Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery, having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the positive electrode and the negative electrode each having a collector and an active material layer provided over the collector, and the relationship Ts?4Tc being satisfied, where Ts is the puncture strength of the separator, and Tc is the puncture strength of the collector of the positive electrode and/or the negative electrode.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for increasing biofilm formation and power output in microbial fuel cells. An anode material in a microbial fuel cell has a three-dimensional and ordered structure. The anode material fills an entire anode compartment, and it is arranged to allow fluid flow within the anode compartment. The power output of microbial fuel cells is enhanced, primarily by increasing the formation and viability of electrogenic biofilms on the anodes of the microbial fuel cells. The anode material in a microbial fuel cell allows for the growth of a microbial biofilm to its natural thickness. In the instance of members of the Geobacteraceae family, the biofilm is able grow to a depth of about 40 microns.

Abstract: A waterless power generator, particularly a waterless electrical power generator and a passively controlled process for producing electricity with a fuel cell using stoichiometric amounts of a solid hydrogen fuel and byproduct water vapor produced by the fuel cell to generate hydrogen gas. A fuel cell reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces electrical energy as well as by-product water which diffuses back into the power generator as water vapor to react with the hydrogen fuel, producing more hydrogen gas. This generated hydrogen gas is then used as a fuel which allows the fuel cell to generate additional electrical power and additional water. The process runs without any attached water source or water supply other than the water which is produced by the fuel cells themselves.

Abstract: A temperature adjustment member is arranged to control temperature of a reformer independently of temperature of a fuel cell module. The reformer is structured as a three-fluid heat exchanger into which a fluid is introducible whose temperature is higher or lower than exhaust-gas temperature of the fuel cell module. Then, the temperature of the reformer is controlled independently of operation temperature of the fuel cell by introducing the higher-temperature or lower-temperature fluid into the reformer. Also, a high-temperature or low-temperature gas is mixed with the module's exhaust gas, thereby adjusting temperature of the exhaust gas itself. This also controls the temperature of the reformer independently of the operation temperature of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has a compressor delivering compressed gas to a fuel cell stack and a control valve affecting the flow of compressed gas. A load dump condition is determined for the fuel cell stack. The flow through the compressor is increased and the additional flow diverted away from the fuel cell stack by the control valve to provide additional load for the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack may then be operated at a higher output power for the purpose of generating more waste heat to more rapidly warm itself.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a membrane-electrode assembly, which has an electrolyte membrane, an anode being formed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane and a cathode being formed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane; and an auxiliary electric power supply having a flow path formed on the surface thereof and being laminated on the membrane-electrode assembly such that the flow path faces the membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: In a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, a groove (cathode-side gas flow path) in a cathode-side separator, and a groove (anode-side gas flow path) in an anode-side separator are formed such that air and hydrogen flow in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. A surface treatment may applied to the surface of the grooves such that the hydrophilicity is higher on the downstream side than on the upstream side in the grooves.

Abstract: A reinforced electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell which is reinforced by a porous membrane, characterized by containing void portions in a joining portion between the surface of the porous membrane and/or pore surface and the electrolyte for buffering swelling when water is contained. This reinforced electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell has improved dimensional stability even if the electrolyte swells.

Abstract: The structured body intended for use for an anode (1) in fuel cells, includes a structure formed by macro-pores and an electrode material. The macro-pores form communicating spaces which are produced by using pore forming materials. The electrode material includes skeleton-like or net-like connected structures of particles which are connected by sintering and which form two reticular systems which interengage: a first reticular system made of ceramic material and a second reticular system which contains metals to effect an electrical conductivity. The electrode material has the properties so that, with a multiple change between oxidizing and reducing conditions, substantially no major property changes occur in the ceramic reticular system, and an oxidization or reduction of the metals occurs in the second reticular system.

Abstract: There is provided an electrode structure for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having excellent power generation performance and excellent durability and a method for manufacturing the same. Also provided is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell including the electrode structure and an electrical apparatus and a transport apparatus using the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The electrode structure includes a polymer electrolyte membrane 2 sandwiched between a pair of electrode catalyst layers 1, 1 containing carbon particles supporting catalyst particles. The polymer electrolyte membrane 2 is made of a sulfonated polyarylene-based polymer. The sulfonated polyarylene-based polymer has an ion exchange capacity in the range of 1.7 to 2.3 meq/g, and the polymer contains a component insoluble in N-methylpyrrolidone in an amount of 70% or less relative to the total amount of the polymer, after the polymer is subjected to heat treatment for exposing it under a constant temperature atmosphere of 12° C. for 200 hours.

