Abstract: A single-sided continuous optoelectrowetting (SCOEW) device for manipulating droplets retained in a fluid over the SCOEW device with dynamic patterns of low intensity light, such as from a display screen, is described. A single pair of lateral electrodes are utilized for providing a lateral electric field bias, with transport motion controlled in response to projecting light through a photoconductive layer and dielectric layer adjacent to which droplets are retained. The device is configured for optically manipulating droplets having volumes spanning over five orders of magnitude, and can be configured to perform droplet dispensing, transport, splitting, merging, mixing and other droplet manipulation functions involving any of the above on a single sided surface.

Abstract: Described is a system for the stabilization, conservation and storage of a nucleic acid, wherein the system comprises a test tube and a preferably freeze-dried stabilization mixture. Upon addition of a viscous bodily fluid to the mixture, the mixture dissolves and stabilizes the nucleic acid present in the bodily fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a PCR chamber for performing a Polymerase Chain Reaction and a printed circuit board (PCB) fluidic device. The PCR chamber is a fluidic chamber and is located in, or is part of, the printed circuit board (PCB) fluidic device. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction and a method for performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction are further disclosed.

Abstract: A lifter bar includes at least one attachment formation for use in lifting the lifter bar; wherein the at least one attachment formation is embedded in the lifter bar. A method of producing the lifter bar and tools for use in handling the lifter bar are also described.

Abstract: A feed system for a woodchipper including a material-interface member for feeding material into a chipping mechanism of the woodchipper, an actuator for moving a material-interface member into interfacing and non-interfacing positions with the material, a sensor for detecting an operational parameter of the woodchipper, and a controller to direct the actuator. The controller operates by receiving the operational parameter of the woodchipper, establishing a normative operating value, and determining if the woodchipper is a first status or a second status based on a comparison between the operational parameter and the normative operating value. If the woodchipper is a first status, the controller instructs the actuator to move the material-interface member into the interfacing position. If the woodchipper is a second status, moving the material-interface member into a non-interfacing position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing mercury from an incoming gas stream contaminated with mercury so as to deliver an outgoing gas stream free of the removed mercury introduces ozone into the gas stream to deposit mercury carried by the gas stream on separator elements so as to remove the deposited mercury from the gas stream. The deposited mercury is washed off of the separator elements, and the removed mercury is collected for further processing.

Abstract: A method for applying a moisture barrier to a precipitator of cardboard for a two-step electrofilter, wherein the precipitator includes at least two paper bands (5) that constitute electrode elements in the precipitator, which paper bands (5) are multiply wound around a center axis of the precipitator, wherein the paper bands (5) exhibit a thin plastic layer with a thickness of 5-50 micrometers on their lateral surfaces (4), and where proximate electrode elements are arranged at a distance from one another in the radial direction of the precipitator. The method is characterized in that edge parts (6) of the paper bands (5) have a moisture-resistant substance applied to them. The material for fabricating a precipitator of cardboard for a two-step electrofilter is also described.

Abstract: A jet shower sprayer includes three or more tubular distribution members connected together end to end forming an endless fluid path therein. Each tubular distribution member includes a plurality of nozzle openings. A water supply port is connected to and in fluid communication with the tubular distribution members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plug for a display stand for produce, suitable for spraying drops of fluid onto the produce, the plug being suitable for being placed in a section member of such a display stand, and including: at least one central recess; and in a side wall at least one orifice for spraying the fluid, the plug being shaped so as to be capable of having at least one degree of freedom to move relative to the section member.

Abstract: The invention is directed at systems and methods which provide for effective cleaning and drying of vehicles of different shapes and sizes. The invention in one example includes a vehicle washing apparatus comprising a conveyor system to move a vehicle along a path, and a bridge assembly supported above a vehicle and moveable along the length thereof. At least one trolley assembly is operatively supported by the bridge assembly and is moveable in a direction generally transverse to the movement of the bridge assembly. At least one cleaning arm assembly for delivering cleaning fluid to or for brushing the surface of a vehicle is operatively supported by the at least one trolley assembly or bridge.

