Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bundle (11) of rolled bars, comprising bar conveying means (4), an inclined plane device (1) for forming a layer of bars and bar accumulation means (5), wherein the inclined plane device (1) comprises a plurality of support elements (2), arranged parallel to each another and defining a first plane inclined by an angle (a) with respect to a horizontal direction, and adapted to receive a predetermined number of bars defining the layer of bars on said first plane from said bar conveying means (4), handling means (60) for translating the inclined plane device (1) from a first maximum advancement position distal from the conveyor means (4) to a second maximum retraction position proximal to the conveyor means (4) to unload the layer of bars onto the accumulation means (5), at a speed such to prevent the bars resting on said supporting elements from being dragged.

Abstract: A device for transporting hollow bodies, includes: at least one element for grasping a hollow body, the element including at least one cam follower (30A) made of an electrically conductive material; at least one fixed cam (32) which is intended to engage with the cam follower (30A), the cam (32) being made of an electrically conductive material; a contact layer (34) which is made of an electrically insulating material and is interposed between the cam (32) and the cam follower (30A); characterized in that the cam follower (30A) is connected to a first electrical signal (P1) whereas the cam (32) is connected to a second electrical signal (P2), a member (36) being positioned so as to detect electrical contact between the cam follower (30A) and the cam (32).

Abstract: The invention relates to a material conveyor system (1) for a road paver and feeder. The material conveyor system (1) comprises a material hopper (2), which comprises a first and a second hopper half (3, 4), a main conveyor device (5), which defines a main conveyor flow and which runs between the first and the second hopper halves (3, 4), and conveying screws (6, 7), which define a transverse conveyor flow and which are arranged in the hopper halves (3, 4). The material conveyor system (1) is characterised in that the conveying screws (6, 7) can be operated independently of the main conveyor device. The independent operation of the conveying screws (6, 7) and the main conveyor device (5) makes it possible to achieve improved homogenisation of the mixing temperature of the paving material.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for handling articles (2), including an endless infeed drive member (3) moving in an infeed direction (ID); an endless outfeed drive member (4) moving in a second, outfeed direction (OD); and an endless carrier conveyor (33) having. The carrier conveyor includes an infeed section (34) overlying the infeed drive member (3), whereby the infeed drive member (3) drives the infeed section (34) in the infeed direction (ID); an outfeed section (35) overlying the outfeed drive member (4), whereby the outfeed drive member (4) drives the outfeed section (35) in the outfeed direction (OD); and an arcuate intermediate section (36) bridging the infeed section (34) and the outfeed section (35) along a transfer path (37) between a diverting point (DIV) where the carrier conveyor (33) disconnects from the infeed drive member (3), and an inverting point (INV) where the carrier conveyor (33) connects the outfeed drive member (4).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that includes urging members provided at first and second ends in an axial direction of at least one of rollers around which an endless belt is wound, so as to urge the at least one roller and apply a tension to the endless belt. The urging members include a first urging member for applying a first moment about a middle point of a contact portion of a predetermined one roller in the axial direction and a second urging member for applying a second moment about the middle point. The second moment is different from the first moment such that a first-side portion, where a guide is provided to fit into a groove formed on at least one roller, of the endless belt with respect to the middle point is extended by a same length as a second-side portion of the endless belt.

Abstract: A belt conveyor configured to convey foodstuff products to a packaging station. The belt conveyor includes a stationary structure and a supporting surface comprising a plurality of plates removably carried by the stationary structure. The belt conveyor also includes a belt having a rectilinear conveying branch in contact with the supporting surface and a return branch. The belt conveyor includes a motor-driven roller co-operating with the belt for continuously feeding the belt in a conveying direction. The belt conveyor further includes a return assembly for sending the belt back between the return branch and the conveying branch. The return assembly comprising at least one return member supported at its ends by a pair of arms having at least one pair of fork-like seats. The belt conveyor further includes a control device for displacing the motor-driven roller between a working position and a disassembly position.