Abstract: A fuel cell, which employs power generation units that have an electrolyte membrane and electrodes respectively disposed to either side of the electrolyte membrane, comprises a stack that includes a stacked plurality of the power generation units, a clamping member, and a shear elastic member. The clamping member is used for clamping the stack in the stacking direction. The shear elastic member is interposed between the clamping member and an end face of the stack in the stacking direction, and elastically deform in a shearing direction which lies orthogonal to the stacking direction.

Abstract: An arrangement for a direct methanol fuel cell includes a fuel cartridge that supplies a source of fuel to the direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cartridge has a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel cartridge. The arrangement also includes a fuel reservoir that receives fuel from the fuel cartridge, the fuel reservoir arranged to deliver fuel to the fuel cell. The fuel reservoir also including a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel reservoir. The combination of the surface area enhanced planar vaporization membranes residing in the fuel cartridge and reservoir provides a dual stage vaporization of fuel to the fuel cell. Other features included are passive or active arrangements to increase the temperature of the fuel or reduce pressure in the fuel container to enhance rate of vaporization.

Abstract: A method of manufacture includes an electrochemical cell structure having a first conductive member and a second conductive member. The first conductive member is spaced from the second conductive member. An adhesive is disposed between the first conductive member and the second conductive member. The adhesive has a solid state and a liquid state. The adhesive is liquefied to form a seal between the first conductive member and the second conductive member.

Abstract: There are provided a photomask blank which is capable of preventing static buildup caused by electron beam pattern drawing for forming a resist pattern, a photomask blank which provides a good pattern accuracy through optimization of the dry etching rate along the depth direction of the shielding film, and a photomask blank which is capable of reducing the dry etching time by increasing the dry etching rate of the shielding film. The photomask blank of the present invention includes a translucent substrate having thereon a shielding film composed mainly of chromium and the shielding film contains hydrogen. The shielding film is formed in such a manner that the film formation rate of the layer at the surface side is lower than the film formation rate of the layer at the translucent substrate side of the shielding film. The dry etching rate of the shielding film is lower at the translucent substrate side than at the surface side.

Abstract: Provided is a method for optical proximity correction for use in manufacturing highly resolved semiconductor chips. The method includes setting a target layout; setting a peculiar area; sorting the peculiar area from the target layout; generating a marking layer; resetting a critical dimension (CD) of a peculiar pattern; compensating an optical proximity effect; and manufacturing a mask. The method provides an improved way of improving more accurately CD uniformity by performing optical proximity correction with respect to a pattern to which a bias rule is difficult to apply due to an absence of an adjacent pattern.

Abstract: Use of pigments of the formula (I) containing melamine as guest compound and having a dispersion harshness of more than 250 as pigments for color filters for liquid-crystal displays.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate; and a photosensitive layer located overlying the conductive substrate, including a charge generation material, an electron transport material having a specific formula, and a hole transport material having a specific formula.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner containing at least a binder resin, a releasing agent, and a colorant, wherein the binder resin contains at least a polyester resin (A) having a softening point Tm (A) of 120° C. to 160° C., a polyester resin (B) having a softening point Tm (B) of 80° C. or more and less than 120° C. and a composite resin (C) containing a condensation polymerization monomer and an addition polymerization monomer, at least any one of the polyester resins (A) and (B) is a polyester resin prepared by condensation-polymerizing an alcohol component substantially composed of only aliphatic alcohol with a carboxylic acid component, and 65% or more of the alcohol component is 1,2-propanediol.

Abstract: There are provided a toner that allows prevention of environmental contamination and is nevertheless free from toner durability degradation, wherein a sufficiently wide color reproduction range can be secured even when it is applied to color toner, and variation in characteristics among toner particles can be suppressed, as well as a method of manufacturing a toner, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus. In the toner particle is formed the biomass resin-containing domain.