Abstract: An air halo assembly for a spray gun assembly is provided. The spray gun assembly includes a fluid supply assembly, an air supply assembly, and an air halo nozzle assembly. The air halo nozzle assembly includes a liquid nozzle assembly and an air halo assembly. The fluid supply assembly is coupled to, and is in fluid communication with, the liquid nozzle assembly. The air halo nozzle assembly is structured to produce a liquid flow stream having a longitudinal axis. The air halo assembly includes a body. The air halo assembly body defines a passage. The air halo assembly body passage includes an inlet and an air halo outlet. The air halo assembly body passage inlet is structured to be in fluid communication with the air supply assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paint spray gun (1) having a compressed air distribution chamber (8) into which a compressed air feed line (10), a round jet line (6) and a wide jet line (7) open, the quantity of compressed air supplied to the compressed air distribution chamber (8), the round jet line (6) and the wide jet line (7) being adjustable via a setting element arranged in the compressed air distribution chamber (8) and rotatable from outside by an actuating element (15) about an axis of rotation (D) extending through the compressed air distribution chamber (8). Said paint spray gun (1) is characterized in that the setting element is formed as a rotary distributor (14) that is held immovably in the axial direction of the axis of rotation (D) and can be rotated about the axis of rotation (D) in order to open and close openings (6?, 7?, 10?) of the round jet line (6) and/or the wide jet line (7) and/or the compressed air feed line (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fusible coating or structure comprising a combustor that is operative to combust a fuel and contain the resulting flame to produce combustion products; means for cooling the combustion products to produce a hot carrier gas stream; and means for introducing fusible material into the hot carrier gas stream.

Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a first body having a first end including an exit opening, and an oppositely positioned second end. An open channel second body is substantially positioned inside the first body and extends from the first end to the second end of the first body. An exit opening of the second body is positioned adjacent to the exit opening of the first end of the first body. An insert, which holds material to be aerosolized, is at least partially positioned inside the second body. An inlet opening receives compressed air into the first body. The compressed air flows towards the exit opening of the first end of the first body. The air flow creates a region of low pressure at the exit opening of the second body. The region of low pressure pulls the material out from the second body and aerosolizes the material. The aerosol generator is particularly effective in generating aerosols from small amounts of solid and liquid materials with minimal losses of material.

Abstract: The vehicle undercarriage cleaner is portable, lightweight, cost-effective, and is simple to use which makes it a new and improved way of cleaning the undercarriage of a vehicle. The device lay on the ground and is connected to a garden hose type connection via a connector. The connector is connected to the singular end of a t-connector which is connected to conduits at the second and third opposing ends of the t-connector. The conduits are connected to end caps at each respective end. The sprayers are connected to the conduits, end caps, and perhaps the t-connector and connector. When liquid is introduced it will run through the device and spray upward and outward through the sprayers. The consumer needs only to slowly drive a vehicle back and forth over the device to clean the undercarriage of the vehicle to satisfaction. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A spray gun includes a handle and a spray head mounted to each other for forming a hollow main body. A switching assembly is mounted in the main body between the handle and the spray head for controlling the operating type of the spray gun. The switching assembly includes a seat mounted in the main body, a shank extending through the seat, an outlet set received in the seat, a first button and a second button, wherein the first button and the second button are respectively connected two a front end and a rear end of the shank.

