Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode current collector provided between an anode and a separator for collecting electrical energy generated in the electrolyte electrode assembly, and supplying a fuel gas to an electrode surface of the anode. The separator has at least one fuel gas inlet hole for supplying the fuel gas to the anode current collector. The anode current collector has at least one fuel gas inlet channel having an opening that faces an opening of the fuel gas inlet hole at an end of the fuel gas inlet hole, for allowing the fuel gas supplied through the fuel gas inlet hole to flow into the anode current collector.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon catalyst for a cathode of a direct fuel cell, which selectively promotes an oxygen reduction reaction even when crossover of a fuel compound occurs. The carbon catalyst for a cathode of a direct fuel cell exhibits an oxygen-reducing catalytic activity in an electrolytic solution containing a fuel compound for the direct fuel cell, and exhibits substantially no catalytic activity to oxidize the fuel compound in the electrolytic solution.

Abstract: The reinforcing sheet according to the present invention includes glass fibers and an organic binder that coats the glass fibers, and has voids to be filled with a solid electrolyte. The organic binder is (i) an organic polymer containing no element other than carbon, hydrogen and fluorine; or (ii) an organic polymer having a main chain and side chains, the main chain being perfluoroalkylene, and at least one of the side chains being terminated with a sulfonic acid group or a carboxylic acid group. The reinforcing sheet according to the present invention is suitable for improving the durability of a solid electrolyte membrane and maintaining the chemical stability thereof.

Abstract: A brazing alloy for bonding in air, in which the melting point is reduced so as to perform brazing at a low temperature without using flux even in air, is provided. In addition, a bonded article and a current collecting material, each of which is bonded with the brazing alloy and has preferable gas sealing characteristics and superior bonding strength, are provided. The brazing alloy for bonding in air includes Ag and B as essential components. The amount of Ag is not less than 50 vol. % and less than 92 vol. %, and the amount of B is greater than 8 vol. % and not more than 50% vol. %. The amounts of Ag and B are adjusted so that the total of the amounts of Ag and B is 100% including inevitable impurities.

Abstract: A Pt—Ni catalyst is provided which demonstrates an unusually high oxygen reduction mass activity. In some embodiments, the Pt—Ni catalyst is a Pt—Ni binary alloy. In some embodiments, the catalyst may be characterized as having a Pt fcc lattice parameter of less than 3.71 Angstroms or 0.371 nm. In some embodiments the catalyst has a Pt fcc lattice parameter of between 3.69 Angstroms (or 0.369 nm) and 3.73 Angstroms (or 0.373 nm). In some embodiments, the catalyst may be characterized as having a composition of close to PtxNi(1-x), where x is between 0.2 and 0.4. In some embodiments the catalyst comprises nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing a thin film of nanoscopic catalyst particles comprising a catalyst material described above. The catalyst may be particularly useful as a fuel cell catalyst and more specifically as a fuel cell cathode catalyst.

Abstract: A sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assembly is disclosed. Encapsulation films, each comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer, are positioned on the edges of at least one face of each gas diffusion substrate such that the adhesive layers impregnate into each gas diffusion substrate. Methods of forming sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cohesive carbon assemblies are prepared by obtaining a functionalized carbon starting material in the form of powder, particles, flakes, loose agglomerates, aqueous wet cake, or aqueous slurry, dispersing the carbon in water by mechanical agitation and/or refluxing, and substantially removing the water, typically by evaporation, whereby the cohesive assembly of carbon is formed. The method is suitable for preparing free-standing, monolithic assemblies of carbon nanotubes in the form of films, wafers, discs, fiber, or wire, having high carbon packing density and low electrical resistivity. The method is also suitable for preparing substrates coated with an adherent cohesive carbon assembly. The assemblies have various potential applications, such as electrodes or current collectors in electrochemical capacitors, fuel cells, and batteries, or as transparent conductors, conductive inks, pastes, and coatings.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the disclosure relates to a method of setting a photolithography exposure machine, comprising: forming on a photolithography mask test patterns and circuit patterns, transferring the patterns to a resin layer covering a wafer, measuring a critical dimension of each test pattern transferred, and determining a focus setting error value of the photolithography machine from the measure of the critical dimension of each pattern, the test patterns formed on the mask comprising a first reference test pattern and a second test pattern forming for a photon beam emitted by the photolithography machine and going through the mask, an optical path having a length different from an optical path formed by the first test pattern and the circuit patterns formed on the mask.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a photomask are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a photomask includes providing a filmstack having a molybdenum layer and a light-shielding layer in a processing chamber, patterning a first resist layer on the light-shielding layer, etching the light-shielding layer using the first resist layer as an etch mask, and etching the molybdenum layer using the patterned light-shielding layer and the patterned first resist layer as a composite mask.

