Abstract: A method of producing particulate, including introducing an initial liquid including a particulate component in a lower concentration than that of a liquid including a particulate component or no concentration to a projection hole of a droplet projector so as to be projected at the start of the discharging; discharging a droplet of the liquid comprising a particulate component from the projection hole; and solidifying the droplet to form a particulate.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods of creating fibers, such as microfibers and nanofibers. The methods discussed herein employ centrifugal forces to transform material into fibers. Apparatuses that may be used to create fibers are also described. Described herein are fiber producing devices that are composed of two or more members, that, when coupled together, define an internal cavity and a plurality of openings.

Abstract: A method for converting a blow molding machine with a plurality of rotatingly movable molds heated to a heat-set operating temperature, due to mold change, having at least one simulated work cycle carried out in the blow molding machine with molds left empty, and a cooling medium then simultaneously supplied to all mold cavities from the outside so as to cool the molds in comparison with the heat-set operating temperature. In a machine control the blow molding machine has a program routine for performing at least one simulated work cycle with empty molds and at a reduced rotational speed of the molds with external supply of a cooling medium into the molds.

Abstract: Provided is a housing for a resin fluid dynamic bearing device in which deterioration with time of a fixing force for another member is mitigated and which can maintain a high bearing performance for a long period of time. The housing formed of a resin composition exhibiting a compression creep amount of 8% or less when a compressive pressure of 80 MPa is applied for 168 hours at an atmosphere temperature of 80° C., provides a sufficient fixing force for the another member fixed with a press-fitting force, for example, a bearing sleeve press-fitted into an inner periphery of the housing even after a long term use. Thus, there is no fear of fixing positions of the another member with respect to the housing being deviated and a high bearing performance is maintained for a long period of time.

Abstract: A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin.

Abstract: Disclosed are filtering cartridge and methods of producing the filtering cartridge for purifying drinking water and other liquids for household, medical and other purposes. A filter cartridge is filled with a filtering material and is configured in the form of an open bowl which can be closed with a lid, having side walls and a bottom with at least one outlet opening which is closed with a water-permeable material, wherein the cartridge bottom is designed such as to make it possible to use the water-permeable material which comes to the external edge of the side walls and is made of fibers with a sufficiently small diameter to allow using the filtering material containing powder particles; furthermore, the entire area between external and internal edges of the walls along the perimeter of the bottom is made of a composite based on a polymer water-permeable material.

Abstract: A method of forming a confined crystallization multilayer film includes coextruding a plurality of first polymer layers and a plurality of second polymer layer to form a multilayer film wherein each first polymer layer is sandwiched between second polymer layers and axially orienting the multilayer film at a temperature below the melting temperature (Tm) of the second polymer layer and to a thickness such that each first polymer layer forms a high aspect ratio substantially crystalline lamellae.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polyurethane-containing film including: (a) providing as a first component a polyurethane material having isocyanate functional groups; (b) providing as a second component a material having active hydrogen functional groups reactive with isocyanate; (c) combining the first component with a portion of the second component to form a first reaction mixture; (d) allowing the first reaction mixture to react for a time sufficient to increase the viscosity to at least 300 cps; (e) adding the remainder of the second component to the first reaction mixture to form a second reaction mixture; (f) dispensing the reaction mixture onto a support substrate in a substantially uniform thickness to form an at least partial film thereon; (g) heating the film on the support substrate to a temperature and for a time sufficient to yield a cured film; and (h) removing the cured film from the support substrate to yield a non-elastomeric polyurethane-containing free film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer film made of a polyamide composition comprising at least 80 weight percentage (wt. %) of a semi-crystalline semi-aromatic polyamide with a melting temperature (Tm) of at least 270° C., wherein the wt. % is relative to the total weight of the polymer composition, wherein the polymer film has an average coefficient of thermal expansion in plane in the temperature range of 20° C.-Tg, measured in plane with the method according to ASTM D969-08, of at most 40 ppm/K. The said film can be made from a polyamide moulding composition comprising said polyamide by film casting followed by biaxial stretching. The film has properties suitable for carrier films in flexible printed circuit boards.

