Abstract: Provided is a tantalum sputtering target, in which 30 mass ppm or more and 100 mass ppm or less of oxygen is contained as an essential component, and of which purity excluding oxygen and gas components is 99.998% or higher. Additionally provided is a tantalum sputtering target, wherein an average crystal grain size is 120 ?m or less and variation in the crystal grain size is ±20% m or less. Thereby obtained is a high-purity tantalum sputtering target having a uniform and fine structure and enabling plasma stabilization and achievement of superior film evenness (uniformity).

Abstract: Provided is a sputtering target containing SiO2 for a magnetic recording film, wherein a ratio of the peak intensity of cristobalites, which are crystallized SiO2, to the background intensity (cristobalite peak intensity/background intensity) in an X-ray diffraction is 1.40 or less. The present invention aims to obtain a sputtering target for a magnetic recording film capable of inhibiting the formation of cristobalites in the target which cause the generation of particles during sputtering, and shortening the burn-in time.

Abstract: A system is provided for etching patterned media disks for hard drive. The modular system may be tailored to perform specific processes sequences so that a patterned media disk is fabricated without removing the disk from vacuum environment. In some sequence the magnetic stack is etched while in other the etch is performed prior to forming the magnetic stack. In a further sequence ion implantation is used without etching steps. For etching a movable non-contact electrode is utilized to perform sputter etch. The cathode moves to near contact distance to, but not contacting, the substrate so as to couple RF energy to the disk. The substrate is held vertically in a carrier and both sides are etched serially. That is, one side is etched in one chamber and then in the next chamber the second side is etched.

Abstract: A patch clamp system providing precise and rapid temperature control of constrained cell membranes employs the thermal element attached to the substrate of the patch clamp. In one embodiment, the thermal element is a Peltier device fabricated on a silicon membrane wafer bonded to the substrate of the patch clamp.

Abstract: Methods of determining a corrected analyte concentration in view of some error source are provided herein. The methods can be utilized for the determination of various analytes and/or various sources of error. In one example, the method can be configured to determine a corrected glucose concentration in view of an extreme level of hematocrit found within the sample. In other embodiments, methods are provided for identifying various system errors and/or defects. For example, such errors can include partial-fill or double-fill situations, high track resistance, and/or sample leakage. Systems are also provided for determining a corrected analyte concentration and/or detecting some system error.

Abstract: A production method of the present invention is a method of producing a reaction instrument for electrophoresis (10), which is constituted by (i) a substrate (1) and (ii) an electrophoresis gel (3) which is immobilized on the substrate (1), including the steps of: (i) discharging a liquid to a surface of the substrate (1) on which surface the gel is to be immobilized, thereby forming a liquid pool (5); and thereafter (ii) discharging a gel solution to the liquid pool (5). This provides a method of producing a reaction instrument for electrophoresis, which method makes it possible to form a gel with high reliability in high yield.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste sludge includes an outer container casing, internally hollow, an inner body coaxial with the outer casing, a compacting and dehydrating chamber, inside the outer container casing and along which sludge to be treated runs, an inlet zone for supplying sludge to the chamber, an outlet zone for unloading treated sludge, movement elements for the sludge, cooperating with the inner body, which promote compaction and advancement of the sludge from the inlet zone to the outlet zone; a container net connected to a negative pole of a control unit to form a cathode, and the inner body connected to a positive pole to form an anode. A method of treating sludge includes the promoting the continuous advancement and compaction of sludge inside a compression chamber between the anode and cathode, and establishing a difference in potential in order to subject the sludge to an electrical field.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove ions, the apparatus including a capacitive electrode stack. The capacitive electrode stack has a first electrode that includes a first current collector, a second electrode, and a spacer between the first and second electrodes to allow water to flow in between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus has a connector to connect the current collector inside the housing with an electrical source outside the housing, and the connector includes a closing off portion to close an opening in the housing and to form a boundary for the water in the housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an accessory module for a turbine engine system comprising a lubricating oil reservoir and an oil degradation byproducts removal system. The oil degradation byproducts removal system includes electrostatically-charged collecting plates configured to remove oil degradation byproducts from lubricating oil flowing through the lubricating oil reservoir, wherein the oil degradation byproducts removal system is configured to be disposed internal to the lubricating oil reservoir.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a uniform graphene layer on a substrate (metal- or conductive-polymer-coated, ITO) by doping expanded graphite using various kinds of dopants (Lewis acid) to grant a positive charge thereto, dispersing the doped expanded graphite in an organic solvent using ultrasonic waves to obtain a solution in which the graphene is dispersed in the organic solvent, and electrically applying a negative voltage to the solution.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a template having openings on upper surface, channels for receiving plating solution and connecting from the openings to lower surface of the template, and electrodes in positions corresponding to the channels on the lower surface and extending to the openings through the channels, positioning a substrate having circuits on upper surface of the substrate and through holes penetrating through the substrate and connected to circuit electrodes of the circuits such that the upper surface of the substrate faces downward, coupling the template and substrate such that the holes are positioned to correspond with the openings, supplying plating solution from the channels to the holes, and applying voltage between the circuit electrodes as cathodes and electrodes as anodes such that through-hole electrodes are formed in the holes and that the circuit electrodes are connected to the electrodes.

