Abstract: A system for electroplating a web of conductive material with a source material comprises a transport mechanism, an electrical contact, a plating bath, and at least one nozzle. The transport mechanism transports the web through the system. The electrical contact electrically engages the web to cause current to flow into the web. The plating bath contains a volume of an electrically conductive liquid contain ions of the source material. The nozzle is configured to flow a low electrical conductivity fluid onto the web. A portion of the web is immersed in the electrically conductive liquid. The current flowing in the web causes the ions of the source material in the electrically conductive liquid to attach to a surface of the portion of the web.

Abstract: Golden bronze appearance article, multiple-layer substrate, related methods and uses thereof, particularly for coinage blanks. Methods of producing an article having a golden bronze appearance include annealing a multiple-layer substrate at an annealing temperature for an annealing residence time. The multiple-layer substrate includes a core, contiguous to a copper layer and subsequent tin layer. The annealing temperature and annealing residence time are controlled in accordance with each other for allowing diffusion of the tin layer into the copper layer and producing an annealed substrate comprising an inter-diffused outer bronze layer having a golden appearance. The tin layer thickness is in accordance to the copper layer thickness such that the inter-diffused outer bronze layer has a tin content between about 8% wt. and about 15.8% wt. The core has a sufficiently low content of nickel to reduce or prevent formation of intermetallic compound comprising tin and nickel proximate to the core during annealing.

Abstract: Systems and fixtures for mounting, under mechanical constraint, wire-like or fiber-like samples of a high aspect ratio and down to 100 micrometers in diameter are disclosed. A region of interest along the length of the sample resides between and beyond a mechanical constraint on either side, allowing access to the region of interest for a wide number of characterization probes. The fixture may provide electrical isolation between two retaining blocks by means of a dielectric support member. The design may achieve minimal thermal expansion along the length of the sample by the material selection for the dielectric support member. Electrical contact may be introduced to the sample through conductive constraints in the retaining blocks. The fixture may have a minimal size perpendicular to the length axis of the sample to facilitate high probe fluxes when a diverging probe is used. The fixture may provide high x-ray transparency between the retaining blocks.

Abstract: Equipment and a method for preheating a continuously moving steel strip, in particular before feeding the same into a continuous annealing or hot-dip galvanizing furnace, involves the continuous movement of the steel strip in a preheating chamber including a preheating circuit having at least one preheating tube, the inner surface of which is in contact with externally-recovered burnt gases (e.g. from the furnace). A portion of the outer surface of the preheating tube is disposed directly opposite a surface of the strip in order to provide a first preheating mode by irradiating heat onto the strip and the walls of the chamber, and a second preheating mode, mainly by convection, of a gas constituting a controlled atmosphere in the preheating chamber.

Abstract: A process for creating porous anode foil for use in an electrolytic capacitor of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator is provided. The process includes electrochemical drilling a plurality of etched metal foils in sequence one after the other in a bath containing electrochemical drilling (ECD) solution initially having a pH of less than 5. Alternatively, an etched foil sheet may be passed through the bath in a substantially continuous manner such that a portion of said etched foil sheet is in contact with the ECD solution is electrochemically drilled to generate pores.

Abstract: A metal film-plating system including an unwinding process part configured to provide a film, a degreasing process part configured to remove impurities from the film, an etching process part configured to perform an etching process on the film, a neutralizing process part configured to perform a neutralizing process on the film, a coupling process part configured to couple the neutralized film with a coupling agent, a catalyst-adding process part configured to adsorb a catalyst onto the coupled film, an underplating process part configured to perform an underplating process on the film, and a plating process part configured to perform a plating process on the film. Further, at least one of the unwinding process part, the degreasing process part, the etching process part, the neutralizing process part, the coupling process part, the catalyst-adding process part, the underplating process part, and the plating process part includes a wetting apparatus configured to perform a wetting operation.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating carbon dioxide to generate methanol. In the process, a strip of copper base plate is transported by the groups of rotating drive rollers to deposit porous metallic zinc on the copper base plate. Hydrogen is generated from the porous metallic zinc upon electrochemical reactions in the inner space sealed with the above groups of rollers. Simultaneously, zinc oxide and copper oxide catalysts are formed on the porous metallic zinc. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the sealed inner space under high-temperature and high-pressure to generate methanol by hydrogenation.

