| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08149140B2 |
Pressure-difference warning system
The present invention relates to a pressure-difference warning system comprising an acoustic signal device, comprising an energy supply device and comprising a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is designed for measuring a pressure difference between an interior region and an exterior region. The energy supply device is designed for providing energy for operating the warning system. The acoustic signal device is designed for outputting an acoustic signal if the measured pressure difference exceeds a specifiable threshold value. |
| US08149138B1 |
Barrier gate
A manually operated traffic barrier gate which may economically installed and maintained, and easily operated by a single individual during emergency or other critical situations. One embodiment comprises a permanently mounted barrier gate movable from a retracted, upright position to lowered position extended to bridge a preselected traffic path, wherein the gate is counterbalanced to stay in the upright position until deployed, and to be balanced to stay in the deployed state when extended. The barrier gate are operable by one person and includes locking devices to maintain their stored upright or deployed lowered position. A further embodiment of the present invention provides a dual mobile gate which may be towed singly or in a chain (dual gate one behind the other), in a retracted length to the desired location, and thereafter be disconnected from the towing vehicle and left at the site to be deployed in an extended manner or retracted and moved as needed. |
| US08149135B2 |
Data exchange system and method between two or more vehicles to which identification information is assigned
A system and method are provided for direct data exchange between two or more vehicles for transmission of data relating to events having a negative effect on driving safety, via wireless communication such as WLAN in particular. Unambiguous identification information is assigned to each vehicle. To increase acceptance of such a system, the identification information of the respective vehicle is temporary and is formed on the basis of the current status of the vehicle. |
| US08149134B2 |
System for providing utility monitoring
The present invention relates to a means for monitoring the utility usage in a building with individual units but serviced by a single utility company meter. The individual units receive a pulse flow meter which is hard wired to a central unit and then sent to the internet for reading and then splitting the utility bill into prorated utility bills based on actual usage rather than size of the individual unit as a percentage of the whole unit. |
| US08149133B2 |
MUX BOP database mirroring
An apparatus to remotely archive data from a blowout preventer includes a first system controller in communication with the blowout preventer and a communications network, and a second system controller in communication with the blowout preventer and the communications network. A first remote server and a second remote server are connected to the communications network. The first remote server is configured to archive the data from the blowout preventer through the first local controller and the communications network. The first remote server is also configured to archive the data from the blowout preventer through the second system controller upon a failure of the first system controller resulting from damage in an oilfield component. |
| US08149132B2 |
System and method for hard line communication with MWD/LWD
A MWD/LWD hard line communication system and method includes for the system a cartridge capable of deploying wire in a borehole, a screen attachable to the cartridge and positionally retainable in the borehole, and a communications connector operably associable with the cartridge; and for the method, deploying hardline from a cartridge, attaching the cartridge to a screen, and attaching the cartridge to a communications connector. Another method includes pumping fluid downhole, urging a wire nest into a screen, and compacting the nest into the screen with the fluid until the fluid is pumpable past the nest through an unobstructed portion of the screen. |
| US08149130B2 |
Portable electronic device operateable by rotation thereof
A portable electronic device includes a housing, a rotation sensor, and a processor. The rotation sensor includes a supporting plate fixed to the housing, a cylindric carrier, an electron emitting device, a magnet, a number of strip-shaped electrodes, and a detecting device. The cylindric carrier is disposed on the supporting plate and is rotatable relative to the supporting plate. The electron emitting device is disposed on the supporting plate and emits electrons along the center axis of the cylindric carrier. The magnet provides a magnetic field substantially parallel to the supporting plate. The detecting device detects the falling position of the electrons and generates a signal representing the parameters of the rotation of the portable electronic device. The processor receives the signal generated by the detecting device and generates an operating signal for operating the portable electronic device. |
| US08149128B2 |
Ground potential rise monitor
A device and method for detecting ground potential rise (GPR) comprising positioning a first electrode and a second electrode at a distance from each other into the earth. The voltage of the first electrode and second electrode is attenuated by an attenuation factor creating an attenuated voltage. The true RMS voltage of the attenuated voltage is determined creating an attenuated true RMS voltage. The attenuated true RMS voltage is then multiplied by the attenuation factor creating a calculated true RMS voltage. If the calculated true RMS voltage is greater than a first predetermined voltage threshold, a first alarm is enabled at a local location. If user input is received at a remote location acknowledging the first alarm, a first alarm acknowledgment signal is transmitted. The first alarm acknowledgment signal is then received at which time the first alarm is disabled. |
| US08149125B2 |
Animal management system including radio animal tags and additional transceiver(s)
An animal management system includes a beacon, a radio animal tag configured to monitor the proximity of the animal tag to the beacon, and a reader configured to read information from the animal tag. |
| US08149120B2 |
Temporary non-responsive state for RFID tags
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may have a non-responsive mode, triggered by a command from an RFID reader, that temporarily prevents the RFID tag from responding to a query from any RFID reader for a period of time. In some embodiments this non-responsive mode may automatically end after a certain period of time without further action by the RFID reader. In other embodiments this non-responsive mode may end when directed to by another command addressed specifically to the RFID tag. |
| US08149114B2 |
Utility meter tamper monitoring system and method
A method includes activating a tamper monitoring circuit of a security seal configured to securely lock a utility meter. The method also includes wirelessly transmitting an identification data and/or an integrity information associated with the security seal and/or the utility meter to the external transceiver upon activating the tamper monitoring circuit or being queried by the external transceiver through a transceiver of the tamper monitoring circuit. The transceiver of the tamper monitoring circuit and the external transceiver are configured to securely communicate with each other through a secure protocol. Further, the method includes detecting a tamper condition associated with tampering of the security seal through the tamper monitoring circuit, and wirelessly transmitting data associated with the tamper condition to the external transceiver. |
| US08149113B2 |
Apparatus and method for conveying location event information based on access codes
An improved system and method for defining an event based upon an object location and a user-defined zone and managing the conveyance of object location event information among computing devices where object location events are defined in terms of a condition based upon a relationship between user-defined zone information and object location information. One or more location information sources are associated with an object to provide the object location information. One or more user-defined zones are defined on a map and one or more object location events are defined. The occurrence of an object location event produces object location event information that is conveyed to users based on user identification codes. Accessibility to object location information, zone information, and object location event information is based upon an object location information access code, a zone information access code, and an object location event information access code, respectively. |
| US08149111B2 |
Central facility that communicates with portable container via mobile device
A central facility communicates with a portable container via a mobile device. A computer at the central facility receives (a) usage data, in association with identification tag information for the portable container, from the mobile device associated with the portable container, the usage data generated by a usage sensor in the portable container, (b) environmental data from the mobile device associated with the portable container, the environmental data generated by an environmental sensor, and (c) patient data from the mobile device associated with the portable container, the patient data generated by a patient sensor. The central facility computer stores the usage data, the environmental data and the patient data in a record associated with the identification tag information. The central facility computer analyzes the usage data, the environmental data and the patient data relative to a situational rule, to determine an action. The central facility computer sends (i) action data to the mobile device associated with the portable container, and (ii) notice data to a third party in accordance with a notification rule. The central facility computer stores the action data and the notice data in the record associated with the identification tag information. |
| US08149109B2 |
Mobile emergency device for emergency personnel
An mobile emergency device is disclosed. The mobile emergency device includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions are programmed to communicate an emergency communication via the wireless communications component, wherein the emergency communication is conducted with an emergency device deployed within a building automation system, generate display data based on the received emergency communication, and communicate the display data for presentation to a user. |
| US08149104B2 |
Room management system
Apparatus and method for managing utilization of rooms in a clinic, for example, include a visible display, for example, colored lights at an examining room, indicating one or more of several available room status values for the room. An input device including, e.g., push buttons, is coupled to the display and adapted for selecting the room status value. A timer coupled to the input device and display automatically changes the status value of a room when a predetermined time period has elapsed after the status value is first selected, except when a third room status value is selected. This feature notifies personnel if, for example, a patient has been left alone in a room too long. A central control provides a database to accumulate minute-by-minute utilization data of the clinic rooms and also programs to access and compute from the data the overall utilization by variable periods. This utilization data are useful for planning, reallocation and investment in new space. |
| US08149102B1 |
Reconfigurable interface operable with multiple types of sensors and actuators
An interface is provided that configures itself dynamically based on sensor information received from a sensor assembly or actuator information received from an actuator assembly. The interface may be configured to interoperate with sensor assemblies including analog transducers, smart transducers providing digital outputs and various actuators. The sensor information or the actuator information may include information for managing power consumption associated with the operation of the sensor or the actuator. Using the sensor information or the actuator information, a power management scheme may be implemented to reduce power consumption and extend the operational time of a module. The sensor information also includes information about the sensor signal generated by the sensor. The information about the sensor signal allows the module to interoperate with more diverse types of sensors. |
| US08149100B2 |
Device and method for distinguishing positions of tire sensors of a double tire system
A device and a method for distinguishing positions of two tire sensors of a double tire include an LF antenna attached to a vehicle and connected to a central processing unit and one tire sensor each per tire. The tire sensors have a device for measuring field strength of a signal emitted by the LF antenna and the tire sensors report back information on the measured field strength through the LF antenna to the central processing unit. The central processing unit determines the position of the two tire sensors of the double tire from a distribution or course of a current flow during wheel rotation. |
| US08149092B2 |
Device and method for managing equipment maintenance
The subject of the invention is a device for managing equipment maintenance. It relates to a device for managing maintenance of a number N of items of equipment EQi built into a system, i designating an index identifying the item of equipment EQi and lying between 1 and N, the system furthermore comprising a main computer RC, the equipment EQi exchanging data with the main computer RC through a communication network, the equipment EQi being capable of being built into the system or of being removed from the system, each item of equipment EQi being protected by a protective housing BPi, the communication node Nj occupying a position internal to the housing BPi and being devised to exchange data with the radio tag ETi, the radio tag ETi being fixed securely to the housing BPi and being devised to deliver data through a contactless link. |
| US08149091B2 |
Radio-frequency tag communication device, radio-frequency tag communication system, and radio-frequency tag detecting system
A radio-frequency tag communication device permitting a radio-frequency tag communication system to have a sufficiently large area of communication, with a minimum required number of interrogators. The radio-frequency tag communication device includes a transmission control portion operable to control transmission of a transmitted signal, so as to prevent overlapping an area of communication of the radio-frequency tag communication device and an area of communication of another radio-frequency tag communication device, making it possible to maximize a spacing distance between the adjacent radio-frequency tag communication devices, and to effectively prevent concurrent receptions of the transmitted signals by the plurality of radio-frequency tags. Namely, the radio-frequency tag communication device permits the radio-frequency tag communication system to have a sufficiently large area of communication with a minimum required number of interrogators. |
| US08149090B2 |
Mobile wireless network for asset tracking and supply chain monitoring
A method, system and mobile sensor node for monitoring a supply chain. A communication network is established which includes a plurality of mobile sensor nodes. Status information for each mobile sensor node is periodically transmitted. Each mobile sensor node receives status information for at least one other mobile sensor node in the communication network. A log file which includes the received status information is compiled and stored in the mobile sensor node that received the corresponding status information. |
| US08149086B2 |
Security systems and methods relating to travelling vehicles
There is provided a method for identifying, at the moment of verification, the situation of a threat to a protected ground, airspace and/or sea limits by an approaching ground vehicle, aircraft or sea-going vessel. The method includes an authorized driver/pilot/captain to select first state in which the vehicle, aircraft or sea-going vessel is not considered to present a threat and a second state in which the vehicle, aircraft or sea-going vessel is considered to present a threat. The method further provides entering the first and second PIN codes into a smart card for generating a One Time Indicia (OTI) for each of the PIN codes and disclosing the state associated with each of the first and second OTI codes to at least one control center. Upon the control center receiving an OTI code, the control center obtains positive identification of the driver/pilot/captain and the degree of the threat that the vehicle, aircraft or sea-going vessel presents. |
| US08149083B2 |
Vehicle door opening/closing apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle door to open/close
A vehicle door opening/closing apparatus includes a mobile apparatus carried by a user, a recognizing apparatus for recognizing the mobile apparatus within a predetermined area relative to a vehicle, a commanding apparatus provided at the mobile apparatus for commanding an opening/closing operation of a door on the basis of an intention of the user and a controlling apparatus for controlling the door on the basis of a recognition of the recognizing apparatus and the opening/closing operation command of the commanding apparatus. The controlling apparatus opens the door when the recognizing apparatus recognizes the mobile apparatus within the predetermined area and in a situation where the commanding apparatus has commanded to open the door. The controlling apparatus closes the door when the recognizing apparatus recognizes that the mobile apparatus is out of the predetermined area and in a situation where the commanding apparatus has commanded to close the door. |
| US08149080B2 |
Integrated circuit including inductive device and ferromagnetic material
An integrated circuit includes a substrate and an inductive device on a first side of the substrate. The integrated circuit includes a first ferromagnetic material on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side. |
| US08149078B2 |
Fast anchoring magnetic holder including multiple attractive surfaces
A fast anchoring magnetic holder including multiple attractive surfaces comprises a first magnet, a second magnet, a first insertion rod and a second insertion rod. The first magnet has a magnetic workstation surface. The second magnet has a magnetic anchor surface. The first and second magnets are stacked together. The first insertion rod and second insertion rod are respectively inserted into the first magnet and second magnet, and are turned to change distribution of the magnetic field of the first magnet and second magnet to alter the magnetic workstation surface and magnetic anchor surface from a non-magnetic state to a magnetic state to attract a working piece to a workstation. |
| US08149077B2 |
Electromagnetic operating device for switch
An electromagnetic operating device for a switch comprises a fixed yoke (1) formed by laminating square yokes and an E-shaped yoke integrally while holding the E-shaped yoke in-between, a permanent magnet (5), a moving member (2) capable of linear movement in the fixed yoke by a predetermined distance, a rod (3) coupled with the moving member and penetrating the fixed yoke to project outward from opposite sides, and a drive coil (4) disposed in the fixed yoke, the moving member moving on the inside of the fixed yoke when a current is supplied through the drive coils, wherein the fixed yoke (1) is provided with a plurality of holes (1c) penetrating in the laminating direction of magnetic steel sheets, pins (6) each having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the plurality of holes and provided with a threaded portion (6a) at the end are inserted to penetrate two or more of the plurality of holes, and the laminated fixed yoke is fastened using the threaded portions of the pins. |
| US08149076B2 |
MEMS device with controlled electrode off-state position
The present invention relates to MEMS device that comprises a first electrode, and a second electrode suspended with a distance to the first electrode with the aid of a suspension structure. The MEMS device further comprises at least one deformation electrode. The second electrode or the suspension structure or both are plastically deformable upon application of an electrostatic deformation force via the deformation electrode. This way, variations in the off-state position of the second electrode that occur during fabrication of different devices or during operation of a single device can be eliminated. |
| US08149074B2 |
Tuning element and tunable resonator
A resonator is provided with a tuning element based on piezoelectricity. The piezoelectric basic element includes at least one piezoelectric layer and a metal layer. Such a basic element is first coated with a thin insulating layer and then with a good conductor. The thickness of the conductive coating is greater than the skin depth of a field corresponding to the operating frequency of the structure in the conductor. The tuning element formed in this manner is fastened on, e.g., some inner surface of the resonator cavity and acts to change the natural frequency of the resonator by electric control. When using the tuning element, no mechanical arrangement is required for moving the tuning element. Furthermore, the tuning element does not cause considerable dielectric losses nor intermodulation when being in a radiofrequency electromagnetic field, because the field cannot significantly penetrate through said conductive coating into the piezoelectric material. |
| US08149072B2 |
Resonators, resonator arrays, apparatus and methods
A resonator includes a substantially disk shaped portion having a plurality of axes of symmetry and is configured to resonate in a plurality of resonant modes by symmetrically deforming about the plurality of axes of symmetry. |
| US08149069B2 |
Low-noise voltage-controlled oscillating circuit
A low noise voltage-controlled oscillating circuit which can remove a power source noise to improve low frequency noise characteristics is disclosed. A capacitor C11 is provided between a base of a driving transistor Q1 and GND, whereby a low frequency noise input into the base can be removed. As the driving transistor Q1, a transistor having a low hFE is used, whereby the low frequency noise input from a power source can be removed. A coil L3 is provided on the emitter side of an oscillating transistor Q2, whereby broadband frequency characteristics can be obtained to improve phase noise frequency characteristics. On the emitter side of the oscillating transistor Q2, a resonance frequency in a resonant circuit having a capacitor C7 and the coil L3 is set near the center of a VCO oscillation frequency band, whereby it is possible to obtain the oscillation frequency which is not easily influenced by the noise. |
| US08149066B2 |
Integrated circuit distributed oscillator
An integrated circuit distributed radio frequency oscillator comprises a semiconductor chip which includes a differential input transmission line, a differential output transmission line and, coupled in parallel between these transmission lines at spaced apart portions, a number of differential amplifier cells with adjustable delay. The output end of the output transmission line is coupled back to the input end of the input transmission line by a feedback link with a pair of on-chip capacitors. The delay introduced by the amplifier cells is variable in response to a tuning voltage applied to a differential tuning input, making the oscillator suitable for use as a distributed VCO in, e.g. a phase-locked loop circuit. The layout of the oscillator on a semiconductor chip includes the series-connected arrangement of the differential transmission lines in a rectilinear spiral path. |
| US08149065B1 |
Low KVCO phase-locked loop with large frequency drift handling capability
A phase-locked loop that supports a large frequency drift capability, yet maintains a low Kvco, and does not introduce noise or discontinuities in the frequency of the generated phase-locked loop output signal. The phase-locked loop may include a VCO with an LC tank circuit, the capacitance of which may be adjusted in incremental units. By gradually adjusting a control signal applied to a selected VCO LC tank circuit frequency adjustment control line, e.g., in a continuous ramped function, or time-averaged ramped function, from LOW-to-HIGH or from HIGH-to-LOW, over a period of time that is greater than the response time of the phase-locked loop, a frequency range supported by the VCO may be shifted to either a higher frequency range or a lower frequency range, as needed, to accommodate environmentally induced frequency drift in the VCO, without introducing noise or discontinuities in the frequency of the generated phase-locked loop output signal. |
| US08149064B2 |
Power amplifier circuitry and method
A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals. |
| US08149061B2 |
Class H amplifier
A class H amplifier circuit includes a Buck converter 20 and a charge pump 30 which are used to generate voltages which are used in turn to power an output driver 10. A feedback path 36 controls the loop. The circuit is particularly suitable as a high efficiency circuit for driving headphones or loudspeakers. |
| US08149060B2 |
Low distortion amplifier and Doherty amplifier using low distortion amplifier
Provided is a low distortion amplifier which can satisfy both securement of a setting space in a vicinity of a transistor and low impedance. The low distortion amplifier includes a short stub having a leading end thereof short-circuited with a high-frequency short-circuit element and a low-frequency short-circuit element, in which the short stub is connected to a vicinity of at least one of a gate terminal and a drain terminal of the transistor, and includes a plurality of branched lines, the plurality of branched lines each having a leading end thereof short-circuited with the high-frequency short-circuit element and the low-frequency short-circuit element. |
| US08149056B2 |
Amplifying circuit
An amplifier having an output stage with a complementary pair of first and second transistors each coupled to an output node of the amplifier; control circuitry arranged to provide a control signal at a control node of the first transistor based on the voltage at an input node of the amplifier; and adjustment circuitry arranged to adjust the control signal to maintain the current through the first transistor above a minimum value. |
| US08149055B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
A semiconductor integrated circuit device constituting an inverting amplifier employs a cascode current source as a current source. In the semiconductor integrated circuit device, a high-potential-side transistor of the cascode current source and a low-potential-side transistor constituting an amplification portion are shared. The configuration can not only make an output impedance of the cascode current source high and improve current source characteristics but also make a minimum potential at a minimum potential point of the amplification portion low and ensure a sufficient power supply voltage margin. |
| US08149054B2 |
Operational amplifier
An operational amplifier includes a differential amplifier input stage that supplies an operating current to a differential pair, the differential amplifier input stage including a first transistor having a first polarity, a push-pull amplifier output stage that includes a second transistor having the first polarity, and a third transistor having a second polarity, the second transistor and the third transistor being connected in series, and a capacitive element that connects a gate of the first transistor and a gate of the second transistor. |
| US08149052B2 |
Method and apparatus to linearize transconductors by predistortion
A transconductor for providing an output current that is linear in the input voltage (Vin) comprises a main output transconductor (Ms, Mc) and a model transconductor (Msr1, Msr2, Mcr1, Mcr2) that are controlled by the same signal (Vc, Vc′). The latter transconductor (Msr1, Msr2, Mcr1, Mcr2) is comprised in a predistortion circuit (A), which measures the output of the model transconductor and the overall voltage input (Vin) to provide a control signal (Vc, Vc′) for the transconductors that compensates for their non-linearity. |
| US08149040B2 |
Apparatus for generating a plurality of different voltage level clock signals
A system is provided for generating a plurality of different voltage level clock signals. The system comprises an electrical energy storage pack having a plurality of series coupled electrical energy storage cells that provide a plurality of different output voltage level, a reference oscillator that provides a reference clock signal and a plurality of voltage clamps that receive the plurality of different output voltage levels and output the plurality of different voltage level clock signals at respective output nodes. The plurality of voltage clamps are configured to clamp each of a given output node to a respective high-side voltage level in response to pulling up of the given output node toward a respective high output voltage level and to clamp each of the given output node to a respective low-side voltage level in response to pulling down of the output node toward a low output voltage level. |
| US08149039B1 |
Integrated picosecond pulse generator circuit
A picosecond pulse generator apparatus and methodology is disclosed. A pulse generator is provided by forming a transmission line and a switching element on a common semiconductor substrate or semiconductor chip. The transmission line and the switching element can be provided on the common CMOS semiconductor substrate using standard CMOS technology. A voltage is applied to the transmission line to charge the transmission line. An input pulse is applied to the switching device to trigger the switching device to cause the transmission line to discharge an output pulse across a load resistor. The pulse width of the output pulse depends in major part on the length of the transmission line. Additional components can be provided on the common semiconductor substrate or chip to shape the input pulse to the switching device to ensure a fast rise time. |
| US08149028B2 |
Method and device for dividing a frequency signal
A method for dividing a frequency includes the steps of receiving a first signal having a first frequency as a clock input to a first digital counter and outputting a second signal as a clock input to a second digital counter having a higher counting capacity than the first counter. The output occurs when the first counter reaches a first number of count cycles. The method also includes generating a third signal having a high cycle and a low cycle, which are determined at least as a function of the first number of count cycles. Depending on a desired division ratio, the high and low cycles may also be a function of a second number of count cycles associated with the second counter. The third signal has a frequency lower than the first frequency. |
| US08149027B2 |
Circuit with a voltage dependent resistor for controlling an on/off state of a transistor
