Abstract: The invention relates to a method of typing a sample from a breast cancer patient. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for classification of breast cancer according to the presence or absence of Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR) and Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (ERBB2; HER2). More specifically, the invention provides methods and means to classify breast cancer as ER positive, triple negative (ER?, PR? and HER2?) and HER2+.

Abstract: There are provided an improved cervical cancer diagnosing method and a diagnostic kit for same. According to the present invention, it is possible to more rapidly and accurately provide a patient group requiring a clinical treatment and a prevention treatment in terms of a technical aspect to predict that the limitation of the existing HPV DNA test method can be overcome, automate the RNA extraction from eliminated cells, and more rapidly provide more objective and accurate results because the result analysis can be performed by software by using the real-time RT-PCR.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating endometrial cancer. For example, methods and materials for identifying a female mammal as having endometrial cancer and surgically removing at least the uterus of the female are provided.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively evaluating chromatin structural changes using pixel imaging of the nucleus is provided. Pixel imaging of the nucleus can include capturing one or more images of a nucleus of one or more nucleic acid stain treated cells. The stain intensity can be measured by quantitating the intensity. The mean and/or standard deviation of stain intensity per pixel can be used to determine chromatin condensation levels or chromatin structural change.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for detecting presence of one or more of Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Toxoplasma gondii, Moraxella catarrhalis, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Streptococcus agalactiae, and Neisseria meningitidis nucleic acids in a sample, such as a biological sample obtained from a subject, or an environmental sample. This disclosure also provides probes, primers, and kits for detecting one or more of Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Toxoplasma gondii, Moraxella catarrhalis, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Streptococcus agalactiae, and Neisseria meningitidis in a sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods useful for the detection of MTB. In particular, provided herein are kits, reagents, reaction mixtures, and methods involving such for nucleic acid amplification and detection procedures, which specifically and sensitively detect MTB in samples.

Abstract: An isolation and detection method for viruses from large quantities of water or other aqueous media. The technology employs charged resins to isolate viral particles from liquid sources such as water, milk, juices, and homogenized food. Anionic resin beads are added to a sample liquid and suspended within the liquid. While in suspension the anionic beads complex with negatively charged virus particles of other pathogens. The complexed beads are then removed from the liquid, effecting the isolation of the virus. Detection techniques can then be performed directly on the complexed beads without resorting to additional steps to elute the virus or other pathogen from the bead. The methodology can be employed for the detection of bacteriophage in an aqueous medium where the bacteriophage serves as a surrogate for the presence of a pathogen or other contaminant, such as an enteric virus.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for determining the presence or absence of an enteroviruses and parechoviruses in a biological sample. The methods involve identifying the presence or absence of a target nucleic acids from the viruses using direct amplification from a biological sample without a step of extraction of the nucleic acids, but retaining substantially the same specificity and sensitivity of methods assaying extracted nucleic acids. Also provided are methods of diagnosis using the methods provided and compositions and kits for the practice of the methods.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are rapid real-time isothermal multiplex methods of detecting, identifying and quantifying bacterial, viral, and protozoan nucleic acids in a sample. These include contacting the sample with two or more sets of pathogen-specific reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification primers and novel oligofluorophores specific for the target bacterial, viral, and parasitic nucleic acids of interest such as human immunodeficiency virus, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Yellow fever virus, hepatitis-B virus, Lassa fever virus, Plasmodium, hepatitis-C virus, hepatitis-E virus, dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, Japanese Encephalitis virus, Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus, Mycobacterium, West Nile virus, Cytomegalovirus, Parvovirus, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, and Zika virus nucleic acids, under conditions sufficient to produce detectable real-time amplification signals in about 10 to 40 minutes.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of preparing fermented milk beverage keeping high viable cell count at ambient temperature. The process includes the steps of adding regular yoghurt lactobacillus into milk for fermentation, fermenting until pH value to 3.8-4.8, diluting, mixing and sterilizing with conventional method, adding concentrated culture, concentrated frozen culture or freeze dried culture containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 into mixed milk beverage at aseptic condition. According to various pH value of finished product, it can be stored at ambient temperature for 1-6 months, and the viable cell count will not be less than 105 cfu/ml milk beverage. The indexes of storage period and viable cell count are much higher than fermented milk beverage produced by conventional process. Thereby the defect that fermented milk beverage has short shelf life and low viable cell count at ambient temperature is overcome efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel Lactobacillus strains isolated from sourdough. Also encompassed is a composition comprising at least one of said Lactobacillus strains with optionally additional other microorganisms such as bacteria and/or yeasts. The invention further relates to the use of said Lactobacillus strains or compositions for the manufacture of human food products and food supplement products or animal feed products. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the Lactobacillus strains or the composition of Lactobacillus strains in human or veterinary medicine or in cosmetics.

