Abstract: Disclosed is an electric Al—Zr alloy plating bath containing an aluminum halide (A), one or more compounds (B) selected from the group consisting of N-alkylpyridinium halides, N-alkylimidazolium halides, N,N?-alkylimidazolium halides, N-alkylpyrazolium halides and N,N?-alkylpyrazolium halides, and a zirconium halide (C). The molar ratio between the aluminum halide (A) and the compounds (B) is from 1:1 to 3:1. The electric Al—Zr alloy plating bath further contains an aromatic organic solvent (D), an organic polymer (E) and one or more additives (F) selected from brightening agents.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of apparatus for electroplating semiconductor substrates includes operating in a high mode of operation in which an off-the-shelf power supply provides current or voltage that is directly used to produce the channel control signal and in a low mode of operation in which the off-the-shelf power supply biases a circuit that provides a current or voltage to produce the channel control signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for plating a metal onto a work piece are described. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a plating chamber, a substrate holder, an anode chamber housing an anode, an ionically resistive ionically permeable element positioned between a substrate and the anode chamber during electroplating, an auxiliary cathode located between the anode and the ionically resistive ionically permeable element, and an insulating shield with an opening in its central region. The insulating shield may be movable with respect to the ionically resistive ionically permeable element to vary a distance between the shield and the ionically resistive ionically permeable element during electroplating.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, template-free process for the fabrication of metal nanowires of novel dimensions. The unconventional method produces highly ordered and freestanding aluminum nanowire arrays.

Abstract: A substrate, in particular intended for contact with liquid silicon, wherein it is at least partially surface-coated with a multilayer coating formed by: at least one layer, known as the adhesion layer, contiguous with the substrate, having an open porosity of at least 30%, and formed of a material comprising silica and silicon nitride, said material having a silica content of between 10 wt.-% and 55 wt.-% in relation to the total weight thereof; and a layer different from the adhesion layer, known as the release layer, located on the surface of the adhesion layer and formed of a material including silica and silicon nitride, said material having a silica content of between 2 wt.-% and 10 wt.-% in relation to the total weight thereof.

Abstract: A dopant feeding device for releasing dopant into a feeder system during doping of a crystal growing system includes a dopant container for holding the dopant, a lower valve, and an upper valve. The dopant container includes a wall defining a lower opening for releasing the dopant therethrough. The lower valve is positioned adjacent to the lower opening and is movable between a closed position that is in contact with the wall to prevent passage of dopant through the lower opening and an open position that is spaced from the lower opening to allow passage of dopant therethrough. The upper valve is positioned above and connected to the lower valve. The upper valve is disposed within the dopant container and is movable between a first position that is spaced from the dopant container and a second position that is in contact with the dopant container.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite semiconductor component comprising: (i) providing a bowed substrate comprising a wafer of synthetic diamond material having a thickness td, the bowed substrate being bowed by an amount B and comprising a convex face and a concave face; (ii) growing a layer of compound semiconductor material on the convex face of the bowed substrate via a chemical vapour deposition technique at a growth temperature T to form a bowed composite semiconductor component comprising the layer of compound semiconductor material of thickness tsc on the convex face of the bowed substrate, the compound semiconductor material having a higher average thermal expansion coefficient than the synthetic diamond material between the growth temperature T and room temperature providing a thermal expansion mismatch ?Tec; and (iii) cooling the bowed composite semiconductor component, wherein the layer of compound semiconductor material contracts more than the wafer of synthetic diamond material during cooling due

Abstract: A method for producing a SiC single crystal by a solution method of bringing a seed crystal into contact with a Si solution of C and pulling up a SiC single crystal, the production method of a SiC single crystal including connecting the seed crystal to a seed crystal holder, disposing a cooling mechanism on the seed crystal holder, and promoting cooling of the seed crystal holder by the cooling mechanism in accordance with an increase in the pulling amount of the SiC single crystal.

Abstract: A periodic table Group 13 metal nitride crystals grown with a non-polar or semi-polar principal surface have numerous stacking faults. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a period table Group 13 metal nitride crystal wherein the occurrence of stacking faults of this kind are suppressed. The present invention achieves the foregoing by a periodic table Group 13 metal nitride crystal being characterized in that, in a Qx direction intensity profile that includes a maximum intensity and is derived from an isointensity contour plot obtained by x-ray reciprocal lattice mapping of (100) plane of the periodic table Group 13 metal nitride crystal, a Qx width at 1/300th of peak intensity is 6×10?4 rlu or less.