Abstract: A two-component developer containing a yellow toner and a magnetic carrier, wherein the yellow toner has the characteristics: (i) when the concentration of the yellow toner in a solution of the yellow toner in chloroform is represented by Cy (mg/ml) and the absorbance of the solution at a wavelength of 422 nm is represented by A422, a relationship between Cy and A422 satisfies the relationship of 6.00<A422/Cy<14.40; (ii) the lightness L* and chroma C* of the yellow toner determined in a powder state satisfy the relationships of 85.0?L*?95.0 and 100.0?C*?115.0; and (iii) the absolute value for the triboelectric charge quantity of the yellow toner measured by a two-component method using the yellow toner and the magnetic carrier is 50 mC/kg or more and 120 mC/kg or less.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor, including: an electroconductive substrate; a photosensitive layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate; and a crosslinked surface layer located overlying the photosensitive layer, including: a tri- or more functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure; and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure, wherein the crosslinked surface layer has a surface roughness (Ra) not greater than 0.2 ?m and a peel strength not less than 0.2 N/mm when measured by the SAICAS method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a toner for electrophotography which includes the steps of (A) forming resin-containing core particles having a volume median particle size (D50) of from 1 to 10 ?m in an aqueous medium; (B) adding composite fine particles containing a polyester-containing resin and a charge control agent, or composite fine particles containing “fine particles of the charge control agent” and “fine particles of the polyester-containing resin”, to the core particles obtained in the step (A) to allow the composite fine particles to adhere onto the core particles, thereby obtaining “composite fine particle-adhering core particles”; and (C) heating the “composite fine particle-adhering core particles” obtained in the step (B), to obtain coalesced particles.

Abstract: Provided is a toner production method that reuses a fine particle toner having a particle diameter failing to meet a predetermined standard diameter which is generated in pulverizing and classifying processes carried out for a toner material including at least a binder resin, release agent and pigment. The method includes granulating the fine particle toner by means of a granulating apparatus so as to increase a loose apparent density of the fine particle toner from the range of 0.05 g/cc to 0.25 g/cc to the range of 0.30 g/cc to 0.60 g/cc, in which wherein the granulating apparatus contains two left and right press rolls having the same diameters, the two press rolls having a rotational speed ratio of 0.40 to 0.95.

Abstract: There is provided a photosensitive resin composition for a solvent-developing or thermally-developing flexographic printing plate, the photosensitive resin composition comprising: (a) a block copolymer containing a polymer block having conjugated diene as a main component and a polymer block having a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon as a main component; (b) a photopolymerizable monomer; (c) a photopolymerization initiator; and (d) an organosilicon compound. A photosensitive resin composition for printing in which the organosilicon compound is a silicone oil containing a specific group is preferable, and a photosensitive resin composition for printing in which the organosilicon compound is a silicone oil containing an amino group or an aryl group is most preferable.

Abstract: Disclosed are photosensitizers that include a polyol moiety covalently bonded to a fused aromatic moiety. Also disclosed is a method for improving UV laser ablation performance of a coating, such as a cationic UV curable coating, by incorporating an oxalyl-containing additive into the cationic UV curable or other coating. Oxalyl-containing sensitizers having the formula Q-O—C(O)—C(O)—O—R1, wherein Q represents a fused aromatic moiety and R1 is an alkyl or aryl group, are also disclosed, as are oxalyl-containing oxetane resins, oxalyl-containing polyester polyols, and cationic UV curable coating formulations that include oxalyl-containing additives.

Abstract: A substrate for use in a lithographic projection apparatus. The substrate includes a sealing coating that covers at least a part of a first interface between two layers on the substrate, or between a layer and the substrate, and does not extend to a central portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A process for curing photopolymer which comprises exposing the photopolymer to an image produced by a mask-free imaging apparatus. The image may be generated by a monochromatic display screen, e.g. a liquid crystal display, light emitting diodes, a cathode ray tube or plasma screen.

Abstract: Photoacid generators generate sulfonic acids of formula (1a) upon exposure to high-energy radiation. ROC(?O)R1—COOCH2CF2SO3?H+??(1a) RO is OH or C1-C20 organoxy, R1 is a divalent C1-C20 aliphatic group or forms a cyclic structure with RO. The photoacid generators are compatible with resins and can control acid diffusion and are thus suited for use in chemically amplified resist compositions.

Abstract: Photoacid generators generate sulfonic acids of formula (1a) or (1b) upon exposure to high-energy radiation. R1—COOCH2CF2SO3?H+??(1a) R1—O—COOCH2CF2SO3?H+??(1b) R1 is a monovalent C20-C50 hydrocarbon group of steroid structure which may contain a heteroatom. The bulky steroid structure ensures adequate control of acid diffusion. The photoacid generators are compatible with resins and suited for use in chemically amplified resist compositions.

Abstract: A laser-ablatable element for direct laser engraving has a laser-ablatable, relief-forming layer that has a relief-image forming surface and a bottom surface. This relief-forming layer includes a laser-ablatable polymeric binder and an infrared radiation absorbing compound that is present at a concentration profile such that its concentration is greater near the bottom surface than the image-forming surface. This arrangement of the infrared radiation absorbing compound provides improved ablation efficiency, particularly when laser exposure is carried out adiabatically.

