Abstract: A brake caliper, especially for motorcycle applications, comprises a main rigid body, which can be coupled with a portion of a structure or a vehicle, and defining at least one seat (5); at least one piston (4) slidingly housed in the respective seat (5) and associated with fluid sealing means (22) and with elastic means (19) acting between the piston (4) and the seat (5) to cause at least an action of elastic return to the piston (4) during the sliding thereof, and defining—in cooperation with the respective seat (5) wherein it is inserted and with the elastic means (19)—a first chamber (21) in fluid communication with actuation means. The piston (4) further exhibits a side surface (11) which delimits, in cooperation with a side surface (17) of the respective seat (5), with the sealing means (22) and with the elastic means (19), a second chamber (24), and finally comprising also tapping means to provide a fluid communication between the first chamber (21) and the second chamber (24).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a caliper disc brake, which improves a rollback performance of a piston. The caliper disc brake includes a caliper housing provided with a cylinder, the piston moving forward and backward within the cylinder of the caliper housing, a dust seal mounted at a front end of an opening of the piston, a first sealing member provided between the inner surface of the cylinder and the outer surface of the piston at the rear of the dust seal, and a second sealing member separated from the first sealing member by a designated interval and provided between the inner surface of the cylinder and the outer surface of the piston, wherein oil channels to communicate a space around the outer circumferential surface of the piston, formed by the first sealing member and the second sealing member, and a space around the rear surface of the piston, formed by the second sealing member and the cylinder, with each other to operate a rollback function of the second sealing member are formed in the piston.

Abstract: An opposed-piston disc brake includes cylinder connection oil passages respectively connected to a cylinder of an inner caliper portion and a cylinder of an outer caliper portion, passage communication bores respectively formed at bridge portions to extend in an axial direction of a disc in a substantially straight manner. The cylinder connection oil passages are formed using a core at the time when a caliper body is cast. The cylinder connection oil passages extend in a radially outer direction of the disc. Ends of the cylinder connection oil passages in a longitudinal direction thereof are directly connected to the passage communication bores. In a state where the caliper body is mounted on a vehicle, a top portion of an inner wall surface of one of the passage communication bores is positioned higher than the ends of the cylinder connection oil passages.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic mechanical drum brake. In the electronic mechanical drum brake including a drum rotated together with a wheel, a pair of brake shoes respectively including rims provided with linings, which rub against the inner circumferential surface of the drum and generate braking power, attached thereto and webs provided on the inner circumferential surfaces of the rims to reinforce rigidity of the rims, and an actuator provided between the webs of the pair of brake shoes, the actuator includes a screw shaft provided with a driven gear formed integrally therewith and a left-handed thread at one side thereof and a right-handed thread at the other side thereof, a driving motor to rotate the screw shaft in a regular direction and its reverse direction, a booster unit to increase rotary force of the driving motor and then to transmit the increased rotary force to the driven gear, and nuts screw-connected to both ends of the screw shaft and fixed to the webs.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a wheel support member, a wheel, and a brake caliper. The wheel support member has a wheel mount portion. The wheel is rotatably attached to the wheel mount portion. The brake caliper is attached to the wheel support member at a location spaced from the wheel mount portion such that the brake caliper is at least substantially concealed from view by the wheel support member when the motorcycle is viewed in a direction from the wheel support member to the wheel along a rotational axis of the wheel.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a rotor, a caliper, brake pads and an optional filter. The optional filter can be disposed within a shroud which covers at least about 70% of the distal side periphery on at least one of the two sides of the rotor. The disc brake also includes an impeller or other means for providing air flow to the disc brake assembly. The impeller can be provided by the rotor itself or it can be provided by a separate component which is powered either directly or indirectly by the rotor.

Abstract: An example damper assembly includes a tube, a piston assembly axially moveable relative to the tube between an extended position and a retracted position, and a material encapsulating a first fluid. The piston assembly is configured to compress the first fluid using a second fluid.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a damper for damping vibrations. The damper includes at least one substantially longitudinal damping body (1) with two end surfaces (21, 22) and one substantially longitudinal surface (20) between these. The damping body (1) includes a longitudinal direction (a) and a transversal direction (t) and is places in a substantially longitudinal cavity (15) with a damping fluid, wherein the cavity (15) defines at least one cavity surface (14) and the damping body (1) defines at least one damping surface. The damping fluid includes a proportion of liquid and a proportion of gas and either the cavity surface (14) or the damping body surface or both are broken to promote formation of foam in the damping fluid in operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber which includes a piston which is slidably fitted into a cylinder and partitions the cylinder into first and second fluid chambers; and a piston rod which is connected to the piston and slidably penetrates through an end wall of the cylinder, wherein the piston rod penetrates through the piston and includes on the outer circumferential surface of the piston rod at least one groove which communicates between the first and second fluid chambers, and the first and second fluid chambers are communicated with each other through the at least one groove.