Abstract: A lithography mask includes a plurality of patterning features formed on a mask substrate and a first plurality of sub-resolution assist features (SRAFs) formed substantially perpendicular to the patterning features on the mask substrate.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a substrate; an undercoat layer provided on the substrate and containing a tin-zinc complex oxide powder having a volume resistivity of about 2×109 ?·cm or less; and a photosensitive layer provided on the undercoat layer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate; and a photosensitive layer provided on the conductive substrate and containing a resin binder that is a polycarbonate resin having structural units represented by General Formulae (1) and (2). The electrophotographic photoreceptor reduces the amount of wear and provides good images while maintaining a low frictional resistance on the surface of a photoreceptor drum from the beginning until after printing. A method for manufacturing such an electrophotographic photoreceptor includes applying a coating liquid containing at least such a resin binder onto a conductive substrate to thereby form a photosensitive layer. An electrophotographic device is disclosed that is equipped with such an electrophotographic photoreceptor.

Abstract: In a positively chargeable toner, calcium carbonate fine particles having a certain average primary particle diameter are attached to the surface of toner base particles. The toner base particles contain at least a binder resin and a colorant. The calcium carbonate fine particles are ones which had been subjected to a surface treatment with a positively chargeable surface treating agent and a silicone oil. A mass ratio of the positively chargeable surface treating agent to the silicone oil attached to the surface of the calcium carbonate fine particles is set to be 7:3 to 3:7 in terms of the positively chargeable surface treating agent:the silicone oil.

Abstract: A carrier for a two-component developer includes magnetic particles, and a resin coating layer that covers the magnetic particles. The resin coating layer contains metal boride particles having a volume average primary particle diameter of from about 300 nm to about 2,500 nm.

Abstract: A photoresist composition which comprises a salt represented by formula (I): wherein Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom or a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl group, R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C10 monovalent aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon group, X1 and X2 each independently represent a single bond, a carbonyl group, or a C1-C10 divalent aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon group where a hydrogen atom can be replaced by a hydroxy group and where a methylene group can be replaced by an oxygen atom, a sulfonyl group or a carbonyl group, A1 represents a C1-C30 organic group, m1 represents an integer of 1 to 4, and Z+ represents an organic cation, and a resin which is hardly soluble or insoluble but soluble in an aqueous alkali solution by action of an acid.

Abstract: A negative developable bottom antireflective coating (NDBARC) material includes a polymer containing an aliphatic alcohol moiety, an aromatic moiety, and a carboxylic acid moiety. The NDBARC composition is insoluble in a typical resist solvent such as propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA) after coating and baking. The NDBARC material also includes a photoacid generator, and optionally a crosslinking compound. In the NDBARC material, the carboxylic acid provides the developer solubility, while the alcohol alone, the carboxylic acid alone, or their combination provides the PGMEA resistance. The NDBARC material has resistance to the resist solvent, and thus, intermixing does not occur between NDBARC and resist during resist coating over NDBARC.

Abstract: A salt represented by formula (I): wherein Q1, Q2, L1, W, and Z+ are defined in the specification.

