Abstract: A micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) switch includes a fixed electrode formed on a substrate, and a movable electric resistor formed on the substrate, the movable electric resistor serving as an electric resistor that divides an electric potential where the MEMS switch is set to a conduction state.

Abstract: A switch having a rocker paddle pivotally coupled to a cam driver composed, in part, of a rigid member which causes a cam to rotate first in a clockwise direction and then in a counter clockwise direction each time the rocker paddle is depressed. Alternate rotation of the cam drives a slider member back and forth along a linear axis to open and close a set of contacts. A shaped leaf spring cooperates with a cam follower on the slider member to assist in the movement of the slider and to determine its rest positions. A spring urges the rocker paddle to always be in its out position when the switch is in its on position and off at rest positions. An indicator such as an LED located in the paddle indicates the state of conduction of the switch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a keypad for a mobile phone and the keypad manufactured thereby, in which a vacuum deposition layer and a cellophane paper are attached to a lower surface of a key in the keypad.

Abstract: A gear-link type key switch including a pair of link members on a base panel, wherein the key switch has a constitution in that the pair of link members are not disengaged when a key top is attached to the link members. Furthermore, the key switch alleviates the need for an undesired attaching method because of its structure, when a key top is attached to the link members. In order to prevent the pair of link members from disengaging in an anteroposterior direction, wall members are provided on the base panel of the key switch. The wall members arranged on opposite sides of a contact section of the link members, abutting the outside of pivoting shafts, are made by cutting the plate member of the base panel and pulling up the cut plate member, and are an integral part of the plate member.

Abstract: A push switch which includes a switch case, a first movable contact, and a second movable contact. The switch case has a central fixed contact on an inner bottom face of its recess that has an open top, and a peripheral fixed contact. The first movable contact is curved protruding upward, and has a hole at its center. The first movable contact is disposed over the peripheral fixed contact with a space in between. The second movable contact is curved protruding upward, and is placed on the first movable contact. A pressing force for resiliently inverting the second movable contact is set greater than a pressing force for resiliently inverting the first movable contact; and two tactile feedbacks are produced by pressing from a side of the second movable contact.

Abstract: A key button is provided for pressing against a metal dome to trigger a signal. The key button structure includes a button cap and a button stem. One tip end of the button stem is in a shape of spherical camber which is in point contact with the metal dome, so that the button stem, when being pressed, is within an effective pressing area of the metal dome to prevent the metal from being permanently deformed and damaged.

Abstract: A switching device is disclosed which includes a working shaft and a control shaft installed in a frame part, the control shaft being rotatable and adapted to turn the working shaft, and the working shaft being adapted to change the position of poles of the switching device. One of the two shafts passes through the other.

Abstract: A switch device, comprising: a switch base plate that includes a sliding surface on one side thereof, a sliding member that is provided with a first claw portion and a second claw portion, the sliding member being latched by the first and second claw portions, and the sliding member also being supported by the switch base plate so as to be slidable in a sliding direction; a contact member that is disposed in a position opposing a sliding surface of the sliding member, the contact member being deformed by bending by a pressing force from the sliding surface, and the contact member is pressed against the sliding surface by a restorative force from the bending deformation; an extended portion that is formed at a leading end portion of the switch base plate; and a cut-out portion that is formed at the leading end portion of the switch base plate.

Abstract: Accumulation of polymer on equipment, which is in contact with polymerizable material during normal process operation, is minimized by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The method comprises positioning and affixing the equipment, such as a pressure relief device, to process apparatus, such as a distillation column, proximate to a wetted region comprising liquid phase fluid in the process apparatus, such that the moving liquid phase fluid is at least intermittently in contact with the equipment and one or more of accumulated polymerizable material, condensate comprising same, and polymer, is washed off of the equipment.

Abstract: A method for recovering a liquid medium, comprising gas to be compulsorily contacted with the liquid medium to gasify the liquid medium, and condensing the gasified medium, and a device for recovering a liquid medium. Further, the present invention is directed to a device for recovering a liquid medium, wherein the device comprises: a gasifying means for bringing gas into contact with a mixed liquid comprising a liquid medium and a nonvolatile substance to gasify the liquid medium; a condensing-separating means for cooling the gas and the gasified medium fed from the gasifying means to separate the condensed medium from the separated gas; and a gas feeding means for feeding the separated gas as the gas to the gasifying means.

