Abstract: Provided are systems that comprises an oxygen-metal catalyst, which systems can be used to perform water-splitting or other reactions. The systems can be operated in a photochemical manner.

Abstract: An electrolytic process may be used to generate reactive metal silicides with Group 1 metals of the periodic table and/or Group 2 metals of the periodic table, and/or aluminum. Exemplary reactive metal silicides include magnesium silicide (Mg2Si).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of hydrocarbons from carbon dioxide and water, using electrolysis and two separate reaction vessels. A first reaction vessel (14) contains a positive electrode and a liquid electrolytic medium comprising water and ionized material. A second reaction vessel (12) contains a negative electrode and a liquid electrolytic medium comprising a mixture of water and carbon dioxide. The reaction vessels are connected with connection means which allow ions to pass between the electrolytic media of the first and second reaction vessels. A direct electrical current is applied to the positive electrode and the negative electrode to produce hydrocarbons (typically methane); and oxygen.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus has one or more membrane tube rings which act as electric field shields, to provide advantageous plating characteristics at the perimeter of a work piece. The membrane tube rings may be filled with fluids having different conductivity, to change the shielding effect as desired for electroplating different types of substrates. The membrane tube rings may optionally be provided in or on a diffuser plate in the vessel of the apparatus.

Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for processing a partially fabricated semiconductor substrate in a remote plasma environment. The methods may be performed in the context of wafer level packaging (WLP) processes. The methods may include exposing the substrate to a reducing plasma to remove photoresist scum and/or oxidation from an underlying seed layer. In some cases, photoresist scum is removed through a series of plasma treatments involving exposure to an oxygen-containing plasma followed by exposure to a reducing plasma. In some embodiments, an oxygen-containing plasma is further used to strip photoresist from a substrate surface after electroplating. This plasma strip may be followed by a plasma treatment involving exposure to a reducing plasma. The plasma treatments herein may involve exposure to a remote plasma within a plasma treatment module of a multi-tool electroplating apparatus.

Abstract: A processing system for electroplating semiconductor wafers and similar substrates includes an electrolyte tank, at least one processing chamber connected to the electrolyte tank via fluid lines, and an electrolyte analyzer. The electrolyte analyzer may have a probe, such as a voltammetry probe, in the electrolyte tank, a pump, a reservoir and at least one valve, with these components connected via fluid lines to form a fluid loop. The valve may be switchable to provide a closed fluid loop where electrolyte circulates through the probe to analyze the electrolyte, and to provide an open fluid loop to removal of the used electrolyte and introduction of fresh electrolyte from the tank into the fluid loop. The used electrolyte may be moved to a facility drain and not returned to the electrolyte tank, to reduce risk of contamination.

Abstract: A catalyst removal apparatus and method for removing catalyst from a polycrystalline cutter. The cutter includes a substrate and a cutting table. The apparatus includes a tank forming a cavity therein, an electrolyte fluid occupying the cavity, the cutter, a covering surrounding at least a portion of the cutter's sidewall and extending from at least the substrate's top surface towards the bottom surface, a cathode submersed within the fluid, and a power source. The cutting table is submersed within the fluid and positioned near the cathode, thereby forming a gap therebetween. The power source is coupled to the cutter and the cathode and electrolyzes the fluid to react with the catalyst in the cutting table to produce a salt. The salt dissolves in the fluid and is removed from the cutter. Optionally, a transducer is sonically coupled to the cutter and emits vibrations to remove salt from the cutting table.

Abstract: Single crystals are described that contain several regimes within the crystal that perform different functions related to the enhanced performance of a laser gain medium. At least one regime of the single crystals can be utilized to suppress amplified spontaneous emission and parasitic oscillation in a laser gain medium. A single crystal can include core and cladding regions, the cladding region providing amplified spontaneous emission suppression. The core region of the crystal can include as dopant one or more ions that take part in the lasing when suitably pumped. The amplified spontaneous emission suppression region can include as dopant one or more ions that can prevent additional spontaneous emission that can to depletion of the upper laser states, thus reducing laser performance including one or more ions that absorb spontaneously emitted photons and/or a higher concentration of the active lasing ions of the core.