Abstract: Method of operating a blast furnace installation comprising a top gas recycle blast furnace and hot stones, whereby a hydrocarbon containing fuel is transformed into a transformed gas stream consisting mainly of CO and H2 and substantially devoid of hydrocarbon, whereby a low-heating-value gaseous fuel is generated comprising a mixture of the transformed gas with a portion of the CO2-rich tail gas obtained by decarbonatation of the blast furnace gas, and whereby the low-heating-value fuel is used to heat the hot furnace gas is heated before being injected into the blast-furnace.

Abstract: Provided is a smelting method capable of effectively promoting a reduction reaction on pellets formed using nickel oxide ore as starting material to obtain a ferronickel alloy with a high nickel grade of at least 4%. The present invention is a method for smelting nickel oxide ore wherein ferronickel alloy with a nickel grade of at least 4%, the method comprising a pellet-producing step S1 for producing pellets from nickel oxide ore, and a reducing step S2 for reduction-heating of the obtained pellets in a smelting furnace. In the pellet-producing step S1, the pellets are produced by mixing nickel oxide ore with a specified amount of a carbonaceous reducing agent as starting materials. In the reducing step S2, the produced pellets are charged in a smelting furnace in which a carbonaceous reducing agent (furnace bottom carbonaceous reducing agent) has been spread over the entire furnace bottom and reduction-heating is performed.

Abstract: A Roughly shaped material for induction hardened components including: a. steel as a base metal including, as a chemical composition, by mass %, C: 0.35% to 0.6%, Si: 0.02% to 2.0%, Mn: 0.35% to 1.5%, Al: 0.001% to 0.5%, Cr: 0.05% to 2.0%, S: 0.0001% to 0.05%, N: 0.003% to 0.0120%, P: 0.03% or less, O: 0.0050% or less, an iron nitride layer having a thickness of 0.1 ?m to 50 ?m in a depth direction is formed at a surface, and a volume fraction of a ?? phase, which is a Fe nitride, in the iron nitride layer, is 80% or more.

Abstract: Device for individual quenching of gears, pinions, bearing rings and other similar components of technical devices, operating in a vacuum furnace installation, whereby the quenching chamber of the installation is fitted with tightly-sealed doors for workpiece loading and unloading. The following elements are fitted inside the quenching chamber: removable table on which an individual workpiece is placed, along with a surrounding set of removable nozzles; the inlet of the quenching chamber features an attached tank supplying the cooling medium to the nozzles—preferably air or nitrogen, or argon or helium, or hydrogen or carbon dioxide, or mixtures thereof—while the outlet of the quenching chamber is connected to the inlet of a tank receiving expanded cooling medium from the chamber; moreover, there is a compressor connected in between the two tanks, ensuring closed-loop flow of the cooling medium.

Abstract: A cold-rolled steel sheet having a steel composition comprising, by mass %, 0.12% to 0.22% C, 0.8% to 1.8% Si, 1.8% to 2.8% Mn, 0.020% or less P, 0.0040% or less S, 0.005% to 0.08% Al, 0.008% or less N, 0.001% to 0.040% Ti, 0.0001% to 0.0020% B, 0.0001% to 0.0020% Ca, and Fe and incidental impurities. The steel sheet includes a microstructure in which ferrite and bainite phases are 50% to 70% of the total area, the average grain size of the ferrite and bainite phase is 1 to 3 ?m, a tempered martensite phase is 25% to 45% of the total area, the average grain size of the tempered martensite phase is 1 to 3 ?m, and a retained austenite phase is 2% to 10% of the total area.

Abstract: A filament according to an aspect of the present invention includes a predetermined chemical composition, in which a diameter r of the filament is 0.15 mm to 0.35 mm, a soft portion is formed along an outer circumference of the filament, the Vickers hardness of the soft portion is lower than that of a position of the filament at a depth of ¼ of the diameter r by Hv 50 or higher, the thickness of the soft portion is 1 ?m to 0.1×r mm, the metallographic structure of a center portion of the filament contains 95% to 100% of pearlite by area %, the average lamellar spacing of pearlite in a portion from a surface of the filament to a depth of 1 ?m is less than that of pearlite at the center of the filament, the difference between the average lamellar spacing of pearlite in the portion from the surface of the filament to the depth of 1 ?m and the average lamellar spacing of pearlite at the center of the filament is 2.0 nm or less, and the tensile strength is 3200 MPa or higher.

