Abstract: Disclosed is a curable coating composition suitable for use on composite substrates such as plastic composites, cementitious composites, ceramic composites, and engineered wood, or on plastic materials. The curable coating composition comprises a multifunctional oligomer, a monomer selected from the group consisting of monofunctional monomers, difunctional monomers and mixtures thereof, a photoinitiator, a polyester resin and a polycarboxylic acid. Also disclosed is a method of coating the substrates with the curable coating composition and a coated substrate wherein the cured coating resides on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The bright pigment of the present invention includes flaky particles and a metal oxide layer coating at least a part of the surface of each flaky particle. The bright pigment or the flaky particles of the present invention have a particle size distribution in which the particle size at 99% of the cumulative volume from the smaller particle size is 48 ?m or less, and the maximum particle size is 62 ?m or less. The flaky particles are made of a material having a refractive index in the range of 1.4 to 1.8. The flaky particles have a thickness distribution in which the frequency of the particles having a thickness in the range of 0.8 ?m to 1.9 ?m is 90% or more by volume, or the frequency of the particles having a thickness in the range of 0.01 ?m to 0.35 ?m is 90% or more by volume.

Abstract: A thermal method to passivate the carbon and/or other components in fly ash significantly decreases adsorption. The passivated carbon remains in the fly ash. Heating the fly ash to about 500 and 800 degrees C. under inert gas conditions sharply decreases the amount of surfactant adsorbed by the fly ash recovered after thermal treatment despite the fact that the carbon content remains in the fly ash. Using oxygen and inert gas mixtures, the present invention shows that a thermal treatment to about 500 degrees C. also sharply decreases the surfactant adsorption of the recovered fly ash even though most of the carbon remains intact. Also, thermal treatment to about 800 degrees C. under these same oxidative conditions shows a sharp decrease in surfactant adsorption of the recovered fly ash due to the fact that the carbon has been removed. This experiment simulates the various “carbon burnout” methods and is not a claim in this method.

Abstract: A ground granulated blast furnace slag for sulfate resistant cement comprising a mixture of ground granulated blast furnace slag with an alumina content of 12 to 17.5 mass % and high dissolution rate gypsum of 2 to 6 mass % of gypsum converted to mass of SO3.

Abstract: To grow a gallium nitride crystal, a seed-crystal substrate is first immersed in a melt mixture containing gallium and sodium. Then, a gallium nitride crystal is grown on the seed-crystal substrate under heating the melt mixture in a pressurized atmosphere containing nitrogen gas and not containing oxygen. At this time, the gallium nitride crystal is grown on the seed-crystal substrate under a first stirring condition of stirring the melt mixture, the first stirring condition being set for providing a rough growth surface, and the gallium nitride crystal is subsequently grown on the seed-crystal substrate under a second stirring condition of stirring the melt mixture, the second stirring condition being set for providing a smooth growth surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for supplying a source and an apparatus for depositing a thin film having the same. The apparatus for supplying a source includes a horizontal channel extending in one direction; pumping and transfer ports extending to pass through the horizontal channel, the pumping and transfer ports being spaced apart from each other; a transfer shaft inserted into the horizontal channel to reciprocate therein; and a storage room connected to one side of the pumping port, the storage room storing and supplying a powder source, wherein the transfer shaft comprises at least one transfer hole for allowing the powder source supplied through the pumping port to be filled therein and to be transferred to an external apparatus through the transfer port.

Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously producing flexible semiconductor devices through deposition of a plurality of semiconductor layers onto a moving flexible substrate by using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) processing, where at least two successive layers are deposited in the same deposition chamber onto the substrate traveling in opposite directions. Computer program product directly loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer comprising software code portions for determining and controlling all the necessary parameters for the production of flexible semi-conductor devices in a such apparatus when said computer program product is run on a computer. Roll-to-roll method for producing flexible semiconductor devices, wherein a plurality of semiconductor layers are deposited in the same deposition chamber onto a flexible substrate moving in opposite directions.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for organic continuum vapor deposition of organic materials on large area substrates.