Abstract: A charged particle beam drawing apparatus includes an electrostatic lens including an electrode member and configured to project the plurality of charged particle beams onto the substrate via the electrode member. In the electrode member are formed a plurality of first openings via which the plurality of charged particle beams pass, and a plurality of second openings different from the plurality of first openings, a total area of the plurality of second openings being not smaller than a total area of the plurality of first openings.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lithography method and system implemented by a charged particle beam passed through a shaping slit member having plural circular apertures of different diameters. The method and system operate to delineate a circular pattern by shooting the shaped circular beam passed through the desired circular aperture onto a workpiece. The method and system consists of causing circular beams shaped using different ones of the circular apertures to be shot onto the workpiece such that the circular beams are coincident with each other in center position to thereby delineate a circular pattern of a desired size. Consequently, circular patterns in a wide range of sizes can be obtained, although a limited number of circular apertures are used.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of making a mask. The method includes providing a substrate having a first attenuating layer on the substrate and a first imaging layer on the first attenuating layer; performing a first exposure to the first imaging layer using a first radiation energy in writing mode; performing a first etching to the first attenuating layer; performing a second etching to the substrate; forming a second imaging layer on the first attenuating layer and the substrate; performing a second exposure to the second imaging layer using a light energy and another mask; and performing a third etching to the first attenuating layer after the second exposure.

Abstract: A method of tailoring the shape of a plurality of relief dots created in a photosensitive printing blank during a digital platemaking process is provided. The photosensitive printing blank comprises a laser ablatable mask layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer which is mountable on a printing sleeve. The method comprises the steps of (1) placing a barrier layer on top of the laser ablatable mask layer; (2) laser ablating the laser ablatable mask layer to create an in situ negative in the laser ablatable layer; (3) exposing the at least one photocurable layer to actinic radiation through the in situ negative; (4) removing the harrier layer; and (5) developing the imaged and exposed photosensitive printing blank to reveal the relief image therein, the relief image comprising the plurality of relief dots. The presence of the barrier layer produces printing dots having desired geometric characteristics.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the step of forming a mask by application of a masking ink to a semiconductor substrate and the step of forming a diffusion layer. The method includes at least one of the step of heating the masking ink and the step of irradiating the masking ink with light, at at least one of a timing before, a timing during, and a timing after the application of said masking ink.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes forming first photoresist on a substrate. A portion of the first photoresist is selectively exposed to actinic energy and then the first photoresist is negative tone developed to remove an unexposed portion of the first photoresist. Second photoresist is formed on the substrate over the developed first photoresist. A portion of the second photoresist is selectively exposed to actinic energy and then the second photoresist is negative tone developed to remove an unexposed portion of the second photoresist and form a pattern on the substrate which comprises the developed first photoresist and the developed second photoresist. Other implementations are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for patterning a substrate with reduced defectivity is described. Once a pattern is formed in a layer of radiation-sensitive material using lithographic techniques, the substrate is rinsed to remove residual developing solution and/or other material. Thereafter, a first chemical treatment is performed using a first chemical solution, and a second chemical treatment is performed using a second chemical solution, wherein the second chemical solution has a different chemical composition than the first chemical solution. In one embodiment, the first chemical solution is selected to reduce pattern collapse, and the second chemical solution is selected to reduce pattern deformity, such as line edge roughness (LER) and/or line width roughness (LWR).

Abstract: A liquid immersion member holds liquid between the liquid immersion member and an object such that an optical path of exposure light applied to the object is filled with the liquid, thereby forming a liquid immersion space. In the liquid immersion member, an amorphous carbon film is formed on at least a part of a region coming into contact with the liquid.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention generally relate to a fuel composition, for example, that may be used as a fire starter for igniting barbecue charcoal, firewood, campfires, pellet stoves, and the like, and/or as a fuel material, e.g., for heating or cooking. A fuel composition is described in some embodiments that includes corn cob particles and/or other plant-derived particles in which a liquid fuel has been absorbed. The fuel composition may be used as a fuel material and/or to initiate combustion of a regular fuel material such as charcoal, firewood and pellet stove fuel.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention generally relate to the field of rheologically modified fuels, including hydrocarbon, hydrophobic, and/or liquid fuels such as alkane-based odorless mineral spirits, paraffin oil and biofuels such as mono-alkyl esters of medium to long chain (C8-C18) fatty acids, that have been thickened or gelled, e.g., by precipitation of fatty acid monoglycerides such as glyceryl monostearate and glyceryl monopalmitate. A thickened fire lighting fuel composition is described in some embodiments which includes a hydrocarbon- or alkyl ester-based hydrophobic liquid fuel, and an effective amount of at least one saturated fatty acid monoglyceride. The monoglyceride may be thermo-precipitated in certain instances in the fuel composition causing a substantial increase in the viscosity of the fuel composition.

