Abstract: Discrete particles of cellulosic material are flowable and meterable. They are easily dispersible in an aqueous or a dry medium. The particles comprise singulated cellulose fibers that have been densified. The particles have a density of at least 0.3 g/cc.

Abstract: A heat spreader for a display device, such as a plasma display panel, a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display, which includes at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite having two major surfaces.

Abstract: A tempered glass sheet having in its front view a peripheral region including the peripheries, and a central region (9) occupying inside the peripheral region, wherein the average surface compressive stress in the central region (9) is larger than the average surface compressive stress in the peripheral region, is presented, whereby a tempered glass sheet having a thickness thinner than conventional ones can be provided.

Abstract: A probe cleaning system automatically detects a surface of a probe cleaning device during a cleaning process by providing a predetermined finish on the surface of the probe cleaning device. The predetermined finish can include a textured or machined finish or a marking, such that the predetermined finish provides contrast against the surface. Cameras in the system automatically focus on the surface, with the predetermined finish. This in-focus condition is related to a distance between probes and the surface. Once an in-focus condition is determined, the system performs an automated cleaning process by interacting the probes with the probe cleaning device.

Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor comprises a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic layer which includes hydrophilic graft chains and a crosslinked structure formed through hydrolytic polycondensation of an alkoxide of an element selected from Si, Ti, Zr and Al. An aluminum substrate for a planographic printing plate includes a hydrophilic surface which is formed by a hydrophilic polymer including a functional group that chemically bonds to the aluminum substrate directly or is chemically bindable to the aluminum substrate via structural component having a crosslinking structure. A surface-hydrophilic member comprises a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic layer, wherein the hydrophilic layer includes hydrophilic graft chains and a crosslinked structure formed through hydrolytic polycondensation of an alkoxide of an element selected from Si, Ti, Zr and Al.

Abstract: The invention is a patch system for repairing collapsible fuel tanks, water tanks, inflatable boats, and other articles fabricated from a flexible structural fabric coated with a polymer. The coated structural fabric is made of nylon or polyester synthetic fibers or a blend thereof, which are coated with a thermoplastic elastomer. The structural coated fabric is coated with a thermoplastic elastomer that is a urethane (TPU), or a TPU alloy polymer. Likewise, the patch is a urethane adhesive having a latent cure coated on a TPU film. The patch can also have an integral reinforcing fabric for applications requiring a higher tensile patch. In the invention, the urethane adhesive of the patch is solvent activated by the application of a thin coating of a volatile, substantially low odor, fugitive solvent like acetone or MEK. While in the activated state, the adhesive has much less cyrstallinity and a lot more tack.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas barrier film improved in gas barrier characteristics by decreasing the adsorbent of the surface of a gas barrier layer to water and the like. The present invention attains the above object by providing a gas barrier film comprising a substrate, a gas barrier layer which is a vacuum deposition film, formed on one surface or both surfaces of the above substrate, and a water-repellent layer which is a film having water repellency, formed on the above gas barrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultra-large scale integrated (ULSI) interconnect structures, and more particularly to patternable low dielectric constant (low-k) materials suitable for use in ULSI interconnect structures. The patternable low-k dielectrics disclosed herein are functionalized polymers that having one or more acid-sensitive imageable functional groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to: a method of preparing a capstock layer that includes a comb copolymer; a method of preparing a multi-layered polymeric composite, at least one layer of which is a capstock layer; and a multi-layered composite formed by the method of preparing a multi-layered polymeric composite.

Abstract: Rare earth metal containing compounds of the general formula Sr2RESbO6, wherein RE is a rare earth metal, have been prepared as dielectric substrates and buffer layers in thin film superconductor structures, and can be used in other ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: A light-emitting element having excellent light-emitting properties and with which it is possible to emit blue light at a high luminance for a long period of time, and an iridium complex for realizing the same. The light-emitting element has an external quantum efficiency of at least 5% and a light emission maximum wavelength ?max of no more than 500 nm. Further, there is provided a light-emitting element including a light-emitting layer or a plurality of organic compound layers having the light-emitting layer, with at least one of the compound layers including at least one kind of a compound having a partial structure represented by the general formula K-0.

