Abstract: Disclosed are methods of and systems for depositing a film. The methods may include: (a) determining process conditions, including a flow condition of a curtain gas that flows around the periphery of each station in the chamber, for performing film deposition in the chamber, (b) flowing the curtain gas to each station in the chamber during film deposition according to the process conditions determined in (a), (c) determining, during or after (b), an adjusted flow condition of the curtain gas in the chamber to improve substrate nonuniformity, and (d) flowing, after (c), the curtain gas during film deposition according to the adjusted flow condition determined in (c). The systems may include a gas delivery system, a processing chamber, and a controller having control logic for performing one or more of (a)-(d).

Abstract: A manufacturing method for steel sheets for containers produces steel sheets with excellent film adhesion qualities. This steel sheet for containers has, on a steel sheet, a chemical conversion coating with a metal Zr content of 1-100 mg/m2, a P content of 0.1-50 mg/m2, and an F content of no more than 0.1 mg/m2, upon which is formed a phenolic resin layer with a C content of 0.1-50 mg/m2. Moreover, the manufacturing method for steel sheets for containers is a method for obtaining the steel sheet for containers wherein the chemical conversion coating is formed on the steel sheet by subjecting the steel sheet to immersion in or electrolytic treatment with a treatment solution containing Zr ions, phosphoric acid ions, and F ions; and subsequently, the steel sheet upon which the chemical conversion coating has been formed is immersed in, or undergoes topical application of, an aqueous solution containing phenolic resin, then dried.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a composite structural body including a base material; and a film-like structural body formed on a surface of the base material by causing an aerosol to impinge on the base material, the aerosol including fine particles dispersed in a gas, a distance between an end part of the film-like structural body and an outermost part closest to the end part of a portion of the film-like structural body having a film thickness equal to an average film thickness of the film-like structural body as viewed perpendicular to the surface being 10 times or more of the average film thickness.

Abstract: Metal objects are treated by anodizing (P, SE) the metal object in contact with an acidic solution, and then subjecting the anodized metal object to a reversed voltage (VR). The anodizing is performed in two stages, firstly to passivate (P) with the formation of a surface layer, and secondly to form pits in this surface layer (SE). The second stage (SE) of anodizing is performed at a lower voltage than the first stage (P). After the reversed voltage step (VR) the metal object is then contacted with a biocidal metal-containing solution. Biocidal metal is absorbed into the surface of the metal object, resulting in improved biocidal properties. The lower voltage of the second stage anodizing (SE) results in reduced processing time.

Abstract: An electrochemical system includes an electrochemical compressor through which a working fluid that includes a component that primarily acts as an electrochemically-active component flows; a sealed vessel in which the electrochemical compressor is housed; an inlet conduit for passing working fluid into the vessel; and an outlet conduit for passing fluid out of the vessel. The working fluid that leaks from the electrochemical compressor is contained within the vessel.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and a method for continuously generating a hydride gas of M1 which is substantially free of oxygen in a divided electrochemical cell. An impermeable partition or a combination of an impermeable partition and a porous diaphragm can be used to divide the electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber, wherein the cathode chamber has a cathode comprising M1, the anode chamber has an anode comprising M2 and is capable of generating oxygen, an aqueous electrolyte solution comprising a hydroxide M3OH partially filling the divided electrochemical cell. Hydride gas generated in the cathode chamber and oxygen generated in the anode chamber are removed through independent outlets. M1 can be selenium, phosphorous, silicon, metal or metal alloy, M2 is metal or metal alloy suitable for anionic oxygen generation, and M3 is NH4 or an alkali or alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use in an electrolytic cell for producing aluminum are provided. The compositions can contain a powder blend of boron oxide, a titanium dioxide, aluminum, and titanium diboride. The powder blend can be compacted into tiles and arranged as a cathode surface. The boron oxide and the titanium dioxide in the tiles can be made to react under low temperature molten aluminum to produce titanium diboride in situ. The reaction yields a dense dimensionally stable wettable cathode substrate that can reduce the power consumption in the aluminum electrowinning process.