An H-bridge circuit formed from two sub-circuits coupled to each other by a load network across a respective load node of each of the sub-circuits. Each sub-circuit of the two sub-circuits comprises a depletion mode upper transistor with a second electrode coupled to a first electrode of a lower transistor. The load node of the sub-circuit is disposed between the second electrode of the upper transistor and the first electrode of a lower transistor. There is a first voltage supply node coupled to a first electrode of the upper transistor and a second voltage supply node is coupled to a second electrode of the lower transistor. An upper driver transistor selectively couples a gate electrode of the upper transistor to an upper drive voltage node, the upper driver transistor having a control electrode coupled to an upper switched voltage supply circuit. There is also a lower switched voltage supply circuit coupled to a gate electrode of the lower transistor and a voltage dependent non-linear resistor is coupled across the gate electrode and second electrode of the upper transistor. In use, when the lower transistor and upper driver transistor are in a non-conductive state a potential difference across the voltage dependent non-linear resistor is sufficiently small enough to control the upper transistor into a conductive state. Conversely, when the lower transistor and upper driver transistor are in a conductive state the potential difference across the voltage dependent non-linear resistor provides a negative bias to the gate electrode of the upper transistor that has a negative potential sufficient to control the upper transistor into a non-conductive state. |
| US08149024B2 |
Dual function voltage and current mode differential driver
A dual function differential driver includes a voltage mode differential driver portion and a current mode differential driver portion. Control circuitry is connected to the voltage mode differential driver portion and the current mode differential driver portion. The control circuitry switches the dual function differential driver between operation as a voltage mode differential driver and operation as a current mode differential driver. |
| US08149016B2 |
Interface circuit
An interface circuit electronically connects a processor and a card reader. The interface circuit includes a clock circuit, a reset circuit, and an I/O circuit. The clock circuit may transmit a clock signal transmitted from the processor to the card reader, and includes a first bipolar junction transistor (BJT). The reset circuit may transmit a reset signal transmitted from the processor to the card reader, and includes a second BJT. The I/O circuit may transmit data transmitted from the processor to the card reader, and includes a third BJT and a fourth BJT. |
| US08149014B2 |
I/O driver for integrated circuit with output impedance control
An I/O driver has v/i characteristic control for maintaining a substantially flat output impedance response using a transmission gate configuration at an I/O output pad. The configuration includes a linear resistive element electrically connected at an I/O pad for limiting a processed data I/O signal, an active impedance element for receiving and processing the data signal, which comprises data represented by a series of voltage state transitions, and pull-up and pull-down array calibration words, for generating and outputting a processed I/O output signal to the resistive element to output a substantially flat v/i response at switching of the data signal. |
| US08149009B2 |
Apparatus and method for terminating probe apparatus of semiconductor wafer
A probe apparatus and method of terminating a probe that probes a semiconductor device with a signal cable from a tester side by side at a proximal end of the probe and a distal end of the signal cable. In one embodiment, the probe apparatus includes: a chassis; a dielectric block mounted in the chassis for retaining the probe, the probe extending on the chassis from a proximal end of the probe to the dielectric block, extending through the dielectric block, and projecting from the dielectric block towards the semiconductor device at a distal end of the probe; and a terminating apparatus, mounted in the chassis, for terminating the proximal end of the probe with a distal end of the signal cable side by side. |
| US08149008B2 |
Probe card electrically connectable with a semiconductor wafer
A probe card includes a probe head that holds a plurality of probes; a flat wiring board that has a wiring pattern corresponding to a circuit structure; an interposer that is stacked on the wiring board and relays wirings of the wiring board; a space transformer that is placed between the interposer and the probe head, transforms a space between the wirings relayed by the interposer, and leads the transformed wirings out to a surface facing the probe head; and a plurality of post members that are formed in a substantially columnar shape with a height larger than a sum of a thickness of the wiring board and a thickness of the interposer, and embedded to pierce through the wiring board and the interposer in a thickness direction such that one of end surfaces of each post member comes into contact with the space transformer. |
| US08149007B2 |
Carbon nanotube spring contact structures with mechanical and electrical components
A composite spring contact structure includes a structural component and a conduction component distinct from each other and having differing mechanical and electrical characteristics. The structural component can include a group of carbon nanotubes. A mechanical characteristic of the composite spring contact structure can be dominated by a mechanical characteristic of the structural component, and an electrical characteristic of the composite spring contact structure can be dominated by an electrical characteristic of the conduction component. Composite spring contact structures can be used in probe cards and other electronic devices. Various ways of making contact structures are also disclosed. |
| US08149006B2 |
Probe card
A probe card includes probes that come into contact with a semiconductor wafer to receive or output an electric signal; a probe head that holds the probes; a substrate that has a wiring pattern corresponding to a circuit structure for generating a signal for a test; a reinforcing member that reinforces the substrate; an interposer that is stacked on the substrate and includes a housing having connection terminals resilient in an axial direction thereof and hole portions each housing one of the connection terminals; and a space transformer that is stacked between the interposer and the probe head and transforms intervals among the wires. |
| US08149004B2 |
Corrosion sensor for monitoring and controlling lubricant acidity
A corrosion sensor having a corrodible element that is corrodible in a lubricant or hydraulic oil, wherein the corrosion sensor is adapted to monitor degradation of the lubricant or hydraulic oil is disclosed. |
| US08148998B2 |
Orientation detection circuit and electronic device using the same
An orientation detection circuit is provided. The circuit includes a processor, a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, a vibration switch, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The processor includes a first input pin and a second input pin. The third resistor has a resistance value greater than that of the first resistor and the third resistor. The vibration switch includes a first terminal being grounded, a second terminal connected to the second input pin, a third terminal connected to a power source, and a fourth terminal connected via the third resistor to the second terminal and connected to the first input pin. The first transistor has a first source connected via the first resistor to the power source, a first drain connected to the first input pin, and a first gate connected to the second input pin. |
| US08148994B2 |
Device and method for determining replacement of storage battery
A control unit (16) of a replacement determination device charges one or more battery modules (10) as determination targets, and measures the voltage change value of the battery module (10) in a predetermined period of time from the time of stoppage of charge by using a voltage measuring device (14). If the voltage change value becomes equal to or more than a reference voltage change value consecutively a predetermined number of times which is equal to or more than one, the control unit determines that the battery module (10) needs to be replaced. |
| US08148991B2 |
Efficient resistivity measurement method by multi-point simultaneous current transmission system using pseudo-noise signal waveform
A method for significantly reducing measurement time for electrical resistivity profiling and logging without degrading the quality of the measurement includes simultaneously transmitting a current from multiple points to underground and carrying out mathematic processing to calculate a potential obtained when a current is transmitted independently from any transmission point, based on observed response potential waveforms. Further current waveforms having a covariance of zero are selected. Then, a possible response obtained independently at transmission point can be determined by dividing the covariance of the observed potential waveform and the current waveform by the variance of the current waveform. As the waveform zeroing the covariance, an M-sequence code with zero added to the end thereof is applied. |
| US08148989B2 |
Ferromagnetic detection enhancer compatible with magnetic resonance
An apparatus for increasing the ability to detect ferromagnetic objects by increasing the magnetization of the objects. The apparatus includes at least one coil to generate a magnetic field positioned in the area of the object to be detected. The apparatus includes an electrical energy storage capacitor bank capable of quickly releasing stored energy. The apparatus includes a high speed, high current electronic switch capable of quickly transferring the stored energy from the capacitor bank to the coil thereby producing in the coil a short duration, single polarity magnetic field pulse. The apparatus includes a sample and hold circuit capable of acquiring magnetic field sensor data during periods when the pulsed magnetic field is not present. The apparatus includes a microprocessor controller to control timing and sequence of the magnetic pulse generation and the sensor data sample and hold process. The apparatus may be for portal handheld or head mounted applications. |
| US08148985B2 |
Method for reducing maximum local specific absorption rate in magnetic resonance imaging
A method for reducing maximum local specific absorption rate (“SAR”) in a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system is disclosed. More specifically, a plurality of candidate radio frequency (“RF”) pulses are designed and the manner in which they are applied to a subject is determined such that the maximum local SAR is substantially reduced relative to applying the candidate RF pulse that produces the lowest maximum local SAR alone. Put another way, this “time-multiplexing” of a set of RF pulses that each produce approximately the same excitation pattern yields a lower maximum local SAR than does transmitting the individual RF pulse having the lowest local SAR over many repetition times (“TRs”). A convex optimization method is utilized to determine the manner in which the RF pulses are multiplexed in time such that a substantially lower maximum local SAR is achieved. |
| US08148981B2 |
MRI apparatus and MRI method for SSFP with center frequency and 1st order gradient moments zeroed
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an input unit, a data acquisition unit and an image generating unit. The input unit inputs information indicating a matter of which resonance frequency is a center frequency of an excitation pulse. The data acquisition unit acquires magnetic resonance data with obtaining a steady state free precession. Each of the plural excitation pulses has a transmission phase varying by a variation amount determined based on a difference between a resonance frequency and the center frequency. The image generating unit generates an image of the desired matter based on the magnetic resonance data. |
| US08148977B2 |
Apparatus for characterizing a magnetic field in a magnetically enhanced substrate processing system
Embodiments of sensor devices for characterizing magnetic fields formed in substrate processing systems and methods of use thereof are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for characterizing a magnetic field in a substrate processing system may include a carrier having a form substantially similar to a substrate to be processed in the substrate processing system. One or more magnetic sensors are disposed on the carrier for measuring a magnitude of a magnetic field formed in the processing system in an x-, y-, and z-direction. A microprocessor is coupled to the one or more magnetic sensors to sample data representative of the magnitude of the magnetic field in the x-, y-, and z-directions proximate a position of each sensor. A memory device is coupled to the microprocessor for storing the sampled data. A power source is provided to supply power to each magnetic sensor and the microprocessor. |
| US08148976B2 |
Method and arrangement for the contactless inspection of moving electrically conductive substances
The invention relates to a method and arrangement for the contactless determination of conductivity-influencing properties and their spatial distribution over the entire cross section of an electrically conductive substance moving in a primary magnetic field (B). The substance may be a liquid or a solid. A simultaneous measurement of a number of mechanical state parameters of the magnetic system is performed (three-dimensional components of the force and the torque), said parameters being variable by the effect of a secondary field on the magnetic system, the secondary field being produced on the basis of eddy currents induced in the substance by the primary field (B). To determine the spatial distribution of the property that is sought, the primary field is changed in intensity or form a number of times and a measurement of the state parameters is carried out for each change. The determination of the properties sought or their distribution takes place by solving an inverse problem using the method of least squares. |
| US08148968B2 |
Method and apparatus for a power supply controller responsive to a feedforward signal
An apparatus and method of switching a switch of a power supply in response to an input voltage signal are disclosed. According to aspects of the present invention, a power supply controller includes a switch duty cycle controller coupled to receive a feedback signal and a duty cycle adjust signal. The switch duty cycle controller is coupled to generate a drive signal coupled to control switching of a switch, which is coupled to an energy transfer element, to regulate energy delivered from an input of a power supply to an output of the power supply. The power supply controller also includes a gain selector circuit coupled to receive an input voltage signal, which is representative of an input voltage to the power supply, to generate the duty cycle adjust signal received by the switch duty cycle controller. The maximum duty cycle of the drive signal to be varied in response to a plurality of linear functions over a range of values of the input voltage signal. |
| US08148965B2 |
Power controller for supplying power voltage to functional block
A power controller includes a digital control circuit which performs a digital control on a basis of a difference between an output voltage supplied to a power control target device and a voltage reference, so that the output voltage is equal to the voltage reference, and a processor control circuit which conducts an operation of a processor in the digital control circuit, in response to a change of a control signal supplied by the power control target device and indicating a state of a load in the power control target device, which monitors an output from the digital control circuit, and which stops the operation of the processor when the load is judged to have no change. |
| US08148962B2 |
Transient load voltage regulator
Systems and methods providing for improved voltage regulation of a supply voltage for an integrated circuit are described herein. The voltage regulator circuit includes a feedback circuit coupled to a first current path and adapted to maintain a gate voltage of a feedback transistor substantially constant. A pass device is coupled to a second current path and adapted to receive a signal with a magnitude based on first and second currents supplied by first and second current sources to the second current path. In an embodiment, the first current is a substantially constant current and the second current has a magnitude based on a magnitude of the voltage at the feedback transistor gate and a magnitude of a voltage at an output of the voltage regulator circuit coupled to the pass device. |
| US08148961B2 |
Low-dropout regulator
A low-dropout regulator includes: a first operational amplifier having a first input receiving an input voltage; a first P-channel MOSFET having a gate connected to an output of the first operational amplifier, a source connected to a power source terminal, and a drain connected to an output terminal; a feedback circuit providing at least portion of a voltage of the output terminal as a feedback to a second input of the first operational amplifier; and a triode limiter circuit receiving voltages at the source and the gate of the first P-channel MOSFET comparing a voltage difference therebetween with a predetermined reference voltage, and increasing a voltage of the second input of the first operational amplifier when the voltage difference is the same as the reference voltage. |
| US08148954B1 |
Rapidly charging super cap based rechargeable device
A super-capacitor-powered device is quickly recharged from an energy buffer incorporated in a USB cradle or USB dongle. That USB energy buffer itself is slowly refilled while it is connected to a USB port. The super-capacitor can be in parallel to a battery. In one embodiment, a facilitated battery changer is provided. A battery swap is performed with a recharged battery in a charger having two battery slots. |
| US08148950B2 |
Charging method
A charging method includes first and second charging steps to charge a lithium-ion battery. In the first charging step, a temperature rise gradient of the battery is detected. A battery temperature when the battery is charged to a first predetermined capacity is predicted based on the detected gradient. A charging current is controlled based on the predicted temperature. The battery is charged, at a current that results in a battery temperature that is lower than a predetermined temperature, to the first predetermined capacity. In the second charging step, a temperature rise gradient of the battery is detected. A battery temperature when the battery is charged to a second predetermined capacity is predicted based on the gradient. A charging current is controlled based on the predicted temperature. The battery is charged, at a current that results in a temperature of the battery that is lower than the predetermined temperature, to the second predetermined capacity. |
| US08148949B2 |
Use of high frequency transformer to charge HEV batteries
A system for charging a high voltage battery includes a low DC voltage battery, a DC-to-AC converting circuit, a controller, an AC-to-DC converting circuit and a high DC voltage battery. The low voltage battery outputs a low DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converting circuit receives the low DC voltage signal to convert into a chopped DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converter outputs a high AC voltage signal corresponding to the chopped DC voltage signal. The controller controls a duty cycle of the chopped DC voltage signal. The AC-to-DC converting circuit converts the high AC voltage signal into a high DC voltage signal. The high voltage battery charges using the high DC voltage signal. A method for charging a high voltage battery is also provided. |
| US08148947B2 |
Discharge state indicator
A circuit for displaying the state of a battery that is almost discharged features a battery, an inductive load, and a controllable switch connected in series. The circuit also includes a display element connected in series with the inductive load and the battery. The controllable switch is opened when a voltage of the battery is lower than a first threshold level and is only closed again when the voltage of the battery is greater than a second threshold level. The circuit may also include a control circuit having a comparator which compares the voltage of the battery with the first threshold level and the second threshold level and triggers the controllable switch accordingly. |
| US08148944B2 |
Secondary battery protection semiconductor device for protecting a secondary battery
A disclosed secondary battery protection semiconductor device protects the secondary battery by detecting values of at least plural detection items corresponding to the secondary battery including the detection items of overcharge, overdischarge, charge overcurrent, discharge overcurrent, short-circuit current, and overheat; comparing the detected values with corresponding detection levels that are determined beforehand for each of the detection items; and based on the comparison results, turning on/off a discharge control transistor and a charge control transistor that are series-connected to the secondary battery. Among the plural detection items, a first value of a first detection item is detected, and a detection level of a second detection item is changed in accordance with the first value. |
| US08148943B2 |
Method and arrangement for discharging an energy storage system for electrical energy
A method and an arrangement for discharging an energy storage system for electrical energy, particularly in a vehicle having a hybrid drive line, by means of a first discharge resistor, wherein a coolant such as carbon dioxide gas is provided to the first discharge resistor during discharge of the energy storage system for leading off heat as well as a hybrid vehicle comprising such an arrangement. |
| US08148938B2 |
Lead storage battery charging control method, charging control circuit, power source device, and lead storage battery
Disclosed is a charging control method including: a full charging step of charging a lead storage battery until the battery is fully charged; a refresh charging step of performing refresh charging of charging the lead storage battery with a predetermined refresh charging quantity of electricity after the lead storage battery has been fully charged; and a refresh charging quantity setting step of setting the refresh charging quantity of electricity in the refresh charging step for the lead storage battery which has been fully charged at a present time, depending on a temperature of the lead storage battery throughout a deficient charging period, the deficient charging period being a period from a time when the lead storage battery has been fully charged at a previous time to a time when the lead storage battery has been fully charged at the present time in the full charging step. |
| US08148930B2 |
Control device for controlling a machine tool which can be used to drive tools
A control device for controlling a machine tool which can be used to drive tools includes a memory for storing a movement limit value which is respectively assigned to the tools and is specific to the respective tool. A desired value generating unit generates desired values for controlling the movement of the tool. The desired values are limited by a limiting unit on the basis of the assigned movement limit value in such a manner that the movement limit value is not exceeded when moving the tool. |
| US08148929B2 |
Power electronic module IGBT protection method and system
A power electronics device with an improved IGBT protection mechanism is provided. More specifically, systems and methods are provided for reducing the switching frequency of an inverter module based on the junction temperature variation of the IGBT. |
| US08148926B2 |
Permanent magnet synchronization motor vector control device
A vector control device for a permanent magnet synchronous motor drive by an inverter. The vector control device includes: a current command generation unit for generating a d-axis current command id* and q-axis current command iq* from a given torque command T*; and a current control unit operating so that the motor current coincides with the current command. The current command generation unit includes: d-axis basic current command id1* by using the torque command; a limiter unit for inputting the current command id1* and outputting a value limited to below zero as a second d-axis basic current command id2*; a d-axis current command compensation unit for outputting the current command id2* corrected in accordance with the d-axis current command compensation value dV as a d-axis current command id*; and a q-axis current command generation unit for generating a q-axis current command iq* from the d-axis current command id*. |
| US08148925B2 |
Electric safety braking device with permanent magnet motor and breaking torque control
This electric safety braking device for an electric traction vehicle may allow the force/speed characteristic of the vehicle to be improved and includes a rotating electromechanical machine with permanent magnets which has at least one coil with electric terminals, a rheostatic electric braking torque production device, and a commutation device which are capable of connecting the electric terminals of the electromechanical machine to the braking torque production device. The electric safety braking device includes at least one inductor is connected in series between the braking torque production device and the electromechanical machine. |
| US08148924B2 |
Electrical motor load controller and control methods therefor
An electrical load controller that controls the starting sequence for a plurality of electrical loads includes a start demanding unit that generates a demand to start at least one of the plurality of electrical loads. A first electrical load is started immediately if the time between when a second electrical load start and when the second electrical load receives a signal indicating that the first electrical load will start (second prescribed time) is longer than the time required to send the signal between the first and second electrical loads (third prescribed time), and the time required for an inrush current to decrease to a prescribed value (first prescribed time) is less than the difference between the second prescribed time and the third prescribed time. Thus, there is sufficient time for the inrush current of the first electrical load to decrease before starting the second electrical load. |
| US08148919B2 |
Circuits and methods for driving light sources
A driving circuit for powering a light-emitting diode (LED) light source includes a converter circuit, an energy storage element and a switch element. The converter circuit provides a first output voltage on a first power line to provide power to the LED light source and provides a second output voltage on a second power line that is less than the first output voltage. The energy storage element is charged and discharged to regulate a current through the LED light source. The switch element operates in a first state during which the energy storage element is charged and operates in a second state during which the energy storage element is discharged. The converter circuit provides the second output voltage to maintain an operating voltage across the switch element less than the first output voltage during both the first state and the second state. |
| US08148908B2 |
Power supply control device for lamp
A power supply control device for lamp includes a control unit, the control unit receives a forward voltage signal and a reverse voltage signal simultaneously from a zero-crossover sampling circuit and determines if a connected load is an LED lamp, then the control unit turns on a tri-electrode AC switch (TRIAC) after an operating voltage for the LED voltage is reached, thereby outputting the AC power to an outlet for illuminating the LED lamp; since the TRIAC can be turned on with the forward voltage or the reverse voltage, the LED lamp is powered with a stable power supply to prevent the LED lamp from blinking. |
| US08148904B2 |
Field emission apparatus and driving method thereof
The present invention relates to a field emission apparatus and a method of driving the field emission apparatus, which has a three-pole structure of dual emitters formed on both first and second electrodes of a rear substrate in order to obviate a distinction between a gate and a cathode, thus enabling dual field emission. In such a field emission apparatus, a ground is formed between an anode and a point of the first and second electrodes of the rear substrate, and a square wave is applied thereto in order to alternately generate field emission in the first and second electrodes, thus increasing a light-emitting area and emission efficiency, decreasing a driving voltage and consumption power, saving the manufacturing cost and manufacturing time, and accomplishing a longer lifespan. |
| US08148902B2 |
Mercury-free arc tube for discharge lamp device and method for manufacturing the same
In a mercury-free arc tube, regions including molybdenum foils 17 of electrode assemblies each of which is formed by connecting and integrating an electrode 16, a molybdenum foil 17, and a lead wire 18, are pinch-sealed where the electrode 16 projects inside a closed glass bulb 12, which encloses luminescent substances, etc. The molybdenum foil 17 is doped with or coated with TiO2 in the form of discontinuous lands and subjected to surface roughening by etching including oxidation and reduction. TiO2 particles or a TiO2 layer exposed on the rough surface 17c of the molybdenum foil 17 increases chemical joining strength to glass and makes deeper, more complicated minute unevenness 17b on the molybdenum foil surface to increase the mechanical joining strength to glass, so that even when a heat stress occurs at the interface between the molybdenum foil and glass in the pinch-sealed portion, foil floating does not occur. |
| US08148896B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display device and method of repairing a defective pixel of the device
The present invention provides an organic electroluminescent display device and a method of repairing a defective pixel of an organic electroluminescent display device which can realize the repairing a defective pixel to a light emitting pixel by electrically separating a leak portion which generates a defective pixel. To be more specific, a peeling suppression layer is formed between an anode and an organic light emitting layer formed on a main substrate, and a cavity is formed between the main substrate and the peeling suppression layer due to the evaporation generated by an absorption of laser beams thus electrically separating a defective portion so as to repair a black-dot defective pixel to form a light emitting pixel. |
| US08148892B2 |
System for displaying images including active-matrix organic light emission display
A system for displaying images is provided, including an active-matrix organic light emission display. The active-matrix organic light emission display comprises an active-matrix array on a display area of an array substrate, a peripheral circuit on a peripheral area of the array substrate, a reflective layer on the peripheral area of the array substrate, between a light emission plane and the peripheral circuit and covering the peripheral circuit, an organic light emission layer on the active-matrix array and a cover layer over the organic light emission layer, covering the display area and the peripheral area. |
| US08148888B2 |
Electron emitting device, and electron beam device and image display apparatus including the same
A device includes a substrate, an insulating member disposed on a surface of the substrate, a gate, and a cathode. The insulating member has an upper surface apart from the surface of the substrate, and a side surface rising from the surface of the substrate between the upper surface and the surface of the substrate. The gate is disposed on the upper surface of the insulating member. The cathode is disposed on the side surface of the insulating member and has a portion opposing the gate. The side surface of the insulating member on which the cathode is disposed has a protruding portion protruding from an imaginary line connecting a position where the portion opposing the gate lies and a position where the insulating member rises from the surface of the substrate. |