Abstract: A method of producing a GaAs single crystal having high carrier concentration and high crystallinity and to provide a GaAs single crystal wafer using such a GaAs single crystal. In the method of producing a GaAs single crystal, a vertical boat method is performed with a crucible receiving a seed crystal, a Si material, a GaAs material serving as an impurity, solid silicon dioxide, and a boron oxide material, thereby growing a GaAs single crystal.

Abstract: Provided is an ingot growing apparatus, which includes a crucible containing a silicon melt, a pulling device pulling a silicon single crystal ingot grown from the silicon melt, and a dopant supply unit disposed adjacent to the pulling device and for supplying a dopant during growing of the ingot. The neck portion may be doped at a concentration higher than that of the ingot through the dopant supply unit. Therefore, dislocation propagation velocity may be decreased and a propagation length may be shortened.

Abstract: A multilayer substrate includes a diamond layer CVD grown on a composite layer. The composite layer includes particles of diamond and silicon carbide and, optionally, silicon. A loading level (by volume) of diamond in the composite layer can be ?5%; ?20%; ?40%; or ?60%. The multilayer substrate can be used as an optical device; a detector for detecting radiation particles or electromagnetic waves; a device for cutting, drilling, machining, milling, lapping, polishing, coating, bonding, or brazing; a braking device; a seal; a heat conductor; an electromagnetic wave conductor; a chemically inert device for use in a corrosive environment, a strong oxidizing environment, or a strong reducing environment, at an elevated temperature, or under a cryogenic condition; or a device for polishing or planarization of other devices, wafers or films.

Abstract: A method of attaching a cell or a membrane-coated particle-of-interest to a microtube is provided. The method comprising: co-electrospinning two polymeric solutions through co-axial capillaries, wherein a first polymeric solution of the two polymeric solutions is for forming a shell of the microtube and a second polymeric solution of the two polymeric solutions is for forming a coat over an internal surface of the shell, the first polymeric solution is selected solidifying faster than the second polymeric solution and a solvent of the second polymeric solution is selected incapable of dissolving the first polymeric solution and wherein the second polymeric solution comprises the cell or the membrane-coated particle-of-interest, thereby attaching the cell or the membrane-coated panicle-of-interest to the microtube. Also provided are microtubes with attached, entrapped or encapsulated cells or membrane-coated particles and methods of using same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrospinning device. The electrospinning device may apply the force of a supersonic flow acting at a predetermined angle with respect to an electrostatic force on a fiber discharged from an electrospinning nozzle to cause shearing stress on the fiber, thereby providing fibers having a very small diameter and collecting fibers having a finer diameter. Also, the electrospinning device may collect finer and more uniform fibers by adjusting the relative positions of the electrospinning nozzle for discharging the fiber and a gas spray nozzle for spraying a gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic monofilament fiber for use in an artificial lawn, said synthetic fiber having a width greater than the thickness of the synthetic fiber and being provided with solid thickened parts at its free ends, and a central part between the thickened parts comprising a curved section and having a substantially uniform thickness, seen in transverse direction, the synthetic fiber having a thickness/width ratio such that the synthetic fiber can buckle locally upon being subjected to an external load. The invention further relates to an artificial lawn with a backing to which one or more synthetic fibers according to the invention are attached.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber comprising the steps of: a) contacting never-dried sulfur-containing fiber in a yarn with an aqueous base having a pKa less than or equal to 11 to release at least a portion of said sulfur, said sulfur comprising, at least in part, sulfate anions and said yarn comprising fiber derived from polymer comprising imidazole groups; and b) rinsing said yarn to remove at least a portion of released sulfur.

Abstract: A method of producing synthetic yarn having copper properties is described. The method providing: applying a copper additive to a partially oriented yarn (POY) during one or more finishing processes of the POY to produce a copper enhanced POY having copper on the surface of the fibers of the copper enhanced POY.