Abstract: A method for extraction of sugar from a sugar containing biomass is disclosed, wherein the sugar containing biomass a) is introduced in an extraction device (1), b) is treated with steam having a temperature of between 103 and 124° C., c) is treated in one or more steps with hot water having a temperature of 65-85° C., and d) is subjected to one or more compression steps, wherein a sugar containing solution is extracted from the sugar containing biomass in each of the steps c) and d) in the extraction device (1) and is removed from the extraction device (1), said method being continuously performed at an overpressure of 0.2-1.5 bar in the extraction device (1).

Abstract: A package of smokeless tobacco includes a flavor patch located in the package to provide flavor to smokeless tobacco. Also disclosed is a method of packaging smokeless tobacco by combining a package with a flavor patch disposed inside the package, the flavor patch comprising a flavor and an adsorbent, so that the flavor patch resides in an interior of the package; and adding smokeless tobacco to the package with the flavor patch.

Abstract: A water-bearing household appliance such as a dish washing machine or washing machine is provided that has a water supply system, an electrically operable electromagnetic water inlet valve for controlling the water supply, and a control unit operating a control program that controls the water inlet valve. The water inlet valve is controlled for a first time period and it is determined when the first time period is complete whether a predetermined test amount of water has flowed through the water inlet valve. If a predetermined test amount of water has flowed through the water inlet valve, the water inlet valve is operated in a first operation mode. On the other hand, if less than the predetermined test amount of water has flowed through the water inlet valve, the water inlet valve is operated in a second operation mode with a reduced long-term load.

Abstract: A water-conducting domestic appliance having a drain pump, a controller to activate the drain pump, and a water safety switch that has a first switch position to react to escaping water, wherein the water safety switch is connected to the controller. If a fault causes water to escape, the water safety switch switches into the first switch position so as to connect the controller to an electrical mains.

Abstract: A dishwashing machine is provided with a washing compartment, an ozone generator, and devices for washing items to be washed using a washing solution, as well as with a storage device that is connected to the washing compartment in an air-conducting manner. The storage device serves, on the one hand, to store ozone and/or hydroxyl radicals as they form or are produced and, on the other hand, to release ozone and/or hydroxyl radicals during a partial program step drying and/or a non-operating phase of the dishwashing machine whereby effecting a deodorizing.

Abstract: A domestic dishwasher includes a compartment casing comprising a corrosion-resistant metal, and a frame comprising a metal that is more corrosion-resistant than the compartment casing.

Abstract: A domestic appliance having a door and a door position detector. The door position detector detects an open or closed position of the door and provides a respective signal when the door is in the open or closed position. A monitoring circuit may be connected to the door position detector to check the operability of the door position detector.

Abstract: A stainless steel having good conductivity and ductility for use in a fuel cell separator is provided. In particular, the stainless steel has a composition of, in terms of % by mass, C: 0.01% or less, Si: 1.0% or less, Mn: 1.0% or less, S: 0.01% or less, P: 0.05% or less, Al: 0.20% or less, N: 0.02% or less, Cr: 20 to 40%, Mo: 4.0% or less, and at least one selected from Nb, Ti, and Zr: 0.05 to 0.60% in total, the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. At least one precipitate having an equivalent circle diameter of 0.1 ?m or more is present per 100 ?m2, a ratio of a thickness t (?m) to a maximum diameter Dmax (?m) of the precipitates satisfies formula (1) below 20?t/Dmax??(1) and the thickness is 200 ?m or less.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fine spheroidized steel sheet having an excellent heat treatment characteristic, the method including: i) manufacturing a high carbon slab that is formed of 0.3 to 1.0 wt % C, 0.1 to 1.2 wt % Mn, 0 to 0.4 wt % Si, 0.01 to 0.1 wt % Al, 0 to 0.01 wt % S, and balance Fe and an inevitably added impurity as residuals; ii) reheating the slab to a temperature of Ar3 transformation point or more; iii) roughing rolling the slab, and manufacturing a thin plate by performing finish rolling in an austenite region; iv) cooling the thin plate at a cooling speed of 50 to 300° C./sec; v) finishing the cooling of the thin plate at a temperature region of 400 to 650° C. and maintaining the temperature; vi) winding the thin plate at a temperature region of 450 to 700° C.; vii) performing cold rolling at a reduction ratio of 30% or more; and viii) spheroidizing annealing the cold rolled thin plate.

