuel tank and a fuel tank vent. The system includes an inlet for receiving a flow of gas having a nitrogen component and an oxygen component from a gas source, a heat exchanger downstream from the inlet and in fluid communication with the inlet for cooling gas received from the inlet, and a gas separation module downstream from the heat exchanger and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger for separating gas received from the heat exchanger into a nitrogen-enriched gas flow and an oxygen-enriched gas flow. The gas separation module is adapted to deliver nitrogen-enriched gas from the nitrogen-enriched gas flow to the fuel tank without delivering the nitrogen-enriched gas through the fuel tank vent. The gas separation module is also adapted to deliver nitrogen-enriched gas from the nitrogen-enriched gas flow to the fuel tank vent.

Abstract: A sorption rotor has end faces and is rotatably journaled to travel during a revolution through an inflow sector and an outflow sector. The rotor is made of a matrix material having a honeycomb structure with axially throughgoing flow passages. The matrix material is constituted of cellulose paper modified by a ceramic material infiltrated by a sol-gel system or a gel-forming low-viscosity liquid into the matrix.

Abstract: A diffuser device (1) for volatile substances comprises a motor unit (2) and a refill unit (3) which can be assembled with each other. The motor unit (2) comprises a fan (6) for sucking in air comprising a body (60) and an electric motor (M1) which drives a plurality of blades (62) in rotation, electrical power supply means (4, 5) for the motor (M1) and a structure (20, 21) to support the fan (6) and the power supply means (4, 5). The refill unit comprises a refill of volatile substances (9), air filtering means (90) and a support structure (30) for the refill (9) and the filtering means (90). The filtering means (90) are situated upstream of the fan (6) to filter all the air sucked in by the fan (6). A laminar air flow generated in the fan body (60) strikes the refill (90) to favour diffusion of the volatile substances.

Abstract: A process for forming a coating on a metal substrate includes contacting the substrate with a molybdate solution having a pH of between 3.5 and 5 inclusive containing an acid with the proviso that the acid is not nitric acid. The substrate is contacted with the solution at a temperature between 30 and 75 degrees Celsius and results in a yellow coating that is kinetically stable from 20 seconds to 300 seconds before the coating darkens to a final black coloration. Water washing of the yellow coating precludes further color development. The resulting yellow coating is amenable to overlayering with a seal coat.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a pigment-free ink-jet ink and method of producing a printed image. The ink-jet ink can comprise an aqueous liquid vehicle including 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, and a colorant consisting essentially of a dye that is solubilized in the aqueous liquid vehicle.

Abstract: A neutral gray or black ink and combinations thereof for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black; another colored pigment or pigments such as a combination of cyan and magenta pigments; wherein the carbon black and colored pigments are associated with a polymer or polymers which render the carbon black and pigments dispersible in aqueous solution.

Abstract: An endodontic filling material comprising a biodegrable thermoplastic polymer. A bioactive substance may also be included in the filling material. The thermoplastic polymer acts as a matrix for the bioactive substance. The composition may include other polymeric resins, fillers, plasticizers and other additives typically used in dental materials. The filling material is used for the filing of root canals.

Abstract: An dental filling material comprising a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer may be biodegradable. A bioactive substance may also be included in the filling material. The thermoplastic polymer acts as a matrix for the bioactive substance. The composition may include other polymeric resins, fillers, plasticizers and other additives typically used in dental materials. The filling material is used for the filing of root canals.

Abstract: A tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) particle for use in preparing a fast-setting, bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement is disclosed. The TTCP particle has a basic calcium phosphate whiskers on a surface thereof; the basic calcium phosphate whiskers having a Ca/P molar ratio greater than 1.33, and having a length up to about 5000 nm and a width up to about 500 nm. The basic calcium phosphate whiskers are substantially free of a hydroxyapatite phase and mainly composed of TTCP phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition for forming an anti-reflective coating layer for a display device, comprising a fluorinated silane with low surface tension, a conductive polymer with antistatic properties, water, and a solvent. Thus, the coating film of the present invention prepared by coating the composition has high anti-reflection, excellent stain resistance to liquid-phase stains such as fingerprints and the solid-phase stains such as dust by controlling the refractive index, surface energy, and conductivity, and thus can be usefully applied to the outermost side of a display device, regardless of the type of substrates such as a Braun tube or a flat display film and the presence of other coating layers such as a hard coating layer and an anti-glare coating layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to refractory mixes produced by mixing a refractory material with an organic binder and heating to a temperature of typically from about 50° C. to about 100° C. to form a stable composite granulate. The refractor mixes comprise a major amount of a refractory material and a minor amount of a binder composition comprising (a) condensed tannin and (b) furfuryl alcohol. The refractory mixes are used to prepare shaped (e.g. bricks) and unshaped (e.g. blast furnace tap holes, troughs, and tundish liners) refractory products. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the refractory products using the refractory mixes.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced cementitious material and the fiber used therein are disclosed. The fiber reinforced cementitious material includes a conventional cementitious material and less than 5 pounds per cubic yard of the cementitious material of fibers dispersed therein. The fibers are made of a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer and an organometal compound wherein the metal of the compound is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Si, Zr, Al, and combinations thereof, and the organometal compound comprising less than 10% by weight of said fibers.

