Abstract: A liquid storage and dispensing device with a filter for removing minerals and a UV light source for killing pathogens existing in a liquid. A liquid is introduced into the device via the inlet. The liquid passes through the filter into a collector. The filtered liquid flows from the collector through a passage into a UV chamber. The UV light source emits UV rays through a UV transmissive wall into the interior portion of the UV chamber. Exposure to the UV light kills pathogens present in the filtered liquid. Substantially purified liquid can then be dispensed from an outlet.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system 110 includes a membrane chamber 112 having a feed line. The chamber 112 generates a permeate stream 114 and a brine stream 116 from the feed line 118. A feed pump 120 pressurizes the feed line 118. A first flow meter generates a first flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the permeate stream 214. A booster device 172 has a turbine 176 in fluid communication with the brine stream 116 and a pump 174 in fluid communication with the feed line 118. A motor 178 is coupled to the turbine device 176 and a variable frequency drive 182 is attached to the turbine device 176 operating in response to the first flow signal. A second flow meter 218 generates a second flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the brine stream 116 and a variable size nozzle 240 operates an opening in response to the second flow meter.

Abstract: The present invention is related to hemodialysis, and more particularly, to a dialyser with improved efficiency of mass transfer across a dialysis membrane utilizing microchannel separation provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment, a dialyzer is provided comprising a plurality of semipermeable membrane sheets and a plurality of flow separators. The membrane sheets and flow are arranged in alternating configuration and coupled into a laminae stack defining a plurality of parallel microchannel layers. Each microchannel layer comprises a plurality of first microchannels and a plurality of second microchannels. The first and second microchannels of each microchannel layer are in fluid communication with each other via one of the plurality of membrane sheets therebetween. The MECS dialyzer is characterized as having a high surface to volume ratio and a high mass transfer coefficient.

Abstract: A fluid treatment assembly defines a treatment chamber and includes a treatment sub assembly positioned in an assembled condition in the treatment chamber. The treatment sub assembly includes a plurality of treatment members. The treatment assembly is arranged so that in use a fluid for treatment flows through the treatment members.

Abstract: A filter module comprises a non-filtrate draining spacer element, a filter layer, a filtrate draining spacer element, a filter layer, a non-filtrate draining spacer element, a filter layer, and a filtrate draining spacer layer stacked on one another in an axial direction, wherein at least some of the draining spacer elements comprise connecting means around the outer circumference to compress and seal off the filter layers between the draining spacer elements.

Abstract: A fiber reaction process whereby reactive components contained in immiscible streams are brought into contact to effect chemical reactions and separations. The conduit reactor utilized contains wettable fibers onto which one stream is substantially constrained and a second stream is flowed over to continuously create a new interface there between to efficiently bring about contact of the reactive species and thus promote reactions thereof or extractions thereby. Co-solvents and phase transfer catalysts may be employed to facilitate the process.

Abstract: A process for separating vapors, for example for separating water from ethanol, uses a gas separation membrane unit. Permeate from the membrane unit is compressed and may be used for example as heating steam for distillation. The membrane unit may have two or more stages. Permeate from a stage may be condensed and used for example as fermentation make up water, compressed and fed to the permeate from an upstream stage or heating steam, or fed to another membrane stage for further dewatering. The gas separation membrane unit may be used to remove water from a fermentation broth that has been partially dewatered, for example by one or more of a distillation column or molecular sieve.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil from oil-based sludge including the steps of homogenizing an oil-rich phase, a water-rich phase, and a solids-rich phase of an oil-based sludge, removing particulates from the oil-based sludge as the sludge traverses a shaker screen, heating the sludge, injecting a chemical into the heated sludge and mixing the chemical with the heated sludge, separating the phases of the chemically-treated sludge into a solids component stream, a water component stream, a first oil component stream, and a gas component stream, removing solids from the first oil component stream with a decanting centrifuge to form a second oil component stream, and removing water and solids from the second oil component stream with a disk stack centrifuge.