Abstract: The invention discloses a direct preparation process for jeans wear, which comprises the following steps: a, settling cotton yarns through a fascicular warping machine; b, feeding the cotton yarns into a dyeing machine to carry out indigo dyeing; c, feeding the cotton yarns into a leaser to divide the cotton yarns; d, feeding the divided cotton yarns into an axle cone maker to obtain yarn cones; and e, placing the prepared yarn cones into an automatic knitting machine, to obtain a jeans wear. By adopting the above processing steps, the automatic knitting machine is used for directly knitting the cotton yarns prepared as the yarn cones into a jeans wear without the processes of tailoring and sewing denim fabrics in the process of preparing the jeans wear, i.e. the production process of the jeans wear can be shortened effectively, and the material loss can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include a woven stent and a method of manufacturing a woven stent that includes a plurality of first members and a plurality of second members forming a braided configuration; wherein each of the first members includes a first body portion, a first end unjoined portion, and a first end bent portion; wherein each of the second members includes a first end overlap portion extending alongside the first end unjoined portion. The woven stent may further includes a coating that encapsulates the first end unjoined portions and the first end overlap portions and/or the first end unjoined portions may be laser joined or ultrasonic joined to the first end overlap portions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing fabric includes adding 900 g of a material having a 92 wt % of SiO2 and 5 wt % of zinc oxide (ZnO) and 1,500 g of PU resin to water to mix until a first solution is formed; pouring the first solution into a first foaming tank; agitating the first solution in the first foaming tank to foam; adding a bridging agent and a foaming agent to a second foaming tank to mix with water to foam until a second solution is formed; pouring the first and second solutions into a third tank to mix and form a coating solution; continuously conveying a fabric sheet to a top of a platform; activating squeegees to spread the coating solution on the fabric sheet to form a cooling layer thereon; and performing a dry setting finish on the fabric sheet.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a tub having an open face and at least partially defining a treating chamber in which laundry may be received for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, a door for closing the open face of the tub, a perforated rotatable drum located within the tub and a method of operating such that the rotation of the drum is accelerated at a rate sufficient to cause an inrush of supplied liquid into the treating chamber from the tub via the perforations that locates a unit dose treating chemistry within the treating chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a washing method of a washing machine including an outer tub for receiving washing water, an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub to receive laundry, a pulsator rotatably provided in the inner tub, and a motor providing driving force to rotate at least one of the inner tub and the pulsator. In the washing method, a first centrifugal circulation water stream is formed by rotating the inner tub such that the washing water rises along a space between the outer and inner tubs and falls into the inner tub. An agitating water stream is formed by rotating the pulsator rotating the washing water. Here, the forming of the agitating water stream includes forming a first agitating water stream by controlling the motor with a first net acting ratio, and forming a second agitating water stream by controlling the motor with a second net acting ratio lower than the first net acting ratio.

Abstract: A double damper of a washing machine, which is a double damper, comprising: a rod 2 which is extensively connected between upper and lower support ends 1a and 1b; and a suspension cap 3 which is provided in the middle of the rod 2, is supported by a spring 4 disposed between the lower support end 1b and a holder of the suspension cap 3, and decreases vibration by moving vertically along the rod 2, wherein the suspension cap 3 has a first damper 5 fixed to the suspension cap 3 and a second damper 6 reciprocating along the rod 2, and a cap 7 in which the first and second dampers 5 and 6 are provided is integrally formed with the suspension cap 3 and is vertically divided by a partition bar 8.

Abstract: A washing machine which improves performance of balancers, and a control method thereof. The washing machine includes a drum accommodating laundry and rotated by rotary force transmitted from a drive source, balancer housings mounted on the drum, each of the balancer housings including a disc-shaped channel formed therein, balancing modules movably disposed in the channels of the balancer housings, vibration sensors to sense unbalance applied to the drum during rotation of the drum, position sensors to sense the positions of the balancing modules, and a controller controlling movement of the balancing modules to positions to compensate for the unbalance sensed by the vibration sensors.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance may include a tub and a rotatable drum defining a first access opening to the drum, a cabinet including a front wall having a second access opening aligned with the first access opening, a bellows extending between the front wall and the tub to form a fluid seal between the first and second access openings, and the bellows having a compliance portion to accommodate relative movement between the tub and the front wall, and a door movably mounted to the front wall having a planar window element and a projection extending from the planar window element, the projection having at least a portion overlying the compliance portion to retard an item of laundry from entering the compliance portion during rotation of the drum.