Abstract: A cement formula including mono potassium phosphate, mono ammonium phosphate, magnesia, and fly ash exhibits rapid setting and high strength characteristics.

Abstract: There are disclosed a silicon wafer for epitaxial growth wherein the wafer is produced by slicing a silicon single crystal grown with doping nitrogen according to the Czochralski method (CZ method) in the region where at least the center of the wafer becomes V region in which the void type defects are generated, and wherein the number of defects having an opening size of 20 nm or less among the void type defects appearing on the surface of the wafer is 0.02/cm2 or less, and an epitalial wafer wherein an epitaxial layer is formed on the silicon wafer for epitaxial growth. Thereby, there can be produced an epitaxial wafer having a high gettering capability wherein very few SF exist in the epitaxial layer easily at high productivity and at low cost.

Abstract: A polyurethane resin coating device includes a material mixing unit for mixing materials to have them reacted to form polyurethane resin liquid mixture. Subsequently, the polyurethane resin liquid mixture flows downward to a pressuring and sending unit to be mixed and reacted again by the helical rods rotating in the pressuring and sending unit and then pressured and conveyed to a gear pump. Afterward, the polyurethane resin liquid mixture is controlled by the rotating speed of the gears in the gear pump and steadily conveyed onto a coating wheel. A gap adjustable in size is formed between the wheel surface of the coating wheel and the outlet of the gear pump, able to carry out coating steadily and evenly.

Abstract: A strip of wrapping material is advanced by a feed unit that includes a gumming device composed of a gumming roller and a transfer roller contra-rotating about horizontal and parallel axes and in tangential contact one with another along an area coinciding with a straight line generator common to both.

Abstract: A laser marking system for automotive glass having an ink spray device capable of depositing an ink layer upon the glass and a drying system is provided for accelerating the drying of the ink layer. A laser system is also provided to operably heat and bond at least a portion of the ink layer to the glass in a predetermined pattern. A cleansing system removes unbonded portions of the ink layer from the glass and a controller is provided to direct the laser system in the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition systems include elements to preheat reactant gases prior to reacting the gases to form layers of a material on a substrate, which provides devices and systems with deposited layers substantially free of residual compounds from the reaction process. Heating reactant gases prior to introduction to a reaction chamber may be used to improve physical characteristics of the resulting deposited layer, to improve the physical characteristics of the underlying substrate and/or to improve the thermal budget available for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing multiple deposition processes is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a chamber body and a gas distribution assembly disposed on the chamber body. In one embodiment, the method comprises positioning a substrate surface to be processed within a chamber body, delivering two or more compounds into the chamber body utilizing a gas distribution assembly disposed on the chamber body to deposit a film comprising a first material, and then delivering two or more compounds into the chamber body utilizing a gas distribution assembly disposed on the chamber body to deposit a film comprising a second material. In one aspect of these embodiments, the gas distribution assembly includes a gas conduit in fluid communication with the chamber body, two or more isolated gas inlets equipped with one or more high speed actuating valves in fluid communication with the gas conduit, and a mixing channel in fluid communication with the gas conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wafer holder, a wafer support member, a wafer boat and a heat treatment furnace, which are capable of sufficiently suppressing slip dislocations, without lowering productivity and at low cost, in the high temperature heat treatment of silicon wafers, and said wafer holder is characterized in that: the wafer holder is composed of a wafer support plate and three or more wafer support members mounted on said wafer support plate, each of the wafer support members having a wafer support portion or more; at least one of said wafer support members is a tilting wafer support member which has a plurality of upward-convex wafer support portions on the upper surface and is tiltable with respect to said wafer support plate; and the wafer is supported by at least four wafer support portions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for constraining and supporting the lift pins to prevent or minimize lateral movement of the lift pins that causes substrate hand-off problems and associated degradation in substrate processing characteristics and results. In one embodiment, a lift pin assembly for manipulating a substrate above a support surface of a substrate support comprises a plurality of lift pins movable between an up position and a down position. The lift pins include top ends and bottom ends. The top ends are configured to be lifted above the support surface of the substrate support to contact a bottom surface of the substrate in the up position. The top ends are configured to be positioned at or below the support surface of the substrate support in the down position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning and drying a semiconductor structure in a modified conventional gas etch/rinse or dryer vessel.

