Abstract: The present invention relates to film web substrates and more particularly to such web substrates wherein the inherent elongation properties of a given web material are modified. An exemplary web material is formed from first and second precursor webs. A first side of the web material is formed from the first precursor web and integral extensions of the second precursor web that extend through the first precursor web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyamide (A) and polyolefin (B) blends containing nanofillers in which the polyamide forms the matrix. These blends can also be referred to as “polyamide (A), polyolefin (B) and nanofiller blends in which the polyamide forms the matrix”. The invention also relates to structures with barrier properties comprising at least one layer of these blends and optionally at least one layer of another material. These structures are a barrier to numerous fluids, and in particular to oxygen, to styrene, to fumigation fluids, to pentane and to air conditioning fluids. These structures can be made into bottles, reservoirs, containers, pipes and vessels of all sorts. They can also be converted to films which are used to make packagings.

Abstract: A resin-made interior member for an opening and closing body of the invention is a resin-made interior member to be attached to an inside of an outer panel of the opening and closing body and is formed by an injection molding method using a molding material of polypropylene type resin containing a reinforcing fiber and rubber and by properly setting the respective contents of the reinforcing fiber and the rubber component, the modulus of bend elasticity is improved by blending the reinforcing fiber without being accompanied with deterioration of the moldability as the material resin and the appearance of the molded product to improve rigidity of the interior member and impact resistance is assured by blending the rubber component to give the interior member with good moldability and appearance in form of the molded product and having a required rigidity and impact resistance.

Abstract: For improving the jitter property and ensuring the high reliability of an optical disk, a metal film containing phosphorus is disposed in a reflective layer. The layer has a hardness of 60 mgf/?m2 or more as nano indentation hardness, and an adhesive layer used for bonding has a glass transition temperature of 100° C. or higher but 200° C. or lower, an elastic modulus at 25 to 80° C. of 1000 MPa or more, and an adhesion strength of 4N or more. The dye for the dye recording layer has a water solubility of 20% or less as measured as light absorbance of hot water in which the dye recording layer is soaked.

Abstract: Systems and methods of labeling optical disk recording media using black leuco dyes in an electromagnetic radiation sensitive composition are described. Black leuco dyes containing isobenzofuranone are prepared in various compositions that can include activators, radiation absorbers, non-leuco colorants, and/or a variety of carriers. The leuco dye compositions can be applied and prepared to achieve a desired visual effect upon development of the black leuco dye.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the data storage medium enabling subsequent alteration by a user or user's data rendering system in order to enforce the restrictive covenants of the data usage agreement. The present invention also discloses the data rendering system designed to work with said data storage medium. The present invention also discloses the piracy-resistant method to deliver data stored on a removable data storage medium.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a leadless plastic chip carrier includes selectively depositing a plurality of base layers on a first surface of a base of a leadframe strip to at least partially define a die attach pad and at least one row of contact pads. At least one further layer is selectively deposited on portions of the plurality of layers to further define at least the contact pads. The leadframe strip is then treated with a surface preparation. A semiconductor die is mounted to the die attach pad, followed by wire bonding the semiconductor die to at least the contact pads. Molding the semiconductor die, the wire bonds, the die attach pad and the contact pads on the surface of the leadframe strip, in a molding compound follows. The leadframe strip is etched to expose the contact pads and the die attach pad and the leadless plastic chip carrier is singulated from a remainder of the leadframe strip.