Abstract: Cross flow filter device comprising a longitudinal first filter element (1) having a first width (w1) and a longitudinal central axis (8), a longitudinal second filter element (2) having a second width (w2) and being longitudinally installed substantially concentrically inside said first filter element (1), a housing (3) surrounding said first filter element (1), said cross flow filter device having respectively a raw material inlet (4), a concentrate outlet (5), and a first filtrate outlet (6) connected to said first filter element (1). The ratio between the second width (w2) and the first width (w1) is 65%, preferably at least 70% and more preferably about 75%.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide relatively permanent labeling of an imprint lithography template. The imprint lithography template generally has first and second sides, one side having a pattern to imprint a substrate and the other being optically smooth to unobstructably pass UV light. In one embodiment, a method of labeling the imprint lithography template includes placing a masking layer on a portion of the first side (e.g., the optically smooth side) of the template, forming a liftoff layer on the remainder of the first side of the template, removing the masking layer to expose the portion of the first side of the template, and placing a polymer mark on the exposed portion of the first side of the template. The method also includes depositing an opaque material on the first side of the template and removing the liftoff layer and the mark to form a label on the first side of the template with the deposited opaque material.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a first and a second electrode disposed to face each other in a processing chamber, the second electrode supporting a substrate; a first RF power supply for applying a first RF power of a higher frequency to the second electrode; a second RF power supply for applying a second RF power of a lower frequency to the second electrode; and a DC power source for applying a DC voltage to the first electrode. In a plasma etching method for etching a substrate by using the plasma processing apparatus, the first and the second radio frequency power are applied to the second electrode to convert a processing gas containing no CF-based gas into a plasma and a DC voltage is applied to the first electrode, to thereby etch an organic film or an amorphous carbon film on the substrate by using a silicon-containing mask.

Abstract: A method of forming an image. The method includes: a transfer layer on a substrate; forming on the transfer layer, an etch barrier layer; pressing a template having a relief pattern into the etch barrier layer; exposing the etch barrier layer to actinic radiation forming a cured etch barrier layer having thick and thin regions corresponding to the relief pattern; removing the template; removing the thin regions of the cured etch barrier layer; removing regions of the transfer layer not protected by the etch barrier layer; removing regions of the substrate not protected by the transfer layer and any remaining etch barrier layer; and removing remaining transfer layer. The transfer layer may be removed using a solvent, the etch barrier layer may include a release agent and an adhesion layer may be formed between the transfer layer and the etch barrier layer. A reverse tone process is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrolytes for use in electronic devices which contain imidazolium salts in combination with high boiling aprotic solvents having lower flammability and lower toxicity than acetonitrile electrolytes.

Abstract: A (Li, Na, K)(Nb, Ta)O3 based piezoelectric/electrostrictive porcelain composition obtained by adding a slight amount of a Mn compound to a perovskite type oxide containing Li, Na and K as A-site elements and contains at least Nb out of Nb and Ta as B-site elements, where a ratio of a total number of atoms of the A-site elements to a total number of atoms of the B-site elements is not smaller than 1. A composition of the perovskite type oxide as a principal component is represented by a general formula: {Liy(Na1-xKx)1-y}a(Nb1-zTaz)O3. The A/B ratio “a” preferably satisfies 1<a?1.05. The Mn compound as an accessory component is desirably added such that the added amount is not more than 3 parts by mol in terms of Mn atom with respect to 100 parts by mol of said perovskite type oxide.

Abstract: A deicing composition is provided. The composition includes a potassium or sodium salt of a carboxylic acid and a lithium salt of a carboxylic acid or lithium nitrate, wherein the molar ratio of lithium to potassium or lithium to sodium is from 10 percent to 80 percent.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an electrolyte membrane which retains durability even after having undergone a dimensional change accompanying chemical deterioration caused owing to radicals having high oxidizing ability such as hydroxyl radicals (.OH) or peroxide radicals (.OOH), and the selecting method thereof. An electrolyte membrane has an amount of dimensional change in a plane direction between dimensions obtained in a dry state before and after carrying out the Fenton test, the amount of dimensional change before and after the Fenton test being smaller than an amount of maximum elastic deformation in a plane direction obtained in dry state before carrying out the Fenton test, provided that the Fenton test is carried out under the following condition, and the selecting method of the same. <Condition of Fenton test> (1) iron ion (Fe2+) concentration: 4 ppm, (2) hydrogen peroxide concentration: 3 wt %, (3) boiling temperature: 80° C., (4) boiling time: 120 minutes.