Abstract: Many prior art processes for cleaning predominantly organic hard surfaces have been found to be considerably less effective in removing very fine particles on such surfaces than are the best cleaners for metallic surfaces. However, it has been found, and forms the basis of this invention, that fine particles can be removed effectively from organic surfaces by an indirect process of first forming a thin solid coating over the surface and then removing the solid coating, into which the fine particles that formerly contaminated the surface to be cleaned have presumably become incorporated. Substantially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) has been found particularly useful for forming the thin solid coating when this coating is to be removed by treatment with an acidic aqueous solution; acrylate polymers are preferred if the solid coating is to be removed by an alkaline aqueous solution.

Abstract: Rare earth magnet scrap and/or sludge is remelted for reuse. Once a rare earth-free magnet-constituent metal feed is loaded in a melting furnace and heated into a melt, a rare earth-containing metal feed and the rare earth magnet scrap and/or sludge are added to the melt, a particulate flux of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or rare earth metal halide and having an average particle size of 1–50 ?m, preferably wrapped in a metal foil, is added to the melt, and the resulting mixture is melted, from which an alloy ingot is obtained. The valuable elements in the scrap and/or sludge can be recycled. Better separation between the slag and the molten metal ensures that the ingot is obtained from the melt in a high yield.

Abstract: A hoop for a CVT belt including foreign matter existing in a nitrided hardened layer and surface of the hoop, the foreign matter comprises at least one of an oxide-type foreign matter, a nitride-type foreign matter, and a carbide-type foreign matter. The oxide-type foreign matter has a particle size of 25 ?m or less, the nitride-type foreign matter and/or the carbide-type foreign matter have particle sizes of 17 ?m or less.

Abstract: In the present invention, forming is carried out by employing casting to rapidly solidify molten material comprising a copper base alloy containing 3 to 20% Ag (mass % hereinafter), 0.5 to 1.5% Cr and 0.05 to 0.5% Zr. Next, an aging treatment for precipitation is carried out at 450 to 500° C., and the formed article is obtained by precipitation strengthening. In addition, in the aforementioned copper base alloy, molten material comprising a copper base alloy containing Ag in the amount of 3 to 8.5% is solidified by casting, and the solidified article or the hot worked article thereof is subjected to an aging treatment for precipitation and a thermomechanical treatment using forging or rolling, and the casting is obtained by forming the material into a specific shape and carrying out precipitation strengthening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high temperature annealing furnace for hot rolled steel coils. The furnace of the present invention pivotably rotates about a pivot member between an opened and closed position. Prior to the annealing step, the hot rolled steel coils are placed within the housing of the furnace. The hot rolled steel coils are supported on a retaining element secured to a base portion located within the housing of the furnace. The hot rolled steel coils may be positioned on the base portion such that the axial opening of each coil is generally horizontal with the base portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electropolymerization method for preparing a nanotube-type conducting polymer using a porous template, a method for preparing an electrochomic device using electrochromism of the conducting polymer, and an electrochromic device prepared therefrom, and more particularly to an electropolymerization method for preparing a nanotube-type conducting polymer using a porous template to prepare an electrochromic device having good electrochromism by injecting an electrolyte solution wherein a precursor of the electrochromic conducting polymer is dissolved into an electrochemical reaction cell comprising a first transparent electrode and a working electrode, which is a porous template on the electrode, a method for preparing an electrochromic device using electrochromism of the conducting polymer, and an electrochromic device prepared therefrom.