Abstract: Provided are binuclear organometallic complexes enabling highly efficient phospholuminescence and an organic electroluminescent device using the same. The binuclear organometallic complexes, which are suitably used for forming an organic layer of the organic electroluminescent device, provides maximum luminescence emission in the wavelength range of 400-650 nm, and induces white electroluminescence when combined with green or red luminescent materials.

Abstract: In an aluminum nitride sintered body, the bismuth and chlorine contents are restricted to be no more than fixed amounts. More specifically, in an aluminum nitride sintered body having aluminum nitride as its main component, the bismuth content in the aluminum nitride sintered body is no more than 30 ppm and the chlorine content is no more than 100 ppm. It would be preferable to form a resistance heating body on the aluminum nitride sintered body, and it would be preferable for the aluminum nitride sintered body to be used as a semiconductor heating part.

Abstract: A coating process and TBC system suitable for protecting the surface of a component subjected to a hostile thermal environment. The TBC system has a first layer with a columnar microstructure, and a second layer on the first layer and with a microstructure characterized by irregular flattened grains. According to one aspect, the first layer is present and the second layer is not present on a first surface portion of the component, and the first and second layers are both present on a second surface portion of the component. According to another aspect, the first and second layers contain the same base ceramic compound.

Abstract: A layered structure includes a substrate comprising a layer of an oxide/oxide ceramic based composite material, a first oxide layer disposed directly on the substrate and formed from a material that has no greater than about 10% porosity and is substantially impermeable by water vapor, and a second oxide layer disposed directly on the first oxide layer and having a greater porosity than the first oxide layer. Either or both the first and second oxide layers of the coating system may be deposited using a plasma spraying process, a slurry deposition process which is followed by a sintering step, or an EB-PVD process.

Abstract: A sintered article is fabricated which contains one or more of indium oxide, zinc oxide, and tin oxide as a component thereof and contains any one or more types of metal out of hafnium oxide, tantalum oxide, lanthanide oxide, and bismuth oxide. A backing plate is attached to this sintered article to constitute a sputtering target. This sputtering target is used to fabricate a conductive film on a predetermined substrate by sputtering. This conductive film achieves a large work function while maintaining as much transparency as heretofore. This conductive film can be used to achieve an EL device or the like of improved hole injection efficiency.

Abstract: In a method of reversably storing hydrogen in a hydrogen reservoir including a hydrogen storage material disposed between an electrode and a counter electrode, the hydrogen storage material is charged with hydrogen and the hydrogen is recuperated from the hydrogen storage material by applying between the electrodes a voltage differential to generate a current flow across the electrolyte which is adjustable for controlling the rate of release of the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage material.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical and ion exchange applications. The present invention also provides methods of manufacturing the membrane cassettes and stacks of the invention. In certain preferred embodiments, the invention provides cassettes and stacks which are suitable for use in fuel cell applications.

Abstract: In order to increase the output of a fuel cell, the fuel cell has an electrode arrangement comprising a number of series-connected electrode bundles (1-6), each consisting of a number of parallelly connected electrodes (7) and each being electrically connected and captive at the ends.

Abstract: An economical and easy to manufacture miniaturized fuel cell having fuel chambers formed from a substrate, such as a silicon wafer, to define a plurality of elongate fuel chambers in fluid-communication with each other within the substrate. Elongate electrolytes, anodes and cathodes extend along the fuel chambers to maximize the effective electrolyte surface area, thereby increasing the amount of electrical current generated by the fuel cell. The elongate fuel chambers are preferably patterned within the substrate in a mirror image configuration such that two thin-film substrates my be joined together to define fuel chambers having two elongate electrolyte, anode, and cathode portions extending therealong.

Abstract: A material such as imidazole (nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound), which has at least one lone pair, is dispersed in a basic solid polymer such as polybenzimidazole. The mole number of imidazole per gram of polybenzimidazole is less than 0.0014 mol, preferably less than 0.0006 mol. The basic solid polymer is impregnated with an acidic inorganic liquid such as phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid to prepare a proton conductive solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: An integrated fuel cell stack and catalytic combustor apparatus includes a fuel cell stack assembly having multiple fuel cell stacks between which is defined a cavity, each of said fuel cell stacks including a plurality of individual fuel cells; and a catalytic combustor disposed at least partially within the cavity, the catalytic combustor having a catalytic bed and a catalytic igniter.