Abstract: A component having a surface micromechanical structure containing both movable elements and immovable elements, and a method of manufacturing same are described. The surface micromechanical structure of the component is produced in a functional layer, which is connected to a substrate via at least one electrically non-conductive first insulation layer and at least one first sacrificial layer. The movable elements of the surface micromechanical structure are exposed by removing the first sacrificial layer. The first insulation layer is made of a material which is not substantially attacked by the process of removing the first sacrificial layer. Thus the removal of the sacrificial layer may be limited in a design-controlled manner. At the same time, a reliable electrical insulation of the surface micromechanical structure with respect to the substrate of the component and a reliable mechanical fastening of the immovable elements of the surface micromechanical structure to the substrate are ensured.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an image-recording material that may prevent a flocculation of a coating liquid for image-recording layer that contains a water-dispersible emulsion and a water-soluble polymer compound, and that may exhibit an enhanced stability, present an improved film-forming performance, and provide superior surface conditions. In order to achieve the object, an image-recording material according to the present invention is provided, in which the image-recording material comprises a support and at least one image-recording layer on the support, wherein the image-recording layer is formed from a water-dispersible emulsion of which volume-average particle size is 55 nm or more and a water-soluble polymer compound of which weight-average molecular weight (Mw) is 400,000 or less. Preferably, the water-dispersible emulsion is a polyester emulsion. Preferably, the water-soluble polymer compound is polyethyleneoxide.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a polymer film including a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes a first fluoropolymer and has a melting point less than 135° C. The second layer overlies the first layer and includes a second fluoropolymer. The second layer has a melting point greater than 135° C.

Abstract: A dispersion, and a film and optoelectronic devices formed from the dispersion are provided. The dispersion comprising conducting polymer containing particles having a particle size of less than 450 nm, wherein the conducting polymer comprises substituted or unsubstituted, uncharged or charged polymerized units of thieno[3,4-b]thiophene, and wherein a film drop cast from the dispersion has a conductivity from 10?1 to 10?6 S/cm measured using the four point probe method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating for expanded polyurethane insulation, which coating comprises a metal layer, such as an aluminum layer, and a crystallized polyamide layer. The coating material is preferably laminated to the polyurethane insulation layer as the polyurethane insulation is expanded or formed and when the polyamide layer is in a glutinous or not substantially crystalline form. The insulation may further comprise extruded adhesive layers positioned between the expanded polyurethane layer, the metal layer, and/or the polyamide layer.

Abstract: In a printing press and attached onto the transfer cylinders, an anti-marking system that uniformly supports the transport and the release of the wet printed sheet from one station to the next. The anti-marking sheet consists of a two plus layer system, the outer layer being a textured surface and the inner layer being a microcellular material that is both compressible and resilient. The outer textured layer may be treated with either conductive/anti-static layers or an ink repellent layer or both. The two plus layer system is easily attached to both transfer cylinders and tracking/skeleton wheels using any combination of fixtures from Velcro™, magnetic, metallic, and pressure sensitive double sided tape to elastic loops.

Abstract: A tamper-evident labelling material includes a base layer of synthetic paper that is printable on its upper surface, and an adhesive layer on the lower surface of the base layer. The base layer includes a layer of biaxially-oriented and voided high density polyethylene (HDPE) that has a density of not more than 0.6 cm?3.

Abstract: A gland packing characterized in that a water swelling mineral is stuck or impregnated into a surface or an inner part of a gland packing base material. The water swelling mineral is preferably water swelling mica. This gland packing substantially eliminates seizing and can exhibit an excellent sealing property even if the amount of leakage of an internal fluid or injected fluid for lubrication on a sliding surface is lessened as compared with a conventional example.

Abstract: A unique primer emulsion chemistry yields excellent adhesion of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)resin to clay coated paperboard (with high starch content)at reduced coatweights of the primer emulsion and the resin as compared to other primer and tie-resin chemistries currently employed for moisture barrier applications. A primer used for adhesion enhancement is an ammonium catalyzed, self-crosslinking copolymer of ethylene-vinyl acetate with N-methylol acryl amide functional groups attached to a polymer backbone. Use of the primer in amounts up to about 0.5 pounds per ream permits PET coatweights of as low as 10–12 lbs per ream and lower for some applications.

Abstract: A protective tape used for optical member comprising a plastic film base, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on one side of the plastic film base and a treated layer formed on an opposite side of the plastic film base, wherein the treated layer has a structure in which a copolymer (A) including (a) an alkyl (meth)acrylate having an alkyl group with carbon numbers of 8 to 20; (b) (meth)acrylonitrile; and (c) a monomer having functional groups copolymerizable with the component (a) and the component (b), as copolymerization components, is cross-linked by a cross-linking agent. The protective tape used for optical member is enabled to direct print with an ink on the treated layer and have a low adhesive property with the pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to an optical film and have a solvent resistance.