Abstract: Functionalized membranes for use in applications, such as electrodeionization, can be prepared simply and efficiently by contacting a conductive carbon nanotube and polymer membrane with a solution containing at least one electrochemically active and functional compound under conditions suitable for electrochemically depositing the electrochemically active and function compound on a surface of the membrane.

Abstract: An immersion-type surface treatment tank includes a treatment tank body including: a single tank internal space elongated in a plan view, and a nozzle that ejects an electrodeposition paint into the tank internal space. The treatment tank body includes: a first tank inner side surface extending along a longitudinal direction of the tank internal space; a second tank inner side surface facing the first tank inner side surface and extending along the longitudinal direction; and a rectifying plate that is formed halfway in the longitudinal direction and changes a flow direction of the electrodeposition paint such that the electrodeposition paint flowing horizontally along the first tank inner side surface is directed toward the second tank inner side surface. The rectifying plate changes the flow direction of the electrodeposition paint, thereby forming, in the tank internal space, at least two horizontal swirl flows adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of manufacturing layered metal oxide particles, the method comprising: placing a metal electrode in an electrolyte; and applying an electrical voltage to the electrode, wherein the metal electrode forms the anode, to form a metal oxide layer on the electrode surface, wherein the electrical voltage applied is higher than the breakdown voltage of the metal oxide, thereby breaking down the metal oxide layer formed on the electrode surface into metal oxide particles that react with the electrolyte to form the layered metal oxide particles. The present invention also refers to a layered metal oxide particle obtained from the method, and a method of manufacturing a crystalline metal oxide nanosheet or a crystalline metal oxide nanoribbon.

Abstract: An electroplating etching apparatus includes a power to output current, and a container configured to contain an electrolyte. A cathode is coupled to the container and configured to fluidly communicate with the electrolyte. An anode is electrically connected to the output, and includes a graphene layer. A metal substrate layer is formed on the graphene layer, and is etched from the graphene layer in response to the current flowing through the anode.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing single crystal based on a Czochralski method, including: analyzing Ni concentration in at least one of graphite components used in a furnace in which the single crystal is manufactured; and manufacturing the single crystal using the at least one of the graphite components when the analyzed Ni concentration is 30 ppb or less. As a result, in manufacture of the single crystal based on the Czochralski method, the method that enables manufacturing high-quality single crystal in which a reduction in LT (Life Time) or an LPD (Light Point Defect) abnormality does not occur can be provided.

Abstract: A single-crystal manufacturing apparatus including: main chamber accommodating crucible and heater; pull chamber wherein a grown single-crystal is received; gas-flow guiding cylinder that has opening through which the single-crystal passes and extends downward from ceiling of main chamber; seed chuck configured to hold a seed crystal; and heat insulation plate that is level with lower end of the opening of gas-flow guiding cylinder when raw material is heated and melted, and pulled together with the seed crystal when single-crystal is pulled. The seed chuck includes a mounting fixture to mount heat insulation plate. Mounting fixture has a mechanism allowing heat insulation plate to be mounted so the heat insulation plate can be rotated independently of the rotation of the seed chuck. This apparatus can be readily introduced, melt raw material with low heater power; inhibit occurrence of dislocation during seeding and generation of dislocation in single-crystal when single-crystal is pulled.

Abstract: Growth of single crystals of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and other perovskites is accomplished by liquid phase epitaxy onto a substrate of suitable structural and lattice parameter match. A solvent and specific growth conditions for stable growth are required to achieve the desired proportions of Zr and Ti.

Abstract: A method of forming an SiC crystal, the method including: placing a SiC seed in a growth vessel, heating the growth vessel, and evacuating the growth vessel, wherein the seed is levitated as a result of a temperature and pressure gradient, and gas flows from a growth face of the seed, around the edge of the seed, and into a volume behind the seed, which is pumped by a vacuum system.

