Abstract: Improvements in methods for plating metal on substrates are obtained by providing media in the plating solution in sizes that are less than 60% to 80% smaller than the average dimension of the substrates to be plated. It is also advantageous for the substrates and media to be present in the solution at a volume ratio of above 1/1 to about 5/1. Another embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus for electroplating a metal deposit on electroplatable substrates.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus fills a metal such as copper or the like in fine interconnection patterns or trenches defined in a semiconductor substrate. The substrate processing apparatus has a loading/unloading unit for placing a substrate cassette to allow a substrate to be loaded and unloaded, a substrate treating unit for treating a substrate, and a transfer robot for transferring a substrate between the loading/unloading unit and the substrate treating unit. The loading/unloading unit, the substrate treating unit, and the transfer robot are installed in a single facility. The loading/unloading unit has a rotary table which is horizontally rotatable for positioning the substrate cassette in a position to detect the substrate cassette placed in the loading/unloading unit and to remove the substrate from the substrate cassette with the transfer robot.

Abstract: A method of reducing a metal oxide in a solid state, in an electrolytic cell, is provided, as is an electrolytic cell suitable for performing the method. The cathode of the electrolytic cell is formed at least in part from the metal oxide to be reduced, and the electrolyte includes cations of a metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode metal oxide. The method includes operating the cell at a potential that is above the potential at which cations of the reducing metal will deposit as metal on the cathode.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus can perform an electrolytic processing, which is different from a common, conventional etching, to remove (clean off) a conductive material (film) formed on or adhering to a bevel portion, etc. of a substrate, or process a peripheral portion of a substrate through an electrochemical action. The substrate processing apparatus includes: an electrode section having a plurality of electrodes which are laminated with insulators being interposed, and having a holding portion which is to be opposed to a peripheral portion of a substrate; an ion exchanger disposed in the holding portion of the electrode section; a liquid supply section for supplying a liquid to the holding position of the electrode section; and a power source for applying a voltage to the electrodes of the electrode section so that the electrodes alternately have different polarities.

Abstract: An electric sensor array which is provided with several sensor positions that each have at least two microelectrodes. Molecular substances can be detected electrochemically and charged molecules can be transported or handled using the array. Measuring procedures can be effected, especially using two addressing procedures, in which sensor positions can be individually addressed and electrochemically or electrically controlled by pairing or in groups for voltage or impedance measurements. For biomolecular assays, affinity-binding molecules can be immobilized at the sensor positions, between the microelectrodes, or on auxiliary surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and formula for producing a fuel having reduced particulate emissions from an internal combustion engine. The fuel taught herein is characterized as having a cetane number ranging from about 45 to about 65, a T95 distillation property of less than about 370° C., and having NR, AR, cetane number and T95 defined by the relation: PEI=156+Z1×(cetane#?49)+Z2×(NR?14)+Z3×(AR?25)+Z4×(T95?315° C.) Where Z1 ranges from abut 0.67 to about 1.06, Z2 ranges from about 0.9 to about 1.28, Z3 ranges from about 2.54 to about 2.80, Z4 ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.4, NR is a defined correlation of the naphthene rings content in the fuel, and AR is a defined correlation of the aromatic rings content in the fuel.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste oil comprises the steps of (a) supplying a stream of the waste oil to a dehydrator to dehydrate the waste oil and obtain a stream of dehydrated waste oil; (b) supplying the stream of dehydrated waste oil to a fractionated distillation column having a lower tray, an upper tray and a middle tray therebetween, wherein the lower tray is operated at a temperature of 370 to 390° C. under a sub-atmospheric pressure of 50 to 100 mmHg, the middle tray is operated at a temperature of 265 to 280° C. under a sub-atmospheric pressure of 35 to 45 mmHg and the upper tray is operated at a temperature of 100 to 110° C. under a sub-atmospheric pressure of 30 to 40 mmHg; (c) withdrawing from the distillation column a bottom product comprising a bituminous material; (d) withdrawing a first side stream from the distillation column between the first and second trays, the first side stream comprising a heavy oil having a viscosity of 130 to 180 cSt at 40° C.

Abstract: A container for receiving and holding effluent water containing oil/grease to be removed has sectional covers. A main sectional cover supports a partially immersed rotatable disk; a drive on the main sectional cover rotates the disk; a trough on the main sectional cover straddles the disk; and a blade on the trough scrapes a side of the disk, to direct oil and grease from the disk along the scraper blade along the trough for collection in a storage container. Efficiencies of construction of the sectional covers, disk and a sensor probe are disclosed.