Abstract: A latent epoxy resin curing agent is provided which exhibits excellent solvent resistance and low-temperature fast-curing ability, and contains an imidazole-based compound as a main component. In the latent epoxy resin curing agent containing the imidazole-based compound as a main component, adduct particles formed through adduct reaction of an epoxy-based compound with the particulate imidazole-based compound are coated with an ethyl cellulose film. Furthermore, the surfaces of the adduct particles may be crosslinked with a polyfunctional isocyanate compound. A mixture of the epoxy-based compound, the particulate imidazole-based compound, and ethyl cellulose in a predetermined saturated hydrocarbon-based solvent is heated under stirring. Then, the epoxy-based compound and the particulate imidazole-based compound are subjected to adduct reaction to give a slurry of the adduct. After the slurry is cooled, the latent epoxy resin curing agent is filtrated.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a marine article of the invention includes a phosphorescent phosphor. A particularly advantageous phosphorescent phosphor comprises MAl2O4. As used herein, “M” is at least one cation selected from a group consisting of calcium, strontium, and barium. The phosphor comprises 0.001% to 10% of a europium activator, and 0.001% to 10% of at least one dopant selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, tin and bismuth as a co-activator, in terms of mol % relative to the metal element expressed by M. The phosphorescent marine article has an afterglow corresponding to a luminance of at least 0.3 mCd/m2 for at least 420 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention provide a high-luminosity stress-stimulated luminescent material which emits visible light even in daylight, a manufacturing method thereof, and a typical example of the use thereof. The stress-stimulated luminescent material of the present invention satisfies conditions for light emission by at least one of: a luminescence mechanism using static electricity caused by friction; a luminescence mechanism using micro plasma caused by friction; a luminescence mechanism using a piezoelectric effect caused by strain; a luminescence mechanism using lattice defect; and a luminescence mechanism using thermal generation. For example, in case where a base material made of at least one type of aluminate is includes as the stress-stimulated luminescent material, the base material includes a crystal structure with spontaneous polarization, e.g. ?-SrAl2O4, in order to realize the luminescence mechanism using the piezoelectric effect caused by strain.

Abstract: A phosphor composition for a display device, including a phosphor represented by Formula 1: Y3-x-k-zCekMzM?xAla-yM?yO(1.5a+4.5)??(1). In Formula 1, M includes at least one of Tb, Dy, and Eu, M? includes at least one of Sc, Gd, In, and La, M? includes at least one of Ga, Sc, and In, and x, y, z, k, and a represent molar ratios and satisfy the relations: 0.0?x<3.0, 0.0?y?7.0, 0.0<k<0.1, 0.0<z<0.5, 4.0?a?7.0, a-y?0.0, x+k+z?3.0, and 0.01?z/k?20.

Abstract: A method and composition are provided for the operation of an evaporative cooling tower with minimal, or no, blowdown. In some embodiments, the method involves using sodium cation-exchanged softened water as makeup water for the cooling tower, providing a bypass filter for suspended solids removal from the cooling water, treating the cooling water with a composition for control of corrosion and deposition, and using an effective biocide for control of biological growth within the cooling tower system. In some embodiments, a composition is provided that comprises AMPS acrylic terpolymer, sodium silicate, phosphate ions, and polyphosphate ions. When dosed at the recommended levels, the composition controls corrosion of cooling system materials to generally acceptable levels in spite of the extremely corrosive environment resulting from the cycling of sodium cation-exchanged softened water in the cooling tower.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of an antistatic composition comprising adding a liquid or a dissolved ionic substance to a porous polymer and processing the porous polymer together with further additives and further thermoplastic polymers in the melt. The invention relates also to the antistatic composition itself and to its use for rendering polymers antistatic.

Abstract: A photocurable composition is provided that includes a polymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator that is an acylphosphine oxide and/or an alpha-aminoacetophenone, a compound represented by Formula (I) below, and an amine compound. There are also provided a photocurable ink, a process for producing a photocured material, and an inkjet recording method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electrically conductive thermoplastic resin composition and a plastic article. The electrically conductive thermoplastic resin composition comprises about 80 to about 99% by weight of a thermoplastic resin, about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of carbon nanotubes and about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of an organo nanoclay.

Abstract: Polyacetal compositions comprising polyacetal, electroconductive carbon black, and substituted urea provide a combination of good static dissipation properties, good thermal stability during processing, and good stability to contact with fuel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a silicon semiconductor device, and a conductive thick film composition for use in a solar cell device.

