Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat dissipating device for a battery pack which comprises a heat collecting plate having a heat collecting channel, a heat dissipating plate having a heat dissipating channel, and a pump, wherein, one port of the heat collecting channel is communicated with one port of the heat dissipating channel, the other post the heat collecting channel is communicated with the liquid outlet of the pump, and the liquid inlet of the pump is communicated with the other port of the heat dissipating channel. A battery pack using the heat dissipating device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery state detection arrangement is provided for use in conjunction with a series connection of multiple battery cells, e.g., a series connection of at least two lead batteries in a vehicle electric system having a voltage which is higher than conventional system voltages. The battery state detection arrangement detects both a defect in a battery and a defect in the overall system and transmits signals to a higher-level energy management system as well as, if necessary, a display. Additional components provide a charge equalization in the batteries by selectively recharging or selectively discharging unevenly charged batteries.

Abstract: A battery pack (10) includes: a battery (1); a circuit substrate (5) having a charge/discharge safety circuit and arranged on one end face (3) of the battery; and an end case (6) in which an external connection terminal (7) is set. In this battery pack, the circuit substrate (5) is arranged inside the end case (6), and the end case (6) is secured to the battery by screws (12) with a screw head (12a) extending through and engaging with the end case (6) at both ends and tips of the screw (12) being engaged into the end face (3) at both ends of the battery (1). This achieves a compact battery pack with a reduced connection resistance, while achieving both high reliability and productivity.

Abstract: A membrane includes a fiber material (e.g., in fabric form) and an agar material distributed so as to surround the fiber material. Another membrane includes an agar material and a fiber material (e.g., non-woven fibers) dispersed in the agar. Moreover, a method for making the membrane includes the steps of: (a) mixing the agar material with water to form a slurry of agar; (b) immerging a fiber material into the slurry of agar to form a pre-composite; (c) molding the pre-composite to form a composite and solidifying the composite to obtain the membrane.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery and its fabrication method prevents electrical shorts between the electrode plates by decreasing shrinkage of the separator, the battery includes: an electrode assembly including: a wound electrode jelly roll having a first electrode plate with a first electrode tab attached thereto, a second electrode plate with a second electrode tab attached thereto and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, and an upper tape arranged to surround an upper end of the electrode jelly roll where the first electrode tab and second electrode tab extend outward therefrom; a case having an upper end opening arranged to receive the electrode assembly and an electrolyte; and a cap assembly arranged to seal the upper end opening of the case after the electrode assembly has been received in the case; the upper tape 1I is attached to the upper end of the electrode jelly roll and surrounds the separator adjacent to an end of an innermost electrode plate of the fir

Abstract: A battery pack is provided, in which a plurality of rechargeable batteries are held by a center frame, a bottom-side frame, and a terminal-side frame in a parallel spaced relationship, the plurality of rechargeable batteries being connected in series and integrated with a circuit substrate by mounting the circuit substrate on the terminal-side frame, the circuit substrate being provided with a resin mold, whereby the battery pack is free of damage to electrical circuit parts even in the event of entrance of water or dust through vents that are provided for suppressing temperature rise of the rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: An electrode for a battery includes a thin plate current collector and an active material layer coated on the current collector. The current collector is provided at a top surface with a coated current collector part and an uncoated current collector part adjacent to the coated current collector part. The uncoated current collector part has less yield stress than the coated current collector part.

Abstract: According to a positive electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery comprising a current collector and a mixture layer containing a transition metal-containing complex oxide as a positive electrode active material formed on the current collector, wherein the mixture layer has surface roughness of 0.1 ?m or more and 0.5 ?m or less in terms of a Ra value and the mixture layer has a surface treated layer treated with a coupling agent on the surface, it is possible to obtain a positive electrode which is excellent in suppression of moisture absorption. By using the positive electrode, it is possible to obtain a lithium ion secondary battery which is excellent in storage characteristics and causes less battery swelling since the amount of a gas generated upon charging and discharging decreases.

Abstract: A battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics and the swollenness characteristics is provided. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The node has an anode current collector and an anode active material layer provided thereon, and the anode active material layer contains a plurality of anode active material particles having silicon, and a metal material having a metal element not being alloyed with an electrode reactant in a gap between the anode active material particles.