Abstract: A method of purifying propylene oxide, which comprises subjecting the propylene oxide containing methyl formate as an impurity to extractive distillation using a hydrocarbon of 7 to 10 carbon atoms as an extractant with an extractive distillation column, adding water to the distillate from the overhead of the extractive distillation column to conduct oil-water separation, recycling the oil layer separated to the extractive distillation column, removing the aqueous layer outside the system thereby to obtain propylene oxide in which a methyl formate concentration is reduced as a bottom liquid of the extractive distillation column.

Abstract: A process and reactor for chemical conversion is taught. The process allows the selective breaking of chemical bonds in a molecule by use of fast rise alternating current or fast rise pulsed direct current, each fast rise portion being selected to have a suitable voltage and frequency to break a selected chemical bond in a molecule. The reactor for carrying out such a process includes a chamber for containing the molecule and a generator for generating and applying the selected fast rise current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the plasma and/or coating treatment of workpieces comprising a chamber (2) that can be evacuated, a holding device (3) for the workpieces to be treated that is rotatably mounted within the chamber (2) and a plasma source (4). In order to create a device of the above mentioned type that enables the treatment of relatively great workpieces with respect to the size of the device, the invention proposes that the plasma source (4) is placed within the chamber (2), for which purpose the at least one cathode (5) and the least one anode (6) of the plasma source (4) are mounted on the upper side or lower side (7, 8) inside the chamber (2).

Abstract: A silicon object formation target substrate is arranged in a first chamber, a silicon sputter target is arranged in a second chamber communicated with the first chamber, plasma for chemical sputtering is formed from a hydrogen gas in the second chamber, chemical sputtering is effected on the silicon sputter target with the plasma thus formed, producing particles contributing to formation of silicon object, whereby a silicon object is formed, on the substrate, from the particles moved from the second chamber to the first chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of sterilizing air that contains airborne pathogenic agents or microorganisms such as spores, bacteria, viruses, yeasts and moulds The method consists in damaging and braking up the contaminant molecular structure by oxidation and ionization and chemical bond rupture. Through this process the microorganisms or the contaminants are inactivated through structural damages to the cellular membrane and/or the nucleus membrane and/or to the DNA structure. This is accomplished by creating through the air to be treated, various electronic current having a plurality of specific controlled average kinetic energies matching the desired chemical bonds to be affected and/or ruptured. The air interaction with such various currents, having specific energies, sufficient intensities and exposition time is accomplished through several stages to completely sterilize the air or gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for electrochemically winning or refining copper by electrodepositing copper from an electrolyte solution containing the metal in ionogenic form, in which the electrolyte is passed through an electrolysis plant comprising at least one electrolytic cell, which in an electrolyte tank for receiving the electrolyte has at least two electrodes serving as anode and cathode, which are alternately arranged at a distance from each other, and to a corresponding plant. To increase the economic efficiency of such processes and plants, it is proposed in accordance with the invention to immerse the at least one cathode during operation of the electrolysis into the electrolyte over a length of at least 1.2 meters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide methods and apparatuses for electroprocessing a substrate. In one embodiment, an apparatus for electrochemically processing the substrate includes a conductive processing surface adapted for processing a substrate thereon, and a polishing head for retaining the substrate against the processing surface. At least one drive mechanism provides relative motion between the conductive processing surface and the substrate. A first electrode is disposed below the conductive processing surface and is comprised of a first material. A second electrode is disposed radially inward of the first electrode and comprised of a second material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing more uniform deposition across one or more faces of a workpiece in an electroplating process. The apparatus employs eductors in conjunction with a flow dampener member and other measures to provide a more uniform current distribution and a more uniform metal deposit distribution as reflected in a coefficient of variability that is lower than conventional processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical gas generator including a substrate for providing a surface for electrode deposition, a first electrode deposited on the surface for providing an electrical connection with a conducting medium, a second electrode deposited on the substrate for generating a gas, and a plurality of members extending from at least one side of the first electrode placed alternately with a plurality of extensions protruding from at least one side of the second electrode for improving generator efficiency.

Abstract: A vacuum coating system for coating elongate substrates includes one or several coating sections and one or several pump sections, at lease one magnetron in an arrangement as a sputter-down-variant above the substrate which has a target surface opposite the upper side of the substrate and/or in an arrangement as a sputter-up-variant below the substrate which has a target surface opposite the lower side of the substrate, and a transport device. The aim is to form an inline coating system for the two lateral coatings of elongate substrates, wherein construction costs and space required are reduced. The aim is achieved by use of a transport device arranged in a divided manner on a drive plane and on a transport plane. In sputter-up-variants, the underside of a magnetron body containing the magnetron lies above the drive plane.