Abstract: In door interlock mechanisms, used for locking the door of washing machines or fumble dryers, the closed or open state of the door of the machine is detected by reading the resistive value of a circuit in which a switch is placed in series. The interlock mechanism according to the invention envisages providing the door interlock with two contacts that make it possible to check, independently, whether the device is in the position with the door closed and locked and whether the door catch is inserted in the device. The device comprises an open-door contact, actuated in the closing position by a shaped portion of a first slider and in the opening position by a shaped portion of a second slider which, under the action of elastic means, interacts with the door catch.

Abstract: An appliance for washing clothes includes a detergent storage tank and a drum. Between the detergent storage tank and the drum is a diverter valve which has a detergent inlet connected to the detergent storage tank, an air vent connected to ambient air, and a detergent outlet. The diverter valve has an energized state wherein the detergent inlet is open and the air vent is closed, and a de-energized state wherein the detergent inlet is closed and the air vent is open. The appliance also has a flow meter connected to the diverter valve and the drum.

Abstract: The automated clothing steamer has a base, a column extending vertically therefrom, and a horizontal arm translating up and down the column. A steam dispensing head translates horizontally along the arm. The head has a steam dispensing nozzle. An article of clothing or fabric is clipped within a frame, which is immovably affixed to a post extending from the top of the column. The steam head and nozzle travel horizontally and vertically adjacent to the clothing or fabric, dispensing steam to remove wrinkles from the fabric. The head further includes sensors to determine the lateral and vertical extent of the fabric, and the general type of fabric (e.g., coarse denim or wool, medium weight cotton, fine silk, etc.) in order to control the amount of steam dispensed, and a controller for automating the process.

Abstract: A high-loft fabric fire barrier is constructed with a substrate comprised of a blend of non-woven flame retardant cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic polymeric fibers, and a layer of nanoclay material extending along and integrated with at least one of opposite surfaces of the substrate, and preferably along both of the opposite surfaces. The fire barrier is incorporated into the construction of upholstered or cushioned items and, in particular, into a mattress.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer composition capable of providing fibers with an enough penetration speed and enough water retention, while maintaining a favorable hue of the fibers, when used as a fiber crosslinking agent. The present invention also provides a fiber crosslinking agent and crosslinked fibers using the polymer composition. The present invention further provides a polymer composition that enhances the absorption properties of fibers and is especially useful for applications which strongly require the absorption properties, and a fiber crosslinking agent and crosslinked fibers using the polymer composition. The present invention is a polymer composition containing a poly(meth)acrylic acid polymer; and a bisulfite (salt)-added (meth)acrylic acid (salt) or a hypophosphorous acid (salt).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a textile sheet for clothes for radiating bioactive energy. The textile sheet for clothes according to the present invention comprises a bioactive-energy radiating layer formed by coating bioactive radiant materials of silicon oxide, magnesium, aluminum, sodium, calcium, and oxidized metal, and a thermochromic unit discolored at a predetermined temperature on a surface of the bioactive-energy radiating layer and formed on a part of the bioactive-energy radiating layer. Accordingly, the textile sheet for clothes according to the present invention is capable of reducing reactive oxygen and improving blood flow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a textile using light. The textile unit comprises a heating unit having a shape of dot or stripe on a surface of a fabric and non-heating unit being not overlapped with the heating unit. The heating unit is formed by coating carbon nanotube (CNT) or group-4 metal carbide in a shape of dot or stripe. The heating textile sheet using light according to the present invention has excellent heat efficiency by converting light such as solar cell into thermal energy.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates and articles that retain their superior ballistic resistance performance after exposure to liquids such as sea water and organic solvents, such as gasoline and other petroleum-based products. The fibrous substrates are coated with a multilayer polymeric coating including at least two polymer layers wherein the first polymer and the second polymer forming said respective layers are the same and optionally comprise fluorine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of modified nanoparticles in wood based panels, in particular OSB-panels for reduction of the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The invention further relates to a wood based panel containing the modified particles and to a method for producing such a wood based panel.

