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 layer comprising a polyurethane, and (iv) a substrate layer, wherein the coating layer is in contiguous superposed contact with the second layer, and the adhesive layer is in contiguous contact with the second layer and the substrate layer. Also disclosed is a method for making the multilayer article.

Abstract: A coating layer is provided on a surface of the moving blades of a rotary machine. The coating layer includes a spray layer on the base material of the moving blades and a fluorocarbon resin layer on the spray layer. The spray layer is porous. The fluorocarbon resin layer is made of fluorocarbon resin. The fluorocarbon resin layer also contains an inorganic substance that is exposed on the surface of the fluorocarbon resin layer.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a hole transport polymer comprising a polymeric backbone having linked thereto a plurality of substituents comprising fused aromatic ring groups, with the proviso that the polymer does not contain groups selected from triarylamines and carbazole groups. It further relates to devices that are made with the polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of a sealed surface coating, for buildings (floor/wall/ceiling), of the type where a series of layers, or elements are fixed on the surface, comprising, starting from the surface, optionally at least one primer adhesive layer, at least one watertight polymer membrane, (optionally at least one woven or non-woven fibrous material layer), at least one layer of adhesive and at least one external cover, characterised in that (a) the sealed membrane is chosen from those which may be obtained from a an aqueous dispersion of silicone oil(s), (b) the adhesive applied comprises at least one adhesion promoter (C?), (c) the aqueous dispersion of silicone oil(s) is applied as a film to the surface, (d) the cross-linking of the silicone layer occurs subsequently, preferably at an ambient temperature, (e) the application of at last one layer of adhesive with added adhesion promoter (C?) is then applied, preferably by surface coating on the cross-linked silicone film and final

Abstract: Described is a free-radically curable composition comprising a fluoroalkyl silicone having at least two hydride groups, a polyethylenically unsaturated component having at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups, a hydrosilylation catalyst, and a free radical initiator.

Abstract: A phosphate bonded ceramic is used to provide a protective coating on a rare earth-transition metal (RE-TM) alloy substrate, conferring degradation resistance to the alloy by being oxidation resistant and acting as a diffusion barrier, thereby minimising/preventing oxygen diffusion and elemental depletion. The alloy substrate may, for example, be a permanent magnetic alloy component and may be used in aerospace applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a facestock comprising a polymeric film, and a holographic layer on a surface of the facestock, wherein the film is conformable. The invention also relates to label stocks prepared from the facestocks, and labels made therefrom. The labels are useful on squeezable containers. An advantage of these labels is that there is little or no cracking or flaking of the holographic image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface-coated cutting tool comprising a coating film on a base, while the coating film comprises a hard layer constituted of a compound selected from a nitride, a carbonitride, an oxynitride and a carboxynitride of at least one primary element selected from a group consisting of the metals belonging to the groups 4a, 5a and 6a of the periodic table as well as B, Al and Si, and the hard layer satisfies the following: (a) (hmax?hf)/hmax is at least 0.2 and not more than 0.7, assuming that hmax represents the maximum indentation depth and hf represents the indentation depth (dent depth) after unloading in a hardness test according to nanoindentation, (b) the thickness of the hard layer is at least 0.5 ?m and not more than 15 ?m, and (c) the hardness according to nanoindentation is at least 20 GPa and not more than 80 GPa.

