Abstract: An aqueous solution containing divalent iron ions having improved storage stability such that the oxidation over time of divalent iron ions in the aqueous solution containing divalent iron ions to trivalent iron ions is suppressed and the occurrence of the precipitation of iron (III) hydroxide is prevented for long periods. The aqueous solution contains divalent iron ions having improved storage stability characterized in that it contains divalent iron ions and a hydroxylamine salt as a reducing agent and has a pH of 3.0 or lower. The pH is preferably 2.2 or lower and more preferably 1.2 or lower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds shown in the general formula (I) or (III), the salts thereof or their mixtures, as well as their preparation method and application. In the general formula (I), X1 is H or CO2H; X2 is OH or phenyl group with 0-2 sulfonic acid substituents, and the sulfonic acid substituents are located at random positions of a benzene ring; when X2 is OH, X1 is H; when X2 is phenyl group with 0-2 sulfonic acid substituents, X1 is H or CO2H; n is an integer of 0-2; and in the general formula (III), n and m are respectively an integer of 0-2. The compounds and the mixtures not only have improved light resistance, ozone resistance and water resistance, but also have excellent water solubility and long-term stability in ink-jet ink.

Abstract: Bituminous paving mixtures containing lubricating agents or additives may be prepared at hot mix temperatures and cooled, paved and compacted at temperatures 10-55° C. lower than the hot mix temperatures. The increased temperature range between the hot mix temperatures and the paving and compacting temperatures is facilitated by the improved compacting properties of the paving mixture when it includes the lubricating agents or additives.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dry gypsum composition containing hemihydrate gypsum, at least one pigment and a crystal habit modifier. The crystal habit modifier is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sulfate salts, carboxylate salts, carbonate salts and inorganic chlorides, and a content of the at least one compound is in a range of 0.1 to 5 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the hemihydrate gypsum, whereby upon hydration of the hemihydrate gypsum into dihydrate gypsum, the dihydrate gypsum is controlled to become plate crystals having an aspect ratio of 1 to 9. A gypsum-based coating formulation making use of the dry gypsum composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a method for forming a transistor. According to an embodiment, a fin of amorphous semiconductor material is formed on a crystalline substrate, and a solid phase epitaxy (SPE) process is performed to crystallize the amorphous semiconductor material using the crystalline substrate to seed the crystalline growth. The fin has a cross-sectional thickness in at least one direction less than a minimum feature size. The transistor body is formed in the crystallized semiconductor pillar between a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. A surrounding gate insulator is formed around the semiconductor pillar, and a surrounding gate is formed around and separated from the semiconductor pillar by the surrounding gate insulator. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a method for providing polycrystalline films having a controlled microstructure as well as a crystallographic texture. The methods provide elongated grains or single-crystal islands of a specified crystallographic orientation. In particular, a method of processing a film on a substrate includes generating a textured film having crystal grains oriented predominantly in one preferred crystallographic orientation; and then generating a microstructure using sequential lateral solidification crystallization that provides a location-controlled growth of the grains orientated in the preferred crystallographic orientation.