Abstract: A wide-area electrostatically-actuated shutter is provided that includes a thin, flexible, diaphragm that is placed between two rigid electrode structures. In one embodiment of the invention, the diaphragm has a set of openings in it. These openings overlap with corresponding openings in one of the rigid electrodes such that when the diaphragm is contiguous to that electrode, the openings provide apertures through which vaporous fuel can flow. The opposite electrode does not have overlapping openings, thus it forms a seal that prevents gas or vapor from passing through it when the diaphragm is in contact with the opposite electrode. The shutter is actuated electrostatically by an associated driver that applies a voltage to the diaphragm such that when the high voltage is applied to the diaphragm, the diaphragm is attracted to the fixed electrode that is tied to ground.

Abstract: Fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell including a housing having an outlet, a structure having a portion in the housing, the structure defining a cavity and having a surface defining an opening in fluid communication with the cavity, and a fuel in the housing. The fuel is in fluid communication with the outlet through the opening and the cavity of the structure.

Abstract: A system for co-generation of electricity combining a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer, an SOFC assembly and a generator driven by a gas turbine. The fuel cell assembly recycles a high percentage of anode exhaust gas into the reformer. Oxygen for reforming is derived from water in an endothermic process. The stack exit temperature is normally above 800° C. DC power from the fuel cell assembly and AC power from the gas turbine generator are directed to a power conditioner. Anode exhaust gas including carbon monoxide and hydrogen is divided into a plurality of portions by which heat may be added to the reforming, gas turbine, and cathode air heating processes. Water may be recovered from the exhaust. A power system in accordance with the invention is capable of operating at a higher total efficiency than either the fuel cell component or the gas turbine component alone.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell cassette for use in assembling a fuel cell stack comprising a metal separator plate and a metal cell-mounting plate joined at their edges to form a hollow cassette. A fuel cell subassembly is attached to the mounting plate and extends through an opening in the mounting plate. The plates include openings to form chimney manifolds for supply and exhaust of fuel gas to the anode and air to the cathode. A conductive interconnect element extends from the fuel cell subassembly to make contact with the next cassette in a stack. The anode openings in the mounting plate and separator plate are separated by spacer rings such that the cassette is incompressible. A fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of cassettes, the mounting plate of one cassette being attached to, and insulated from, the separator plate of the next-adjacent cassette by a dielectric seal surrounding the interconnect.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and a pair of first and second separators. First through fourth oxygen-containing gas holes, first through fourth coolant holes, and first through fourth fuel gas holes extend through the fuel cell. The first through fourth oxygen-containing gas holes are selectively used as oxygen-containing gas supply ports or oxygen-containing gas discharge ports to change the flow direction of an oxygen-containing gas in an oxygen-containing gas flow field continuously.

Abstract: A fuel cell and a method for manufacturing a fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly that includes an ionically conductive member and an electrode disposed at the ionically conductive member. Further, the fuel cell includes an electrically conductive member or gas diffusion medium that includes a flow field formed of conductive particles dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, the plate being made up of two half-plates assembled one against the other via their inside faces, each half-plate including in its inside face at least a first groove and a second groove that are spaced apart from each other. The bottoms of said grooves each presenting a plurality of orifices distributed along each groove and opening out into the outside face of the half-plate. The outside face of each half-plate includes a plurality of distribution channels, each distribution channel connecting a respective orifice of the first groove to a respective orifice of the second groove.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode structure having an electrode catalyst layer adhered to a diffusion electrode, wherein the structure is manufactured by applying a catalyst paste onto a sheet substrate, and then dried to form a plurality of electrode catalyst layers. The electrode catalyst layers are thermally transferred onto each side of a polymer electrolyte membrane to form a laminated body. A first slurry is applied on a carbon substrate layer, and dried to form a water-repellent layer, and then, a second slurry is applied on the water-repellent layer, and dried to form a hydrophilic layer to form a diffusion electrode. The diffusion electrode is then laminated on the electrode catalyst layer through the hydrophilic layer, and then pressed under heating to integrate the laminated body and the diffusion electrode.

Abstract: A corrosion-protective cover 3 is molded of a synthetic resin. The corrosion-protective cover 3 includes a base plate portion 29 having a battery post insertion hole, first hook portions 30 and 30 formed at a rear end of the base plate portion 29 so as to be engaged with a wire connection portion 9, and a second hook portion 31 of a generally U-shape which is formed at a front end of the base plate portion 29, and has elasticity, and can be retainingly fitted on curved surfaces 40 and 40 of fastening portions 6 and 6, with the first hook portions 30 and 30 engaged with the wire connection portion 9.