Abstract: Negative active materials for rechargeable lithium batteries are provided. One negative active material includes at least one Si active particle and a metal matrix surrounding the Si active particle. The metal matrix does not react with the Si active particle. The negative active material has a martensite phase when X-ray diffraction intensity is measured using a CuK? ray. The negative active material has improved efficiency and cycle-life.

Abstract: Negative active materials and rechargeable lithium batteries including the negative active materials are provided. The negative active material includes an intermetallic compound of Si and a metal, and a metal matrix including Cu and Al. The negative active material may provide a rechargeable lithium battery having high capacity and excellent cycle-life and cell efficiency.

Abstract: To provide a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, which can achieve high capacity and high output simultaneously, and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is obtained by using as a positive electrode, a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, which is expressed by the general formula: Lix(Ni1-yCoy)1-zMzO2 (0.98?x?1.10, 0.05?y?0.4, 0.01?z?0.2, M=at least one element selected from the group of Al, Zn, Ti and Mg), and which has a Li site occupancy of the Li site in crystal of 98.5% or more, and a metal site occupancy of the metal site of from 95% to 98% inclusive, obtained by Rietveld analysis.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery grid made from a lead-based alloy containing, in addition to lead, tin at a concentration that is at least about 0.500%, silver at a concentration that is greater than 0.006%, and bismuth at a concentration that is at least about 0.005%, and, if calcium is present in the lead-based alloy, the calcium is at concentration that is no greater than about 0.010%.

Abstract: A layer, in particular for use as a separator in galvanic cells, including fibers having at least one first substance which renders possible the chemical and/or physical binding of ammonia or ammonia compounds. A galvanic cell having a low self-discharging rate over its entire life cycle having a layer wherein a first substance is present in volumetric regions of the fibers whose surface areas are at least partially covered by a second substance.

Abstract: An electric device comprises a gelled acid electrolyte in complex with a lanthanide that forms a redox pair with a second element. Preferred electric devices include batteries, and especially primary batteries, while preferred acid electrolytes have a sulfonic acid group. Contemplated lanthanides especially include cerium, and preferred second elements particularly include zinc. Alternatively, contemplated electric devices may comprise a gelled electrolyte in which with a lanthanide forms a redox pair with zinc.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises: a positive electrode using a positive electrode active material consisting of metal composite oxide containing lithium having a laminated structure; a negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte dissolving an electrolyte in a non-aqueous solvent; wherein the positive electrode active material contains 50 mol % or more of nickel in metal excluding lithium, and cyclic ether is added in the range of 0.1 volume % to 2.0 volume % to the non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: System and method for providing a passivation layer for a phase shift mask (“PSM”) are described. In one embodiment, a PSM comprises a transparent substrate; a phase shift pattern disposed on the transparent substrate; and a passivation layer disposed to substantially cover exposed surfaces of at least a portion of the phase shift pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system for optimizing lithography focus and/or energy using a specially-designed optical critical dimension pattern. A wafer comprising a plurality of photomasks is received. Critical dimension, line-end shortening, and side wall angle of the plurality of photomasks are measured using an integrated metrology equipment. A spectrum analysis is performed in a simulated spectra library to form analysis data. The analysis data is stored into a plurality of lookup tables of an optical critical dimension library. A lookup of the plurality of lookup tables is performed to determine a focus or energy of the wafer.

Abstract: A mask with hydrophobic surface. The mask includes a substrate, a plurality of patterns formed on the substrate, and a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formed on the substrate exposed by the patterns. The self-assembled monolayer includes an alkyltrichlorosilane-based layer such as octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) or perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) and formed by vapor process or solution process.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to form a pattern of functional material on a substrate. The method uses an elastomeric stamp having a relief structure with a raised surface and having a modulus of elasticity of at least 10 MegaPascal. A surface modifying material is applied to the relief structure and forms a layer at least on the raised surface. A composition of the functional material and a liquid is applied to the layer of the surface modifying material on the relief structure and the liquid is removed to form a film. The elastomeric stamp transfers the functional material from the raised surface to the substrate to form a pattern of the functional material on the substrate. The method is suitable for the fabrication of microcircuitry for electronic devices and components.