Abstract: A sprinkler apparatus includes a sprinkler head, a riser which is in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and the sprinkler head, a base for supporting and maintaining the sprinkler head in an upright position when the base is in contact with the ground or other surface; and wherein, the riser extends substantially vertically from the base a distance at least twice the width of the base and the base is configured to allow the apparatus to be pulled over the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound liquid atomizer comprising: a rigid piezoelectric transducer body (1) having a first end defining an opening and a second end, the inside of the piezoelectric transducer body (1) comprising a cavity for containing a liquid to be atomized and said body (1) further comprising a symmetry axis; a micro-perforated membrane (3) attached on said first end and covering said opening; a piezoelectric member (2, 9) adapted and provided so as to vibrate the piezoelectric transducer body (1); characterized in that the piezoelectric member (2, 9) is located towards said second end in order to vibrate the piezoelectric transducer body (1) in a direction parallel to its symmetry axis.

Abstract: A dispensing container apparatus having a tubular container with a bottom end and a rotatable annular upper end connected to a tubular shaft, and a compression member associated with the tubular shaft which causes a material disposed within the containment region to communicate into the tubular shaft or into a containing area upon rotation of the rotatable annular upper end. A brush applicator removably fits into an open end of the tubular shaft for receiving paste to be dispensed via brush application. Also, the container apparatus includes a top member having paste-access holes sized and adapted to closely receive different threaded shaft sizes of fasteners. In one form, the top member is partially rotatable for closing the holes, and then further rotatable for moving the piston (and hence paste) within the container.

Abstract: A switchable slot valve for a coating plant controls delivery of a pasty coating material. The switchable slot valve has a valve bore incorporated in a valve main body and is aligned in a valve extent direction, and a valve control rod is rotatable to switch between a throughput position and a closed position and is mounted in the valve bore by bearing faces. To mitigate disruptions by coating material which has made its way into a bearing gap between the valve bore and the bearing faces at least one receiving space is incorporated in an inner circumferential face of the valve bore between the supply duct and the nozzle duct.

Abstract: Applicators for storing, sterilizing, and dispensing adhesives. The applicators comprise a porous tip, a body, and a container containing a polymerizable cyanoacrylate monomer adhesive. The applicators are sterilized by radiation, and following sterilization, the adhesive remains substantially unpolymerized for about twenty four months.

Abstract: A transparent resin plate superior in quality and productivity and a method for producing the same by forming a hard-coat layer on a substrate into a hardened film and by establishing a reforming method thereof are disclosed. The transparent resin plate has a substrate (1), a primer layer (2) and a hard-coating layer (3) in order, wherein the primer layer (2) is formed by a wet method, the hard-coating layer (3) is formed out of silicone polymer by the wet method, the surface of the silicone polymer layer is exposed to irradiation by ultraviolet light having a wavelength less than 200 nm, and only the exposed region is changed into a reformed region mainly composed of silicon dioxide.

Abstract: To provide a coating composition, which is capable of providing a coating film on a resin part and on a steel plate part at the same time at lower temperatures than conventional coating compositions, and which is capable of providing a coating film that has excellent bending resistance. A clear coating composition, which contains a base material that contains an acrylic polyol, a crosslinking agent that is composed of an active methylene type blocked isocyanate and a melamine resin, and a curing catalyst. The mass ratio of the base material to the melamine resin is 1.5-9.0, and the mass percentage of the active methylene type blocked isocyanate in the composition is set within a specific range when the total of the mass percentage of the base material and the mass percentage of the melamine resin in the composition is taken as 100% by mass.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a vending machine including: a fluid container, where the fluid container is installed on an interior surface of a door of the vending machine; a tubing system extending from the fluid container along the sides of the door; and a pump switch configured in line with the tubing system, where the pump enables the flow of the fluid through the tubing system. The tubing system may include a container tubing extending from the fluid container to the pump switch. The tubing system may also include a side tubing extending from the pump switch and said side tubing connects to a top tubing, where the fluid dispenses from the top tubing.