Abstract: A looped material band (100) which includes at least one flat strip (2) having two reversible splice areas (3) in which the serrations (3a, 3b) only extend along a part of its width so that, when the material band is assembled in a loop around two pulleys (10a, 10b), the strands of the material band, which extend respectively between the two pulleys, are continuous and without any splice at least along a portion (9) of their width, regardless of the rotational position of the looped material band.

Abstract: A telescopic conveyor having at least first and second conveyor sections in which a first one of the conveyor sections is retractable and telescopes into at least one other conveyor section, the improvement wherein the first one of conveyor sections includes a protective cover therefore covering the top of the first one of the first conveyor sections when the first one of the conveyor sections is in an extended position from the other conveyor section.

Abstract: A push switch includes a switch contact part for carrying out electrical connection by pressing, a case having a wall part on a periphery thereof and accommodating the switch contact part in a concave portion surrounded by the wall part, and a protective sheet covering the concave portion. The protective sheet and at least a part of an upper surface of the wall part of the case are welded together as a first welding place.

Abstract: A long-life cover is provided whose outer circumferential edge is not warped upward and not easily damaged even when an operation shaft is pushed down to a final position. Therefore, the cover is to cover the operation shaft protruding from a housing of an electric device and is operable in the axis direction. Particularly, the cover includes a tubular pressing portion to which a pressing force is applied by operating the operation shaft, and a tubular elastic deformation portion continuous to a lower edge of an outer circumference of the tubular pressing portion, the tubular elastic deformation portion being thinner than the tubular pressing portion.

Abstract: Provided herein is a circuit breaker trip unit with a displaying device. The displaying device has a first displaying region, a second displaying region and optionally a third displaying region. The first displaying region is adapted to show one or more icons alone or together with text arranged in horizontal lines; the second displaying region is adapted to show text arranged in horizontal lines or graphics; the third displaying region is adapted to show text arranged in a horizontal line.

Abstract: A terminal, includes: a first button exposed on an exterior of the terminal; an elastic body comprising a coupling hole, the elastic body arranged in a case of the terminal; a rod fitted in the coupling hole, and the rod to be engaged by pressure asserted on the first button, wherein if force is asserted on the first button, the elastic body activates a push switch of the terminal. A method for providing water-proofing for a terminal, includes: providing a first button exposed on an exterior of the terminal; providing a non-metal insert comprising a coupling hole, the non-metal insert being fitted in a case of the terminal; and fitting a rod in the coupling hole, the rod being engaged by pressure asserted on the first button, wherein if force is asserted on the first button, the non-metal insert activates a push switch of the terminal.

Abstract: A cam-action anti-rolling mechanism for buttons is described herein. One embodiment may take the form of a button having a body with a slot extending therethrough. The slot has a normal orientation to a direction of motion for the button. The button also includes a cam bar having a first portion extending through the slot and a second portion offset from and parallel to the first portion. The cam bar is coupled in a slip fit manner within the slot to the body and the second portion provides a rotational axis for the cam bar. A fixture coupled to the second portion of the cam bar is provided to allow for rotation of the cam bar.

Abstract: An energy storage and release control mechanism is provided for a stored energy assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The stored energy assembly includes a shaft, a stored energy mechanism, and a charging mechanism, such as a charging cam. The charging cam is movable to pivot upon the shaft, thereby charging the stored energy mechanism. The energy storage and release control mechanism includes a ratchet coupled to the charging cam and including a plurality of teeth, a mounting assembly, and a plurality of pawl assemblies. Each pawl assembly includes a pawl pivoting between an engaged position corresponding to the pawl engaging the teeth of the ratchet to resist inappropriate movement of the charging handle, and a disengaged position corresponding to the pawl not engaging the teeth of the ratchet. Preferably, first and second pawl assemblies include first and second pawls, respectively, wherein only one of the first and second pawls engages the teeth of the ratchet at a time.