Abstract: A process for operating a utility boiler.

Abstract: The system comprises a boiler (1), main burner groups (2F, 2E, 2D, 2C) located on different levels or zones through which pulverized solid fuel is injected into the boiler (1) and main mills (3F, 3E, 3D, 3C) for solid fuel, where each of them is connected to one of the main burner groups (2F, 2E, 2D, 2C) to which a flow of solid fuel is directed. As a complement, it incorporates a substitution mill (3B) intended to operate only on the main burner group (2F, 2E, 2D, 2C) whose main associated mill (3F, 3E, 3D, 3C) has stopped, as well as a support mill (3A) which operates constantly and directs an additional flow of solid fuel towards the main burner group or groups (2F, 2E, 2D, 2C) selected, supplementing the flow of solid fuel provided by the main mills (3F, 3E, 3D, 3C).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a heating appliance that includes a manually-opened pilot valve that is held in an open position when a sufficient voltage is applied to a valve operator, and a thermocouple that converts heat from a pilot flame into a voltage that is applied to the valve operator. The apparatus includes a voltage measuring circuit that provides an output indicative of a magnitude of the voltage generated by the thermocouple, and a light emitting device. A controller is coupled to the voltage measuring circuit and the light emitting device. The controller is configured to establish, based on the output indicative of the magnitude of the voltage generated by the thermocouple, a switch sequence for switching the light emitting device on and off in a flashing manner, to provide an indication of when the magnitude of the voltage is sufficient to cause the valve operator to hold the gas valve open.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a controller for a multistage gas furnace, a multistage gas furnace and computer readable medium for performing a method to operate a furnace. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a heating call and (2) a corrosion reducer configured to ignite the gas furnace at a high fire operation based on if an indoor circulating fan of the gas furnace is active.

Abstract: A combustor nozzle includes a center body that defines an axial centerline. A shroud circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the center body to define an annular passage between the center body and the shroud. A plenum is inside the center body and aligned substantially parallel to the axial centerline. A sensor extends inside the center body and is generally adjacent to the plenum, wherein the sensor detects a condition proximate to the combustor nozzle. A method for monitoring a combustor includes flowing a fuel through a center body axially aligned in a nozzle and flowing a working fluid through an annular passage substantially parallel to and radially outward of the center body. The method further includes sensing a condition inside the combustor using a sensor located inside the center body.

Abstract: A system includes a gasification fuel injector, which includes a first fuel conduit configured to inject a first fuel flow from a first fuel tip, a second fuel conduit configured to inject a second fuel flow from a second fuel tip, a first gas conduit configured to inject a first gas flow from a first gas tip, a second gas conduit configured to inject a second gas flow from a second gas tip, and a third gas conduit configured to inject a third gas flow from a third gas tip. At least one of the first fuel tip, the second fuel tip, the first gas tip, the second gas tip, or the third gas tip is recessed a distance away from an outlet of the gasification fuel injector. The first and second fuel conduits and the first, second, and third gas conduits are coaxial with one another.