Abstract: A toothbrush with bristles containing a far-infrared emitting material and multi-element minerals is disclosed. The negative ions and radiation emitted from the bristles stimulate the cells of the gums and help prevent periodontal conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a particle comprising a particulate substrate; and a thermoplastic elastomer present on or in the substrate as an amount sufficient to improve the dust suppression of the particle above that which would occur if the thermoplastic elastomer was absent. Disclosed herein is a particle comprising a particulate substrate; and a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the particle has a compressive strength retention of greater than about 50% as measured by a UCS test and a turbidity of about 10 to 200 NTU after a one hour ball mill test.

Abstract: The invention concerns discrete electrochromic particles comprising conducting, semiconducting or insulating nanoparticles having one or more electrochromic compounds adsorbed on the surface thereof. These particles may be deposited on an electrode in a single process step at a relatively low temperature, thereby allowing the use of heat-sensitive materials such as plastics as flexible substrates for the electrode.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coated water-swellable materials, typically solid, particulate, water-swellable materials, i.e. materials that comprise hydrogel-forming polymers, whereof at least a part is coated with a coating, which substantially does not break when the polymers swell, as set out in the method herein. Said coating is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the water-swellable material. The coating comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such coated water-swellable material.

Abstract: Disclosed are weatherable multilayer articles comprising (i) a coating layer comprising a block copolyestercarbonate comprising structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid, (ii) a second layer comprising a polymer comprising carbonate structural units, (iii) an adhesive tielayer comprising a copolymer with structural units derived from at least one alkenyl aromatic compound and at least one conjugated diene, and (iv) a substrate layer, wherein the coating layer is in contiguous contact with the second layer, and the adhesive tielayer is in contiguous contact with the second layer and the substrate layer. Also disclosed is a method for making the multilayer article.

Abstract: A film-forming composition comprising (a) a block copolymer that comprises: at least a polymer block [A] containing a specific fluorine-containing alicyclic structure; at least a polymer block [B] containing a specific siloxane structure; and a repeating unit (H) having at least one reactive group capable of being involved in crosslinking reaction, the repeating unit (H) being in at least one of the polymer block [A] and the polymer block [B], and (b) at least one of a curing agent and a curing accelerator.

Abstract: Si, Al, Al plus TiN, and IrO2 are used as adhesion layers to prevent peeling of noble metal electrodes, such as Pt, from a silicon dioxide (SiO2) substrate in capacitor structures of memory devices.

Abstract: Ceramic-containing bodies can be bonded to other ceramic-containing bodies, or to metals or metal-containing bodies, by way of an aluminum-silicon brazing alloy. Such alloys feature high thermal conductivity and a melting range intermediate to Cu—Sil and Au—Si. By metallizing the surface of an aluminum- or silicon-containing ceramic body, for example, with silicon or aluminum, the formation of deleterious intermetallic phases at the brazing interface is avoided. This technique is particularly useful for joining reaction-bonded silicon carbide (RBSC) composite bodies, and particularly such composite bodies that contain appreciable amounts of aluminum as a metallurgical modification of the residual silicon phase. Interestingly, when the RBSC body contains minor amounts of the aluminum alloying constituent, or none, the metallization layer is not required. The resulting bonded structures have utility as mirrors, as packaging for electronics, and in semiconductor lithography equipment, e.g.

Abstract: A spin-on glass (SOG) composition and a method of forming a silicon oxide layer utilizing the SOG composition are disclosed. The method includes coating on a semiconductor substrate having a surface discontinuity, an SOG composition containing polysilazane having a compound of the formula —(SiH2NH)n— wherein n represents a positive integer, a weight average molecular weight within the range of about 3,300 to 3,700 to form a planar SOG layer. The SOG layer is converted to a silicon oxide layer with a planar surface by curing the SOG layer. Also disclosed is a semiconductor device made by the method.