Abstract: A household appliance having a touch user interface that includes a touch panel with a touch area and a printed circuit board with a capacitive touch switch trace and wherein the printed circuit board is mounted to the touch panel such that the capacitive touch switch trace is aligned with the touch area.

Abstract: A replaceable key module for a keyboard, comprising: a keycap holder, a springy member and a keycap. The keycap holder embraces an accommodation space, a first surface having an opening, and a second surface having a hole. The springy member is located on the second surface and within the accommodation space of the keycap holder. The keycap is movably connected to the springy member through the opening of the first surface of the keycap holder and capable of moving between a released position and a depressed position. The keycap is referred to as in a released position when not depressed and in a depressed position pushing the springy member to be deformed downwardly when depressed. By means of adjusting some factors such as hardness, length, material and pressing angle of the springy member, the user may obtain the key module with the specified pressure load as desired.

Abstract: A pressure switch includes an outer contact tube, that includes first and second parallel planar contact sheets. An inner conductor is disposed between the planar contact sheets, and an insulator, which includes first and second parallel planar insulator sheets, is disposed between the inner conductor and the outer contact tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a touch panel having a shielding structure and a method of manufacturing the same. The touch panel having a shielding structure comprises a conductive ring disposed on periphery of an upper surface of a substrate, a shielding layer disposed on a lower surface of the substrate, and a plurality of conductive connection points electrically connecting the shielding layer and the conductive ring. By connecting the shielding layer and the conductive ring by the conductive connection points, impedance of the shielding layer is consistent for different distances between the shielding layer and flexible printed circuit, thereby eliminating noise interference from a liquid crystal display or an electronic device under the touch panel, while using the touch panel. Moreover, the manufacturing method of the touch panel with a shielding structure is a simple process, which reduces the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An input device includes an operation surface configured to be operated by a finger (operating body); a capacitive sensor disposed below an operation region (including the operation surface), the capacitive sensor being capable of detecting an operation position of the finger; and a photosensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element disposed below the operation region, the photosensor being capable of obtaining detection information when the light-receiving element receives reflected light corresponding to light (infrared light) emitted from the light-emitting element toward the operation surface, the detection information indicating detection of the finger.

Abstract: A touch switch includes a glass substrate; a lattice pattern formed on the glass substrate by a plurality of first line wirings and a plurality of second line wirings; and a non-transparent insulating member formed on the first line wirings and the second line wirings. The plurality of first line wirings are arranged at a predetermined interval. The plurality of second line wirings are arranged at a predetermined interval to intersect the first line wirings. The sensor units and dummy sensor units are formed to be electrically isolated from each other and adjacent to each other by separators provided in the first and second line wirings of the lattice pattern. Marks are formed by the non-transparent insulating member and a transparent opening section, the marks being arranged in positions corresponding to the sensor units.

Abstract: A touch switch includes a substrate; a sensor unit including a plurality of switch electrodes arranged on the substrate, and switch electrode wirings connected respectively to the corresponding switch electrodes; and a dummy electrode which is arranged on the substrate around the sensor unit and is electrically isolated from the sensor unit. Each of the switch electrodes includes a mark having a planar pattern and a design portion in the planar pattern, and each of the sensor unit and the dummy electrode is formed of a metal thin film.

Abstract: A clip device for retaining and clamping a tube, e.g. a pneumatic hose of a pneumatically actuated switching device to an object, e.g. an area of a patient's bed, comprises a pair of opposed clip members; a biasing member integrally connected to the opposed clip members; a locking post; and a locking mechanism for receiving and retaining the locking post and clip members in a closed position. The proximal ends of the clip members have intermeshing teeth for attaching the clip device to the object and the distal ends have a gripping area for pressing the clip members together. The biasing member has a circular body with gripping elements for gripping the tube. The locking post is made of a rigid yet flexible material for keeping the distal ends of clip members apart and in a locked condition when the locking post is engaged in the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for rapid thermal processing of carbonaceous material are provided herein. The method comprises the step of contacting a carbonaceous feedstock with heated inorganic heat carrier particles at reaction conditions effective to rapidly pyrolyze the carbonaceous feedstock to form a product stream comprising pygas, pyrolysis oil, and solids. The solids comprise char and cooled inorganic heat carrier particles. The reaction conditions include a reactor pressure of about 70 kPa gauge or greater.