Abstract: A method is described for preheating annealing material (4, 5) in a hood-type annealing system, comprising annealing bases (1, 2) which accommodate the annealing material (4, 5) under a protective cover (7) in a protective gas atmosphere, with the annealing material (4) to be subjected to a heat treatment in a protective cover (7) being preheated with the help of a gaseous heat carrier which flows in a cycle around the protective covers (7) on the outside and absorbs heat from annealing material (5) which is already heat-treated in a protective cover (7) and emits it to the annealing material (4) to be preheated in the other protective cover (7).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing cement by which method cement raw materials, such as limestone and clay, are comminuted in a comminution apparatus for subsequently being heated and burned into cement clinker. The cement clinker is then cooled and directed to a comminution apparatus for comminution to cement. For some embodiments of the method, the cement raw materials and cement clinker may undergo comminution in one and the same comminution apparatus.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to an improved heating chamber of a heating device having a non-reactive surface layer. The heating chamber includes at least one metal layer and at least one non-reactive disposed thereon. The improved heating chamber is protected against reacting chemically during the thermal treatment process, and has better anti-corrosion capability. The heating chamber is also protected against cracking. Therefore, the service life of the heating chamber is extended. A heating device having improved heating chamber and at least one method of forming the non-reactive layer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices and a method for orthodontic torquing. For the various embodiments, a pliers for crimping coils of an orthodontic torquing spring to an arch wire includes: a pair of plier halves, each of the plier halves including a handle, a jaw, and a pivot section, each of the jaws including a crimping face defined by a distal edge having a length in a range of 200 percent to 400 percent of a diameter of the orthodontic spring, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge, the edges defmed by a radius of curvature in a range of 0.1 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters, a textured surface on at least one of the crimping faces to frictionally engage the coil of the orthodontic spring, and a pivot joint connecting the pivot sections of the pair of plier halves such that the handles can be manipulated to cause the crimping faces of the jaws to move together to crimp a coil of the orthodontic torquing spring to the arch wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthodontic system which comprises a main wire having first and second end sections and at least one looped section there between, and a support wire, the main wire further having at least one coupling means for coupling to the support wire, the coupling means being arranged on the at least one looped section, and fastening means for fastening the main wire and the support wire to a patient's teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an ultrasonic tip for an apicoectomy, such that the tip has a shape suitable for the shape of a tooth root, comprising the steps of: forming a feedstock by mixing a metal powder including stainless steel with a binder; injecting the feedstock to form an injection-molded part having a plurality of projections integrally formed on the surface thereof; performing debinding to remove the binder from the injection-molded part; sintering the injection-molded part; and performing annealing to increase the ductility and facilitate the bending of the sintered part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rupturing connective tissues that attach a tooth to a patient's alveolar bone socket are provided. The apparatus includes a metal cap removably attached to the tooth using a cementing agent, and a transducer assembly having a transducer head and a ball projection. The metal cap includes a body section having a hollow space defined by its coronal surface and contiguous vertical surfaces for enclosing the tooth. The body section has a slit terminating with an apical strip and loop arrangement. The metal cap further includes a ball socket extending from the coronal surface of the body section. The transducer head generates vibrational and tapping movements in the ball projection. The ball projection operatively engages the ball socket to transfer the vibrational and tapping movements to the metal cap and thereby to the tooth, which ruptures the connective tissues of the tooth.

Abstract: Vibratory instrument including a tool releasably mounted on a tool carrier for coupling with a vibration generator. The tool includes in succession along a longitudinal axis: a working portion presenting a free end for reproducing the vibration transmitted by the vibration generator; a coupling portion; and an elastically-deformable attachment portion disposed upstream from the coupling portion. The tool carrier includes in succession along a longitudinal axis: a housing receiving the attachment portion of the tool; and a coupling bearing surrounding the coupling portion of the tool, at least in part. The attachment portion of the tool presents outside dimensions that are adapted relative to the inside dimensions of the housing of the tool carrier so as to prevent contact between the attachment portion and the housing when the coupling portion of the tool is in contact with the coupling bearing of the tool carrier.