| US08148881B2 |
Vibration sensor film, vibration actuator film, vibration reduction film, and multilayer film using them
A vibration reduction system has a vibration reduction film and a control unit. The vibration reduction film is constituted of a vibration sensor film, an insulating layer, and a vibration actuator film that are stacked in this order. In each of the vibration sensor film and the vibration actuator film, two pairs of electrodes are formed on both surfaces of a piezoelectric polymer film into a pattern based on a particular mode of vibration. The electrodes of the vibration sensor film overlap with the electrodes of the vibration actuator film. In response to electric charge signals from the electrodes of the vibration sensor film, the particular mode of vibration is detected. By application of voltages into the electrodes of the vibration actuator film, a vibration of opposite phase is generated to counteract the detected vibration. |
| US08148874B2 |
Microactuator having multiple degrees of freedom
A MEMS vertical displacement device for vertically displacing and tilting a vertically displaceable platform. The vertically displaceable platform may be displaced using a plurality of recurve actuators configured to provide vertical displacement without horizontal movement. The vertically displaceable platform may be tilted about two axes to yield tilting that is advantageous in numerous applications. The recurve actuators may be thermal, piezoelectric or formed from other appropriate materials. |
| US08148873B2 |
Rotor for a rotary electrical machine comprising grooves for magnets
A rotor for an electrical machine that comprises two parallel magnet wheels, each of which comprises axial teeth so that each tooth on a wheel is situated in the space existing between two consecutive teeth on the other wheel, and that comprises magnetic elements, each arranged between two adjacent teeth and partly received in a groove produced in each of the opposite lateral faces of the two adjacent teeth. In one embodiment, each of the two adjacent teeth comprises one groove at a maximum, which emerges at the base of the first tooth. |
| US08148872B2 |
Electromagnetically-countered actuator systems and methods
The present invention generally relates to electric motor systems which minimize irradiation of harmful electromagnetic waves by various means. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electric motor system with one or more counter units which minimize the irradiation of such harmful waves by suppressing the harmful waves to their sources and/or by emitting counter electromagnetic waves capable of canceling a desired portion of the harmful waves. Such counter units may then be incorporated into various locations for opposing magnetic poles of basic rotor units and/or basic stator units of the system. The present invention also relates to various methods of minimizing irradiation of such harmful waves by various electric motor systems, various methods of suppressing the harmful waves toward their sources, and various methods of canceling such harmful waves by the counter waves. The present invention further relates to various processes for providing such electric motor systems, various processes for making such counter units for the suppressing and/or canceling, and various processes for incorporating such counter units into various locations of the systems. |
| US08148870B2 |
Coil assembly for rotating electric machine
A coil assembly for a rotating electric machine is a stator coil for use in the stator of a motor or the like, which includes a coil plate composed of at least two coil plate elements respectively provided with an internal peripheral portion and an external peripheral portion and having predetermined wiring patterns formed by slits. The coil plate elements are bonded together at their internal peripheral portion and external peripheral portion while leaving the medial portion lying between the internal peripheral portion and the external peripheral portion spaced apart, so as to form the predetermined coil winding patterns. |
| US08148863B2 |
Drive arrangement
A drive arrangement with a first motor and a second motor is described, the first and second motor being coupled via a first coupling unit. The first motor is provided to generate uniform low-frequency movements and the second motor performs a higher frequency alternating movement to be overlapped. The total movement is transmitted from the second motor to a machine component coupled via a second coupling unit. The first coupling unit is configured to transfer the uniform low-frequency movement of the first motor to the second motor, wherein a transmission of the higher frequency alternating movement of the second motor to the first motor is suppressed. |
| US08148861B2 |
Canned or sleeved rotary machine and method of manufacturing it
A canned or sleeved rotary machine is equipped with a rotor (101) in contact with a particle-laden, acidic or corrosive gaseous atmosphere, and with a functional electrical assembly such as a magnetic bearing comprising a rotor armature (106) secured to the rotor (101) and placed in the gaseous atmosphere and a stator armature (104) secured to a stationary support (102) and positioned facing the rotor armature (106), the stator armature (104) comprising at least one winding (142, 143) and a ferromagnetic body (141) which are positioned in a protective metal enclosure comprising a solid part secured to the stationary support (102) or coincident therewith, a thin can or sleeve (103) and a hermetic passage (108) for wiring (108a) supplying the windings (142, 143). A potting compound (107) fills residual internal gaps left in the ferromagnetic body (141), the windings (142, 143) and the wiring (108a), and a dead volume (109) in which the pressure is below atmospheric pressure is created inside the protective metal enclosure (102, 103, 108). |
| US08148855B2 |
Portable power supply system
A method and apparatus for supplying cordless power to a remotely-located load device. A first power supply unit of a portable power supply system is configured to operate in a charge receive mode and/or a charge supply mode. When the first power supply unit is in the charge receive mode, a first energy storage device of the first power supply unit is configured to receive electrical energy via a first switch from one of a second power supply unit or an external power source. When the first power supply unit is in the charge supply mode, the first energy storage device of the first power supply unit is configured to supply electrical energy via a second switch to one of a third power supply unit or a remotely-located load device. |
| US08148852B2 |
Electronic device and printing device
An electronic device controlled by software, includes a first switch that shuts off electric power supplied via a first supply line in accordance with operation by a user; a second switch that shuts off electric power supplied via a second supply line in accordance with control by the software; and a delay circuit that outputs an instruction signal for shutting off electric power supplied via the second supply line to the second switch after a first delay time which is longer than a time required for a termination process of the electronic device has passed when the first switch shut off electric power supplied via the first supply line, wherein the delay circuit stores, as a setting value, a second delay time which is shorter than the time required for the termination process of the electronic device at a time of startup of the electronic device. |
| US08148849B2 |
Solar inverter and plant for converting solar energy into electrical energy
There is described a plant (1) for converting solar energy into electrical energy, comprising a photovoltaic generator (2a) including at least one string (2) of photovoltaic modules (M), a pulse generator (31) able to send electrical pulses to the input of the string (2), a signal detector (OP) arranged at the output of the string (2) and able to detect, at the output of the string (2), the presence of a signal which is a function of the electrical pulses at the input, and alarm means connected to the signal detector (OP) and able to generate an alarm in the event that there is no signal at the output of the string (2). |
| US08148848B2 |
Solid state power controller (SSPC) used as bus tie breaker in electrical power distribution systems
The present invention provides an electrical power distribution system that includes a first primary distribution panel (PDP) connected to a first source of electrical power and a second PDP connected to a second source of electrical power. The second PDP is connected to the first PDP by a conductor. A first solid state power controller (SSPC) receives signals corresponding to the flow of current through the first PDP to a load. A second SSPC receives signals corresponding to the flow of current between the first PDP and the second PDP. The first and second SSPC protect the electrical power distribution system from a variety of fault conditions. |
| US08148844B2 |
Power supply system including alternative sources
A power supply system for a residential or a commercial unit is disclosed. The system comprises an AC power source from a power grid, a DC power source from one or a plurality of remote alternative power sources and another DC power source from one or a plurality of local alternative power sources. The generated DC power from the remote sources is delivered to the unit using a dedicated DC power distribution unit. The alternative power sources either locally or remotely located to residential or the commercial unit may comprise one or a plurality of solar systems. The system may also comprise one or a plurality of wind turbines. There are two groups of electrical appliances from the unit connected to the system. The first group receives the AC power only and the second group receives the AC and/or the DC powers. A power management device for the unit selects the power supply sources to minimize the power consumption from the AC power grid. |
| US08148842B2 |
Electrical power generation system having multiple secondary power distribution assemblies with integral power conversion
An improved EPGS with an integrated electrical system architecture uses SPDAs with localised power converters to provide the necessary types of power to their respective electrical loads so that a single type of primary power bus may be used to connect its PDAs to respective SPDAs. |
| US08148839B2 |
Ribbon drive power generation and method of use
The ribbon drive generation apparatus is comprised of a ribbon-like curved shape, composed either of metal or other suitable material, attached to a containment tube, peripheral rings, shaft, or porous central tube, with the complete apparatus being contained in a tube having a constant diameter for the length of the tube. The ribbon can be peripherally mounted to the containment tube and optionally to a central porous tube. In this form the containment tube rotates and can form part of a rotor for a generator apparatus. The optional central porous tube can also be used as a bearing surface or, if attached to the inside edge of the ribbon, a power take-off shaft. |
| US08148838B2 |
Systems and methods for tethered wind turbines
According to some embodiments, a plurality of airborne bodies may each extend horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point. Each body may be, for example, at least partially filled with a gas and two or more vanes may be provided airborne with each body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis. Moreover, one or more electrical generators may be airborne with each body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy. |
| US08148834B2 |
Aircraft engine starting/generating system and method of control
A starting and generating system for use with an aircraft engine includes a starter/generator and an inverter/converter/controller (ICC) coupled to the starter/generator. The starter/generator is configured to start the aircraft engine in a start mode and to generate AC power in a generate mode. The starter/generator includes an exciter and a rotational shaft. The ICC is configured to provide AC power at a first frequency the starter/generator in the start mode and to control the exciter during the generate mode such that the generate mode AC power has a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is based on a shaft speed of the shaft. |
| US08148833B2 |
On-road energy conversion and vibration absorber apparatus
An on-road energy conversion and vibration absorber apparatus receives the kinetic energy from moving vehicles and pedestrians when being weighed down, and converts the received kinetic energy into a potential energy using a restorable elastic element compressing a fluid thereby storing the potential energy in a pressure chamber, and then conducting the pressurized fluid to pass though a check valve along a conduit and drive a vane wheel by releasing its potential energy. The vane wheel in turn drives a generator to generate electric energy, and the vibration of the vehicles is alleviated by cushion effect provided by the apparatus. |
| US08148832B2 |
Electric power generating system
An electrical power generating system includes a spring system that stores stored energy, the spring system having an input for recharging the stored energy and an output for releasing the stored energy, wherein the spring system generates a monitor signal based on a status parameter of the spring system and wherein the spring system releases the stored energy in accordance with an output control signal. A generator converts the stored energy released by the spring system into electric power. A spring recharge module recharges the stored energy of the spring system in response to a recharge control signal, based on a supplemental source of power. A control module generates the recharge control signal and the output control signal, based on the monitor signal. |
| US08148831B2 |
Latent catalyst for epoxy resin, epoxy resin composition, and semiconductor device
The present invention provides a latent catalyst for epoxy resin, comprising: a cation moiety having an activity of accelerating curing reaction of epoxy resin; and a silicate anion moiety of suppressing the curing reaction-accelerating activity. Also disclosed are an epoxy resin composition comprising the latent catalyst and a semiconductor device using the epoxy resin composition. |
| US08148822B2 |
Bonding pad on IC substrate and method for making the same
A bonding pad structure is fabricated on an integrated circuit (IC) substrate having at least a contact layer on its top surface. A passivation layer covers the top surface of the IC substrate and the contact layer. The passivation layer has an opening exposing a portion of the contact layer. An electrically conductive adhesion/barrier layer directly is bonded to the contact layer. The electrically conductive adhesion/barrier layer extends to a top surface of the passivation layer. A bonding metal layer is stacked on the electrically conductive adhesion/barrier layer. |
| US08148819B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for mounting semiconductor device, and mounting structure of semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate on which an electrode and a Cu bump are stacked. On the electrode and the Cu bump, a metal bump layer is provided. The metal bump layer comprises (i) a solder layer via which the semiconductor device is bonded and electrically connected to the mounting substrate by metal bonding and (ii) a Cu layer. A intermetallic compound can be formed by interdiffusion of the Cu layer and the solder layer. |
| US08148809B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing the same, and multilayer substrate having the same
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: preparing a wafer formed of a SOI substrate; forming a circuit portion in a principal surface portion; removing a support substrate of the SOI substrate; fixing an insulation member on a backside of a semiconductor layer so as to be opposite to the circuit portion; dicing the wafer and dividing the wafer into multiple chips; arranging a first conductive member on the insulation member so as to be opposite to a part of the low potential reference circuit, and arranging a second conductive member on the insulation member so as to be opposite to a part of the high potential reference circuit; and coupling the first conductive member with a first part of the low potential reference circuit, and coupling the second conductive member with a second part of the high potential reference circuit. |
| US08148803B2 |
Molded stiffener for thin substrates
A stiffener molded to a semiconductor substrate, such as a lead frame, and methods of molding the stiffener to the substrate are provided. The stiffener is molded to the substrate to provide rigidity and support to the substrate. The stiffener material can comprise a polymeric material molded to the substrate by a molding technique such as transfer molding, injection molding, and spray molding, or using an encapsulating material. One or more dies, chips, or other semiconductor or microelectronic devices can be disposed on the substrate to form a die assembly. The stiffener can be molded to a substrate comprising one or more dies, over which an encapsulating material can be applied to produce a semiconductor die package. |
| US08148799B2 |
Self-aligned bipolar transistor structure
A bipolar transistor structure comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, a collector region having a second conductivity type that is opposite the first conductivity type formed in a substrate active device region defined by isolation dielectric material formed in an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, a base region that includes an intrinsic base region having the first conductivity type formed over the collector region and an extrinsic base region having the second conductivity type formed over the isolation dielectric material, and a sloped in-situ doped emitter plug having the second conductivity type formed on the intrinsic base region. |
| US08148797B2 |
Chip pad resistant to antenna effect and method
A chip pad structure of an integrated circuit (IC) and the method of forming are disclosed. The chip pad comprises a main pad portion and a ring pad portion. During a charging process involved in forming the chip pad structure, electrical connections from the gate electrodes of MOS transistors in the IC substrate generally are made only to the ring pad portion that has an antenna-to-gate area ratio substantially below a predetermined antenna design rule ratio, and thus is resistant or immune to antenna effect. The main pad portion and the ring pad portion are coupled together through metal bridges formed in an upper interconnect metal layer or in the top conductive pad layer. The chip pad may be used as probe pads on a parametric testline or bonding pads on an IC. |
| US08148795B2 |
Functional device
A functional device includes plural substrates, an encapsulant arranged between the plurality of substrates, and a functional material arranged between the plural of substrates and encapsulated with the encapsulant. The functional device further includes an insulating spacer arranged in an entire region where the encapsulant lies, wherein the insulating spacer bonds with the plural substrates through the encapsulant. The encapsulant and the insulating spacer of the functional device allow avoiding a short circuit by providing a constant separation distance between the plural substrates of the functional device and electrodes adjacent to the plural substrates. The insulating spacer is made of a material that is inert to the functional material. |
| US08148794B2 |
Photodetector in germanium on silicon
A photodetector structure includes a silicon-based waveguide in which optical signals to be detected travel in a given direction and are confined therein and a germanium layer disposed in contact with a portion of the silicon-based waveguide so that an evanescent tail of the propagating optical signal in the waveguide is coupled into the germanium layer. In addition, the germanium layer includes a mesa having a length along the signal propagating direction and a width in a direction substantially perpendicular to the propagating direction, in which the width of said mesa is smaller than its length. The photodetector also comprises a first and a second metal contacts, the first metallic contact being located on the germanium layer, the said second metallic contact being located on the silicon-based waveguide, the first and second contacts being used to collect electrons generated by light absorption to obtain an output electric signal. |
| US08148792B2 |
Pressure sensor and method for manufacturing the pressure sensor
A pressure sensor of the present invention includes a lower substrate which has an insulating layer having a through-hole penetrating from one side to the other side, and an active layer formed to have a uniform thickness on the insulating layer and having a portion facing the through-hole as an oscillating portion capable of oscillating in a direction opposing the through-hole; a lower electrode formed on the oscillating portion; an upper substrate arranged opposite to the active layer and having a recess at a portion opposed to the oscillating portion; and an upper electrode formed on the recess. |
| US08148791B1 |
Head gimbal assembly apparatus having an actuator mounted on a mounting plate comprising a ceramic sub-plate formed on a stainless steel mounting plate
A test assembly for a disk drive suspension head gimbal assembly includes a steel mount plate and a mount sub-plate of a material such as silicon carbide having a modulus of elasticity to density ratio that is significantly higher than the ratio for stainless steel. Preferably the mount plate and the mount sub-plate taken together have a first resonant shear frequency of greater than 50 KHz, which is generally greater than the frequency range of interest for testing head gimbal assemblies. The high modulus of elasticity to density ratio helps to ensure that any shear mode resonances of the test assembly occur at frequencies that are higher than the frequencies of interesting for head gimbal assembly shear resonance testing purposes. |
| US08148789B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor storage device and method of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory strings with a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series. Each of the memory strings includes: a first columnar semiconductor layer extending in a direction perpendicular to a substrate; a charge accumulation layer formed on the first columnar semiconductor layer via a first air gap and accumulating charges; a block insulation layer contacting the charge accumulation layer; and a plurality of first conductive layers contacting the block insulation layer. |
| US08148787B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
There is disclosed a semiconductor device comprising a P-channel MIS transistor which includes an N-type semiconductor layer, a first gate insulating layer formed on the N-type semiconductor layer and containing a carbon compound of a metal, and an N-channel MIS transistor which includes a P-type semiconductor layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the P-type semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer. |
| US08148780B2 |
Devices and systems relating to a memory cell having a floating body
Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for a memory cell having a floating body. A memory cell may include a transistor over an insulation layer, the transistor including a source, and a drain. The memory cell may also include a floating body including a first region positioned between the source and the drain, a second region positioned remote from each of the source and drain, and a passage extending through the insulation layer and coupling the first region to the second region. Additionally, the memory cell may include a bias gate at least partially surrounding the second region and configured for operably coupling to a bias voltage. Furthermore, the memory cell may include a plurality of dielectric layers, wherein each outer vertical surface of the second region has a dielectric layer of the plurality adjacent thereto. |
| US08148779B2 |
Thin film transistor, method of manufacturing the same and flat panel display device having the same
A thin film transistor (TFT) using an oxide semiconductor as an active layer, a method of manufacturing the TFT, and a flat panel display device having the TFT include a gate electrode formed on a substrate; an active layer made of an oxide semiconductor and insulated from the gate electrode by a gate insulating layer; source and drain electrodes coupled to the active layer; and an interfacial stability layer formed on one or both surfaces of the active layer. In the TFT, the interfacial stability layer is formed of an oxide having a band gap of 3.0 to 8.0 eV. Since the interfacial stability layer has the same characteristic as a gate insulating layer and a passivation layer, chemically high interface stability is maintained. Since the interfacial stability layer has a band gap equal to or greater than that of the active layer, charge trapping is physically prevented. |
| US08148778B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes: an n-type first well diffusion layer; an n-type second well diffusion layer; a p-type source diffusion layer; a p-type third well diffusion layer; a p-type drain diffusion layer; a gate insulating film; a gate electrode; a device isolation insulating film; and a buffer layer. The buffer layer is formed between the first well diffusion layer and the third well diffusion layer to be in contact with an end of the third well diffusion layer opposing the source diffusion layer, and extends from immediately below the gate insulating film to a position deeper than a peak of curvature of impurity concentration distribution of the third well diffusion layer. The buffer layer has an impurity concentration lower than an impurity concentration in the third well diffusion layer. |
| US08148772B2 |
Recessed channel array transistor (RCAT) structures
Recessed channel array transistor (RCAT) structures and method of formation are generally described. In one example, an electronic device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first fin coupled with the semiconductor substrate, the first fin comprising a first source region and a first drain region, and a first gate structure of a recessed channel array transistor (RCAT) formed in a first gate region disposed between the first source region and the first drain region, wherein the first gate structure is formed by removing a sacrificial gate structure to expose the first fin in the first gate region, recessing a channel structure into the first fin, and forming the first gate structure on the recessed channel structure. |
| US08148771B2 |
Semiconductor device and method to manufacture thereof
A semiconductor device 100 includes a semiconductor substrate 14, a connection electrode 12 disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 14 and connected to an integrated circuit thereon, a through electrode 20 which penetrates the semiconductor substrate 14 and the connection electrode 20, and an insulation portion 30 interposed between the semiconductor substrate 14 and the through electrode 20. The through electrode 20 is integrally formed to protrude outward from upper surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 14 and the connection electrode 12, and connected to the connection electrode 12 in a region where the through electrode 20 penetrates the connection electrode 12. |
| US08148763B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor devices
Provided are a three-dimensional semiconductor device and a method of operating the same. The three-dimensional semiconductor device includes: a plurality of word line structures on a substrate; active semiconductor patterns between the plurality of word line structures; and information storage elements between the plurality of word line structures and the active semiconductor patterns. Each of the plurality of word line structures includes a plurality of word lines spaced apart from each other and stacked, and the active semiconductor patterns include electrode regions and channel regions, the electrode regions and the channel regions having different conductive types and being alternately arranged. |
| US08148759B2 |
Single transistor memory with immunity to write disturb
Memory cells are constructed from double-gated four terminal transistors having independent gate control. DRAM cells using one transistor to implement a Ferroelectric FeRAM are described. Top gates provide conventional access while independent bottom gates provide control to optimize memory retention for given speed and power parameters as well as to accommodate hardening against radiation. In a single transistor cell without a capacitor, use of the bottom gate allows packing to a density approaching 2 F2. Using a ferroelectric material as the gate insulator produces a single-transistor FeRAM cell that overcomes the industry-wide Write Disturb problem. The memory cells are compatible with SOI logic circuitry for use as embedded RAM in SOC applications. |
| US08148757B2 |
Semiconductor device, and its manufacturing method
A channel is formed at a recessed portion or a projecting portion of a substrate, and a gate insulating film is formed so as to have first to third insulating regions along the channel. Each of the gate insulating films of the first and third insulating regions has a first gate insulating film containing no electric charge trap formed on a plane different from a principal surface of the substrate, an electric charge accumulating film containing an electric charge trap, and a second gate insulating film containing no electric charge trap. The gate insulating film of the second insulating region at the middle is formed on a plane parallel to the principal surface of the substrate and is composed of only a third gate insulating film containing no electric charge trap. |
| US08148754B2 |
Low resistance integrated MOS structure
The present invention is related to a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) having a symmetrical layout such that the resistance between drains and sources is reduced, thereby reducing power dissipation. Drain pads, source pads, and gates are placed on the MOSFET such that the distances between drains, sources, and gates are optimized to reduce resistance and power dissipation. The gates may be arranged in a trapezoidal arrangement in order to maximize a ratio of the gate widths to gate lengths for current driving while reducing resistance and power dissipation. |
| US08148752B2 |
Field effect transistor
A field effect transistor includes a semiconductor stack formed on a substrate, and having a first nitride semiconductor layer and a second nitride semiconductor layer. A source electrode and a drain electrode are formed on the semiconductor stack so as to be separated from each other. A gate electrode is formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode so as to be separated from the source electrode and the drain electrode. A hole injection portion is formed near the drain electrode. The hole injection portion has a p-type third nitride semiconductor layer, and a hole injection electrode formed on the third nitride semiconductor layer. The hole injection electrode and the drain electrode have substantially the same potential. |
| US08148748B2 |
Adjustable field effect rectifier
An Adjustable Field Effect Rectifier uses aspects of MOSFET structure together with an adjustment pocket or region to result in a device that functions reliably and efficiently at high voltages without significant negative resistance, while also permitting fast recovery and operation at high frequency without large electromagnetic interference. |
| US08148747B2 |
Semiconductor chip assembly with post/base/cap heat spreader
