Abstract: The present invention refers to a compact device for electrolytic sterilization of food and utensils, especially for the electrical treatment of food and utensils using the electric current generated between a positive pole and a negative pole of an electrolysis system, all of those immersed in a fluid medium contained within a container covered by a lid of said device. The container is the anode or positive pole and the lid, by means of a cathode shaft provided with a cathode disc, is the cathode or negative pole, and the electrolyte is water.

Abstract: A surface application unit for applying a surface application substance to all or a portion of a surface of a planar substrate in a machine for printing planar substrates. The unit includes an applicator roller (11) which is rotated (T) and can be positioned against all or a portion of the surface of the substrate in order to apply the substance thereto; an anilox roller (13) which is rotated (S) and positioned against the applicator roller (11) and which covers the applicator roller (11) with the substance; and a supply system (14) which supplies the anilox roller (13) with the substance and which is provided with a substance tank, a pump, a device for circulating the substance, and a device (16) which is held against the anilox roller (13) in order to supply the substance to the roller. A recovery system (18) mounted downstream of the applicator roller (11) can be positioned against the applicator roller (11) to recover excess substance on the roller (11).

Abstract: An electronic device capable of adjusting output sound is disclosed. The electronic device determines hearing state of a user by voiceprint recognition, and adjusts frequency of output sound, such that the output sound coincides with the hearing state of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for augmenting audio capabilities of a mobile computing device, including: a housing transiently encasing a portion of the mobile computing device; a communication module arranged within the housing, downloading a hearing profile of a user from the mobile computing device, and receiving an output audio signal from the mobile computing device; a processor arranged within the housing and processing the output audio signal according to the hearing profile; a secondary audio output module arranged within the housing adjacent an integrated loudspeaker within the mobile computing device and outputting a processed form of the output audio signal in place of output of the output audio signal by the integrated loudspeaker; a secondary microphone arranged within the housing adjacent an integrated microphone within the mobile computing device, the communication module transmitting an input audio signal from the secondary microphone to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: Provided are electrokinetically-altered fluids (e.g., gas-enriched (e.g., oxygen-enriched) electrokinetic fluids) comprising an ionic aqueous solution of charge-stabilized oxygen-containing nanostructures in an amount sufficient to provide, upon contact with a cell, modulation of at least one of cellular membrane potential and cellular membrane conductivity. Further provided are the methods of making the electrokinetically-altered ionic aqueous fluid compositions. Particular aspects provide for regulating or modulating intracellular signal transduction associated by modulation of at least one of cellular membranes, membrane potential, membrane proteins such as membrane receptors, including but not limited to G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR), and intercellular junctions (e.g., tight junctions, gap junctions, zona adherins and desmasomes). Other embodiments include particular methods of producing the electrokinetically-altered fluids.

Abstract: Provided are electrokinetically-altered fluids (e.g., gas-enriched (e.g., oxygen-enriched) electrokinetic fluids) comprising an ionic aqueous solution of charge-stabilized oxygen-containing nanostructures in an amount sufficient to provide, upon contact with a cell, modulation of at least one of cellular membrane potential and cellular membrane conductivity. Further provided are the methods of making the electrokinetically-altered ionic aqueous fluid compositions. Particular aspects provide for regulating or modulating intracellular signal transduction associated by modulation of at least one of cellular membranes, membrane potential, membrane proteins such as membrane receptors, including but not limited to G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR), and intercellular junctions (e.g., tight junctions, gap junctions, zona adherins and desmasomes). Other embodiments include particular methods of producing the electrokinetically-altered fluids.

Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a distribution plate having a plurality of grooves that communicate with openings in an overlying polishing pad layer. The grooves include end openings that allow for draining of process solution, both during processing and subsequent cleaning/rinsing of the pad. Drainage occurs continually during processing, cleaning and rinsing, and so is constricted through the end openings relative to the grooves, to prevent wastage. The end openings are sufficiently large, however, to substantially completely drain fluids from the grooves between steps without delaying robotic motions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the intelligibility of speech signals received by mobile stations via adapting some of the acoustic parameters of speech in the frequency domain. The mobile station may have the capability to modify speech signal parameters to conform the speech signal to a listener's hearing profile. In an alternative embodiment, mobile station processing and battery power are conserved by the communication network having the capability to modify speech signal parameters to conform the speech signal to a listener's hearing profile. To conserve mobile station memory, the user's hearing profile may be stored on the network.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motorized device for adjusting the interelectrodic gap in mercury cathode electrolysis cells, mainly consisting of a frame, to which a number of anodes are suspended, movable in the vertical direction by means of a single jackscrew driven by a gear motor acting on double levers. The jackscrew with the motor and the lever system are fixed to a main frame, supported on the cell bottom by means of supports positioned on adjustable columns, while the above mentioned movable frame (also called sub-frame) carrying the anodes, is connected to the lever arms by means of four hinged supports. The shifting of the movable frame and, consequently, of the anodes can be controlled by a centralized and computerized system (which is not part of the invention) as a function of voltage and current variation measurements.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprises an agitated, alkali metal amalgam-containing anode, an alkali metal ion-conducting solid electrolyte and a cathode, wherein the solid electrolyte and the cathode are separated from one another by a liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for producing metallic lithium starting from an aqueous solution of at least one lithium salt comprises the following steps: (I) Production of a lithium amalgam from an aqueous solution of at least one lithium salt; and (II) Electrolysis using an anode comprising the lithium amalgam, a solid electrolyte which conducts lithium ions, and liquid lithium as cathode, wherein the lithium amalgam as anode is kept in motion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for plating a surface of a semiconductor workpiece (wafer, flat panel, magnetic films, etc.) using a liquid conductor that makes contact with the outer surface of the workpiece. The liquid conductor is stored in a reservoir and pump through an inlet channel to the liquid chamber. The liquid conductor is injected into a liquid chamber such that the liquid conductor makes contact with the outer surface of the workpiece. An inflatable tube is also provided to prevent the liquid conductor from reaching the back face of the workpiece. A plating solution can be applied to the front face of the workpiece where a retaining ring/seal further prevents the plating solution and the liquid conductor from making contact with each other. Further, the present invention can be used to dissolve/etch a metal layer from the periphery of the workpiece.

Abstract: An electrode carrying frame drive system for mercury-cathode electrolytic cells. The drive system is made up of a plurality of electrode carrying frames (20) each of which is associated with two crosspieces (12) each with two inclined surfaces (13) on which two carriages (21) slide driven by at least one motorization (30) causing raising and lowering of the electrode frame.

Abstract: Microscale cold cathodes include a metallic emitter tip with a very sharp end. The microscale cold cathodes are manufactured by forming a cone of metal on a substrate, oxidizing the surface of the cone, and removing the oxidized film from the cone surface to produce an emitter tip.

Abstract: A metal amalgamatable with mercury, gold in particular, is extracted from a slurry in which it is dispersed in low concentration, in particular from alluvial sands, by contact with mercury the surface of which is continuously freed of the sulfides which form thereon as a secondary process and is renewed continuously by electrolytic deposit of mercury.