Abstract: Layered composite materials which comprises a substrate made from a thermoplastic polymer, and comprise an intermediate layer arranged thereupon and a decorative layer applied to the intermediate layer, where the decorative layer is composed of a chromed metal. A heat-cured layer may moreover be applied to the decorative layer. Layered composite materials of this type are suitable, inter alia, as reflecting or insulating parts of household devices or of moldings in the electrical, construction or automotive industry.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a printed circuit board. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a prepreg layer via a reel method, forming a conductive film for forming a circuit pattern on at least one surface of the prepreg layer; and forming a predetermined circuit pattern on the conductive film. In an embodiment, the prepreg layer has a thickness of at most about 0.15 mm and contains a fiber material and a resin material. In an embodiment, the content of the resin material in the prepreg layer is about 70% or less by volume. In an embodiment, the prepreg layer is composed of at least one prepreg layer.

Abstract: A method for controlling residual stress in a structure in a MEMS device and a structure thereof includes selecting a total thickness and an overall equivalent stress for the structure. A thickness for each of at least one set of alternating first and second layers is determined to control an internal stress with respect to a neutral axis for each of the at least alternating first and second layers and to form the structure based on the selected total thickness and the selected overall equivalent stress. Each of the at least alternating first and second layers is deposited to the determined thickness for each of the at least alternating first and second layers to form the structure.

Abstract: Cellulosic or lignocellulosic materials, and compositions and composites made therefrom, are disclosed.

Abstract: Described are fiber materials having improved malodor scavenger properties and a process for the manufacture of said materials. In particular, described are fiber materials usable in the manufacture of disposable or washable diapers, incontinent products, sanitary napkins and other such hygiene and personal care articles with improved malodor scavenger properties, and to methods of manufacturing such materials. It has been found that the incorporation of, especially nanosized, metal particles and/or a cyclodextrin material into fibers creates a “reactive” material having excellent malodor scavenging properties. More specifically, it has been found that the presence of nanosized metal or metal alloy particles and/or a cyclodextrin material in a fiber material, preferably a synthetic polymer material and more preferably a synthetic thermoplastic polymer fiber material leads to fiber materials or nonwovens having odor-controlling properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector contact material that has a small friction coefficient, requires a small insertion force, and moreover does not raise contact resistance while maintaining the properties and insertion operability as a connector. The connector contact material has a coating film comprising the mixture of fluoric resin particles and fluoric oil on the surface of a substrate, wherein the thickness of the coating film is 0.2 to 0.5 ?m, and the proportion of the fluoric resin particles to the total amount of the fluoric resin particles and the fluoric oil in the coating film is 20% to 40% in mass, and thereby the connector contact material has a small friction coefficient, requires a small insertion force, and moreover does not raise contact resistance.

Abstract: Nanoparticle precursor structures, nanoparticle structures, and composite materials that include the nanoparticle structures in a polymer to form a composite material. The nanoparticle structures have chemical linkage moieties capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of a polymer for the composite material. Such composite materials are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified nanoparticles based on pyrogenic silica which are produced by treating pyrogenic silica with compounds of the general formula I Me(OR1)4, and/or of the general formula II Me(OCOR1)4, wherein R1 means an alkyl, aryl and/or aralkyl residue and Me means zirconium and/or titanium and to coating compositions containing the modified nanoparticles.

Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet exhibiting enhanced isotropy is provided. In addition, an apparatus, system and method for continuously producing a resin-impregnated flexible graphite sheet is also provided.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a substrate having a plasma polymerized functionality bonded to at least a portion of the substrate. A superoxide dismutase mimic agent having a complimentary functional group to the plasma polymerized functionality is bonded to the portion of the substrate by bonding to the plasma polymerized functionality. The functionalities can be carboxylate, amine, or sulfate groups and/or polyethylene glycol and can optionally include crosslinking groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for mixing precursors such that a mixture of precursors are present together in a chamber during a single pulse step in an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process to form a multi-component film. The precursors are comprised of at least one different chemical component, and such different components will form a mono-layer to produce a multi-component film. In a further aspect of the present invention, a dielectric film having a composition gradient is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a resin composition having sufficient rigidity and superior in the workability as well even if the thickness is as thin as 0.2 mm or less, and a prepreg and a laminate obtained from the resin composition. The resin composition comprises resin component containing a (A) compound having a maleimide group and (B) calcinated talc, wherein the calcinated talc is contained not less than 30 weight parts and not more than 250 weight parts to 100 weight parts of the total amount of the resin component containing a (A) compound having a maleimide group.