A semiconductor chip assembly includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, a conductive trace and an adhesive. The semiconductor device is electrically connected to the conductive trace and thermally connected to the heat spreader. The heat spreader includes a post, a base and a cap. The post extends upwardly from the base into an opening in the adhesive, the base extends below and laterally from the post, and the cap extends above and laterally from the post. The adhesive extends between the post and the conductive trace and between the base and the conductive trace. The conductive trace provides signal routing between a pad and a terminal and the heat spreader provides thermal dissipation between the cap and the base. |
| US08148741B2 |
Polychromatic LED's and related semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device is provided comprising a first potential well located within a pn junction and a second potential well not located within a pn junction. The potential wells may be quantum wells. The semiconductor device is typically an LED, and may be a white or near-white light LED. The semiconductor device may additionally comprise a third potential well not located within a pn junction. The semiconductor device may additionally comprise absorbing layers surrounding or closely or immediately adjacent to the second or third quantum wells. In addition, graphic display devices and illumination devices comprising the semiconductor device according to the present invention are provided. |
| US08148737B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting device package and lighting system
Disclosed are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package and a lighting system. The light emitting device of the embodiment includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer over the first conductive semiconductor layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer over the active layer; a dielectric layer over a first region of the first conductive semiconductor layer; a second electrode over the dielectric layer; and a first electrode over a second region of the first conductive semiconductor layer. |
| US08148733B2 |
Vertical LED with current guiding structure
Techniques for controlling current flow in semiconductor devices, such as LEDs are provided. For some embodiments, a current guiding structure may be provided including adjacent high and low contact areas. For some embodiments, a second current path (in addition to a current path between an n-contact pad and a metal alloy substrate) may be provided. For some embodiments, both a current guiding structure and second current path may be provided. |
| US08148732B2 |
Carbon-containing semiconductor substrate
A light-emitting diode (LED) device is provided. The LED device is formed on a substrate having a carbon-containing layer. Carbon atoms are introduced into the substrate to prevent or reduce atoms from an overlying metal/metal alloy transition layer from inter-mixing with atoms of the substrate. In this manner, a crystalline structure is maintained upon which the LED structure may be formed. |
| US08148731B2 |
Films and structures for metal oxide semiconductor light emitting devices and methods
Semiconductor films and structures, such as films and structures utilizing zinc oxide or other metal oxides, and processes for forming such films and structures, are provided for use in metal oxide semiconductor light emitting devices and other metal oxide semiconductor devices, such as ZnO based semiconductor devices. |
| US08148729B2 |
Organic light emitting device
An organic light emitting device is disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a substrate, a display unit that is positioned on the substrate and includes a subpixel and a monitor pixel, a first line supplying a voltage to the subpixel and the monitor pixel, a second line supplying a direct current (DC) power to the monitor pixel, a third line that transfers an electrical signal used to display an image on the subpixel, and a shield layer that is positioned on or under the second line and is electrically connected to the first line. |
| US08148728B2 |
Method for fabrication of a semiconductor device and structure
A method for fabrication of 3D semiconductor devices utilizing a layer transfer and steps for forming transistors on top of a pre-fabricated semiconductor device comprising transistors formed on crystallized semiconductor base layer and metal layer for the transistors interconnections and insulation layer. The advantage of this approach is reduction of the over all metal length used to interconnect the various transistors. |
| US08148727B2 |
Display device having oxide thin film transistor and fabrication method thereof
A display device including an oxide thin film transistor (TFT) is disclosed. A nitride-based gate insulating layer of a gate pad area is etched when an oxide semiconductor layer of a pixel area is etched by using a half-tone mask, a metal layer is formed at a contact hole of the etched gate insulting layer, and then a passivation layer formed thereon is etched. Thus, an overhang of the passivation layer can be prevented from being generated when the gate insulating layer is etched, and accordingly, the fabrication process can be simplified. |
| US08148716B2 |
Group III nitride semiconductor optical device, epitaxial substrate, and method of making group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device
A group III nitride semiconductor optical device includes: a substrate comprising a group III nitride semiconductor; a first group-III nitride semiconductor region on a primary surface of the substrate; a second group-III nitride semiconductor region on the primary surface of the substrate; and an active layer between the first group-III nitride semiconductor region and the second group-III nitride semiconductor region. The primary surface of the substrate tilts at a tilt angle in the range of 63 degrees to smaller than 80 degrees toward the m-axis of the group III nitride semiconductor from a plane perpendicular to a reference axis extending along the c-axis of the group III nitride semiconductor. The first group-III nitride semiconductor region, the active layer, and the second group-III nitride semiconductor region are arranged in the direction of the normal axis to the primary surface of the substrate. The active layer is configured to produce light having a wavelength in the range of 580 nm to 800 nm. The active layer includes an epitaxial semiconductor layer comprising a gallium nitride based semiconductor containing indium as a group III element. The epitaxial semiconductor layer has an indium content ranging from 0.35 to 0.65. The c-axis of the gallium nitride based semiconductor tilts from the normal axis. The reference axis is oriented in the direction of either the axis [0001] or [000−1] of the group III nitride semiconductor. |
| US08148714B2 |
Light-emitting device and method for producing light emitting device
A method for producing a light-emitting device, includes: performing, on a first substrate made of III-V group compound semiconductor, crystal growth of a laminated body including an etching easy layer contiguous to the first substrate and a light-emitting layer made of nitride semiconductor; bonding a second substrate and the laminated body; and detaching the second substrate provided with the light-emitting layer from the first substrate by, one of removing the etching easy layer by using a solution etching method, and removing the first substrate and the etching easy layer by using mechanical polishing method. |
| US08148709B2 |
Magnetic device with integrated magneto-resistive stack
This magnetic device integrates a magneto-resistive stack, the stack comprising at least two layers made out of a ferromagnetic material, separated from each other by a layer of non-magnetic material; and means for causing an electron current to flow perpendicular to the plane of the layers, with at least one integrated nano-contact intended to inject the current into the magneto-resistive stack. The nano-contact is made in a bilayer composed of a solid electrolyte on which has been deposited a soluble electrode composed of a metal that has been at least partially dissolved in the electrolyte. |
| US08148706B2 |
Pinned-contact oscillating liquid lens and imaging system
An oscillating liquid lens and imaging system and method employing the lens are provided. The liquid lens includes a substrate with a channel opening extending therethrough between a first and second surface. A liquid drop is disposed within the channel and is sized with a first droplet portion, including a first capillary surface, protruding away from the first surface, and a second droplet portion, including a second capillary surface, protruding away from the second surface. The liquid lens further includes an oscillator operatively coupled to either the first droplet portion or the second droplet portion for oscillating the liquid drop within the channel. The imaging system, in addition to the oscillating liquid lens, also includes an image sensor coupled to an image path which passes through the first and second droplet portions for capturing one or more images through the oscillating liquid drop. |
| US08148702B2 |
Arrangement for the illumination of a substrate with a plurality of individually shaped particle beams for high-resolution lithography of structure patterns
The invention is directed to an arrangement for the illumination of a substrate with a plurality of individually shaped, controllable particle beams, particularly for electron beam lithography in the semiconductor industry. It is the object of the invention to find a novel possibility for illuminating a substrate with a plurality of individually shaped, controllable particle beamlets which permits a high-resolution structuring of substrates with a high substrate throughput without limiting the flexibility of the applicable structure patterns or limiting the high substrate throughput due to a required flexibility. |
| US08148699B2 |
Fluid treatment system
The present invention relates to a fluid treatment system comprising: an inlet; an outlet; and a fluid treatment zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid treatment zone has disposed therein: (i) an elongate first radiation source assembly having a first longitudinal axis, and (ii) an elongate second radiation source assembly having a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are non-parallel to each other and to a direction of fluid flow through the fluid treatment zone. The present fluid treatment system has a number of advantages including: it can treat large volumes of fluid (e.g., wastewater, drinking water or the like); it requires a relatively small “footprint”; it results in a relatively lower coefficient of drag resulting in an improved hydraulic pressure loss/gradient over the length of the fluid treatment system; and it results in relatively lower (or no) forced oscillation of the radiation sources thereby obviating or mitigating of breakage of the radiation source and/or protective sleeve (if present). Other advantages are discussed in the specification. |
| US08148698B2 |
Charged particle beam writing apparatus
A blanking deflector 23 is of the coaxial type and includes a rod-like inner electrode 231 and a cylindrical outer electrode 232 enclosing the inner electrode 231 such that an air gap through which the charged particle beam B passes is formed between the inner and outer electrodes 231 and 232. The inner electrode 231 and the outer electrode 232 are formed by forming electrode films 231b and 232b of a metal over the surfaces of nonconducting base materials 231a and 232a, respectively, by vacuum deposition or sputtering. Further, each of the shaping deflector and the main deflector and sub-deflector for beam scanning includes a plurality of pairs of opposite electrodes, and each opposite electrode is formed by forming an electrode film of a metal over the surface of a nonconducting base material by vacuum deposition or sputtering. |
| US08148695B2 |
Nuclear medical diagnosis apparatus
A PET apparatus comprises a plurality of detector units in the circumferential direction, wherein the detector unit includes a plurality of unit substrates therein, and wherein the unit substrate includes: a plurality of detectors upon which a γ-ray is incident; and an analog ASIC and digital ASIC for processing a γ-ray detection signal outputted by each of the detectors. The analog ASIC includes two slow systems having mutually different time constants, each of which outputs a pulseheight value. A noise determination part of the digital ASIC determines whether a relevant detection signal is an intended γ-ray detection signal or a noise based on a correlation between the pulseheight values, and a noise counting part counts the number of times of noise determination, and a detector output signal processing control part controls the signal processing with respect to an output signal from a relevant detector based on the count. |
| US08148693B2 |
Multiple screen detection systems
The present specification discloses an improved detection system employing multiple screens for greater detection efficiency. More particularly, a first enclosure has two adjacent walls, each with interior surfaces, a first end and a second end. The first ends of the two adjacent walls are connected at an angle to form an interior and the second ends of the two adjacent walls are connected to a semi-circular housing. At least one substrate, positioned on each of the interior surfaces of the adjacent walls, has an active area for receiving and converting electromagnetic radiation into light. A photodetector, positioned in the interior portion of the semi-circular housing, has an active area responsive to the light. |
| US08148692B2 |
Method for ensuring the safety of the components of the drive train of a vehicle following the deterioration of the fuel
The invention relates to a method of ensuring the safety of the components of the drive train of a vehicle equipped with a heat engine, before or during its startup phase following a deterioration of the quality of the fuel contained in the tank (2) and the fuel feed system of the engine, said method comprising a step of diagnosing the type and extent of the deterioration of the quality of the fuel, said step being based on the measurement of the interactions between an electronmagnetic radiation and the constituent molecules of the fuel, said measurement being performed by a system of analysis, and a step of activating a system (13) to ensure the safety of the components of the drive train as a function of the results of the analysis step. |
| US08148687B1 |
System and method for creating equipment inspection routes
A graphical user interface for creating and organizing equipment inspection routes is provided. The interface can be used to retrieve thermographic images from a portable infrared imager. Viewed as thumbnails, these images can be annotated and placed in a user-specified linear order defining an inspection route. The route information can be transferred to portable infrared imager and displayed on the imager as thermographic image data with annotations. |
| US08148685B2 |
Transmission electron microscope micro-grid
A transmission electron microscope (TEM) micro-grid includes a base and a plurality of electron transmission portions. The base includes a plurality of first carbon nanotubes and the first carbon nanotubes have a first density. Each electron transmission portions includes a hole defined in the base and a plurality of second carbon nanotubes located in the hole. The second carbon nanotubes have a second density. The second density is less than the first density. The base and the electron transmission portions form the TEM micro-grid for observation of a sample using a TEM microscope. |
| US08148684B2 |
Electron beam apparatus
An electron beam apparatus has the electron optical column for releasing an electron beam from the front-end portion after the beam is emitted from an electron beam source located on a rear-end portion of the column, a specimen chamber connected to a front-end portion of the column, and an aperture member withdrawably disposed in the front-end portion of the column within the specimen chamber. The apparatus further includes a rotating mechanism for rotating the aperture member along a given plane lying along the direction of a path of the beam. Thus, the aperture member can be attached and detached to and from the front-end portion of the column. |
| US08148679B2 |
Efficient atmospheric pressure interface for mass spectrometers and method
An ion transfer arrangement for transporting ions between higher and lower pressure regions of the mass spectrometer comprises an ion transfer conduit 60. The conduit 60 has an inlet opening towards a relatively high pressure chamber 40 and an outlet 70 opening towards a relatively low pressure chamber. The conduit 60 also has at least one side wall surrounding an ion transfer channel 115. The side wall includes a plurality of apertures 140 formed in the longitudinal direction of the side wall so as to permit a flow of gas from within the ion transfer channel 115 to a lower pressure region outside of the side wall of the conduit 60. |
| US08148673B2 |
Detecting and thwarting content signals originating from theatrical performances
A system and method of detecting and thwarting the use of unauthorized imaging systems at theatrical performances. A method includes determining, using a computing device and stored emission signatures of a plurality of different imaging devices, whether an emission is indicative of a presence of an imaging device that has transmitted a content signal and in response to determining that the emission is indicative of the presence of the imaging device that has transmitted the content signal, and initiating, using the computing device, transmission of a thwarting signal from a signal generator to thwart the imaging device. |
| US08148672B2 |
Optical member with high and low refractive index layers
An optical member includes high refractive index layers having a great refractive index and low refractive index layers having a small refractive index, which are each relatively thin as compared with an optical length, disposed alternately in the lateral direction as to an optical axis. Each width of the high refractive index layers and the low refractive index layers is equal to or smaller than the wavelength order of incident light. |
| US08148670B2 |
Rotary actuator ball-detent locking mechanism
One embodiment is directed to a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a housing and a rotary actuator carried by the housing. The rotary actuator includes a shaft and armature disposed around at least a portion of the shaft. The armature is configured to rotate the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The locking mechanism also has a cam carried by the shaft and a set of locking balls disposed between the cam and the housing. The locking mechanism has a locking assembly carried by the housing, the locking assembly being axially positionable between a locked position relative to the housing and a released position relative to the housing. |
| US08148666B2 |
Method and apparatus for protecting sterile drapes in surgical thermal treatment systems
Surgical drapes employed with thermal treatment systems are re-enforced according to the present invention. This protects against punctures and tears when objects are placed in a receptacle formed by a drape within a thermal treatment system basin to contain a sterile medium. In one embodiment, a plate or pad is used to protect the drape. The plate or pad may be formed of rigid or flexible material of various configurations. The plate or pad may be solid or perforated (e.g., with holes, slots, mesh, etc.), and may be loosely placed on or fixedly attached to the drape. The plate or pad may have depending feet or protrusions that support the plate spaced above the drape material. Alternatively, the drape may be utilized without the plate and include a thick intermediate section resistant to puncture that is disposed within the thermal treatment system basin. |
| US08148665B2 |
Apparatus and method for soft baking photoresist on substrate
An apparatus for soft baking a substrate having a dummy region is provided. The apparatus includes a heating plate, a plurality of pins, and a driving unit for individually lifting selective ones of the plurality of pins so as to protrude from an upper surface of the heating plate. |
| US08148663B2 |
Apparatus and method of improving beam shaping and beam homogenization
The present invention generally relates to an optical system that is able to reliably deliver a uniform amount of energy across an anneal region contained on a surface of a substrate. The optical system is adapted to deliver, or project, a uniform amount of energy having a desired two-dimensional shape on a desired region on the surface of the substrate. Typically, the anneal regions may be square or rectangular in shape. Generally, the optical system and methods of the present invention are used to preferentially anneal one or more regions found within the anneal regions by delivering enough energy to cause the one or more regions to re-melt and solidify. |
| US08148661B2 |
Highly ordered structure pyrolitic graphite or carbon-carbon composite cathodes for plasma generation in carbon containing gases
A DC plasma torch which includes a long lasting thermionic cathode and has a high thermal efficiency. The DC plasma torch employs a solid cathode made of graphite with highly ordered structure such as Pyrolitic Graphite or Carbon-Carbon composites. Furthermore, carbon containing gases will be used as plasma gas. The cathode will allow for theoretically an unlimited lifetime of the cathode. |
| US08148660B2 |
Gas-insulated high-voltage circuit breaker with a relief duct which is controlled by an overflow valve
A high-voltage circuit breaker includes two arcing contacts, which are capable of moving relative to one another along an axis, an insulating nozzle, a heating volume for accommodating quenching gas, a heating channel, and an overpressure valve. The pressure of the quenching gas is based on the energy of a switching arc, which is formed when the breaker opens and generates arcing gas, and the heating channel opens out, with axial alignment, into the heating volume. The heating channel connects an arc zone, and the overpressure valve limits the pressure of the quenching gas by opening a relief duct, which opens out into an expansion space. In high-current switching, the pressure of the arcing gases in the arc zone is limited, and the quality of the quenching gas stored in the heating volume is improved, due to the relief duct having an outflow section extending in the radial direction. |
| US08148659B2 |
Touch switch structure
A touch switch structure is provided that can be preferably used for an automotive instrument panel and can securely prevent misjudgments and incorrect detections with respect to operations on the switch. For that purpose, the touch switch structure comprises a base material 2 made of a nonconductive material; a shield electrode layer 4 made of a conductive material and formed on one surface of the base material 2; a touch detection electrode 3 formed on one surface of the base material 2 at the portion where the shield electrode layer 4 is not formed; and an insulation layer 5 made of a nonconductive material and formed at least between the shield electrode layer 4 and a connection pattern 6 of the touch detection electrode 3. |
| US08148656B2 |
Button guide
A push-button assembly has a button retainer having a first side wall connected to a second side wall, with an included angle between the first and second side wall being in the range of about 100 degrees to about 170 degrees. Additional side walls connect the second side wall back to the first side wall, forming a hollow portion within the button retainer. The button retainer can be mated within the channel of a corresponding bezel structure. The bezel structure can be tuned to fit the button retainer along a single axis of the bezel structure.A tune-to-fit process includes forming the bezel structure from a mold and measuring the fit of the button retainer within the bezel structure along an x-axis. The bezel mold is either re-cut or material is added to the bezel mold along the x-axis, without re-cutting or adding material along any other axis. |
| US08148651B1 |
Pet feeding and weighing system
A pet feeding and weighing system for efficiently providing a weighing platform having one or more feeding bowls therein to allow for a pet to be weighed in a consistent manner when the pet returns for food or drink. The pet feeding and weighing system generally includes a platform having a feeding portion and a weighing portion extending therefrom, wherein the feeding portion includes at least one opening extending therethrough and at least one feeding container is positioned within the opening. A plurality of weight sensors are in communicative contact with the weighing portion and a local digital display responsive to the weight sensor indicates a weight applied upon the weighing portion of the platform over the weight sensor. The present invention may also include a controller having memory for storing and allowing the retrieval of past weight measurements along with their respective date and time taken. |
| US08148641B2 |
Anisotropic conductive material, connected structure, and production method thereof
An anisotropic conductive material prevents conduction resistance from varying among bumps or among linear terminals when connecting an IC chip or a flexible wire to a wiring board via the anisotropic conductive material. The anisotropic conductive material is formed by dispersing conductive particles in an insulating binder. The minimum melt viscosity [η0] thereof is in a range of from 1×102 to 1×106 mPa·sec, and satisfies the following equation (1): 1<[η1]/[η0]≦3 (1) where in the equation (1), [η0] represents the minimum melt viscosity of the anisotropic conductive material, and [η1] represents a melt viscosity at a temperature T1 which is 30° C. lower than a temperature T0 at which the minimum melt viscosity is exhibited. |
| US08148637B2 |
Wall plate devices and systems
A wall plate configured to at least partially cover and/or connect to a standardized electrical box and/or components stored therein. In one implementation, the wall plate may includes a substantially planar body having a front and a back. In particular, the body may be configured to at least partially cover an electrical box and/or component. In addition, the wall plate may includes at least one pin extending from the back of the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body. The at least one pin may be positioned on the body to correspond with the location of a connector on a standardized electrical box or component. |
| US08148635B1 |
Camera mounting assembly including mounting bar and adapter plate for mounting a security camera or fixture to an electrical box
A camera mounting assembly including a mounting bar and an adapter plate for mounting a security camera or an electrical fixture to an electrical box installed in a wall or ceiling. An elongated base portion on the mounting bar is adapted to mount to the face of a conventional electrical box and extend beyond the walls of the box. A pair of prongs extends from the base portion of the mounting bar and at least one aperture is provided on the end of the bar. The adapter plate includes an opening with an inner periphery and an inclined surface adapted for twist locking engagement with the prongs of the mounting bar. The camera mounting assembly enables the mounting of a wide range of conventional security camera housings or electrical fixtures to a conventional electrical box. |
| US08148632B2 |
Quantum dot solar cell
Example solar cells and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example solar cell may include an electron conductor layer, a quantum dot layer, a bifunctional ligand layer coupling the electron conductor layer and the quantum dot layer, and a hole conductor layer coupled to the quantum dot layer. The bifunctional ligand layer may include an antibiotic, and in some cases, a cephalosporin-based antibiotic. |
| US08148631B2 |
Transparent substrate equipped with an electrode
The subject of the invention is a transparent substrate, especially made of glass, which is provided with an electrode, especially for a solar cell, comprising a conductive layer based on molybdenum Mo with a thickness of at most 500 nm, especially at most 400 nm or at most 300 nm or at most 200 nm. |
| US08148630B2 |
Conductive paste and grid electrode for silicon solar cells
A method for producing a solar cell electrode, comprising the steps of: applying on at least part of a light-receiving surface of a semiconductor substrate a conductive paste comprising conductive component, glass frit, and resin binder, wherein the conductive component comprises silver particles and core-shell particles in which a metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ir, Pt, Ru, Ti, and Co is coated on a surface of silver or copper; and firing the conductive paste. |
| US08148627B2 |
Solar cell interconnect with multiple current paths
Solar cell interconnects with multiple current paths. A solar cell interconnect may include a plurality of in-plane slits arranged in several rows. The in-plane slits may be spaced to provide strain relief without unduly increasing the electrical path resistance through the solar cell interconnect. The in-plane slits may be staggered, for example. |
| US08148623B2 |
Apparatus for assisting in playing musical instrument
An apparatus is to assist an unskilled player in playing a musical instrument by detecting the quantity of the player's manipulation against the instrument, modifying the detected manipulation quantity with reference to a recommended manipulation to a degree according to a given assistance coefficient, and actuating the instrument with the modified manipulation quantity. For a brass instrument, the apparatus comprises an embouchure sensor and a breath pressure sensor to detect the embouchure and the breath pressure of the player as he/she plays the brass instrument. The detected embouchure and breath pressure are then modified with reference to a recommended embouchure and breath pressure weighted by a given assistance coefficient. The apparatus actuates the brass instrument based on the modified embouchure and breath pressure. |
| US08148620B2 |
Hammer stoppers and use thereof in pianos playable in acoustic and silent modes
A piano hammer stopper system includes a blocking rail movable between a first position, allowing unobstructed movement of piano hammers, and a second position, blocking at least one piano hammer from striking any corresponding strings. The piano hammer stopper system includes a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the blocking rail, a drive arm attached to the drive shaft and engaging a drive fulcrum, and a travel guide directing movement of the blocking rail between its first and second positions. Rotation of the drive shaft rotates the drive arm to engage the drive fulcrum for moving the blocking rail between its first and second positions. |
| US08148619B1 |
Drum damping fixture
In combination with a musical drum with a hollow shell having at least one opening and a drumhead with a tensioned membrane with a playing surface covering the opening, the present invention is an improved means to dampen resonating drum sounds consisting of an annular fixture mounted on a playing surface with the fixture having an outer concentric edge adjacent a flange member having an inner surface faced opposed to the playing surface, an inner concentric edge spaced apart from said playing surface and an area adjacent the inner concentric edge which defines an annular channel with the drumhead for receiving a damping member in fixed retained relation with the annular fixture. The annular fixture, including the damping member, is mounted to the playing surface by a series of incrementally spaced-apart non-adhesive means or non-adhesive means disposed in a continuous array provided for attaching the flange member to the playing surface. Included in near conformal reflation with the inner surface of the flange member is the means to reduce or eliminate vibration and vibrational-generated noise occurring along sections of the drumhead where the inner surface and playing surface coincide and touch, when the drumhead is struck. |