Abstract: A nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy comprises nickel at a concentration of from about 35 at. % to about 65 at. %, a rare earth element at a concentration of from about 1.5 at. % to about 15 at. %, boron at a concentration of up to about 0.1 at. %, with the balance of the alloy being titanium. In addition to enhanced radiopacity compared to binary Ni—Ti alloys and improved workability, the Ni—Ti-RE alloy preferably exhibits superelastic behavior. A method of processing a Ni—Ti-RE alloy includes providing a nickel-titanium-rare earth alloy comprising nickel at a concentration of from about 35 at. % to about 65 at. %, a rare earth element at a concentration of from about 1.5 at. % to about 15 at. %, the balance being titanium; heating the alloy in a homogenization temperature range below a critical temperature; and forming spheroids of a rare earth-rich second phase in the alloy while in the homogenization temperature range.

Abstract: A press having oppositely arranged lower and upper master tools, at least one having an elongate pressing tool which is vertically displaceable in a groove in the master tool, and two lateral pressing tools arranged between the main surfaces of the master tools, on each side of the groove. The press also having at least two mold inserts, arranged on the pressing surface of at least one of the master tools, having the form of an elongate rod extending along substantially the whole of the longitudinal extent of the press and having a substantially U-shaped, outward-facing cross-sectional form, and which are displaceably movable, at least to a limited extent, along the horizontal pressing surface of the master tool transversely to a longitudinal extent of the press, and at least one partition wall arranged between the mold inserts on the pressing surface of at least one of the master tools.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a disk-shaped filtering unit. In the method, there is provided a laminate by sandwiching a screen-related substrate between two permeable membrane-related substrates. There is provided a machine with a conveying unit, a hot-pressing unit and a punching unit. The conveying unit is used to convey the laminate. The hot-pressing unit is used to hot-press and weld the laminate dot by dot to bond the substrates along a closed curve eventually, thus making a semi-product of the filtering unit out of a portion of the laminate within the closed curve. There is made a final product of the filtering unit by using the punching unit to punch the semi-product with an aperture.

Abstract: A pipe is wrapped with a composite to form a pre-stressed interface to facilitate load sharing between the materials. Prior to being wrapped, the pipe is placed in tension via hydraulic devices or the like. Alternatively, a combination of cured and uncured composite wraps is used in proximity to each other to apply compressive stress to the pipe. In addition, the pipe may be subjected to cold temperatures to change its dimensions prior to being wrapped with a composite material.

Abstract: A ceramic multi-layered interconnection substrate can be manufactured by using a stack including a plurality of ceramic layers with division grooves in the uppermost layer, at least one intermediate layer, and the lowermost layer. The substrate can be manufactured by forming division grooves in respective green sheets other than the uppermost and lowermost ones at adjacent package boundaries, pressing them to be stacked, forming division grooves in the uppermost and lowermost sheets at the adjacent package boundaries, firing them to be ceramic layers, and breaking the ceramic layers along the division grooves to separate individual packages, thus preventing failure and preventing the generation of burrs, chips, and the like.

Abstract: A method of joining first and second stretchable fabric portions to one another in a desired configuration comprises the steps of sewing a first thread through at least one of the first and second fabric portions to define a first stitch formation looping a second thread within the first stitch formation such that the second thread and the first thread overlap one another to create a sewn seam, one of the threads being a fusible thread and the other of the threads being a non-fusible thread; positioning the first and second fabric portions relative to one another in a desired configuration; melting the fusible thread; and forming a plurality of discrete bonding element portions extending along a bonding path. The discrete bonding element portions retain the first and second fabric portions in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A coated article is provided that may be heat treated in certain example embodiments. A coating of the coated article includes a zinc oxide inclusive layer located over and contacting a contact layer that is in contact with an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver. It has been found that the use of such a zinc oxide inclusive layer results in improved thermal stability upon heat treatment, increased visible transmission, and/or lower sheet resistance (Rs).