Abstract: In a continuous annealing line for steel sheets comprising a heating zone, a soaking zone and a cooling zone, two or more induction heating devices are arranged in series in a front half part of the heating zone, and a heating stop region of 1˜30 m in length or a slow heating region having a heating rate of more than 0° C./s but not more than 10° C./s is provided in a temperature zone that the temperature of the steel sheet between two or more induction heating devices is 250° C. to 600° C. Even if the steel sheet is rapidly heated at a heating rate of not less than 50° C./s with such a rapid heating apparatus of the heating zone, the temperature distribution in the steel sheet is uniformized to realize the quality improvement of steel sheet shape or magnetic properties and so on.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for creating multi-phase covetics. For example, there is provided a process for making a composite material. The process includes forming a multi-phase covetic. The forming includes heating a melt including a metal in a molten state and a carbon source to a first temperature threshold to form metal-carbon bonds. The forming further includes subsequently heating the melt to a second temperature threshold, the second temperature threshold being greater than the first temperature threshold. The second temperature threshold is a temperature at or above which ordered multi-phase covetics form in the melt.

Abstract: A method of producing a steel material includes a step of adding Ca to molten steel with an amount of Ca adjusted within a range satisfying the formula (1) below: 0.5 ? { Ca · y ? / ? 100 - ( [ S · W ? / ? 100 ) · 40.08 ? / ? 32.07 } ? 56.08 40.08 ( [ Al 2 ? O 3 ] · W ? / ? 100 ) ? 1.5 ( 1 ) where Ca is the amount [kg] of Ca added, y is an yield [%] of Ca, [S] is a concentration [% by mass] of S in the steel before addition of Ca, [Al2O3] is an amount [% by mass] of Al2O3 in the steel before addition of Ca, and W is a weight [kg] of the molten steel.

Abstract: The copper alloy of the present invention contains 5% by mass to 25% by mass of Ni, 5% by mass to 10% by mass of Sn, 0.005% by mass to 0.5% by mass of element A (element A being at least one selected from the group consisting of Nb, Zr and Ti), and 0.005% by mass or more of carbon. In the copper alloy, the mole ratio of the carbon to the element A is 10.0 or less. The copper alloy may further contain 0.01% by mass to 1% by mass of Mn. In this copper alloy, the element A may be present as carbide.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy having excellent formability and elasticity includes Ti, B, Mg, and the Al, wherein a composition ratio of Ti: B: Mg is 1:3.5˜4.5:1, and AlB2 and TiB2 are present as reinforcing phases.

Abstract: This hot-rolled ferritic stainless steel sheet has a steel composition containing, in terms of % by mass: 0.02% or less of C; 0.02% or less of N; 0.1% to 1.5% of Si; 1.5% or less of Mn; 0.035% or less of P; 0.010% or less of S; 1.5% or less of Ni; 10% to 20% of Cr; 1.0% to 3.0% of Cu; 0.08% to 0.30% of Ti; and 0.3% or less of Al, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, and the hot-rolled ferritic stainless steel sheet has a Vickers hardness of less than 235 Hv.

Abstract: A cold-rolled steel sheet has a predetermined chemical composition, in which a structure before and after a hot-stamping includes ferrite: 30 area % to 90 area %, martensite: 0 area % or more and less than 20 area %, pearlite: 0 area % to 10 area %, retained austenite: 5 volume % to 20 volume %, and rest structure: bainite, a hardness of the retained austenite measured with a nano indenter before and after the hot-stamping satisfies relations of H2/H1<1.1 and ?HM<20, and a relation of TS×El?20000 MPa·% is satisfied.

Abstract: A holder for securing at least one rod-shaped substrate body having a variable cross-section along the substrate body has a substrate body region BQ1 comprising a surface to be treated. The holder comprises at least one perforated wall as the front wall, the wall having at least one opening, and also comprises a support element and a retaining element. The support element is constructed and/or secured in the opening in such a way that at least part of the substrate body can be arranged longitudinally and obliquely in the support element and the retaining element is constructed and/or secured in the opening in such a way that the retaining element can retain the substrate body at a point between the region BQ1 and the remainder of the substrate body such that the region BQ1 protrudes from the holder through the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a metal strip, in which a layer of an oxidizable metal or an oxidizable metal alloy or a metal oxide is vacuum-deposited on a metal strip precoated with zinc or with a zinc alloy, the coated metal strip is then coiled, and the wound coil undergoes a static diffusion treatment so as to obtain a strip having a coating that comprises, in the upper portion, a layer of an alloy formed by diffusion of the oxidizable metal or the oxidizable metal alloy in all or part of the zinc or zinc alloy layer, and also to equipment for implementing the process.

