Abstract: A method and metal test pattern for monitoring metal corrosion susceptibility for integrated circuit wafers. Test patterns having an array of metal circles to simulate contact regions, an array of metal strips to simulate electrode regions, and a blanket metal layer to simulate bulk metal regions are formed. A first number of defects per unit area for the test patterns is measured, using a defect scan system. The test pattern wafers are then subjected to environmental stress conditions for a first time and a second number of defects per unit area for the test patterns is measured, again using a defect scan system. The difference between the second number and the first number is compared with a critical number. If excessive corrosion occurs the process for producing wafers is corrected before continuing to process product wafers.

Abstract: A measuring method for determining the specific surface area available for reaction of a noble metal catalyst of an electrode for use in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. The method includes measuring the total specific surface area of the noble metal catalyst and the specific surface area of the noble metal catalyst mixed with a polymer electrolyte by detecting the adsorption amounts of carbon monoxide upon exposure to carbon monoxide after reduction in hydrogen, and subtracting the latter from the former. Also provided is an electrode material for use in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell having excellent polarization characteristics by controlling the utilization of a noble metal catalyst determined from the total specific surface area and specific surface area available for reaction of the noble metal catalyst.

Abstract: Impurity distributions in microelectronic structures formed from an aluminum-containing material are determined. A passivation layer, e.g., a titanium/titanium nitride layer or a borphosphosilicate glass (BPSG) layer, is formed on a substrate. A layer of the aluminum-containing material is formed on the passivation layer. The layer of the aluminum-containing material is then exposed to a phosphoric acid solution to remove aluminum from the layer of the aluminum-containing material and leave a precipitate on the passivation layer. The precipitate is then analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrograms and/or Auger analysis to determine a distribution of impurities in the layer of the aluminum-containing material.

Abstract: A step-gradient composite waveguide for evanescent sensing in fluorescent binding assays comprises a thick substrate layer having one or more thin film waveguide channels deposited thereon. In one embodiment, the substrate is silicon dioxide and the thin film is silicon oxynitride. Specific binding molecules having the property of binding with specificity to an analyte are immobilized on the surface of the thin film channels. In preferred embodiments, the composite waveguide further includes light input coupling means integrally adapted to the thin film channels. Such light coupling means can be a grating etched into the substrate prior to deposition of the thin film, or a waveguide coupler affixed to the upper surface of the thin film. The waveguide coupler has a thick input waveguide of high refractive index which receives the laser light through one end and propagates it by total internal reflection.

Abstract: A non-destructive testing method for revealing surface and through defects in materials and articles. The method comprises filling up defects with a volatile penetrant, applying indicator material to a surface to be tested, removing the indicator material from the surface and registrating defects according to the presence color spots, shapes and dimensions which are functions of shapes and dimensions of real defects. The indicator material comprises a gas-permeable base with applied sulfonephthalein indicator in the range of 10.sup.-4 to 10.sup.-3 grams per 1 cubic centimeter of the base.

Abstract: A simple test device for protection against chemical permeation is disclosed. It includes a test chamber, a solvent sample cup, upper and lower fixing plates, upper and lower gaskets, an air filtering apparatus, a gas diffusing pan and a number of screws. By means of a sensor and related control circuit, the permeation time of gloves and protection wears in a specific solvent is indicated.

Abstract: A tracking and identification card for an air filter specimen, the card having a sheet-like base with a substantially flat support surface for supporting the specimen, the base having a substantially uniform thickness of from about 3 to about 20 mil, and having a focus axis oriented substantially normal to the support surface, a locator area on the support surface and provided with contact adhesive for adhesively holding the specimen in a particular position on the support surface upon contact of the specimen with the adhesive, a sheet-like cover in contact with and substantially overlying the adhesive, the cover being readily removable for exposing the adhesive and allowing the specimen to be placed in contact therewith, and indicia markings on the base for interfacing with an indicia reader for tracking the location and identity of the card within an air monitoring system.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing an impurity on a semiconductor substrate. In this method, those to-be-measured areas on a surface of a semiconductor substrate are exposed with an ultraviolet radiation to provide corresponding oxide films. By doing so, an impurity is trapped in the oxide film at each area of the semiconductor substrate. The surface of the semiconductor substrate is cleaned with an acid solution to remove an impurity on other than the areas on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed with a hydrofluoric acid vapor to dissolve the oxide films into very fine droplets containing an impurity. These droplets are moved on the surface of the semiconductor substrate to collect these droplets into a drop on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The impurity in the drop is measured by a known chemical spectrometer.