Abstract: A method of preserving cellulosic material is provided. The method includes contacting the cellulosic material with a paraben-containing monomer and polymerizing the paraben-containing monomer to provide a polymer impregnated within the cellulosic material; or alternatively, first polymerizing the paraben-containing monomer to give a polymer comprising repeat units formed of the monomer and contacting the cellulosic material with the polymer under pressure to provide the polymer impregnated with the cellulosic material. Articles including the cellulosic material and at least one polymer which includes paraben moieties are also provided, such as a wooden plank, a utility pole, a railroad tie, a ship's hull, a wooden utensil, a toy, a model, a piece of furniture, a vehicle, or a serving dish.

Abstract: An absorbent sanitary paper product having a machine direction, a cross-machine direction orthogonal and co-planar thereto, and a Z-direction orthogonal to both the machine- and cross-machine directions is disclosed. The absorbent sanitary paper product has a first network of fibers having a basis weight of less than about 95 g/m2 and a second network of fibers comprising individual fibers adhesively attached with an adhesive thereto. Each fiber of the first network of fibers has a longitudinal axis generally disposed within the plane comprising the machine and cross-machine directions. Each individual fiber of the second network of fibers has a longitudinal axis having a component thereof generally disposed in the Z-direction.

Abstract: A joint between connected ends of two rails of different height is provided with a connector/juncture bar member which is configured to fit with and engage corresponding surfaces formed on the rails when the rails are connected together. The joint so formed is one with increased strength, with ease and accuracy of alignment during assembly.

Abstract: Reinforcing fibers, such as aromatic polyamide (“aramid”) fibers, are treated by coating with or embedding in a binder such as a Fischer-Tropsch wax. The treated fibers are divided into suitably-sized units, which are added to bitumen, aggregate and other ingredients in an asphalt cement concrete mix. The units shed fibers into the mix during the manufacturing process so that the fibers are distributed fairly evenly throughout the asphalt mixture. The binder may also impart beneficial qualities to the finished asphalt concrete.

Abstract: A pneumatic ball gathering system that clears tennis balls from a tennis court using air supplied to at least one discharge nozzle with optional intervening valves forming a structure that is typically disposed underground and selectively raised to clear balls. In one implementation, the structure is located along one side edge of the tennis court. In an alternate implementation, the structure may be located under the net and be configured with at least one nozzle disposed to direct air in both directions away from the net. A collection trough formed with a slope to cause collated balls to roll downward therein is disposed opposite the at least one nozzle. An optional mechanical conveyor system is placed in the trough to move collected balls to a predetermined location. A vertical conveyor raises balls for discharge into an appropriate container. The system may be used to facilitate drying the court after rain.

Abstract: A method for supporting cooling pipes and reinforcing bars in an ice rink is disclosed. The method provides rink chair support sections, each having a base structure with a first overlapping portion at one longitudinal end, a second overlapping portion at an opposite longitudinal end, and a middle portion intermediate the first and second overlapping portions. Each support section also has a support arrangement to support the pipes and bars, which is attached to the first overlapping and middle portions so as to stand upwardly therefrom. Further, the first overlapping portion has a hole that is arranged to receive a protruding element coupled to the second overlapping portion for longitudinally coupling support sections end-to-end. The method also involves arranging the support sections into a plurality of rows and coupling the support sections within each row so that each rink chair support of a support arrangement supports a different pipe.

Abstract: A modular compactor includes a frame assembly having a first motive section including at least one first wheel, a second motive section including at least one second wheel, and a central ballast section including ballast. The ballast provides weight to the frame assembly to provide a desired compacting force. A first coupling arrangement secures the first motive section to the central ballast section, and a second coupling arrangement secures the second motive section to the central ballast section.

Abstract: A hollow marker post and a resilient member located therein wherein the resilient member is statically dependent of the hollow marker post with the marker post and the resilient member dynamically dependent of each other to facilitate the return of the marker post to an upright condition when the marker post is impacted by an external force.