Abstract: A direct-deposition system capable of forming a high-resolution pattern of material on a substrate is disclosed. Vaporized atoms from an evaporation source pass through an aperture pattern of a shadow mask to deposit on the substrate in the desired pattern. Prior to reaching the shadow mask, the vaporized atoms pass through a collimator that operates as a spatial filter that blocks any atoms not travelling along directions that are nearly normal to the substrate surface. As a result, the vaporized atoms that pass through the shadow mask exhibit little or no lateral spread (i.e., feathering) after passing through its apertures and the material deposits on the substrate in a pattern that has very high fidelity with the aperture pattern of the shadow mask. The present invention, therefore, mitigates the need for relatively large space between regions of deposited material normally required in the prior art, thereby enabling high-resolution patterning.

Abstract: A method to transfer a layer of harder thin film substrate onto a softer, flexible substrate. In particular, the present invention provides a method to deposit a layer of sapphire thin film on to a softer and flexible substrate e.g. PET, polymers, plastics, paper and fabrics. This combination provides the hardness of sapphire thin film to softer flexible substrates.

Abstract: A shield mask mounting fitting includes a shied mask to be mounted on a chamber wall of a sputtering apparatus, the shield mask including a fixing hole, a fixing bolt connecting the shield mask to the chamber wall through the fixing hole, a cap hook surrounding a top of the fixing bolt, a bushing extending between a surface of the shield mask and the cap hook, and a shield cap engaged with the cap hook and covering the top of the fixing bolt, the shield cap extending beyond the cap hook to omnidirectionally cover a periphery of the fixing hole, wherein one of the cap hook and the shield cap has an asymmetric structure with respect to an axis extending through a center of the fixing bolt.

Abstract: A formation method of a silicon film which contributes to improvements in cycle characteristics and an increase in charge/discharge capacity and can be used as an active material layer is provided. In addition, a manufacturing method of a power storage device including the silicon film is provided. The formation method is as follows. A crystalline silicon film is formed over a conductive layer by an LPCVD method. The supply of a source gas is stopped and heat treatment is performed on the silicon film while the source gas is exhausted. The silicon film is grown to have whisker-like portions by an LPCVD method while the source gas is supplied into the reaction space. A power storage device is manufactured using, as an active material layer included in a negative electrode, the silicon film grown to have whisker-like portions.

Abstract: A coated cutting tool comprising a substrate and a coating layer formed on a surface of the substrate, the coating layer including at least one ?-type aluminum oxide layer, wherein, in the ?-type aluminum oxide layer, a texture coefficient TC (1,1,9) of a (1,1,9) plane is 1.4 or more. TC ? ( 1 , 1 , 9 ) = I ? ( 1 , 1 , 9 ) I 0 ? ( 1 , 1 , 9 ) ? { 1 8 ? ? I ? ( h , k , l ) I 0 ? ( h , k , l ) } - 1 ( 1 ) (In formula (1), I (h,k,l) denotes a peak intensity for an (h,k,l) plane in X-ray diffraction of the ?-type aluminum oxide layer, I0 (h,k,l) denotes a standard diffraction intensity for an (h,k,l) plane which is indicated on a JCPDS Card No. 10-0173 for ?-type aluminum oxide, and (h,k,l) refers to eight crystal planes of (0,1,2), (1,0,4), (1,1,0), (1,1,3), (0,2,4), (1,1,6), (2,1,4) and (1,1,9).).

Abstract: A method of coating a plurality of sheets. A fluid is forced through gaps in the plurality of sheets. The fluid has a substantially plug flow profile and the fluid deposits a coating on at least one surface of the plurality of sheets in a self-limiting deposition process.

Abstract: A digital pattern generator has a MEMS substrate with a plurality of doping layers and a plurality of insulating layers between respective doping layers. A plurality of lenslets are formed as holes through the substrate. A charge drain coating is applied to the inner surfaces of the lenslets. The charge drain coating drains electrons that come into contact with the charge drain coating so that the performance of the digital pattern generator will not be hindered by electron charge build-up. The charge drain coating includes a doping material that coalesces into clusters that are embedded within a high dielectric insulating material.