Abstract: The gutter foam filter elements are generally triangular, four-foot lengths of flexible plastic open-cell foam material placed in and extending the full length of a conventional “K” type or similar roof gutter. The foam filter elements may be inserted within the gutter below gutter spikes. The foam material is an open-pore polyether foam of 10–20 cells per square inch which allows rainwater to travel through the filter while excluding leaves. The foam is generally in the form of a right triangle and so disposed in the gutter as to have one side extending along the back of the gutter and the other side of the triangle spanning the open space across the upper open portion of the gutter. The sloped wall defines a void in the lower front portion of the gutter for rainwater flow to a downspout. The lower corner of the element is truncated forming a lower support wall.

Abstract: A storm drain filter including a frame holding a filter assembly to filter incoming drainage water and thereby prevent sediment from entering the storm drain's inlet. The frame can be easily removed and replaced to allow street sweeping. In one embodiment, an erosion control apparatus comprises one or more broom filters each including a plurality of adjacent bristles, and a frame that holds the broom filter(s) so that the bristles extend downwardly to the road surface. In one embodiment, the beam of the broom filter is pivotally connected to the frame, and the bristles have substantially greater than a 90° vertical angle, to allow the weight and flexibility of the bristles to conform to variations in the road surface. A filtration bag to filter hydrocarbons may be attached downstream of the broom filter. The frame can be designed for a wide variety of implementations, and can be re-usable.

Abstract: An improved disposable filter bag for use with a pool cleaner of the type disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,863,425; 4,558,479; and 3,822,754. The filter bag is formed from a porous filter material such as a non-woven spunbond polymer having marginal seams formed by direct welding, in the absence of additional adhesive material, to form a reinforced cuff defining an open bag mouth leading to a hollow bag interior. The cuff is configured for removable attachment to a downstream end of a pool cleaner suction mast, as by removable connection to a mounting collar as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,863,425; D409,341; D468,067; and 6,740,233. The filter bag incorporates a ported tab formed generally at an upper end thereof for facilitated removable coupling to a pool cleaner supply hose or the like which supports the filter bag in a generally upright orientation.

Abstract: A modular aquarium filter includes one or more cartridges connected in series. The cartridges may contain filter media for chemical, biological and/or mechanical filtration. In addition, the cartridges are designed such that they provide a unique internal helical geometry to increase the contact area and flow rate of the water with the filter media. The helix may be optionally adjusted to provide different thickness filter layers for aquarium filtration. The pitch of the flights of the helix may be varied to provide enhanced centrifugal flow of the water within the cartridge. The present invention also provides self-sealing valve assemblies at the filter inlet and outlet, which when disconnected shut off the flow of water through the filter to expedite exchange of the cartridges.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new and improved kind of chromatographic cake and its manufacturing methods and applications. The objective of this invention is to provide an improved chromatographic apparatus and methods for manufacturing such an apparatus, whereby the separation and simultaneous renaturation and purification of biopolymers can be efficiently performed with excellent results. The chromatographic cakes of this invention generally comprise a chromatographic packing cake with a mobile phase inlet and a mobile phase outlet, together with a chromatographic packing packed into an inner cavity region of the chromatographic packing cake. The ratio of the thickness to the diameter of the inner cavity region of the chromatographic packing cake is less than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A novel conjugate of a support material and an oligomer or polymer of a saccharide that is linked to the support material via urea linkages, and in which the oligomers or polymers are cross-linked via urea linkages provides a valuable stationary phase for chromatography. It is particularly valuable as a chiral stationary phase in enantiomeric separations and enantiomeric analysis.

Abstract: A chromatography cartridge with a packed bed is manufactured from an inner and outer chamber, the inner chamber being in an insert that is slidable into the outer chamber with openings in each such that a slurry that is originally placed in the interior of the outer chamber flows into the inner chamber as the parts are being pressed into each other. During the assembly, the particles in the slurry are compressed to fill the smaller volume of the inner chamber and excess liquid is discharged through ports in both chambers. The construction allows for a highly precise and reproducible column filling process with a minimum of steps and operator intervention and thereby low cost and reduced error.

Abstract: A spiral wound filtration cartridge construction is provided which includes a cartridge positioned within a solid outer cylinder which, in turn is positioned within a solid outer cylinder which, in turn is positioned within a solid housing. Fluid flows within the space between the outer cylinder and housing is controlled by a ring and flexible chevron construction. The chevron construction includes outer peripheral holes, the sizes and number of which are set to determine by-pass flow.