Abstract: A mask rework method includes forming a first carbon-containing hard mask layer and a first silicon-containing hard mask layer over an etch target layer, forming a first photoresist pattern over the first-silicon-containing hard mask layer, removing the first photoresist pattern, the first silicon-containing hard mask layer, and the first carbon-containing hard mask layer to generate a resulting structure, stacking a second carbon-containing hard mask layer and a second silicon-containing hard mask layer on the resulting structure, and forming a second photoresist pattern over the second silicon-containing hard mask layer.

Abstract: A barrier film material includes, in addition to an alkali-soluble polymer, a multivalent carboxylic acid compound having a plurality of carboxyl groups or a multivalent alcohol compound. Thus, the multivalent carboxylic acid compound or the multivalent alcohol compound is adhered onto the surface of a resist film, and hence, particles having been adhered to the surface of the resist film are removed in removing the barrier film. Also, in the case where the barrier film is removed simultaneously with development, the resist film can be prevented from remaining partly undissolved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing color filters using a first mixed gas and a second mixed gas. In the method, a stopper layer whose etching rate by the second mixed gas is low is formed on the support, a colored layer is formed on the stopper layer, a photo resist layer is formed on the colored layer, an image on the colored layer is formed by removing the photo resist layer according to a pattern, a part of the colored layer is removed by dry etching process using the first mixed gas to the extent that the stopper layer is not exposed removing so as to form a colored-layer removed portion according to the pattern, and the colored-layer removed portion is removed by dry etching process using the second mixed gas so as to form a stopper-layer exposed portion according to the pattern.

Abstract: To provide a process for forming partition walls excellent in the uniformity in thickness of the ink layer even when light exposure is low in the exposure step. A process for forming partition walls, which comprises a step of coating a substrate with a negative photosensitive composition containing a fluorinated polymer (A) having a side chain containing a fluoroalkyl group (which may have an etheric oxygen atom) and a side chain containing an ethylenic double bond, a drying step, an exposure step and a development step in this order, followed by a post-exposure step.

Abstract: In one disclosed embodiment, a method for forming a high resolution resist pattern on a semiconductor wafer involves forming a layer of resist comprising, for example a polymer matrix and a catalytic species, over a material layer formed over a semiconductor wafer; exposing the layer of resist to patterned radiation; and applying a magnetic field to the semiconductor wafer during a post exposure bake process. In one embodiment, the patterned radiation is provided by an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source. In other embodiments, the source of patterned radiation can be an electron beam, or ion beam, for example. In one embodiment, the polymer matrix is an organic polymer matrix such as, for example, styrene, acrylate, or methacrylate. In one embodiment, the catalytic species can be, for example, an acid, a base, or an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A toner producing method is provided, which comprises preparing toner base particles in an aqueous medium, wherein the toner base particles comprise resin fine particles, and forming a coating layer on the surface of the toner base particles, wherein the coating layer is formed by attaching or coating a toner functional substance onto the surface of the toner base particles using at least one of supercritical fluids and sub-supercritical fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner which, despite its spherical shape, makes it possible to prevent an external additive from being embedded in the toner easily or by a load generating low stress, reduce variation in image density, maintain cleaning ability and transfer ability throughout its long-term use and obtain excellent image quality, and further, provides a two-component developer, an image forming method and an image forming apparatus with the use of the toner. There is a toner including: base particles including a colorant and a resin, and hard fine particles, wherein the base particles and the hard fine particles are mixed together, and protruding portions formed of fine organic resin particles which are different in composition from a resin contained as a main component in the base particles are provided on surfaces of the base particles.

Abstract: A toner for developing a latent electrostatic image produced by suspension polymerizing a polymerizable monomer composition in an aqueous dispersion medium, wherein the polymerizable monomer composition contains a polymerizable monomer, a colorant, and a layered inorganic mineral in which at least a part of an interlayer ion is replaced with an organic ion, and a process cartridge and an image forming method using the toner.

Abstract: There is provided a toner which contains at least a binder resin, and filler including a layered inorganic compound, wherein the layered inorganic compound is cleaved to form particles in the toner, and the particles have a breadth of 0.5 nm to 4 nm, and a length of 10 nm to 90 nm.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member having a charge generation layer containing a phenanthrene compound, a phenanthroline compound or an acenaphthene compound. Also disclosed are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: A photoreceptor device having at least one layer that is a self-assembled patterned binder layer, which may include at least one functional material.

Abstract: A photoconductor containing a fluoroalkyl ester layer, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer.