Abstract: Copper plating baths containing a leveling agent that is a reaction product of one or more of certain pyridine compounds with one or more epoxide-containing compounds, that deposit copper on the surface of a conductive layer are provided. Such plating baths deposit a copper layer that is substantially planar on a substrate surface across a range of electrolyte concentrations. Methods of depositing copper layers using such copper plating baths are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for creating polymer arrays through photoelectrochemically modulated acid/base/radical generation for combinatorial synthesis, electrochemical synthesis is guided by a spatially modulated light source striking a semiconductor in an electrolyte solution. A substrate having at its surface at least one photoelectrode that is proximate to at least one molecule bearing at least one chemical functional group is provided, along with a reagent-generating chemistry co-localized with the chemical functional group and capable of generating reagents when subjected to a potential above a threshold. An input potential is then applied to the photoelectrode that exceeds the threshold in the presence of light and that does not exceed the threshold in the absence of light, causing the transfer of electrons to or from the substrate, and creating a patterned substrate. The process is repeated until a polymer array of desired size is created.

Abstract: The invention relates to various embodiments of an environmentally beneficial method for reducing carbon dioxide. The methods in accordance with the invention include electrochemically or photoelectrochemically reducing the carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode, e.g., an inert metal counterelectrode, in one cell compartment and a metal or p-type semiconductor cathode electrode in another cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst of one or more substituted or unsubstituted aromatic amines to produce therein a reduced organic product.

Abstract: Extraction device designed to extract a short-circuiting wedge inserted between two conductors to take an electrolysis cell offline. The extraction device includes a means of gripping said wedge and, in conjunction with the upper horizontal face of each conductor, at least one jack directed vertically and including a body and a stem, stem (or said body) being interdependent with at least one horizontal support face directed downwards and laid out so that, when said extraction device is placed above said wedge to extract it, the upper horizontal face of each conductor is in line with one horizontal support face, b) said body (or said stem) being connected to said means of gripping said wedge, so that, when said jack is actuated to extract the wedge, said jack exerts opposing forces on said conductors and said wedge, tending to separate them.

Abstract: An ionic liquid ion source can include a microfabricated body including a base and a tip. The microfabricated body can be formed of a porous metal compatible (e.g., does not react or result in electrochemical decaying or corrosion) with an ionic liquid or a room-temperature molten salt. The microfabricated body can have a pore size gradient that decreases from the base of the body to the tip of the body, so that the ionic liquid can be transported through capillarity from the base to the tip.