Abstract: A cleaning device for blades of a fan including a first arm with distal end and proximal end, a first cleaning element attached to the proximal end and a second arm with a distal end and proximal end, a second cleaning element attached to the proximal end as well as a pivoting joint connected to the distal end of the first arm and the distal end of the second arm the pivoting joint also having a handle connection.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and restoring deposition shield surfaces which results in a cleaned shield having a surface roughness of between about 200 microinches and about 500 microinches and a particle surface density of less than about 0.1 particles/mm2 of particles between about 1 micron and about 5 microns in size and no particles less than about 1 micron in size and method for use thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for washing, storing and transporting concrete wastewater washed from concrete conveying chutes associated with a concrete mixing truck. The apparatus comprises a fluid container having a first opening and a pair of arms extending upwardly above the container. Each end of the arms distal from the container is adapted to mate with a first end of a first concrete chute member and to removably retain the first concrete chute member such that a second end of the first concrete chute member is higher than the first end and the first end is disposed above the first opening in the fluid container. The container is attachable to a concrete mixing truck such that a second concrete chute member attached to the concrete mixing truck can be positioned above the first concrete chute member while the first concrete chute member is mated with the arms. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dishwasher, wherein a duct system has a function describing a pressure difference in dependence on the rotational speed of the circulating pump and having a lower rotational speed range in which the pressure difference changes at most in proportion to the rotational speed of the circulating pump and an upper rotational speed range in which the pressure difference changes more than in proportion to the rotational speed of the circulating pump; and wherein the control device has a first rinsing program in which the circulating pump is operated at a normal cleaning rotational speed for normal cleaning of the rinsing stock and a second rinsing program in which the circulating pump is operated at an intensive cleaning rotational speed higher than the normal cleaning rotational speed and lying in the upper rotational speed range for intensive cleaning of the rinsing stock.

Abstract: A heat exchanger may be cleaned by introducing compressed nitrogen and a flushing composition through an injection device.

Abstract: A dishwasher including a control device in which a wash program is stored to control a wash cycle for cleaning items to be washed. A water inlet device has a hot-water valve to take in hot water from an external hot-water supply and a cold-water valve to take in cold water from an external cold-water supply. The wash program has a wash step including an intake phase for taking in water via the water inlet device and a spraying phase for spraying the items to be washed with washing liquor containing the water that has been taken in via the water inlet device. The wash program includes a first phase of the intake phase during which the hot water is taken in via the hot-water valve and during which the temperature of the hot water that has been taken is measured by a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided with an auxiliary dispenser to be selectively, conveniently attached to a dish rack for movement with the dish rack into and out of a dishwasher tub, with the dispenser including a storage compartment for housing a washing agent, an inlet leading to the storage compartment and an outlet leading from the storage compartment. When the dish rack is in the recessed position, the inlet of the dispenser is arranged in fluid communication with a fluid conduit system which delivers washing fluid to at least one spray nozzle of the dishwasher, while an outlet of the dispenser leads to a washing compartment of the tub. With this arrangement, at least a portion of the washing fluid directed to the at least one spray nozzle will be forced to flow through the storage compartment in order to pick up additional washing agent for enhanced cleansing purposes.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a dishwasher with at least one partial program step that includes heating a rinsing solution to a nominal temperature. Air that is heated by a heating device and used for desorption of a reversibly dehydratable material is conducted from a washing container of the dishwasher or ambient air is conducted through a sorption column with reversibly dehydratable material into the washing container in order to heat the rinsing solution and/or items to be washed. The heating device continues to operate after the desorbed state of the reversibly dehydratable material has been attained until the nominal temperature of the rinsing solution is reached.

Abstract: A substrate treatment apparatus includes: substrate holding unit which horizontally holds a substrate; a rotating unit which rotates the substrate held by the substrate holding unit about a vertical axis; and a first nozzle having a first opposing face to be opposed to a region of a lower surface of the substrate inward of a peripheral portion of the substrate in spaced relation to the lower surface of the substrate during rotation of the substrate by the rotating unit and a treatment liquid spout provided in the first opposing face for filling a space defined between the lower surface of the substrate and the first opposing face with a treatment liquid spouted from the treatment liquid spout to keep the space in a liquid filled state.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and in which is provided a rotating sprayer for emitting liquid into the treating chamber. The rotation of the spray arm may be controlled such that rotation of the spray arm is responsive to a determination that the spray arm has contacted an obstacle within the treating chamber.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a first washing chamber and a second washing chamber capable of performing a washing operation separately and/or concurrently. Each washing chamber includes a wash pump, a drain pump and a heating unit that are operatively connected to a controller. When initiating a washing fluid in one washing chamber, the controller determines if the other washing chamber is active. If the other washing chamber is active, the heating unit for the one washing chamber is operated at a low power level. However, if the other washing chamber is inactive, the one washing chamber is operated at a high power level to rapidly heat the washing fluid and thus shorten the duration of the washing operation.