Abstract: A method for making a laminate includes: extruding a core layer, and advancing the same along a processing line; advancing upper and lower metal layers, and bending the upper metal layer to form a raised bent structure; laminating the upper and lower metal layers with the core layer by passing through a nip of a pair of laminating rollers, one of which has an embossing groove that is shaped to complement the raised bent structure and that permits the raised bent structure to pass therethrough; and embossing the core layer to protrude into the raised bent structure while the core layer and the upper and lower metal layers are passed through the nip. The upper metal layer is inclined with a tangent line that passes through the nip by an angle of less than 15 degrees when at a position immediately upstream of the nip.

Abstract: It includes: a carrying step of carrying a continuous member of a combined web in a direction perpendicular to a girth direction Y; a first folding step of folding a girth portion 3, while performing the carrying step, so that a non-skin-contact surface 3b of the girth portion 3 lies on a non-skin-contact surface 3b of one of first and second side flaps; a second folding step of folding the first and second side flaps, while performing the carrying step and after the first folding step, so that skin-contact surfaces 3a of the first and second side flaps lie on skin-contact surfaces 3a of a back portion and a front portion; a cut-off step of cutting the continuous member into individual worn articles, after the second folding step; and a third folding step of folding the individual worn articles so that a first fastener member 31 provided on a skin-contact surface 3a of the girth portion 3 lies on a second fastener member 32 provided on a non-skin-contact surface 3b of the other one of the first and second sid

Abstract: A tape adhering device including: a drawing roller for drawing out a tape; a tape fixing means for fixing one portion of the tape drawn out from the drawing roller; a tape drawing means for drawing out a predetermined amount of tape, which is fixed by the tape fixing means, from the drawing roller between the tape fixing means and the drawing roller; and a tape adhering means for adhering the tape, which is located in the downstream of the tape fixing means, onto an object to be adhered under the condition that fixing operation of the tape by the tape fixing means is released.

Abstract: A lens pad includes a blank, first adhesive layer, and release sheet. The first adhesive layer is formed on one surface of the blank. The release sheet comes into tight contact with the surface of the first adhesive layer to protect this surface. The arithmetic average roughness of the surface of the release sheet on the side of the first adhesive layer is 0.1 ?m or less. The surface of the first adhesive layer from which the release sheet is peeled off is attached onto a lens as an edging target. A lens pad, a lens pad manufacturing method, a lens manufacturing method, and an adhesive member are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating shell purfling strips having sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The shell purfling strips may be placed, as a single unit, in curved channels which require the strip to bend. The flexibility results from a laminated structure comprising a layer of binding material overlain by an organic shell layer, with a bonding agent attaching the layers together. The organic shell layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the shell layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, such as rubber, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The shell purfling strips may be attached in parallel relationship to other perfling components allowing installation as a unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for severing elastic in an advancing elastic laminate. A continuous elastic laminate may be formed by bonding elastic strands between a first continuous substrate layer and a second continuous substrate layer. As discussed in more detail below, the continuous elastic laminate may advance through a cutting apparatus that intermittently deactivates or severs the elastic strands of the elastic laminate along the machine direction.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric laminated wafer comprising different film materials that are softenable and formable at different softening temperatures corresponding with the film materials.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a conformal deltoid noodle includes providing a composite prepreg material having a predetermined length and a width, the predetermined length being aligned along a longitudinal axis; subjecting the composite prepreg material to a cutting process to form a notched section coextensive along the predetermined length; and rolling the composite prepreg material along its width to create the conformal deltoid noodle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for fastening at least one plate, such as a glass panel, in a profile, which has an assembly groove for peripherally receiving an edge of the glass panel. The method is characterized in that on at least one of the glass panels and an inside of the assembly groove oriented parallel thereto an assembly rubber seal is disposed, on the surface of which facing the glass panel a double-sided adhesive tape having a cover film that covers the side of the double-sided adhesive tape facing the glass panel is attached, wherein the glass panel is inserted into the assembly groove and is pressed against the double-sided adhesive tape in the assembly groove by at least one counter element disposed on the opposite side of the glass panel, or by the opposite inside of the assembly groove, and wherein the cover film is removed when the glass panel is inserted into the assembly groove.