Abstract: Materials, including metals such as bulk metals, specialty alloys, metallic films and coatings, are made up of many tiny single crystals, which may also be referred to as grains. The boundaries between crystals are called grain boundaries and govern properties such as mechanical strength, deformation, and electrical resistivity. These properties are affected by not only the number of grain boundaries formed, but also the density and orientation of those grain boundaries. Twin boundaries are a special type of grain boundary which have symmetrical “mirror image” structures and preserve favorable qualities of grain boundaries while suppressing unfavorable properties such as the initiation of cracks, inclusions, and other unwanted flaws. Some metals and alloys form twins more easily than others during processing.

Abstract: A filament comprising a polymer blend and specific articles comprising the filament are disclosed. The polymer blend includes an aliphatic nylon and a semiaromatic nylon. The aliphatic nylon is the major component of the blend and semiaromatic nylon is the minor component of the blend. The aliphatic nylon can be Nylon 6, Nylon 66, Nylon 610, Nylon 612, Nylon 12, and mixtures thereof. The semiaromatic nylon can be 6I/6T, 6T/6I, and mixtures thereof. The nylon blend filament provides enhanced mechanical properties such as modulus, ultimate strength, and yield strength with improved processability and reduced diameter variability at a reduced cost.

Abstract: A bundle of carbon fibers has a value A obtained from a nonlinear approximation formula of a stress ?-strain ? curve in a tensile strength test of resin-impregnated strands and an orientation parameter ? (%) of crystallites in a wide-angle x-ray diffraction measurement which satisfy a predetermined relational expression, and has tensile strength with a predetermined value or more, and tensile modulus within a predetermined range and a product E×d/W of a ratio d/W of a single-fiber diameter d to a loop width W just before loop fracture evaluated by a single-fiber loop test and a tensile modulus E of the strands has a predetermined value or more, or apparent single-fiber stress has a predetermined value or more when the number of fiber breaks by a single-fiber fragmentation method for a single-fiber composite is 0.30 breaks/mm and when the number of the fiber breaks by the single-fiber fragmentation method for the single-fiber composite is 0.

Abstract: A spinning rotor (3) for an open-end spinning device (1) operating in particular at high rotor speeds with a rotor cup (26), having a rotor bottom (6) and an opening (30) and having an annular wall section (31) designed as a fiber sliding wall. The rotor cup (26) in the transitional area between the rotor bottom (6) and the annular wall section (31) has a support collar (9) pointing away from the opening (30) of the rotor cup (26).

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) woven preform with channels in the through thickness direction developed for applications such as forming light weight preforms with an increased thickness.

Abstract: Using an existing embroidery design that has been created for applique, data is automatically created for a cutting machine, which will cut the applique. Currently, the user currently has to cut these by hand—a labor intensive process or use a custom die that can be expensive. The process only requires that the applique steps in the sewing sequence are labeled as such. Generally, the applique steps are so labeled in order for the design creator to be able to let the sewer know what they are doing.

Abstract: A sewing machine presser foot includes: a presser foot body including an attachment portion attached to a presser bar of a sewing machine, a supporting portion extending downward from the attachment portion , and a pressing portion in which, at a lower end of the supporting portion, a needle guiding hole having a string guiding groove for guiding a string is formed; and a cover member including a groove covering portion that crosses and covers the string guiding groove of the pressing portion, a supporting plate portion formed along the supporting portion continuously from the groove covering portion, and an attachment portion formed at an end of the supporting plate portion so as to be attached to the presser foot body. A right-side portion of the supporting plate portion of the cover member is fixed to the presser foot body A by the attachment portion.

Abstract: A device for holding a textile area of a textile piece is provided, for a process of washing and/or drying the textile piece. The device includes at least two opposing clamping surface elements which can be closed by means of a pre-clamping device. The pre-clamping device grips the textile area introduced between the clamping surface elements and extended parallel to the clamping surface, by application of a pre-clamping force between the clamping surface elements. The textile area can be held immovably in the extension surface of the clamping surface relative to the clamping surface elements. The clamping surface elements have a clamping surface with a surface area at least as large as the textile area. The device includes a nozzle for application of a fluid and/or a washing agent to the textile area for washing the textile area or for application of air to the textile area for smoothing drying.