Abstract: A siphon is adapted for thoroughly cleaning fluid vessels. The siphon is capable of elevating discharge waste fluid through a transfer of kinetic energy provided by a pressurized fluid source, thereby obviating any need for undesirable electrical, chemical, or other mechanical power sources. An inlet couples pressurized fluid to a divider that splits the pressurized fluid between a jet port outlet and a tank flush source conduit. A siphon return conduit is operative to carry waste fluid from the fluid vessel, with the cleaning attachment protruding from the siphon return conduit. By slightly protruding, the cleaning attachment operatively blocks the siphon return conduit from being held by siphon vacuum against a surface of the fluid vessel while developing a beneficial eddy current flow path. A drain conduit is provided, as is a mixing chamber at a junction between the jet port outlet and an outlet from the siphon return conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a segmental ultrasonic cleaning apparatus configured to remove scales and/or sludge deposited on a tube sheet. The segmental ultrasonic cleaning apparatus includes a plurality of segment groups arranged in a ring shape on a top surface of a tube sheet along an inner wall of the steam generator, in which each of the segment groups includes an ultrasonic element segment and a guide rail support segment loosely connected to each other by metal wires through hand holes located at a lower portion of the steam generator, such that ultrasound waves radiated from an ultrasonic transducer in each of the ultrasonic element segments travels along the surface of the tube sheet, with the segment groups tightly connected in the ring shape by tightening the metal wires via wire pulleys of flange units.

Abstract: There is provided an aluminum surface treatment process, comprising: preparing an aluminum material containing silicon and magnesium; and plasma nitriding the aluminum material to form an aluminum nitride region on a surface of the aluminum material.

Abstract: Provided is a steel wire rod for a high strength and high toughness spring having excellent cold workability, the steel wire rod having a composition comprising: in weight %, C: 0.4 to 0.7%, Si: 1.5 to 3.5%, Mn: 0.3 to 1.0%, Cr: 0.01 to 1.5%, Ni: 0.01 to 1.0%, Cu: 0.01 to 1.0%, B: 0.005 to 0.02%, Al: 0.1% or less, O: 0.0020% or less, P: 0.02% or less, S: 0.02% or less, N: 0.02% or less, remainder Fe, and other unavoidable impurities, having a microstructure formed of ferrite and pearlite, and in which a prior (before cooling) austenite grain size is 8 ?m or less.

Abstract: High strength steel wire for spring containing, by mass %, C: 0.67% to less than 0.75%, Si: 2.0 to 2.5%, Mn: 0.5 to 1.2%, Cr: 0.8 to 1.3%, V: 0.03 to 0.20%, Mo: 0.05 to 0.25%, W: 0.05 to 0.30%, and N: 0.003 to 0.007%, having a total of contents of Mn and V of 0.70%?Mn+V?1.27% and a total of contents of Mo and W of 0.13%?Mo+W?0.35%, limiting P: 0.025% or less, S: 0.025% or less, and Al: 0.003% or less, and having a balance of iron and unavoidable impurities, having a microstructure comprised of, by volume percent, over 6% to 15% of retained austenite and tempered martensite, having a prior-austenite grain size number of 10 or more, having a density of presence of spheroidal carbides with a circle equivalent diameter of 0.2 to 0.5 ?m of 0.06 particles/?m2 or less, having a density of presence of spheroidal carbides with a circle equivalent diameter of over 0.5 ?m of 0.01 particles/?m2 or less, and having a tensile strength of 2100 to 2350 MPa.