Abstract: Dust that is accumulated in an exhaust passage provided in a chamber, the exhaust passage for discharging gas in the chamber of a semiconductor crystal manufacturing device, is removed by being sucked from the outside of the chamber. Moreover, an opening and closing valve for cleaning that is detachably attached to an opening of the exhaust passage, the opening facing the chamber, is opened and closed intermittently in a suction state. Furthermore, the opening and closing valve for cleaning is driven by a valve driving unit. The dust accumulated in the exhaust passage is removed efficiently, whereby the time required to clean the exhaust passage is shortened and fluctuations of the pressure inside the chamber when a semiconductor crystal is manufactured are suppressed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of carbon nanofibers at a high activity is provided. Further, carbon nanofibers produced by the manufacturing method and being excellent in electric conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility is provided. By a manufacturing method of carbon nanofibers in which an active species including cobalt as a chief component is employed as a catalyst and carbon monoxide is used as a carbon source, wherein said catalyst has 3 to 150 mass % of said active species carried on a carrier composed of a magnesium-containing oxide having a specific surface area of 0.01 to 5 m2/g, and a reaction temperature, partial pressure of carbon monoxide and a flow rate of raw material gas is controlled, CNFs that are excellent in electric conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility can be manufactured at high activity, so that carbon nanofibers that is excellent in electric conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility is obtained.

Abstract: A carbon-fiber-precursor acrylic fiber bundle which can smoothly pass through a flame-resistance impartation step and a carbonization step. The carbon-fiber-precursor acrylic fiber bundle has a high-density part as a portion thereof, wherein the high-density part satisfies the following requirements (A) and (B). Requirement A: The high-density part has a maximum fiber density ?max of 1.33 g/cm3 or higher. Requirement B: The portion extending between an intermediate-density point and a maximum-density-region arrival point has an increase in fiber density of 1.3×10?2 g/cm3 or less per 10 mm of the fiber bundle length.

Abstract: A fabric for a seam region of an inflatable air-bag includes fibers formed from polyester and having an elongation at break of around 12% to 20%. The fabric also has an instantaneous thermal creep above 0.5% at 100° C.

Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus can determine if the sheets supplied as feedstock have already been recycled. The sheet manufacturing apparatus has a supply unit configured to supply feedstock; a defibrating unit configured to defibrate the feedstock; an depositing unit configured to deposit defibrated material defibrated by the defibrating unit; a forming unit configured to form a sheet from a web laid by the depositing unit; a marking unit configured to apply a mark to at least one of the web and the sheet; and a reading unit configured to read the mark imparted to the feedstock when a sheet having mark imparted thereto is supplied as the feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quilting machine and more specifically a long-arm stitching machine, or stitcher. The stitcher includes handles that are used to trace a laser dot on a pantograph pattern located in front of the fabric being quilted. Tracing the laser dot ensures that the needle and thread associated with the sewing machine head duplicates the pattern being traced. In the present invention, the handles are placed to one side of the sewing machine head to allow an operator to remain upright when watching the laser trace the pattern or the needle and thread quilting the fabric.

Abstract: Described is a method for using an embroidery machine or sewing machine to form shapes in, and extract shapes from, a sheet of material. A needle-based machine uses its needle to generate a series of perforations to cut out or assist in the separation of the shapes. Stitching facilitates operation of the machine. Preferably, perforations are made with a computer-controlled machine using instructions generated from or available in an electronic file.

Abstract: A method of forming a resilient band for an article of apparel includes stretching a first fabric having a first resiliency to a first stretched position and stretching a second fabric having a second resiliency to a second stretched position. The second resiliency is greater than the first resiliency. The method further includes securing the first fabric to the second fabric while the first fabric is in the first stretched position and while the second fabric is in the second stretched position. Moreover, the method includes releasing the first fabric from the first stretched position and the second fabric from the second stretched position after securing the first fabric to the second fabric.

Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars, a needle bar case having a thread supply path along which threads are supplied to needles attached to lower ends of the needle bars respectively, the needle bar case supporting the needle bars, an arm on which the needle bar case is mounted, an embroidery frame located below the needle bar case and configured to hold a workpiece cloth, a projector configured to project an image onto the workpiece cloth from above the embroidery frame, and a support member supporting the projector and configured to be capable of switching the projector between a first position where the image is projectable onto the workpiece cloth and a second position differing from the first position.