Abstract: A mask having features formed by self-organizing material, such as diblock copolymers, is formed on a partially fabricated integrated circuit. Initially, a copolymer template, or seed layer, is formed on the surface of the partially fabricated integrated circuit. To form the seed layer, diblock copolymers, composed of two immiscible blocks, are deposited in the space between copolymer alignment guides. The copolymers are made to self-organize, with the guides guiding the self-organization and with each block aggregating with other blocks of the same type, thereby forming the seed layer. Next, additional, supplemental diblock copolymers are deposited over the seed layer. The copolymers in the seed layer guide self-organization of the supplemental copolymers, thereby vertically extending the pattern formed by the copolymers in the seed layer.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition of the present invention includes an acid group-containing vinyl ester resin and a photopolymerization initiator as essential components, wherein the acid group-containing vinyl ester resin is an acid group-containing vinyl ester resin having a multiple-branched molecular structure obtained by the following steps where a polybasic anhydride (a3) is reacted with an epoxy vinyl ester resin (v1) that is a reaction product of an aromatic epoxy resin (a1) and a radically-polymerizable unsaturated-double bond-containing monocarboxylic acid (a2); a radically-polymerizable unsaturated-double bond-containing monoepoxy compound (a4) is subsequently reacted with an acid group formed by the reaction; and a polybasic anhydride (a3) is subsequently reacted with a secondary hydroxyl group formed by the reaction of the compound (a4) with the acid group, thereby obtaining the acid group-containing vinyl ester resin having a multiple-branched molecular structure; and contains 1.75 to 3.

Abstract: A plate making method of a lithographic printing plate precursor includes: exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor including an image-recording layer and a support; and developing the exposed lithographic printing plate precursor to prepare a lithographic printing plate, wherein the developing includes, in the following order, (i) a process of removing an unexposed area of the image-recording layer with a gum solution, (ii) a process of washing with water and (iii) a process of oil-desensitizing a non-image area with a gum solution.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of forming high-density metal interconnects on flexible, thin-film plastic includes laminating a dry photoresist layer to a substrate. The photoresist-laminated substrate is baked. An assembly is formed by laminating a plastic film to the baked, photoresist-laminated substrate. One or more electrically conductive interconnect layers are processed on a first surface of the laminated plastic film. The processing of the one or more electrically conductive interconnects includes photolithography. The assembly is baked and soaked in a liquid. The processed plastic film is then separated from the substrate.

Abstract: An exemplary method for making a plurality of light blocking plates is provided. Firstly, a photoresist layer is formed on a substrate. Secondly, the photoresist layer is exposed using a gray scale photomask. Thirdly, the photoresist layer is developed to form a plurality of conical frustums on the substrate, and each of the conical frustums tapers in a direction away from the substrate. Fourthly, an opaque to-be-solidified film is formed on the substrate, and each of the conical frustums extends through the to-be-solidified film. Fifthly, the to-be-solidified film is solidified. Sixthly, the solidified film is separated from the substrate and the conical frustums, thus obtaining a light blocking plate module including a plurality of light blocking plates. Lastly, the light blocking plate module is cut into a plurality of individual light blocking plates.

Abstract: Provided are a method of manufacturing a photosensitive epoxy structure using a photolithograph process, and a method of manufacturing an inkjet printhead using the method of manufacturing a photosensitive epoxy structure. The method of manufacturing the photosensitive epoxy structure includes forming an epoxy material layer formed of photosensitive epoxy; forming a first exposure pattern in the epoxy material layer by performing a first exposure operation; forming a second exposure pattern in the non-exposed portions of the epoxy material layer by performing a second exposure operation; and developing the epoxy material layer, wherein the amount of first UV energy used in the first exposure operation is different from the amount of second UV energy used in the second exposure operation.

Abstract: Instances of data-storage media having pits and lands, such as individual DVDs or CDs, are manufactured by selectively illuminating a light-curable material to form cured regions corresponding to the lands. The selective illumination of the light-curable material can be implemented using mask-based illumination or selective laser illumination or both. The mask used in mask-based illumination can have one or more extra opaque portions and/or one or more extra transparent portions corresponding to false pits and/or false lands, respectively, where selective laser illumination is used to convert one or more false pits/lands produced during mask-based illumination into true pits/lands for the competed medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel analogs of fresh human platelets for use in hematological instrument. Methods for preparing such analogs are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying neoplastic cells in a biological sample are provided.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter relates to a method for detecting the presence of a biological substance of interest in a test sample of saliva or oral fluid, comprising combining said test sample with a fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance and detecting a change in the fluorescence polarization of said test sample produced by binding of said fluorescence-labeled ligand to said biological substance. In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, said method comprises additional steps for comparing the fluorescence polarization of said test sample with the fluorescence polarization of a control solution. Also provided is a miniaturized, portable apparatus for measuring the fluorescence polarization of a liquid sample.