Abstract: The invention refers to a tunnel typed coking furnace with a movable sliding bed and the method using the same belonging to the coking field, comprising a furnace body (48), a front sealing door (7), a back sealing door (25), a branch flue (10), a bottom flue (12) and a main flue (6), comprising a first preparation chamber (3) for coaling, a preheating segment (50), a carbonization segment (51), a coke dry quenching segment (52), and a second preparation chamber (23) for coke outlet; each part has different formation from the others, and are interconnected in series with the others; the sliding bed (37) for coaling and tamping coal material (44) passes through the abovementioned five segment in series in order to coke.

Abstract: A process for treating agglomerating coal includes drying coal in a drying step, and treating the dried coal in an oxidizing step to form oxides sufficient to convert the coal into a substantially non-agglomerating coal. The oxidized coal is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis step to form coal char, and the coal char is cooled. At least one of the drying, oxidizing, and pyrolyzing steps is a dual zone step, with the dual zone step having a first zone and a second zone, with the temperature of the second zone being higher than that of the first zone.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting so-called residual coke from a coke oven chamber while the door of the coke oven chamber is being opened. A collecting device is moved up against a guide plate arranged under the door of the coke oven chamber before the door of the coke oven chamber is opened, and the coke that falls out of the coke oven chamber falls across the guide plate into a collecting device. The collecting device is moved to a horizontal position after the coke has been collected so that the upper edge of the collecting device is at the height of the bottom of the coke oven chamber. The push-out device of the coke oven operating machine moves over the collecting device between the suspensions so that the coke is pushed out of the collecting device back into the coke oven chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for treating waste water includes: receiving waste water at a first pressure and a first temperature, the waste water including dissolved solids and volatile organic compounds; pressurizing, by a pump, the received waste water to a second pressure greater than the first pressure; preheating, by a preheater, the pressurized waste water to produce distilled water and a pressurized/preheated waste water; heating, by a heater, the pressurized/preheated waste water to a second temperature greater than the first temperature to produce pressurized/heated waste water; removing, by a flash evaporator, dissolved solids from the pressurized/heated waste water by evaporation to produce steam and brine water, wherein the brine water has a total dissolved solids content greater than a total dissolved solids content of the received waste water; and crystallizing, by a plasma crystallizer, the brine water to produce a solid mass of waste product and steam.

Abstract: System and method of treating waste water includes: receiving waste water at a first pressure and a first temperature, the waste water comprising dissolved solids and VOCs; pressurizing the waste water to a second pressure; preheating the pressurized waste water to a second temperature to produce distilled water and pressurized/preheated water; heating the pressurized/preheated to a third temperature to produce pressurized/heated water; removing dissolved solids from the pressurized/heated water, by an evaporator operated at a third pressure less than the second pressure, to produce steam and brine water; and crystallizing the brine water, by a crystallizer operated at a fourth pressure greater than the second pressure, to produce a solid mass waste product and steam. Steam produced by the crystallizer, at the fourth pressure and a fourth temperature, is a heat source for the preheater and/or heater, and steam produced by the evaporator is a heat source for the crystallizer.

Abstract: System and method of treating waste water includes: receiving waste water at a first pressure and temperature, the waste water comprising dissolved solids and VOCs; pressurizing, by a pump, the received waste water to a second pressure greater than the first pressure; preheating, by a preheater, the waste water to a second temperature greater than the first temperature producing distilled water; further heating, by a condenser, the pressurized/preheated waste water to a fourth temperature greater than the second temperature; still further heating, by a heater, the pressurized/further heated waste water to a third temperature greater than the fourth temperature; and removing, by a flash evaporator, dissolved solids from the pressurized/heated waste water by evaporation producing steam and brine water, the brine water having a TDS content greater than a TDS content of the received waste water. The brine water may be crystallized to a solid mass.