Abstract: A disposable biosensor having improved long term storage stability including a working electrode and a reference electrode formed on an insulating substrate and a dissolvable reagent layer composition disposed directly on the working electrode where the reagent layer composition contains a glucose-based enzyme, a reagent component selected from a phosphate buffer and a tris reagent, and a redox mediator.

Abstract: A method for estimation of hematocrit of a sample having an analyte includes: bringing the sample into contact with a sensor strip including a reference electrode coated with a reference layer nonreactive to the analyte, and a working electrode coated with a working layer including a biorecognition element reactive to the analyte; applying a voltage between the reference and working electrodes, and recording information of a reaction current flowing through the sample within a time period of not greater than 5 seconds from beginning of application of the voltage; and estimating the hematocrit of the sample by analyzing the recorded information using a predetermined current-hematocrit function.

Abstract: The disclosure also relates to novel compositions and methods for the single, direct detection of Hemoglobin A1c percentage in a sample, using conversion of functional groups attached to a transitional metal complex, resulting in quantifiable electrochemical signal at two unique potentials, Eo1 and Eo2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electrochemical biosensor strips and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. By selectively measuring a measurable species residing in a diffusion barrier layer, to the substantial exclusion of the measurable species residing exterior to the diffusion barrier layer, measurement errors introduced by sample constituents, such as red blood cells, and manufacturing variances may be reduced.

Abstract: According to the present invention, phenols may be detected using an electrochemical sensor comprising a first compound, a working electrode and an electrolyte in contact with the working electrode, wherein the first compound operatively undergoes a redox reaction at the working electrode to form a second compound which operatively reacts in situ with the phenol, wherein said redox reaction has a detectable redox couple and wherein the sensor is adapted to determine the electrochemical response of the working electrode to the consumption of said second compound on reaction with the phenol. The phenol may be, for example, a cannabinoid or a catechin compound.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a substrate and integrated onto the substrate an array (7) of sensor elements (1), each sensor element comprising one or more inductors (3), one or more electrochemical sensors (4), and one or more optical sensors (2). The system further comprising a controller configured in use to separately address each of the sensor elements (1) to drive the respective inductors and receive outputs of the respective sensors.

Abstract: A jewelry hanger card includes a body, a neck, a jewelry holder and a pair of supports. The body, the jewelry holder and the pair of supports are individually and foldably connected to the neck at respective fold lines. During assembly, each fold line is folded approximately 90 degrees with respect to the neck and a J-clip is adhered to a back surface of the body so that the jewelry hanger card may form a jewelry hanger for a display case. A pair of earring are then attached to the earring holder and the earring hanger is then placed on a jewelry rack for display.

Abstract: A protective cover for an electronic device, such as an electronic tablet computer, can transform into an adjustable stand to hold the device in multiple viewing angles. The cover protects the electronic device and allows a user to view and access the device without removing it from the cover. The stand can be adjusted to allow for multiple viewing angles.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing moisture from an electronic device includes a desiccant-filled container within a collapsible, standup bag. The container includes openings for allowing fluid flow communication between the desiccant and the surrounding atmosphere. The desiccant-filled container may further include a cradle for vertically supporting the electronic device during the moisture removal process. Since the bag is capable of standing up, nearly every surface of the electronic device supported on the container is exposed to the moisture absorbing desiccant material, which increases the efficiency of moisture removal from the electronic device sealed therein. A visual display on the bag indicates the moisture content absorbed by the desiccant-filled container, thereby allowing the user to know when it is safe to remove the electronic device from the resealable bag.