Abstract: Washing machine control method including an outer tub and an inner tub containing clothes rotatably disposed therein. The method includes detecting an amount of dry clothes, supplying water between the outer and inner tub such that the clothes are not wetted, discharging water from the outer tub to a circulation channel and introducing water into the inner tub through the circulation channel to wet the clothes, discharging unabsorbed water collected in the outer tub to the circulation channel such that a water level in the outer tub becomes zero while detecting a flow rate of water, and determining an amount of circulation water discharged to the circulation channel based on the flow rate detected until a water level in the outer tub becomes zero and determining properties of the clothes based on the amount of circulation water and a predetermined anticipated amount of circulation water corresponding to the amount of dry clothes detected.

Abstract: A washing machine which enables a user to effectively perform hand washing of washings in a washing and dewatering tank is disclosed. A full-automatic washing machine has: a washing and dewatering tank for performing washing and dewatering of washings; a water supply unit for supplying water into the washing and dewatering tank; a control part for controlling the water supply unit; an auxiliary washing plate which is detachably installed in the washing and dewatering tank and has a shape of concaves and convexes on an upper surface; and a hand washing water supply button which is operated when the auxiliary washing plate installed in the washing and dewatering tank is used for performing hand washing of washings. Here, the control part supplies water to the water supply unit based on a condition already operated on the hand washing water supply button.

Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus including a rotatable drum in which laundry is stored, at least three balancers mounted to the drum so as to be spaced apart from one another by the same angle around a rotation center of the drum. Liquid is introduced into and discharged from the balancers via a feeder supplying the liquid and a flow path structure mounted to the drum to guide liquid supplied from the feeder to the balancer located in a direction for removal of unbalance of the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine including a casing, an outer tub located within the casing, at least one support member to suspend the outer tub from the casing, a suspension, provided at a lower side of the outer tub and connected to the at least one support member, to attenuate vibration of the outer tub and at least one horizontal vibration attenuation unit to attenuate horizontal vibration of the outer tub by the introduction of friction according to a horizontal displacement of the outer tub.

Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus in which as an outer tub vibrates, a piston and a cylinder are relatively moved. When as the outer tub vibrates, the piston and the cylinder move relative to each other and a frictional member provides a frictional force between itself and the other one to attenuate vertical vibration of the outer tub. In particular, the piston and the cylinder are prevented from being separated from each other in the laundry treatment apparatus.

Abstract: Washing machine appliances and methods for operating washing machine appliances are provided. A method includes receiving a desired water temperature selection, and causing water to be flowed through a valve assembly to a nozzle, the nozzle operable to flow water into a tub of the washing machine appliance. The method further includes receiving, when the desired water temperature selection is an unregulated water temperature, an initial sensed water temperature from a temperature sensor, and causing the valve assembly to adjust a temperature of the water flowed through the valve assembly when the desired water temperature selection is an unregulated water temperature and the initial sensed water temperature is below a predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: A washing machine including a filter device, a support, or an auxiliary damper, using pressure of water supplied thereto. The washing machine includes a casing, a reservoir installed inside the casing, a water supply tube connected to an upper portion of the reservoir such that wash water is supplied through the water supply tube, a drainage tube connected to a lower portion of the reservoir such that wash water is discharged through the drainage tube, and a filter device which allows wash water to be moved and eliminates foreign substances from the wash water at one side of the reservoir using pressure of the wash water supplied through the water supply tube. It may be possible to eliminate foreign substances from laundry using pressure of water supplied according to progress of operation of the washing machine without provision of additional power.

Abstract: A latch switch assembly for an appliance or the like provides spring-loaded jaws to retain a latch strike when a door of the appliance is closed and a switch operator positioned behind spring-loaded jaws be activated by the latch strike when it is received.

Abstract: A cutting guide having a seam allowance recess and methods of cutting a piece of material with such cutting guide.

Abstract: An air bag coated with a cured organopolysiloxane composition, characterized in that the air bag is top coated with an antifriction coating comprising at least one solid lubricant dispersed in an organic polymer binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for manufacturing pulp and more specifically to improved processes for manufacturing dissolving pulp. The processes have primarily been developed to be used in connection with large scale kraft processes, i.e. they have been designed to be incorporated into a plant. A liquor derivable from the process and comprising xylan, lignin, alkali and water is also disclosed as well as a dissolving pulp produced by the process.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a dust control system for the “dry” side of a through-air drying (TAD) papermaking system. A series of dust hoods are placed in specific locations, both above and below the web of paper or tissue that is being manufactured. Each hood spans at least a substantial portion of the width of the belt or web, and each hood is shaped and otherwise adapted for its particular position, both to accommodate the structure of the papermaking machine and to ensure that the airflow through the inlet of the hood is substantially uniform across its entire width. Baffles are provided between certain hoods in order to create dust-control zones around the hoods, and air ramps and other elements may be used to drive dust into the dust control zones and toward the hoods.