Abstract: A belt having stretch reduction features is provided, along with a method for producing a belt having reduced stretch characteristics. The belt is formed of a jacket and a stretch reduction element. The stretch reduction element is formed of a material having a greater modulus of elasticity than the jacket. Additionally, the stretch reduction element is formed by bathing the stretch reduction element to a reactive fluid in an oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A load lock includes a chamber including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a partition between the upper portion and the lower portion, the partition including an opening therethrough. The load lock further includes a first port in communication with the upper portion of the chamber and a second port in communication with the lower portion of the chamber. The load lock includes a rack disposed within the chamber and a workpiece holder mounted on a first surface of the rack, wherein the rack and the workpiece holder are movable by an indexer that is capable of selectively moving wafer slots of the rack into communication with the second port. The indexer can also move the rack into an uppermost position, at which the first surface of the boat and the partition sealingly separate the upper portion and the lower portion to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Auxiliary processing, such as wafer pre-cleaning, or metrology can be conducted in the upper portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus, such as a processing chamber, suitable for etching high aspect ratio features. Other embodiments include a showerhead assembly for use in the processing chamber. In one embodiment, a processing chamber includes a chamber body having a showerhead assembly and substrate support disposed therein. The showerhead assembly includes at least two fluidly isolated plenums, a region transmissive to an optical metrology signal, and a plurality of gas passages formed through the showerhead assembly fluidly coupling the plenums to the interior volume of the chamber body.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a vacuum evacuable processing chamber, a first electrode divided into an outer electrode and an inner electrode, a second electrode, a first and a second high frequency power application unit for applying to the second electrode a first and a second high frequency power having a relatively high frequency and a relatively low frequency, respectively, a first and a second DC voltage application circuit apply a DC voltage to the outer and the inner electrode, respectively, and a processing gas supply unit. A space between the first electrode and the second electrode serves as a plasma generation space, and frequency-impedance characteristics of the outer electrode are set such that the impedance increases at the frequency of the second high frequency power and decreases at the frequency of the first high frequency power as the DC voltage applied to the outer electrode increases.

Abstract: Chambers for processing a bevel edge of a substrate are provided. One such chamber includes a bottom electrode defined to support a substrate in the chamber. The bottom electrode has a bottom first level for supporting the substrate and a bottom second level near an outer edge of bottom electrode. The bottom second level is defined at a step below the bottom first level. Further included is a top electrode oriented above the bottom electrode. The top electrode having a top first level and a top second level, where the top first level is opposite the bottom first level and the top second level is opposite the bottom second level. The top second level is defined at a step above the top first level. A bottom ring mount oriented at the bottom second level is included. The bottom ring mount includes a first adjuster for moving a bottom permanent magnet toward and away from the top electrode. Further included is a top ring mount oriented at the top second level.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream of a pulp process is disclosed, as well as a method of utilizing the apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a pulp process is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting deposition of multivalent saturated fatty acids on paper sizing equipment and/or devices which use a paper surface sizing composition containing one or more surface sizing starches and a source of multivalent cations, such as a multivalent metal drying salt, by including a C16 or higher saturated fatty acid solubilizing and dispersing surfactant in the paper surface sizing composition. Also, a paper surface sizing system for carrying out this method.

Abstract: A calender (1) for calendering a paper web (2), in particular made from paper suitable for gravure printing, having at least one roll stack which in each case has an upper and a lower end roll (4.1, 4.2) and intermediate rolls (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4), one of the two end rolls (4.1) delimits a first working nip (3) of the roll stack depending on the guidance of the paper web (2), and the rolls (4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4) are hard rolls (4.1, 5.2, 5.4) and soft rolls (5.1, 5.3, 4.2) in order to form loadable working nips in the form of soft nips, the end roll (4.1) which delimits the first working nip (3) being a hard, heated roll, the diameter of which is greater than that of a hard, heated intermediate roll (5.2, 5.4) and the outer wall (9) of which forms one of two contact faces (9, 10) of a web treatment nip (8) which is arranged upstream of the first working nip (3), and the other contact face (10) being formed by a belt (14) which circulates on guide rolls (11, 12, 13).