Abstract: A method for reproducing information recorded on a magnetic recording medium comprising, in the following order, a non-magnetic flexible support, a non-magnetic lower layer containing non-magnetic powder and a binder, and a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder, a binder and an abrasive, the magnetic layer having an average thickness of 30 to 150 nm, a density of projections having a height of 10 nm or more of 2,000 to 10,000 per 100 ?m2 as measured by atomic force microscopy, and a scratch depth of 50 to 200 nm, the method comprising reading the magnetic recording medium with a magnetoresistive head having a magnetoresistive element, the magnetoresistive element being recessed 20 nm or less from a plane of contact with the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A bio-battery includes a biomolecular energy source, a first electrode and a second electrode. In some configurations, a bio-battery may also include a first cell containing the first electrode and the biomolecular energy source, and a second cell having a reducible substrate and the second electrode. The first cell can be in ionic communication with the second cell, for example by a proton exchange membrane. Various biomolecular energy sources can be used, including proton donor molecules or electrolytically oxidizable molecules. For example, the biomolecular energy source can be selected from the group consisting of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH), Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) and 5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (FADH).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining which condition in a fuel processor has initiated a shutdown of the fuel processor are disclosed. In general, the apparatus generates a plurality of shutdown initiator signals, each corresponding to one of a plurality of shutdown conditions and indicating whether such condition is present. The shutdown initiator signals are read within a predetermined window. At least one of the read shutdown initiator signals indicates that a corresponding first shutdown condition has occurred and identifies the corresponding first shutdown condition as the firstout.

Abstract: An output characteristic of a fuel cell is estimated by detecting an output current of the fuel cell and a voltage between terminals of the fuel cell, and then estimating the output characteristic of the fuel cell on the basis of the detected output current and the detected voltage between the terminals, and a basic output characteristic of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A procedure for starting up a fuel cell system that is disconnected from its primary load and has both its cathode and anode flow fields filled with air includes initiating a flow of air through the cathode flow field and rapidly displacing the air in the anode flow field by delivering a flow of fresh hydrogen containing fuel into the anode flow field, and thereafter connecting the primary load across the cell. Sufficiently fast purging of the anode flow field with hydrogen prior to connecting the cells to the load eliminates the need for purging the anode flow field with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, upon start-up.

Abstract: A hybrid power plant includes at least one fuel cell having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet in flow communication with the cathode inlet along a re-circulation flow path. A reformer is configured to reform air and fuel, and the fuel cell includes an anode inlet in flow communication with the reformer and an anode outlet in flow communication with the reformer along a re-circulation flow path. Compressed air is supplied to a recuperator heated by turbine exhaust, and heated compressed air is mixed with re-circulated exhaust from the fuel cell prior to entering the fuel cell. A tail gas burner combusts a mixture of cathode exhaust and reformed residual fuel, and combustion gases are directed to the turbine.

Abstract: A Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell system uses heat pipes to convey waste heat from the fuel cell stack to the reactant storage tanks. The storage tanks act as heat sinks/sources and as passive radiators of the waste heat from the fuel cell stack. During charge up, i.e., the electrolytic process, gases are conveyed to the reactant storage tanks by way of tubes that include dryers. Reactant gases moving through the dryers give up energy to the cold tanks, causing water vapor in with the gases to condense and freeze on the internal surfaces of the dryer. During operation in its fuel cell mode, the heat pipes convey waste heat from the fuel cell stack to the respective reactant storage tanks, thereby heating them such that the reactant gases, as they pass though the respective dryers on their way to the fuel cell stacks retrieve the water previously removed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a circulatory device and a fuel cell module. The fuel cell module includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anode flow field plate and a heat exchange module. The anode flow field plate is disposed at a side of the MEA and has an inlet and an outlet. The heat exchange module includes a fluid-conveying unit and a heat exchange unit. At least a part of the heat exchange unit is disposed inside the fluid-conveying unit to divide the heat exchange unit into a first channel and a second channel. The first channel communicates with the circulatory device and the inlet. The second channel communicates with the circulatory device and the outlet. The circulatory device injects a portion of the liquid reactant into the anode flow field plate through the first channel. The remainder reaction solution flows into the circulatory device through the second channel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention an electrolyte sheet includes a body of varied thickness, the electrolyte sheet having a textured surface with multiple protruding features. The protruding features form an undercut angle with respect to the normal of the electrolyte sheet, the undercut angle being more than 0 degrees and less than 15 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell for internal reforming of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, in particular, to a solid oxide fuel cell in which one side of solid oxide electrolyte (YSZ) is attached to an air electrode (La0.8Sr0.2MnO3) and its other side is attached to a catalyst electrode of Ni-YSZ type or perovskite type metal oxide. The electrochemical conversion system using the solid oxide fuel cell permits the occurrence of internal reforming of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide concomitantly with the coproduction of a syngas and electricity, and overcomes the shortcomings associated with the catalytic deactivation due to carbon deposition and the high-energy consumption.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aerogel and xerogel composite materials suitable for use as anodes in fuel cells and batteries. Precursors to the aerogel and xerogel compounds are infused with inorganic polymeric materials or carbon particles and then gelled. The gels are then pyrolyzed to form composites with internal structural support.