Abstract: A wire rope road safety barrier including at least one wire rope, a plurality of posts configured to be supported in the ground along a roadside or central reservation, the posts including a cut-out provided in respective ones of the posts, and a retainer. The retainer includes an arm for embracing at least half of a circumference of the post whereby the retainer can be held on the post at a position along its length, the arm defining a plane, and a tab extending perpendicularly from the plane of the arm for retaining the at least one wire rope against the post, the tab being configured to yield at a break point at which the tab is attached to the arm when subjected to a lateral force by the at least one wire rope that exceeds a predetermined amount to permit separation of the rope from the barrier within a predetermined impact zone.

Abstract: A pet waste collector includes a bag body and a waste collecting apparatus. The bag body, which is made of flexible material, has a top opening and a waste collecting cavity. The waste collecting apparatus includes two elongated scraper arms spacedly affixed at the bag body to partition the bag body into a first bag portion and a second bag portion. When the bag body is reversibly flipped inside out from the top opening to form a temporary waste cavity within the first bag portion of the bag body, the scraper arms are moved toward each other for enclosing the temporary waste cavity within the first bag portion of the bag body and for scraping a pet waste within the temporary waste cavity. Therefore, the bag body is flipped back for automatically retaining the pet waste in the waste collecting cavity from the temporary waste cavity.

Abstract: A system for facilitating removal of an object, such as animal waste, may include an elongated shaft having a first end and a second opposing end, a handle associated with the first end, a collection device associated with the second end, an actuator associated with the handle and operably coupled to the collection device. A method for removal of animal waste may include using a system for facilitating removal of animal waste.

Abstract: A snow flipper for clearing snow. The snow flipper includes a blade. The snow flipper also includes a handle attached the blade. The handle includes a first portion, a second portion attached to the second portion and a bend creating a vertical portion of the handle. The snow flipper further includes a handgrip. The handgrip is movably secured to the handle, telescopes relative to the handle and provides a gripping surface for the user. The snow flipper additionally includes a flat spring attached to the vertical portion of the handle. The flat spring includes a curved piece of rigid material configured to deform under a force, return to its initial shape upon removal of the force and cause downward motion of the handgrip to result in motion that is upward and away from the user. The snow flipper moreover includes a wheel attached near one end of the flat spring.

Abstract: The mechanical snow thrower includes a housing connected to a handle, along with an inlet and outlet. An auger is used to move the snow from the inlet to a fan, which propels the snow through the outlet. A pair of wheels drives the auger, while at least one pair of wheels drives the fan. A gear set connects the wheels to the auger and/or the fan. A clutch may be may use to engage or disengage the wheels from the auger and/or clutch.

Abstract: A floating wave attenuator including a plurality of elongated pipes, each including a plurality of corrugated pipes connected end-to-end, wherein the elongated pipes are secured together into a triangular formation oriented substantially between a protected area and anticipated wave activity, to provide a cross section against the wave activity, an opening at each end of the elongated pipes, for providing the elongated pipes to be substantially filled with water due to wave activity, and a plurality of cables for securing a selected corrugated pipe at its desired location within the water.

Abstract: A reinforced gabion comprising two adjacent walls with a common edge manufactured using a single sheet of double twisted metal mesh fabric formed from metal wires which have two different diameters respectively corresponding to the two walls. Preferably the metal mesh fabric has a mesh with at least one twisted side formed from at least two metal wires woven together in which each twisted side is aligned in the direction of the common edge between the two walls.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drainage management, including a pipe that is cut along a longitudinal section thereof; and a pipe block having a curved section corresponding to a diameter of the cut pipe and including supporting legs. The curved section of the pipe block is configured to support the cut pipe.

Abstract: A new pneumatic load transfer and shock absorbing system is disclosed. The pneumatic system includes a layer of air-bags to perform two basic functions during a floatover installation operation: 1) lifting the platform deck from the support to create additional air gaps at the mating surfaces, and the heave motions of the lifted platform deck may be reduced; 2) performing as a shock absorbing device with variable vertical stiffness easily controlled by the air-bag internal air pressure during the mating operation and the separation operation.