Abstract: A packaging container for at least two components to be mixed with each other has an outer container for a first component and at least one inner container for a second component arranged inside the outer container. The outer container and the inner container have container walls and at least one of the container walls is at least partially comprised of flexible plastic material. At least the outer container has at least one shape-defining sealed seam along one side. The inner container is openable by pressure application from the exterior of the outer container for mixing the first and second components within the packaging container. The outer container has an area provided for forming a removal opening. The inner container has outer dimensions that, when the outer container is opened, hinder the inner container from exiting to the exterior.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of packing leaf tobacco preserve the integrity of tobacco, help retain freshness and moisture content of tobacco, and also help eliminate insect infestation. A packing container for leaf tobacco includes a carton, and a flexible, non-porous bag located within the carton. The bag includes a closeable opening through which the bag receives a quantity of tightly packed leaf tobacco. The bag is configured to have air extracted therefrom and to maintain a sub-atmospheric pressure therein.

Abstract: A cigarette pack formed by a box having top and bottom faces and a plurality of longitudinal faces connecting the top face to the bottom face. The longitudinal faces include a front face, a first bevel situated on one side of the front face and being attached to the front face by a first longitudinal fold line and a second bevel situated on the other side of the front face and being attached to the front face by a second longitudinal fold line. The first and second fold lines are curved away from the centre of the front face such that the front face is at least partially concavely bowed in a longitudinal direction. The circumference of the top face of the pack includes at least one concavely curved segment situated along the edge of the top face and at least one of the front face and rear face.

Abstract: A structure of golf club storage case includes first and second case portions that are openable/closable with respect to each other. The first and second case portions both form a receiving space, and comprise at least one rack and a plurality of receptacle seats arranged inside the receiving space. The rack forms a plurality of notches corresponding to the receptacle seats. Each receptacle seat forms an insertion space, which receives and retains therein at least two resilient clamp plates that oppose each other. To stow a golf club, a head of the golf club is inserted into the insertion space of one of the receptacle seats to be clamped and positioned by the two resilient clamp plates, while a shaft of the golf club is received in the respective notch of the rack so that the golf club is securely stowed in the first and second case portions.

Abstract: A modular case for a mobile device is formed by providing a hard shell layer within a soft overmold layer. The soft overmold layer preferably lines both an inner and an outer surface of the hard shell layer so as to both protect the mobile device from scratches and to distribute any impact forces to the case across the surface of the soft overmold layer. The hard shell layer generally has multiple sets of injection mold ports so that when the soft overmold layer is formed over the hard shell layer, the soft overmold layer threads through the injection ports, providing an interlocking union of the two layers.

Abstract: A device storage package includes a mounting part to hold a mobile device, a support part connected to the mounting part and bent to form a reference angle with respect to the mounting part, and a support piece to connect the mounting part and the support part.

Abstract: A two-piece carrying case for a portable electronic device is disclosed. Generally speaking, the protective case includes a first body section and a second body section, each having a back surface, upturned sides, a connecting surface and a rim tightly bonded to an edge of the upturned sides of each body section. The rim defines an open area. The first and second body sections are joined by overlapping the respective connecting surfaces. Correspondingly aligned protrusions and depressions in the connecting surfaces retain the two sections in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: Mattress foundations for supporting a mattress generally includes multiple support units that can be abutting arranged to for the mattress foundation. In one embodiment, the mattress foundation includes at least two support units in an abutting relationship that form a rectangular shape at each end of the mattress foundation and provide a planar support surface having length and width dimensions effective to support a mattress disposed thereon.

Abstract: A hand tool-holding apparatus includes a frame and a storage element located in the frame. The storage element includes at least one chamber defined therein, at least one aperture in communication with the chamber, and at least one elastic tab formed in the chamber. A tool can be inserted in the chamber via the aperture and kept there by the elastic tab.