Abstract: A ZnO vapor deposition material for formation of a transparent conductive film or the like consists mainly of a porous ZnO sintered body containing one or more first additive elements selected from Ce, La, Y, Pr, Nd, Pm, and Sm, and second additive elements selected from Al, Ga, Sc, and B. The content of the first additive elements is higher than the content of the second additive elements. The content of the first additive elements is in a range of 0.1 to 14.9% by mass, and the content of the second additive elements is in a range of 0.1 to 10% by mass. The sintered body has a porosity of 3 to 50%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pigment composition that is composed of compounds of formulas (I), (II) and (III), is characterized by a average particle size d50 ranging from 10 to 60 nm, less than 5% by volume of the particles being greater than 70 nm, and can be obtained by reacting of 1 mol of a succinic acid diester with 2 mol of a mixture of nitriles A-CN and B-CN nitriles, the molar ratio of A-CN and B-CN in the nitrile mixture being in the range from 99.5:0.5 to 85.0:15.

Abstract: A method for producing an all-purpose harmless fire retardant protein free composition that is adaptable to be incorporated intermediate or finished products comprising by A) adding acid to a sodium hydroxide solution to form a solution with a pH in the range of 1.0 to 3.0, the acid being selected from the group consisting of mono-carboxylic acid, anhydrous di-carboxylic acid and anhydrous tri- carboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, in an acetic acid solvent, B) adding tetra-sodium-pyrophosphate and water, C) adding calcium carbonates, and once composition C becomes clumpy D) pouring composition C out onto a drying bed, E) subjecting the composition from step D to grounding, milling or grinding to achieve particles of less than 0.020 mm, F) encapsulating the particles of E with a surface coating material being selected from polysaccharide, tristearate, a wax of a polyethylene based material, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The method of producing an islands-in-sea type composite spun fiber having an island component diameter of 1 ?m or less according to the present invention comprises drawing (superdrawing) with a total draw ratio of from 5 to 100 an undrawn islands-in-sea type composite spun fiber having been prepared by spinning at a spinning speed of from 100 to 1,000 m/min, at temperatures higher than the glass transition points of both the polymer forming the sea component and the polymer forming the island components of the composite spun fiber.

Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.

Abstract: A manufacturing process of silicone glass concentrator lens, wherein, a mold is provided with a material inlet hole and an air outlet hole that are respectively used for pouring in liquid silicone and exiting air respectively. Wherein, firstly, the mold is connected to a glass carrier plate in a vertical arrangement, then pouring the liquid silicone into the mold through the material inlet hole, thus exiting the excessive air through the air outlet hole of the mold automatically. Through the application of this manufacturing process, a bubble-free silicone glass concentrator lens can be made in a fast manner without the occurrences of liquid silicone overflow, hereby reducing the production cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for use in a fusion process for conduit. The method includes the steps of: removably positioning a first terminal edge of a first conduit portion with a first terminal edge of a second conduit portion; facing the terminal edges of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; aligning the terminal edges of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; melting at least a portion of the terminal edges of the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; engaging the melted terminal edge of the first conduit portion with the melted terminal edge of the second conduit portion; maintaining pressure between the engaged terminal edges, thereby creating a fused joint area; and removing at least a portion of the resultant external bead extending around the fused joint area. A fusion apparatus for employing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a more reliable connection between two members is provided. The method involves the use of a gas-removal layer which allows for gas transport in a number of overall directions in a plane of the gas-removal layer. The gas-removal layer comprises a resin and during consolidation the gas-removal layer is deformed to form a collection substantially free from entrapped gas voids. In addition, a gas-removal layer is provided as well as a mould for casting of gas-removal layers and a method for preparing such a mould. The method and the gas-removal layer provided are particularly useful for manufacturing of wind turbine blades and spars for such blades.

Abstract: Method for producing a condenser, which is provided with a plurality of pipes extending parallel to each other and disposed in a specified grid, the ends of the pipes being held by a base plate, characterized by the following sequential method steps: providing a pan, the base surface of which has a plurality of bores disposed in a defined grid and pipe sockets aligned with the bores, introducing filling pins into the pipe sockets, introducing thermoplastic granules into the pan, melting the granules in the pan, introducing centering pins into the pipe sockets while pushing out the filling pins, sliding the pan comprising the molten granules onto the free ends of the pipes, cooling the molten granules while forming a base plate receiving the free ends of the pipes in a gas-tight manner, the base plate being made of thermoplastic material, and subsequently pulling the pan and the centering pins off the connection of the base plate and pipes.