Abstract: A target and methods for specific binding and inhibition of RNA polymerase from bacterial species are provided, including methods for identifying agents that bind to a bacterial RNA polymerase, and that inhibit an activity of a bacterial RNA polymerase, through interactions with a bacterial RNA polymerase homologous switch-region amino-acid sequence. The methods can include preparation of a reaction solution comprising the compound to be tested and an entity containing a bacterial RNAP homologous switch-region amino-acid sequence, and detection of binding or inhibition. Applications in control of bacterial gene expression, control of bacterial viability, control of bacterial growth, antibacterial chemistry, and antibacterial therapy are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an array of polymers and methods of forming arrays of polymers by providing a substrate having a first layer including one or more dielectric coatings on a solid support and a second layer including a plurality of polymers disposed on the first layer. The invention also provides methods for forming an array of polymers on a substrate using light-directed synthesis by providing a substrate having a first layer including one or more dielectric coatings on a solid support, derivatizing the first layer by contacting the first layer with a silanation reagent, and a second layer disposed on said first layer wherein the second layer includes functional groups protected with a photolabile protecting group.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining whether a human immunodeficiency virus is likely to be have enhanced ability to enter a cell expressing CD4 and CXCR4 relative to a reference HIV. In certain aspects, the methods comprise detecting one or more amino acid in an envelope protein of the HIV associated with enhanced ability to enter CD4- and CXCR4-expressing cells and determining that the HIVs ability to enter such cells is enhanced relative to a reference HIV, e.g., an HIV that does not comprise such amino acid(s).

Abstract: Conformational epitopes of the envelope proteins E1 and E2 of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified and characterized using a panel of monoclonal antibodies derived from patients infected with HCV. These conserved conformational and linear epitopes of the HCV protein E1 or E2 have been determined to be important in the immune response of humans to HCV and may be particularly important in neutralizing the virus. Based on the identification of these conformational epitopes, vaccines containing peptides and mimotopes with these conformational epitopes intact may be prepared and administered to patients to prevent and/or treat HCV infection. The identification of four distinct groups of monoclonal antibodies with each directed to a particular epitope of E1 or E2 may be used to stratify patients based on their response to HCV and may be used to determine a proper treatment regimen.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-radioactive markers that facilitate the detection and analysis of nascent proteins translated within cellular or cell-free translation systems. Nascent proteins containing these markers can be rapidly and efficiently detected, isolated and analyzed without the handling and disposal problems associated with radioactive reagents. Preferred markers are dipyrrometheneboron difluoride (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene) dyes.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel marker of vesicoureteral reflux or interstitial cystitis and a simple and non-invasive method for detecting vesicoureteral reflux or interstitial cystitis. This method comprises detection of uroplakin expression in a sample obtained from a subject.

Abstract: A method for electronically stabilizing hybridization of nucleic acids bound at a test site of a microelectronic device is described. First and second negatively charged nucleic acids are provided, the second nucleic acid being bound to the test site. A zwitterionic buffer having a conductance of less than 100 mS/cm is applied to the microelectronic device. A current is applied to the test site to positively bias the test site, such that the first negatively charged nucleic acid is transported to the positively biased test site having the bound the second negatively charged nucleic acid. At the test site, the first and second negatively charged nucleic acids hybridize. The zwitterionic buffer acquires a net positive charge under influence of the current, such that the positively charged zwitterionic buffer stabilizes the hybridization by reducing the repulsion between the first and second negatively charged nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods and kits for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by determining expression levels of isoforms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) associated with CLL, particularly, PDE7B and/or PDE3B, and a ratio of mRNA expression of PDE7B to PDE3B. The present invention provides that CLL lymphocytes uniformly expressed high levels of PDE7B and low levels of PDE3B relative to those of normal lymphocytes. A method of treatment and a pharmaceutical composition for CLL comprising one or more therapeutic agents capable of modulating expression or activity levels of isoforms of PDEs associated with CLL, and/or reversing the ratio of PDE7B/PDE3B mRNA expression levels are also provided.

Abstract: A method of observing reaction intermediaries during a chemical reaction and comprising detecting an electrical signal output from an ion sensitive field effect transistor exposed to said reaction, and monitoring the detected electrical signal to discriminate discrete fluctuations in the electrical signal, the discrete fluctuations indicating reaction intermediaries occurring during a chemical reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying an individual who has an altered risk for developing age related macular degeneration comprising detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).