Abstract: A package for individually packaged good of absorbent article includes an individually packaged good having a main body portion and a pair of extended portions; a bag body housing individually packaged goods; and a box body that houses the bag body housing the individually packaged goods, in which the individually packaged goods are housed in the bag body such that a position of the extended portions is aligned; the bag body is housed in the box body such that a pair of side faces, to which the pair of extended portions is directed, is positioned to face a pair of opposite internal faces of the box body; and a length L1 between ends of the pair of extended portions of the individually packaged good, in a state in which the extended portions are straightened, is greater than a length L2 between the pair of internal faces of the box body.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus includes a body portion extending between upper and lower ends. The apparatus includes a refuse container having bottom and side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining an open top and an interior area. A lid is releasably coupled to an upper edge of the side wall and configured to cover the container open top, the chute lower end being fixedly attached to the lid. An exhaust fan is operatively mounted to the lid in communication with the container interior area and configured to withdraw air from the container interior area when actuated. An input station is coupled to the chute upper end and configured to interface with the building wall, the input station having an access door movable between open and closed configurations selectively allowing and preventing access to the chute body portion, respectively.

Abstract: A package has a stack of disposable absorbent products in an enclosure defined by a flexible polymer material. The enclosure has top and bottom walls, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom walls, and end walls disposed opposite one another. A compressed stack of disposable absorbent products is located in the interior of the enclosure and exerts an expansion force against the end walls from the interior. The compressed stack includes a first disposable absorbent product contacting one of the end walls, which has a portion that is substantially transparent. The first disposable absorbent product includes a graphic display on an outer surface thereof that faces that end wall. No portion of the graphic display is visible through the substantially transparent portion of that end wall.

Abstract: Whether constructed of square or rectangular configuration with handles for lifting and carrying about, and with internal shelves or braces to receive and hold compartmentalized partitioned layers to accept the various tools of various trades, the container of the invention, when of a composition to support the weight of studs and boards placed upon them, provides a crate which cannot only carry the tools of the trade, but can serve as a workbench in performing needed work at a jobsite location, as well as to support the weight of a workman standing upon included boards and studs as a “step” to reach elevated heights in the doing of a required job.

Abstract: A bi-phasic pharmaceutical composition for oral administration including one or more solid active ingredient containing particles dispersed within a semi-solid carrier formulation. The solid particles include a coating with pH-triggered drug release properties and the semi-solid carrier formulation is formulated at a pH that is different than the pH at which the active ingredient release properties of the coating are triggered. Also described is a delivery system for delivery of the bi-phasic pharmaceutical composition including the bi-phasic pharmaceutical composition described above and a dispenser pouch formed from flexible laminate sheets. Further, a process for manufacturing the two-phase pharmaceutical delivery system is described including the filling the bi-phasic pharmaceutical composition into flexible dispenser pouches, which allows the patient to squeeze and dispense the contents of the package directly into the oral cavity.

Abstract: A non-stick apparatus, comprising a fluid-solids stream storage or conveyance article comprising a first material; a coating on an internal surface of the article comprising a second material; wherein the second material comprises a reduced adhesion strength with a wax deposit of less than 30% of a first material adhesion strength with a wax deposit.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To provide a display strip capable of attaching by heat sealing bags comprising a biaxial oriented film and having no low-melting-point layer on the outer surface of the bag. [Solution] In the display strip comprising a substrate layer and a sealant layer, problems can be solved by using the display strip characterized in that the sealant layer contains an acid-modified olefin resin. In particular, it is more preferable that the sealant layer contains (a) an acid-modified olefin resin, (b) a non-acid-modified olefin resin and (c) an adhesion-imparting agent.

Abstract: A thermoformed packaging tray is provided which includes a container having a bottom surface, an integrally formed peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom surface. The sidewall defines an open top. A rigid lip is provided on a top edge of the peripheral side wall; and a remote end of the lip which diminishes in thickness to become flexible.

Abstract: A pallet-like base frame includes a floor for supporting the inner container. Corner feet and central feet are mounted on a foot frame attached to the floor. At least one of the corner feet includes a corner foot body with a front wall and partial bodies. The partial bodies respectively comprise an upper supporting surface formed on the circumferential rim of the front wall for connecting the corner foot with the floor and a lower supporting surface with a connecting region for connecting the corner foot with the foot frame. The lower supporting surface of at least one partial body has a stop body arranged between a circumferential rim of the front wall and the connecting region. The stop body, due to its distance from the circumferential rim, defines a bearing rim for supporting the base frame on an outer casing of a transport and storage container.