Abstract: A photoconductor containing an optional supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, at least one charge transport layer, and an overcoating layer in contact with and contiguous to the charge transport layer, and which overcoating layer includes a fluoroalkyl ester, and a polymer.

Abstract: A photoconductor containing a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer which contains a fluoroalkyl ester.

Abstract: A corona detection device includes a bandpass filter having a primary passband that includes at least wavelengths in the range of about 250 nm to about 400 nm and a secondary passband that includes wavelengths in the range of about 675 nm to about 850 nm. The corona detection device also includes an image intensifier in optical communication with the bandpass filter. The image intensifier is configured to generate an image based on radiation passed through the primary passband and the secondary passband of the bandpass filter.

Abstract: A toner, including a parent particulate material including a colorant and a binder resin, and an external additive including particles having an average primary particle diameter from 80 to less than 150 nm in an amount of from 0.03 to 2% by number, particles having an average primary particle diameter from 5 nm to less than 15 nm in an amount of from 50 to 95% by number, and particles having an average primary particle diameter from 15 to less than 40 nm in an amount of from 5 to 40% by number, and the particles having an average primary particle diameter from 80 to less than 150 nm include particles having an average primary particle diameter not less than 200 nm in an amount of from 10 to 30% by number, and have a weight reduction rate not greater than 3.00% when heated from 30 to 250° C.

Abstract: A toner useful for an oilless fixing method, includes a binder resin; a colorant; and 2.0 to 4.5% by weight of a wax which is soluble in n-hexane, based on a total weight of the toner, wherein the wax is dispersed in the toner, the wax forming wax domain particles (DA) comprising wax domain particles (DS) exposed at a surface of the toner and wax domain particles (DI) encapsulated in the toner and not exposed at the surface of the toner, wherein a weight of the DS is greater than a weight of the DI, wherein the toner from which the DS have been eluted with n-hexane comprises vestigial concavities having an area of 0.01 ??m2 or more on the surface of the toner in an amount of from 1 to 7 pcs/4 ?m2, and wherein 60% or more by number of the DA having a particle diameter of 200 nm or more have a spindle or cylindrical shape having an aspect ratio of 4 or more.

Abstract: A two component developer used in an electrophotographic method composed of a toner containing at least a resin and a colorant, and a carrier, is disclosed. The resin is composed of a polyester resin and a styrene-acryl resin, in which the polyester resin is prepared via condensation-polymerization of a polyvalent carboxylic acid and a polyol in a state where a styrene monomer and an acrylate monomer exist in an aqueous medium containing an acidic compound, followed by formation of the styrene-acryl resin via radical polymerization of the styrene monomer and the acrylate monomer; and the carrier comprises magnetic material powder dispersed in a binder resin, and has a volume based median diameter of 10 ?m-100 ?m, a shape factor SF-1 of 1.0-1.2, and a shape factor SF-2 of 1.1-2.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a toner for electrophotography, including: (a) a step of aggregating resin particles containing a resin binder in an aqueous medium; and (b) a step of unifying the aggregated resin particles, the step (a) including: (a-1) a step of adding a monovalent salt as an aggregating agent; and (a-2) a step of adding at least one compound selected from the group consisting of alkylethersulfates represented by the formula (1): R—O—(CH2CH2O)nSO3M ??(1) wherein R is an alkyl group; n represents an average molar number of addition and is a number of more than 0 and not more than 15 (0<n?15), and M is a monovalent cation, alkylsulfates and linear alkylbenzenesulfonates. The toner of the present invention has a small particle size which is controlled with a high accuracy, and a sharp particle size distribution, and a particle shape of the toner is readily controlled even at a low temperature, and further the obtained toner exhibits a high circularity.

Abstract: A process of preparing spherical nano-sized core/shell silica particles, including providing a latex polymer dispersion comprising particles of a liquid dispersible starting polymer in a dispersion liquid, adding at least one functionalized monomer to the latex polymer dispersion and polymerizing the at least one functionalized monomer on the particles, and growing an outer silicate shell on the particles through addition and reaction of at least one silane monomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-magnetic toner for use in developing electrostatic toner image, wherein the toner is produced by a toner production method that includes: dispersing in an aqueous medium an organic dispersion liquid that comprises in an organic solvent a pigment, a binder resin and/or a binder resin precursor, and a releasing agent; removing the organic solvent to prepare a dispersion slurry in which toner particles are dispersed in the aqueous medium; heating the dispersion slurry to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the releasing agent; and washing the toner particles.