Abstract: Biological membrane proteins are incorporated into a co-polymer matrix to produce membranes with a wide variety of functionalities. In one form of the invention, a composite membrane incorporates two different proteins which cooperate to produce electricity from light. In another form, water transport proteins are embedded in a membrane to enable water purification.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment controls that maintain the ORP of a mixed liquor at a relatively stable value during a wastewater treatment process such as an aerated-anoxic wastewater treatment process. The wastewater treatment control may compare a setpoint value of ORP and a measured value of ORP of the mixed liquor, generate a control signal based at least in part on the comparison, and control a biological nutrient removal control parameter using the control signal. Values corresponding to the control signal may be acquired and utilized to adjust the setpoint value of ORP to maintain stable operating conditions of the wastewater treatment process.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing and filtering a partial volume of a particle-containing process fluid enclosed in a container, a combination of a container enclosing a process fluid and an assembly for continuously withdrawing and filtering a partial volume of a process fluid and a cross-flow filtering device are disclosed. The method, the assembly and the filtering device can be used in connection with biological process systems, in which the removal of sand, sludge, fibers and alike from partial volumes of the process fluid is necessary before additional filtration and subsequent sample analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to dialysis therapy, particularly continuous flow dialysis therapy, are provided. The present invention includes a single closed fluid path along which a minimal amount of therapy fluid including dialysate is fed into, continuously circulated and cleaned such that a therapeutic effective amount of solutes, excess water and the like can be removed from the patient connected to the closed fluid loop during treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a chromatographic separation matrix, wherein porous polymeric particles comprised of two layers with different properties are prepared in a two-phase system by (a) providing porous polymeric particles with reactive groups on their surfaces; (b) washing said particles with a first solvent and draining the particles to enclose a first phase; (c) wetting the outer layer of the particles by adding a second solvent, which is essentially insoluble in the first solvent; (d) reacting the reactive groups in the outer layer by adding a reagent, which is essentially non-reactive in the first solvent; and (e) coupling of chromatographic binding groups to the reactive groups in the inner layer. The invention also encompasses a porous polymer particle suitable for use as a chromatographic separation matrix and a process of separation, wherein a matrix according to the invention is used.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanowire is grown laterally. A method of growing the nanowire forms a vertical surface on a substrate, and activates the vertical surface with a nanoparticle catalyst. A method of laterally bridging the nanowire grows the nanowire from the activated vertical surface to connect to an opposite vertical surface on the substrate. A method of connecting electrodes of a semiconductor device grows the nanowire from an activated device electrode to an opposing device electrode. A method of bridging semiconductor nanowires grows nanowires between an electrode pair in opposing lateral directions. A method of self-assembling the nanowire bridges the nanowire between an activated electrode pair. A method of controlling nanowire growth forms a surface irregularity in the vertical surface. An electronic device includes a laterally grown nano-scale interconnection.

Abstract: Bottom electrodes of stacked capacitor DRAM cells are formed by depositing a metal layer on the side walls of trenches within a hard mask layer, which serves as a mold for the bottom electrode elements. Prior to depositing the hard mask layer a sacrificial first metal layer is disposed, which leads to a electrical conductive surface on the semiconductor wafer. The mask layer is wet-etched to release the bottom electrode as free standing elements on the semiconductor surface. Using the conductive path provided by the first and the second metal layer, the bottom electrodes are polarized in a cleaning liquid bath during a wafer drying process. The generated repulsive electric field overcomes the attractive forces between the neighboring bottom electrode elements induced due to capillary effects of the liquids used for etching and cleaning.

Abstract: A laser device has a substrate and at least one GaN-based layer upon a first surface of the substrate, and the laser device is cleaved by cutting linear grooves into a second surface of the substrate such that the grooves are in alignment with vertical planes of the substrate. The substrate and the at least one GaN-based layer are cleaved along the vertical planes. The cutting is performed using a laser beam from an external laser source.