Abstract: A pressing arrangement including at least one first fabric and second fabric both being permeable. A paper web is disposed between the first fabric and the second fabric. A pressure producing element is in contact with the first fabric. A support surface of a supporting structure is in contact with the second fabric. A differential pressure is provided between the first fabric and the support surface that acts on the first fabric, the paper web, and the second fabric, whereby the paper web is subjected to mechanical pressure and experiences a predetermined hydraulic pressure so as to cause water to be drained from the paper web. The pressing arrangement is structured and arranged to allow air to flow in a direction from the first fabric through the paper web and through the second fabric.

Abstract: Provided is a heat integrated distillation apparatus includes: rectifying column including a trayed section or a packed bed section; stripping column including a trayed section or a packed bed section located higher than rectifying column; first pipe for connecting top part of the stripping column with bottom part of the rectifying column; and compressor that compresses vapor from top part of the stripping column to feed the compressed vapor to bottom part of the rectifying column. The heat integrated distillation apparatus further includes: heat exchanger located either at the trayed section or a packed bed section of rectifying column or at the trayed section or a packed bed section of stripping column; second pipe; and third pipe for circulating fluids through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A linked coke drum connection to minimize the stresses experienced by the joint between the coke drum and the supporting structure of the coke drum is described. The connection may be attached to a circumferential connection plate attached to the coke drum or directly to the drum. Some embodiments connect to a segmented circumferential connection plate. The connection includes a coke drum link, a connecting link, and a ground link. The links are pivotally connected with connecting pins. As the coke drum is heated and expands, the connecting link pivots outwardly about a point centered in the connecting pin in the ground link.

Abstract: Method for concentrating nitrogen isotope to obtain a final product nitrogen, in which the stable nitrogen isotope, 15N, is concentrated, by low-temperature distillation of raw material nitrogen containing trace amounts of oxygen and argon using a plurality of distillation columns in a cascade arrangement. An argon-oxygen mixture is discharged from the bottom of the final column and 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted from a lower intermediate point of the final column. The flow rate of the argon-oxygen mixture discharged from the bottom of the final column is controlled based on the reading of a thermometer installed below the point where the final product 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted, thereby providing a stable nitrogen product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolytic cell for obtaining aluminum, including a pot shell, at least one cathode block arranged at least partially in the pot shell, at least one anode suspended above the cell and dipping into the upper portion of the electrolytic cell, and an insulation at least partially covering the internal surface of the pot shell and located between the cathode block and the pot shell, the pot shell and the elements that it contains delimiting a crucible intended to receive an electrolytic bath in contact with the cathode block, characterized in that the insulation is at least partially made of carbon-based blocks having a heat conductivity lower than 1 W/m/K.

Abstract: An electrode surface coating for manufacturing the electrode surface coating comprising a conductive substrate; and one or more surface coatings comprising one or more of the following metals titanium, niobium, tantalum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, or gold, or an alloy of two or more metals, or a combination of two or more alloys or metal layers thereof having an increase in the surface area of 5 times to 500 times of the corresponding surface area resulting from the basic geometric shape.

Abstract: A device for use with an RF generating source, a first electrode, a second electrode and an element. The RF generating source is operable to provide an RF signal to the first electrode and thereby create a potential between the first electrode and the second electrode. The device comprises a connecting portion and a current sink. The connecting portion is operable to electrically connect to one of the first electrode, the second electrode and an element. The current sink is in electrical connection with the connection portion and a path to ground. The current sink comprises a voltage threshold. The current sink is operable to conduct current from the connecting portion to ground when a voltage on the electrically connected one of the first electrode, the second electrode and the element is greater than the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A miniature, lightweight, inexpensive, environmental monitoring system containing a number of sensors that can simultaneously and continuously monitor fluorescence, absorbance, conductivity, temperature, and several ions. Sensors that monitor similar parameters can cross-check data to increase the likelihood that a problem with the water will be discovered.