Abstract: An airway device for human or animal use comprising an airway tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal and of which is surrounded by a laryngeal cuff, adapted to fit anatomically over the laryngeal structure of a patient, wherein the device optionally further comprises a buccal cavity stabilizer located on or around the airway tube between the laryngeal cuff and the proximal end of the tube, said buccal cavity stabilizer being adapted to nest with the anterior aspect of the patient's tongue, the size, shape and configuration of the buccal stabilizer being adapted to prevent rotational or side-to-side movement of the airway device in use.

Abstract: There is provided a porous, carbon-containing preform, including a body (CL) of unidirectional carbon fiber fabrics (C1), and a friction layer (FL) of randomly-arranged-carbon-fiber fabrics (F1), combined with the body (CL) by a needle-punching operation. According to the present invention, it is by the needle-punching operation that the friction layer (FL) of the randomly-arranged-carbon fiber fabric (F1) is formed on the body (CL) of the unidirectional carbon fiber fabric (C1) and the friction layer (FL) of the randomly-arranged-carbon-fiber (F1) is cross-linked to the body (CL) of the unidirectional carbon fiber fabric (C1) in producing the porous, carbon-containing preform.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing together a support (10) and frame (20) of a container assembly (1), the method comprising: providing a single mold (100) with a first cavity (110) defining the support (10) and a second cavity (120) defining the frame (20); injecting first material into the first cavity (110); and injecting second material into the second cavity (120); wherein the first and second materials are different materials.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell of a skate with different widths having acts of forming a shoe shell with a rudimentary mold assembly, ejecting the shoe shell from the rudimentary mold assembly and adjusting a width of the sole of the shoe shell before the shoe shell hardens. The sole of the shoe shell has at least one adjusting portion to allow the sole to expand or be compressed. With the acts, each size of the shoe shell needs only one rudimentary mold assembly that has complex structure and high cost to substantially form a basic shape of the shoe shell and multiple shaping molds of different widths that have simple structure and low cost are prepared to further adjust widths of the shoe shell. Consequently, total cost for manufacturing the shoe shell with different widths is effectively lowered.

Abstract: A 3-D printer system moves a printed tool over a print surface with a mechanism controlling a rotational angle of an arm holding the print tool and a revolutionary angle of axis of rotation of the printable area to eliminate the disadvantages of conventionally used linear motion mechanisms.

Abstract: A technique with which a nanofibrous resin spun by electrospinning can be introduced into inner parts of fibers. The process for fiber composite material production is a process which comprises spinning a nanofibrous resin toward split fibers continuously conveyed along a given conveyance route and thereby combining the split fibers with the resin to produce a fiber composite material. The process involves a resin spinning step in which the nanofibrous resin spun with an electrospinning device is flown toward the split fibers. In the resin spinning step, the direction in which the nanofibrous resin proceeds is made to be the same as the conveying direction of the split fibers by blowing an air stream from a blower on the nanofibrous resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for the production of fine fibers by electrospinning fibers by applying an electrical field between a primary electrode and a counter electrode (5) spaced apart from the primary electrode and extending generally parallel thereto wherein at least an operative surface of the primary electrode is coated with a polymer solution (3) and an electric field of sufficient magnitude is generated between the primary electrode and counter electrode to cause the formation of fine fibers (9) in the space between the electrodes. The operative surface of the primary electrode that is coated with polymer solution is made up of appropriate portions of the surfaces of a multitude of operatively semi-submerged, loose (unattached) elements (1, 11, 17, 21) supported on the bottom of a trough (2) or tray or another support member or members (12, 18, 22).

Abstract: A component, in particular an engine component, which has at least one mark with a predetermined three-dimensional shape for determining a stress in the component and where the component is constructed by a generative manufacturing method, is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a medical article that include radial deformation of a polymer tube are disclosed. A medical article, such as an implantable medical device or an inflatable member, may be fabricated from a deformed tube.