Abstract: A sewing machine equipped with a needle threading device, includes: a needle bar supporting frame body on which there is mounted a needle bar that is mounted with a needle having a needle hole; a needle threading shaft that is disposed on the needle bar supporting frame body and is supported vertically movably and also turnably in a peripheral direction; a thread pressing part and a thread holding tool that are provided at a lower end of the needle threading shaft and that hold in a tensioned state a thread opposite the needle hole; and a needle threading tool that is provided at a lower end of the needle threading shaft and that has a hook which reciprocates through the needle hole to pass the thread through the needle hole, wherein the thread holding tool comprises a thread holding surface part that guides and holds the thread.

Abstract: The pile cutter 10 according to the invention allows tufted goods to be produced using materials which, for example, have a friction-reducing coating for forming a dirt-repellant surface that is soft to the touch. Such materials are known to be problematic in the production of pile and occasionally irregular pile is produced. Adjacent to the narrow cutting edge 25 of the pile cutter 10 according to the invention is a comparatively broader step 27 and 33, which prevents the loop from slipping, without cutting into the latter.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance may include a treating chamber receiving laundry for treatment and a laundry mover mounted within the treating chamber for rotation about a rotation axis. The laundry mover may have a base made of a first material and a plurality of protrusions made of a different second material. At least portions of the upper surfaces of the base and the protrusions collectively form an upper surface of the laundry mover such that the laundry mover upper surface is at least partially formed of the differing first and second materials. The first material may be metal, and the second material may be plastic.

Abstract: Disclosed is a home appliance system including a home appliance and a mobile terminal. The home appliance includes a tag unit, a communication unit, a memory, a display unit, an input unit, a drive control unit and a controller to control general operations of the home appliance, the home appliance including a washing machine. The mobile terminal includes a communication unit, a storage unit, a display unit, an input unit, a speaker and a terminal controller.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring load balance in washing machine appliances, and washing machine appliances, are provided. A method includes accelerating rotation of a basket about a central axis within a tub of the washing machine appliance from a first speed to a second speed greater than the first speed. The method further includes detecting a plurality of speed changes during the accelerating step, and summing absolute values of speed differences for each of the plurality of detected speed changes to obtain an unfolded speed value.

Abstract: A washing machine including a door to open and close an opening for laundry. The door includes a first upper door, a second upper door disposed to allow at least one portion of the first upper door to be seen therethrough, and a lower door. The lower door includes a contraction preventing part to prevent the lower door from contracting when molded.

Abstract: A dryer monitoring system receives dryer information from one or more sensors concerning operation of one or more dryers, such as clothes dryers. For example, the dryer monitoring system may receive temperature and/or humidity information from one or more dryers. The dryer monitor analyzes the dryer data to determine whether textiles in the dryer are dry. The dryer monitor may analyze one or more states and/or one or more indicators (patterns in the dryer data) during the dryness determination.

Abstract: A method for treating an aromatic polyamide filament or yarn to improve its adhesion to rubber wherein, the method comprises exposing the filament or yarn to a first mixture of reagents comprising multi-functional isocyanate oligomers and multi-functional epoxy oligomers, wherein the ratio of total isocyanate groups to total epoxy groups in the mixture is in the range of from 0.8 to 1.2, and heating the exposed filament or yarn to a temperature of at least 100 degrees C. whereby the epoxy and isocyanate oligomers cross-link and form a network on the surface of the filament or yarn.

Abstract: A sheet-shaped object which is thin and, despite this, has a surface that is dense and is soft to the touch and which has practicable strength and a process for producing the sheet-shaped object are disclosed. This sheet-shaped object comprises ultrafine fibers having an average single-fiber diameter of 0.1-7 ?m and a polymeric elastomer comprising a polyurethane as a major component, wherein when a layer extending from one surface to a depth of 50% of the thickness is referred to as layer (A) and a layer extending from the other surface to a depth of 50% of the thickness is referred to as layer (B), then the ratio of the density of fibers (A?) in the layer (A) to the density of fibers (B?) in the layer (B) satisfies the following expression (a) and the ratio of the density of the polymeric elastomer comprising a polyurethane as a major component (A?) in the layer (A) to the density thereof (B?) in the layer (B) satisfies the following expression (b). The sheet-shaped object as a whole has a density of 0.2-0.