Abstract: Methods and a device for determining the corrosivity of a substance to human skin or membrane are disclosed. In one approach, corrosivity is evaluated by measuring the time required for the test substance to transit a biobarrier that mimics human skin or membranes or the time required to cause a component of such biobarrier to break down and transit the membrane. The invention also envisions alternative approaches which involve series of layers of dyes and corrosive-resistant materials coated onto microspheres or test strips. Use of these methods provides a rapid determination of the corrosivity of test materials.

Abstract: A method of detecting the permeability of an article to oxygen is disclosed. A fluorescent redox indicator, preferably riboflavin, is dispersed in a carrier and placed on an impermeable substrate. The article to be measured is placed adjacent to the carrier. Residual oxygen is removed, the redox indicator is photoreduced, the article and carrier are exposed to oxygen, and the indicator is exposed to UV light.

Abstract: A device for use in a method of detecting the permeability of an article to oxygen is disclosed. A redox indicator and test object are vacuum sealed between a support and a peelable barrier film.

Abstract: Methods for determining the corrosivity of a substance to human skin or membrane are disclosed. In one approach, corrosivity is evaluated by measuring the time required for the test substance to transit a biobarrier that mimics human skin or membranes or the time required to cause a component of such biobarrier to break down and transit the membrane. The invention also envisions alternative approaches which involve series of layers of dyes and corrosive-resistant materials coated onto microspheres or test strips. Use of these methods provides a rapid determination of the corrosivity of test materials.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent dye penetrant composition is provided for detecting cracks and other defects in the surface of an object, which comprises a carrier, preferably in the form of a nonionic surfactant, a small amount of a fluorescent dye soluble in the surfactant and a minor amount of hydrogen peroxide. The dye penetrant is applied to the surface of the object and excess dye penetrant is removed therefrom. An oxalate ester or oxalate amide is then applied to the treated surface and reacts with the dye penetrant in the cracks and defects to luminesce, and produces self illuminated penetrant indications at the location of the cracks and defects. Oxalate esters such as bis(2,4,6 trichlorophenyl) oxalate are preferred. The oxalate ester or oxalate amide can be mixed with inert conventional developer materials such as talc or fumed silica.

Abstract: A sorption analyzer for performing surface measurement analysis on sample material. The sorption analyzer calibrates the instrument and the sample cell using the adsorbate gas.

Abstract: A method and composition facilitating the inspection of structural surfaces, such as fuel tank walls, to identify or locate cracks, flaws and other defects. The composition is a system of materials including a dye-containing penetrant material and a chemiluminescent material which reacts with the dye in the penetrant material. The method involves application of the two materials sequentially such that they react chemically to produce light which is visible to the naked, unaided eye, thereby eliminating the need for electrically-powered or "hot" light.

Abstract: A method of detecting the permeability of an article to oxygen is disclosed. A fluorescent redox indicator, preferably riboflavin, is dispersed in a carrier and placed on an impermeable substrate. The article to be measured is placed adjacent to the carrier. Residual oxygen is removed, the redox indicator is photoreduced, the article and carrier are exposed to oxygen, and the indicator is exposed to UV light.

Abstract: Chromogenic solvent detectors are used to detect and map the presence of organic solvent-containing materials on a surface. The detector need only be applied to the surface to be tested. When removed, the dark areas on the detector correspond to those areas of the surface where an organic solvent-containing material was present. This method can be used to test the release properties of a release film.