Abstract: An iron-based rare earth alloy nanocomposite magnet has a composition represented by (Fe1-mTm)100-x-y-zQxRyTiz, where T is Co and/or Ni, Q is B and/or C and R is rare earth element(s) including substantially no La or Ce. x, y, z and m satisfy 10 at %<x?17 at %, 7 at %?y<10 at %, 0.5 at %?z?6 at % and 0?m?0.5, respectively. The magnet includes crystal grains of an R2T14Q type compound having an average grain size of 20 nm to 200 nm and a ferromagnetic iron-based boride that exists in a grain boundary between the crystal grains of the R2T14Q type compound. The boride is dispersed in, or present in the form of a film over, the grain boundary to cover at least partially the surface of the crystal grains of the R2T14Q type compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lubricating basestock for the blends of hydrofluorocarbon and optionally hydrochlorofluorocarbon refrigerants comprising a blend of (A) at least one alkylbenzene and (B) at least one polyol ester. While alkylbenzenes are not miscible with the refrigerant blend at the desired operating temperature and pressure of refrigeration or air-conditioning systems, the addition of low concentration of polyol ester is found to greatly improve the miscibility of the alkylbenzene and polyol ester blend. An important criteria of the invention is that the lubricant blend of polyol ester and alkylbenzene are sufficiently miscible with the hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant blend both as a liquid and a gaseous refrigerant over the operational temperatures of the compression refrigeration system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are 1-ethoxy-1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions further comprising at least one hydrofluorocarbon, which are useful in refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus or as heat transfer fluids. The compositions of the present invention are also useful in centrifugal compressor apparatus that employ two-stage or other multi-stage centrifugal compressors or single slab single pass heat exchangers.

Abstract: Disclosed here in are refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions comprising C4F9OC2H5 compositions and at least one hydrofluoroether, which are useful in refrigerain or air conditioning apparatus or as heat transfer fluids. The compositions of the present invention are also useful in centrifugal compressor apparatus that employ two-stage compressors or single slab single pass heat exchangers.

Abstract: A deicing formulation which includes at least one carefully selected and further processed agricultural by-product selected from BCS, DCS and CCSL, a chloride salt and water. The formulation has a viscosity of 100 to 140 centipoises at 0° C. (32° F.), and a liquid adhesion rating of at least 4. Each of BCS, DCS and CCSL contain a low molecular carbohydrate fraction in an amount sufficient to lower the freezing point threshold value of the formulation.

Abstract: A plasma display device exhibits suppressed luminance degradation of a phosphor, a suppressed change in chromaticity and improved discharge characteristics as a result of suppression of adsorption of water or hydrocarbon-containing gas on a surface of a blue phosphor. A blue phosphor layer used in the plasma display device is formed of a compound expressed by Ba1?XMgAl10O17:EuX or Ba1?x?ySryMgAl10O17:EuX and includes at least one element that is selected from Nb, Ta, Pr, P, As, Sb, Bi and Tm which substitutes for a part of its Al or Mg element.

Abstract: A quantum-splitting phosphor has a formula of ADF5:Pr3+, wherein A is at least one alkaline-earth metal and D is at least one Group-IIIB metal. The phosphor is made in a solid-state method without using hazardous HF gas. The phosphor can be used alone or in conjunction with other phosphors in light sources and displays wherein it can be excited by VUV radiation, and increase the efficiency of these devices.

Abstract: A mixture solution for preparing conducting polymers. The conducting polymer is formed from a mixture of monomer and oxidant solution. The oxidant solution has a high concentration, and also includes a five or six-member ring compound with a functional group which acts as a retardant for the polymerization. Thus, the mixture of a monomer and oxidant solution exhibits excellent stability at room temperature. The conducting polymer accumulating in the space of the capacitor element can be more efficiently formed by using this high concentration oxidant solution. Therefore, the immersion and polymerization processes to form conducting polymer as the electrolyte of a solid electrolytic capacitor can be limited to only a few occurrences.