Abstract: An antireflective coating having improved alkali resistance is formed on a transparent substrate of synthetic resin as an outermost layer and has a three-dimensional crosslinked structure containing F and Si atoms. The crosslinked structure is composed of Si—O—Si and Si—C2H4—(CF2)n—C2H4—Si linkages wherein n is 4 or 6; the molar ratio of F atoms to Si atoms is from 8.0 to 10.0; and perfluoroalkyl groups account for 90 to 100 mol % of all monovalent organic substituent groups attached to silicon atoms. The antireflective coating can exhibit such alkali resistance that when a droplet of a 1 wt % NaOH aqueous solution is rested on the antireflective coating for 30 minutes and then wiped off, the appearance of the coating is kept unchanged from the initial appearance.

Abstract: A composite body made of at least two ceramic layers, in which the ceramic layers are permanently bonded to one another at defined bonding points by a contact layer made of a bonding material. To achieve a permanent, thermally stable bond of ceramic layers having different coefficients of thermal expansion, the bonding material has a low modulus of elasticity. During the manufacture of the composite body, the bonding points of the ceramic layers are pretreated to form a porous surface structure, the bonding material is applied to these bonding points, and after the ceramic layers are laid one on top of another with bonding points facing toward one another and bonding material lying between them, the assembled composite body is subjected to a heat treatment.

Abstract: A bonded structure including one or more substrates bonded together with a tackified amorphous poly-alpha-olefin adhesive composition. One method of making such a bonded structure is carried out by applying a tackified amorphous poly-alpha-olefin adhesive composition to one or more substrates at a temperature of about 170 degrees Celsius or lower, and joining the substrates to themselves or to one another. The bonded structure has a dynamic peel strength between about 400 and about 1000 grams per 25 millimeters. The bonding efficiency of the bonded structure renders the bonded structure suitable for incorporation into a variety of articles, including personal care products, health/medical products, and household/industrial product, for example.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a system for monitoring the wear of a component. A conductor can be embedded in the component at a depth from a surface of the component. In one embodiment, the conductor can be operatively connected to a power source to form an electrical circuit. The resistance across the conductor can be measured. As the component contacts a second component, the component can begin to wear. Once the wear progresses to the conductor, changes in the measured resistance can result. Thus, an operator can be alerted that the component has worn to a certain point and that service may be needed. Alternatively, impedance can be measured across the conductor. Because the dielectric permeability of the material surrounding the conductor can affect impedance, changes in impedance can occur as the surface material of the component is worn away.

Abstract: A passive thermal control blanket and a method for its manufacture, the blanket including a plastic substrate on which is deposited a film that is a homogeneous mixture of silicon and germanium, thereby combining the excellent reflective and electrostatic discharge properties of germanium with the superior adhesion and corrosion resistance properties of silicon. The uniform mixture is preferably obtained by sputtering the two materials simultaneously onto the substrate, using either separate targets, a single mosaic target, or a single composite target.

Abstract: The invention describes a friction bearing with a steel support shell and a lead-free bearing metal layer on the basis of copper with the main alloy elements of tin and zinc, which layer is applied to the support shell. In order to combine advantageous sliding properties with favorable mechanical resilience it is proposed that the bearing metal layer has a share of tin of 2.5 to 11% by weight and a share of zinc of 0.5 to 5% by weight, with the sum total of the shares of tin and zinc being between 3 and 13% by weight.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an organic electroluminescent element with high luminance and long half life and a display employing the organic EL element. An organic electroluminescent element comprising a component layer including at least one light emission layer capable of emitting phosphorescence, wherein the component layer contains at least one specific carbazole derivative.

Abstract: The invention provides an organic electronic device comprising: (i) a multilayer cathode comprising: (a) a conductive layer that is electrically connected as a bus, (b) a layer comprising at least one source of alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, or lanthanide ions and (c) a conductive metal layer comprising at least one conductive metal species; (ii) at least one electro-active organic layer; and (iii) an anode that is electrically connected to the conductive metal layer.