Abstract: (a) supplying a capacitor element manufacturing apparatus, in which the capacitor element manufacturing apparatus includes a polymerization tank, a polymerization solution contained in the polymerization tank, and a negative electrode put in the polymerization solution in the polymerization tank, (b) supplying a core material having a plurality of capacitor elements, in which each capacitor element of the plurality of capacitor elements has an anode lead-out portion and a cathode lead-out portion, (c) forming a formation film on the surface of the core material, (d) installing a conductive substance on the formation film, (e) adhering each anode lead-out portion of the plurality of capacitor elements having the conductive substance to a conductive tape, (f) immersing the core material having the anode lead-out portion adhered to the adhesive tape in the polymerization solution, and (g) forming a polymerization film on the cathode lead-out portion of the capacitor element by applying a voltage to the conductiv

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the continuous chromium-plating of elongated members such as bars and the like: the bar to be plated is fed and rotated through at least one tubular shaped chromium-plating anode into which an electrolytic solution suitable for depositing a layer of chromium on the bar, as the latter advances through the said anode, is supplied. The electrolytic solution is supplied into the anode from the bottom upwards, through sets of holes over the bottom and the upper surfaces of the anode; the bottom holes communicate with a pressure balancing and flow distribution chamber for the electrolytic solution. This results in an electrolytic flow upwardly directed in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis of the bar, the temperature of which may be controlled by changing the flow rate of the electrolytic solution circulating inside the anode.

Abstract: A step ladder bracket which easily, safely and stably supports a step ladder with respect to a wall. The step ladder bracket includes a back plane for flatly abutting a vertical wall surface, a stiffening flange formed at an upper end of the back plane, and at least one support flange formed adjacent a lower end of the back plane. The step ladder bracket is formed of a single piece of planar material. The stiffening flange projects from a forward facing side of the back plane, and is preferably oriented perpendicular thereto and extends along the entire length of the back plane to provide stiffening and an abutment to an already level object. The one or more support flanges also project from the forward side of the back plane, and are oriented at an acute angle with respect thereto. The one or more support flanges have a length less than the length of the back plane and are defined by left and right flange edges which, preferably, are mutually convergent.

Abstract: A channelized mass transfer membrane (MTM) is disclosed which has improved ion separation characteristics when employed in electrodialysis cells. The MTM exploits the unexpected ion separation ability of channelized membrane geometries. A major improvement of the disclosed invention is the use of tubular channels formed by means of hollow fibers which limit the directions in which ions can diffuse. The chief embodiments of the MTM exploit either the formation of capillary voids in solid material or the use of hollow fibers to form capillary channels. Additional levels of MTM porosity are achieved by filling of the channels with microporous material. Means are disclosed for cooling the MTM and adaptation of the MTM hydraulic resistance.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus for removing scales from hot-rolled steel strips to produce steel strips with excellent surface conditions. In a pickling facility to pickle the hot-rolled steel strip, the pickling method of this invention passes an electric current through the continuously fed, hot-rolled steel strip in one or more of a plurality of pickling tanks. A means to supply an electric current is also provided.

Abstract: A line for continuously annealing and pickling a stainless steel strip comprising: a drying/temperature adjusting zone, provided between a water cooling zone and a tank containing a neutral salt electrolytic solution, including hot air jetting means which controls the temperature and amount of hot air so as to dry the stainless steel strip after the stainless steel strip is cooled with water and uniformly heat the temperature of the material of the stainless steel strip.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a metal-coated steel strip with improved surface structure, wherein the strip is electrolytically coated with one or more metal coatings and the last-applied coating is temporarily melted by supplying heat to the strip (melting-on), is characterized in that the heat supplied to the strip for effecting the melting-on is generated at least in part by an electric current which is at all times non-zero. The heat supplied to effect the melting-on substantially continously compensates heat loss from the strip to the surroundings during the melting-on, and may for example be generated by electrical resistance heating using only a direct current or using an alternating current on which is superimposed a direct current. The strips produced are free of the so-called woodgrain effect.

Abstract: A continuous steel strand is surfaced by (i) passing the strand through an electrolytic unit to remove metal from the surface of the strand, (ii) inducing current in the strand without any direct electrical contact with the strand, and (iii) moving the strand through the unit such that a section of the strand undergoes processing within the electrolytic unit for an extended period of at least twenty-five seconds. Steel valve spring wire is processed by surfacing a strand in an electrolytic process in which no direct electrical contact is made with the strand, and heat treating the strand in a furnace of a kind in which there is no direct mechanical contact between any metal surface and the surface of the strand. The electrolytic unit has a series of electrolytic cells of the kind in which no direct electrical contact is made with the strand, and there is a mechanism for passing the wire through the electrolytic unit more than once.

