Abstract: Provided is a straight barrel type vacuum refining device comprising a vacuum chamber and a snorkel; during the vacuum refining the snorkel is inserted into the molten steel of the steel ladle, it is characterized in that, disposing a circulating tube being on the circumference of said snorkel, and blowing argon gas into the snorkel through the nozzles on an inner wall of a circulating tube; said circulating tubes are disposed in layers, the nozzles on the circulating tubes in the same layer are individually controlled as 2-6 in one group; disposing an eccentric gas permeable brick at the bottom of said steel ladle, and blowing argon gas into the steel ladle through the eccentric gas permeable brick, driving a circulating flow molten steel between the steel ladle and the vacuum chamber by using different blowing flow rate combinations of a steel ladle bottom blowing and each individually controlled unit of the circulating tube blowing system.

Abstract: A thick-walled high-strength hot rolled steel sheet having excellent hydrogen induced cracking resistance which is preferably used as a raw material for a high-strength welded steel pipe of X65 grade or more and a method of manufacturing the thick-walled high-strength hot rolled steel sheet are provided. The composition of the thick-walled high-strength hot rolled steel sheet contains by mass % 0.02 to 0.08% C, 0.50 to 1.85% Mn, 0.02 to 0.10% Nb, 0.001 to 0.05% Ti, 0.0005% or less B in such a manner that (Ti+Nb/2)/C<4 is satisfied or also contains one or two kinds or more of 0.010% or less Ca, 0.02% or less REM, and Fe and unavoidable impurities as a balance. The steel sheet has the structure formed of a bainitic ferrite phase or a bainite phase. Surface layer hardness is 230HV or less in terms of Vickers hardness.

Abstract: A process for treating spent catalyst containing heavy metals, e.g., Group VIB metals and Group VIII metals is provided. In one embodiment after deoiling, the spent catalyst is treated with an ammonia leach solution under conditions sufficient to dissolve the group VIB metal and the Group VIII metal into the leaching solution, forming a leach slurry. After solid-liquid separation to recover a leach solution, chemical precipitation and solids repulping is carried out to obtain an effluent stream containing ammonium sulfate (Amsul), ammonium sulfamate, Group VB, Group VIB and Group VIII metals. Following sulfidation, the Group VIII metal is fully removed and Group VB and Group VI metals are partially removed from the Amsul stream.

Abstract: A method of preparing silver nanoparticles, including silver nanorings. A zinc oxide thin film is formed initially by direct-current sputtering of a zinc target onto a substrate. A silver thin film is then formed by a similar sputtering technique, of a silver target onto the zinc oxide thin film. After that, the silver thin film is subject to an annealing treatment. The temperature, duration and atmosphere of the annealing treatment can be varied to control the average particle size, average distance between particles (density), particle size distribution of the silver nanoparticles. In at least one embodiment, silver nanoparticles of ring structure are produced.

Abstract: A dilute copper alloy material includes, based on a total mass of the dilute copper alloy material, 2 to 12 mass ppm of sulfur, 2 to 30 mass ppm of oxygen, 4 to 55 mass ppm of titanium, and a balance of pure copper and inevitable impurity. A part of the sulfur and the titanium forms a compound or an aggregate of TiO, TiO2, TiS or Ti—O—S, and an other part of the sulfur and the titanium forms a solid solution. TiO, TiO2, TiS and Ti—O—S distributed in a crystal grain of the dilute copper alloy material are not more than 200 nm, not more than 1000 nm, not more than 200 nm and not more than 300 nm, respectively, in particle size thereof, and not less than 90% of particles distributed in a crystal grain of the dilute copper alloy material are 500 nm or less in particle size.