Abstract: The present invention includes a biosensor having a generally planar substrate including a surface texture configured to increase a surface area of the generally planar substrate. The biosensor may also include at least one conductive component at least partially formed on a portion of the surface texture. The invention also includes a method for manufacturing a biosensor. The method may include forming a surface texture on a generally planar substrate whereby the surface texture increases a surface area of the generally planar substrate. The method also includes at least partially forming at least one conductive component on a portion of the surface texture. The present invention also includes a reel having a generally planar substrate including a surface texture configured to increase a surface area of the generally planar substrate.

Abstract: A redox polymer for use in an electrochemical-based sensor includes a hydrophobic polymer backbone (e.g., a hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer backbone) and at least one hydrophilic polymer arm (such as a hydrophilic oligo(N-vinylpyrrolidinone) polymer arm) attached to the hydrophobic polymer backbone. The redox polymer also includes a plurality of redox mediators (e.g., ferrocene-based redox mediators) attached to the at least one hydrophilic polymer arm.

Abstract: A sensor element for determining a physical property of a test gas, e.g., the concentration of a gas component in a gas mixture, in particular the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas from internal combustion engines, has a solid electrolyte body, an external electrode exposed to the test gas situated on the solid electrolyte body, an internal electrode situated in the solid electrolyte body, and an electrical resistance heater which has a meandering heating surface situated in the solid electrolyte body, and is embedded in insulation. The external electrode is situated in a cavity formed in the solid electrolyte body to reduce the heat losses from the sensor element due to convection and radiation to the cold test gas flow.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a electrochemical sensor comprises carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox-active compound, excluding an electrode based on carbon having derivatised thereon two redox-active species wherein at least one of said species is selected from anthraquinone, phenanthrenequinone and N,N?-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The invention further provides a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material; and a counter electrode, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the working electrode to the surface area of the counter electrode is from 1:10 to 10:1. Also provided is a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material, and a counter electrode, wherein the area of the working electrode is from 500 ?m2 to 0.1 m2. The uses of these electrodes and sensors are also described.

Abstract: The conventional method of purifying and concentrating nucleic acids, because of dangerous chemicals, requires elaborate chemical equipment to result in restriction of environment available. Further, time-consuming operation is inevitable and high-speed centrifugation, etc. are needed to cause automation to be difficult and to cause high purification degree to be unattainable. Still further, in the purification method using a column/filter, application of dusty samples tends to invite clogging to lead to a drop of purification efficiency, and centrifugation or suction operation is needed to cause automation to be difficult. In this invention, surfactants (3,4) are adsorbed on impurity (2) contained in a sample, so that the impurity (2) conducts behavior different from that of nucleic acid (1) to thereby attain separation of the impurity (2) from the nucleic acid (1).

Abstract: An improved method of separating a macromolecule by isoelectric focusing comprising subjecting the macromolecule to electrophoresis in an isoelectric-focusing medium including a substantially thiol-free reducing agent, preferably a trivalent phosphorous compound and more preferably tributyl phosphine, the improvement being the solubility and focusing of the macromolecule is enhanced compared to isoelectric focusing of the same macromolecule in a similar isoelectric-focusing medium containing a thiol-reducing agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the precise selection and extraction of a selected analyte in a focused zone produced by isoelectric focusing performed in micro-channels. A cross-channel microfluidic device comprises a sample mixture introduction and separation channel and an extraction channel, which are in fluid communication with each other at a point of intersection. Means are provided for selectively moving the pattern of separated zones following cIEF to the intersection point, and means are provided for applying an extraction pressure to direct a single zone containing a selected analyte into and then out of the extraction channel for collection.