Abstract: A heat exchanger 10 includes a conduit 12 for conveying cooling fluid relative to a body to be cooled. A heat transfer arrangement 62 is arranged in communication with an interior of the conduit 12, the heat transfer arrangement 62 and the conduit 12 together defining an assembly that is mountable adjacent the body to be cooled, convective heat exchange occurring, in use, due to movement of the cooling fluid relative to the body and to the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly and radiant heat exchange occurring between the body and at least part of the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly.

Abstract: A tundish nozzle is used in a device for exchanging tundish nozzles juxtaposed at a bottom of a tundish. The device includes a pair of first arms pressing and supporting a first lower nozzle located at an undersurface of a first upper nozzle, the first upper nozzle being placed at the bottom of the tundish. The device includes a pair of second arms pressing and supporting a second lower nozzle located at an undersurface of a second upper nozzle, the second upper nozzle being placed at the bottom of the tundish and next to the first upper nozzle. The pair of first arms and the pair of second arms are adjoined to each other, the pairs at least partly overlapping. The tundish nozzle includes a zirconia based nozzle inserted into an alumina based refractory, and is one of the first and second lower and upper nozzles.

Abstract: A self-renewing cutting tool or cutting element is formed by bonding an overcoat, cladding or layer of highly abrasive, very durable material on a surface of a substrate or load-bearing element. The cutting layer is a composite structure and includes appropriately sized, multi-edged pieces of a superhard material, such as tungsten carbide, dispersed in a softer material which produces high strength bonds between and among the pieces and the substrate or load-bearing element.

Abstract: The present invention provides duplex stainless steel superior in corrosion resistance in a chloride environment and impact properties suitable as a material for pumps for seawater desalination plants, facilities and equipment, and materials for chemical tanks, that is, duplex stainless steel characterized by containing, by mass %, C: 0.06% or less, Si: 0.05 to 3.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 6.0%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.010% or less, Ni: 1.0 to 10.0%, Cr: 18 to 30%, Mo: 5.0% or less, Cu: 3.0% or less, N: 0.10 to 0.40%, Al: 0.001 to 0.08% or less, Ti: 0.003 to 0.05%, Mg: 0.0001 to 0.0030%, and O: 0.010% or less, having a product of an activity coefficient fN of N, Ti content, and N content fN×Ti×N of 0.00004%2 or more, and having a product of Ti content and N content Ti×N of 0.008%2 or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steel material for automobile chassis parts, having high fatigue characteristics, without a heat treatment, and superior shapeability, and a method of production of such automobile chassis parts. The surface of the steel has a high hardness and the center has a low hardness, providing the superior characteristics. With an annealing step of the invention, it is possible to relieve internal stress and further improve fatigue characteristics.

Abstract: One aspect is an alloy consisting of niobium, zirconium, tantalum, and tungsten. The alloy is formed with a melt metallurgical route such that all four metals solidify as a homogeneous alloy having no inclusions more than 10 ?m in size.

Abstract: The invention relates to an irradiation apparatus for inactivating pathogens and/or leukocytes in a biological fluid such as a platelet suspension and/or plasma comprising: a casing (2), a support member (3) for carrying at least one irradiation bag (19) containing the biological fluid, a light source (4) comprising two banks of light (5, 6) disposed above and below the support member (3), and an agitating system (25) for moving the support member (3), the light source generating UVC light of suitable intensity to inactivate pathogens and/or leukocytes and the agitation system moving the support member in an orbital path with predetermined amplitude and rotational frequency suitable to expose the whole biological fluid to UVC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid by passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member, and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.

Abstract: A slide processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprise a liquid transporter for transporting a staining liquid reserved in a first liquid container and a washing liquid reserved in a second liquid container; a first instruction receiver for receiving a first instruction that instructs to initiate preparation of a slide stained with the staining liquid; a second instruction receiver for receiving a second instruction that instructs to initiate washing of a housing element which accommodates therein a slide to be stained; and a controller. When receiving the first instruction, the controller performs staining of the slide accommodated in the housing element by causing the liquid transporter to transport the staining liquid into the housing element. When receiving the second instruction, the controller performs washing of the housing element by causing the liquid transport to transport the washing liquid into the housing element.