| US08148613B1 |
Soybean cultivar 05KL135089
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 05KL135089 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 05KL135089 and its progeny, and methods of making 05KL135089. |
| US08148611B2 |
Plants and seeds of spring canola variety SCV453784
The invention relates to a novel canola line designated as SCV453784. The invention also relates to the seeds, the plants, and the plant parts of canola line SCV453784 as well as to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola line SCV453784 with itself or with another canola line. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention further relates to canola lines or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola line SCV453784, to methods for producing other canola lines or plant parts derived from canola line SCV453784 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention additionally relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the line SCV453784 with another canola line. |
| US08148610B2 |
Lettuce cultivar 51-0804523-B
A lettuce cultivar, designated 51-0804523-B, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar 51-0804523-B, to the plants of lettuce cultivar 51-0804523-B and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar 51-0804523-B with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar 51-0804523-B, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar 51-0804523-B and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 51-0804523-B with another lettuce cultivar. |
| US08148608B2 |
Systems and methods for clonal expression in plants
The present invention provides systems and methods for generating clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants and for expressing gene products in such cell lines and plants. In some embodiments, a viral vector containing a polynucleotide of interest operably linked to a promoter is introduced into a plant or portion thereof to generate clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants. According to certain inventive methods, a viral vector containing a polynucleotide of interest operably linked to a promoter is introduced into cells of a plant cell line that is maintained in culture to generate clonal plant cell lines and clonal plants. The invention provides clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants generated using inventive methods. |
| US08148607B2 |
Methods and means for removal of a selected DNA sequence
A method is described for the exact removal of a selected subfragment from a DNA molecule by intrachromosomal recombination between two directly repeated DNA sequences using a rare-cleaving double stranded break inducing DNA endonuclease expressed under control of a micro-spore specific promoter. This method can be applied in a method for the exact exchange of a target DNA fragment for a DNA fragment of interest in plant cells and plants. |
| US08148604B2 |
Methods and materials for conferring resistance to pests and pathogens of plants
Methods and materials for conferring pest resistance to plants are provided. Plants are transformed with a silencing construct homologous to a gene of a plant pest that is essential for the survival, development, or pathogenicity of the pest. This results in the plant producing RNAi to the selected gene, which, when ingested by the pest results in silencing of the gene and a subsequent reduction of the pest's ability to harm the plant. In other embodiments, the pest's reduced ability to harm the plant is passed on to pest progeny. Methods and materials for depathogenesis of pests is also provided. |
| US08148603B2 |
Transgenic ficus, method for producing same and use thereof
The present invention relates to transgenic Ficus plants, particularly Ficus carica (fig tree), to a method for producing same, and to Ficus plants, plant materials and plant products produced by or from such genetically modified plant material. More specifically, the present invention relates to transgenic Ficus carica plants and use thereof for producing trees having improved agricultural traits and for the production of foreign proteins and edible vaccines. |
| US08148601B2 |
Rice blast susceptibility gene Pi21, resistance gene pi21, and uses thereof
The present inventors succeeded in isolating the rice field resistance gene pi21 by linkage analysis, and found that field resistance to blast in plants could be modified by introducing or controlling the expression of the gene. Thus, it became possible to efficiently confer plants with field resistance. It also became possible to select, at an early stage, rice plants having field resistance to blast. Moreover, by changing the tissue specificity of expression and the expression level of the gene involved in field resistance, varieties having resistance as well as high practical use can be grown. |
| US08148600B2 |
Immunocompromised rodents as dual color tumor models
Immunocompromised rodents that have been modified to express a fluorescent protein in substantially all tissues are described. These rodents are useful as models for gene expression, tumor progression and angiogenesis. Also provided are model systems where heterologous tissues fluorescing in a first color are transplanted into hosts that have been modified to fluoresce in substantially all tissues with a second color. |
| US08148599B2 |
Transgenic non-human animals for pharmacological and toxicological studies
The present invention is directed to the production, breeding and use of transgenic non-human animals such as mice in which specific genes or portions of genes have been replaced by homologues from another animal to make the physiology of the animals so modified more like that of the other animal with respect to drug pharmacokinetics and metabolism. The invention also extends to the use of the genetically modified non-human animals of the invention for pharmacological and/or toxicological studies. |
| US08148586B2 |
Catalytic production processes for making tetrafluoropropenes and pentafluoropropenes
A process is disclosed for making CF3CF═CHF. The process involves contacting at least one hexafluoropropane selected from the group consisting of CF3CF2CH2F and CF3CHFCHF2 with a chromium oxyfluoride catalyst in a reactor to obtain a product mixture comprising CF3CF═CHF, and recovering CF3CF═CHF from the product mixture.A process is disclosed for making CF3CH═CHF. The process involves contacting CF3CH2CHF2 with a chromium oxyfluoride catalyst in a reactor to obtain a product mixture comprising CF3CH═CHF, and recovering CF3CH═CHF from the product mixture.A process is disclosed for making CF3CF═CH2. The process involves contacting CF3CF2CH3 with a chromium oxyfluoride catalyst in a reactor to obtain a product mixture comprising CF3CF═CH2, and recovering CF3CF═CH2 from the product mixture. |
| US08148582B2 |
Glycerol vaporization method
The subject matter of the present invention relates to a vaporization method of aqueous glycerol solutions in a fluidized bed containing an inert solid. The invention provides a method for vaporizing, in a single step, an aqueous glycerol solution and simultaneously eliminating the impurities present in this solution or generated during the evaporation. |
| US08148580B2 |
Methods of forming a tellurium alkoxide and methods of forming a mixed halide-alkoxide of tellurium
A method of forming a tellurium alkoxide includes providing a tellurium halide and a non-tellurium alkoxide in a liquid organic solvent. The liquid organic solvent has less moles of alcohol, if any, than moles of tellurium halide in the liquid organic solvent. The tellurium halide and the non-tellurium alkoxide within the liquid organic solvent are reacted to form a reaction product halide and a tellurium alkoxide. The liquid organic solvent is removed from the reaction product halide and the tellurium alkoxide to leave a liquid and/or solid mixture comprising the reaction product halide and the tellurium alkoxide. The mixture is heated effective to gasify the tellurium alkoxide from the reaction product halide. Other implementations are disclosed, including methods of forming a mixed halide-alkoxide of tellurium. |
| US08148579B2 |
Production of gasoline from fermentable feedstocks
Methods are disclosed for forming heptan-4-one, and, optionally, heptan-4-ol, from fermentable sugars. The sugars are fermented using a bacteria or yeast that predominantly forms butyric acid. The butyric acid is subjected to catalytic ketonization conditions to form heptan-4-one, with concomitant loss of water and carbon dioxide. The heptan-4-one can be subjected to catalytic hydrogenation to form heptan-4-ol, an either of these can be included in gasoline compositions. In one aspect, the fermentable sugars are derived from lignocellulosic materials such as wood products, switchgrass, or agricultural wastes, which are delignified to form lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. The cellulose and hemicellulose can be depolymerized to form glycose and xylose, either or both of which can be fermented by the bacteria. Thus, the methods described herein can convert biomass to a fuel composition or fuel additive, which can be used in a conventional gasoline engine, unlike traditional fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel. |
| US08148577B2 |
Polyamines useful as anti-parasitic and anti-cancer therapeutics and as lysine-specific demethylase inhibitors
Polyamine, polyamine/guanidino, and polyamine/biguanide compounds are disclosed. The compounds are useful as anti-cancer and anti-parasitic treatments. The compounds are also useful as inhibitors of the enzyme lysine-specific demethylase-1. |
| US08148575B2 |
Radiofluorinated compounds and their preparation
The present invention provides a process for [18F]-fluorination of biomolecules containing a primary amino group such as proteins and peptides and in particular of peptides. The invention further provides reagents for this process, in particular 18F-labelled prosthetic groups for use in the preparation as well as non-labelled intermediates useful in the preparation of the [18F]-labelled prosthetic groups. [18F]-labelled compounds useful as radiopharmaceuticals, specifically for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are also provided. |
| US08148571B2 |
Compound, composition comprising the same, and process for production of polymerizable amide
A novel compound (I) represented by the following formula (1) is provided which is suitable for a dental composition and has a polymerizable group, a carboxyl group and a phosphoric acid group. A method for producing a polymerizable amide is provided, which method can make a condensation reaction of a carboxylic acid with an amine to proceed easily and is excellent in safety: wherein R1, R2 and R3 each independently are a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent; (A) and (B) are each any constituent unit; m is an integer of from 1 to 3; n is an integer of from 1 to 3; R4 is an organic group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms which may have a substituent; R5 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, R6 and R7 each independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or a metal atom. |
| US08148566B2 |
Method for producing a dialkyl carbonate and a diol
A method for producing a dialkyl carbonate and a diol, comprising: (a) effecting a transesterification reaction between a cyclic carbonate and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, thereby obtaining a reaction mixture containing a product dialkyl carbonate and a product diol, (b) withdrawing a dialkyl carbonate-containing liquid from the reaction mixture, followed by separation of the dialkyl carbonate from the dialkyl carbonate-containing liquid, and (c) withdrawing a diol-containing liquid from the reaction mixture, followed by separation of the diol from the diol-containing liquid, wherein the cyclic carbonate contains a cyclic ether in an amount of from 0.1 to 3,000 ppm by weight, and the product dialkyl carbonate contains a carbonate ether of not more than 10,000 ppm by weight. |
| US08148565B2 |
Method of manufacturing an organic silicon compound that contains a methacryloxy group or an acryloxy group
A method of manufacturing an organic silicon compound that contains a methacryloxy group or an acryloxy group is characterized by the fact that manufacturing or conducting purification by distillation is carried out in the presence of a phenothiazine derivative having a molecular weight equal to or higher than 240. A stable composition comprises the organic silicon compound that contains a methacryloxy group or an acryloxy group and the phenothiazine derivative having a molecular weight equal to or higher than 240. The phenothiazine derivative is used in an amount sufficient to stabilize the organic silicon compound. |
| US08148564B2 |
Compounds for forming metal nitrides
Nitride forming precursors are heated to form a metal nitride on a substrate. In some variations, the precursors are contacted with the substrate which has previously been heated to a sufficient temperature to form a nitride film. Precursors to tungsten and molybdenum nitride are provided. |
| US08148561B2 |
Cosmetic oil substances
A storage-stable, smooth-feeling, non-comedogenic fatty acid ester mixture of 2-ethylhexanol and fatty acids comprising 2-ethylhexyl fatty acid esters, wherein the aggregate amount of C12 and C14 2-ethylhexyl fatty acid esters is 85% or more of the mixture, based on the total weight of all fatty acid esters in the mixture, which mixtures are useful in or as an oil component of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparation. |
| US08148557B2 |
Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Gibberella fujikuroi
Method of producing Δ5-Tibolone (C21H28O2), 6β-Hydroxy-Δ4-tibolone (C21H28O3), 6α-Hydroxy-Δ4-tibolone (C21H28O3), 15α-Hydroxy-Δ4-tibolone (C21H28O3), 6α-Hydroxy-Δ1,4-tibolone (C21H28O3) and 6β-Methoxy-Δ4-tibolone (C22H30O3) contacting tibolone with Gibberella fujikuroi (ATCC 10704) is reported. |
| US08148556B2 |
Method of producing tibolone metabolites by fermentation with Rhizopus stolonifer
A new method of producing metabolites of tibolone comprising fermenting tibolone with Rhizopus stolonifer (ATCC 12938) resulting in the formation of Δ4-Tibolone (C21H28O2), 6β-Hydroxytibolone, and 15β-Hydroxytibolone (C21H28O3) is reported. |
| US08148551B2 |
Tricyclic aromatics and liquid-crystalline medium
The invention relates to tricyclic aromatics of the general formula I in which A1, A2, A3, A4, Q1-Q2, R1, R2, X1, X2, X3, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, q, r, s, t and u have the meaning indicated, and to the use thereof as components of liquid-crystalline media and to an electro-optical display element containing same. |
| US08148550B2 |
Method for the production of statins
The present invention relates to a process for the production of statins, which are known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. A few of the intermediate compounds for use in the process in accordance with the invention are novel compounds and the invention also relates to these novel intermediate compounds. |
| US08148545B2 |
Processes for the synthesis of γ nitrocarbonyl and γ dicarbonyl compounds and their pyrrole derivatives
The present invention discloses processes for producing γ-nitrocarbonyl and γ-dicarbonyl compounds, which can be precursors in the synthesis of pyrrole compounds. A process for producing pyrroles such as 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, and structurally similar pyrrole compounds, is also disclosed. |
| US08148540B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds, their preparation and their use as medicaments, in particular as anti-bacterial agents
The invention relates to new heterocyclic compounds of general formula (I), and their salts with a base or an acid: The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these compounds as well as their use as medicaments, in particular as anti-bacterial agents. |
| US08148526B1 |
Reverse amide compounds as protein deacetylase inhibitors and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to novel “reverse amide” compounds comprising a zinc chelator group, and the use of such compounds in the inhibition of HDAC6 and in the treatment of various diseases, disorders or conditions related to HDAC6. |
| US08148525B2 |
2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds and their uses
The present invention provides 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that inhibit the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades that lead to the release of chemical mediators, intermediates and methods of synthesizing the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of contexts, including in the treatment and prevention of diseases characterized by, caused by or associated with the release of chemical mediators via degranulation and other processes effected by activation of the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades. |
| US08148522B2 |
Intermediate useful in preparing certain pyrrolotriazine compounds and a process for making the intermediate
The invention relates to 2,4-dibromoropyrrolo[1,2-f][1,2,4]triazine, which is an intermediate useful in preparing 2,4-disubstituted pyrrolotriazine compounds, and a process for preparing the intermediate. |
| US08148521B2 |
Arthropodicidal anthranilamides
This invention provides compounds of Formula 1, their N-oxides and agriculturally suitable salts wherein R1, R2, R3, R4a, R4b and R5 are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are methods for controlling invertebrate pests comprising contacting the invertebrate pests or their environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound of Formula 1 or a composition comprising a compound of Formula 1. |
| US08148513B2 |
hTERT gene expression regulatory gene
Disclosed is a novel substance capable of regulating the expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene in a cell of a mammal. A gene capable of regulating the expression of hTERT, comprising a nucleotide sequence depicted in SEQ ID No: 1 or 2. The expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene can be inhibited by inhibiting the expression of the gene. By utilizing this mechanism, the expression of a telomerase reverse transcriptase gene can be regulated. |
| US08148511B2 |
Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of E. coli and Enterococcus
The present invention is drawn to methods and compositions for the rapid assessment of fecal indicator bacteria in a sample. Provided herein are novel primer and probe compositions for use in detecting the presence of these organisms in a sample, particularly using quantitative PCR methods. Provided herein are novel oligonucleotide primers and probes, including the primers set forth in SEQ ID NO:1-4, the novel oligonucleotide probe sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:5-8, and methods for using these primers and probes for the detection and/or quantification of fecal indicator bacteria, particularly E. coli and Enterococcus spp. in a sample. |
| US08148507B2 |
Nucleic acid encoding TNFx protein
Nucleic acids encoding mammalian, e.g., primate or rodent, genes, purified proteins and fragments thereof. Antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, are also provided. Methods of using the compositions for both diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are provided. |
| US08148503B2 |
Nucleotides and nucleosides and methods for their use in DNA sequencing
The present invention relates generally to labeled and unlabled cleavable terminating groups and methods for DNA sequencing and other types of DNA analysis. More particularly, the invention relates in part to nucleotides and nucleosides with chemically cleavable, photocleavable, enzymatically cleavable, or non-photocleavable groups and methods for their use in DNA sequencing and its application in biomedical research. |
| US08148500B2 |
Method of preparing cysteine mutants of human recombinant GM-CSF
The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby. Also disclosed are therapeutic methods for using the cysteine variants of the invention. |
| US08148499B2 |
Vaccine
The invention relates to a vaccine for the treatment of disease caused by Neisseria, the vaccine comprising one or more immunogenic components for Neisseria serogroups, as well as antibodies to the immunogenic components and methods of preventing and treating Neisseria infections. The immunogens are based on elements of the inner core lipopolysaccharide. |
| US08148496B2 |
Multivalent antibody constructs
The present invention relates to a multivalent Fv antibody construct having at least four variable domains which are linked with each over via the peptide linkers 1, 2 and 3. The invention also concerns expression plasmids which code for such an Fv antibody construct and a method of producing the Fv antibody constructs as well as their use. |
| US08148495B2 |
Methods for enhancing the degradation or conversion of cellulosic material
The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material and for producing a substance from a cellulosic material. |
| US08148494B2 |
Signal peptide for the production of recombinant proteins
The present invention comprises a signal peptide with a cleavage site to a recombinant protein, wherein the last three amino acids before the cleavage site are alanine-phenylalanine-alanine (AFA). |
| US08148493B2 |
Method for inhibiting “melanoma inhibitory activity” MIA
The present invention is directed to peptides, antibodies and antibody fragments inhibiting activity of “Melanoma Inhibitory Activity” (MIA). |
| US08148487B2 |
Polysiloxane coating with hybrid copolymer
A coating includes the reaction product of (a) a hybrid copolymer incorporating (i) a first monomer including a hydroxy-functional organoacrylate and (ii) a second monomer including an organoalkoxysilane and (b) a second material including an organofunctional alkoxysilane. The first monomer can be a hydroxy functional acrylate and/or a hydroxyalkylacrylate. The second monomer can be a trialkoxysilane. The second material can be a trialkoxysilane. |
| US08148485B2 |
Production method for water-absorbing resin
In obtaining a water-absorbing resin with high property in high productivity, produced a production method for a water-absorbing resin in high property and stably. Provided is a production method for a water-absorbing resin, comprising: a step for polymerizing an acrylic acid aqueous solution; a step for drying the resultant water-containing gel; a step for pulverizing and classifying the dried substance; and a step for surface cross-linking after classification, wherein a hopper having an inclination angle of a cone part of equal to or larger than 45 degree, and a drawing rate of 30 to 80% is used. |
| US08148483B2 |
Fluoro silicone acrylates and polymers thereof
The present invention is directed to fluoro silicone acrylates that are used in reaction either alone or with other monomers to make polymers that can modify the surface of hair skin or pigment. This makes them ideal for incorporation into pigmented products in personal care applications like make up and lipsticks. |
| US08148482B2 |
Tactic polymer polymerization process using chiral catalysts
A process for forming tactic polymers employing at least one olefin polymerization catalyst comprising a non-racemic mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers of a metal complex containing at least one asymmetrically substituted (chiral) carbon atom, and a chain shuttling agent, a polar aprotic organic compound, or both a chain shuttling agent and a polar aprotic organic compound. |
| US08148481B2 |
Method for seed bed treatment for a polymerization reaction
A method for preparing a reactor for performance of a polymerization reaction, the method including providing at least one seed bed into the reactor; wherein the at least one seed bed includes at least one organometallic compound and polymer particles. |
| US08148479B2 |
Method for producing water-absorbing polymer particles by suspension polymerisation
A process for producing water-absorbing polymeric particles by a suspension polymerization with recycling of the hydrophobic solvent, the hydrophobic solvent comprising branched saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. |
| US08148477B2 |
Tubular flow reactor and method of manufacturing polymeric resin fine particle
In the present invention, a tubular flow reactor can maintain a plug flow property even though the tubular flow reactor is downsized, and provided is the tubular flow reactor with which uniform resin fine particles exhibiting a narrow particle size distribution and a narrow molecular weight distribution can be prepared when the tubular flow reactor is used for preparation of the resin fine particle via emulsion polymerization or the like. Disclosed is a tubular flow reactor possessing a stirring blade and a cylindrical channel, wherein a ratio d/D is 0.3-0.9 when a diameter of the stirring blade is represented by d and an inner diameter of the cylindrical channel is represented by D, and a ratio Lb/La is 0.80-0.99 when a length of the stirring blade is represented by Lb and a length of the cylindrical channel is represented by La. |
| US08148463B2 |
Alkaline resol phenol-aldehyde resin binder compositions
This invention relates to alkaline resol phenol-aldehyde binder compositions and their use in the production of articles of bonded particulate material such as foundry moulds, foundry cores, or feeders. |
| US08148459B2 |
Use of a metal organosilicate polymer as dispersion-forming agent
The invention relates to the use of a metal organosilicate polymer as a dispersion-forming agent. The metal organosilicate polymer used in the invention has one of the following formulae I and II: R4Si4Al2O8(OH)x Formula I: R8Si8M6O16(OH)y Formula II: The invention finds application in the field of dispersions of hydrophobic compounds in water and of organophobic compounds in an organic solvent, in particular. |
| US08148453B2 |
Resin composition and molded product
A resin composition containing at least (A) a polylactic acid, (B) a phosphazene compound, and (C) a rubber and/or thermoplastic elastomer. |
| US08148449B2 |
Shape memory composites
The present invention concerns shape memory composites, methods of preparing same and the use of these composites, for example, for products prepared by injection molding techniques or coating applications. |
| US08148448B2 |
Tire puncture sealant
A tire puncture sealant having both excellent sealing performance and excellent storage performance, specifically a tire puncture sealant containing a natural rubber latex (A) and a VEVA copolymer resin emulsion (B), wherein the solid content mass of the natural rubber latex (A)/solid content mass of the VEVA copolymer resin emulsion (B) is between 80/20 and 15/85. |
| US08148447B2 |
Ink composition for ink jet recording
There is provided an ink composition which can yield images having silver salt photograph-like gloss and is also excellent in fixation, lightfastness, and gasfastness of recorded images. The ink composition comprises: a resin produced by emulsion polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the presence of a reactive emulsifier containing a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group and a radical reactive group; water; and a pigment. |
| US08148446B2 |
Silyl esters, their use in binder systems and paint compositions and a process of production thereof
A method of boosting alkaline hydrolysis or erodability of a hydrolysable paint formulation, the method comprising the step of adding an organosilyl ester to a binder system of a hydrolysable paint formulation. The booster is used in paint formulations which require hydrolysis of one or more of the components of the paint in use. The organosilylesters of the invention may also independently be film forming. The organosilyl ester may be the ester of a carboxylic, sulphonic or phosphoric acid. The binder systems of the invention can be used in paint compositions, such as self-polishing antifouling paints. |
| US08148445B1 |
Ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological device materials containing a multi-arm PEG macromer
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic device materials. The materials contain a multi-arm PEG macromer. |
| US08148439B2 |
Foamed thermoplastic resin particles and method of producing the foamed particles
It is intended to provide resin foamed particles having a high environmental compatibility. Furthermore, it is intended to provide an economical and easy-to-use method of producing resin foamed particles having biodegradability without using a crosslinking agent, which should be handled with care, in the step of producing foamed resin particles. It is also intended to provide a molded article made of foamed particles having an extremely high heat insulating property and a biodegradability. Thermoplastic polyester-type resin foamed particles, in which the ratio of cells with diameter of 50 μm or less amounts to 20% or more in an arbitrary two-dimensional section of a thermoplastic polyester-type resin foamed particles, are first produced and then a molded article is produced with the use of these resin foamed particles. |
| US08148434B2 |
Silica-based sols and their production and use
A process for producing an aqueous silica-based sol is disclosed wherein a cationic ion exchange resin having part of its ion exchange capacity in hydrogen form is contacted with an aqueous alkali metal silicate to form a slurry having a pH from 5.0 to 11.5 and/or having particle aggregation or microgel formation corresponding to a S value up to 45%; adjusting the pH using a material comprising an aluminum compound; and separating the resin from the slurry.Silica-based sols having an S value from 15 to 25%, mole ratio Si:Al from 20:1 to 50:1, mole ratio Si:X, where X=alkali metal, from 5:1 to 17:1, SiO2 content of at least 5% by weight and containing silica-based particles having a specific surface area of at least 300 m2/g, as well as the use of such silica-based sols in producing paper are disclosed. |
| US08148425B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition containing phloroglucinol and paracetamol
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for oral or rectal administration, that contains phloroglucinol and paracetamol in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The inventors have evidenced a synergy developed by these two active ingredients in antispasmodic therapy. |
| US08148424B2 |
Tocopherols, tocotrienols, other chroman and side chain derivatives and uses thereof
The present invention provides an antiproliferative compound having a structural formula where X and Y independently are oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, carboxylic acid, carboxylate, carboxamide, ester, thioamide, thiolacid, thiolester, saccharide, alkoxy-linked saccharide, amine, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, alcohol, ethers or nitriles; R2 and R3 are hydrogen or R4; R4 is methyl, benzyl carboxylic acid, benzyl carboxylate, benzyl carboxamide, benzylester, saccharide or amine; and R5 is alkenyl; where when Y is nitrogen, said nitrogen is substituted with R6, wherein R6 is hydrogen or methyl. Also provided are methods for treating a cell proliferative disease and for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising administering this compound is also provided. |
| US08148423B2 |
Fluorophore compounds
Provided herein are fluorophore compounds including rhodol and rhodamine compounds which can be used as fluorescent labels and/or fluorogenic probes and methods of making same. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to track, measure, detect, or screen biological species such as protein, DNA, enzyme, antibody, organelle, cell, tissue, drug, hormone, nucleotide, nucleic acid, polysaccharide or lipid in living organisms. Specifically, the methods include the steps of contacting any of the fluorophore compounds, rhodol compounds and rhodamine compounds disclosed herein with the biological species to form one or more fluorescent compounds, and measuring fluorescence properties of the fluorescent compounds. Provided also herein are high-throughput screening fluorescent methods for detecting or screening biological species. |
