Abstract: To reduce fluctuation of the liquid level of plating solution caused by the operation of a paddle. A plating apparatus for plating a substrate is provided. The plating apparatus includes: a plating bath configured to store plating solution; a paddle that is arranged in the plating bath and configured to stir the plating solution; and a liquid level fluctuation reducing member that is arranged in the plating bath, has a flow path through which the plating solution passes, and is configured to increase a flow velocity of the plating solution passing through the flow path to attenuate energy of waves formed by the plating solution.

Abstract: A sensor comprises: an electrically comprises a switchable polymeric element. The polymeric element has at least a first electrical state and a second electrical state and is switchable between the first and second electrical states as a function of predefined environmental pH changes. The sensor comprises a pH sensitive polymeric matrix and a plurality of conductive particles embedded in the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A feed water pump includes an electrolytic bath and is configured to have a high space-utilization and economical since a separate electrolysis device does not have to be provided. A pump having an electrolysis function includes a pump body having a channel formed thereinside and of which both ends respectively form an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are connected to a pipe through which water is transferred; an electrode mounting hole formed on the pump body so as to communicate with the channel of the inside of the pump body; a motor mounted at the pump body so as to generate a flow in which water coming in through the inlet is discharged through the outlet; and an electrode mounted on the electrode mounting hole so as to be positioned at the channel of the inside of the pump body.

Abstract: A non alpha controlled plating bath including Tin species and a trace amount of Polonium species is utilized in a plating tool. The plating tool includes a Polonium filter element to remove Polonium species from the plating bath to selectively plate Tin upon a plating cathode. The filter may include a Titanium inner portion surrounding by a stannic oxide exterior. The filter may reduce the Polonium species by having the polonium absorb and then enter within the stannic oxide matrix. The filter may be located within the plating tool reservoir or filter housing. The filter may be fabricated by forming Tin upon a Titanium backbone and converting the Tin to stannic oxide.

Abstract: Provided are: copper chloride which can provide an organometallic complex that contains impurities at a small content and therefore has high purity; a CVD raw material; a copper wiring film; and a method for producing copper chloride. Copper chloride which has purity of 6 N or more and has an Ag content of 0.5 wtppm or less.

Abstract: An electrolytic water treatment system improving upon the electrode life of electrolytic oxygen generators by reducing mineral precipitation and fouling that typically occurs in water treatment systems. The electrolytic water treatment system can include a softened water bypass stream into which a flow-through electrolytic element can be positioned. By eliminating exposure of the electrolytic element to hard water, scale formation on electrodes can be significantly reduced such that polarity reversal cycles of the electrolytic element decrease in frequency.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising a containment vessel; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and a separator; wherein the separator includes an inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and the combined density of the electrolyte and the gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal to the second electrode.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising a containment vessel; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and a separator; wherein the separator includes an inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and the combined density of the electrolyte and the gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal to the second electrode.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process which is used to plate functional layers of acidic or alkaline zinc or zinc alloy baths which contain nitrogenous organic additives, a soluble zinc salt and if necessary other metal salts selected from Fe, Ni, Co and Sn salts, where the bath composition for the regeneration is conveyed through an appropriate device having an ion exchanger resin to remove cyanide ions.

Abstract: A separating element for separating the bottom part of an electrolytic tank from the rest of the tank space in connection with the removal of solids settled on the bottom of the electrolytic tank, said separating element being installable in the electrolytic tank and removable therefrom along a path formed by support and control members arranged in the electrolytic tank. The separating element comprises a flexible wall element and at least one set of support members arranged in the wall element.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for producing a zinc oxide film comprising the steps of transporting a conductive long substrate via above at least one electrode comprised of zinc in an electrodeposition bath held in an electrodeposition tank and applying an electric field between the electrode and the conductive long substrate, thereby forming a zinc oxide film on the conductive long substrate, the process comprising a first step of forming the zinc oxide film on a part of the conductive long substrate; a second step of stopping the application of the electric field and the transportation; and a third step of bringing at least a region of a part of the conductive long substrate being in contact with the electrodeposition bath in the second step into non-contact with the electrodeposition bath, and an apparatus suitably used for the process. The process and apparatus enables high-quality zinc oxide films to be produced.

Abstract: An efficient method and system, particularly well-suited for correcting natural language understanding (NLU) commands, corrects spoken commands misinterpreted by a speech recognition system. The method involves a series of steps, including: receiving the spoken command from a user; parsing the command to identify a paraphrased command; displaying the paraphrased command; and accepting corrections of the paraphrased command from the user. The paraphrased command is segmented according to command language categories, which include a command action category, an action object category, and an action and/or object modifying category. The paraphrased command is displayed in a user interface window segmented into these command language categories. The user interface window also contains alternative commands for each segment of the paraphrased command.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for continuously producing electrodeposited copper foil while thiourea-decomposed products remaining in copper electrolyte are removed through activated carbon treatment. Another object is to provide high-resistivity copper foil obtained through the method.

Abstract: An electrochemical system for the recovery of metals from metal ores in which reactions are carried out in separate anode and cathode tanks with the liquid product from the anode tank being separated and purified before being returned to the cathode tank for metal deposition. The separation includes thickening such as liquid solid separation with the liquid proceeding to the cathode tank. A reaction stage may be included before the thickening stage. Purification may include removal of impurities, adjustment of chemical and physical conditions and the addition of cathode reaction enhancers.