Abstract: A toner including particles including a toner composition including a binder resin and a coloring material, wherein the toner composition includes a laminate compound A in which a cation between layers is modified by an organic cation, and a laminate compound B in which an anion between layers is modified by an organic anion, the laminate compound A is of negative charging property upon particulation of the laminate compound A by dispersion or internal addition in the binder resin and the laminate compound B is of positive charging property upon particulation of the laminate compound B by dispersion or internal addition in the binder resin, and the toner is of a positive charging property.

Abstract: A liquid recovery system is used by an immersion exposure apparatus. The liquid recovery system comprises: a plate that has a first surface and a second surface on the side opposite the first surface; and a liquid recovery part, at least part of which opposes the second surface with a first gap interposed therebetween. The liquid recovery system recovers the liquid on a movable object that opposes the first surface of the plate via the liquid recovery part.

Abstract: A heat resistant photosensitive resin composition having excellent film properties is provided by constituting a photosensitive resin composition containing (A) a polymer having an acid functional group and/or a substituent derived therefrom, (B) a compound having at least one substituent derived from an amine functional group, (C) a photoreactive compound, and (D) a solvent. Using this composition, a pattern with high resolution can be produced, and thus an electronic part having a high quality can be produced.

Abstract: A positive photoresist composition comprises a radiation sensitive acid generator, and a polymer that includes a first repeating unit derived from a sulfonamide monomer including a fluorosulfonamide functionality, a second repeating unit having a pendant acid-labile moiety, and a third repeating unit having a lactone functionality. The positive photoresist composition may be used to form patterned features on a substrate, such as those used in the manufacture of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: A radiation sensitive resin composition for forming a protective film, comprising: [A] a copolymer of (a1) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or an unsaturated carboxylic anhydride, (a2) an epoxy group-containing unsaturated compound and (a3) an unsaturated compound different from the components (a1) and (a2); [B] a monofunctional polymerizable unsaturated compound having a molecular weight of 180 or more and a carboxyl group; [C] a polyfunctional polymerizable unsaturated compound; and [D] a photopolymerization initiator, a method of forming a protective film from the above composition and a protective film formed from the above composition. The composition can provide a cured film having high flatness, has high developability and heat resistance, is advantageously used to form a protective film for liquid crystal display devices and solid-state image sensing devices, and has high storage stability as a composition.

Abstract: A negative lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support; and a photo-polymerization layer containing a polymer compound having at least one of a sulfonamido group and a cyclic structure derived from maleimide, and further having a hydrophilic group in a molecule thereof

Abstract: The present invention provides polymers that are useful in negative resist compositions. Polymers of the present invention comprise (1) a first monomer having a polar functional group; (2) a second monomer; and optionally, (3) a third monomer that imparts at least one characteristic selected from crosslinkable functionality, etch resistance, and solubility modulation. The first monomer provides an acid catalyzed polarity switch upon elimination of the polar functional group, whereas, the second monomer provides aqueous dissolution. The polymers of the present invention may be incorporated into negative resist compositions, which may also include photoacid generators, crosslinking agents, basic compounds, solvents, dissolution accelerators, photobase generators, latent basic compounds, surfactants, adhesion promoters, and anti-foaming agents.

Abstract: With the damascene process in which an interconnection is formed using a conventional chemically amplified positive photoresist composition, there arises a problem that the photoresist within the via hole (as well as in its vicinity) may remain even after the exposure and the development are carried out. The present invention relates to a chemically amplified resist composition comprising, at least, a photo acid generator, a quencher and a salt having a buffering function for an acid which is generated from the acid generator by irradiation, wherein the salt having the buffering function for the acid generated from the acid generator is a salt derived from a long chain alkylbenzenesulfonic acid or a long chain alkoxybenzenesulfonic acid and an organic amine that is a basic compound.

Abstract: Microstructures are fabricated by imaging a microstructure master blank that includes a radiation sensitive layer sandwiched between a pair of outer layers, on an imaging platform, to define the microstructures in the radiation sensitive layer. At least one of the outer layers is then removed. The microstructures that were defined in the radiation sensitive layer are developed. The radiation sensitive layer sandwiched between the pair of outer layers may be fabricated as webs, to provide microstructure master blanks.