| US08148418B2 |
Ethers, secondary amines and derivatives thereof as modulators of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor useful for the treatment of disorders related thereto
The present invention pertains to certain compounds of Formula (Ia) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that modulate the activity of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor. Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are directed to methods useful in the treatment of platelet aggreagation, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, angina, stroke, atrial fibrillation, blood clot formation, asthma or symptoms thereof, agitation or a symptom thereof, behavioral disorders, drug induced psychosis, excitative psychosis, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, manic disorder, organic or NOS psychosis, psychotic disorder, psychosis, acute schizophrenia, chronic schizophrenia, NOS schizophrenia and related disorders, and sleep disorders, sleep disorders, diabetic-related disorders, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and the like. The present invention also relates to the methods for the treatment of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor associated disorders in combination with other pharmaceutical agents administered separately or together. |
| US08148414B2 |
Prodrugs of methyl hydrogen fumarate, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use
Prodrugs of methyl hydrogen fumarate, pharmaceutical compositions comprising prodrugs of methyl hydrogen fumarate, and methods of using prodrugs of methyl hydrogen fumarate and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for treating diseases such as psoriasis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and arthritis are disclosed. |
| US08148412B2 |
Heteroaromatic glucokinase activators
The present invention describes 2,3-di-substituted N-heteroaromatic propionamides, of Formula (I) wherein the substitution at the 3-position is an optionally substituted phenyl ring and the substitution at the 2-position is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same; and, methods of using the same. The propionamides are glucokinase activators for the treatment of type II diabetes. |
| US08148400B2 |
Thiazolyl compounds useful as kinase inhibitors
The invention provides compounds of formula II: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The formula II thiazolyl compounds inhibit tyrosine kinase activity thereby making them useful as anticancer agents and for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. |
| US08148398B2 |
Intermediate duration neuromuscular blocking agents and antagonists thereof
The invention provides novel neuromuscular blocking agents, methods of using the neuromuscular blocking agents as well as reagents, methods and kits for reversing the effects of the neuromuscular blocking agents. |
| US08148397B2 |
5-HT7 receptor antagonists
The invention relates to compounds having pharmacological activity towards the 5-HT7 receptor, and more particularly to some tetrahydroisoquinoline propyl sulfonamide compounds, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a disease in which 5-HT is involved, such as CNS disorders. |
| US08148396B2 |
Triazolopyridine 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors
Novel compounds are provided which are 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors. 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitor therapy. These novel compounds have the structure: or stereoisomers or prodrugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein W, L, R3, R3a, R3b and R4 are defined herein. |
| US08148389B2 |
Pharmaceutical comprising PPAR agonist
An object of the present invention is to provide an agent for promoting proliferation of a meibomian gland epithelial cell and a corneal epithelial cell, as well as provide an agent for treating an ocular disease such as meibomian gland dysfunction or evaporative dry eye.There are provided an agent for promoting proliferation of a meibomian gland epithelial cell or a corneal epithelial cell, containing a PPARα or δ agonist as an active ingredient, as well as an agent for treating an ocular disease such as meibomian gland dysfunction or evaporative dry eye, containing a PPARα or δ agonist as an active ingredient. |
| US08148388B2 |
2,4 (4,6) pyrimidine derivatives
The present invention is drawn to 2,4 (4,6) pyrimidine derived macrocyclcs, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of making said compounds. The compounds disclosed herein are inhibitors of EGF receptor tyrosine kinases and are useful for treating cell proliferative disorders, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, and cancer. |
| US08148386B2 |
Agent for the prevention and treatment of prostatic hyperplasia comprising pyrazolopyrimidinone compound
The present invention relates to an agent for preventing and treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH and a relaxant for relaxing urethral smooth muscle or prostatic smooth muscle comprising a pyrazolopyrimidinone compound as an effective ingredient. The agent in accordance with the present invention can provide nitric oxides by inhibiting the activity of PDE-5 that decomposes c-GMP, and the provided nitric oxides relax the urethral smooth muscle or the prostatic smooth muscle to lower the intraurethral pressure (IUP), thus treating BPH and LUTS associated with BPH. Furthermore, the time required for reaching a maximum blood concentration is shorter and the half-life is longer than the other PDE-5 inhibitors, thus reducing the frequency of administration. Moreover, the agent of the invention causing few side effects can be efficiently used as a safe drug. |
| US08148385B2 |
Substituted [1,2,3] triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine derivatives as ADP P2Y12 receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to novel bicyclic triazolopyrimidine compounds of Formula (I) or a form thereof: wherein X1, X2, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein, and their methods of preparation and use as ADP inhibitors. |
| US08148383B2 |
Fused ring compound and use thereof
Provided is a novel compound represented by the following formula Wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof, which has an angiotensin II receptor antagonistic activity and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonistic activity, and is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of circulatory diseases such as hypertension and the like and/or metabolic diseases such as diabetes and the like, and the like. |
| US08148380B2 |
Antibacterial amide and sulfonamide substituted heterocyclic urea compounds
The present invention provides novel amide and sulfonamide substituted heterocyclic urea compounds having useful antibacterial activity. Use of these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions and method of their production are also provided. |
| US08148379B2 |
Therapeutic agent for senile dementia
A therapeutic/preventive agent for cognitive dysfunctions, which comprises as an active ingredient an imide derivative of the following formula [1]: wherein Z is a group of the formula [2]: D is a group of —(CH2)p-A-(CH2)q—; G is ═N—, —CH—, etc.; and Ar is an aromatic heterocyclic group, etc. |
| US08148377B2 |
Method of therapeutic administration of DHE to enable rapid relief of migraine while minimizing side effect profile
Pharmaceutical compositions containing dihydroergotamine (DHE) and methods in which DHE is administered to patients for treatment of migraine without side effects or adverse effects are disclosed. Methods for rapid treatment of migraine with DHE are disclosed comprising: dampening the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and slightly delaying the peak such as to avoid activating the dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors, while achieving sufficient active binding to the serotonin receptors to provide relief from migraine symptoms within a timeframe that permits rapid resolution of migraine symptoms. Inhaler devices suitable for the methods are disclosed. Kits for practicing the methods of invention are disclosed. |
| US08148376B2 |
3, 4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones for use as stearoyl CoA desaturase inhibitors
The present invention discloses 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones for use as inhibitors of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. The compounds are useful in treating and/or preventing various human diseases, mediated by stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) enzymes, especially diseases related to abnormal lipid levels, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, oily skin conditions, metabolic syndrome, and the like. |
| US08148375B2 |
(Cyclopropylphenyl)phenyloxamides, method for the production thereof, and use of same as a medicament
The invention relates to (cyclopropylphenyl) phenyloxamides and their physiologically tolerated salts, and their use as a medicament. |
| US08148373B2 |
Compounds
The present invention relates to spirocyclic amide derivatives of the formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy. |
| US08148368B2 |
7-nitro-2-(3-nitro phenyl)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one or derivatives thereof for treating or preventing antiviral infections
Surprising antiviral activity of 7-Nitro-2-(3-nitro phenyl)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (Compound 1) was reported in the treatment or prevention of viral infections, particularly in combination with other antiviral agents such as interferon and/or ribavarin. |
| US08148364B2 |
Substituted bicyclic pyrimidone derivatives
A pyrimidone derivative represented by formula (I) or a salt thereof, or a solvate thereof or a hydrate thereof: Wherein Y, Z, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, n, m, and o are as described herein. The invention relates also to a medicament comprising the said derivative or a salt thereof as an active ingredient which is used for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of a neurodegenerative disease caused by abnormal activity of GSK3β, such as Alzheimer disease. |
| US08148363B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds as factor IXA inhibitors
The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds of Formulae I-III; as disclosed herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, prodrug or stereoisomer thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds, and methods for using said compounds for treating or preventing a thromboembolic disorder. |
| US08148362B2 |
Compound having heterocyclic ring
The invention provides a novel oxazolidinone derivative represented by the formula (I): wherein Ring A is optionally substituted or fused and represents (A-1) at least 7-membered monocyclic hetero ring containing at least three N atoms; (A-2) at least 6-membered monocyclic hetero ring containing at least two N atoms and at least one O atom; or (A-3) at least 7-membered monocyclic hetero ring containing at least two N atoms and at least one S atom; X1 is a single bond, —O—, —S—, —NR2—, —CO—, —CS—, —CONR3—, —NR4CO—, —SO2NR5—, and —NR6SO2— (wherein R2-R6 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl), or lower alkylene or lower alkenylene in which one of the preceding groups may intervene; Ring B is optionally substituted carbocycle or optionally substituted heterocycle; R1 is hydrogen, or an organic residue which is able to bind to the 5-position of oxazolidinone ring in oxazolidinone antimicrobial agent, and an antibacterial agent containing the same. |
| US08148360B2 |
Supramolecular metallic complexes exhibiting both DNA binding and photocleavage
Supramolecular complexes that target and cleave DNA are provided. The supramolecular complexes include at least one metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) light absorbing unit, at least one Pt based DNA binding unit, and at least one bridging unit that serves to connect the components. The Pt-based DNA binding unit binds the complex to DNA, and the MLCT unit absorbs light, thereby sensitizing molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species in close proximity to the complex and the bound DNA. The reactive oxygen species cleave the bound DNA. |
| US08148358B2 |
Blue colour filters with enhanced contrast
The invention relates to a process for enhancing the contrast of color filters comprising α copper phthalocyanine or ε copper phthalocyanine, wherein a 1,4-diamino-anthraquinone dye or 1,9-annellated derivative thereof, of which the most bathochromic solution absorption peak in the visible spectrum is at from 575 to 615 nm, preferably at from 585 to 605 nm (as compared with around 630 nm for usual 1,4-diamino-anthraquinone dyes or 1,9-annellated derivatives thereof) is used in combination with α copper phthalocyanine or ε copper phthalocyanine. Also claimed are color filters comprising such 1,4-diamino-anthraquinone dyes or 1,9-annellated derivatives thereof, as well as a novel compound of Formula (II), wherein R16 is halogen, phenyl, benzyl or C1-C8alkyl and R17 is H, R16 is H and R17 is C1-C8alkyl, or R16 and R17 are both H; R18 is H, halogen, C1-C8alkyl or SO2NR13R14; R19, R20 and R21 are each independently from the others halogen or C1-C8alkyl; and R22 is independently from R18 SO2NR13R14, with the proviso that at least one of R18 and R22 is SO2NR13R14, and two radicals of Formula (II) can optionally be linked together via a direct bond or a group —O—, —S—, —NR14—, —CO—, —CO2—, —CONR14— or —CO2— connecting together each a substituent R16, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21 and R11 from both radicals of formula (II). |
| US08148357B2 |
Method for the production of resin particles
Resin particles are produced by adding a liquid material having a boiling point of 100° C. or higher to an aqueous dispersion of resin particles to yield a mixture, recovering a wet cake from the mixture by filtration, and drying the wet cake. A water-soluble material is preferably used as the liquid material. The liquid material may also be at least one compound selected from compounds listed in The Japanese Standards of Cosmetic Ingredients, The Japanese Cosmetic Ingredients Codex, The Pharmacopoeia of Japan, and The Japan's Specifications and Standards for Food Additives. According to this method, there are provided resin particles which are resistant to coagulation upon drying and are satisfactorily dispersible in other materials. |
| US08148356B2 |
Acetylcysteine composition and uses therefor
This invention relates to novel acetylcysteine compositions in solution, comprising acetylcysteine and which are substantially free of metal chelating agents, such as EDTA. Further, this invention relates to methods of making and using the acetylcysteine compositions. The present compositions and methods are designed to improve patient tolerance and compliance, while at the same time maintaining the stability of the pharmaceutical formulation. The compositions and methods of this invention are useful in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose, acute liver failure, various cancers, methacrylonitrile poisoning, reperfusion injury during cardio bypass surgery, and radiocontrast-induced nephropathy, and can also be used as a mucolytic agent. |
| US08148352B2 |
Antimicrobial therapy for bacterial infections
The disclosure provides compounds and methods to treat bacterial pathogenesis, and demonstrates that the S. aureus pigment is a virulence factor and potential novel target for antimicrobial therapy. |
| US08148345B2 |
Composition and method for in vivo and in vitro attenuation of gene expression using double stranded RNA
Introduction of double stranded RNA into cells, cell culture, organs and tissues, and whole organisms, particularly vertebrates, specifically attenuates gene expression. |
| US08148343B2 |
Tumor suppressor factor
The present invention relates to a tumor suppressor gene, termed HLS-5 and the amino acid sequence that it encodes. The present invention also relates to the use of HLS-5 in regulating cell growth. |
| US08148337B2 |
Vaginal compositions for treating pelvic tissue infections and traumas
A method of treatment for a pelvic tissue infection by vaginally administering an antibiotic and a prostaglandin to a patient is disclosed. A method of reducing surgical trauma resulting from a gynaecological operation by administering vaginally a composition comprising an antibiotic and a prostaglandin to a patient is also disclosed. |
| US08148336B2 |
Sterol glucoside toxins
The invention relates to the identification of sterol glucoside toxins, and provides methods for detecting and detoxifying the compounds, as well as therapeutic methods for treating subjects exposed to such toxins. In alternative embodiments, the toxins may for example include beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside (5-cholesten-24b-ethyl-3b-ol-D-glucoside) or cholesterol glucoside (5-cholesten-3b-ol-3b-D-glucoside). |
| US08148335B2 |
De-N-acetyl sialic acid antigens, antibodies thereto, and methods of use in cancer therapy
The present invention generally provides compositions methods and composition relating to the diagnosis and/or treatment of cancers having a cell surface de-N-acetylated sialic acid antigen, e.g., an at least partially de-N-acetylated ganglioside and/or a de-N-acetylated sialic acid-modified cell surface protein. |
| US08148334B2 |
Peptides with capacity for binding with interleukine 10 (IL-10)
The invention relates to peptides having the capacity to bind to interleukin-10 (IL-10) and their use in the treatment of clinical conditions or pathological disorders associated to IL-10 expression, particularly to a high IL-10 expression, for example, infectious diseases, tumors, cancers and acute damage conditions. |
| US08148333B2 |
Stable composition comprising a PTHrP analogue
The present invention provides a storage-stable composition containing a parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) analogue and methods of using a PTHrP analogue and the PTHrP compositions described herein to treat osteoporosis, to increase bone mass or to increase bone quality. The composition is storage stable, in sterile form, and in general may be stored at room temperature for at least several weeks to allow convenient parenteral administration to human patients. |
| US08148330B2 |
Modulation of synaptic maintenance
C1q is shown to be expressed in neurons, where it acts as a signal for synapse elimination. Methods are provided for protecting or treating an individual suffering from adverse effects of synapse loss. These findings have broad implications for a variety of clinical conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. |
| US08148327B2 |
Aldosterone induced elastin production
Compositions and methods for inducing the deposition of elastin in skin by administering compositions including a mineralocorticoid, such as, for example, aldosterone and, optionally, a secondary active agent for enhancing or modulating the effect of the mineralocorticoid are described herein. |
| US08148326B2 |
Flowable carrier matrix and methods for delivering to a patient
A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site. |
| US08148321B2 |
Bioconjugates as therapeutic agent and synthesis thereof
The present disclosure relates to a novel enzymatic approach according to the invention using an unprecedented sortase-catalyzed transpeptidation reaction between a substrate comprising LPXTG (SEQ ID NO: 11) peptide motif and biomolecules such as aminosugars, hydroxyamino acids, hydroxyamino acid esters, aminolipids, polyamines; nucleic acids or derivatives thereof; or any molecule having such moieties; or any compound having such moieties to obtain a bioconjugates useful for target delivery of a compound. The present disclosure provides bioconjugates obtained by the novel sortase catalysed transpeptidedation reaction. |
| US08148318B2 |
Home or fabric care compositions comprising certain dye-polymer complexes
The present invention relates to home or fabric care compositions comprising certain dye-polymer complexes. Additionally, methods for coloration of home or fabric care compositions using said dye-polymer complexes are disclosed. |
| US08148316B2 |
Stabilization of perhydrolases
Disclosed herein is a method for stabilization of the perhydrolase activity of the CE-7 esterase in a formulation with a carboxylic acid ester that employs the addition of a buffering agent, substantially undissolved, to the mixture of the CE-7 esterase and the carboxylic acid ester. Further, disinfectant and laundry care formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided. |
| US08148315B2 |
Method for uniform deposition of fabric care actives in a non-aqueous fabric treatment system
A method for uniform deposition of fabric care actives to a fabric article in a non-aqueous solvent based fabric treatment process; and compositions capable of uniformly depositing the fabric care actives on the fabric article being treated to achieve maximum benefit. |
| US08148313B2 |
Use of a mixture of non-ionic surfactants in cleansing compositions
The invention relates to selected surface-active substances of groups a) and b), the surface-active compound a) being selected from compounds of general formula (Ia), wherein M represents a group CH2—CH2 or CHR—CH2, R, R′ or R″ independently represent saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl groups or alkenyl groups with 6 to 22 C atoms, and the indices n and m independently can have values between 1 and 40, and/or compounds of general formula (Ib), wherein R′″ and R″″ independently represent saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl groups or alkenyl groups with 4 to 22 C atoms, and the indices n and m independently can have values between 1 and 40 and X′ and X″ independently represent H or saturated, unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl groups or alkenyl groups with 1 to 18 C atoms. The surface active substances of the invention, either on their own or combined with other nonionic surfactants, lead to dishwashing agents with an improved drying performance, especially in multifunctional agents for automatic dishwashers. |
| US08148312B2 |
Method of treating a substrate with stable bleaches with coloring agents
The invention provides an aqueous bleaching solution for substrate treatment comprising a source of oxidant and a suspended polymer matrix having a plurality of optically functional particles associated with one or more copolymers present in the polymer matrix. The plurality of optically functional particles are associated with the copolymer during polymerization of at least one hydrophobic and at least one hydrophilic monomer so as to form a polymer matrix useful to impart an aqueous bleaching solution with optically functional properties providing a benefit to the solutions during storage, use and application to substrates for treatment. In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the suspended polymer matrix forms a substantially stable dispersion of the optically functional particles in the aqueous bleaching solution, and provides compositions, methods and kits for employing aqueous bleaching solutions having optically functional properties that are maintained over substantially long storage times. |
| US08148304B2 |
Copolymer based on a sulfonic acid-containing compound
A copolymer containing, as monomer components, a) at least one sulfonic acid-containing compound, b) at least one nitrogen-containing N-vinylamide, one acrylamide or methacrylamide and c) at least one bifunctional or higher-functional vinyl ether is proposed. These copolymers are suitable in particular as thixotropic agents, antisegregation agents and water retention agents and overall as an additive in cement-containing but also gypsum-based systems. Such copolymers having a molecular weight of >40 000 g/mol can be used in particular as admixtures in the exploration of mineral oil and natural gas deposits. |
| US08148303B2 |
Surfactant additives used to retain producibility while drilling
A method comprises providing a drilling fluid comprising: an aqueous fluid; and a microemulsion surfactant; and drilling a well bore in a subterranean formation comprising an oleaginous fluid using the drilling fluid, wherein the microemulsion surfactant forms a microemulsion with the oleaginous fluid within the well bore. In accordance with the method, the subterranean formation has a retained producibility greater than about 50%. |
| US08148302B2 |
In situ assembling of protein microarrays
The invention provides a microarray and methods for producing a protein microarray. The array comprises multiple nucleic acid molecules immobilized on a substrate, each comprising (i) a protein-binding domain and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding a fusion protein comprising a polypeptide of interest and a DNA-binding protein that binds the protein-binding domain, and one or more fusion proteins produced from the multiple nucleic acid molecules. Each fusion protein is immobilized on the substrate via binding to a nucleic acid sequence comprising the protein-binding domain present on the nucleic acid molecule from which the fusion protein is produced or on the substrate. The invention also provides a method of analyzing protein interactions with, for example, other proteins, lipids and drugs. |
| US08148301B2 |
Method for polishing tape-shaped substrate for oxide superconductor, oxide superconductor, and base material for oxide superconductor
An oxide superconductor member is composed of a tape-shaped substrate, an intermediate layer formed on this substrate and an oxide superconductor thin film layer formed on this intermediate layer. A surface of the tape-shaped substrate is polished by continuously running the tape-shaped substrate. The polishing step includes initial polishing process and finishing process which are carried out such that the average surface roughness Ra of the substrate becomes 2 nanometers or less and the in-plane directionality of the intermediate layer becomes 5° or less after the polishing step. |
| US08148300B2 |
Superconducting film and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a superconducting film having a substrate and a superconductor layer formed on the substrate, in which nano grooves are formed parallel to a current flowing direction on a substrate surface on which the superconductor layer is formed and two-dimensional crystal defects are introduced in the superconductor layer on the nano grooves, and a method of manufacturing this superconducting film. A superconducting film of the invention, which is obtained at low cost and has very high Jc, is useful in applications such as cables, magnets, shields, current limiters, microwave devices, and semifinished products of these articles. |
| US08148299B2 |
Reversible thermosensitive recording material, IC card, magnetic card and method for producing reversible thermosensitive recording material
A reversible thermosensitive recording material including a support, a reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and a gas barrier layer, the reversible thermosensitive recording layer and gas barrier layer being laid over the support, wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is formed of a reversible thermosensitive composition containing a mixture of an electron-accepting compound and an electron-donating color-forming compound whose color-developed state varies depending upon at least one of a heating temperature and a cooling rate after heating, and wherein the gas barrier layer contains an inorganic layered compound and a gas barrier resin which is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol polymers and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers. |
| US08148292B2 |
Preparation of high activity cobalt catalysts, the catalysts and their use
A method is provided for preparing a supported cobalt-containing catalyst having substantially homogenously dispersed, small cobalt crystallites. The method comprises depositing cobalt nitrate on a support and then heating the support in an oxygen-containing, substantially water-free atmosphere to about 160° C. to form an intermediate decomposition product. This intermediate decomposition product is then calcined and reduced. |
| US08148291B2 |
Method for manufacturing catalyst for use in production of methacrylic acid
It is an object of the present invention to provide a catalyst having excellent performance and high mechanical strength for use in the production of methacrylic acid. A method for manufacturing a catalyst comprising essential active components of molybdenum, phosphorus, vanadium, cesium, ammonia, copper, and antimony for use in the production of methacrylic acid, comprising drying a slurry prepared by mixing a compound(s) containing the essential active components with water and then calcining the resulting dry powder and molding the calcined powder. |
| US08148289B2 |
Titanium oxide photocatalyst and method for producing the same
A titanium oxide photocatalyst that is capable of improving a decomposition rate, and a method for producing the same are provided. The titanium oxide photocatalyst of the present invention is a titanium oxide photocatalyst containing at least an anatase-type titanium oxide and fluorine, wherein a content of the fluorine is 2.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, and 90 wt % or more of the fluorine is chemically bonded to the anatase-type titanium oxide. |
| US08148287B2 |
Catalyst immobilization on siliceous mesocellular foam via click chemistry
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a heterogenised catalyst, comprising grafting a catalyst or catalyst precursor, via click chemistry, to a siliceous mesocellular foam (MCF). The invention also relates to a heterogenised catalyst comprising a catalyst species grafted onto a siliceous mesocellular foam (MCF) via a 1,2,3-triazole. |
| US08148286B2 |
Activated alkaline earth metal, in particular magnesium, for the preparation of organoalkaline earth metal compounds
The invention relates to an activated alkaline earth metal, to a method for its production and the use of the activated alkaline earth metal for the preparation of Grignard compounds and organoalkaline earth metal compounds. |
| US08148285B2 |
Method for manufacturing zeolite Y with aluminum and titanium inserted therein
A catalytic composition for hydrotreating of hydrocarbons is made in which a metallic component for hydrogenation is carried on a carrier formed of zeolite Y with aluminum and titanium inserted therein and a porous inorganic oxide. The zeolite Y has: unit cell dimension in a range from 24.25 to 24.60 Å, crystallinity of 95% or more, specific surface area of 500 m2/g or more, total pore volume of a group of pores each having a diameter of 600 Å or below in a range from 0.45 to 0.70 ml/g, pore volume of a group of pores each having a diameter in a range from 100 to 600 Å in a range from 0.10 to 0.40 ml/g, and pore volume of a group of pores each having a diameter in a range from 35 to 50 Å in a range 0.03 to 0.15 ml/g. |
| US08148280B2 |
Optical glass
An optical glass of the present invention has optical constants of a refractive index (nd) within a range from 1.75 to 1.85 and an Abbe number (νd) within a range from 35 to 45, comprises SiO2 and B2O3 as essential components and one or more components selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, Nb2O5, Ta2O5 and WO3, has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 580° C. or below and has weathering resistance (surface method) of Class 1 or Class 2. |
| US08148278B2 |
Water-dispersible and multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240° C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs. |
| US08148277B2 |
Process for binding fibrous materials utilizing a polyanhydride and resulting product