Abstract: An analyzer includes a second memory enabled to memorize that control by a controller is for first area, the controller controls at least one of measurement, analysis and display to be for a first area when a second application program starts in a case where said second memory memorizes that the control by the controller is for the first area.

Abstract: Specimen analyzer includes a first holding section for holding a container; a first mechanism section for executing a first operation for the container on the first holding section; a second holding section for holding the container; a first transfer mechanism section for transferring the container from the first holding section to the second one; a second mechanism section for executing a second operation for the container on the second one; an error detector for detecting error in the first mechanism section; and an error controller for controlling the operation of the first holding section, the first and second operation so that the first operation and the transfer operation of the first holding section would be stopped while the second operation would be continued in case of the error in the first mechanism section. An abnormality control method of the analyzer and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Nanoelectronic devices for the detection and quantification of biomolecules are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices are configured to detect and measure blood glucose levels. Also provided are methods of fabricating nanoelectronic devices for the detection of biomolecules.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating components and a method of separating components using the apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes: a main chamber which contains a sample that is separated into a plurality of layers by a centrifugal force; a component separating chamber which is connected to the main chamber, and receives a specific layer including specific components among the plurality of layers; a first channel which connects the component separating chamber to the main chamber; and a first channel valve which is disposed in the first channel to control a liquid flowing through the first channel.

Abstract: Sensors for the detection of free radicals and free radical forming compounds including, for example, peroxides, as well as energetic radiation, UV light, plasma or heat each such sensor including a functional component are described herein. In addition, this disclosure includes methods for making such sensors and methods for using sensors including a functional component and devices incorporating such sensors.

Abstract: An air purification system including a Particle Phase Pollutant (PPP) treatment section (9) having an air inlet (14) and an air outlet (15), a particle removal filter, (11) and a blower (12) to draw air from the air inlet (14) of the PPP treatment section (9) to pass through the particle removal filter (11) and exit through the air outlet (15) of the PPP treatment section (9). The system also includes a Gas Phase Pollutant (GPP) treatment section (10) installed at a downstream position of the particle removal filter (11) of the PPP treatment section (9), the GPP treatment section (10) having an air inlet (19) and an air outlet (20), a gas removal filter (16) with high filter air flow resistance, and a blower (17) located at a downstream position of the gas removal filter (16) to draw air from the air inlet (19) of the GPP treatment section (10) to pass through the gas removal filter (16) and exit through the air outlet (20) of the GPP treatment section (10).

Abstract: Device for emitting a plasma jet at ambient pressure and temperature, includes an electric-field generator for generating discharges between an anode assembly and a cathode assembly. The cathode assembly defines an inter-cathode dielectric space that extends inside the cathode assembly and is opposite at least one cathode surface of the cathode assembly, and has at least one cathode opening extending outside the inter-cathode space, the cathode opening being defined by at least one active edge of the cathode surface, the active edge(s) extending in a cathode opening plane. The anode assembly includes at least one pointed portion that is oriented toward the outside of the inter-cathode space and is laterally and deeply placed relative to the cathode opening. The pointed portion extends up to the cathode opening plane, for causing a plasma jet emission that is spontaneously sprayed in a predetermined direction toward the outside of the inter-cathode space.

Abstract: An ozone gas output flow rate management unit configured to receive a plurality of ozone gas outputs from a plurality of ozone generation units and capable of performing an ozone gas output flow rate control for selectively outputting one or a combination of two or more of the plurality of ozone gas outputs to any of a plurality of ozone treatment apparatuses by performing an opening/closing operation of a plurality of ozone gas control valves provided in the ozone gas output flow rate management unit.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion involves three procedures: (i) preparation of a preliminary emulsion; (ii) microfluidization of the preliminary emulsion to reduce its droplet size; and (iii) filtration of the microfluidized emulsion through a hydrophilic membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, in particular lateral flow devices, for detecting a target analyte on a surface, in which the elements of collection and detection are integrated. The present invention also provides methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides reagents, methods and kits for detection of proteins and quantitative determination of protein concentration. The reagents comprise a protein-complexing dye, such as a Coomassie dye and one or more dextrins, for the elimination of interference caused by detergents.