Abstract: An energy absorber for aircraft includes one or more energy absorber elements and a housing, whereby the energy absorber elements can absorb crash impulses by plastic deformation within the housing.

Abstract: A wet clutch arrangement, particularly a wet plate clutch or lockup clutch including a first friction face formation coupled with a housing arrangement for rotation around an axis of rotation and a second friction face formation coupled with an output member for rotation around the axis of rotation, and a preferably ring-shaped pressing piston. The pressing piston, together with the housing arrangement, defines a pressure fluid space and is movable in direction of the axis of rotation through a change in fluid pressure in the pressure fluid space for influencing the frictional interaction between the friction face formations. An operant fluid application surface of the pressing piston is in the range of 15000 mm2 to 25000 mm2 for generating a force acting upon the pressing piston.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a multiple clutch transmission (10) having at least three synchronizers (74, 76, 78, 80) with opposed acting alpha and beta pressure chambers (106, 104) to selectively synchronize alpha or beta gears with a rotating shaft. The control system includes a pressure source (124), a sump (120), a first multiplex valve (160) having a first position allowing fluid communication of alpha and beta chambers for two synchronizers (74, 76) with the pressure source (122) and diverting alpha and beta pressure chambers (106, 104) of remaining synchronizers (80, 78) to sump (120). The first multiplex valve (160) has a second position reversing the above action. A second multiplex valve (164) connected with the first multiplex valve (160) having a first position connecting alpha and beta chambers (106, 104) of a given synchronizer with the pressure source (122) and alpha and beta chambers (106, 104) of the other synchronizer with the sump (120).

Abstract: A vehicle has a multi-gap magnetorheological fluid (MRF) clutch connecting rotatable input and output members, and includes a drum connected to the output member and a rotor connected to the input member. The drum contains a magnetically-permeable stator and a magnetic core, while the rotor has a magnetically-permeable member extending axially into the drum to define an outer working gap in conjunction with the stator and an inner working gap in conjunction with the magnetic core. MR fluid fills the working gaps, and a magnetic field generator or electromagnet induces a magnetic field when electrical current is passed through a field coil therein to change an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid. The inner and outer working gaps have a predetermined inner to outer gap thickness ratio balancing the slip power dissipation per unit volume in each of the working gaps.

Abstract: A one-way bearing includes inner and outer races and balls and springs set between the races. The outer race defines accommodation chambers that respectively receives balls and springs therein in a movable manner and is composed of first and second compartments. The first compartment has a front wall surface from which a bottom wall surface extends in a radially outward direction at a given angle. The bottom wall surface extends a distance where an inward raised step is formed and connected to the second compartment. The second compartment includes a recessed space and has a configuration that includes a flange radially inboard the recessed space, and has an internal wall facing the front wall surface. The spring is retained in the second compartment for holding the ball against the front wall surface of the first compartment and the inner race to form a constraining engagement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-way clutch comprising an outer race having at least one pocket provided at its inner periphery with a cam surface and having a stepped portion formed on an inner diameter side of an axial one end face of the outer race; an inner race spaced apart from the outer race radially inside of the outer race and coaxially arranged for a relative rotational movement; a roller disposed in the pocket and adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race when engaged by the cam surface; a cage rotatable relative to the outer race and having a cylindrical portion, a flange portion fitted in the stepped portion and extending outwardly from the cylindrical portion in the outer diameter direction and a window formed in the cylindrical portion and having a circumferential width smaller than a diameter of the roller and adapted to hold the roller; and a spring disposed in the pocket and adapted to bias the roller toward an engagement direction with respect to the cam surfa

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-way clutch comprising an outer race provided with a pocket, an inner race arranged coaxially with the outer race, a roller adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, a cage having a cylindrical portion with a window and a flange portion extending from the cylindrical portion in an outer diameter direction, the window being adapted to hold the roller and enclosed at its four sides, a spring disposed in the pocket between the outer race and the roller and adapted to bias the roller toward an engagement direction with respect to the cam surface, and a side plate secured to abut against an axial one end face of the outer race and provided at its inner diameter portion with spline grooves, and wherein the side plate has at least one grooved portion having one end communicated with the pocket of the outer race and the other end opened to an outer diameter end of the side plate.