Abstract: A method for analyzing ultratrace amounts of impurities in thin films present on semiconductor wafers without destroying the semiconductor wafer is described. The wafer having thin films to be analyzed is positioned into a testing device or fixture having at least one fluid reservoir. The testing device is tightened and sealed to the wafer so that the fluid reservoir is open to the thin films on the wafer, but otherwise sealed to the ambient. A reagent fluid is provided in the reservoir which dissolves the thin films on the wafer and allowing sufficient time for the fluid to dissolve the thin films. A diluent is added to the reservoir and the fluids are mixed. The mixed fluids are sampled and analyzed to determine the chemical nature of the thin films on the wafer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing fluid interface(s) in a complex fluid such as centrifuged blood, includes a sensing assembly with a microwave source and a microwave sensor positioned in spaced opposed relation, the microwave source and sensor defining a microwave propagation path. Relative motion is induced between the sample container and the microwave energy propagation path in the region between the source and sensor in a direction that intersects and is essentially perpendicular to the microwave energy propagation path; and processor apparatus responsive to the scanning apparatus and the modification in microwave energy sensed by the microwave sensor provides an indication(s) of the location(s) of a fluid interface(s) in the container.

Abstract: A process and device for revealing impact(s) received by a substrate make use of a film capable of being deposited onto said substrate and consisting of a matrix in which are embedded microcapsules intended to be broken during the impact and thus to release product(s) which they enclose and which is (are) endowed with different photoluminenscence properties according to whether it is (they are) encapsulated or released into the matrix.

Abstract: A method for evaluating surface micro roughness of a silicon substrate includes the steps of soaking the silicon substrate in a mixture of hydrochloric acid of 30 to 40 vol %, hydrogen peroxide solution of 30 to 40 vol % and deionized water whose volume ratio is approximately 1:1:16.7, and measuring an amount of chlorine element incorporated into native oxide film on the silicon surface through the soaking process to evaluate the degree of the micro roughness on the silicon substrate surface.

Abstract: A method for determining the specific surface of a porous or a powdery substance includes measuring the spin-lattice relaxation rate of impregnating agent protons, in which the impregnating agent is removed from a specimen of the impregnated, examined substance at a pressure below the saturated vapor pressure of the impregnating agent. The effective spin-lattice relaxation time T.sub.1,ef of impregnating agent protons is measured at several impregnating agent levels of the specimen and the specific surface of the examined substance is determined according to a given equation.

Abstract: A membrane support, reagent and method determines, in vitro, skin irritation properties of individual compounds and/or mixtures is disclosed. The material to be tested is applied directly to the membrane support. The material may penetrate the membrane and diffuse into the reagent and cause a response, for example, the production of a precipitate. The test material may also alter or destroy the membrane and/or disrupt covalently linked dye molecules attached to the membrane and diffuse into the reagent to produce an additional or alternate response--for example, color. The sum of these two responses is proportional to the deleterious response elicited by the material on the human skin.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of determining oxidation on a titanium aluminide material. An aqueous saturated solution of oxalic acid is prepared. The saturated solution of oxalic acid is combined with a minor portion of hydrofluoric acid solution. The resultant oxalic acid/hydrofluoric acid solution is mixed. The titanium aluminide material is immersed in the mixed solution for a sufficiently long period to allow exposure of the oxidized surface followed by inspection thereof for a white layer indicating the presence of oxidation on its surface.

Abstract: A solid support chemistry system which, with a dinitrofluorobenzene based assay, can be used to define titers of ligands and chemistry distal to the support. Cleavable diamine cystamines or 1,6-diamino-3,4-dihydroxyhexane are bonded to the solid support.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the wetting characteristic of a porous medium comprising applying at least one or more drops of each of at least two different liquids having different but closely spaced surface tensions to different locations on the porous medium and if necessary repeating the process until, of two liquids with neighboring surface tension, one is absorbed into the medium, and the other is not.

Abstract: An automated method for measuring the non-porous surface area of carbon black is disclosed. The method comprises passing a small sample of a CTAB-carbon black dispersion through a disposable filter to separate the carbon black with adsorbed CTAB from the filtrate containing unadsorbed CTAB. The filtrate next passes through a measuring loop and a high pressure liquid chromatography column to separate the CTAB from the other filtrate components. The CTAB is next sensed by a detector and an integrator calculates the amount of CTAB adsorbed by the carbon black and the non-porous surface area of the carbon black. The integrated apparatus for carrying out this method is also described. Once the carbon black and the CTAB are mixed, there is no further handling of the sample. The system is entirely automated and takes only a few minutes for the CTAB area determination. Measuring temperatures can also be fixed. This results in much more reproducible CTAB numbers for a particular carbon black.