Abstract: The invention is a device comprising a substrate and a material provided on at least a portion of the substrate and having an exposed surface. The exposed surface of the material is non bio-adhesive. The invention further includes a non bio-adhesive material composition and a method of making a device having the same non bio-adhesive surface. The invention further provides a device having a coating of a hydrophobic material. In particular, the hydrophobic material coated portion of the device is resistant to bio-adhesion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices adapted for facilitating cytometry analysis of particles flowing therethrough. In certain embodiments, the microfluidic devices have onboard sterilization capabilities. In other embodiments, microfluidic devices have integral collection bags and methods for keeping the microfluidic channels clean.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfeatures interconnected to provide a configurable fluid transport system for processing at least one reagent. Inserts are provided to removably interfit into one or more of the microfeatures of the chip, wherein the inserts include sites for interactions with the reagent. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic chip and the inserts provide an efficient and accurate approach for conducting parallel assays.

Abstract: A sample preparation dosing unit for liquid dosing is provided comprising an inlet port and an outlet port fluidically coupling the sample preparation dosing unit to a supply and target, respectively; a pump, fluidically arranged between the inlet port and the outlet port; an outlet flow restrictor with an outlet flow resistance, fluidically arranged between a pump outlet and outlet port; and a control arrangement with a branch, a control valve, and a control flow restrictor with a control flow resistance. The branch divides the flow at the pump outlet into an outlet flow through the outlet flow restrictor and into a control flow through the control flow restrictor. The control flow downstream of the control flow restrictor is fed, depending on the state of the control valve, either into the outlet port thereby merging with the outlet flow downstream of the outlet flow restrictor, or into a bypass conduit.

Abstract: A microfluidic device including a microvalve includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, an elastic film between the first and second substrates, a microfluidic channel on the second substrate, a valve seat of the second substrate protruding in the microfluidic channel, and a fine structure on a surface of the elastic film, facing the valve seat and which contacts the valve seat when the microvalve is operated.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: An object is to provide a micro plate treating device and micro plate treating method capable of handling a larger number of kinds of solution or suspensions or a larger volume of solutions or suspensions per work area by use of a normalized micro plate without enlarging the scale of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping system comprising two or more grids of springs in a flow module or in a plate reactor. The invention also relates to methods for opening and closing a clamping system, a frame arrangement, a control system for pressure release, and a use of the clamping system as a plate reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system fixing carbon dioxide. The system comprises a first reactor for extracting alkali metal components from a slag and a second reactor for carbonating the extracted alkali metal component with carbon dioxide. With this system, carbon dioxide can be fixed in a simpler and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process which makes it possible to separate together all the actinide(III), (IV), (V) and (VI) entities present in a highly acidic aqueous phase from fission products, in particular lanthanides, also present in this phase by using a solvating extractant in a salting-out medium. Applications: reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels, in particular for recovering plutonium, neptunium, americium, curium and possibly uranium, present in the form of traces, in a pooled but selective fashion with regard to lanthanides, from a solution for the dissolution of an irradiated nuclear fuel, downstream of a cycle for the extraction of uranium.

Abstract: A separation method of zirconium and hafnium is described which includes an extraction process of agitating an undiluted aqueous solution containing zirconium, hafnium, and sulfuric acid with a first stirring solution containing an acidic extractant to produce a first extract solution in which the hafnium is extracted by the acidic extractant; and a recovery process of agitating the first extract solution with a second stirring solution containing a citric acid solution to produce a citric acid solution after extraction in which zirconium is reverse-extracted from the first extract solution to the citric acid solution so as to recover zirconium contained in the first extract solution. The method may reduce the amount of extractant while greatly enhancing the separation effect of zirconium and hafnium, and increase zirconium recovery rate by more than 97% through an additional zirconium recovery process while reducing a hafnium content in zirconium by less than 50 ppm.