Abstract: A specified aromatic amine derivative having a naphthalene structure bonding to diphenylamino group with a substituent. An organic electroluminescence device which comprises at least one organic thin film layer comprising a light emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of electrode consisting of an anode and a cathode, wherein at least one of the organic thin film layer comprises the aromatic amine derivative singly or as its mixture component. Organic electroluminescence devices having a long lifetime and a high efficiency of light emission, and aromatic amine derivatives capable of realizing such organic EL devices are provided.

Abstract: A structure including a grating and a semiconductor nanocrystal layer on the grating, can be a laser. The semiconductor nanocrystal layer can include a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals including a Group II-VI compound, the nanocrystals being distributed in a metal oxide matrix. The grating can have a periodicity from 200 nm to 500 nm.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium which is provided on a nonmagnetic substrate 1 with at least an orientation-controlling layer 3 for controlling the orientation of a layer formed directly thereon, a perpendicularly magnetic layer 4 having an easily magnetizing axis oriented mainly perpendicularly relative to the nonmagnetic substrate 1, and a protective layer 5 and characterized in that the perpendicularly magnetic layer 4 includes two or more magnetic layers, that at least one of the magnetic layers is a layer 4a having Co as a main component and containing Pt as well and containing an oxide and that at least another of the magnetic layers is a layer 4b having Co as a main component and containing Cr as well and containing no oxide.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a seed layer made of one of AlRu and AlV, a magnetic recording layer made of a CoCr alloy, and an underlayer made of the other of AlRu and AlV, where the underlayer is disposed between the seed layer and the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium is formed to have a disc shape and includes ridge shaped textures 13 extending along concentric circles on a main surface. When measuring a 10 ?m square range with an atomic force microscope, the textures have a width W that is between 10 and 200 nm. The textures have a height H that is between 2 and 10 nm. Further, the textures have a ratio (Rp/RMs) of a maximum mountain height with respect to a root mean square roughness that is less than or equal to 15. The textures include high frequency components superimposed on the low frequency components. It is preferable that the textures of the high frequency components have a width W? that is between 0.1 and 20 nm, and the textures of the high frequency components have a height H? that is between 0.1 and 1 nm.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell system having a relatively large primary fuel cell sub-assembly for steady-state operation and a relatively small secondary fuel cell sub-assembly which is rapidly heatable to a threshold operating temperature to a) produce usable power in a short time period, b) cascade a hot exhaust into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to assist in preheating thereof, and c) provide steam into the primary fuel cell sub-assembly to prevent coking of the anodes thereof. As the primary sub-assembly reaches its threshold temperature, it too begins to generate electricity and continues to self-heat and to be heated by the secondary sub-assembly. Preferably, the secondary sub-assembly continues to provide electricity in complement with the primary sub-assembly until the primary sub-assembly reaches full power, at which time the secondary sub-assembly may be shut down or switched to standby status for fuel efficiency, as desired.

Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

Abstract: A method for warming up a fuel cell system comprising; a fuel cell which generates electric current due to an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and which supplies the electric current to a load, an air supply pipe for supplying air to the fuel cell as an oxidant gas, an air exhaust pipe for discharging exhaust air from the fuel cell to an atmosphere, a compressor provided on either of air supply pipe and air exhaust pipe, which carries the air and a communication pipe which returns exhaust air to air supply pipe, and which communicates exhaust air pipe with air supply pipe to form a circulation cycle including compressor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of a solid electrolyte fuel-cell device that achieves increased durability, increased power generation efficiency, and easy utilization of heat, by making provisions to apply flames over the entire surface of an anode layer formed on a solid electrolyte substrate. Each individual fuel cell is constructed by forming a cathode layer and an anode layer on opposite surfaces of a plate-like solid electrolyte substrate. Power generation efficiency is increased by making provisions to ensure that a plurality of flames formed by burning a fuel supplied from a fuel supply pipe are applied over the entire surface of the anode layer. When a coolant pipe is provided in an interlaced fashion with the fuel supply pipe, not only can the heating of the fuel supply pipe by the burning of the fuel be suppressed, but also the waste heat can be utilized.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack having a fuel chamber including a fuel electrode (anode), an air chamber including an oxygen electrode (cathode), an electrolyte layer interposed between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode, and a pressure regulating valve for regulating supply pressure of fuel gas (hydrogen gas) supplied to the fuel chamber. The pressure regulating valve sets the supply pressure of the fuel gas when the fuel cell stack starts up power generation at a level higher than the supply pressure of the fuel gas during normal power generation in which the fuel cell stack is generating electric power.