Abstract: A method for hot rolling a metal strip or metal sheet, wherein 1.a) the slab or the strip or sheet is subjected in a first step to one or more reshaping actions in a hot rolling mill for producing a uniform, fine, recrystallised austenite structure and 2) the slab or the strip or sheet is then subjected in a second step to cooling for producing a fine-grain structure. The slab or the strip or sheet is subjected to heating between at least two roll stands of the hot rolling mill during performance of the step 1.a). The roll stands are arranged to follow one another in a rolling direction and in each of which the slab or the strip or sheet is subjected to reshaping. A heater for heating the rolling stock is arranged between at least two of the roll stands.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnesium based composite material. The magnesium based composite material includes a magnesium based metal matrix and nanoparticles dispersed in the magnesium based metal matrix in a weight percentage of a range from about 0.01% to about 2%. The present disclosure also relates to a method for making the magnesium based composite material. In the method, the nanoparticles are added to the magnesium based metal at a temperature of about 460° C. to about 580° C. to form a mixture. The mixture is ultrasonically vibrated at a temperature of about 620° C. to about 650° C. The mixture is casted at a temperature of about 650° C. to about 680° C., to form an ingot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a friction element (3) comprising the steps: providing a metal main body (10), hardening the main body (10) on at least part of its surface (11, 12) in a salt bath, wherein the salt bath hardening is the final method step, and no further processing of the hardened surface (11, 12) is performed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a friction element produced according to this method and a friction component comprising the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding parts. An adhesive and a plurality of beads may be applied onto a first surface of a first part to form a layer of adhesive and beads. The first surface of the first part with the layer of adhesive and beads may be placed in contact with a second surface of a second part to form a structure, wherein the structure may be cured.

Abstract: A composite component, such as an aerofoil component for a gas turbine engine, comprises a body and a platform which are formed from respective body and platform preforms. The body preform includes fibers which are directed laterally of the preform, forming a cavity in the end of the preform. The platform preform includes a projection constituting a deltoid filler which is received in the cavity. The projection includes a 3D woven structure of reinforcement fibers so that the cavity is occupied by fibers to give the platform a generally uniform volume fraction. A further platform preform fits over the body preform so that the lateral fibers are sandwiched between the platform preforms.

Abstract: A composite component includes an inner core formed from a first composite material having discontinuous fibers. An outer sleeve is formed from a second composite material different from the first, and having continuous fibers. The outer sleeve generally surrounds and is bonded or otherwise connected to the inner core. The component is made by injecting or otherwise introducing thermoplastic fiber composite material including chopped or otherwise discontinuous fibers into a mold to form the inner core having a first portion with smooth surfaces and integrally joined to a second portion with bumps and ridges. The injected thermoplastic fiber composite material is cured and then removed from the mold. A layup including one or more surface plies of a thermoset continuous fiber composite material is then applied to the smooth first portion of the core. The surface plies then are compressed and cured in a mold.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical film laminate includes: a first film layer forming step of cutting a first optical film having an elongated shape into first optical film pieces along cutting lines crossing the longitudinal direction of the first optical film and disposing the first optical film pieces adjacent to each other in a substantially band or strip shape; a second film layer forming step of cutting a second optical film having an elongated shape into second optical film pieces along cutting lines crossing the longitudinal direction of the second optical film and disposing the second optical film pieces adjacent to each other in a substantially band or strip shape; and a cutting step of, while holding a third film layer made of the third optical film, the first film layer and the second film layer in a laminated state, cutting them into plural optical film laminates.

Abstract: A diffuser-integrated prism sheet is provided, in which diffuser layers are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the prism sheet and prism-shaped protrusions are formed in the prism sheet. The prism sheet for backlight units includes a lower diffuser layer having a light diffusion structure, a lower layer formed on the lower diffuser layer, a first intermediate layer formed on the lower layer and having prism-shaped protrusions formed parallel to each other, a second intermediate layer formed on the first intermediate layer, an upper layer formed on the second intermediate layer, and an upper diffuser layer formed on the upper layer and having a light diffusion structure, wherein an air layer is formed between the lower surface of the second intermediate layer and the valleys of the prism-shaped protrusions of the first intermediate layer. Also, a method of manufacturing the diffuser-integrated prism sheet is provided.