Abstract: There are provided an adhesive for connecting a circuit to be interposed between substrates having circuit electrodes thereon opposed to each other and to electrically connect the circuit electrodes on the substrates opposed to each other to the pressurizing direction under pressure, wherein the adhesive contains a compound having an acid equivalent of 5 to 500 KOH mg/g, and an adhesive for connecting a circuit to be interposed between substrates having circuit electrodes opposed to each other and to electrically connect the electrodes on the substrate opposed to each other to the pressurizing direction under pressure, wherein the adhesive comprises a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, and a glass transition temperature of the first adhesive layer after pressure connection is higher than the glass transition temperature of the second adhesive layer after pressure connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming particles that involves contacting a solution, which includes a solute and/or other material to be precipitated dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, with a first compressed or liquefied gas at an initial temperature to form a mixture. The mixture is then expanded at a first temperature to form droplets. Depending upon the composition of the droplets and the first temperature, the droplets may be in a solid state or a liquid state. The droplets are then contacted with an extracting fluid at a second temperature to extract the solvent from the droplets. The method can be used to produce micro and nanoparticles suitable for various drug delivery systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of spherical particles, whereby a molten prepolymer or precondensate is transformed into droplets by means of a drip nozzle, the droplets are subjected to a countercurrent with a gas in a precipitation column until at least partial crystallization is achieved and are then subjected to an additional post-crystallization phase. In order to economically produce higher quality particles at a high flow rate, the molten prepolymer is transformed into droplets by means of a vibrating nozzle plate and/or direct vibration of the molten prepolymer or polymer and resulting droplets are subjected to an air and gas countercurrent.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous ceramic article involves a step of kneading raw materials including a raw material for a ceramic and a processing aid, to prepare a body, a step of forming the body, to prepare a ceramic formed product, a step of drying the formed product, to prepare a ceramic dried article, and a step of firing the ceramic dried article, to preparing a porous ceramic article, characterized in that the processing aid is a starch having been subjected to a crosslinking treatment or a material comprising a starch having been subjected to a crosslinking treatment and a foamed resin. The method allows the production of a porous ceramic article which is suppressed in the deformation during drying and is excellent in dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: A method of preparing a precursor for a composite having wet strength of 2 to 50 kgf/mm2 and a mean surface void diameter of 0.01 to 2 ?m by molding a solution of a rigid polymer having a concentration of 1 to 1.3 times the optical anisotropy lower limit solution concentration C2, thereafter rendering the solution non-flowable by absorbing a coagulant under a condition causing no solvent extraction and thereafter extracting the solvent, and a method of preparing a molecular composite having a mean thickness of 2 to 200 ?m by impregnating this precursor for a composite with a solution of a polymer or reactive molecules.

Abstract: A tread of thickness E, intended to be used in a tire having a carcass reinforcement surmounted by a crown reinforcement and including on its outer surface a plurality of grooves of depth h, including at least circumferential grooves separated axially by ribs, is provided with at least one internal, circumferential anti-rubber-on-rubber connection element, the outer wall of which, viewed in meridian section, has in part a contour identical to the contour of the wall of the regrooving groove to be created, the point(s) of said wall which are farthest from the axis of rotation being radially distant from the tread surface by a quantity h1 less than the depth h of the grooves, and the point(s) of said wall closest to the axis of rotation being radially distant from the tread surface by the maximum regrooving height H.

Abstract: A surface treatment or a two-step injection molding is used to make an inlaid polishing pad. A surface of the inlaid polishing pad has areas of different rigidity to control the rigidity and compressibility of the inlaid polishing pad. Furthermore, methods of making such an inlaid polishing pads are also disclosed.

Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.

Abstract: To provide a method of producing an encapsulating molding material tablet by which adhesion of an encapsulating molding material to the punch surface of a tablet forming machine can be reduced, an encapsulating molding material tablet produced by this method, and an electronic part apparatus equipped with an element encapsulated using this encapsulating molding material tablet. A method of producing an encapsulating molding material tablet in which a release agent dissolved in a solvent is fed to the punch surface of a tablet forming machine to form a release agent layer having a thickness of over 0.001 ?m and less than 0.07 ?m on the above-mentioned punch surface, then, an encapsulating molding material is fed to the above-mentioned tablet forming machine for molding the material, an encapsulating molding material tablet produced by this method or having a contact angle ratio of 1.15 or more and less than 1.

Abstract: A golf ball is provided which contains a core and a cover. In the forming of the cover, two half shells made from a thermoplastic resinous composition are used to cover the core, the composite is put in a spherical mold, then, the mold is clamped. Thereafter, the thermoplastic resin where it is heated and pressurized at a pressure of 5 kgf/cm2 to 50 kgf/cm2, and the excess thermoplastic resin composition flows out of the spherical cavity. Subsequently, the thermoplastic resin composition is heated in the spherical cavity and is pressurized at a pressure of 70 kgf/cm2 or more whereby the cover is formed. The total volume of the two half shells is 105% to 120% of the volume of the cover.

Abstract: An exemplary method of manufacturing a polymer matrix composite electromagnetic shielding structure includes pretreating a dry fiber reinforcement with a composition including a carrier and a conductive element, laying out the pretreated reinforcement to form a pre-form structure, applying a resin to the pre-form structure, and curing the resin at room temperature. Another exemplary method of manufacturing a polymer matrix composite electromagnetic shielding structure includes laying out a plurality of dry fiber reinforcements, placing at least one ply between any two of the plurality of dry fiber reinforcements, the ply having a non-woven including a conductive material, applying a resin to the plurality of dry fiber reinforcements and the at least one ply, and curing the resin.