Abstract: A porous carbon base material includes a sheet containing carbon short fibers dispersed randomly and a carbonized resin, in which the carbon short fibers are bound by the carbonized resin and the volume of pores having a pore diameter of 10 ?m or less is 0.05 to 0.16 cc/g. A method for producing this porous carbon base material includes intermittently transporting a precursor fiber sheet including short carbon fibers dispersed randomly and a resin to a space between heated plates, subjecting the precursor to a heating and pressuring treatment by the heated plates while the transformation stops, carrying out the transportation of the sheet after the treatment, and then carrying out a heat treatment, to thereby carbonize the resin in the sheet.

Abstract: An electrode sheet (489) is put in one side of a solid electrolyte membrane (114) at its cut portion. A base member (110) for an oxidant electrode side current collector electrode sheet (499) is placed at a location facing a base member (104) for the electrode sheet (489) formed on one face of the solid electrolyte membrane (114). In addition, the base member (104) for a fuel electrode side current collector electrode sheet (497) is placed at a location facing the base member (110) formed on the other face of the electrolyte film (114).

Abstract: The positive electrode current collector for a manganese dry battery of the present invention comprises a carbon rod, and either one of a paraffin wax containing hydrocarbon whose molecular weight is 300 to 500 and a microcrystalline wax containing hydrocarbon whose molecular weight is 500 to 800, which is impregnated into the carbon rod, is characterized in that the endothermic amount of the paraffin wax or the microcrystalline wax obtained by differential scanning calorimetry up to 45° C. is not more than 1.0 J/g. This enables the manganese dry battery employing the positive electrode current collector of the present invention to keep its sealing performance in a good condition during high-temperature storage even with the use of a low-density carbon rod.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of batteries (2) and a plurality of holding frames (3) each of which is capable of accommodating and holding a corresponding one of the batteries (2) with spaces (10a, 10b) provided therein and which are opened on both side faces opposed to each other to form openings. When the holding frames (3) respectively accommodating and holding the batteries (2) are arranged with their openings aligned; end plates (4a, 4b) are arranged at both ends of the holding frames (3); and the end plates (4a, 4b) and the holding frames (3) are jointed as a unit so as to form an outer case (5) that forms a cooling space (6) surrounding each battery (2), a gas-discharge passage portion (18) is provided in each holding frame (3), which seals and covers a space surrounding a gas-discharge port (8) provided in the battery (2) and has connection ports (19a, 19b) opened on both side faces of the holding frame (3).

Abstract: A battery has enhanced reliability by protecting the battery from external impacts by separately installing a reinforcement structure on a casing and an electrode assembly housed in the casing. The configuration reduces or minimizes volumetric change in the dimensions due to volumetric expansion of the electrode assembly. The battery may include an electrode assembly having first and second electrode plates with a separator interposed therebetween. First and second terminal portions extending from the first and second electrode plates and a pouch casing having an open portion and for housing the electrode assembly. A pouch cover coupled and sealed with an opening of the pouch casing. The pouch cover having at least one throughhole and at least one electrode pin fastened to the throughhole. The electrode pin is electrically connected to one of the first and second terminal portions of the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A battery is fabricated on the basis of at least one of the following four concepts, i.e., lead terminals passing through a package not lower than the uppermost surface of an electrolyte cell, lead terminals projecting from a package in directions opposite to each other, a film package with a crushed portion expandable for accumulating gas and sheets of gas barrier sealant for keeping the boundaries between component parts of a package sealed; the seal is hardly broken so that the battery is durable and highly reliable.