Abstract: Devices and methods for ultrasonic dental treatment are described, wherein the devices and methods can comprise a flexible array of cooperative ultrasound transducers. The array can contain individual ultrasonic transducers that can perform both functions of emitting and sensing. The transducers can have the ability to interchange their functions from emitting to sensing. The transducers can cooperate in providing an ultrasound treatment and each transducer can be independently controlled by an external source controller. An ultrasound system is provided comprising: an ultrasound transducer sensor array operable to emit or sense ultrasound, wherein the timing and intensity of emission may be controlled by an electronic controller based on a feedback signal from the sensors. In addition the ultrasound system can also have the ability to sense coupling to a treatment tissue. This ability to sense proper coupling can improve the efficacy of the treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fixture for a dental implant and an implant system comprising the same. The implant system of the present invention comprises: a first fixture having a first body part and a first continuous screw part which is formed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface of the first body part and is formed continuously without a break; and a second fixture having a second body part that is identical to the first body part, and a second continuous screw part which is formed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface of the second body part and which has an outer diameter that differs from that of the first continuous screw part. The present invention allows implant operations to be carried out in a more straightforward fashion than hitherto since, even if initial fixture placement fails, a subsequent fixture can be placed straight away without any further drilling work.

Abstract: A dental appliance may have an incisor reception zone and first and second canine reception zones. The top portions of the canine reception zones may have a greater thickness that the top portion of the incisor reception zone. The top portions of the canine reception zones may also be elastic.

Abstract: Examples of apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments are described. The apparatus can include a fluid platform configured to substantially retain fluid in a tooth chamber during treatment. The fluid platform can help maintain fluid circulation in the tooth chamber as fluid flows into and out of the tooth chamber. The apparatus can also include a pressure wave generator configured to generate acoustic waves that can be used for cleaning root canals and tooth surfaces in the tooth chamber. An access opening can be formed, and the pressure wave generator can be used to remove organic material from the tooth chamber. In some treatments, after cleaning, the tooth chamber can be only partially filled by an obturation material. In other treatments, substantially the entire tooth chamber can remain unfilled by the obturation material. After cleaning the tooth, the access opening can be sealed, using, e.g., a coronal seal.

Abstract: A simulated shooting device (10) comprises a portable body (12) in the shape of a hunting rifle with a barrel (18) extending outwardly at an operatively front end (20) of the device. The device includes a digital camera unit (34) mounted on the body and activated by a trigger (50) to take a photograph of a target object at which the barrel and camera unit are pointing when the trigger is pulled, the photograph being stored in a digital memory (102) in the body for later retrieval and analysis. A recoil mechanism (52) is provided in the body to generate recoil when the trigger is pulled, and a gunshot emulator (54) generates the sound of a gunshot. A laser rangefinder (40, 42) is provided to measure the distance to the target object at the moment the trigger is pulled.

Abstract: A method of performing a flight simulation is provided. The method includes retrieving a flight action, mapping the flight action to an instruction, the instruction being is configured to bring about a desired state of a flight simulator, identifying a command based on the desired state of the flight simulator and a first state of the flight simulator, and determining if a second state of the flight simulator after executing the command matches the desired state of the flight simulator.

Abstract: A system and device for welding training. In one example, a welding training system includes a display configured to show welding features related to a training welding operation. The system also includes a training workpiece having a substantially transparent weld joint configured to be placed adjacent to the display during the training welding operation. The system includes a processing device coupled to the display and configured to provide welding data relating to the training welding operation to the display. The system also includes a training torch comprising an optical sensor. The training torch is coupled to the processing device and configured to provide the processing device with data from the optical sensor corresponding to a position of the training torch relative to the training workpiece.

Abstract: A solution for training guidance is provided. A method related to the solution includes acquiring, in a training guidance apparatus, cardiovascular data representing cardiovascular measurement on a user carrying out a physical exercise, wherein the acquired cardiovascular data is real-time data measured during the physical exercise. The method further includes determining exercise guidance attributes from the cardiovascular data with respect to at least one training target of the physical exercise, selecting a video clip matching with the guidance attributes, and causing display of the video clip to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the physical capability of an athlete in a multi-discipline athletic endurance competition including a specially programmed computer implementing the method are provided. The computer generates a normalized performance value of an individual athlete for each of at least two different disciplines of a multi-discipline athletic endurance competition and correlates said normalized performance values to expected competitive performance results for at least one distance of each of said disciplines. An output device operatively connected to the specially programmed computer can further generate an electronically or physically printed exercise program correlated to achieving an incremental improvement in normalized performance values for each of said disciplines within a particular period of time to guide the athlete to improve his/her physical capability.