Abstract: A Ni-based alloy having excellent hot forgeability and corrosion resistance includes, by mass %, Cr: more than 18% to less than 21%, Mo: more than 18% to less than 21%, Ta: 1.1% to 2.5%, Mg: 0.001% to 0.05%, N: 0.001% to 0.04%, Mn: 0.001% to 0.5%, Si: 0.001% to 0.05%, Fe: 0.01% to 1%, Co: 0.01% or more and less than 1%, Al: 0.01% to 0.5%, Ti: 0.01% or more and less than 0.1%, V: 0.005% or more and less than 0.1%, Nb: 0.001% or more and less than 0.1%, B: 0.0001% to 0.01%, Zr: 0.001% to 0.05%, and a balance consisting of Ni and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A steel sheet suitable as a starting material for a vehicle impact absorbing member with high absorption of impact energy and resistance to cracking contains, by mass %, C: 0.08-0.30%, Mn: 1.5-3.5%; Si+Al: 0.50-3.0%, P: 0.10% or less, S: at most 0.010%, and N: at most 0.010%, and optionally, one or more types selected from Cr: at most 0.5%, Mo: at most 0.5% , B: at most 0.010%, Ti: less than 0.04%, Nb: less than 0.030%, V: less than 0.5%, Ca: at most 0.010%, Mg: at most 0.010%, REM: at most 0.050%, and Bi: at most 0.050%. The microstructure contains, by area %, bainite: more than 50%, martensite: 3-30%, and retained austenite: 3-15%, the remainder comprising ferrite having an average grain diameter of less than 5 mm. The product of uniform elongation and hole expansion ratio is at least 300%2 and 5% effective flow stress is at least 900 MPa.

Abstract: A case hardening steel includes as a chemical composition, by mass %, C: 0.10% to 0.40%, Si: 0.01% to 0.80%, Mn: 0.1% to 1.5%, Cr: 0.35% to 2.0%, Al: 0.01% to 0.05%, REM: 0.0001% to 0.050%, O: 0.0001% to 0.0030%, Ca: 0.0050% or less as necessary, Ti: less than 0.005%, N: 0.015% or less, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.01% or less, and the balance consists of Fe and impurities. The case hardening steel also includes a composition inclusion which is an inclusion containing REM, O, S, and Al, or an inclusion containing REM, Ca, O, S, and Al, to which TiN is adhered.

Abstract: An endblock for a rotatable sputtering target, such as a rotatable magnetron sputtering target, is provided. A sputtering apparatus, including one or more such endblock(s), includes locating the electrical contact(s) (e.g., brush(es)) between the collector and rotor in the endblock(s) in an area under vacuum (as opposed to in an area at atmospheric pressure).

Abstract: An ion implantation apparatus includes an ion beam directing unit, a substrate support, and a controller. The controller is configured to effect a relative movement between an ion beam passing the ion beam directing unit and the substrate support. A beam track of the ion beam on a substrate mounted on the substrate support includes circles or a spiral.

Abstract: In-line metallizer assemblies can include an external rotating actuator exchange that can be operable to exchange one or more parts between a conveyor system and a vacuum chamber, and an internal rotating actuator exchange within the vacuum chamber that can be operable to receive the one or more parts from the external rotating actuator exchange, transition the one or more parts to a sputter coater integrated with the vacuum chamber for metallizing, and return metallized one or more parts to the external rotating actuator exchange such that the external rotating actuator exchange can return the metallized one or more parts to the conveyor system.

Abstract: A laminate (1) provided with: a substrate (2); an undercoat layer (3), which is formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate (2), contains an organic polymer with a functional group, and is formed in a membrane form or film form; and an atomic layer deposition film (4), which contains a precursor (6) that serves as a starting material, is formed so as to cover the surface of the undercoat layer (3), and in which at least some of the precursor (6) are bonded to the functional groups. The linear expansion coefficient of a layered film provided with the substrate (2) and the undercoat layer (3) is from about 1.0×10?5/K to about 8.0×10?5/K.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition apparatus includes a first base plate on which a seat portion is defined to allow a substrate to be seated thereon, a second base plate disposed opposite to the first base plate, a first gas nozzle portion arranged on the second base plate, a second gas nozzle portion arranged on the second base plate to be spaced apart from the first gas nozzle portion and substantially parallel to the first gas nozzle portion, and a gas storage portion connected to the first gas nozzle portion and the second gas nozzle portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for plasma processing a substrate to form a film on the substrate and devices disposed thereon by controlling the ratio of ions to radicals in the plasma at a given pressure. A given pressure may be maintained to promote ion production using one plasma source, and a second plasma source may be used to provide additional radicals. In one embodiment, a low pressure plasma is generated in a processing region having the substrate positioned therein, and a high pressure plasma is generated in separate region. Radicals from the high pressure plasma are injected into the processing region having the low pressure plasma, thus, altering the natural distribution of radicals to ions at a given operating pressure.