Abstract: An electrical cable includes a conductor, an outer sheath, and a self-repairing material layer between the conductor and outer sheath. The self-repairing material layer is distributed around the conductor in a discontinuous manner. An anchor portion is formed between the conductor and the outer sheath.

Abstract: The present invention is a prosthetic for replacement of at least a part of the nucleus of a intravertebral disc. The prosthetic device is composed of at least two essentially parallel soft layers of an elastically deformable hydrogel and at least one rigid layer, the rigid layer having less compressibility than the soft layers, being adjacent to the soft layers, parallel to them, and firmly attached to them. In some embodiments, the soft layers have the same thickness and composition. Typically, the prosthesis has more than one rigid layer and these rigid layers have the same thickness and composition. The number of soft layers is usually one more than the number of rigid layers, with, e.g., at least three soft layers.

Abstract: A fencing construction made of thermoplastic materials which can be easily assembled utilizing ultrasonic welding and which can include a unique configuration for the ultrasonic welding surfaces which prevents the flow of melted thermoplastic materials outwardly onto the decorative outer surfaces of the various fencing parts. Any excess thermoplastic material is designed to pass inwardly toward the longitudinally extending bore defined in the various fencing construction parts. This concept is particularly useful for attaching capping fence members which are injection molded onto structural fence members which are extruded.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for mechanically bonding and cutting an article during assembly thereof at least a portion of the article is transported through a nip defined by first and second members. A bonding segment is disposed on one of the first and second members and a cutting segment separate from the bonding segment is also disposed on one of the first and second members. The apparatus is operable so that a portion of the article is mechanically bonded as the article passes through the nip and a portion of the article separate from the bonded portion is cut as the article passes through the nip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming an LTCC structure that involves providing at least a first ceramic tape sheet, laminating at least a second ceramic tape sheet to the at least a first ceramic tape sheet to form a substructure, laminating at least a third ceramic tape sheet to the substructure to form an intermediate structure, and laminating at least a fourth ceramic tape sheet to the intermediate structure to form an LTCC structure.

Abstract: Liquid laminating resin systems are used to attribute hurricane resistant properties to insulated glass window units. The activated resin system is then deposited on a single piece of float glass with the containment insulating unit or the resin can be injected between the air space of an existing insulated unit. In the first case, the second piece of glass completes the insulating unit. In both cases, the resin is allowed to cure 3–4 hours. The finished insulated and impact-resistant glass unit can then be installed into the window frame structure. Preferred resins include multiple component polyurethanes and special low shrinkage polyester systems with Argon gas between the glass layers after the resin has cured.

Abstract: A process for making an insulating glass assembly is disclosed, the process including applying a sealant composition to a surface of a spacer; contacting the sealant composition with a glass pane, and applying pressure on the glass pane to bond the glass pane to the spacer through the sealant composition, the pressure being applied at an ambient temperature of from about 15° C. to about 60° C.

Abstract: A pressure container manufacturing method by forming an outer shell of a fiber reinforced composite material on a periphery of a liner having a cylindrical portion, dome portions connected to both ends of the cylindrical portion, and a mouth piece disposed on one top of the dome portions, has: forming a body on the periphery by braiding fiber bundles provided from bobbins of a braider disposed in a circumferential direction of the liner, while moving the liner in an axial direction, wherein when body formation reaches a root portion of the mouth piece, a movement in a first direction of the liner is stopped, each bobbin is rotated approximately a half-turn in the circumferential direction, and thereafter formation of the body is continued while moving the liner in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and curing a resin impregnated in the fiber bundles, to form an outer shell.

Abstract: A method for forming a laminated synthetic leather includes engaging a textile carrier onto a carrying roller and engaging a release liner onto a lamination roller, extruding one or more materials with an extruder machine into a film, and feeding the film downwardly onto the release liner and to have the film carried on the release liner, and to have the film and the release liner to be suitably cooled by the lamination roller. The film and the textile carrier may be compressed together with the rollers, to form the laminated synthetic leather. The release liner may include one or more flat or spatial patterns for transmitting to the film.

Abstract: A method of laminating and forming a non-planar composite part from a pair of metal skins having an intervening paper layer in a single operation maintains a uniform pressure between die faces. The paper layer may be degassed prior to the lamination/forming process.