Abstract: A method to forming a pattern on a surface of a substrate, including the steps of providing a mold having a molding surface comprised of one or more protruding features and one or more recessed features for imprinting a pattern. The pattern comprising at least one feature having a lateral dimension of about 2000 nanometer or less. Providing a monomolecular anti-adhesive layer on the mold which is either continuous or discontinuous, prior to depositing a hardenable, flowable material onto the mold and recessed features. The mold and substrate are pressed together, while the flowable material hardens and adheres to the moldable material and the substrate. Upon separation of the mold and the substrate, the hardened material remains on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of shortening cycle time required to compression mold shingle or tile is provided, wherein carrier plates are comprised of a surface material and a base, and receive a thermoplastic material, thereon. The roofing material is applied to the carrier plate and the carrier plate is subjected to induction heating, by which its surface material has its temperature raised, without substantially raising the temperature of the carrier plate base, such that the thermoplastic material applied thereto is kept heated in the compression mold. Cooling of the thermoplastic material is by heat transfer from the carrier plate surface material to the carrier plate base, and with both materials having good heat conduction capability. The carrier plate surface material has a high receptivity to being heated by induction heating relative the carrier plate base. The carrier plates are serially delivered through the process, to the compression mold.

Abstract: A method for forming a nano/microstructure includes applying a release coating having a transition temperature to a mold, the release coating promoting adhesion thereto at temperatures below the transition temperature and release at temperatures above the transition temperature. A cast material is adhered to the release coating at a first temperature below the transition temperature and released from the mold by exposing the release coating to a second temperature greater than the transition temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming cavities in pouches. The packages are used for packaging sterile medical products. The apparatus has a frame and a tongue plate member. A pouch is placed onto the tongue plate member to form a cavity into at least one side of the pouch.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a catheter balloon comprises a stationary base member; a rotatable drive hub which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member; and a pleating head aligned with respect to the stationary base member and to the rotatable drive hub. The pleating head includes at least three segments, each having a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length. Each segment has a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, and the proximal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary base member and the distal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable hub member. The segments are arranged so that the segment distal ends are disposed adjacent to and a predetermined distance away from a central point and defining a central aperture with a spiral-pleat dimension having at least three channels in communication with a central aperture.

Abstract: Current top performing SAPI systems are B4C-containing (hot pressed B4C or reaction bonded B4C). These systems will not function well versus future WC/Co threats due to the inability of B4C to withstand high pressure impacts. New approaches will be needed for next generation SAPI ceramics. Three related concepts are disclosed herein, each of which will lead to improved reaction bonded ceramics for next generation SAPI applications. The first concept aims to reactively heat treat reaction bonded B4C, causing. SiC and SiB6 to form at the expense of B4C. The second approach will add Ti to the system, thus allowing TiC and TiB2 to form at the expense of B4C. Finally, the third concept will evaluate the use of finer particle sizes, thus improving the static properties of the ceramics (with the aim of enhancing multi-hit performance). In all cases, preliminary work has been conducted to demonstrate the viability of the concepts. This will lead to a new family of advanced armor ceramics.

Abstract: The blast furnace gas burning facility prevents a wet type dust collector from freezing under such conditions that the temperature of blast furnace gas does not exceed the freezing lower-limit temperature of the wet type dust collector. The blast furnace gas burning facility 1 burns blast furnace gas discharged from a blast furnace by supplying the gas to a combustor 2 after removing dust with a wet type dust collector 7 and compressing the gas with a compressor 8. A fuel-gas heating channel 12 is disposed between the outlet side of the compressor and the inlet side of the wet type dust collector. When the temperature of the blast furnace gas flowing into the wet type dust collector is lower than a lower limit temperature, a high-temperature, high-pressure gas compressed by the compressor is diverged and supplied into the inlet side of the wet type dust collector.