Abstract: An apparatus of manufacturing a biochip and manufacture method of biochip tip array. The invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a biochip from a substrate. The apparatus comprises a tip array, a reservoir tank and a conduit connecting the tip array and the reservoir tank. When the substrate is placed over the tip array, the agent in the reservoir tank can be applied to the substrate by moving upward and downward the reservoir tank with respect to the tip array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of a corrosion resistant and/or oxidation resistant coating, whereby at least one metal of the platinum group, in particular platinum and/or palladium, or an alloy based on at least one metal of the platinum group, is deposited by galvanizing onto a surface of a substrate, and whereby thereafter an aluminizing of the thusly galvanically coated substrate is carried out. According to a first aspect of the invention, the galvanic deposition of the or each metal of the platinum group or the corresponding alloy is carried out in an at least two-staged deposition process, whereby in a first stage of the deposition process a current magnitude applied for the galvanizing is increased continuously or step-wise beginning from an initial value up to a maximum value, and whereby in a second stage of the deposition process the current magnitude applied for the galvanizing is maintained constant at the maximum value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a probe and a method of making the same, and more particularly to a probe having a minute pitch, with which a probe card corresponding to arrangement of pads formed with a massed shape or other various shapes on a wafer is made, and a method of making the same. The probe having a prescribed thickness and formed in the shape of a flat plate. The probe comprises a body part bent at the middle thereof so that the body part is elastically tensioned or compressed when a tension force or a compression force is applied to the body part at the upper and lower ends thereof, a connection part integrally formed with the lower end of the body part, the connection part being fixed to a substrate, and a tip part integrally formed with the upper end of the body part, the tip part contacting a pad of an element.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aluminum alloy for lithographic sheet including about 0.05 wt % to about 0.25 wt % Si; about 0.25 wt % to about 0.4 wt % Fe; less than or equal to about 0.04 wt % Cu; less than or equal to about 0.25 wt % Mn; 0.31 wt % to 0.35 wt % Mg; less than or equal to about 0.03 wt % Zn; less than or equal to about 0.03 wt % Ti; and incidental impurities. Another aspect of the invention is a method of processing a lithographic sheet including the steps of providing an aluminum sheet; contacting the aluminum sheet with an electrolyte bath; and applying a current having a non-sinusoidal wave form with a constant peak voltage to said electrolyte bath.

Abstract: Methods of plating electrical contacts on a photosensitive device are provided. Also provided are methods of plating electrical contacts on solar cells.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding Thermotoga maritima mannitol dehydrogenase and the Thermotoga maritima mannitol dehydrogenase polypeptide are disclosed. Further provided are an electrochemical bioreactor system and a bioreactor electrode that can be used to convert glucose or fructose to mannitol.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode for electrolysis with excellent corrosion resistance and durability which can be used sustainably in the production of a high-purity quaternary ammonium hydroxide by the electrolysis of a quaternary ammonium inorganic acid salt in an electrolytic cell partitioned by a cation exchange membrane on a commercial scale with reduced electric power consumption at low cost. The electrode for electrolysis is useful for the production of a quaternary ammonium hydroxide by the electrolysis of a quaternary ammonium inorganic acid salt in an electrolytic cell partitioned by a cation exchange membrane and comprises an electrode base material of an electrically conductive metal, an electrode active layer containing an electrode active material covering the electrode base material, and an intermediate layer of a mixed oxide of an oxide of at least one kind of metal selected from In, Ir, Ta, Ti, Ru, and Nb and an oxide of Sn disposed between the electrode base material and the electrode active layer.

Abstract: An oxide-based electrolytic structure and process is disclosed, which is particularly useful for use as an oxygen separation device. The disclosed structures utilize thin film layers to provide the oxygen separation in conjunction with polymer substrate materials. The disclosed devices operate at relatively low temperatures to provide a relatively low flux density (typically 10?10-10?14 g/cm2 sec) of ion conduction, compared to prior art solid oxide electrolytes, whereas substantial oxygen separation is provided over relatively large areas. The disclosed oxygen separation devices are particularly suited for protection of organic-based semiconductors.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor is provided especially for gases. The electrochemical sensor has a mediator compound, which is both dissolved in an electrolyte (9) in a saturated form and is present as an excess solid (10) in the electrolyte (9).

Abstract: A microarray apparatus is provided which contains at least one chip having source and drain electrodes positioned on an array of carbon nanotube transistors which allows for electronic detection of nucleic acid hybridizations, thereby affording both increased sensitivity and the capability of miniaturization.

Abstract: A unit dose package for applying a material with an applicator having a separate material and applicator portion. In one embodiment, a material well is squeezed to dispense the material onto an applicator through a releasable portion between the material well and the edge of the tray. In another embodiment, a plurality of material wells is used to mix different materials to be dispensed with an applicator. In another embodiment a portion of the cover is removable.

Abstract: A packaged combination includes a fluid container having walls that are dimensioned to receive a solid object, for example, an edible item. The fluid container may be a single portion with areas cut out to receive an edible item or the fluid container may have two separate portions capable of holding the same or different fluids, which two separate portions each have walls cut out that, when acting together, may at least partially enclose an edible object.

Abstract: A cover coupled with a container that allows contents thereof to be mixed when the cover is opened, is provided. The cover includes a cover body and a packing member. The cover body consists of a cylinder-shaped shaped receiving wall integrally projected from the bottom to for a receiving space. The packing member has a blocking wall, the first support wall, the second support wall, and bridges. The first support wall extends from the blocking wall and is forcibly fitted in the inside of the receiving wall. The second support wall is forcibly fitted in the inside of the lateral wall of the container and the bridges are formed at a constant interval to connect the first support wall and the second support wall. Since the cover body and the packing member are coupled in the shape of an assembly, a coupling process with the container can be separately performed and thus assembling efficiency improves.