Abstract: System and method of treating waste water includes: receiving waste water at a first pressure and temperature, the waste water comprising dissolved solids and VOCs; pressurizing, by a pump, the received waste water to a second pressure greater than the first pressure; preheating, by a preheater, the waste water to a second temperature greater than the first temperature producing distilled water; heating, by a condenser, the waste water to a third temperature greater than the second temperature; heating the pressurized/heated water with a heater operated with a hot gas developed by a plasma torch to a fourth temperature greater than the third temperature; and removing dissolved solids from the waste water by evaporation to produce steam and brine water, wherein the brine water has a total dissolved solids content greater than a total dissolved solids content of the received waste water. The brine water is crystallized to a solid mass.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method to recover an organic tertiary amine from waste sulfuric acid comprising the following steps: a) reacting in a plug flow reactor at a pressure ranging from 1.5 to 12 bar i) waste sulfuric acid comprising organic tertiary amines with ii) ammonia; and b) separating the organic tertiary amine from the reaction mixture obtained in step a).

Abstract: A method for promoting chemical changes in a medium comprising the steps of placing a medium within an electromagnetically resonant structure that permits initiating a spark or a discharge in the medium by means of applying pulsed microwave energy in an electromagnetically resonant structure, the electromagnetically resonant structure being simultaneously mechanically resonant for acoustic or shock waves generated by the spark or discharge caused by the pulsed resonant microwave electromagnetic field; and providing a means to feed material into a reaction chamber within the electromagnetically resonant structure and collecting products of a reaction inside the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method of deposition is provided in which a deposition operation can be immediately performed when a workpiece for deposition is carried into a deposition chamber irrespective of a shape or a structure of the workpiece for deposition. The workpiece for deposition is integrally molded with an assisting member, which is configured to maintain the workpiece for deposition in a predetermined orientation such that a deposition surface or a deposition portion thereof faces a target material when the workpiece for deposition is carried into a deposition chamber and is placed on a deposition stand, when the workpiece for deposition is injection-molded; and the workpiece for deposition is carried into the deposition chamber and is deposited.

Abstract: A catalyst free process for manufacturing carbon nanotubes by inducing an arc discharge from a vein graphite anode and a vein graphite cathode in an inert gas atmosphere contained in a closed vessel. The process is carried out at atmospheric pressure in the absence of external cooling mechanism for the carbon cathode or the carbon anode.

Abstract: The apparatus capable of producing ionized water may have a simplified structure to prevent water from being lost and also prevent an electrode and ion diaphragm from being damaged. The apparatus may selectively supply alkaline water and acidic water. The apparatus includes an ionization electrolytic cell configured to contact the raw water only with one electrode disposed on one or more inner walls of the ionization electrolytic cell to contact the raw water only with either of the anode and cathode, an ionization water controller controlling the ionization electrode according to the discharge of the ionized water, and a switch applying a signal from a user to the ionization water controller.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cups for engaging wafers during electroplating in clamshell assemblies and supplying electrical current to the wafers during electroplating. The cup can comprise an elastomeric seal disposed on the cup and configured to engage the wafer during electroplating, where upon engagement the elastomeric seal substantially excludes plating solution from a peripheral region of the wafer, and where the elastomeric seal and the cup are annular in shape, and comprise one or more contact elements for supplying electrical current to the wafer during electroplating, the one or more contact elements attached to and extending inwardly towards a center of the cup from a metal strip disposed over the elastomeric seal. A notch area of the cup can have a protrusion or an insulated portion on a portion of a bottom surface of the cup where the notch area is aligned with a notch in the wafer.