Abstract: Circuit boards with advantageous properties are produced through the addition of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the dye allows an expeditious inspection of the metallic pattern on the circuit board by induced fluorescence. If the circuit board is two-sided, to maintain the effectiveness of the dye, a material such as a light scattering composition is added to the circuit board substrate.

Abstract: An aqueous solution containing 0.00005 to 0.2 mol/l of copper ion and 0.0001 to 1.0 mol/l of nitrate ion is effective to detect phosphorus segregates in a metallic material, particularly cast steel. Segregated phosphorus can be detected by etching a surface of steel to be tested, attaching test paper onto the steel surface, applying the aqueous solution to the paper, maintaining the paper in contact with the steel surface until stains appear, and removing the paper from the steel surface. A red print is obtained when the solution is pH 6 or higher. A blue print is obtained by following the above steps, and further treating the paper with a color reagent containing molybdate ion, and then with a reducing agent.

Abstract: A aqueous system for testing magnetizable articles is provided by a master based slurry of magnetic particles including a corrosion inhibitor, surface tension adjusting agent, an antifoam agent, a viscosity adjustment element, and a buffering element to assist in the corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Circuit boards with advantageous properties are produced through the addition of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the dye allows an expeditious inspection of the metallic pattern on the circuit board by induced fluorescence.

Abstract: Provided is a novel barrier membrane and a method using the barrier membrane for testing the transdermal penetration behavior of a bioactive agent. The method employs shed snake skin as the model barrier membrane. In particular, the method comprises the steps of providing a dose of a donor formulation containing the bioactive agent, and a receptor solution, with a barrier membrane of shed snake skin separating the donor formulation and receptor solution. The receptor solution is then serially sampled and assayed in order to determine the concentration of the bioactive agent in the receptor solution. The use of the shed snake skin has been found to provide reproducible and uniform results as a model barrier membrane. As well, the shed snake skin offers the advantages of being readily available and storable for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Non-A, non-B hepatitis antigen, antigen compositions, vaccine and assay test for the detection of non-A, non-B hepatitis antigen. The antigen is characterized as having a particle size of about 2.0 nm to about 5.0 nm, a density of from about 1.24 to about 1.30 g/cm.sup.3, contains ribonucleic acid and occurs either free or bound to IgG molecules.The antigen can be isolated by isopycnic banding and chromatographic fractionation, and preferably by enzymatic digestion, isopycnic banding and chromatographic fractionation.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the impermeability of a polymeric article to a fluid by the steps of:(a) allowing a permeant to diffuse through the polymeric article for a preselected period of time,(b) converting permeant, diffusing through the article, to an ion by a chemical reaction and(c) measuring the amount of ion formed quantitatively with an ion-selective electrode.A method is further provided wherein a polymeric article is exposed to a permeant for a fixed period of time; removed from contact with the permeant; exposed to a chemical which will convert permeant, back-diffusing through the polymeric article, to an ion; and quantitatively measuring the amount of thus-formed ion with a ion-specific electrode.

Abstract: According to this process, (a) a compound capable of entering the surface interstices of the keratinous fibres is chosen; which is capable of producing, in an aqueous medium, a solution which is colored naturally or capable of being colored by a development, and capable, under the conditions of the process, of being stable and maintained at a pH such that no ionic charge appears; (b) an aqueous immersion solution containing the compounds chosen is prepared; (c) a specimen of the fibres to be studied is immersed therein to produce an "uptake" of the compound on the fibres, which is a function of their surface state; (d) the specimen is withdrawn from the solution and the excess of solution saturating the fibres is removed; (e) the compound present on the fibres is extracted by immersing the latter in at least one aqueous bath at the same pH as that of the aqueous immersion solution to obtain an extraction solution which is colored or whose color is developed in a step (f); and (g) the state of the surface of t

Abstract: A method of analyzing molecular layers of amino-functional group coupling agents on inorganic substrates is disclosed. A saturated solution of 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl chloride is added to a sample to be tested, and sufficient time is allowed, with or without heating, for the reaction of the 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl chloride with any amino functional group coupling agent which might be present. The color intensity of the reaction product is compared under ultraviolet light in an otherwise substantially dark room with the color intensity of standards representative of known thicknesses of coupling agent to determine the existence and thickness of the coupling agent on the particles being analyzed.