Abstract: A system and method for adding a beverage concentrate to a bag shaped to hold fluid while still maintaining the bag for purposes of later dispensing. The bag will generally hold a potable liquid to which the concentrate is added from a pouch prior to dispensing of the liquid from the bag. The addition of the concentrate will generally be performed by having mating connectors on the pouch and the bag to allow transfer between the two.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a first material defining a first region, a second material defining a second region that is separated from the first region, and a connector coupled between the first region and the second region. The connector includes a brittle material and has an open end and a closed end, the open end being disposed in the second region, the closed end being disposed in the first region. The first region is closed off from the second region by the closed end of the connector. The connector is configured such that when the closed end of the connector is broken, the connector defines a passage from the first region to the second region.

Abstract: A case (10) for a cigarette packet including a lid (14) and a hollow receptacle (12) that is closed at one end, a first portion of the lid (14) being shaped to receive and seat therein a lid portion of the cigarette packet and the receptacle (12) being shaped to receive and seat therein a body portion of the cigarette packet.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an inner lining sheet for a sanitary cigarette case, disposed between a cigarette case body and an aluminum foil paper, in which four fold lines including two transverse and two longitudinal fold lines, are formed on the inner lining sheet, in which the front and rear transverse fold lines, both located in the middle part of the inner lining sheet, are parallel to each other, and the left and right longitudinal fold lines, both located below the transverse fold line, are parallel to each other; thus dividing the inner lining sheet into five parts including a front surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, a rear surface and an enclosure surface, in which an enclosure surface is formed by a part defined between the front and rear transverse fold lines, a top edge of the left side surface is lower than the front transverse fold line and a top edge of a left part of the front surface is also lower than the front transverse fold line.

Abstract: A pocketed sheet, method of making, and article-holding pocket well suited for disk media storage. The pocketed sheet has binder ring holes for use with a ring binder, includes a base layer and first outer layer bonded thereto via at least one mechanically entangling seam that also integrally defines at least a portion of the pocket. A pocket cover flap integrally formed from the outer layer has a window to view a disk in the pocket. A preferred sheet includes another outer layer bonded to the base in like manner defining at least part of a view sleeve configured to present related printed matter, preferably the disk insert. One preferred pocketed sheet has a plurality of pockets on one side and a sleeve for each pocket on the other side. Such an arrangement provides an efficient, accurate and time-saving media storage system and method.

Abstract: A storage case of storing optical digital data storage media, the case including a cover with a defined area therein that permits transmission of certain energy to the medium stored therein while the area of the cover outside of the defined area does not.

Abstract: Apparatus to hold discs and other objects having interior holes are disclosed. An apparatus, in one aspect, may include a base, a top that is dimensioned smaller than a diameter of an interior hole of a data storage disc to allow the top to pass through the hole, sides connecting the top with the base, and a disc support surface of the sides to support the disc if the top is passed through the hole and the disc is rested on the sides. An apparatus, in another aspect, may include a disc holder including an electrically conductive material, and a conductive line coupled at a first end thereof with the electrically conductive material of the disc holder to conduct static electricity away from the conductive material. Methods of using the apparatus to hold the discs and other objects having interior holes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in storing board games. The apparatus comprises a box member having a predetermined shape, a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material. The box member has a bottom portion, side walls, an open top and a central interior area for storing a playing board of such board game. There is at least one of a removable compartment and a removable divider engageable with the central interior portion of the box member for storage of additional game pieces. A lid member is engageable with the box member closely adjacent the open top for closing the open top and a closure means that is engageable with the box member and the lid member for securing the lid member to the box member in a closed position.

Abstract: A protective carrying case for a handheld device having an anterior panel connected to a posterior panel and an integrated flap releasably attached to the anterior panel and connected to the posterior panel through a slit. The handheld device is inserted into the carrying case for protection and can be removed by unlatching integrated flap and manually moving the flap outwardly from the interior of the carrying case.

Abstract: A power tool case for storing battery-operated power tools includes a housing, an electrical connector, and an internal electrical outlet. The housing defines at least one compartment for storing a battery charger and has a handle for transporting the case. The electrical connector is carried by the housing and is adapted to electrically couple with an electrical power source to provide power for the case. The internal electrical outlet is also carried by the housing and is electrically coupled with the electrical connector to allow the battery charger to remain plugged into the internal electrical outlet while the battery charger is stored in the compartment.