Abstract: A battery apparatus and electronic equipment, in which the battery apparatus having a characteristic compatible with the electronic equipment can be suitably attached to the electronic equipment, and which are advantageous in miniaturizing themselves and improving their operability. In a battery apparatus (100), an identification section (18) of the battery apparatus (100) serves to identify a characteristic of the battery apparatus (100), and which is provided on an end surface (1022) and on both sides of a battery-side terminal (14) in the width direction (W) of the battery apparatus (100). The identification section (18) is configured with identification recesses (1802), (1804) formed in a manner open to the end surface (1022), and at least one of the positions, cross-sectional shapes, and lengths on the end surface (1022) of the identification recesses (1802), (1804) is formed on the basis of the characteristic of the battery apparatus.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary cell comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a solid electrolyte and a fiber layer provided in an interface between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode and/or in an interface between the solid electrolyte and the negative electrode.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery comprises a non-aqueous organic solvent including 20 to 95 vol % of an ester-based or ether-based organic solvent based on the total amount of organic solvent; lithium salts; and an additive compound having at least two carbonate groups. A lithium secondary battery including this electrolyte has good swelling inhibition properties as well as electrochemical properties such as capacity and cycle life.

Abstract: A method forms patterns on a substrate by exposing the substrate a first time and exposing the substrate a second time using a mask containing gray-tone features. The gray-tone features locally adjust an exposure dose in regions corresponding to features defined in the primary exposure. Moreover, the gray-tone features enable the forming of features having different critical dimensions on a substrate. The gray-tone features may be sub-resolution features and formed by pixellation. The trim mask containing gray-tone features may have regions with different transmissivities.

Abstract: A phase shift mask includes a quartz substrate having a main surface partially dug, and a Cr film deposited on the main surface. The dug portion includes an undercut provided such that the Cr film partially serves as an eaves, and the Cr film has a ? opening exposing a portion of the dug portion, and a first subopening exposing an end of the dug portion.

Abstract: A photosensitive or non-photosensitive colored composition for producing a black matrix, containing metal microparticles; a photosensitive transfer material formed from a layer made of the photosensitive colored composition; a black matrix produced by using the colored composition or the photosensitive transfer material; a color filter comprising the black matrix; a liquid crystal display comprising the color filter; and a black matrix substrate comprising a light-transmitting substrate, and a light-shielding layer in which silver microparticles having an average particle diameter of 60 to 250 nm are dispersed.

Abstract: A dye-containing curable composition including an alkali-soluble binder and an organic-solvent-soluble dye represented by the following formula (I): Dye·nX??(I) wherein Dye represents an acid dye; X represents an amine compound having an OH group and having a molecular weight of less than 230, an amine compound having an oxygen atom that forms an ether bond and having a molecular weight of 300 or less, or an amine compound having a polymerizable group; and n satisfies 0<n?10.

Abstract: The present invention provides toners of different colors in which coloring agents of at least four unicolors are internally added to, respectively, and hydrophobic silica particles and metallic soap particles are externally added to toner mother particles, wherein color superposition of the toners is conducted during development of latent images on a latent image carrier or during transfer to a recording medium after the development, being characterized in that the difference (absolute value) between the work functions of two of said toners is 0.02 eV or more, the color superposition is conducted with the toners sequentially from the toner having the largest work function in descending order of work function of the toners, and the difference (absolute value) between the work function of the toner mother particles and the work function of the metallic soap particles is 0.

Abstract: Dry electrographic toner compositions are provided comprising a plurality of dry toner particles, wherein the toner particles comprise polymeric binder comprising at least one amphipathic copolymer comprising one or more S material portions and one or more D material portions. The dry electrographic toner composition comprises a wax associated with the dry toner particles, wherein a substantial portion of the wax is entrained in the toner particle and a substantial portion of the wax is associated with the toner particle at the surface thereof. Methods of making electrographic toner compositions are also provided comprising preparing polymeric binder particles comprising at least one amphipathic copolymer comprising one or more S material portions and one or more D material portions, and milling the particles before or after formulation as toner particles with wax in the liquid carrier prior to drying to form the dry toner composition.