Abstract: A phase-transfer catalytic color fixation processing method for textile includes the following steps: (1) dry-dyeing a textile with disperse reactive dyes in supercritical carbon dioxide fluid under waterless condition; (2) putting the textile in a phase-transfer catalytic fixation device, taking phase-transfer catalyst as the carrier of circulated supercritical carbon dioxide fluid, transporting the ionized fixing catalytic alkaline substance from aqueous phase to hydrophobic supercritical carbon dioxide fluid phase, getting full contact with functional groups on fibers, resulting in the fixing catalytic reaction with disperse reactive dyes.

Abstract: In a method for producing nanofibril cellulose, cellulose based fiber material, in which internal bonds in the cellulose fiber have been weakened by chemical modification, are supplied, for separating fibrils, through several counter-rotating rotors outwards in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis of the rotors in such a way that the material is repeatedly subjected to shearing and impacting forces by the effect of the blades of the different counter-rotating rotors, whereby it is simultaneously fibrillated.

Abstract: Augmented reality techniques for monitoring and controlling continuous sheetmaking systems superimpose real-time sheet quality measurements onto images of the sheet and/or machine during production. A portable, hand-held computer device that is equipped with a camera, such as a tablet or smartphone, enables an operator to direct the device at the sheet along specific locations of the papermaking machine and view an indication of one or more quality measurements that are superimposed over the image of the paper. The operator can assess and resolve problems associated with the sheet being produced and/or machine.

Abstract: A low ignition propensity cigarette has wrapping paper (6) wrapping filling material into a rod-like shape, and the wrapping paper (6) includes highly conducting bands (10) formed by calendering and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the cigarette, the highly conducting bands (10) having higher thermal conductivity than inherent thermal conductivity of the wrapping paper (6), and burning depression bands (16) formed in the wrapping paper (6) and superposed upon the respective highly conducting bands (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in methods of making security features, in particular electrotype security features. The electrotype for forming an image during a paper making process comprises a mesh to which is attached at least one image forming element.

Abstract: A multi-ply bath tissue includes cellulosic microfibers and wood pulp fibers. The bath tissue has sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, decaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutes after immersion in water, and a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight. At least one of the plies includes a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transformable molding assembly, which has a lower mold, an upper mold, and an activating device. The lower mold has a first plane formed with at least one cave. The upper mold has a second plane formed with at least one guide rail and at least one protrusion assembly corresponding to the at least one cave. The lower mold and the upper mold are matched with each other along a first direction by the at least one cave and the at least one protrusion assembly thereof. The activating device is linked with the upper mold. The at least one protrusion assembly comprises at least one driving element and a plurality of driven elements.

Abstract: A high friction surface coating comprising a resin and an aggregate, the aggregate comprising a blend of calcined bauxite and particles of sandstone and/or Tuff. Optionally, the particles of sandstone and/or Tuff in the aggregate may be from the Paleozoic era, including the Carboniferous, Devonian, Silurian, Ordovician and Cambrian periods.

Abstract: A void reducing asphalt membrane composition for asphalt pavements that includes: an asphalt binder; an elastomeric polymer; a wax modifier; and at least one of: i) fumed silica or fumed alumina; and ii) a saponified fatty acid and a resin acid gelling compound. The composition is resistant to flow when applied and migrates into hot mix asphalt in the area of the longitudinal joint to reduce air voids to 7% or less and reduce water permeability. The composition becomes tack-free quickly after application. The composition bonds to asphalt, concrete, brick, stone and metal.