Abstract: A nickel base superalloy comprising 14.0 to 20.0 wt % cobalt, 13.5 to 17.0 wt % chromium, 2.5 to 4.0 wt % aluminium, 3.4 to 5.0 wt % titanium, 0 to 3.0 wt % tantalum, 3.8 to 5.5 wt % molybdenum, 0.035 to 0.07 wt % carbon, 0.01 to 0.04 wt % boron, 0.055 to 0.075 wt % zirconium, 0 to 0.4 wt % hafnium and the balance nickel plus incidental impurities. The nickel base superalloy is suitable for use as gas turbine engine high pressure compressor rotor discs or turbine discs. It is capable of operation at temperatures above 700° C. and has good fatigue crack propagation resistance, creep resistance and tensile strength.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automated process to inhibit corrosion of the metal surface of an inactive boiler containing water.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing compounds of the formula (1) where A is C2- to C4-alkylene, B is C1- to C4-alkylene, n is a number from 1 to 100, and R is C1- to C30-alkyl, C2- to C30-alkenyl, or C6— to C30-aryl, by a) alkylating a basic mixture of oxoalkylated alcohols of the formula R—O-(-A-O—)n—H and alkoxides thereof with a C2- to C5-chlorocarboxylic acid in the absence of a solvent, b) converting the thus obtained ethercarboxylic acid salt to the free ethercarboxylic acid by adding an acid, the pH being adjusted to 3 or less, c) freeing the thus obtained ethercarboxylic acid, without washing, of water present down to a residual water content of <0.30% by distillation under reduced pressure, and d) removing the precipitated metal salts by filtration, so that the resulting product has a residual salt content of <0.2%.

Abstract: A healthcare data management system for use with an instrument for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid. The instrument includes a first port. The system includes a cradle for receiving the instrument. The cradle includes a second port for coupling to the first port to download data from the instrument to the cradle. The apparatus further includes a base having a third port. The cradle includes a fourth port for coupling to the third port to permit downloading to the base of data collected from the instrument by the cradle. The apparatus further includes an accessory box including a fifth port. Engagement of the cradle with the accessory box couples the fourth and fifth ports. Engagement of the accessory box with the base couples the third and fifth ports.

Abstract: A cellular diagnostic array has been developed that provides accurate and reproducible measurements of the physical parameters of individual cells en masse, including cell membrane surface area, cell volume, and excess membrane. Three differing patterns are employed. In the first design, a gradient array having rectangular shaped channels is used to capture cells and readily show the ratio of volume to surface area for the captured cell. The second silicone rubber array provided by the present invention employs an array of wedge shaped pipettes, each of which captures an individual cell. The position of the cell within a wedge is enough to rapidly determine the cell's actual surface area and volume. A third type of cellular diagnostic array according to the present invention employs an array of channels designed to deform a cell to study how well the cell responds to repeated deformations.

Abstract: A plasticizer-free ion detective sensor for detecting a target ion in a sample is provided. The sensor comprises a copolymer of methacrylate monomers with pendant alkyl groups of different length, and an ionophore for detecting the target ion. The copolymer matrix of the present invention may be in a form of membrane or particles. The sensors of the present invention may be Carrier-based ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) or optodes such as thin film ion-specific optodes or particle-based optodes. The ionophore may be a target ionophore selective for a target ion H+, Li+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, or Mg2+. The ion detective sensor of the present invention may further include an ion exchanger such as halogenated carboranes. Also provided is an ion detective sensor comprising halogenated carboranes as ion exchangers. Particularly, trimethylammonium-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 undecabromocarborane (TMAUBC) is used as ion exchangers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of luminescent and conductive polymer compositions having chromophores, and particularly solid films of these compositions exhibiting increased luminescent lifetimes, quantum yields and amplified emissions. These desirable properties can be provided through polymers having rigid groups designed to prevent polymer reorganization, aggregation or ?-stacking upon solidification. These polymers can also display an unusually high stability with respect to solvent and heat exposures. The invention also relates to a sensor and a method for sensing an analyte through the luminescent and conductive properties of these polymers. Analytes can be sensed by activation of a chromophore at a polymer surface. Analytes include aromatics, phosphate ester groups and in particular explosives and chemical warfare agents in a gaseous state.