Abstract: A method of coating a metallic object with a substantially invisible protective coating, wherein the coating comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, each layer comprising a metal oxide or a nitride. The method comprises placing the object in an atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor; depositing a first layer comprising a metal oxide or a nitride on a surface of the object by ALD; depositing a second layer comprising a metal oxide or a nitride on the first layer by ALD; and depositing a third layer comprising a metal oxide or a nitride on the second layer by ALD, thereby forming the protective coating on the object.

Abstract: A film forming apparatus includes a rotary table having a loading area at a first surface side thereof and revolving a substrate loaded on the loading area, a rotation mechanism rotating the loading area such that the substrate rotates around its axis, a processing gas supply mechanism supplying a processing gas to a processing gas supply area so that a thin film is formed on the substrate which repeatedly passes through the processing gas supply area the revolution of the substrate, and a control part configured to perform a calculation of a rotation speed of the substrate based on a parameter including a rotation speed of the rotary table to allow an orientation of the substrate to be changed whenever the substrate is positioned in the processing gas supply area, and to output a control signal for rotating the substrate at a calculated rotation speed.

Abstract: Plasma atomic layer deposition (ALD) is optimized through modulation of the gas residence time during an excited species phase, wherein activated reactant is supplied such as from a plasma. Reduced residence time increases the quality of the deposited layer, such as reducing wet etch rates, increasing index of refraction and/or reducing impurities in the layer. For example, dielectric layers, particularly silicon nitride films, formed from such optimized plasma ALD processes have low levels of impurities remaining from the silicon precursor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface conditioning composition having a surface conditioning function that is even more superior as compared with conventional surface conditioning compositions. A surface conditioning composition is provided for use in surface conditioning of a metal prior to being subjected to a phosphate-based chemical conversion treatment, in which the surface conditioning composition has a pH of 3 to 12, and includes nearly spherical zinc phosphate particles having an average particle diameter from 0.05 ?m to 3 ?m, and in which the zinc phosphate particles are produced by mixing at least one kind of zinc compound particles selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide, and basic zinc carbonate with phosphoric acid and/or condensed phosphoric acid to allow for their reaction in an acidic aqueous solution having a pH lower than 7, and dispersing and stabilizing by a dispersion means.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods and preparation of such compositions to protect metals from corrosion, especially acid corrosion. The compositions of this invention may be added to acids to protect metals from their corrosive influence, particularly at elevated temperatures. These compositions are of particular utility in the oil and gas (petroleum) industry. Also disclosed are “corrosion inhibition intensifiers” to enhance the corrosion inhibition properties of other corrosion inhibitors. Formulations which control ferric ions in acidic solutions are also disclosed. These may be combined with inhibited acids and some compositions provide both corrosion inhibition and ferric ion control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a steel sheet using a detergent for a steel sheet having a good washing property for the oil stain even at a low temperature. The method of manufacturing of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a steel sheet, comprising: a washing step of soaking a steel sheet to which a stain is stuck in a detergent for a steel sheet for washing and a rinsing step of rinsing with water the steel sheet that is soaked and washed after the washing step, wherein the detergent for a steel sheet comprises: an alkali agent, one or more organic acid(s) or salt(s) selected from lactic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, and salts of these, a nonionic surfactant represented by the general formula (1), one or more chelating agent(s) selected from gluconic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and salts of these, and water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid electrolytic device and comprises an electrolytic tank, a separator, a cover, and an electrode plate. The electrolytic tank comprises an upper opening, an under opening, and a hollow portion connected there between for containing liquid water. The separator covers the surface of the electrolytic tank corresponding to the upper opening of the electrolytic tank and comprises a first opening while the cover having a fixed portion and a cover hole disposed on the other surface of the separator. An upper portion of the electrode plate is embedded in the fixed portion of the cover while the under portion thereof is disposed in the hollow portion via the first opening and the upper opening. In practice, the electrolytic tank and the electrode plate are separately connected to a power respectively to electrolyze the liquid water in the electrolytic tank for generating a hydrogen-oxygen gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a compressed fuel storage system. The compressed fuel storage system may include an electrochemical compressor and one or more fuel dispensing units. The electrochemical compressor may be configured to compress a fuel source. Additionally, the compressed fuel storage system may include at least one low pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the electrochemical compressor and the fuel dispensing units and at least one high pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the electrochemical compressor and the fuel dispensing units.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing Greenhouse Gases from combustion of fossil and non-fossil fuels, including hydrocarbons and biomass fuels, is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a vessel containing a liquid medium; a circulation system with a pump; a plurality of positively charged metal plates, each with a plurality of apertures; a negatively charged discharge pipe connected to the circulation pipe; a refrigeration system on the outside of the vessel; and a power source. The apparatus uses the process of electrolysis and electrostatic induction to form covalent bonding among various constituents of Greenhouse Gases and thereby converts and condenses all or most of Greenhouse Gases in the emission. The apparatus has a working prototype. The apparatus can be used in converting and condensing all or some Greenhouse Gases from emissions of power plants and all types of industrial plants which generate Greenhouse Gases as emissions, as well as from various sources of vehicular emissions.