A process for securely binding the adjoining fibers of a fibrous material in the absence of the use of a phenol-formaldehyde reaction product is provided. A curable binding composition comprising a water-soluble intermediate reaction product having hydroxyl and carboxylic acid end groups that is capable of undergoing an esterification crosslinking reaction is provided. The intermediate reaction product is formed by the reaction of (i) a polyanhydride, and (ii) certain polyol crosslinkers other than an alkanolamine. Such crosslinkers have been found to yield a bound product that displays improved color (i.e., lighter color). Particularly preferred crosslinkers are triethylene glycol and tripropylene glycol. When applied to a fibrous material, the intermediate reaction product is reacted with crosslinking to form a cured reaction product. In a preferred embodiment the securely bound fibrous product is building insulation of good color that well resists water. |
| US08148276B2 |
Three-dimensionally reinforced multifunctional nanocomposites
A three-dimensional composite reinforcement, a three-dimensionally reinforced multifunctional nanocomposite, and methods of manufacture of each are disclosed. The three dimensional reinforcement comprises a two dimensional fiber cloth upon which carbon nanotubes have been grown, approximately perpendicular to the plane of the fiber cloth. The nanocomposite comprises the three-dimensional reinforcement and a surrounding matrix material. Examples illustrate improvements in the through-thickness mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the nanocomposite, in addition to substantial improvements in geometrical stability upon temperature changes and vibrational damping, compared to baseline composites reinforced with the two-dimensional fiber cloth alone. Embodiments of the nanocomposite may also be configured to perform multiple functions simultaneously, such as bearing a thermal or mechanical load simultaneously or bearing a mechanical load while also monitoring the state of damage within the nanocomposite. |
| US08148275B2 |
Method for forming dielectric films
A method for forming dielectric films including metal nitride silicate on a silicon substrate, comprises a first step of depositing a film containing metal and silicon on a silicon substrate in a non-oxidizing atmosphere using a sputtering method; a second step of forming a film containing nitrogen, metal and silicon by nitriding the film containing metal and silicon; and a third step of forming a metal nitride silicate film by oxidizing the film containing nitrogen, metal and silicon. |
| US08148268B2 |
Plasma treatment apparatus and plasma treatment method
The invention provides a plasma treatment apparatus or a plasma treatment method having a high productivity while maintaining a stable treatment performance. In a plasma treatment apparatus feeding a plurality of gases fed into the treatment chamber and treating a sample arranged within the treatment chamber by a plasma formed by using the plurality of gases, the plasma treatment apparatus has a plurality of feeding gas lines in which the plurality of gases respectively pass, a plurality of gas flow rate regulators respectively arranged on the feeding gas lines and respectively regulating flow rates of the plurality of gases, and a testing gas flow path coupled to the gas line so as to be arranged outside the treatment chamber and arranging a tester testing a flow rate of a gas from a gas flow rate controller therein, and the plasma treatment apparatus tests the gas flow rate regulator on a gas line corresponding to the gas which is not used for the treatment in the plurality of gases in parallel with the treatment. |
| US08148266B2 |
Method and apparatus for conformable polishing
A multi-station polish system and process for polishing thin, flat (planar) and rigid workpieces. Workpieces are conveyed through multiple polishing stations that include a bulk material removal belt polishing station and finishing rotary polishing station. The bulk of the material is relatively quickly removed at the bulk removal station using a conformable abrasive belt and the workpiece surface is then polished to the desired finish at the finishing station using a conformable annular rotary polishing pad. |
| US08148265B2 |
Two-step hardmask fabrication methodology for silicon waveguides
Techniques are disclosed for efficiently fabricating semiconductors including waveguide structures. In particular, a two-step hardmask technology is provided that enables a stable etch base within semiconductor processing environments, such as the CMOS fabrication environment. The process is two-step in that there is deposition of a two-layer hardmask, followed by a first photolithographic pattern, followed by a first silicon etch, then a second photolithographic pattern, and then a second silicon etch. The process can be used, for example, to form a waveguide structure having both ridge and channel configurations, or a waveguide (ridge and/or channel) and a salicide heater structure, all achieved using the same hardmask. The second photolithographic pattern allows for the formation of the lower electrical contacts to the waveguides (or other structures) without a complicated rework of the hardmask. |
| US08148264B2 |
Methods for fabrication of high aspect ratio micropillars and nanopillars
Methods for fabrication of high aspect ratio micropillars and nanopillars are described. Use of alumina as an etch mask for the fabrication methods is also described. The resulting micropillars and nanopillars are analyzed and a characterization of the etch mask is provided. |
| US08148260B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of forming the same
Provided may be a semiconductor memory device and a method of forming the semiconductor memory device. The memory device of example embodiments may include a bit line structure including a bit line on a semiconductor substrate, and a buried contact plug structure including a buried contact pad and a buried contact plug that extends in a lower portion of the bit line from one side of the bit line and connected to the buried contact pad. A width of the buried contact plug near a top surface of the buried contact pad may be greater than a width of the buried contact plug adjacent to the bit line. |
| US08148258B2 |
Method for fabricating electrical bonding pads on a wafer
A method for fabricating electrical bonding pads on the electrical contact areas of a wafer includes producing first blocks made of a solder material, producing second blocks made of a solder material on these first blocks, and passing the blocks through an oven so as to shape the blocks into approximately domed electrical bonding pads. |
| US08148257B1 |
Semiconductor structure and method for making same
One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming an electronic device, comprising: providing a workpiece; forming a first barrier layer over the workpiece; forming an intermediate conductive layer over the first barrier layer; forming a second barrier layer over the intermediate conductive layer; forming a seed layer over the second barrier layer; removing a portion of the seed layer to leave a remaining portion of the seed layer and to expose a portion of the second barrier layer; and electroplating a fill layer on the remaining portion of the seed layer. |
| US08148254B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes the successive steps of: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a plurality of semiconductor chips having electrode pads on the semiconductor substrate; (c) forming internal connection terminals on the electrode pads; (d) forming an insulating layer on the plurality of semiconductor chips to cover the internal connection terminals; (e) forming a metal layer on the insulating layer; (f) pushing a whole area of the metal layer to bring the metal layer into contact with upper end portions of the internal connection terminals; (g) pushing portions of the metal layer which contact the upper end portions of the internal connection terminals, thereby forming first recesses in the internal connection terminals, and thereby forming second recesses in the metal layer; and (h) forming wiring patterns by etching the metal layer. |
| US08148253B2 |
Electronic component soldering structure and electronic component soldering method
In an electronic component soldering method of connecting a terminal provided on a flexible substrate to an electrode of a rigid substrate, after solder-mixed resin in which solder particles are mixed in thermosetting resin has been applied onto the rigid substrate so as to cover the electrode, the flexible substrate is put on the rigid substrate and heat-pressed, whereby there are formed a resin part that bonds the both substrates by thermosetting of the thermosetting resin, and a solder part which is surrounded by the resin part and has narrowed parts in which the peripheral surface is narrowed inward in the vicinity of the terminal surface and in the vicinity of the electrode surface. Hereby, the solder parts are soldered to the electrodes and the terminal at acute contact angles so that the production of shape-discontinuities which lowers fatigue strength can be eliminated. |
| US08148249B2 |
Methods of fabricating high-k metal gate devices
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices with high-k/metal gate features are disclosed. In some instances, methods of fabricating semiconductor devices with high-k/metal gate features are disclosed that prevent or reduce high-k/metal gate contamination of non-high-k/metal gate wafers and production tools. In some embodiments, the method comprises forming an interfacial layer over a semiconductor substrate on a front side of the substrate; forming a high-k dielectric layer and a capping layer over the interfacial layer; forming a metal layer over the high-k and capping layers; forming a polysilicon layer over the metal layer; and forming a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate on a back side of the substrate. |
| US08148245B2 |
Method for producing a-IGZO oxide thin film
There is provided a method for producing an a-IGZO oxide thin film by sputtering, which can control the carrier density of the film to a given value with high reproducibility. The method is an amorphous In—Ga—Zn—O based oxide thin film production method including: providing a sintered oxide material consisting essentially of indium (In), gallium (Ga), zinc (Zn), and oxygen (O) as constituent elements, wherein the ratio [In]/([In]+[Ga]) of the number of indium atoms to the total number of indium and gallium atoms is from 20% to 80%, the ratio [Zn]/([In]+[Ga]+[Zn]) of the number of zinc atoms to the total number of indium, gallium and zinc atoms is from 10% to 50%, and the sintered oxide material has a specific resistance of 1.0×10−1 Ωcm or less; and producing a film on a substrate by direct current sputtering at a sputtering power density of 2.5 to 5.5 W/cm2 using the sintered oxide material as a sputtering target. |
| US08148242B2 |
Oxidation after oxide dissolution
A method for manufacturing a SeOI substrate that includes a thin working layer made from one or more semiconductor material(s); a support layer; and a thin buried oxide layer between the working layer and the support layer. The method includes a manufacturing step of an intermediate SeOI substrate having a buried oxide layer with a thickness greater than a thickness desired for the thin buried oxide layer; and a dissolution step of the buried oxide layer in order to form therewith the thin buried oxide layer. After the dissolution step, an oxidation step of the substrate is conducted for creating an oxidized layer on the substrate, and an oxide migration step for diffusing at least a part of the oxide layer through the working layer in order to increase the electrical interface quality of the substrate and decrease its Dit value. |
| US08148235B2 |
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices
Methods of forming air gaps between interconnects of integrated circuits and structures thereof are disclosed. A first insulating material is deposited over a workpiece, and a second insulating material having a sacrificial portion is deposited over the first insulating material. Conductive lines are formed in the first and second insulating layers. The second insulating material is treated to remove the sacrificial portion, and at least a portion of the first insulating material is removed, forming air gaps between the conductive lines. The second insulating material is impermeable as deposited and permeable after treating it to remove the sacrificial portion. A first region of the workpiece may be masked during the treatment, so that the second insulating material becomes permeable in a second region of the workpiece yet remains impermeable in the first region, thus allowing the formation of the air gaps in the second region, but not the first region. |
| US08148230B2 |
Method of making damascene diodes using selective etching methods
A method of making a semiconductor device includes providing an insulating layer containing a plurality of openings, forming a first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the plurality of openings, forming a second conductivity type semiconductor layer over the first conductivity type semiconductor layer in the plurality of openings, and selectively etching the second conductivity type semiconductor layer using an upper surface of the first conductivity type semiconductor layer as a stop to form a recess in the plurality of openings. |
| US08148228B2 |
Surface patterned topography feature suitable for planarization
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises implanting a first dopant type in a well region of a substrate to form implanted sub-regions that are separated by non-implanted areas of the well region. The method also comprises forming an oxide layer over the well region, such that an oxide-converted first thickness of the implanted sub-regions is greater than an oxide-converted second thickness of the non-implanted areas. The method further comprises removing the oxide layer to form a topography feature on the well region. The topography feature comprises a surface pattern of higher and lower portions. The higher portions correspond to locations of the non-implanted areas and the lower portions correspond to the implanted sub-regions. |
| US08148224B2 |
Insulated gate type semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
In an insulated-gate type semiconductor device in which a gate-purpose conductive layer is embedded into a trench which is formed in a semiconductor substrate, and a source-purpose conductive layer is provided on a major surface of the semiconductor substrate, a portion of a gate pillar which is constituted by both the gate-purpose conductive layer and a cap insulating film for capping an upper surface of the gate-purpose conductive layer is projected from the major surface of the semiconductor substrate; a side wall spacer is provided on a side wall of the projected portion of the gate pillar; and the source-purpose conductive layer is connected to a contact region of the major surface of the semiconductor substrate, which is defined by the side wall spacer. |
| US08148221B2 |
Double anneal with improved reliability for dual contact etch stop liner scheme
A method for forming a device with both PFET and NFET transistors using a PFET compressive etch stop liner and a NFET tensile etch stop liner and two anneals in a deuterium containing atmosphere. The method comprises: providing a NFET transistor in a NFET region and a PFET transistor in a PFET region. We form a NFET tensile contact etch-stop liner over the NFET region. Then we perform a first deuterium anneal. We form a PFET compressive etch stop liner over the PFET region. We form a (ILD) dielectric layer with contact openings over the substrate. We perform a second deuterium anneal. The temperature of the second deuterium anneal is less than the temperature of the first deuterium anneal. |
| US08148218B2 |
Semiconductor device with group III-V channel and group IV source-drain and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention is related to a semiconductor device with group III-V channel and group IV source-drain and a method for manufacturing the same. Particularly, the energy level density and doping concentration of group III-V materials are increased by the heteroepitaxy of group III-V and group IV materials and the structural design of elements. The method comprises: preparing a substrate; depositing a dummy gate material layer on the substrate and defining a dummy gate from the dummy gate material layer by photolithography; performing doping by self-aligned ion implantation using the dummy gate as a mask and performing activation at high temperature, so as to form source-drain; removing the dummy gate; forming a recess in the substrate between the source-drain pair by etching; forming a channel-containing stacked element in the recess by epitaxy; and forming a gate on the channel-containing stacked element. |
| US08148216B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and process of producing the same
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory of an aspect of the present invention comprises a semiconductor substrate, a pillar-shaped semiconductor layer extending in the vertical direction with respect to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of memory cells arranged in the vertical direction on the side surface of the semiconductor layer and having a charge storage layer and a control gate electrode, a first select gate transistor arranged on the semiconductor layer at an end of the memory cells on the side of the semiconductor substrate, and a second select gate transistor arranged on the semiconductor layer on the other end of the memory cells opposite to the side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first select gate transistor includes a diffusion layer in the semiconductor substrate and is electrically connected to the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer by way of the diffusion layer that serves as the drain region. |
| US08148210B1 |
Method for fabricating a semiconductor chip panel
The method includes providing a plurality of semiconductor chips and placing the plurality of semiconductor chips on a carrier. A compression molding apparatus is provided that includes a first tool and a second tool. The carrier is placed on the first tool of the compression molding apparatus and the semiconductor chips are encapsulated in a mold material by compression molding. During compression molding a heat transfer from the first tool to an upper surface of the carrier is delayed. |
| US08148194B2 |
Solar cell, manufacturing method thereof and electrode material
There is presented a solar cell comprising a semiconductor substrate of one conductivity-type, a layer of the opposite conductivity-type provided on a surface side of the semiconductor substrate, a surface electrode formed thereon, and a backside electrode formed on a backside of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is formed with protrusions and recesses on the surface side thereof, and spaces that are filled with a glass component of an electrode material of the surface electrode are present in bottom portions of the recesses. This arrangement has eliminated a conventional problem in that silver in the electrode material gets into the bottom portions of the recesses and causes defects to be generated in the recesses due to stress generated during forming of the electrode. |
| US08148193B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device such as a phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region, a conductive pattern disposed to expose the active region, an interlayer dielectric pattern provided on the conductive pattern and including an opening formed on the exposed active region and a contact hole spaced apart from the opening to expose the conductive pattern, a semiconductor pattern and a heater electrode pattern electrically connected to the exposed active region and provided in the opening, a contact plug connected to the exposed conductive pattern and provided to fill the contact hole, and a phase change material layer provided on the heater electrode pattern. |
| US08148192B2 |
Transparent solar cell method of fabrication via float glass process
The present invention provides improved devices such as transparent solar cells. This patent teaches a particularly efficient method of device manufacture based on incorporating the solar cell fabrication into the widely used, high temperature, Float Glass manufacture process. |
| US08148190B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed are methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method of manufacturing one semiconductor device includes forming a transistor structure on a semiconductor substrate, forming a metal interconnection layer on the transistor structure, forming a protective layer on the metal interconnection layer, and implanting hydrogen ions into the semiconductor substrate having the protective layer by using a hydrogen ion implanter. Hydrogen ions are stably and effectively implanted into a selected region by using a hydrogen ion implanter in the manufacturing process of the semiconductor device, thereby facilitating the manufacturing process and improving the performance of the semiconductor device. |
| US08148186B2 |
Long-wavelength resonant-cavity light-emitting diode
An efficient long-wavelength light-emitting diode has a resonant-cavity design. The light-emitting diode preferably has self-organized (In,Ga)As or (In,Ga)(As,N) quantum dots in the light-emitting active region, deposited on a GaAs substrate. The light-emitting diode is capable of emitting in a long-wavelength spectral range of preferably 1.15-1.35 μm. The light-emitting diode also has a high efficiency of preferably at least 6 mW and more preferably at least 8 mW at an operating current of less than 100 mA and a low operating voltage of preferably less than 3V. In addition, the light-emitting diode preferably has an intensity of maxima, other than the main maximum of the emission spectrum, of less than 1% of an intensity of the main maximum. This combination of parameters makes such a device useful as an inexpensive optical source for various applications. |
| US08148183B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device includes forming a separation groove on a major surface of a substrate. A semiconductor layer including a light emitting layer is formed on the substrate. The separation groove separates the semiconductor layer into a plurality of elements. The method includes forming an insulating film on the major surface of the substrate. The insulating film covers the semiconductor layer and a bottom surface of the separation groove provided on the substrate. The method includes separating the substrate from the semiconductor layer by irradiating the semiconductor layer with laser light from an surface of the substrate opposite to the major surface. An edge portion of irradiation area of the laser light is positioned near an edge portion of the semiconductor layer neighboring the separation groove. |
| US08148175B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus for semiconductor device and manufacturing method for semiconductor device
A manufacturing apparatus for a semiconductor device, treating a SiN film formed on a wafer with phosphoric acid solution, including a processing bath to store phosphoric acid solution provided for treatment of the wafer, a control unit for calculating integrated SiN etching amount of the phosphoric acid solution, determining necessity of quality adjustment of the phosphoric acid solution, based on correlation between the integrated SiN etching amount calculated and etching selectivity to oxide film, and calculating a quality adjustment amount of the phosphoric acid solution as needed, and also including a mechanism to adjust the quality of the phosphoric acid solution based on the quality adjustment amount calculated. |
| US08148170B2 |
Immunosensors: scFv-linker design for surface immobilization
An apparatus and methods for binding an analyte of interest in a sample are provided. The apparatus comprises a substrate with an exposed surface with an compound, that is electrostatically charged or capable of forming hydrogen bonds, provided bound to the solid substrate. A recombinant single chain antibody (scFv) molecule specific for the analyte of interest, having one or more amino acids with charged or hydrogen-bond forming sidechains in a linker polypeptide portion, is bound to the layer on the solid substrate. When the analyte of interest is present in the sample the scFv binds the analyte to the solid substrate. The apparatus can be used with an immunoglobulin layer to detect Fc receptors, so as to detect microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus having protein A or protein G. |
| US08148168B2 |
Method and device for sample preparation
The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of extraction media positioned in the column, often between two frits. In some embodiments, the extraction columns employ modified pipette tips as column bodies. In some embodiments, the extraction columns are comprised of frits having a low pore. In some embodiments, the frits of the extraction columns have a pore volume of less than one microliter or less than 10% of the interstitial volume of the bed of extraction media. |
| US08148167B2 |
Fluorescent pH detector system and related methods
Fluorescent pH detector and methods for measuring pH using the fluorescent pH detector. |
| US08148164B2 |
System and method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample fluid
The present disclosure relates to various methods for measuring the amount of an analyte present in a biological fluid using an electrochemical testing process. Various embodiments are disclosed, including the use of AC test signals and the performance of tests having a Total Test Time within about 2.0 seconds or less, and/or having a clinically low Total System Error. |
| US08148162B2 |
Temperature-adjusted analyte determination for biosensor system
A biosensor system determines analyte concentration from an output signal generated by an oxidation/reduction reaction of the analyte. The biosensor system adjusts a correlation for determining analyte concentrations from output signals at one temperature to determining analyte concentrations from output signals at other temperatures. The temperature-adjusted correlation between analyte concentrations and output signals at a reference temperature may be used to determine analyte concentrations from output signals at a sample temperature. |
| US08148161B2 |
Selective membranes/thin films for analytical applications
Disclosed herein is a composition having: a polymer having a carbosilane or siloxane backbone and pendant hydrogen-bond acidic groups; and a filler material having polar groups. The polymer is not covalently bound to the filler material. |
| US08148160B2 |
Electrode for molecular sensing and method for molecular sensing
Molecular sensing of target molecules is performed by using an electrode for molecular sensing in which detecting molecules which can shift a surface potential of the electrode by an interaction with the target molecules are bound directly or via coupling molecules to surface hydroxyl groups on a conductive metal oxide. By this molecular sensing, specific target molecules can be detected selectively and stably with high accuracy. It is also possible to detect an enantiomer selectively and stably with high accuracy. The present invention can provide a chemical sensing system which is useful in fields such as medicines, environments and foods. |
| US08148153B2 |
Substrate for cell culture, producing method thereof and screening method for cell culture conditions utilizing the same
A cell culture substrate having at least one area for culturing a cell on a substrate, characterized in that the culturing area comprises an area releasably holding a biologically active substance having a biological activity to the cell and an area for immobilizing a biologically active substance having a biological activity to the cell. |
| US08148152B2 |
Method for the preparation of embryoid bodies (EBs) and uses thereof
Provided are means and methods for producing embryoid bodies (EBs) from multi- or pluripotent cells. In particular, a method of generating embryoid bodies (EBs) is described comprising agitation of a liquid suspension culture of multi- or pluripotent cells in a container until generation of cell aggregates, optionally diluting the suspension, and further agitation of the suspension until formation of EBs. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the novel culturing method and EBs obtained thereby for a variety of applications including genomics, diagnostic assays, teratogenic/embryotoxicological and pharmacological assays as well as for the provision of tissue grafts. |
| US08148150B2 |
Method for the production of intervertebral disk cell transplants and their use as transplantation material
The invention relates to a method for the in vitro production of intervertebral disk cartilage cell transplants from affected intervertebral disk tissue from patients and to the use thereof as transplantation material for the treatment of affected intervertebral disks. The invention also relates to a three-dimensional, vital, and mechanically stable intervertebral disk cartilage tissue and to the use thereof as transplantation material for the treatment of affected intervertebral disks and in testing active substances. Furthermore, the invention is directed to the surgical technique for incorporating the transplants, to the intervertebral disk cell transplants and intervertebral disk cartilage tissues produced, and to therapeutic formulations, e.g. injection solutions, which include said tissue and said cell transplants. |
| US08148144B2 |
pCryptoRNAi
A vector developed to transform fungi can be used to study the expression of a gene of interest. The vector can provide for the expression of signal proteins in fungi that can be observed and/or monitored. The vector can be used to investigate the effects of RNA interference on a gene of interest in pathogenic fungi. Systems and methods of using the vector are provided. |
| US08148143B2 |
Method and composition for genetically modifying non-human cells and animals
A vector and its use to generate genetically modified animals and cells is disclosed. One aspect involves a vector that comprises a sperm cell and one or more polynucleotide molecules bound to a sperm cell through one or more anti-sperm antibody linker. In one preferred embodiment, the one or more polynucleotide molecules encode for a gene product that confers desired characteristics in the cells or the animals. In another preferred embodiment, the genetically modified cells are able to produce desired therapeutic proteins. The association of the sperm, linker, and the one or more polynucleotide can occur in vitro or in vivo. In another embodiment, the genetically modified cells are transgenic chicken eggs in which one or more desired recombinant protein is expressed. In another aspect, genetically modified cells or animals are derived form the fertilization of an animal egg call with the vector described above. Another aspect includes cells, such as sperm cells or egg cells, and cell lines that are derived from these genetically modified animals or their descendants. |
| US08148138B2 |
Plant seed assemblies comprising bacterial/fungal antagonists
A seed treated with a fungal/bacterial antagonist combination and a seed assembly comprising a seed and a fungal/bacterial antagonist combination. The fungal/bacterial antagonist combination comprises a Trichoderma virens fungal antagonist and a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens bacterial antagonist for controlling plant pathogens as a biocontrol agent, bio-pesticide or bio-fungicide. In preferred embodiments, the invention produces an increase in plant yield. Control of early and late season stalk and root rot caused by fungi such as Fusarium, Phythium, Phytophthora and Penicillium in tomatoes, peppers, turf grass, soybeans, sunflower, wheat and corn is achieved. |
| US08148133B2 |
Fossil fuel-free process of lignocellulosic pretreatment with biological hydrogen production