Abstract: A damper clutch of a torque converter of the present invention can reduce generation of abnormal vibration and a booming noise in low speed and also, can lower engaging torque and enhance fuel efficiency with multiple elastic damping force. A damper clutch of a torque converter includes a plurality of damper spring that are disposed along radial direction and a plurality of spring supporter that are disposed between the damper springs and pressurizes the damper springs along radial direction when power is delivered from a piston to a turbine, wherein each two spring supporters, putting opposite, form a group and each group has different length for supplying multiple elastic damping force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wound friction coating and a method for the production thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a modular solution for converting a coin-based payout gaming machine into a paper-based payout gaming machine. The method calls for removing a conventional coin hopper mechanism and replacing it with a coin hopper conversion apparatus. The coin hopper conversion apparatus includes a coin hopper conversion module and a printer module. The coin hopper conversion module is interfaced to the gaming machine using an unmodified interface, often using the original gaming machine connector, which was previously employed for interfacing to the coin hopper mechanism. The printer module is included and operatively coupled to the coin hopper conversion module for printing and dispensing paper-based payouts in the form of redeemable cashier receipts. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor assembly (20) includes a moveable stepping surface (22). A first drive (50) is operative to move the stepping surface (22). A handrail (30) and a second drive (40) is provided as part of the passenger conveyor assembly (20). A controller (70) controls the second drive (40) independent of the first drive (50) to allow for movement of the stepping surface (22) or the handrail (30) when the other of the handrail (30) or the stepping surface (22) is stationary.

Abstract: A transfer arrangement (10) for gripping articles (at 60) comprises a central wheel body with a multiplicity of arms (20), which can be pivoted about a first axis (23) in each case, articulated along its periphery. The arms (20) have a gripper (60) for receiving in each case one or more articles (15). Each gripper (60) can be rotated about a second axis (33) for predetermined positioning of the articles, while the connecting body (30) can be rotated about the first axis (23). The rotary movement of the gripper (60), then, can be transferred to the gripper (60), rotating about the second axis (33), via a shaft (28) arranged along the first axis (23), with the aid of a transfer element (25, 26, 27). Finally, a third axis (43) is arranged on the connecting body (30), between the first and second axes (23, 33).

Abstract: In one embodiment, an object repositioning system configured for use in association with a conveyor includes opposed gates positioned over the conveyor and oriented in an initial partially-closed position in which the gates define an opening through which objects conveyed by the conveyor can pass that is narrower than a width of the conveyor, a locking mechanism configured to lock the gates in the initial partially-closed position, and an actuation mechanism configured to release the locking mechanism to enable the gates to pivot when an object conveyed by the conveyor contacts both of the gates at the same time.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying at least one product comprises at least one first conveyor, which is adjacent to at least one second conveyor via a junction. The conveying direction of the first conveyor near the junction is different from the conveying direction of the second conveyor near the junction. The first conveyor has a first conveying surface and the second conveyor has a second conveying surface for supporting the product thereon. The orientation of the normal of the part of the first conveying surface adjacent to junction is substantially different from that of the normal of the part of the second conveying surface adjacent to the junction. A moving assembly is configured to move the product from the first conveyor to the second conveyor The first conveyor describes an arcuate path at least near the junction.

Abstract: A method and an automatic picking machine is provided for filling an order container by means of an ejector and conveyor belt. An ejector is provided configured as a revolving belt directly as a substantially horizontal product storage element. The stored products (3) to be picked are placed onto the conveyor belt (2) or directly into the order container (10) upon actuation of the revolving belt. The preferably bulky non-stackable products (3) are located preferably individually in product compartments (5) of the ejector and are ejected individually.

Abstract: A linear pressure switch is described that has two conductors separated by strips of insulation. The conductors are resilient members that can vary in thickness and material along with the insulation to provide a range of switch sensitivities. The switch can include connectors and an attachment mechanism that facilitates the installation and removal the switch from a given application. In addition, the switch can ergonomically enhanced actuation. The switches can be stacked in layers and selectively have different sensitivities to provide a desired signal output for each switch in a given application. The switch can also include external coatings on the jacket which enhance the feel and resistance of the jacket to wear and misuse.