Abstract: Fibers comprising 10 to 100% of bicomponent fibers, composed of a core polymer covered by a sheath polymer, are heated to a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the sheath polymer for 5 seconds to 5 minutes at a pressure of 0 to 2000 psi until the fibers are bonded together. The products are used for drive belts and seals, nib felts for marking pens, filter cloths for plate and frame filters, filtration cartridges, stamp pad ink reservoirs, and battery separators.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the extraction of a ligand such as molecular oxygen from a first fluid environment and for release of a ligand such as molecular oxygen, as well as ligand carrier compounds therefor comprising linear, pentadentate polyalkylamines and transition metal ions. The carrier compounds have the general formula: ##STR1## where, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently an organic group including a sulfur, an oxygen or a nitrogen coordinated to M;each of m, n, o, and p is 1, 2, 3, or 4;X is selected from the group consisting of 2,6-pyridyl, 2,6-piperidyl, 2,5-pyrrolyl, 2,4-imidazolyl, substituted heterocyclic amines, --)--, --S--, ##STR2## and ##STR3## where R.sub.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or aralkyl; and M is a transition metal ion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrochemical extraction of a ligand such as molecular oxygen from a first fluid environment and for release of a ligand such as molecular oxygen, as well as ligand carrier compounds therefor comprising macrocyclic amines having the general formulas: ##STR1## where: A, B, C, D, E, and F are each nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorous;m, n, o, p, q, and r are each typically 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;the R substituents are each generally H or short chain (linear or branched) alkyl, although R.sub.2 may represent ketyl (.dbd.o); andM is a suitable transition metal ion.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and an apparatus for refining gold. One of the processes comprises dissolving unrefined gold by use of iodine and/or an iodide compound to form a solution containing an iodide compound of gold, removing insoluble substances in the solution, reducing the ions containing the gold by use of an alkali to precipitate the gold of high purity. In this process, the iodine may be obtained by electrolyzing the iodide compound. The other process and the apparatus further comprise circulating the solution having been separated from the precipitated gold for reuse, and the alkali simultaneously produced by the above electrolysis is economically employed therein.

Abstract: An efficient electrolytic recovery system, having several safety mechanisms, for recovering precious metals from a liquid medium is described. The system includes at least oen electrolysis cell unit having a plurality of reticulate metal foam cathodes. The system of the invention will efficiently recover such precious metals as Au, Ag and Pt. The system may also include a pH adjust means and a means for oxidizing cyanide in the liquid medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrowinning cell for extracting metals in powder form from solutions, and simultaneously oxidizing the solution. The cell is characterized by radially extending electrodes comprising mutually alternating anodes and cathodes; by a diaphragm which delimits separate anode and cathode chambers, of which the cathode chamber forms an outer space; and a stirring means arranged in the anode chamber and operative to ensure a large flow of electrolyte across the anode surfaces. The base of the cathode chamber is preferably conical in shape.

Abstract: Very stable, polymer-based electrochemical devices, formed by polymerization of thiophene or a derivative such as 3-methylthiophene which is durable in an aqueous electrolyte over a wide pH range, which respond rapidly to chemical or electrical signals, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device functions as an extremely sensitive sensor which measures changes in chemical concentration or pH. For example, a poly-3-methylthiophene-based device is sensitive to as little as 8.times.10.sup.-16 moles of an oxidant which reversibly interacts with the polymer, including gas phase oxidants such as I.sub.2. In a variation of the polymer-based device, a catalyst such as a noble metal or an enzyme, is dispersed on or within the conducting polymer matrix so that the device is responsive to chemicals such as H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 which the polymer would otherwise respond very slowly to.

Abstract: The invention resides in an apparatus for the decontamination of radioactivated metallic waste by the electrolytic oxidation-reduction with an aqueous nitric acid solution containing trivalent cerium ions, i.e. the step of converting the trivalent cerium ions into tetravalent cerium ions through electrolytic oxidation and the step of dissolving the surface layer of the radioactivated metallic waste by oxidizing it with the electrolytic solution now vested with the oxidative power of the freshly produced tetravalent cerium ions and, at the same time, effecting regeneration of the tetravalent cerium ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a process for producing improved quality electrodeposited and/or treated metal or metal alloy foil to be used in electrical and electronic applications. The quality of the foil being produced and/or treated by the system is improved by providing each treatment tank in the system with a dual filtration system. The dual filtration system for each tank comprises a filter conditioning loop for substantially continuously withdrawing solution from the tank and removing particulate matter from the withdrawn solution and a system for removing surface impurities from the solution. In a first embodiment, the surface impurities removing system comprises an off-line solution filtration and replenishment system. In a second embodiment, the surface impurities removing system comprises a skimmer floating on the surface of the solution. The present invention has particular utility in systems for producing electrodeposited and/or treated copper foils.

Abstract: For replenishing a plating bath with copper or other metal to be electrodeposited with the use of an insoluble anode, scrap metal such as copper wires is received in a makeup tank, into which are passed the gases generated within the plating tank with the progress of electroplating operation. The plating solution in the plating tank is also directed into the makeup tank and sprayed on the scrap copper wires, thereby dissolving same. The dissolved copper is then filtered, heated, and introduced into the plating tank.

Abstract: The invention comprises improvements in inert anode electroplating processes that make possible the utilization of typically inexpensive and otherwise advantageous cation-yielding compounds for replenishing the plating bath, compounds that typically are not well suited for such use in prior art systems due to their relatively low dissolution rate which typically requires their use in powder form, and the tendency of the powder particles to aggregate. Exemplary applications for the improved plating process are in Cu-, Ni-, and Pd-plating, and exemplary cation-yielding compounds or CuO, NiO, PdO, Cu(OH).sub.2,Ni(OH).sub.2, and Pd(OH).sub.2. The improvements according to the invention comprise agitating the powder/electrolyte mixture or slurry in a reactor vessel separate from the plating tank, and maintaining the cation concentration in the plating tank within predetermined limits. Agitation typically requires power input to the slurry of at least about 2.