Abstract: A process for depositing a metal includes disposing an activating catalyst on a substrate; contacting the activating catalyst with a metal cation from a vapor deposition composition; contacting the substrate with a reducing anion from the vapor deposition composition; performing an oxidation-reduction reaction between the metal cation and the reducing anion in a presence of the activating catalyst; and forming a metal from the metal cation to deposit the metal on the substrate. A system for depositing a metal includes an activating catalyst to deposit on a substrate; and a primary reagent to form: a metal cation to deposit on the substrate as a metal; and a reducing anion to provide electrons to the activating catalyst, the metal cation, the substrate, or a combination thereof, wherein the primary reagent forms the metal cation and the reducing anion in response to being subjected to a dissociating condition.

Abstract: The copper electroless baths are formaldehyde free and are environmentally friendly. The electroless copper baths include one or more sulfinate compounds as reducing agents to replace formaldehyde. The electroless baths are stable and deposit a bright copper on substrates.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a galvanized steel sheet that has low sliding resistance in press forming and good degreasing property even under severe alkaline degreasing treatment conditions due to low temperature and short process line length. An oxide layer formed on the surface of a galvanized steel sheet is subjected to neutralization treatment using an alkaline aqueous solution containing 0.01 g/L or more of P ions and 0.01 g/L or more of colloid dispersed particles, wherein the alkaline aqueous solution preferably contains at least one phosphorus compound selected from phosphates, pyrophosphates, and triphosphates and at least one type of colloid dispersed particles selected from Ti, silica, Pt, Pd, Zr, Ag, Cu, Au, and Mg.

Abstract: In a method for coating a sliding element, in particular a piston ring or a cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine, DLC phases are embedded into a hard material layer as said hard material layer is deposited. A sliding element, such as a piston ring or a cylinder liner of an internal combustion engine, comprises a hard material layer with embedded DLC phases.

Abstract: A method of machining a nickel containing alloy gas turbine engine component (34) comprises applying a material removal gas comprising gaseous carbon monoxide at a nickel carbonyl gas forming temperature such as 50 to 60° C. to a surface of the component to form a nickel carbonyl gas, and thereby remove a surface layer from at least part of the component.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method of fabricating a stack, including replacing a metal layer of a stack imprint structure with an oxide layer, patterning the oxide layer stack using chemical etch processes to transfer the pattern image and cleaning etch residue from the stack imprint structure to substantially prevent contamination of the metal layers.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system is provided for a subterranean well casing having an enclosed upper section of the well casing being substantially shielded by a cellar from an impressed-current cathodic protection circuit passing through earth media. The impressed-current cathodic protection circuit is provided to protect an unenclosed lower section of the well casing. To protect the enclosed upper section of the well casing, a supplemental cathodic protection circuit is provided. The supplemental cathodic protection circuit is a galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit comprising the enclosed upper section of the well casing and one or more bracelet galvanic anodes being circumferentially mounted to the enclosed upper section. The enclosed upper section of the well casing and the one or more bracelet galvanic anodes are substantially surrounded by a cellar backfill, and the galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit is equally effective throughout a broad range of non-homogeneity within the cellar backfill.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing water using hydrated cobalt molybdenum is disclosed. A plurality of hydrated cobalt molybdenum nanoparticles are supported on an electrode and are able to catalytically interact with water molecules generating oxygen. The catalyst can be used as part of an electrochemical or photo-electrochemical cell for the generation of electrical energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards flow structures in electrochemical cells for use in high differential pressure operations. The flow structure on the low pressure-side of the cell has a larger surface area than the flow structure on the high-pressure side of the cell at the flow structure—MEA interface. The boundary of the high pressure flow structure is entirely within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. A seal around the high pressure flow structure is also contained within the boundary of the low pressure flow structure. In such an arrangement, high fluid pressures acting on the electrolyte membrane from the high-pressure side of the cell is fully and continuously balanced by the flow structure on the low pressure-side of the membrane. Use of the low pressure flow structure as a membrane support prevents the rupture or deformation of the membrane under high stresses.

Abstract: Copper electroplating baths having a surface tension of ?40 mN/m are suitable for filling vias with copper, where such copper deposits are substantially void-free and substantially free of surface defects.