Abstract: An illuminated control button with an eccentric switch and a button spring configured to substantially balance the mechanical resistance of the switch when the button is depressed. The switch may be a conventional push-button switch having a stem directly contacting a portion of the control button. The button spring may include an integral reflector and may have a rim that defines a surface engaging the button. The control button may include a fixed light source and the reflector may move about the light source when the control button is depressed. The present invention also provides a control button with a light source at least partially contained within an integrating sphere. In one embodiment, the integrating sphere includes a somewhat cup-shaped diffusely reflective surface that cooperates with a diffusely reflective surface on the back surface of the button to substantially evenly distribute light from the light source throughout the integrating sphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric control module comprising—a substrate (1) for electric circuits,—first electric contact pads (3; 5) provided on a side (2a) of the substrate (1), each contact pad (3; 5) being linked to an associated electric track (7; 9) of the substrate (1) so that each contact pad (3; 5) corresponds to a position on the substrate. The module according to the invention also comprises an surface contact element (23) in the form of a metallic grid connected to the ground, this element (23) covering the side (2a) of the substrate including the contact pads (3; 5) so that a pressure on the surface contact element (23) connects the contact pads (3; 5) at the pressure point to the ground, whereby it is possible to determine the position of the pressure point.

Abstract: A touch switch structure is provided that can be preferably used for an automotive instrument panel and can securely prevent misjudgments and incorrect detections with respect to operations on the switch. For that purpose, the touch switch structure comprises a base material 2 made of a nonconductive material; a shield electrode layer 4 made of a conductive material and formed on one surface of the base material 2; a touch detection electrode 3 formed on one surface of the base material 2 at the portion where the shield electrode layer 4 is not formed; and an insulation layer 5 made of a nonconductive material and formed at least between the shield electrode layer 4 and a connection pattern 6 of the touch detection electrode 3.

Abstract: A divided exchange column includes a shell column having a first longitudinal axis, a cylindrical wall spaced apart from and surrounding the first longitudinal axis and defining a first interior space, a first divided wall column having a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and a second divided wall column having a third longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first and the second longitudinal axes, where the first divided wall column and the second divided wall column are positioned in the first interior space of the shell column.

Abstract: A process for obtaining process water by condensation of mist or by evaporation of water comprising salts or impurities and condensation of the evaporated water, and plants for carrying out the process and the use thereof for obtaining drinking water.

Abstract: The present invention describes extremely rapid and efficient methods for the attachment of chemical moieties to matrices by the use of microwave technology. The methods of the invention can be applied in a variety of ways for the preparation of different types of matrices for a variety of applications including but not limited to the functionalization of various solid supports, and matrices in the form of powder, beads, sheets, and other suitable surfaces for use in applications including but not limited to oligonucleotide synthesis, peptide synthesis, environmental clean up (removal of toxic materials), immunoassays, affinity chromatography, combinatorial chemistry, microarrays, proteomics and medical diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photolabile or photoreleasable compounds including a caging moiety linked to an effector moiety, wherein the compounds are capable of releasing the effector moiety on irradiation, typically by flash irradiation with light. These compounds are particularly suitable for focal 2-photon uncaging The photoreleasable compounds can be used to deliver effector moieties such as carboxylic acids, preferably, neuroactive amino acids to sites where their activity is required. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the caging moiety is based on 4-carboxymethoxy-5,7-dinitroinlinyl and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing metal on a patterned substrate are provided. A metal layer is formed in a physical vapor deposition process having a first energy. A second physical vapor deposition process is performed on the metal layer, using a second energy, wherein deposition interacts with brittle and plastic surface modification processes to form a substantially conformal metal layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A system for depositing material on a substrate using plasma and a target. The target may include the material and/or a second material. The system may include a plasma source for providing the plasma. The system may also include a chamber for containing the substrate, the plasma, and the target during deposition of the material on the substrate. The system may also include a first magnet disposed above the chamber or disposed below the chamber for influencing distribution of the plasma inside the chamber. At least one of a bottom surface of the magnet and a top surface of the magnet is at an angle with respect to an imaginary axis of the plasma source. A circular cross section of the plasma source is symmetrical with respect to the imaginary axis of the plasma source. The angle is greater than 0 degree and less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for depositing phase-change materials. In one embodiment, a method is provided for processing a substrate including positioning a substrate in a processing chamber having a phase change material-based target coupled to a first power source, one or more coils coupled to a second power source, a substrate support coupled to a third power source, providing a processing gas to the processing chamber, biasing the phase change material-based target with continuous DC or pulsed DC power, applying power to the coils to generate an inductively coupled plasma, applying a bias to the substrate support, sputtering material from the target, ionizing the sputtered materials, and depositing the sputtered materials on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method for patterning a magnetic thin film on a substrate includes: providing a pattern about the magnetic thin film, with selective regions of the pattern permitting penetration of energized ions of one or more elements. Energized ions are generated with sufficient energy to penetrate selective regions and a portion of the magnetic thin film adjacent the selective regions. The substrate is placed to receive the energized ions. The portion of the magnetic thin film is subjected to thermal excitation. The portions of the magnetic thin film are rendered to exhibit a magnetic property different than selective other portions. A method for patterning a magnetic media with a magnetic thin film on both sides of the media is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte and a piezoelectric material are incorporated into composite shaped articles to provide them with self-healing and adaptive qualities. The piezoelectric constituent converts the mechanical energy concentrated in critical areas into electrical energy which, in turn, guides and drives electrolytic transport of mass within the solid electrolyte towards, and its electrodeposition at critical areas to render self-healing and adaptive effects.