Abstract: A process for continuous manufacturing of moisture-curable polyurethane formulations used as sealants and adhesives. The process is characterized by the fact that the reactive components are introduced independently, and without the need for a prepolymer, to a mixer. Solid or liquid raw materials can be either pre-blended or fed directly to the mixer, a twin-screw extruder, which provides the requisite energy to homogenously mix the raw materials and drive the chemical reaction. The process is designed so that the extruder barrel and screw allow variable feed addition and heat exchange down the length of the machine. This allows various operations to be performed at different points in the extruder, including reaction, dispersive mixing, distributive mixing and devolitization.

Abstract: A reactor vessel system including: a first reactor vessel having a hydrolysate and liquid extraction screen, a first region above the extraction screen that is maintained at conditions promoting a hydrolysis reaction in the cellulosic material, a second region below the extraction screen in which the hydrolysis is substantially suppressed and a wash liquid inlet below the extraction screen providing wash liquid at a temperature below a hydrolysis temperature; a transport pipe having an inlet coupled to the first reactor vessel and an outlet coupled to a second reactor vessel, and the second reactor vessel includes a liquid discharge that extracts a portion of liquid from the second reactor vessel and directs the portion of liquid to the first reactor vessel or to the transport pipe.

Abstract: A thermomechanical pulping method including: refining pulp with a high consistency refining stage, and a medium consistency refining stage processing the refined pulp discharge from the high consistency refining stage. Chemical pretreatments for improving pulp quality development during medium consistency refining can be optionally added at the pressurized chip press, fiberizer pre-refining step, primary high consistency refining step, and/or the standpipe feeding the medium consistency refiner.

Abstract: A method for pulp processing used in connection with a pre-hydrolysis kraft process (PHKP) includes adding wood chips or similar material to a reaction vessel, performing pre-hydrolysis, and neutralizing the mixture with a first quantity of white liquor followed by a different solution such as a cold caustic extraction alkaline filtrate optionally enriched with white liquor. The neutralization fluids are replaced with a cooking fluid comprising a hot black liquor and alkaline filtrate, optionally enriched with white liquor. The cooking fluid may have a relatively high effective alkali concentration. The cooked pulp may exhibit very low residual hemicelluloses and a kappa number within an optimal range.

Abstract: A wet laid basemat for an acoustical ceiling tile comprising on a dry weight basis, 50% or more mineral wool fiber, including shot, less than 9% binder, and between 5 and 20% chopped strand glass fiber, and, optionally, minor amounts of other constituents, whereby the chopped strand glass fibers serve to promote and/or maintain voids in the mat such that the dry basemat has a density of between about 7½ to about 10½ lbs. per cubic foot and an NRC substantially greater than 0.55.

Abstract: A polyphenylene sulfide fiber has an amount of heat of crystallization measured by DSC is 10 J/g or more and the degree of shrinkage on dry heating of 150° C.×30 minutes is 20% or less. A method produces a densified wet-laid nonwoven fabric by subjecting paper produced in a papermaking process and containing 60 to 100% by mass of a polyphenylene sulfide fiber having an amount of heat of crystallization of 10 J/g or more and an amount of heat of crystallization of the wet-laid nonwoven fabric before heating-pressurizing treatments is 5 J/g or more to heating-pressurizing treatment at a temperature that is not lower than the glass transition temperature and not higher than the melting point of the polyphenylene sulfide fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for impregnating and drying a continuous paper web (1) by means of a urea resin dissolved in water, and to a corresponding system. Such paper webs (1) are employed for example as furniture foil or floor laminate, wherein in the known art melamine resin is used exclusively for bonding to a substrate. This is relatively expensive. Therefore the object of the invention is to create a method in which the paper web (1) which is impregnated by means of urea resin can be bonded to the substrate with a high degree of operational reliability. Said object is achieved in that the temperature of the paper web (1) is determined separately in each of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4), that for each of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) an amount and/or a temperature of the circulating air are regulated so that the maximum temperature of the paper web (1) is 99° C., and that exhaust air is extracted from a first one of the drying zones (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.