Abstract: Work piece processing is performed by pulsed discharges between an anode (2) and a magnetron sputtering cathode (1) in solid-gas plasmas using a chamber (2) containing the work piece (7). A system (12) maintains a vacuum in the chamber and another system (14) provides sputtering and reactive gases. The pulses are produced in a plasma pulser circuit including the anode and the cathode, the discharges creating gas and partially ionized solid plasma blobs (3) moving or spreading from a region at a surface of the cathode towards the work piece and the anode. A pulsed current comprising biasing pulses arises between the second electrodes. Biasing discharges are produced between the anode and the work piece when said plasma blobs have spread to regions at the anode and at the work piece so that the pulsed current is the current of these biasing discharges.

Abstract: A material having a low work function is quickly inserted near an interface between an organic layer and a cathode. A sputtering apparatus (Sp) includes a target material formed of silver (Ag), a dispenser formed outside a processing container and evaporating cesium (Cs) having a lower work function than silver (Ag) by heating the cesium (Cs), a first gas supply pipe communicating with the dispenser to transfer steam of the evaporated cesium (Cs) to the processing container by using argon gas as a carrier gas, and a high frequency power supply source supplying high frequency power to the processing container. A controller generates plasma by exciting the argon gas by using energy of the high frequency power, and while forming a metal electrode by using an silver (Ag) atom, wherein the Ag atom is generated from a the target material by using the generated plasma, controls a ratio of the cesium (Cs) mixed with the metal electrode.

Abstract: An abnormality diagnostic apparatus for a gas sensor includes a NOx sensor includes a main pump cell, an auxiliary pump cell, and a detection cell. The apparatus diagnoses at least one of the detection cell, the main pump cell, and the auxiliary pump cell for an abnormality, based on at least one of a rising characteristic of a NOx output of the detection cell immediately after a start of detection of the NOx output, its peak value, and its subsequent falling characteristic. An abnormality of the detection cell is determined if a speed with which the NOx output rises is small; an abnormality of at least one of the main pump cell and the auxiliary pump cell is determined if a speed with which the NOx output falls is small; and an abnormality of the detection cell is determined if the peak value of the NOx output is small.

Abstract: Provided is a glucose sensor including a titanium dioxide-graphene composite having a porous structure. More particularly, the glucose sensor includes a working electrode having the titanium dioxide-graphene composite having the porous structure and an enzyme to provide features that allow a current flow to be excellent, a current to be sensitively changed depending on a change in electric potential, sensitivity to be high, and a low voltage characteristic to be excellent.

Abstract: An analysis device for analysis of a sample on a test element is provided that comprises at least one component configured to make electrical contact with at least one other component for electrical transmission therebetween. The at least one component generally comprises an injection-molded circuit mount, also called an MID, or molded interconnect device.

Abstract: An ammonia gas sensor (200A) having an oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte member (22A); a detection electrode (2A) and a reference electrode (4A) which are disposed on the solid electrolyte member; and an intermediate layer (5A) interposing between the detection electrode and the solid electrolyte member; wherein the intermediate layer contains the oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte component in an amount of 50 wt % or more, and a first metal oxide which is an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Ce, and the detection electrode contains Au in an amount of 70 wt % or higher and no first metal oxide.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for reducing elasto-capillary coalescence of nanostructures. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a plurality of wet nanostructures on an electrode with a counter electrode positioned in air opposite the wet nanostructures. An electric field is applied between the counter electrode and the wet nanostructures using a voltage source, thereby reducing aggregation of the nanostructures. In another embodiment, an elasto-capillary coalescence reduction apparatus includes an electrode configured to receive a plurality of wet nanostructures, a counter electrode positioned in air opposite the wet nanostructures, and a voltage source coupled to the electrode and the counter electrode. The voltage source is configured to apply an electric field across the electrode and the nanostructures, which causes each of the nanostructures to repel a neighboring nanostructure.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a plurality of array elements configured to manipulate one or more droplets of fluid on an array, each of the array elements including a top substrate electrode and a drive electrode between which the one or more droplets may be positioned, the top substrate electrode being formed on a top substrate, and the drive electrode being formed on a lower substrate; and active matrix drive circuitry arranged to provide drive signals to the top substrate and drive electrodes of the plurality of array elements to manipulate the one or more droplets among the plurality of array elements. With respect to one or more of the array elements the active matrix drive circuitry is configured to provide the drive signals to the top substrate and drive electrodes to selectively manipulate the one or more droplets within the array element both by Electro-wetting-on-Dielectric (EWOD) and by Dielectrophoresis (DEP).