Abstract: A rectangular air battery includes: a first case having a bottom with air holes; a second case; and an insulating gasket with a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The first case and the second case are joined such that the opening of the second case faces the bottom of the first case, and are sealed by crimping the opening edge of the sidewalls of the first case onto the outer face of the second case, with the outer sidewalls of the insulating gasket interposed therebetween. A rib is provided on the bottom of the first case so as to protrude inward inside the first case. The rib extends along the four sidewalls of the first case and supports the inner lower end of the inner sidewalls of the insulating gasket, with at least a separator interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A carbon fiber woven fabric for use as a gas diffusion layer base material in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a surface that is smoothed and further optimized to inhibit non-uniform infiltration of a coating for water-repellent-layer formation, to provide an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly suitable for operation under a high humidification condition. The gas diffusion layer base material may be a carbon fiber woven fabric, wherein a ratio of the area of gap portions where neither warp thread nor weft thread exists: (10/W?Y)(10/Z?X) to the area of portions where warp thread is crossing weft thread: XY mm2 is in the range of about 1/1500 to about 1/5, where the carbon fiber woven fabric has a warp density of Z threads/cm, a weft density of W threads/cm, a warp thickness of X mm and a weft thickness of Y mm.

Abstract: Fuel sources, 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 made substantially from a fuel-permeable material, and a fuel in the housing.

Abstract: A spacer for production of a battery pack using cylindrical batteries as unit cells, wherein the spacer is constructed in the form of a rectangular frame, the spacer is provided at opposite side surfaces (opposite faces) of the rectangular frame with a plurality of battery receiving parts having a circumference-type inner surface structure that partially covers the outer surfaces of the cylindrical batteries, each battery receiving part has a horizontal through-hole, which extends between the opposite side surfaces of the frame, and a pair of battery receiving parts (a unit receiving part) formed at the opposite side surfaces of the frame is connected with another adjacent unit receiving part via structures that can be easily cut.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery, in which electrolyte impregnation capability is improved, even in the case of a high-density electrode assembly, by forming a bottom insulator plate with a structure to facilitate the impregnation of the electrode assembly with an electrolyte. The bottom insulator plate may be formed with a plurality of holes in the form of a mesh, and the holes are defined by a plurality of protrusions with differing heights to improve the electrolyte impregnation capability. Alternatively, the bottom insulator plate may be formed with a central hole and a plurality of peripheral holes radially arranged around the central hole in an aperture ratio to improve the electrolyte impregnation capability.

Abstract: A battery having a bundle of electrodes and separator which is made by winding a positive-electrode plate and a negative-electrode plate together with a separator therebetween, one of the positive- and negative-electrode plates being electrically connected to a power collecting body, the power collecting body being provided in and welded to an outer package can, wherein a welding portion of the outer package can and the power collecting body comprises a first layer and a second layer which are stacked in a thickness direction of the outer package can at the welding portion, and the second layer is in contact with a surface of the first layer and includes crystal grains that are minuter than crystal grains included in the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-component composite film comprising a) polymer support layer; and b) porous gellable polymer layer which is formed on one side or both sides of the support layer of a), wherein the support film of a) and the gellable polymer layer of b) are unified without the interface, a method for preparing the same, and a polymer electrolyte system applied the same.

Abstract: A method of designing an alternating phase shifting mask for projecting an image of an integrated circuit design having a plurality of spaced segments of critical dimension. The method initially identifies a phase universe boundary, such that the phase universe comprises a contiguous region of the integrated circuit layout wherein critical dimension segments within the phase universe are beyond a maximum phase interaction distance from any critical dimension segments outside the phase universe in accordance with predetermined design rules. The method then divides the phase universe into phase regions separated by the integrated circuit layout and any extensions of the critical dimension segments so that the phase regions are binary colorable within the phase universe.