Abstract: Cationic or amphoteric (co)polymer obtained by Hofmann degradation reaction, in aqueous solution, in the presence of an alkaline-earth and/or alkali metal hydroxide and of an alkaline-earth and/or alkali metal hypohalide, on a base (co)polymer comprising at least one nonionic monomer chosen from the group comprising acrylamide (and/or methacrylamide) and N,N-dimethylacrylamide, is characterized in that the base (co)polymer is modified beforehand with at least one polyfunctional compound containing at least 3 heteroatoms chosen from N, S, O and P and each having at least one mobile hydrogen. Use as a flocculation, retention and/or drainage aid, and dry strength aid is contemplated.

Abstract: Processes comprising: (a) reacting dimethylamine and ethylene oxide to form a product mixture comprising N,N-dimethylethanolamine and N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol; (b) distilling the product mixture to obtain a bottom fraction comprising N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol; and (c) distilling the bottom fraction to separate at least a portion of the N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol from the bottom fraction; and apparatus for carrying out said processes.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a gaseous hydrocarbon fraction to obtain a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction which apparatus includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger and a distillation column, wherein the shell-and-tube heat exchanger includes an inlet and an outlet for cooling fluid which inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the tube side of the heat exchanger, and an inlet for the gaseous hydrocarbon fraction at the upper end of the heat exchanger which inlet is in fluid communication with the shell side of the heat exchanger, and a conduit for guiding hydrocarbons from the heat exchanger to the distillation column which distillation column includes an outlet for gas at its upper end and an outlet for liquid at its lower end, and process in which such apparatus is used.

Abstract: A method including directing a first radiation at a first copper-indium-gallium (CIG) sputtering target in a reactive copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) sputtering process, detecting a first reflected radiation from the first CIG target and determining the amount of selenium poisoning of the first CIG target based on the first reflected radiation.

Abstract: A method for producing a hard bias (HB) structure that stabilizes a free layer in an adjacent spin valve is disclosed. The HB structure includes a composite seed layer and a metal layer having a fcc(111) or hcp(001) texture to enhance perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in an overlying (Co/Ni)x laminate. (Co/Ni)x deposition involves low power and high Ar pressure to avoid damaging Co/Ni interfaces and thereby preserves PMA. A capping layer is formed on the HB layer to protect against etchants in subsequent processing. After initialization, HB magnetization direction is perpendicular to the sidewalls of the spin valve and generates an Mrt value that is greater than from an equivalent thickness of CoPt. A non-magnetic metal separation layer may be formed on the capping layer and spin valve to provide an electrical connection between top and bottom shields.

Abstract: Transparent conducting oxides and production thereof are disclosed. An exemplary method of producing a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) material may comprise: providing a TCO target (110) doped with either a high-permittivity oxide or a low-permittivity oxide in a process chamber (100). The method may also comprise depositing a metal oxide on the target (110) to form a thin film having enhanced optical properties without substantially decreasing electrical quality.

Abstract: An electrolyte electrolyzer adapted to create hydrogen and oxygen from electrolyte fluid at or near atmospheric pressure. The electrolyzer is comprised in a preferred form of a plurality of cells which collectively create oxygen and hydrogen chambers separated by an ion permeable membrane. The electrolyzer is further defined by a passive electrode that is electrically interposed between a charged anode and cathode. The chambers defined by the cells are in communication with oxygen and hydrogen supply lines to transfer the hydrogen gas from the unit.