Abstract: A container has been devised for use with a rapid prototype part making machine, specifically of the type having Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) capabilities. The container includes a liner that has an exterior surface and that is expandable to define a mouth portion and a volume for receiving, via the mouth portion, a rapid prototype part having soluble support material deposited on the rapid prototype part. An inlet port is formed on the exterior surface and is in fluid communication with the volume. An outlet port is formed on the exterior surface and is in fluid communication with the volume. A sealing arrangement is configured and arranged to selectively substantially prevent egress of an aqueous cleaning solution from the mouth portion of the liner. The inlet port is configured to introduce the aqueous cleaning solution into the volume to remove the soluble support material from the rapid prototype part.

Abstract: Hand-held solid chemical applicator assemblies for various cleaning applications such as coil cleaning utilizing specially-configured chemical tablet chamber and assembly hydraulics. In some cases, the hand-held solid chemical applicator assemblies are configured to include a cylindrical flow diverter to facilitate proper chemical tablet dissolution.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods for in-situ chamber dry cleaning a plasma processing chamber utilized for gate structure fabrication process in semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a method for in-situ chamber dry clean includes supplying a first cleaning gas including at least a boron containing gas into a processing chamber in absence of a substrate disposed therein, supplying a second cleaning gas including at least a halogen containing gas into the processing chamber in absence of the substrate, and supplying a third cleaning gas including at least an oxygen containing gas into the processing chamber in absence of the substrate.

Abstract: The cleaning apparatus includes a reservoir tank for reserving a cleaning fluid, a pressure-feed unit for feeding the cleaning fluid while pressurizing the cleaning fluid above the atmospheric pressure, a heating unit for heating the cleaning fluid pressure-fed from the pressure-feed unit above an atmospheric pressure boiling point of the cleaning fluid, a gas supply unit for supplying a gas and an injection unit connected to the heating unit and the gas supply unit for injecting the cleaning fluid pressurized by the pressure-feeding unit and heated by the heating unit as a pressurized superheated cleaning fluid and the gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the member at the same time.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for nuclear radiation cleanup and uranium prospecting include the steps of identifying an area; collecting samples; sample preparation; identification, assay, and analysis; and relating the samples to the area.

Abstract: Apparatus to detect a deformity in thickness of a tubular element. The apparatus comprises a plurality of sensors and is installed in at least a rolling stand, having at least three rolling rings, of a rolling train able to obtain said tubular element.

Abstract: Repair device for a dent is provided in metal bend tube part of musical instrument capable of effectively performing repair work in short time, not by conventional repair method using dent ball. In the device, a pressurizing device main body is also provided formed by connecting base member having an L shape in side view with first fulcrum at a base thereof and movable pressurizing member whose upper surface has convex arc-shaped surface in side view and has a second fulcrum at center part of lower surface, through a first and second arm. A wire, passes through the second arm and upright part of base member in axial direction, is provided, stopper is fastened to an end of wire which has passed through to outside of second arm, and wire passes through inside of curved metal tube and other end side of wire is connected to a foot pressing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing at least partially closed hollow profiles from a sheet by a U-O-forming with a tool set having a U-punch in a first tool half for producing an at least partially U-shaped sheet and an upper die in a second tool half for forming an at least partially U-shaped sheet into an at least partially closed hollow profile. Parts of the tool set run parallel to one another in the axial direction of the at least partially closed hollow profile to be produced and are arranged above one another in the closing direction of the tool halves, wherein a common matrix receiver is provided between the tool halves of the tool set, which receiver comprises at least two identical, partially U-shaped dies for the tool set and can rotate about its axial axis.

Abstract: A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.

Abstract: A method of producing a shaped aluminum alloy panel, preferably for aerospace or automotive applications, from 5000-series alloy sheet. The method includes: providing a sheet made of 5000-series alloy having a thickness of about 0.05 to 10 mm and a length in the longest dimension of at least 800 mm; and stretch forming the sheet at a forming temperature between ?100° C. and ?25° C., to obtain a shaped aluminum alloy panel. A shaped article formed by the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing stamped components in two method steps such that, during the first method step, a workpiece (1) is stamped out or precision-cut and then transported between the first and the second method step. The second method step comprises simultaneously corrugating and deburring the workpiece (1?). The method is carried out using a two-stage tool.