Abstract: An improved electrochemical single or multi-cell energy storage device and casing are provided. The casing may be a pair of U-shaped shells, a single foil piece or even a tube-shaped structure which encases the internal electrochemical cell stack. The energy storage device and casing advantageously exhibit low internal resistance, low ESR, a high voltage/capacity, and a low contact resistance between the internal stack and the outer casing.

Abstract: The method includes filling a case through a fill-hole in a cover of a case. The case is configured to hold an electrode assembly having at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode. The method also includes plugging the fill-hole with a plug. The plug includes a terminal for the battery.

Abstract: A graphite particle obtained by assembling or binding together a plurality of flat-shaped particles so that the planes of orientation are not parallel to one another, or a graphite particle in which aspect ratio is 5 or less or specific surface area is 8 m2/g or less or the size of crystallite in the direction of c-axis of the crystal is 500 ? or more and the size of crystallite in the direction of plane is 1,000 ? or less as measured by X ray broad angle diffraction, or a graphite particle in which pore volume of the pores having a size falling in a range of 102 to 106 ? is 0.4 to 2.0 cc/g per weight of graphite particle or pore volume of the pores having a size falling in a range of 1×102 to 2×104 ? is 0.08 to 0.4 cc/g per weight of graphite particle is suitable for production of negative electrode of lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery obtained therefrom is excellent in rapid charge-discharge characteristics, cycle characteristics, etc.

Abstract: An electrode for lithium batteries, in which a thin film of active material capable of storage and release of lithium, such as a microcrystalline or amorphous silicon thin film, is provided, through an interlayer, on a current collector, the electrode being characterized in that the interlayer comprises a material alloyable with the thin film of active material.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte cell that excels in the high-temperature cycle characteristics and that is without the possibility of solution leakage. The non-aqueous electrolyte cell includes a polymer electrolyte. This polymer electrolyte is a polymerization of a prepolymer included in a prepolymer electrolyte that includes a non-aqueous solvent, an electrolyte salt, and the prepolymer. The prepolymer includes a polyester-based monomer. The polymer electrolyte further includes a vinylene carbonate derivative and cyclic acid anhydride.

Abstract: A solid amorphous electrolyte composition for a thin-film battery. The electrolyte composition includes a lithium phosphorus oxynitride material containing an aluminum ion dopant wherein the atomic ratio of aluminum ion to phosphorus ion (Al/P) in the electrolyte ranges greater than zero up to about 0.5. The composition is represented by the formula: LitPxAlyOuNvSw, where 5x+3y=5, 2u+3v+2w=5+t, t ranges from about 2.9 to about 3.3, x ranges from about 0.94 to about 0.85, y ranges from about 0.094 to about 0.26, u ranges from about 3.2 to about 3.8, v ranges from about 0.13 to about 0.46, and w ranges from zero to about 0.2. Thin film batteries containing such electrolyte films have less tendency to fail prematurely.

Abstract: An organic electrolytic solution and a lithium battery employing the same are provided. The organic electrolytic solution includes: a lithium salt; an organic solvent containing a high dielectric constant solvent and a low boiling point solvent; and a dicarboxylic acid derivative having at least one substituted silyl group. The organic electrolytic solution and the lithium battery employing the same have improved reductive decomposition stability, thereby decreasing an irreversible capacity after a first cycle and improving the charge/discharge efficiency and lifespan of the battery. The lithium battery has non-varying chemical properties at room temperature and a uniform thickness after standard charging, and thus has high reliability.