Abstract: A reactor is provided which comprises: a plurality of reaction units located within a reaction zone, each of the reaction units being adapted to enable carrying out a chemical reaction of one or more raw gases (e.g. at least one of CO2 and H20); ingress means to allow introduction of the one or more raw gases into the reaction zone and to allow distributing the incoming gas to the plurality of reaction units; egress means to allow exit of reaction products from the reaction zone; and a heating system. The reaction units extend essentially along a longitudinal axis of the reaction zone and are arranged in a spaced-apart relationship along a lateral axis of the reaction zone. The heating system comprises a plurality of heating sources extending along the reaction zone, thereby providing at least a part of the energy to carry out the reaction process within the reaction units.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for electrorefining high-purity materials, for example, silicon. An exemplary system includes at least one cathode, an anode, and a reference electrode. At least one controller, for example a potentiostat, is used to control the potential difference between a reference electrode and a cathode or anode. The system can be operated in a single phase or multiple phase operation to produce high-purity materials, such as solar-grade silicon.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing metal by molten salt electrolysis, by which the metal can be efficiently produced. A method for producing metal by using an apparatus for molten salt electrolysis having an electrolytic cell and an electrode pair, wherein the molten salt electrolysis in the electrolytic cell and heating of the molten salt by a Joule heat generation between a pair of electrodes for electrolysis are simultaneously performed; and wherein the apparatus for molten salt electrolysis has at least two sets of electrode pair, and at least one set of the electrode pairs is electrically opened.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tin antimony plating are provided. One plating method includes doping a tin (Sn) plating solution with antimony (Sb). One method also includes electroplating a component using the antimony-doped tin plating. The antimony-doped tin plating formed by one method includes between about 1% and about 3% antimony.

Abstract: There is provided a silver-plated product wherein a surface layer of silver is formed on the surface of an underlying layer of nickel formed on a base material, the silver-plated product having a good bendability. In a silver-plated product which comprises a base material of copper or a copper alloy, an underlying layer of nickel formed on the base material, and a surface layer of silver formed on the surface of the underlying layer, the surface layer having a thickness of 10 ?m or less, the thickness of the underlying layer is 2 ?m or less, preferably 1.5 ?m or less, and the area fraction in {200} orientation of the surface layer is 15% or more, preferably 25% or more.

Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate, a halide, an oxidizing agent, and a surface active agent. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a silicon ingot having uniform phosphorus concentration. The method includes at least the steps of: (i) providing a quasi-uniform molten silicon bath containing at least phosphorus; and (ii) proceeding to the directional solidification of the silicon, wherein a speed (VI) for solidifying the silicon and a rate (JLV) of evaporation of the phosphorus at the liquid/vapor interface of the bath are controlled such that, at each moment of the directional solidification, the following equation is verified: VI=k?/(2?k) (E), wherein k? is the phosphorus transfer coefficient, and k is the distribution coefficient of the phosphorus in the silicon. Also relates to a silicon ingot having uniform phosphorus concentration across a height of at least 20 cm.

Abstract: Semi-conductor wafers with thin and thicker regions at controlled locations may be for Photovoltaics. The interior may be less than 180 microns or thinner, to 50 microns, with a thicker portion, at 180-250 microns. Thin wafers have higher efficiency. A thicker perimeter provides handling strength. Thicker stripes, landings and islands are for metallization coupling. Wafers may be made directly from a melt upon a template with regions of different heat extraction propensity arranged to correspond to locations of relative thicknesses. Interstitial oxygen is less than 6×1017 atoms/cc, preferably less than 2×1017, total oxygen less than 8.75×1017 atoms/cc, preferably less than 5.25×1017. Thicker regions form adjacent template regions having relatively higher heat extraction propensity; thinner regions adjacent regions with lesser extraction propensity. Thicker template regions have higher extraction propensity. Functional materials upon the template also have differing extraction propensities.