Abstract: Iridium electroplating compositions containing 1,10-phenanthroline compounds in trace amounts to electroplate substantially defect-free uniform and smooth surface morphology indium on metal layers. The indium electroplating compositions can be used to electroplate indium metal on metal layers of various substrates such as semiconductor wafers and as thermal interface materials.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for performing a surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) to the surface of a variety of materials including thin films, nanomaterials, and other delicate and brittle materials. In an aspect, a surface of a material is modified to a modified surface and from an original state to a modified state, wherein the modified state comprises a physical modification, a chemical modification, or a biological modification. In another aspect, a surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) is applied to the modified surface of the material for a defined duration of time, wherein a condition associated with the SMAT is adjusted based on a structural composition of the material. In yet another aspect, a defined strain is imposed on the structural composition of the material based on the SMAT.

Abstract: In a process for anodizing a metal object (12), the metal object (12) is contacted with an anodizing electrolyte (32), and is first pre-anodized so as to grow a thin oxide film on the surface. The microscopic surface area is then deduced from electrical measurements either during pre-anodizing or on the pre-anodized surface. The metal object (12) can then be anodized. This is applicable when treating an implant to provide a surface that has the ability to incorporate biocidal material such as silver ions. The pre-anodizing uses a low voltage, for example no more than 2. V, and may take less than 120 seconds.

Abstract: A method of preparing aluminum alloy-resin composite and an aluminum alloy-resin composite obtained by the same are provided. of the method comprises: S1: anodizing a surface of an aluminum alloy substrate to form an oxide layer on the surface, the oxide layer including nanopores; S2: immersing the resulting aluminum alloy substrate obtained in step S1 in a buffer solution having a pH of about 10 to about 13, to form a corrosion pores on an outer surface of the oxide layer; and S3: injection molding a resin onto the surface of the resulting aluminum alloy substrate obtained in step S2 in a mold to obtain the aluminum alloy-resin composite.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the isoelectric pH for materials deposited on or otherwise affixed onto and in contact with an electrode surface, and a method for utilizing the isoelectric pH to form nanometer thickness, self-assembled layers on the material, are described. Forming such layers utilizing information obtained about the isoelectric pH values of the substrate and the coating is advantageous since the growth of the coating is self-limiting because once the surface charge has been neutralized there is no longer a driving force for the solid electrolyte coating thickness to increase, and uniform coatings without pinhole defects will be produced because a local driving force for assembly will exist if any bare electrode material is exposed to the solution. The present self-assembly procedure, when combined with electrodeposition, may be used to increase the coating thickness.

Abstract: A metal plating apparatus includes a chemical bath chamber, an anode disposed at a bottom portion of the chemical bath chamber, and a cathode disposed at a top portion of the chemical bath chamber. A solenoid coil is disposed within the chemical bath chamber between the anode and the cathode. The solenoid coil is arranged to apply a magnetic field during a metal plating process in a direction from the anode to the cathode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electroplating systems for forming a layer of metal on a wafer which include an electroplating module and a wafer edge imaging system. The electroplating module may include a cell for containing an anode and an electroplating solution during electroplating, and a wafer holder for holding the wafer in the electroplating solution and rotating the wafer during electroplating. The wafer edge imaging system may include a wafer holder for holding and rotating the wafer through different azimuthal orientations, a camera oriented for obtaining multiple azimuthally separated images of a process edge of the wafer while it is held and rotated (the process edge corresponding to the outer edge of the layer of metal formed on the wafer), and image analysis logic for determining an edge exclusion distance, wherein the edge exclusion distance is a distance between the wafer's edge and the process edge.

Abstract: A method of coating an electroplating rack used for supporting non-conductive substrates during a plating process. The method comprises the steps of contacting at least a portion of the electroplating rack with a plastisol composition, the plastisol composition having dispersed therein an effective amount of an additive; and heating the electroplating rack with the plastisol composition thereon to a suitable temperature and for a sufficient time to cure the plastisol and form a solid insulating coating on the electroplating rack. The coated electroplating rack may then be used for mounting non-conductive substrates for subsequent metallization steps.