Abstract: A bridge paving device includes one or more reference receivers to locate the bridge paving device in three-dimensional space. A computer apparatus receives the location of the bridge paving device and associates the location with a bridge paving design profile. The computer apparatus independently actuates a system of hydraulic actuators of the bridge paving device to level and orient the bridge paving device regardless of the travel surface the linear movement elements are running on. Additional hydraulic actuators may adjust the shape of the bridge paving device over time as the bridge paving device travels a linear distance of the bridge to be paved. The shape adjustment alters a crown or inversion applied to the bridge such that run-off characteristics are more variable and controllable along the entire span of the bridge.

Abstract: A conveyor system adapted for use on an asphalt paver comprising a conveyor system frame, a first pulley that is rotatably mounted to the frame, a second pulley that is rotatably mounted to the frame and spaced apart from the first pulley, and a belt having a pulley-contacting surface and an asphalt-contacting surface and being disposed around the first pulley and the second pulley. The preferred conveyor system also comprises a wiper that is adapted to remove asphaltic material from the asphalt-contacting surface of the belt and a means for rotating the first pulley that is adapted to rotate the first pulley. The preferred conveyor system is adapted to convey asphaltic material between a first area adjacent to the second pulley and a second area adjacent to the first pulley. A method for conveying asphaltic material in a paver comprising providing a conveyor system and conveying asphaltic material.

Abstract: A portable dispensing device for dispensing a crack sealant, comprises an outer housing, a melting kettle for holding crack sealant to be melted, a guide mechanism in the housing below the kettle for positioning a burner below the kettle, a burner assembly removably mounted in an air gap between the outer housing and the melting kettle using the guide mechanism, the removable burner assembly configured to direct a flame against a surface of the melting kettle, a control valve fluidly connected to the melting kettle to dispense melted crack sealant, and a handle assembly for manually moving the portable dispensing device.

Abstract: A bridge assembly includes a plurality of platform members which may be secured to support beams via individual platform chassis which are configured to allow tool-less attachment bolt heads thereto. A plurality of specially configured clamps are attached to the free ends of the bolts and the clamps are used to secure the platform members to the platform chassis. The platform chassis are each secured to the outer support beams via L-brackets that are mounted between the chassis and support beams. The support beams include flanged channels wherein the heads of a plurality of bolts may be attached without the need for tools. The platform members may be laid in either a parallel or perpendicular orientation with respect to the outer support beams with two different clamp styles being used depending on the orientation selected.

Abstract: A rapid-deployment system for containing oil spills and similar water contaminations comprises a pre-manufactured sleeve having air-inflatable or gas-inflatable compartments and water inflatable compartments. In some embodiments uninflated sleeve is stored as a reel of sleeve material, and the deployment system, optionally mounted in a small boat, comprises a machine for inflating the air and water compartments at the site of a spill. In some embodiments, air and/or water compartments may be self-inflating.

Abstract: A system for joining two separate spun piles by interlocking together a top end plate located at a bottom end of a first spun pile to a bottom end plate located at a top end of a second spun pile, wherein the end plates each have a plurality of segments comprising an equal number of segmental protrusions and segmental recesses.

Abstract: A rotary auger support stand for mounting and removably holding a articles or devices upright on the ground. The stand includes an upright rod with a helical coil or flights forming an auger base having a point at the lower distal end to be fixedly and removably screwed into the ground to support the stand in an upright position. The top end of the rod forming the stand body defines an S-shaped loop configured, sized and shaped and disposed at a selected angle to support an article thereon. The top adapter is capable of supporting a decorative element, sign, target, or other element. An S-shaped handle is formed integrally within the support shaft longitudinal member extending from the auger.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting piles wherein, for example, a pile cutting device is attached to the end of an articulated arm of an excavator, the pile cutting device having a set of grasping arms that hold the pile and a set of saw blades that are linearly advanced to cut the pile in a single stroke. The saw blades are offset so that the cutting paths of the blades overlap. The saw blades may be positioned at the ends of telescoping arms that are coupled to a linearly movable frame. A single hydraulic unit moves the frame along a central rail. The frame is coupled to one or more cables and pulleys so that the travel of the telescopic arms is twice that of the frame.