Abstract: A method of descaling stainless steel which provides a smooth and glossy surface, comprises the steps of (a) anode-electrolyzing stainless steel having scales thereon in an aqueous neutral salt solution, (b) anode-electrolyzing or immersing the stainless steel in an aqueous alkaline solution. Steps (a) and (b) are performed in the order of either (a), (b), (a). The method further comprises the step of cathode-electrolyzing the stainless steel treated in the previous two steps in an aqueous nitric acid solution or immersing it in an aqueous solution of a mixture containing nitric acid and fluoric acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molten salt electroplating a steel member are disclosed, in which the surface of the steel member is activated by anodic treatment and the molten salt electroplating is performed on the activated surface of said steel member.

Abstract: In a method of continuously annealing and pickling steel strips successively transferred through a continuous annealing apparatus including heating and cooling zones and a pickling apparatus, annealing the steel strips is effected in reducing atmosphere and thereafter pickling is effected at least by nitric acid electrolytic treatment. In an apparatus for continuously annealing and pickling steel strips, including a continuous annealing furnace and a pickling apparatus, the continuous annealing furnace consists of vertical furnaces capable of advancing a steel strip in a manner substantially repeating upward and downward movements alternately in substantially vertical directions and the pickling apparatus comprises at least a nitric acid electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An anode arranged very close to a cathode in an electrolytic circuit is constituted by a plate formed with first and second sets of orifices, both distributed over the surface of the plate. The first set is connected to electrolyte supply means and the second set to electrolyte discharge means with the aim of producing high turbulence in the narrow space between the anode and cathode.

Abstract: A laser enhanced electroplating system or etching system or conventional electroplating or etching system includes a continuous electrochemical processing system with a sheet of material to be treated electrochemically passed from a supply roller to a plating bath and out over an exit roller with the plating system under automatic control. A rinse-tank is also proved in series with the plating tank. The sheet to be treated electrochemically can be coated with a protective film which prevents electrochemical action from occurring where it is present, but which sheet can be removed in a predetermined location. One removes the protective film where desired to provide a mask by means of a laser which is scanned under automatic control. Then the plating or etching operation occurs through the openings in the mask. A rinse-tank contains a solvent capable of removing the mask from the sheet subsequent to the plating or etching operation. An array of lasers can be employed.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a plasma etching system for etching a sample which includes a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a sample table positioned in the chamber and which further includes a first electrode, a counter electrode positioned in the chamber opposite the first electrode and a plurality of heating mechanisms positioned in the inlet and outlet of the chamber, in the counter electrode and in the sample table for desorbing a reaction product adsorbed on surfaces of the inlet and outlet of the chamber, the counter electrode and the sample table prior to plasma etching of the sample.

Abstract: A continuous, high speed method of galvanizing and annealing a continuously travelling low carbon ferrous wire to provide a highly corrosion resistant, more ductile wire having a bright silvery luster comprising, (a) passing a continuously travelling low carbon steel wire after it has been cleaned through a zinc electroplating bath to deposit a zinc coating on the wire, (b) passing the resulting coated wire through a bath of molten aluminum-zinc eutectic alloy maintained at a temperature of about 734.degree. F. to about 786.degree. F. and comprising a major portion of zinc and sufficient aluminum to provide an aluminum-zinc alloy having a melting point less than that of zinc, to provide a coated ferrous wire, (c) drawing down the coated continuously travelling ferrous wire to a lesser cross-sectional area, (d) process annealing the drawn continuously travelling ferrous wire at a temperature up to about 1400.degree. F.

Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus for producing a steel strip having an enhanced phosphatizing property, has a plurality of guide rolls for guiding the strip along a predetermined path, a pickling vessel having nozzles for spraying a pickling liquid onto the surface of the strip, a first rinsing vessel having nozzles for spraying water onto the strip surface, an electrolytic treating vessel having an anode and a temperature control for the electrolytic treating liquid, a second rinsing vessel having nozzles for spraying water onto the strip surface, and a voltage supply for applying a voltage between an anode and a cathode consisting of a guide roll located beside and close to the electrolytic treating liquid contained in the electrolytic treating vessel.