Abstract: In a hydrocracking process, the product from the first stage reactor passes through a steam stripper to remove hydrogen, H2S, NH3, light gases (C1-C4), naphtha and diesel products. The stripper bottoms are separated from hydrogen, H2S, NH3, light gases (C1-C4), naphtha, and diesel products and treated in a second stage reactor. The effluent stream from the second stage reactor, along with the stream of separated hydrogen, H2S, NH3, light gases (C1-C4), naphtha, and diesel products, are passed to a separation stage for separating petroleum fractions. Preferably, the effluent stream from the first stage reactor is passed through a steam generator prior to the steam stripping step. In an alternate embodiment, the effluent stream from the first stage reactor is passed through a vapor/liquid separator stripper vessel prior to the steam stripping step.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrocracking hydrocarbon feed in a hydrocracking unit and hydrotreating a diesel product from the hydrocracking unit in a hydrotreating unit. The hydrocracking unit and the hydrotreating unit share the same recycle gas compressor. A make-up hydrogen stream may also be compressed in the recycle gas compressor. A warm separator separates recycle gas and hydrocarbons from diesel in the hydrotreating effluent, so fraction of the diesel is relatively simple. The warm separator also keeps the diesel product separate from the more sulfurous diesel in the hydrocracking effluent, and still retains heat needed for fractionation of lighter components from the low sulfur diesel product.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that has superior attrition performance and a method that produces said catalyst composition to be used for fluid catalytic cracking processes to convert a heavy hydrocarbon fraction into mainly liquid fuels, particularly gasoline and light olefins. The catalyst composition has a moisture level or loss on ignition below 12 wt % and attrition rate below 3 wt. %/hr.

Abstract: A separation process and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a mixture. In some embodiments, a process for separating a bitumen froth stream containing bitumen froth, water and fine solids into a bitumen enriched froth stream and a water and fine solids stream, comprises: (a) receiving the bitumen froth stream in a concentrator vessel, (b) distributing the bitumen froth stream in the concentrator vessel as a substantially uniform and generally horizontal flow of the bitumen froth stream at a first flow velocity, (c) slowing the bitumen froth stream to a second flow velocity, slower than the first flow velocity, in a separation region of the concentrator vessel to promote separation of the bitumen froth from the water and fine solids, and then (d) collecting a bitumen enriched froth stream and (e) collecting a separate water and fine solids stream. Related embodiments of systems and apparatus may also be provided.

Abstract: A feed distributor for a settler is provided, the settler effective for separating a solvent-diluted bitumen froth into a water/solids stream and a hydrocarbon stream, the feed distributor comprising: an inlet conduit effective to route bitumen froth into the settler; and an essentially horizontal plate attached to a lower extremity of the inlet conduit and wherein the inlet conduit defines openings through which the solvent-diluted bitumen froth can pass from inside the inlet conduit to a volume above the essentially horizontal plate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sorting mined material, such as mined ore, are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a chamber for exposing fragments of a material to be sorted to electromagnetic radiation, with the chamber comprising an inner wall for fragments to move downwardly and outwardly over from an upper inlet of the chamber to a lower outlet of the chamber. The apparatus also comprises a detection system for assessing one or more than one characteristic of the fragments. The apparatus also comprises a sorting means for separating the fragments into multiple streams in response to the assessment of the detection system.

Abstract: System and method for treating particulate solids comprises a screw feeder for transporting a water-based slurry of contaminated particulate solids through an ultrasound signal of sufficient size, strength and duration to cause the contaminants to separate from the particulate solids. One or more stacks of ultrasonic transducers arranged around the screw feeder may be employed in which the diameter of each transducer preferably is substantially the same as the pitch of the screw feeder.