Abstract: An iron core annealing furnace that is used in annealing of an amorphous iron core requiring strict control of annealing temperature. There is provided an iron core annealing furnace comprising a furnace body fitted at its superior area with a heat source and a fan, wherein the furnace body has a double layer structure consisting of a furnace interior defined by the inside division wall of the furnace body and an interspace defined by the division wall and the outside wall of the furnace body, and wherein the fan is disposed in the center of a superior area of the furnace body, and wherein the fan is adapted to introduce hot air from the furnace interior of the double layer structure, feed the hot air to the outside of the double layer structure, allow the hot air to enter the furnace interior from an inferior area of the furnace body and heat the iron core, and circulate the hot air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-containing slip for producing a BN-containing coating on a substrate, which comprises, based on the solids content of the slip, a) 45-90% by weight of BN, b) 3-25% by weight of boehmite nanoparticles, c) 0.5-5% by weight of at least one borate, d) 2-30% by weight of at least one water-insoluble boron compound which is different from the components a) and c), e) 2-30% by weight of an organic compound, where the solids content of the slip is 15-60% by weight.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a shrouded impeller is disclosed. The method includes providing an open faced impeller, the open faced impeller including a plurality of blades extending at least partially radially from a hub. The method also includes performing a first powder metallurgical process to form a first material over at least part of the open faced impeller. The method further includes forming a shroud circumferentially disposed about the hub and connected to one of more of the blades. Forming the shroud includes performing a second powder metallurgical process to metallurgically bond the shroud to at least some of the blades.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a disk shaped component comprising fabricating a disk shaped component using a composite material having at least a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is disposed at and proximate to a center portion of the disk shaped component and the second material is disposed at and proximate to a rim of the disk shaped component, wherein the first material comprises a first coefficient of thermal expansion, a first stress value and a first oxidation resistance, and the second material comprises a second coefficient of thermal expansion, a second stress value and a second oxidation resistance, wherein the first coefficient of thermal expansion is greater than the second coefficient of thermal expansion, the first stress value is greater than the second stress value and the first oxidation resistance is less than the second oxidation resistance.

Abstract: A method for producing a cemented carbide material includes producing an M3C type double carbide (wherein M comprises M1 and M2; M1 represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W; and M2 represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co and Ni) as a main component of the surface portion; reducing heat treating the compact at a vacuum atmosphere; carburizing the resulting WC—Co compact at a temperature of 800 to 1100° C.; subjecting the carburized compact to liquid phase sintering at a temperature of more than 1350° C. to form a sintered body; and coating a surface layer of the sintered body with a compound containing boron and/or silicon and subjecting the coated sintered body to a diffusion heat treatment at a temperature within a range from 1200 to 1350° C.

Abstract: Micro-addition of a metal to a Sn-based lead-free C4 ball is employed to enhance reliability. Specifically, a metal having a low solubility in Sn is added in a small quantity corresponding to less than 1% in atomic concentration. Due to the low solubility of the added metal, fine precipitates are formed during solidification of the C4 ball, which act as nucleation sites for formation multiple grains in the solidified C4 ball. The fine precipitates also inhibit rapid grain growth by plugging grain boundaries and act as agents for pinning dislocations in the C4 ball. The grain boundaries enable grain boundary sliding for mitigation of stress during thermal cycling of the semiconductor chip and the package on the C4 ball. Further, the fine precipitates prevent electromigration along the grain boundaries due to their pinned nature.

Abstract: An air sanitization system including a reactive oxygen species generator, a variable speed fan, a pathogen sensor and a controller. The reactive oxygen species generator generates reactive oxygen species from an oxygen-containing gas and discharges the reactive oxygen species to a conditioned space. The variable speed fan directs the oxygen-containing gas to the reactive oxygen species generator at a controlled speed. The pathogen sensor senses a level of airborne pathogens in the conditioned space and generates a signal indicative of the level of pathogens sensed. The controller receives the signal from the pathogen sensor and varies the speed of the variable speed fan in response to the signal to decrease a speed of the variable speed fan in response to an increase in the level of airborne pathogens sensed by the pathogen sensor.

Abstract: A drug discovery screening apparatus improves a testing operation efficiency. The drug discovery screening apparatus comprises an image measurement unit, an incubator unit integrally connected to the image measurement unit, a fixed stage disposed at the incubator unit, first conveyance for taking out one of plates stored in a carousel of the incubator unit and conveying the plate onto the fixed stage, second conveyance for taking out the plate conveyed onto the fixed stage and conveying the plate onto an XY stage disposed at the image measurement unit, and a control unit. The second conveyance comprises first and second conveyance arms, respectively supported horizontally by a conveyance unit support section, which convey the plates onto the fixed stage and XY stage so as to allow the respective plates to cross each other.