Abstract: Techniques for maintenance-free on-demand high-efficient hydrogen generation using a small amount of electricity are described. A piece of foam is provided in the fluid used to generate the hydrogen. The foam, similar to a sponge structure, includes a plurality of open cells to accommodate the fluid. In a sense, the foam has been made to have the maximum contact with the fluid. When applied on with an electrical power (current or voltage), the fluid causes electrolysis and pyrolysis to happen so as to generate hydrogen and oxygen (oxy-hydrogen). Depending on implementation, the electrical power is electronically pulsed electricity and helps drive the fluid in a container to vibrate at an electrical resonance of the container.

Abstract: A plating apparatus for plating a surface of a substrate includes a plurality of plating tanks for holding a plating solution therein, a plurality of pumps combined respectively with the plating tanks, for circulating the plating solution through the plating tanks, a plurality of suction pipes connecting respective suction ports of the pumps to the plating tanks, respectively, and a plurality of discharge pipes connecting respective discharge ports of the pumps to respective different ones of the plating tanks from the plating tanks which are connected to the suction ports of the pumps. The plating tanks and the pumps are connected in series with each other.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation device (100) of the present invention includes: a transparent substrate (1); a photocatalytic electrode (4) formed of a transparent conductive layer (2) and a photocatalytic layer (3) disposed on the transparent substrate (1); a counter electrode (8) connected electrically to the transparent conductive layer (2); a water-containing electrolyte solution layer provided between the photocatalytic electrode (3) and the counter electrode (8); a separator (6) that separates the electrolyte solution layer into a first electrolyte solution layer (5) in contact with the photocatalytic electrode (4) and a second electrolyte solution layer (7) in contact with the counter electrode (8); a first gas outlet (14) for discharging a gas generated in the first electrolyte solution layer (5); and a second gas outlet (15) for discharging a gas generated in the second electrolyte solution layer (7).

Abstract: An anode (3) and a cathode (5), interposing a solid polymer film (7), are disposed. While supplying purified water from a supply port (13a) of an anode chamber (13), wherein the anode (3) is disposed, and a supply port (15a) of a cathode chamber (15), wherein the cathode (5) is disposed, direct electric current is applied between the anode (3) and the cathode (5). As a result, ozone-water is discharged from an outlet port (13b) of the anode chamber (13). In such an electrolysis cell (1), a free-standing conductive diamond plate, formed by microwave plasma assisted CVD so as to have a thickness of 0.8 mm, is used as the anode (3). The diamond plate is provided with holes, having a diameter of 1 mm and disposed such that a center distance therebetween becomes 2 mm. Therefore, the electrolysis cell (1) can stably produce ozone without causing exfoliation of the anode (3), even when high voltage and large current are applied between the anode (3) and the cathode (5).

Abstract: Provided is a power supply apparatus which can effectively restrict the current rise at the time of occurrence of arc discharge that is directly related to the occurrence of splashes or particles, and which is also capable of preventing the discharge voltage from getting excessive at the time of finishing the arc processing. The power supply apparatus has: a DC power supply unit which applies a DC voltage to a target which comes into contact with a plasma; and an arc processing unit which can detect arc discharge generated in the electrode by positive and negative outputs from the DC power supply unit, and also which can perform arc discharge suppression processing. An output characteristics switching circuit switches the outputs such that the output to the electrode has constant-current characteristics and that the output to the electrode has constant-voltage characteristics by the time of completion of the arc suppressing processing.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for microfluidic channel devices. Some example devices may include a substrate having a substrate surface, with an array of drive electrode assemblies disposed upon the substrate surface. The drive electrode assemblies may be arranged along a path. Each drive electrode assembly may include one or more of a drive electrode layer, a dielectric layer and/or a stationary phase layer. The device may further include a plate including a plate surface. The device may further include a reference electrode configured on the plate surface to face the stationary phase layer of the drive electrode assemblies and separated from the substrate surface by a distance. The device may further include a voltage source effective to output a voltage potential, the voltage source configured in communication with the drive electrode assembly and the reference electrode. The device may further include an electrode selector effective to control the voltage source.