Abstract: In a process for producing a mask, layout data is provided for a semiconductor layout. The layout data is fractionated to create control data for a pattern generator. Slivers are identified slivers from the fractionating step. Second control data can be created from an enlarged imaging of the slivers. A first exposure can then be carried out using the control data and a second exposure can be carried out using the second data. The second exposure is carried out with a lower exposure dose as compared to the first exposure.

Abstract: A composite extreme ultraviolet light (EUV) mask absorber structure and method are disclosed to address the structural and processing requirements of EUV lithography. A first mask absorber layer anisotropically etched with minimal etch bias at a relatively fast etch rate, is combined with a highly-selective second mask absorber layer, to produce a mask absorber with desirable hybrid performance properties.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a color filter is provided. First, a substrate having a light shielding layer formed thereon is provided, wherein the light shielding layer is adopted for defining a plurality of sub-pixel regions on the substrate. Next, a hydrophobic layer is formed on the light shielding layer by stencil printing, or a surface silylation treatment is carried out to clean the light shielding layer by inkjet printing. Next, a color filter layer is formed in the sub-pixel regions. Thus, fabrication method of the present invention is capable of reducing the possibility of intermixing the color ink between adjacent sub-pixel regions.

Abstract: A system in which deformation of a substrate wafer is monitored during processing of the wafer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the distortion in the substrate wafer is measured after each exposure and processing operation by comparing the position of a plurality of reference marks to values in a database.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for forming a pattern within an area of a photosensitive surface. An exemplary method includes performing a first exposure of the photosensitive surface in accordance with predetermined image data, wherein the first exposure occurs during a first pass and produces a first image within the area. The image data is adjusted to compensate for identified image deficiencies image deficiencies, the image deficiencies being within a region of the first image. A second exposure, of the photosensitive surface, is performed in accordance with the adjusted image data during a second pass.

Abstract: A method to extend the process monitoring capabilities of a semiconductor wafer optical inspection system so as to be able to detect low-resolution effects of process variations over the surface of a wafer at much higher sensitivity than heretofore possible. The method consists, in essence, of grouping sensed pixels by geometric blocks over the inspected surface and comparing each block with a corresponding one from another die on the same wager, from another wager of from a stored model image. In one embodiment of the invention, pixel values are compared directly and differences are thresholded at a considerably lower level than during a defects detection process. In another embodiment, there is calculated a signature for each block, based on the sensed light intensity values, and corresponding signatures are compared.

Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member containing an optional supporting substrate, an optional hole blocking layer thereover, a photogenerating layer and a charge transport layer, and wherein the charge transport layer contains a phenol of, for example, the alternative formulas

Abstract: The present invention provides a color image forming developer comprising yellow, magenta, and cyan toners each containing an infrared absorber, wherein the cyan toner has a maximum infrared absorbance in the infrared region lower than that of the magenta toner and that of the yellow toner, to simultaneously attain sufficient fixation capacity and sufficient resistance to void formation, and also provides an improved image forming method and an image forming device using the developer.

Abstract: The developer comprises magnetic toners and the magnetic carriers which forms magnetic ears on the surface of the developing roller. The magnetic toner is of an average particle size 0.01 ?m through 0.50 ?m and is of octahedron shape that is a convex polyhedron surrounded by eight triangles as a basis, each of the vertexes edges of the octahedron shape toner being in a curved surface shape and having a portion that can be taken as a straight line on the outer periphery of a projected image of the octahedron shape toner. The magnetic ears are electrically charged by the friction between the magnetic toner and the magnetic carriers and the magnetic ears on the developing roller are carried to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor. The latent image is developed by the magnetic toners in the magnetic ears, in a small gap between the developing roller and the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A toner for electrophotography contains a binder resin and a coloring agent, and is characterized in that the binder resin contains a crystalline polyester resin, and a low-molecular compound having at least one of a naphthalene skeleton and a biphenyl skeleton, and the crystalline polyester resin contains 0.5 to 30 construction mole % of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid-derived constitutional component. Further, a developer for electrophotography and an image forming method using the toner for electrophotography are disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming method comprising: developing an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier with toner to form a toner image, transferring the toner image; and using ultrasonic vibration in the developing step or in the transferring step is disclosed. The toner includes toner particles that contain a releasing agent having a melting point 40-75° C., and has a number-based median diameter D50 of 3.0 to 5.0 ?m and a CV value of 12 to 20% in a number-based particle size distribution and/or a mean circularity of 0.975-1.000.