Abstract: Hemming dies can be mounted on the respective two clamping jigs (22) of hemming processing stages (S1, S2) each having a turn table as a main part. After the hemming dies are allocated to sub-stages (S11), roller hemming processing is performed by hemming processing robots (1A, 1B) or hemming processing robots (2A, 26). Die storage devices (15A, 15B) for housing a plurality of hemming dies in a line are provided near the hemming processing stages (S1, S2). Hemming dies are changed between the die storage devices (15A, 15B) and the sub-stages (S12) of the hemming processing stages (S1, S2) by first and second die changing robots (17, 19). This makes it possible to provide a roller hemming processing system suitable for roller hemming processing in high-variety low-volume manufacturing.

Abstract: Methods of co-curing aligned annular supports in a tubular region of a composite structure, such as a rotor blade, are disclosed. Methods include assembling an uncured composite structure by positioning an inboard annular support and an outboard annular support around an arbor, forming reinforcement fiber into a tubular region in contact with the supports, and applying a matrix material to the reinforcement fiber. The inboard and outboard annular supports are substantially composed of metal. Methods also include concentrically aligning the arbor and the supports along a common axis by applying heat to cause differential expansion of the arbor with respect to the supports, wherein the differential expansion causes an interference fit of the supports against the arbor. Methods also include curing the uncured composite structure to form the composite structure.

Abstract: An extruded aluminum alloy tube for hydroforming into an automotive body component includes a wall defining a closed perimeter. The wall includes weld seams disposed in the wall and running longitudinally along the tube. An extruded pip is disposed on the wall and runs longitudinally along the tube. The pip is parallel to the seams and is configured to identify a location of the seams for alignment of the tube during manufacturing.

Abstract: A complex coil and a fixture for forming same configured such that loops are formed having various configurations relative to each other. The configurations provide improved thrombus formation and reduced rotation or tumbling once implanted. The complex coil is formed of a material that may deformed for purposes of placing the complex coil into a catheter and returns to a complex shape that includes said loops once deployed.

Abstract: A core molding machine which can be made smaller while having a favorable core sand filling property is provided. The machine comprises a core box having a pair of laterally separable dies and a sand filling device, having a blow head disposed under the core box, for filling the core box with core sand directed upward from the blow head; the blow head having a sand blow chamber for guiding the core sand to the core box while being connected to the core box and a sand storage chamber communicating with the sand blow chamber; the sand filling device having a compressed air supply unit for supplying a compressed air for blowing the core sand into the core box and an aeration air supply unit for supplying an aeration air for floating and fluidizing the core sand within the sand blow chamber.

Abstract: Processes and methods related to producing, processing, and hot working alloy ingots are disclosed. An alloy ingot is formed including an inner ingot core and an outer layer metallurgically bonded to the inner ingot core. The processes and methods are characterized by a reduction in the incidence of surface cracking of the alloy ingot during hot working.

Abstract: There are provided a casting roll of a twin-roll strip caster and a method for manufacturing a high-nitrogen duplex stainless steel strip having no dimple. The casting roll has an average roughness Ra of 10 ?m to 30 ?m, and diagonal fine grooves having a width of 50 ?m to 500 ?m, an interval of 100 ?m to 1000 ?m, and a depth of 50 ?m to 200 ?m are formed in the casting roll. The diagonal fine grooves are symmetrically intersecting each other at an angle of 30° to 70° with respect to circumferential direction of the casting roll.

Abstract: A centrifugal casting apparatus includes a mold holder placed on a freely rotatable rotary table, and a mold put into and held by the mold holder. The mold holder includes a mold holder body made of a metal material and having a bottomed cylindrical shape, heat insulation members provided on an inner peripheral surface and a bottom surface of the mold holder body, and mold positioning members each made of a ceramic and provided to protrude from the heat insulation member on the bottom surface of the mold holder body. The mold includes a mold body having a cavity into which a molten metal is to be poured, and a mold base provided to the mold body and having mold positioning member insertion holes engageable with the mold positioning members.