Abstract: A growth chamber or a Czochralski crystal growth station has one or more re-sealable caps that are inserted into the chamber body. An O-ring seals the cap within its mating portion of the chamber body. The re-sealable caps facilitate re-use of the chamber body for a future crystal growth cycle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal according to a Czochralski method to manufacture an N-type silicon single crystal, including the steps of: seeding to bring a seed crystal into contact with a silicon melt in a crucible and thereafter, necking to pull the seed crystal to narrow a diameter thereof, wherein a dopant concentration in the silicon melt is predicted by a difference between a temperature at the seeding and a temperature at the necking, and resistivity of the single crystal to be pulled is controlled on the basis of the predicted dopant concentration in the silicon melt. A method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal can efficiently manufacture a silicon single crystal with a desired resistivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for evaluating a vitreous silica crucible which can measure a three-dimensional shape of the inner surface of the crucible in a non-destructive manner.

Abstract: A method of forming a TMDC monolayer comprises providing a multi-layer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) film. The multi-layer TMDC film comprises a plurality of layers of the TMDC. The multi-layer TMDC film is positioned on a conducting substrate. The conducting substrate is contacted with an electrolyte solution. A predetermined electrode potential is applied on the conducting substrate and the TMDC monolayer for a predetermined time. A portion of the plurality of layers of the TMDC included in the multi-layer TMDC film is removed by application of the predetermined electrode potential, thereby leaving a TMDC monolayer film positioned on the conducting substrate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of recovering a sequence-verified target nucleic acid are provided. In some embodiments, such methods may include tagging each member of a nucleic acid library with a set of adaptor sequences; sequencing the tagged members of the nucleic acid library; and recovering the sequence-verified target nucleic acid from the tagged and sequenced members of the nucleic acid library using a dial-out selection method. In certain embodiments, the members of the nucleic acid library may be tagged with a second set of adaptor sequences.

Abstract: Provided are an amorphous polyetherimide fiber having not only a small single fiber fineness suitable for producing fabrics, and a fabric comprising the amorphous polyetherimide fiber. The fiber comprises an amorphous polyetherimide polymer having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of less than 2.5, and having a shrinkage percentage under dry heat at 200° C. of 5% or less, and a single fiber fineness of 3.0 dtex or less. The fiber may have a tenacity at room temperature of 2.0 cN/dtex or greater.

Abstract: The present invention implements a set of grooves/ridges created on Ti at the circumferential direction to increase surface area of implant in contact with bone. These grooves/ridges protect nanofiber matrix (NFM) made with Polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofiber (ENF) and collagen at the groove from physiological loading. Controlled fabrication of a ridge made with titanium nitride (TiN) around the circumference of Ti is provided using a plasma nitride deposition technique. PCL ENF may be deposited along the sub-micrometer grooves using the electrospin setup disclosed. The method provides for fabrication of microgroove on Ti using machining or TiN deposition and filling the microgrooves with the NFM. This method has proven through experimentation to be successful in increasing in vivo mechanical stability and promoting osseointegration on Ti implants. The immobilization of MgO NP and FN with the PCL-CG NFM on microgrooved Ti as provided in the invention optimizes biological performances of Ti.

Abstract: The invention provides carpet fibers prepared from a blend of polymeric components, said fiber exhibiting improved properties, such as improved spinnability and improved fire resistance. The carpet fibers particularly comprise a majority of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and a minority of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The invention further provides yarns and carpets prepared from the inventive fibers, said yarns and carpets likewise exhibiting improved properties. The invention also provides methods of improving various physical properties (such as fire resistance, spinnability, and elongation) of a polymeric composition.

Abstract: Microscale and nanoscale tubular structures are provided including rheological fluids in their interior volume and including at least one electroactive component. Multiple tubular structures are provided, including simple hollow tube structures; core/shell structures, wherein the tube includes a tubular outer shell with a core extending axially therein; concentric tube or coaxial tube structures, wherein the tube includes a tubular outer shell and one or more concentric tubes extending axially therein; and core/concentric tube structures, wherein concentric tubes further include a core extending axially therein, thus having a core and two or more tubes surrounding the core. The tubular structures are formed by electrospinning and special spinnerets are provided. The tubular structures form fabrics for beneficial uses.