Abstract: A technique for embedding a nanotube in a nanopore is provided. A membrane separates a reservoir into a first reservoir part and a second reservoir part, and the nanopore is formed through the membrane for connecting the first and second reservoir parts. An ionic fluid fills the nanopore, the first reservoir part, and the second reservoir part. A first electrode is dipped in the first reservoir part, and a second electrode is dipped in the second reservoir part. Driving the nanotube into the nanopore causes an inner surface of the nanopore to form a covalent bond to an outer surface of the nanotube via an organic coating so that the inner surface of the nanotube will be the new nanopore with a super smooth surface for studying bio-molecules while they translocate through the nanotube.

Abstract: A reverse electrodialyzer has a plurality of concentrated compartments and diluted compartments arranged alternatively. The concentrated compartments and the diluted compartments are formed by successive alternatively arranged oppositely charged ion exchange membranes between two electrodes. A brine solution is fed into the concentrated compartments, and a diluted solution is into the diluted compartments, the salinity of the diluted solution being lower than the salinity of the brine solution. Ions from the brine solution in the concentrated compartments pass through the membranes to the diluted solution in the diluted compartments forming a diluted brine solution in the concentrated compartments. The brine solution is extracted from the concentrated compartments for disposal. An electrical energy is produced due to the concentration difference of the brine solution and the diluted solution.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including an inlet to let water in the apparatus; an outlet to let water out of the apparatus; a capacitor; and a spacer to separate a first and a second electrode of the capacitor and to allow water to flow in between the electrodes. The apparatus further including a power converter configured to convert a supply voltage of a power source to a charging voltage to charge the capacitor. The power converter is constructed and arranged to recover energy from the capacitor by converting the voltage on the capacitor to supply voltage of the power source.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus including a plating tank for containing a plating electrolyte. A counter electrode, e.g., anode, is present in a first portion of the plating tank. A cathode system is present in a second portion of the plating tank. The cathode system includes a working electrode and a thief electrode. The thief electrode is present between the working electrode and the counter electrode. The thief electrode includes an exterior face that is in contact with the plating electrolyte that is offset from the plating surface of the working electrode. In one embodiment, the thief electrode overlaps a portion of the working electrode about the perimeter of the working electrode. In one embodiment, a method is provided of using the aforementioned electroplating apparatus that provides increased uniformity in the plating thickness.

Abstract: Manufacturing methods of a substrate and a wiring substrate include a step A of forming a primary plating layer on a lower side of a glass substrate having a through-hole; a step B of sealing a lower opening of the through-hole by forming a first layer on an upper side using electroplating; and a step C of filling the through-hole by depositing a second layer in the through-hole using electroplating from the upper side. In the step A, the primary plating layer is formed on from a lower opening edge to a partial sidewall surface of the through-hole. In the step B, the lower opening is sealed by growing the first layer from a primary plating layer surface inside the through-hole. In the step C, the through-hole is filled with plating metal by growing the second layer from a first layer surface inside the through-hole toward an upper opening.

Abstract: A gas sensing device (nanosensor) includes a substrate with at least a pair of conductive electrodes spaced apart by a gap, and an electrochemically functionalized semiconductive nanomaterial bridging the gap between the electrodes to form a nanostructure network. The nanomaterial may be single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) functionalized by the deposition of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of an elemental metal (e.g., gold or palladium), a doped polymer (e.g., camphor-sulfonic acid doped polyaniline), and a metal oxide (e.g. tin oxide). Depending on the nanoparticles employed in the functionalization, the nanosensor may be used to detect a selected gas, such as hydrogen. mercury vapor, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, water vapor, and/or ammonia, in a gaseous environment.