Abstract: Provided is a highly versatile casting mold in which weight and manufacturing cost can be reduced, and whereby flash can be suppressed. A plate-shaped base part having a flat attachment face to which a back face of a fixed-cavity mold is attached is provided to a fixed mold constituting a casting mold. A portion of the base part in contact with the back face of the fixed-cavity mold has an attachment part body for supporting the fixed-cavity mold, and a pressure increasing means for increasing the pressure imparted to the fixed-cavity mold via the attachment part body in a state in which the mold is closed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and method for powder distribution and an additive manufacturing method, wherein different size or kind of powders could be chosen to be accommodated within a receptacle. The receptacle can uniformly mix the powder by a rotation movement, pour out the powders by the rotation movement and distribute the powders for forming a layer by a translation movement. In another embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a heating element for preheating the powders. Not only can the present disclosure uniformly mix the powders so as to reduce the thermal deformation and distribute the powder layer compactly, but also can the present disclosure distribute different kinds of powder in different layer so as to increase the diversity in additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A zirconium-doped aluminum powder metal and a method of making this powder metal are disclosed. The method of making includes forming an aluminum—zirconium melt in which a zirconium content of the aluminum—zirconium melt is less than 2.0 percent by weight. The aluminum—zirconium melt then powderized to form a zirconium-doped aluminum powder metal. The powderization may occur by, for example, air atomization.

Abstract: A process for preparing intermetallic nanoparticles of two or more metals is provided. In particular, the process includes the steps: a) dispersing nanoparticles of a first metal in a solvent to prepare a first metal solution, b) forming a reaction mixture with the first metal solution and a reducing agent, c) heating the reaction mixture to a reaction temperature; and d) adding a second metal solution containing a salt of a second metal to the reaction mixture. During this process, intermetallic nanoparticles, which contain a compound with the first and second metals are formed. The intermetallic nanoparticles with uniform size and a narrow size distribution is also provided. An electrochemical device such as a battery with the intermetallic nanoparticles is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to metallurgical powder compositions having improved lubricant properties. These compositions of the invention include at least 90 wt. % of an iron-based metallurgical powder; a Group 1 or Group 2 metal stearate; a first wax having a melting range of between about 80 and 100° C.; a second wax having a melting range of between about 80 and 90° C.; zinc phosphate; boric acid; acetic acid; phosphoric acid; and a binder. Methods of compacting the compositions, as well as compacted articles prepared using those methods, are also described.

Abstract: A method for preparing hydrophobic gold nanoparticles includes adding 1,2-dichlorobenzene as a solvent to gold precursor and using oleylamine and oleic acid with volume ratio of 7.5:2.5 to 5:5 as surfactants. The size of the prepared gold nanoparticles can be controlled over a broad range and may be utilized in various fields such as bio-imaging, photonic crystallization, sensors, organic catalysts, surface enhanced raman spectrum, electronic devices, etc. Further, a method for colorimetric detection of a strong acid uses hydrophilic nanoparticles that are phase transited from the prepared hydrophobic gold nanoparticles. Up to 5 ppm of low content hydrochloric acid can be detected utilizing phase transited hydrophilic nanoparticles in the colorimetric detection method, and the gold nanoparticles that were used in the detection of strong acid can be reused without loss of activity through neutralization with bases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine (1) for machining pipe ends. At least one centering device (8; 35) is associated to said machine, which centering device centers a tubular workpiece (5, 5?) in relation to an axis of rotation (D) of the machine for machining pipe ends extending in the center of the machine, the tubular workpiece either being stationary in the case of a rotating tool head (4) or rotating in the case in which the tubular workpiece is fastened in the machine chuck (9).