Abstract: An example oven for heating fibers includes a chamber having upper and lower portions and a supply structure between first and second ends of the chamber, wherein the supply structure is in communication with a first heating system and is configured to direct first heated gas from the first heating system into the upper portion of the chamber to heat fibers in the upper portion at a first temperature, and wherein the supply structure is in communication with a second heating system and is configured to direct second heated gas from the second heating system into the lower portion of the chamber to heat fibers in the lower portion at a second temperature different than the first temperature such that the upper and lower portions of the chamber maintain the different temperatures without a physical barrier between the upper and lower portion.

Abstract: A warp knitted heat resistant separation fabric is provided, having at least two sets of warp yarns. A first set of warp yarns is positioned over the width of the fabric and formed with pillar stitches; and a second set of warp yarns positioned over the width of the fabric shows in its repeat in the fabric an underlap under at least two pillars that are formed by the first set of warp yarns.

Abstract: A device for producing a 3 dimensional shaped consolidated product. The device includes a rotary drum, defined as a rotary conveyor with a peripheral surface extending in circumferential direction with at least one product shaping area in the form of a cavity on said peripheral surface, the peripheral surface is pervious to air at least in the product shaping area, at least one material feed device to feed a base material into the at least one cavity, a vacuum device designed to generate a negative pressure at least in the at least one cavity, whereby the generated suction is directed towards the interior of the rotary conveyor, and whereby downstream of the material feed device at least one consolidating device is located such that at least a part of the filled cavity is subjected to a consolidating treatment whereby the base material at least partly will adhere to neighboring material.

Abstract: Vibration reduction mechanism for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a vibration reduction mechanism for a sewing machine includes a rotational counterweight and a reciprocating counterweight. The rotational counterweight is configured to be coupled to a driveshaft of a sewing machine and is configured to be rotated by rotation of the driveshaft. The reciprocating counterweight is coupled to the rotational counterweight. A first portion of the reciprocating counterweight is configured to be rotated by the rotation of the rotational counterweight. A second portion of the reciprocating counterweight is configured to be substantially reciprocated along a length of a structure by the rotation of the rotational counterweight.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering bulkiness of a nonwoven fabric by blowing hot air and heating the nonwoven fabric transferred in a transfer direction, includes a case member that has both end portions in the transfer direction opened; an entrance and an exit provided to openings on opposite end sides, in the transfer direction, of the case member to transfer the nonwoven fabric; and a blast opening provided on the entrance side of the case member for blasting hot air inside the case member toward the exit. Inside the case member, a sectional area at a first position downstream of the blast opening is wider than at a second position located between the blast opening and the first position. Hot air blasted from the blast opening flows downstream through the first and second positions while coming into contact with one of two faces of the nonwoven fabric inside the case member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clothes treatment apparatus including a washing apparatus including a cabinet having an opening formed at an upper side thereof and a door configured to open and close the opening to perform a washing process, and a drying apparatus including a drying chamber provided on at least one side surface of the cabinet to dry laundry, and a heated air generating part to introduce heated air to the drying chamber, so that a washing process and a drying process are simultaneously or separately controlled, thereby enhancing the clothes treatment efficiency.

Abstract: A washing machine for washing laundry may include a drum type washing machine having a tub, a drum, a water pressure and/or level sensor, an air flow path, a bubble detecting sensor, and a controller. The bubble detecting sensor may be along the air flow path of the tub in order to detect whether bubbles, suds or foam are generated within the tub and/or whether the bubbles, suds or foam exceed an acceptable amount. When the bubbles within the tub are detected and/or exceed the acceptable amount, the washing machine (e.g., the controller) may perform a preset or predetermined bubble removing course or procedure to remove or reduce the bubbles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine with a balancer to counterbalance unbalanced load produced during rotation of a drum and a control method thereof. The washing machine having a balancer to counterbalance unbalanced load produced during rotation of the drum seats a mass in a groove in the balancer before rotation of the drum possibly producing unbalance as in the spin-drying cycle begins, thereby efficiently maintaining balance of the drum. Accordingly, vibration in the drum may be reduced and product liability incident due to touch of the frame may be prevented.

Abstract: Provided is a laundry treating apparatus including a drum, a circular guide, and a panel. The drum holds laundry, has a front side and a rear side opened, and has a cross-section of a noncircular looped curve in which a distance from a rotation center is not uniform. The circular guide rotatably supports a portion of the drum in which a section curvature is uniform. The panel is provided on a front side or a rear side of the drum and supports the circular guide such that the circular guide is rotatable.