Abstract: A method of making a composite intermediate layer by forming a resilient three dimensional apertured formed film; forming a nonwoven web of fibers; joining the nonwoven web with the apertured formed film; and aperturing the joined nonwoven web and formed film to create large scale apertures in the joined nonwoven web and formed film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for forming a sleeve from a flat tube and applying the sleeve to a container. A length of flat tube is advanced from a supply to a position between a pair of movable grippers. The grippers are extended to contact and hold the tube, and a cutter severs the length of flat tube from the supply. A vacuum is applied to the grippers, and the grippers are retracted to open the cut flat tube into a round configuration. A second length of flat tube is advanced, pushing the open cut length tube onto a container that is being moved therebeneath on a conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an informational article on which variable information is inserted. The informational article includes a substrate having a zone for inserting the variable information. A visual security device, such as an optically variable ink, a special film, or combinations thereof is disposed in the zone on the substrate. The visual security device is sized and arranged such that at least a portion of the variable information is adapted to being inserted over the visual security device.

Abstract: A tape formed of a polymeric material and having a thickness and stiffness suitable as a cutting edge on a dispensing carton for convolutely wound foil, film or paper, the tape includes a coating of adhesive and is applied at a laminating station in the carton manufacturing process and is generally cut with the forming of the carton blanks, and the cut in the tape may be formed with a serrated edge.

Abstract: A microcavity-forming system for making microcavities in a wire (especially a tungsten filament wire). The system has a coating station receiving the wire and applying a polymer coating to the wire. A mask-forming station receives the polymer-coated wire and blows moist air over it to form air bubbles which result in holes in the polymer coating, thereby creating a mask. An etching station receives the wire, as coated with the polymer mask, from the mask-forming station and etches the wire through the holes in the polymer mask to form microcavities in the wire. A stripping station receives the wire from the etching station and removes the polymer mask from the wire, leaving the wire with microcavities. Processes of forming microcavities in a wire and, more generally, of making an etching mask having arrays of holes and conforming to substantially any surface, including an arbitrary curved surface, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention presents an improved bellows shield for a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the bellows shield coupled to a substrate holder electrode advantageously provides protection of a bellows with substantially minimal erosion of the bellows shield.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing chamber having a silicon containing pre-coat is provided. The chamber includes a top electrode in communication with a power supply and a processing chamber defined within a base, a sidewall extending from the base, and a top disposed on the sidewall. The processing chamber has an outlet enabling removal of fluids within the processing chamber and includes a substrate support where an outer surface of the substrate support coated with the removable silicon containing coating, wherein the silicon containing coating is a compound consisting essentially of silicon and one of bromine and chlorine. The chamber includes an inner surface defined by the base, the sidewall and the top, where the inner surface is coated with a removable silicon containing coating.

Abstract: A system for controlling a processor having at least one sampling port connected to a stage of the processor in order to sample a reactant product from the processor. The system includes a controller configured to control a processing parameter of the processor based on measurements of at least one property of the reactant product such that changes to the processing parameter maintain a target value for the at least one property of the reactant product. The system further includes a dead time compensator. The dead time compensator is configured, based upon a prescribed dead time related to a time before at least one effect of at least one change to the processing parameter is fully realized, to evaluate the reactant product to determine if the effect has been realized at a plurality of sequential times offset from the dead time.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a patterned medium including a dot-forming step for forming a dot array constituted by sample magnetic dots having a predetermined size such as a single domain particle size determined theoretically from the magnetic metal thin for a sample medium having a magnetic metal film formed with the initial conditions; a demagnetization step for AC-demagnetizing the dot array; a ratio measurement step for measuring the ratio of single magnetic domains by observing the magnetic pattern of each of the sample dots after the AC-demagnetization; and an adjustment step for determining conditions of the sputtering apparatus for forming a solid state magnetic metal thin film by adjusting the film-forming conditions such that the ratio of the single magnetic domains equals to or exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A plating apparatus for performing a plating process for plating a surface of a substrate. This plating apparatus is provided with a first electrode to be brought into contact with a peripheral edge portion of the substrate; a plating vessel for containing a plating liquid to be brought into contact with the surface of the substrate, the plating vessel having a vertical tubular interior surface; a second electrode disposed in the plating vessel, the second electrode being spaced from the substrate by a distance which is not smaller than a distance between a center portion and a peripheral edge portion of the substrate during the plating process; and an electric current limiting member for limiting horizontal flow of an electric current in the plating liquid between the second electrode and the substrate within the plating vessel during the plating process.