Abstract: An anode assembly for aluminum electrolysis cells includes carbon anodes with stubholes and an anode hanger having stubs, in which the anodes are fixed to the anode hanger by cast iron and the stubholes are fully or partially lined with an expanded graphite lining. The anode assembly provides a reduced voltage drop across an interface between the cast iron and the carbon anode and thus increases cell productivity significantly. Mechanical stresses in the stubhole area are reduced. A collar formed from the lining prevents spilling of cast iron over the anode surface and a protective shot plug or a protective collar optionally prevent direct contact of a hot electrolyte bath with the stub and the cast iron. A method of manufacturing anode assemblies and an aluminum electrolysis cell, are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for providing continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. In some embodiments, the device has a sensing mechanism and a sensing membrane that includes at least one surface-active group-containing polymer and that is located over the sensing mechanism. The sensing membrane may have a bioprotective layer configured to substantially block the effect and/or influence of non-constant noise-causing species.

Abstract: A water chlorinator includes an aqueous chloride ion source; and a pair of dual functional electrodes configured to electrolyze the aqueous chloride ion source, each one of the pair of dual functional electrodes comprising a titanium substrate and a mixed metal oxide coating deposited thereon and consisting essentially of ruthenium oxide and titanium oxide having a molar ratio of 5:95 to 25:75, respectively.

Abstract: In a PVD reactor having a sputter target at the ceiling, a conductive housing enclosing the rotating magnet assembly has a central port for the rotating magnet axle. A conductive hollow cylinder of the housing surrounds an external portion of the spindle. RF power is coupled to a radial RF connection rod extending radially from the hollow cylinder. DC power is coupled to another radial DC connection rod extending radially from the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck (8) includes a dielectric board (14) having an upper surface on which a plurality of projections (17a) for supporting a substrate on top surfaces and recesses (17b) surrounding the projections (17a) are formed, an electrode (15) formed inside the dielectric board (14), and an external power supply (15) which applies a voltage to the electrode (15). The dielectric board (14) includes a conductor film (19) formed on at least the top surface of each projection (17a), and has a three-dimensional structure which causes the conductor film (19) to generate a Johnson-Rahbeck force between the substrate (9) and conductor film (19) when a voltage is applied to the electrode (15).

Abstract: In a method of irradiating a gas cluster ion beam on a solid surface and smoothing the solid surface, the angle formed between the solid surface and the gas cluster ion beam is chosen to be between 1° and an angle less than 30°. In case the solid surface is relatively rough, the processing efficiency is raised by first irradiating a beam at an irradiation angle ? chosen to be something like 90° as a first step, and subsequently at an irradiation angle ? chosen to be 1° to less than 30° as a second step. Alternatively, the set of the aforementioned first step and second step is repeated several times.