Abstract: A material film for a mask film comprising a substrate film transmitting ultraviolet light and a resin layer not transmitting ultraviolet light disposed on one face of the substrate film, the resin layer having a color which can be eliminated by irradiation with laser beams, a transmittance of ultraviolet light of 0.1% or smaller, a thickness of 0.1-30 ?m and an average surface roughness on a central line Ra of 0.1-3 ?m and comprising carbon black having an average particle diameter of 20-50 nm and a specific surface area of 70-150 m2/g. The resin layer exhibits uniform transparency at portions the color of which is eliminated and suppresses formation of scratches. The mask film is easily positioned in preparation of great printing plates and good contact is easily attained throughout the entire surface suppressing containment of air between the mask film and the printing plate material.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a color filter panel of a display device and the structure of the color filter panel are provided. The method includes forming a color filter layer on a substrate where the color filter layer defines an opening, forming a photosensitive layer on the color filter layer, and forming a spacer by back-exposing the photosensitive layer through the opening.

Abstract: A correction for photolithography masks used in semiconductor and micro electromechanical systems is described. The correction is based on process windows. In one example, the invention includes evaluating a segment of an idealized photolithography mask at a plurality of different possible process variable values to estimate a corresponding plurality of different photoresist edge positions, comparing the estimated edge positions to a minimum critical dimension, and moving the segment on the idealized photolithography mask if the estimated edge positions do not satisfy the minimum critical dimension.

Abstract: Provided are a silane-phenol compound, a crosslinked siloxane outmost protective layer thereof, and an electrophotographic imaging member such as photoreceptor. The silane-phenol compound comprises (i) a phenol group and (ii) a silane group selected from the group consisting of alkoxysilyl, arylalkoxysilyl, aryloxysilyl, alkylaryloxysilyl, and combination thereof. The crosslinked siloxane outmost protective layer comprises the product of hydrolysis and condensation of a silanized hole transport compound and the silane-phenol compound. The crosslinked protective outmost layer may be used to manufacture an electrophotographic imaging member such as photoreceptor with improved properties such as image quality and cleanability, etc.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a magnetic toner comprising magnetic toner particles including at least a binder resin and magnetic particles is provided, wherein an isoelectric point of the magnetic particles is pH 4.0 or less, in order to provide a magnetic toner stably having an optimum charged amount regardless of environments so that a high-quality image having high blackness can be formed without causing any ghost phenomenon.

Abstract: An electrophotographic toner exhibiting superior color reproducibility and transparency and improved characteristics is disclosed, comprising a thermoplastic resin and colored microparticles dispersed in the thermoplastic resin and containing a dye and a resin differing in composition from the thermoplastic resin. An image forming method by use of the toner is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrostatic image developing toner comprising a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the toner comprises a compound represented by the following Formula (1): wherein, R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent an alkyl group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms and the alkyl group may have a substituent.

Abstract: The present invention is a carrier for electrophotography in which a surface of at least a core material is coated with a resin, in which the coating resin contains a fluorine modified silicone resin and an aminosilane coupling agent, and in which the carrier charges a toner negatively. Consequently, a carrier with a high durability and a long lifetime for electrophotography is provided, in which the charge amount does not decrease at high temperature or high humidity nor extremely increase at low temperature or low humidity, in which a deterioration of a developing agent caused by stripping of a coating layer is prevented, and in which a deterioration caused by formation of spent toner of a toner is not caused.

Abstract: This invention provides an Mg-based ferrite carrier composed of an environment-friendly material meeting environmental regulations, and an electrophotographic developer comprising the carrier. The carrier and the developer of this invention realize high image quality and improved gradation properties. This invention also provides a method for producing the Mg-based ferrite material having a saturation magnetization of from 30 to 80 emu/g and a dielectric breakdown voltage of from 1.0 to 5.0 kV, and having the composition of the formula (1). The above properties are obtained by controlling conditions of sintering and heating treatments. CaaMgbFecOd (1) wherein a, b, and c satisfy 0.10 b/(b+c/2) 0.85 and 0 R(Ca) 0.10; R(Ca) is expressed as R(Ca)=a˜Fw(CaO)/(a˜Fw(CaO)+b˜Fw(MgO)+(c/2)˜Fw(Fc2O3)) (Fw(A): formula weight of A j; and d is determined by oxidation numbers of Ca, Mg and Fe.