Abstract: An article is coated with a coating having a dark gray or bronze color. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a nickel or polymer basecoat layer, and a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of oxygen-rich refractory metal oxycarbides. The preferred dark grey, oxygen rich color layer is zirconium oxycarbide. A refractory metal adhesion layer and a refractory metal oxide top coat layer also may be used.

Abstract: A magnetic tunneling element is constructed from a MgO or Mg—ZnO tunnel barrier and an amorphous magnetic layer in proximity with the tunnel baffler. The amorphous magnetic layer includes Co and at least one additional element selected to make the layer amorphous. Magnetic tunnel junctions formed from the amorphous magnetic layer, the tunnel barrier, and an additional ferromagnetic layer have tunneling magnetoresistance values of up to 200% or more.

Abstract: A higher value of an anistropic magnetic feild can be acquired by using a magnetic material where Cr is not added as a material of a magnetic layer on which magnetic data is recorded. A magnetic recording medium can be manufactured through the processes of laminating an underlayer cosisting opf Cr-based non-magnetic material on a substrate, and then laminating, on this underlayer, a magnetic layer consisting of an alloy of at least one kind of non-magnetic material that is different from Cr and Co.

Abstract: Magnetic crystalline grains are spaced from each other on a base layer a polycrystalline structure. The magnetic crystalline grains are made of an ordered alloy. The ordered alloy serves to ensure the crystalline magnetic anisotropy energy larger than that of Co alloy in the magnetic crystalline grains. Such crystalline magnetic anisotropy energy reaches over 1×106J/m3, for example. A sufficient magnetic crystalline magnetic anisotropy energy serves to reliably maintain the magnetization in finely structured magnetic crystalline grains. The ordered alloy may have the L10 structure, for example. The ordered alloy may include of Fe50Pt50 (atom %), Fe50Pd50 (atom %), Co50Pt50 (atom %), and the like.

Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle comprises a fuel cell for generating electricity by hydrogen and air, a temperature regulating unit for regulating the temperature of the fuel cell, a fuel supply regulating unit for regulating a supply condition of hydrogen to the fuel cell, a humidification unit for supplying the fuel cell with water, a fuel cell output setting unit for setting whether electric power can be taken out of the fuel cell and an exhaust unit. The temperature regulating unit and the fuel cell output setting unit align in a transverse direction of the vehicle to constitute a first group, whereas the fuel supply regulating unit and the humidification unit align in the transverse direction of the vehicle to constitute a second group, whereby the first group, the fuel cell, the second group and the exhaust unit are disposed in that order from the front to rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention presents a method and apparatus for measuring the resistance across a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell array, or an individual fuel cell. The invention employs a fixed load circuit to switch a fixed resistance or to connect a fixed load current to the stack or array. When the load is turned on, the stack voltage is read, then the load is turned off and the stack voltage is read again to determine the voltage jump. A change in resistance is calculated that is related to cell hydration. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the stack includes a programmable DC-DC switch under PWM microprocessor control. The DC-DC converter is used to switch the load on and off and the voltage jump is read using a sample and hold methodology with an optional instrumentation amplifier and a Kalman filter to determine accurate results for resistance with no additional hardware. The resistance measurements are used to identify and evaluate cell hydration.

Abstract: A fuel processor system includes first and second reactors each having an inlet that receives fuel from a fuel supply and an outlet that discharges a reformate containing hydrogen. The reactors are operable to reform the fuel to form the reformates. The second reactor is coupled in parallel with the first reactor with the reformates produced by each combining to form a reformate flow. The first reactor can be an autothermal reforming reactor and the second reactor can be a steam reforming reactor. The first and second reactors are controlled differently to provide quick startup and transient capability while providing improved overall efficiency under normal operation.