Abstract: A mixed potential NOx sensor apparatus for measuring the total NOx concentration in a gas stream is disclosed. The NOx sensing apparatus comprises a multilayer ceramic structure with electrodes for sensing both oxygen and NOx gas concentrations and includes screen-printed metallized patterns that function to heat the ceramic sensing element to the proper temperature for optimum performance. This design may provide advantages over the existing technology by miniaturizing the sensing element to provide potentially faster sensor light off times and thereby reduce undesired exhaust gas emissions. By incorporating the heating source within the ceramic sensing structure, the time to reach the temperature of operation is shortened, and thermal gradients and stresses are minimized. These improvements may provide increased sensor performance, reliability, and lifetime.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to cutting single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT). In one embodiment, the present invention provides for preparations of homogeneous populations of short carbon nanotube molecules by cutting and annealing (reclosing) the nanotube pieces followed by fractionation. The cutting and annealing processes may be carried out on a purified nanotube bucky paper, on felts prior to purification of nanotubes or on any material that contains single-wall nanotubes. In one embodiment, oxidative etching with concentrated nitric acid is employed to cut SWNTs into shorter lengths. The annealed nanotubes may be disbursed in an aqueous detergent solution or an organic solvent for the fractionation. Closed tubes can also be derivatized to facilitate fractionation, for example, by adding solubilizing moieties to the end caps.

Abstract: A device for generating droplets includes a substrate comprising a reservoir site configured to hold a liquid and including a first electrode, a droplet creation site including a second electrode, and droplet separation site disposed between the reservoir site and the droplet creation site and containing an electrode. The device includes control circuitry operatively coupled to the first, second, and third electrodes. The control circuitry is configured to measure the fluid volume on the electrodes and independently adjust an applied voltage to increase/decrease the quantity of fluid. The device can move fluid onto the creation site or back onto to the reservoir site. When the fluid volume is at the desired value or range, a driving voltage is delivered to the first and second electrodes to form a new droplet. The device may generate droplets having a uniform or user-defined size smaller than the electrode.

Abstract: Electrophoresis systems and methods comprise an electrophoresis device, wherein the electrophoresis comprises a loading channel, a separation channel, and an injection channel. The loading channel is in fluid communication with a first and second sample port. The separation channel is connected to the loading channel to form a first intersection, and an injection channel connected to the separation channel to form a second intersection and in fluid communication with a first reservoir, and wherein the separation channel is in fluid communication with a second reservoir. The electrophoresis system further comprises two electrodes coupled to the first sample port and the first reservoir, and the first sample port and the second reservoir, respectively, that are adapted to move the sample into the loading channel towards the first reservoir and form a sample plug in the separation channel, and to further move the sample plug into the separation channel towards the second reservoir.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting an analyte are provided. Devices for voltage sensing of analytes may comprise a fluidic channel defined in a substrate, a pair of sensing electrodes disposed in a fluidic channel for sensing voltage therein, and a pair of electromotive electrodes for applying potential along the fluidic channel. The pair of sensing electrodes may include a first and second sensing electrode disposed at two discrete locations along the length of the fluidic channel and the pair of electromotive electrodes may be disposed at a first end and a second end of the fluidic channel. The fluidic channel may include a nanochannel or a microchannel.

Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus has a cathode and an anode, and has alternately formed therebetween concentrating chambers and desalination chambers by alternately arranging a plurality of anion exchange membranes and cation exchange membranes, each of the concentrating chambers being provided with a bipolar membrane to partition the interior of the concentrating chamber into a cathode side and an anode side, and each of the desalination chambers being divided into at least two layers including a first layer and a second layer, from an upstream side in a direction of flow of water to be treated, and being filled with an ion exchanger comprising an anion exchanger and a cation exchanger. The ion exchanger filling the first layer contains no less than 50 vol % of the cation exchanger, while the ion exchanger filling the second layer contains over 50 vol % to 80 vol % of the anion exchanger.

Abstract: Prolongation of the lifetime for reduced water is attempted. Production water that presents alkalinity is produced by utilizing raw water with ionized metallic minerals being dissolved therein and hydrogen gas H2. When inpouring the hydrogen gas together with the raw water into an electromagnetic portion in the apparatus, the hydrogen gas is bubbled and ionized to produce ions. The gas bubbles of the ionized hydrogen-ions are miniaturized. By making a metallic mineral as a core, hydrides (H?), which are negative ions in the hydrogen ions, coordinate on the periphery of that core. The metallic minerals which are complex-ionized (complex-ionized metallic minerals) based on a fact that the hydrides coordinate are dissolved in the water stably for long period of time, so that production water which presents alkalinity, that is, reduced water can be obtained. The reduced water can be utilized as drinking water. A metal container is preferable for a refilling container.