Abstract: A toner is prepared by dissolving and/or dispersing a modified polyester resin in an organic solvent to yield a solution or dispersion, the modified polyester resin being reactive with a compound having an active hydrogen group, mixing the solution or dispersion with an aqueous medium containing resin particles, and subjecting the modified polyester resin to crosslinking and/or elongation in the aqueous medium. The binder resin further includes a crystalline polyester resin in addition to the modified polyester resin.

Abstract: Dry electrophotographic toner compositions are provided comprising an amphipathic copolymer comprising acidic functionality covalently bonded to the amphipathic copolymer. Methods of making the toner compositions are also provided. The present toner compositions exhibit unique charge characteristics and unique chemical and charge interaction properties.

Abstract: A process for producing a toner by subjecting a polymer and a resin component containing a cross-linkable polymer capable of cross-linkingly reacting with the polymer, to cross-linking reaction in the presence of a first wax to form a wax-containing cross-linked polymer composition; mixing the wax-containing cross-linked polymer composition with at least a colorant and a second wax, followed by melt-kneading to form a toner composition; and pulverizing the toner composition to produce toner particles. Also disclosed is a toner produced by this process. The toner thus obtained is a toner whose fixing performance and anti-offset properties are well balanced and also which makes it possible to afford images having less fog and high quality, over a long period of time in environments of from low temperature and low humidity to high temperature and high humidity, and is highly durable without causing any contamination of members with which the toner comes into contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aluminum alloy plate for use as a lithographic printing plate having an improved uniformity of a surface roughened by electrolytic etching and wherein streaking does not occur, and a method for producing the same. The present invention is characterized in comprising, in wt %, Fe: 0.1 to 0.6%; Si: 0.02 to 0.2%; Cu: 0.001 to 0.02%; Zn: 0.01 to 0.1%; Mg: 0.005 to 0.1%; Ti: 0.001 to 0.05%, and the remainder Al and inevitable impurities, and an average value of the crystal particle size is 60 ?m or less in a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction.

Abstract: Provided is an infrared-sensitive planographic printing plate precursor, including a supporting plate, a recording layer formed on one face of the supporting plate, the recording layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin and an infrared absorbent and forming an image by irradiation of infrared ray, and an organic polymer layer having an arithmetic mean roughness Ra in the range of 0.05 to 0.40 ?m, or an anodic oxide film having basis weight of 0.05 to 3.0 g/m2 and an organic polymer layer formed in that order on face of the supporting plate opposite to the recording layer.

Abstract: Multilayer photoresist systems are provided. In particular aspects, the invention relates to underlayer composition for an overcoated photoresist, particularly an overcoated silicon-containing photoresist that is imaged at short exposure wavelengths.

Abstract: An image recording material of the present invention comprises an anodized aluminum support, an intermediate layer containing a polymer having a carboxylic acid group in a side chain thereof and formed on the aluminum support, and a photosensitive layer containing at least 50% by weight or more of novolak type phenol resin and a photothermal conversion agent and recordable by IR laser beam. A planographic printing plate excellent in printing durability can be obtained by subjecting the image recording material imagewise to IR laser exposure treatment and to development treatment, and then heating the image recording material at 150 to 300° C.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprising an ethylenic monomer, a photopolymerization initiator and a specific benzotriazole compound or sulfone compound, and a method for producing a lithographic printing plate comprising a step of exposing a light-sensitive layer containing the above-described polymerizable composition on a support with laser light having a wavelength of 450 nm or shorter and a step of treating the exposed light-sensitive layer with a developing solution having a pH of 13.0 or less.

Abstract: The invention provides a pattern forming method including providing a polymerization initiation layer which is obtained by fixing, by a cross-linking reaction, a polymer having functional groups having polymerization initiation ability and cross-linking groups at side chains, on a support, and forming a pattern including a preparation zone and a non-preparation zone of a graft polymer by preparing the graft polymer on the surface of the polymerization initiation layer using graft polymerization, by contacting a compound having a polymerizable group on the polymerization initiation layer and supplying energy imagewise; an image forming method which applies the pattern forming method; a pattern forming material; and a planographic printing plate. A fine particle adsorption pattern forming method and a conductive pattern forming method are also provided.