Abstract: A color sampling display product is provided that includes a radiation-curable water-based coating composition applied to a substrate, and shows mechanical integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crumple-resistant security sheet comprising fibers; an anionic polymer in a proportion lying in the range 5% to 45% by dry weight relative to the total dry weight of the fibers, and presenting a glass transition temperature greater than 40° C.; and a main cationic flocculation agent in a quantity lying in the range 1% to 5% by dry weight relative to the total dry weight of the fibers.

Abstract: Fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 15.8% as measured according to the Elongation Test Method are provided.

Abstract: Fibrous structures that exhibit improved consumer recognizable properties, especially a VFS of greater than about 11 g/g, and to methods for making such fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: A support for a camera dolly comprising spaced-apart first and second rails comprised of longitudinal rail members. The first rail has a first seam between its rail members, and the second rail has a second seam between its rail members. The first seam in the first rail is directly opposed from a corresponding second seam in the second rail. The first and second seams have first and second leading edges formed at crowns on the first and second rails, and the leading edge of the first seam is offset longitudinally with respect to the leading edge of the corresponding second seam.

Abstract: A multi-axial geogrid possesses a series of interconnected strands or ribs that are arranged along at least two different axes within the plane of the structure. The strands or ribs have an aspect ratio, defined as the ratio of the thickness to width, of greater than 1.0, thickness being the direction normal to the plane of the structure. The geogrid can be manufactured by modifying the process parameters in order to create high aspect ratio ribs, using any of the various known methods for producing geogrids. A reinforced civil engineering structure, and method therefor, is formed by embedding in soil one or more horizontal layers of geogrid having high aspect ratio ribs. The reinforced structure shows improved rutting performance when subjected to vehicular traffic.

Abstract: A soil compactor, including at least one compactor roller, which is free to rotate about an axis of rotation of the roller, with a plurality of roller segments, which follow one another along the direction of the axis of rotation of the roller, wherein, in each case, at least one electromotive drive for producing an oscillating torque is assigned to each roller segment.

Abstract: A vibratory mechanism may include a support housing extending between a first end and a second end and disposed along a common axis of the drum assembly, a first shaft coupled to the first end of the support housing and rotatably movable about the common axis, a second shaft coupled to the second end of the support housing and axially movable along the common axis, an eccentric mass disposed between the first shaft and the second shaft and rotatable about a travel radius, a first link pivotally coupling the eccentric mass to the first shaft, and a second link pivotally coupling the eccentric mass to the second shaft.

Abstract: In a self-propelled road milling machine for working road surfaces, comprising a machine frame, comprising a milling drum mounted to rotate and extending in axial direction transverse to the direction of travel, and a milling drum housing enclosing the milling drum, where the milling drum comprises multiple tools circumferentially preferably arranged in the shape of a helix, where the tools, except for the axial peripheral area, feature a specified mutual line spacing, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: an oscillation drive exercises an oscillation stroke on the axis of the milling drum moving to and fro in axial direction relative to the machine frame, where the rotating movement of the tools is superimposable with an axial movement parallel to the axis of the milling drum, the stroke of which is adjustable to the line spacing between two axially neighboring tools.