Abstract: A noble alicyclic unsaturated compound represented by the general formula (1): wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a fluorine atom or a fluorinated alkyl group; a polymer formed by the polymerization of a polymer precursor comprising the alicyclic compound. The polymer is useful, in the lithography using a light having a wavelength of 190 nm or less, as a chemically amplified resist which exhibits excellent transparency with respect to the light for use in exposure and also is excellent in the adhesion to a substrate and the resistance to dry etching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bottom antireflective coating compositions, polymers useful in making such compositions, and their use in image processing by forming a thin layer between a reflective substrate and a photoresist coating.

Abstract: An exposure system includes an exposure section provided within a chamber for irradiating a resist film formed on a wafer with exposing light through a mask with an immersion liquid provided on the resist film. It further includes a drying section for drying the surface of the resist film after the irradiation.

Abstract: An ink composition is provided that includes (a) an onium salt, a counteranion thereof having a volume of 1,000 ?3 or greater and (b) a cationically polymerizable compound. There is also provided an inkjet recording method that includes (a?) a step of discharging the ink composition onto a recording medium and (b?) a step of curing the ink composition by irradiating the discharged ink composition with actinic radiation. There are also provided a printed material obtained by the inkjet recording method, a process for producing a lithographic printing plate employing the ink composition, and a lithographic printing plate obtained by the production process.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor fabrication process. Embodiments include a method for removing contaminating particles from the surface of the wafer, such as in lithography. Embodiments also provide methods for repairing patterning defects caused by particles. The method comprises forming a resist layer over a substrate and a topcoat layer over the resist layer. The method further includes exposing the resist layer, and developing the resist layer a first time. Preferably, developing the resist layer the first time comprises dissolving a first portion of the topcoat layer in the developing solution. Embodiments further include spinning the substrate, developing the resist layer a second time after spinning the substrate. Preferably, developing the resist layer the second time comprises dissolving a second portion of the topcoat layer.

Abstract: A method for exposing a resist layer with regions of photosensitivity to an image in a lithographic process using a high numerical aperture imaging tool. There is employed a substrate having thereover a layer reflective to the imaging tool radiation and a resist layer having a region of photosensitivity over the reflective layer, with the resist layer having a thickness. The imaging tool is adapted to project radiation containing an aerial image onto the resist layer, with a portion of the radiation containing the aerial image passing through the resist layer and reflecting back to the resist layer. The reflected radiation forms an interference pattern in the resist layer of the projected aerial image through the resist layer thickness.

Abstract: Methods of making micro-fluid ejection head structures. One of the methods includes providing a substrate having a plurality fluid ejection actuators on a device surface thereof. The device surface of the substrate also has a thick film layer comprising at least one of fluid flow channels and fluid ejection chambers therein. A removable anti-reflective material is applied to at least one or more exposed portions of the device surface of the substrate. A nozzle layer is applied adjacent to the thick film layer. The nozzle layer is imaged to provide a plurality of nozzles in the nozzle layer, and the non-reflective material is removed from the exposed portions of the device surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for determining the biochemical fitness of a biochemical species in a mutant replicating biological entity relative to its predecessor. The present invention further provides a continuous fluorogenic assay for measuring the anti-HIV protease activity of protease inhibitor. The present invention also provides a method of administering a therapeutic compound that reduces the chances of the emergence of drug resistance in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a region (one or more) of a genome of a cell to which a protein of interest binds. In the methods described herein, DNA binding protein of a cell is linked (e.g., covalently crosslinked) to genomic DNA of a cell. The genomic DNA to which the DNA binding protein is linked is removed and combined or contacted with DNA comprising a sequence complementary to genomic DNA of the cell under conditions in which hybridization between the identified genomic DNA and the sequence complementary to genomic DNA occurs. Region(s) of hybridization are region(s) of the genome of the cell to which the protein of binds. A method of identifying a set of genes where cell cycle regulator binding correlates with gene expression and of identifying genomic targets of cell cycle transcription activators in living cells is also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of screening for the presence of premalignant melanocytes in a sample from a patient. The methods comprise contacting a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample from the patient with a probe which binds selectively to a target polynucleotide sequence on a chromosomal region which is amplified in melanoma cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification of markers that can be used to determine whether ovarian cancer is sensitive or resistant to a therapeutic agent. In particular, the present invention is directed to the use of certain combinations of markers, wherein the expression of the markers correlates with sensitivity or resistance to a therapeutic agent. Thus, by examining the expression of the individual markers of a marker set, also referred to as the expression profile of the marker set, it is possible to determine whether a therapeutic agent, or combination of agents, will be most likely to reduce the growth rate of the ovarian cancer.