Abstract: A target electric power operating part (2) operates a target electric power of a fuel cell. A running target point operating part (3) operates targets of both pressure of gas and mass flow rate of gas. A running point controlling part (4) controls a running point of the fuel cell. A running state detecting part (5) detects a running state of the fuel cell. An output power limit operating part (6) operates a limit of the output power produced by the fuel cell, based on the running state e.g., pressure of the gas detected in the running state detecting part (5). A commanded output power operating part (7) operates a commanded output power, the commanded output power being defined as a minimum value between an output from the output power limit operating part (6) and an output from the target electric power operating part (2).

Abstract: A method of removing moisture from a fuel cell stack is provided. The presence of liquid water in a fuel cell stack is undesirable should the temperature drop below freezing since the structures within the fuel cell are subject to degradation and potentially damage by ice formation. The method of the invention comprises measuring the temperature in the vicinity of a fuel cell vehicle when the fuel cell vehicle has been shut down, and then flowing a moisture-removing medium through the fuel cell when the ambient temperature drops to a predetermined temperature. The moisture-removing medium is flowed through the fuel cell for a sufficient time to remove a sufficient amount of the water in the fuel cell so that the fuel cell is not degraded by freezing of water. The present invention also provides a fuel cell water removing system which implements the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs a procedure for delaying an air purge of a fuel cell stack at system shut-down until the temperature of the stack is reduced below a predetermined temperature. The fuel cell stack includes an anode side, a cathode side, an anode input, a cathode input and an anode exhaust. The system includes a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of a cooling fluid flowing through the stack. The anode side of the fuel cell stack is purged at the stack shut-down by directing air from the cathode input line to the anode input line after the temperature of the cooling fluid is reduced to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Various aspects and applications of microsystem process networks are described. The design of many types of Microsystems can be improved by ortho-cascading mass, heat, or other unit process operations. Microsystems having energetically efficient microchannel heat exchangers are also described. Detailed descriptions of numerous design features in microcomponent systems are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell module having four sheet metal parts stamped from flat stock. The parts do not require any forming operations such as folding or dishing. Each part may have a different thickness to suit its function. The first part is a cell mounting frame for receiving and supporting a PEN fuel cell element. The second part is a cathode spacer, the thickness of the spacer determining the height of the cathode air flow field. The third part is an anode spacer, the thickness of spacer determining the height of the anode fuel flow field. The fourth part is a separator plate for separating the anode gas flow in one cell from the cathode air flow in an adjacent cell in a fuel cell stack. The four plates are joined by welding or brazing and may be assembled in any order or combination which suits the assembly process. Any desired number of modules may be stacked together to form a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel container and delivery apparatus is provided which also allows for removal of effluents from the fuel cell. The fuel container and delivery apparatus includes a first flexible bladder containing fuel for a liquid feed fuel cell. The fuel container and delivery assembly is fitted with a pressure-applying element that exerts a continuous pressure upon the fuel-containing flexible bladder in such a manner that the fuel is expressed through a conduit in the container to the direct oxidation fuel cell. In addition, the assembly includes a second bladder that is provided to receive effluent from the fuel cell such as carbon dioxide and unreacted fuel and water from the anode side, and water from the cathode side, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A compression member for an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The compression member includes a first surface including a plurality of raised portions, a second surface including a substantially flat surface, and an edge defined by the first surface and the second surface. The plurality of raised portions is aligned to define a plurality of receiving areas. The plurality of raised portions and the plurality of receiving areas are configured such application of an axial compressive force spreads the plurality of raised portions into the plurality of receiving areas. The edge includes a portion configured to receive an electrochemical cell terminal therethrough. The compression member is formed of electrically non-conductive materials.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a PEM fuel cell is disclosed. The plate includes a plurality of channels, wherein the ends of the channels are staggered. The plate also includes a plurality of tunnels, wherein the ends of the tunnels are staggered. The plate further includes a cathode and an anode, wherein a portion of the cathode overhangs a portion of the anode. These staggered/offset features allow for an increase the capillary meniscus of water droplets passing therethrough, allowing for a reduction in the pressure required to move the water through the cell and out to the header volume of the stack.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.