Abstract: Titanium alloy test samples including welded samples of such alloys are tested for recognizing textural or structural faults or flaws in the form of segregations or liquations. To make these flaws visible by increasing the contrast between a flaw and the background, an etching method including two etching steps is used, which achieves especially marked contrasts. The method is based on the selective solution removal of a phase, a grain, or of an impurity of an alloy type. An especially good visual recognition of segregations, liquations or inhomogeneities of welded test samples is made possible by the resulting matte gray surface against which lustrous flaws are clearly visible.

Abstract: A method for revealing the microstructure of metal alloys which comprises the steps of polishing the sample, chemically etching the polished metal surface, thermally etching the chemically etched surface and quenching the thermally etched sample. This method allows observation of deformed and recrystallized grains on the same polished surface and provides the opportunity to correlate recrystallized grains to their nucleation sites.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting the presence of a chromate coating on the surface of aluminum. The method includes the application of a few milliliters of a liquid composition to the surface of the aluminum. The liquid composition includes one part of potassium permanganate having a concentration of at least 0.5 weight/volume percent and one part of concentrated sodium hydroxide saturated in an aqueous solution. The liquid has a beet-red pigmentation which undergoes a color change to a bright blue-green pigmentation when it reacts with a chromate coating. If no coating is present on the aluminum surface, the liquid will react with the aluminum and the alloys contained therein to produce a beige color.

Abstract: The permeability of samples, especially rock samples, is determined by immersing the sample in a dye solution to permit dye to diffuse into the sample, rinsing remaining dye solution from the surface and then either placing the rinsed sample in a leachback solution to permit dye to diffuse out into the leachback liquid or else simply allowing the dye to diffuse out onto the surface of the sample, thereby causing a coloration indicative of the permeability of the sample. The method can be practiced on slab samples or drill cuttings.

Abstract: A method for determining the coating weight and composition of a zinc phosphate coating on a ferrous metal surface comprises stripping the coating from a known area using an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and triethanolamine, thereafter measuring the iron and phosphate contents by colorimetric analysis of the stripping solution and then determining the coating weight and composition based on such measurements.

Abstract: A process of identifying and cleaning carbide entities. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a visual indicating reacting composition is placed in a tank. An example of such a compound is a weak solution on the order to magnitude of one tenth molar or less of copper sulfate. After preparation of this bath, a large plurality of used tungsten carbide tools are dumped into the bath. Tools are allowed to sit in the bath for periods extending from five seconds to several hours depending on the strength of the bath and the thickness of the coating. When a characteristic orange color appears on a significant plurality of the tools sitting in the bath, the tank is drained of the copper sulfate solution and the tools are dumped upon a flat surface for visual inspection and segregation of the copper colored tools from the clear ones. After segregation, the copper colored tools are placed in a second bath.

Abstract: A process and compositions for detecting improperly processed areas in heat treated aluminum are disclosed. A solution containing an acid or a base and an oxidizing agent and, if desired, a color enhancing ingredient is applied to an aluminum object to produce a color difference between those areas of the surface of the object which have been properly hardened and the areas resulting from improper heat treatment. The solution can be applied to the aluminum by brushing, swabbing, immersion or spraying. The acid or base in the solution attack the aluminum surface so that the oxidizing agent in the solution can react with the aluminum to produce the aforementioned color differential.

Abstract: Substantially non-pollutant and non-toxic water washable composition in the form of a gel for use in non-destructive ultrasonic inspection of surface and subsurface flaws and discontinuities in bodies comprising a (1) poly(oxypropylene) poly(oxyethylene) condensate having a molecular weight ranging from about 1,000 to about 15,000, and (2) silica, particularly fumed silica, such silica being present in certain proportions, e.g. about 5% by weight of the composition. The composition or gel is applied to a surface of a body such as a metal aircraft structural part, and a probe or transducer of an ultrasonic testing device is contacted or pressed against the gel, and the transducer is caused to move or slide in various directions on the gel to transmit ultrasonic energy through the gel and the object, to inspect the object and locate any surface or subsurface flaws or discontinuities.