Abstract: A road surface crushing apparatus includes: a cylinder-shaped drum configured to be rotatably installed on one side of a main transportation means; a plurality of crushing units each formed to protrude from one side of the outer circumferential surface of the drum in an outward direction, and configured to crush a road surface to be repaired; and one or more cutting units each formed to extend from one side of one of both ends of the outer circumferential surface of the drum in a direction away from the outer circumferential surface of the drum, and configured to cut a boundary surface between the road surface to be repaired and a road surface not to be repaired; wherein when the drum is rotated, both a crushing operation of the crushing units and a cutting operation of the cutting units are simultaneously performed.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier system that prevents “tailgating”. The system may include a control system in communication with a sensor system for detecting a vehicle seeking passage through a gateway, as well as a first and second gate system. The control system receives data from the sensor system indicating the presence of the vehicle and, in response, determines whether the second gate system is closed. When the second gate is determined to be closed, the control system opens the first gate system to allow the vehicle to pass the first gate system and attempts to close the first gate system behind the vehicle after the vehicle passes the first gate system. In response to successfully closing the first gate system behind the vehicle, the second gate system is opened to allow the vehicle to proceed through the gateway. Otherwise, an alarm is sounded.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier apparatus includes a horizontal barrier component, a vertical barrier component, at least one rigid stabilizer beam having two end surfaces and at least one elongated side surface. One end of the stabilizer beam is affixed to the vertical barrier component. The elongated side surface of the stabilizer beam is affixed to the horizontal barrier component to prevent rotational movement of the vertical barrier component. A lower surface of the horizontal barrier component is a friction-enhanced surface which creates a sliding friction interface upon contact of a moving vehicle with the vertical barrier component.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: An animal waste collecting tool for improved sanitization includes an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end connects to an attachment member that is for securing the tool with a user's arm. The lower end connects to a V-shaped support member wherein two legs of the V-shaped support member are connected to a semi-circular member. On the bottom surface of the semi-circular member, there are a plurality of hooks on the bottom surface of the semi-circular member, each of the plurality of hooks being biased in the forward direction. Another hook being biased in the rearward direction is inside the tip between two legs of the V-shaped support member, for securing a disposable bag on the semi-circular member in conjunction with the plurality of hooks on the bottom surface of the semi-circular member.

Abstract: A snow melting and removal vehicle includes a vehicle body that is drivable. A primary chamber is situated inside the vehicle and defines an open area. A collection assembly includes an auger configured to collect the snow from the ground surface and deposit the snow into the primary chamber. A heating assembly surrounds the primary chamber for imparting heat to the primary chamber when energized so as to melt the snow therein. The primary chamber and the vehicle body define outlet openings for releasing the melted snow away from the primary chamber and vehicle body. A filter assembly intermediate the collection assembly and primary chamber includes a filter grate rotatably coupled to the primary chamber and configured to rotate to block debris from entering the primary chamber. A collection chamber is downwardly adjacent the grate and is configured to collect solid debris blocked by the filter grate.

Abstract: A floating dam or island is provided by pre-fabricating modular hollow bodies. A first group of modular bodies is laid floating on a water surface, positioning the modular bodies in mutual side-to-side arrangement so as to delimit therebetween intermediate gaps within which the reinforcing rods are protruding. A first concrete casting is performed into the gaps and over the modular bodies so as to render them mutually joined. A second group of modular bodies is then laid over the first group and a second concrete casting is performed in order to join the first and second group together. Additional groups of modular bodies are laid and further concrete castings are performed up to obtaining a monolithic block having a desired floating dam or island configuration.

Abstract: A Nonfloating Oil Fence Boom is disclosed for containing heavy or sinking oils which migrate on an underwater floor. The Non-Floating Oil (NFO) Fence Boom is comprised of a vertical section, a horizontal section that abuts an underwater floor, a buoyant section and a ballast section. The ballast causes the horizontal section to sink and form a seal with the underwater floor, the buoyant section in engineered to provide only enough buoyant force to maintain the vertical section in an upright perpendicular position while not breaking the horizontal sections seal with the underwater floor thus preventing heavy oils from passing below or beyond the fence.

Abstract: A support device configured to be positioned on a lifting vessel in order to support a topside of an offshore platform, the support device comprising: a main cylindrical casing having an upper opening, the main casing defining a main vertical axis, the main casing further defining an upper support rim, a reservoir located inside the main casing for holding a granular material or a fluid, the reservoir having a discharge opening for emptying the reservoir, a spring support slideably arranged within the main casing, the spring support resting on the granular material or the fluid and being movable from an upper position to a lower position in dependence on a filing degree of the reservoir, a spring device positioned on the spring support, a receptor support positioned on the spring device, the receptor support defining an upper surface, and a receptor device.

Abstract: A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential Si(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential Si(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to cellular sheet pile retaining wall systems with unconnected tail walls, and associated methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, a retaining system includes a face wall having a plurality of interconnected face wall sheet piles. The individual face wall sheet piles have a first length and extend a first depth into soil, and the face wall sheet piles form an exterior surface facing an exterior environment. The system also includes a tail wall including a plurality of interconnected tail wall sheet piles extending from the face wall away from the exterior environment. The individual tail wall sheet piles have a second length greater than the first length, and the individual tail sheet wall piles extend a second depth into the soil that is greater than the first depth.