Abstract: A method includes pre-milling a pigment by dry ball milling the pigment with crushed CO2 (s), reducing the size of particles of the pigment by milling the pigment with glass beads, measuring a size of the particles of the pigment, determining whether that size of the particles is acceptable and coating the imaging member with the pigment if it is determined that the size of the particles is acceptable. A system includes a mill, a measuring device, a coating device and a controller that controls the mill to dry ball mill a pigment with crushed CO2, and then controls the mill to reduce the size of the pigment by milling the pigment with glass beads. The controller controls the measuring device to measure a size of the particles of the pigment to determine whether the size of the particles is acceptable. The imaging member is then coated with the solution.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of recording an image, including irradiating a CO2 laser having a wavelength of from 9 to 11 ?m onto a recording material in which a recording layer and a protective layer are provided on a support in this order, wherein the recording layer includes at least microcapsules encapsulating a basic dye precursor, and the protective layer includes a binder.

Abstract: The invention provides a photothermographic material including: a support and an image-forming layer including a non-photosensitive silver salt, a photosensitive silver halide, a binder, and a reduction agent disposed on the support, wherein a silver iodide content in the photosensitive silver halide is in a range from 40 mol % to 100 mol %; and an average sphere-equivalent diameter of the photosensitive silver halide is in a range from 0.3 ?m to 5.0 ?m. The photothermographic material may further include a silver iodide complex forming agent as a compound which substantially reduces visible light absorption caused by the photosensitive silver halide after thermal development. At least 50%, in terms of a projected area, of the photosensitive silver halide may be occupied by tabular silver halide grains having an aspect ratio of from 2 to 50 and being deposited with a silver salt in an epitaxial growth manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radical generator having a naphthalimide structure or a crosslinking agent and a photosensitive compound having a function as a radical generator. A photoradical polymerization initiator of the present invention comprises a compound (a) having only one naphthalimide structure-containing group in one molecule. The radial generator of the present invention comprises a compound (c) having two or more naphthalimide structure-containing groups in one molecule and also functions as a crosslinking agent. A first photosensitive compound of the present invention comprises a compound (d) having a naphthalimide structure-containing group and an ethylenic unsaturated group in one molecule. A second photosensitive compound of the present invention comprises a polymer (e) of one or more radical polymerizable compounds containing the compound (d).

Abstract: A positive resist composition satisfying high sensitivity, high resolution and good line edge roughness at the same time, and a pattern forming method using the composition, are provided, which is a positive resist composition comprising (A) a resin of which solubility in an alkali developer increases under the action of an acid, the resin containing a repeating unit having a specific styrene skeleton and a repeating unit having a specific ring structure, and (B) a compound of generating an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation; and a pattern forming method using the composition.

Abstract: A technique for etching with a single layered patterned photomask at wavelengths of 193 nanometers or less. Specifically, a method for etching a bottom anti-reflectant coating layer that utilizes a combination of CF4, CH2F2, and O2 to produce a stabilized pattern in the photoresist layer. The etching process results in a structure with a defined pattern having minimal defects and that maintains integrity through the remainder of the etching.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a micro-lens, and a method of fabricating an optical module using the method are provided. To fabricate a micro-lens, a thin film is formed of a material for the micro-lens on a substrate. A photoresist pattern is formed on the thin film, a thin-film structure is formed by etching the thin film using the photoresist pattern, and the micro-lens is completed by reflow by thermally treating the thin-film structure.