The invention provides an isolated haloalkaliphilic microorganism designated as strain sapolanicus belonging to the genus Halanaerobium, which is capable of producing hydrogen from biomass. Methods of producing biohydrogen comprising the fermentation of the microorganism with alkaline pretreated biomass are also provided. Fermentation is preferably carried out without neutralization of the pretreated biomass and at a pH of greater than or equal to about 10. |
| US08148130B2 |
T4 bacteriophage bound to a substrate
T4 bacteriophages are bound to substrates such as liposomes using a binder. |
| US08148127B2 |
Polypeptides having glucoamylase activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to polypeptides having glucoamylase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. The invention also relates to the composition comprising a glucoamylase of the invention as well as the use such compositions for starch conversion processes, brewing, including processes for producing fermentation products or syrups. |
| US08148124B2 |
Regulation of gene expression by protein methylation
The invention relates to the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence of the Coactivator Associated arginine (R) Methyltransferase protein, CARM1. A method is described for the use CARM1 to regulate gene expression in vivo. CARM1 has also been used to methylate arginine residues of histones, synthetic peptides, and other proteins. A method to use CARM1 to screen for drugs that inhibit its methyltransferase activity is also described, as is a method to screen for drugs that modulate CARM1's interactions with other proteins. |
| US08148123B2 |
Methods for lowering elevated uric acid levels using intravenous injections of PEG-uricase
A method for lowering elevated uric acid levels in patients is disclosed and consists of administering to the patients an intravenous injection of PEG-uricase having a dosage from about 4 to about 12 mg. |
| US08148120B2 |
Concentration and separation of lipids from renewable resources
Disclosed are methods that can advantageously utilize the natural consumptive and conversion processes of an aquatic organism culture system to concentrate and separate microbial plant-generated lipids. For instance, an aquatic organism culture can be maintained and/or grown upon an algal biomass. The natural conversion processes of the animals allows for uptake and processing of the components of the algal biomass into animal lipid. The aquatic animal culture can then be easily harvested such that a high percentage of the converted algal-generated lipid can be extracted using a low cost, simple and quick process. The disclosed processes provide an efficient oil production, conversion and recovery system that can be economically scaled up for use in, for example, integrated bioenergy and biodiesel production. |
| US08148119B2 |
Hydroxylase gene and use thereof
A vitamin D3 hydroxylase is purified from Pseudonocardia autotrophica cell, and a primer is designed based on amino acid sequence obtained from hydroxylase. Subsequently, PCR is conducted using genomic DNA of Pseudonocardia autotrophica as a template to clone a gene for the vitamin D3 hydroxylase. By conducting a conversion reaction using a microorganism in which the vitamin D3 hydroxylase gene is expressed using a proper expression system, a hydroxide of vitamin D or the like (e.g., hydroxy vitamin D3) can be produced with high efficiency. |
| US08148113B2 |
Method for producing glucosamine by culturing microorganism with low-cost medium
A method for producing glucosamine with microorganism comprises of fermenting with a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Monascus pilosus and Aspergillus sp. in a novel low-cost medium, thereby enable it to produce glucosamine; wherein said medium is consisted of commercial Taiwan sugar, soy beam, rice bran and the like; wherein suitable condition for the fermentation is: 150˜300 rpm, pH 4˜pH 8, and 24° C.˜37° C.; wherein, after fermentation culturing, the fermentation liquor is filtered with suction to recover said microorganism biomass, said microorganism biomass is then subjected to steps of cell disruption, hydrochloric acid reaction, neutralization reaction and filtration, to obtain glucosamine produced by the microorganism. |
| US08148110B2 |
Detection of molecular interactions by β-lactamase reporter fragment complementation
Methods and compositions for detecting molecular interactions, particularly protein-protein interactions, using at least two inactive, weakly-complementing β-lactamase fragments are provided. The invention allows detection of such interactions in eukaryotic and mammalian cells, in situ or in vitro. Detection of molecular interactions in mammalian cells is not limited to the nuclear compartment, but can be accomplished in the cytoplasm, cell surface, organelles, or between these entities. Methods provided utilize novel compositions comprising fusion proteins between molecules of interest and inactive, weakly-complementing β-lactamase fragments. Association of the molecules of interest brings the corresponding complementary β-lactamase fragments into close enough proximity for complementation to occur and β-lactamase activity to be observed. The invention is useful in the study of protein-protein interactions, functional genomics, agonist and antagonist screening and drug discovery. |
| US08148107B2 |
High affinity human antibodies to human nerve growth factor
A human antibody or antigen-binding fragment of an antibody which specifically binds human nerve growth factor (NGF) with KD of 5 pM or less, as measured by surface plasmon resonance, wherein the antibody or fragment thereof binds human NGF with an affinity of about 2-10-fold higher than the antibody or fragment binds rat and mouse NGF. The antibodies are useful in treating pain, including inflammatory pain, post-operative incision pain, neuropathic pain, fracture pain, osteoporotic fracture pain, post-herpetic neuralgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer pain, pain resulting from burns, gout joint pain, as well as diseases, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, and liver cirrhosis. |
| US08148103B2 |
Polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US08148098B2 |
Methods of cleaving DNA with rationally-designed meganucleases
Rationally-designed LAGLIDADG meganucleases and methods of making such meganucleases are provided. In addition, methods are provided for using the meganucleases to generate recombinant cells and organisms having a desired DNA sequence inserted into a limited number of loci within the genome, as well as methods of gene therapy, for treatment of pathogenic infections, and for in vitro applications in diagnostics and research. |
| US08148096B2 |
Microtitration plates comprising wells coated with a lipid substrate and a method of preparing
A method for the detection and/or measurement in vitro of a lipase or phospholipase activity, including the addition of a sample likely to contain said lipase or phospholipase into the wells of microtitration plates coated with a layer of a lipid substrate which is able to be hydrolyzed by the lipase or phospholipase by releasing α-eleostearic acid, and the detection and/or the measurement of the lipase or phospholipase activity by UV spectrophotometry of the α-eleostearic acid released during the previous stage. The application of this method to the in vitro diagnosis of pathologies linked to an increase in the plasma lipase level. |
| US08148094B2 |
Methods and compositions for detecting the activation state of multiple proteins in single cells
The invention provides methods and compositions for simultaneously detecting the activation state of a plurality of proteins in single cells using flow cytometry. The invention further provides methods and compositions of screening for bioactive agents capable of coordinately modulating the activity of a plurality of proteins in single cells. The methods and compositions can be used to determine the protein activation profile of a cell for predicting or diagnosing a disease state, and for monitoring treatment of a disease state. |
| US08148092B2 |
System and method for performing G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) cell assays using waveguide-grating sensors
The present invention includes a system and method that uses optical LID biosensors to monitor in real time agonist-induced GPCR signaling events within living cells. Particularly, the present invention includes a system and method for using an optical LID biosensor to screen compounds against a target GPCR within living cells based on the mass redistribution due to agonist-induced GPCR activation. In an extended embodiment, the present invention discloses different ways for self-referencing the optical LID biosensor to eliminate unwanted sensitivity to ambient temperature, pressure fluctuations, and other environmental changes. In yet another extended embodiment, the present invention discloses different ways for screening multiple GPCRs in a single type of cell or multiple GPCRs in multiple types of cells within a single medium solution. In still yet another extended embodiment, the present invention discloses different ways to confirm the physiological or pharmacological effect of a compound against a specific GPCR within living cells. |
| US08148091B2 |
Detection of chronic kidney disease patients or coronary artery disease using bone morphogenic protein-4
The invention is a method of detecting CAD in a CKD diagnosed human patient or CKD in a CAD diagnosed human patient, or detection of the presence of both CKD and CAD by assaying a plasma or serum sample of a human patient for elevated levels of BMP-4. |
| US08148089B2 |
Alpha-synuclein kinase
The invention provides agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with Lewy body diseases (LBDs) in the brain of a patient. Preferred agents include inhibitors of PLK2 kinase. |
| US08148084B2 |
Diagnosis of autoimmune disease
Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating autoimmune disease, e.g., acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), are described. |
| US08148082B2 |
Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste receptor
The invention provides isolated nucleic and amino acid sequences of a taste cell receptor that serves as a sensor for the bitter taste of phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), antibodies to such PTC taste receptor, methods of detecting such nucleic and amino acid sequences, and methods of screening for modulators of such PTC taste receptor. |
| US08148079B2 |
Method of producing amplification product by PCR and usage thereof
A method of producing a PCR amplification product is provided that suppresses an effect of precipitate, turbidity, or the like derived from a whole blood sample on a detection in the detection of an amplified nucleic acid by an optical unit. The amplification product complementary to a target nucleic acid in the whole blood sample is produced by PCR in a condition where a ratio of the whole blood sample in a PCR reaction solution is in the range of 0.1 to 0.9% by volume or 0.01 to 1.8 g/L in term of hemoglobin content. When the PCR is carried out with such conditions, even with an untreated whole blood sample, a monitoring of the amplification product by the optical unit can be done while suppressing the effect of the precipitate or the turbidity. |
| US08148078B2 |
Copy number variation determination, methods and systems
The present invention methods and systems for determining copy number variation of a target polynucleotide in a genome of a subject including amplification based techniques. Methods can include pre-amplification of the sample followed by distribution of sample and a plurality of reaction volumes, quantitative detection of a target polynucleotide and a reference polynucleotide, and analysis so as to determine the relative copy number of the target polynucleotide sequence in the genome of the subject. |
| US08148074B2 |
IRF-5 haplotypes in systemic lupus erythematosus
Methods and materials involved in diagnosing SLE are provided herein. The methods and materials can be used to diagnose SLE and/or assess a mammal's susceptibility to develop SLE, based on the presence or absence of one or more IRF-5 variants. |
| US08148073B2 |
Probe, probe set, probe-immobilized carrier, and genetic testing method
A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 68 to 69 and complementary or modified sequences thereof or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium. |
| US08148072B2 |
Method of profiling gene expression in a subject having heart failure
The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen. |
| US08148069B2 |
MicroRNA-based methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of solid cancers
The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of solid cancers. The invention also provide methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis. |
| US08148065B1 |
Ligation amplification of nucleic acid sequences
A method is described for the identification of point mutations by a template-dependent ligation procedure. Also described is a template-dependent ligase chain reaction procedure for the amplification and detection of nucleic acid sequences. |
| US08148061B2 |
Endometriosis-related markers and uses thereof
The present invention relates to markers of endometriosis which are differentially expressed in the endometrial cells of females with endometriosis compared to endometriosis-free females. The invention also relates to methods for determining likelihood of endometriosis in female subjects, to methods for grading endometriosis in females suffering from endometriosis and to methods for treating this disease. The invention is also concerned with polynucleotides, probes, primers and kits useful for reducing into practice the above-mentioned methods which are more rapid, non invasive, much less complicated and much less costly than laparoscopy. |
| US08148054B2 |
Immersion multiple-exposure method and immersion exposure system for separately performing multiple exposure of micropatterns and non-micropatterns
This invention discloses an immersion multiple-exposure method including a first exposure step of performing, using a first mask, immersion exposure of a photoresist film formed on a substrate, a cleaning step of clearing the surface of the substrate, and a second exposure step of performing immersion exposure of the photoresist film using a second mask. No heating process is performed between the first exposure step and the second exposure step. |
| US08148046B2 |
Optical disk storage medium
The surface of a transparent layer provided on the uppermost layer of the label side of an optical disk is subjected to pearskin finish. As a result, a light from a reflection layer is prevented from directly entering a user who has viewed an image on the label side, and an antiglare phenomenon is prevented from occurring. This configuration enables good viewing. |
| US08148044B2 |
Positive photosensitive composition
A positive photosensitive composition includes at least one compound that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates any of the sulfonic acids of general formula (I) and a resin whose solubility in an alkali developer is increased by the action of an acid, wherein each of X1 and X2 independently represents a fluorine atom or a fluoroalkyl group, R1 represents a group with a polycyclic structure, provided that the polycyclic structure may have a substituent, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a chain alkyl group, a monocyclic alkyl group, a group with a polycyclic structure or a monocyclic aryl group, provided that each of the chain alkyl group, monocyclic alkyl group, polycyclic structure and monocyclic aryl group may have a substituent, and provided that R1 and R2 may be bonded to each other to thereby form a polycyclic structure. |
| US08148043B2 |
Silsesquioxane resin systems with base additives bearing electron-attracting functionalities
Silsesquioxane-based compositions that contain (a) silsesquioxane resins that contain HSiO3/2 units and RSiO3/2 units wherein; R is an acid dissociable group, and (b) least one organic base additive selected from bulky tertiary amines, imides, amides and the polymeric amines wherein the organic base additive contains an electron-attracting group with the provision that the organic base additive is not 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin. The silsesquioxane-based compositions are useful as positive resist compositions in forming patterned features on substrate, particularly useful for multi-layer layer (i.e. bilayer) 193 nm & 157 nm photolithographic applications. |
| US08148042B2 |
Heat-sensitive imaging element
A heat-sensitive imaging element includes an IR dye having a structure according to Formula I, wherein at least one of the Rd groups is a group which is transformed by a chemical reaction, induced by exposure to IR-radiation or heat, into a group which is a stronger electron-donor than the Rd; or wherein at least one of the Ra groups is a group which is transformed by a chemical reaction, induced by exposure to IR-radiation or heat, into a group which is a stronger electron-acceptor than the Ra. The imaging element is able to form a visible print-out image with a high contrast directly after image-wise exposure by IR-radiation or heating. |
| US08148037B2 |
Optical component for EUVL and smoothing method thereof
The present invention is to provide a method for smoothing the optical surface having a concave defect of an optical component for EUVL.The present invention relates to a method for smoothing the optical surface of an optical component for EUVL, comprising irradiating, with an excimer laser having a wavelength of 250 nm or less with a fluence of 0.5 to 2.0 J/cm2, the optical surface having a concave defect of an optical component for EUV lithography (EUVL), the optical component being made of a TiO2-containing silica glass material comprising SiO2 as a main component. |
| US08148036B2 |
Photomask blank and photomask
A photomask blank comprises a transparent substrate, a light-shielding film of an optionally transition metal-containing silicon material, and an etching mask film of a chromium compound base material. The etching mask film consists of multiple layers of different composition which are deposited by reactive sputtering, the multiple layers including, in combination, a first layer of a material which imparts a compression stress when deposited on the substrate as a single composition layer and a second layer of a material which imparts a tensile stress when deposited on the substrate as a single composition layer. |
| US08148033B2 |
Fuel cell system with suppressed noise and vibration
An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system in which a noise and a vibration of a compressor can be suppressed. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fuel cell system including a fuel cell; a compressor for supplying an oxidant gas to the fuel cell, having a first rotational speed region within which as a rotational speed increases, a noise becomes greater than a predetermined value, and a second rotational speed region within which as the rotational speed increases, the noise becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value; and a compressor controller for controlling the compressor by calculating a command rotational speed for commanding the compressor based on a required amount of power generation. |
| US08148030B2 |
Separation membrane for fuel cell and production method thereof
Disclosed is a process for producing a diaphragm for a fuel cell comprising a modified anion exchange membrane that substantially maintains durability and hydroxide ion conductivity as an electrolyte membrane and has improved resistance to methanol permeation. The process is characterized by comprising the step of impregnating at least one side of a crosslinked hydrocarbon anion exchange membrane with a polymerizable acidic compound having a weight average molecular weight of not less than 700 and less than 8000, provided that, when the acid site in the compound has been neutralized with a counter cation, the weight of the counter cation is subtracted from the molecular weight, and polymerizing the polymerizable acidic compound. |
| US08148029B2 |
Electrode for fuel cell and fuel cell using the same
An electrode for a fuel cell including a support and a catalyst layer formed on the support, wherein the catalyst layer comprises a supported catalyst and a polyurethane-based compound, wherein all or some of the polyurethane-based compound is synthesized from a polyol monomer where some or all of the polyol monomer is a polyol monomer that contains a phosphonyl group; a method of preparing the same; and a fuel cell including the same. The electrode for a fuel cell has excellent ion conductivity because it maintains stability at high temperature operation, and is capable of retaining phosphoric acid effectively even at high temperatures. A fuel cell can be prepared by using the electrode where the fuel cell can operate under these conditions of high temperature above 100° C. and no humidity and shows improved performance for generating electricity. |
| US08148021B2 |
Methods and apparatus for refueling reversible hydrogen-storage systems
A method for refilling a hydrogen reservoir comprising a first hydrogen-storing material comprises establishing a fluid connection between the hydrogen reservoir and a cartridge containing a second hydrogen-storing material. The second hydrogen-storing material releases hydrogen at a pressure sufficient to charge the first hydrogen-storing material. Some embodiments involve heating the second hydrogen-storing material and/or allowing heat to flow between the first and second hydrogen-storing materials. |
| US08148018B2 |
Method and apparatus of manufacturing negative electrode for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the negative electrode
A method of manufacturing a negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a step of imparting lithium to a precursor of the negative electrode capable of storing and releasing lithium, by a film forming method in a dry process. In this step, the precursor is brought into contact with a measuring terminal having a non-aqueous electrolyte and a counter electrode. The amount of lithium stored in the precursor is calculated from an open circuit potential of the precursor with respect to the counter electrode. Further, according to the calculated amount of stored lithium, the amount of lithium to be imparted to the precursor is controlled. |
| US08148015B2 |
Cathode materials for lithium batteries
Described are cathode materials for lithium batteries. Better cathode materials may be produced by mixing at least two compounds and a binder additive. The first compound includes one or more salts of lithium metal phosphorous while the second compound includes one or more lithium transition metal oxides. In other instances, a conductive additive may also be incorporated. The cathode materials so produced exhibit enhanced electrical properties and thermal stability. |
| US08148010B2 |
Bipolar battery and battery assembly
A bipolar battery and a battery assembly unit that reduces a current density change in a battery element is disclosed. The bipolar battery comprises a battery element configured by alternately stacking a bipolar electrode and an electrolyte layer, as well as cathode and anode terminal plates electrically connected to the battery element so as to extract the current from the battery element. In the bipolar battery, the total electrical resistance of the cathode and anode terminal plates along the surface direction is smaller than the total electrical resistance of the battery element along the stacking direction between the cathode and anode terminal plates. |
| US08148008B2 |
Negative active material composition for a rechargeable lithium battery, a negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, and a rechargeable lithium battery including same
Negative active material compositions for rechargeable lithium batteries, negative electrodes for rechargeable lithium batteries, and rechargeable lithium batteries using the negative active material compositions are provided. The negative active material composition includes a negative active material, a polyimide precursor compound, and a highly flexible polymer. The negative active material composition prevents the electrode substrate from bending, thereby improving the capacity and cycle-life characteristics of the battery. |
| US08148005B2 |
Active material and a secondary battery using the active material
An active material for a secondary battery has excellent large current charge-discharge characteristic and a high energy density. The secondary battery is composed mainly of the active material having a conductive polymer compound represented by formula B or F as the positive electrode. Because this conductive polymer compound works as an active material and has conductivity per se, the use of a conductivity enhancer can be omitted, and the energy density is high. An improvement in the capacity of a secondary battery using the active material above or a decrease in the internal resistance can be realized. |
| US08147997B2 |
Film-covered electrical device packaging system
A film-covered electrical device packaging system of the present invention includes frame member (10) which holds film covered battery (1) by an outer periphery portion of film covered battery (1) and which has a portion thicker than the thickness of power generation element (2), and in which waste gas channel (10i) is formed in a position corresponding to gas discharger (8), and first pressure plate (20) which sandwiches frame member (10), in which penetrating portion (22) is formed in a position corresponding to waste gas channel (10i), and in which gas guide groove (21) communicating from through holes (22) to sidewall face (24) is formed. |
| US08147995B2 |
Patterned media bits with cladding shell
A bit patterned media (BPM) includes many magnetic dots arranged in tracks on a substrate. The magnetic dots each have a hard magnetic core, a soft magnetic cladding surrounding the core and a thin non-magnetic layer that separates the hard magnetic core from the soft magnetic ring. The soft magnetic cladding stabilizes the magnetization at the edges of the hard magnetic core to improve the signal to noise ratio of the magnetic dots. The soft magnetic rings also narrow the magnetic field of the dots which reduces the space requirements and allows more dots to be placed on the substrate. |
| US08147992B2 |
AL2O3 ceramic tools with diffusion bonding enhanced layer
The present invention relates to ceramic cutting tools, such as, an aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic cutting tool with diffusion bonding enhanced layer and CVD coatings, particularly useful for machining modern metal materials. The method comprises a chemical reaction with a mixture including nitrogen and aluminum chloride introduced to form a diffusion bonding enhanced layer between the ceramic substrate and the CVD coatings. Thus formed diffusion bonding enhanced layer is highly adherent to the aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic substrate and significantly enhances the CVD coating properties, thus improving the machining performance in terms of the tool life of zirconium-based aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic cutting tools. |
| US08147991B2 |
One hundred millimeter single crystal silicon carbide wafer
A method is disclosed for producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded growth system by reducing the separation between a silicon carbide seed crystal and a seed holder until the conductive heat transfer between the seed crystal and the seed holder dominates the radiative heat transfer between the seed crystal and the seed holder over substantially the entire seed crystal surface that is adjacent the seed holder. |
| US08147990B2 |
Ceramic material and electroceramic component comprising the ceramic material
A ceramic material with a negative temperature coefficient of specific resistance has the general formula [{(SE1III,SE2III)1−x(M1II,M2II)x}(Cr1−y−zMny(Me1III,Me2III)z)O3]. In this formula, SE1III and SE2III are different rare-earth metal cations, M1II and M2II are selected from CaII, SrII, and Me1III and Me2III are redox-stable, trivalent metal cations, wherein the following applies with respect to the parameters: 0 |
| US08147988B2 |
Platinum complex and organic light-emitting element using same
A platinum complex is represented by General Formula (1) below. In Formula (1), Pt represents a tetravalent platinum atom. The ring structure A represents a cyclic substituent having a carbon atom that forms a covalent bond with Pt. The ring structure B represents a cyclic substituent having Q that forms a coordination bond with Pt, where Q is a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, or a phosphorous atom. X1 represents a monovalent-bidentate ligand, and X2 represents a divalent-bidentate ligand. |
| US08147983B2 |
Tin-plated steel sheet
A tin-plated steel sheet includes a plating layer containing tin on at least one surface of a steel sheet, and a chemical conversion coating containing P and tin on the plating layer is provided. In the steel sheet, a coated amount of the chemical conversion coating per surface is 1.0 to 50 mg/m2 in terms of P, an atomic ratio Sn/P obtained from the intensity of a P2p peak and that of a Sn3d peak is 1.0 to 1.5, the intensities being measured at the surface using an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic method, and an atomic ratio O/P obtained from the intensity of the P2p peak and that of an O1s peak is 4.0 to 9.0. The phosphoric acid-based chemical conversion coating of the tin-plated steel sheet can suppress degradation in performance, which is caused by the growth of a tin oxide layer on the surface, instead of a conventional chromate coating. |
| US08147979B2 |
Adhesive system and method
The invention relates to an adhesive system comprising starch and one or more polymers (P) containing acetoacetoxy groups. It further relates to a method of producing an adhesive composition comprising starch and one or more polymers (P) containing acetoacetoxy groups. The invention further relates to a method of producing a wood based product such as a laminated or veneered material, or a particle board. |
| US08147972B2 |
Coated article with ion treated underlayer and corresponding method
A coated article is provided that may be used as a vehicle windshield, insulating glass (IG) window unit, or the like. Ion beam treatment is performed on a layer(s) of the coating. For example, a silicon nitride layer of a low-E coating may be ion beam treated. It has been found that ion beam treatment, for example, of a silicon nitride underlayer is advantageous in that sodium migration from the glass substrate toward the IR reflecting layer(s) can be reduced during heat treatment. |
| US08147971B2 |
Self-cleaning system and window-glass
The invention relates to a self-cleaning system (10) and window glass. The self-cleaning system comprises a translucent substrate (20), a light-emitting device (30) and a photo-catalytic layer (40) applied to a surface (22) of the translucent substrate for generating a self-cleaning surface. The photo-catalytic layer produces the self-cleaning effect when illuminated with light of a predefined wavelength range. The translucent substrate is translucent for at least a sub-range of the predefined wavelength range. The light-emitting device is arranged for illuminating the photo-catalytic layer via the translucent substrate, an emission spectrum emitted by the light-emitting device comprising light within the sub-range. The effect of the illumination system according to the invention is that the illumination of the photo-catalytic layer via the translucent substrate enables the light-emitting device to be arranged relatively near to the photo-catalytic layer such that only a relatively low light flux is required from the light-emitting device to activate the self-cleaning process. |
| US08147969B2 |
Substrate with a stack having thermal properties
The invention relates to a substrate (1) provided with a thin-film multilayer comprising an alternation of n functional layers (3) having reflection properties in the infrared and/or in solar radiation, and (n+1) coatings (2, 5), where n≧1, said coatings being composed of a layer or a plurality of layers (2a, 2b, 5a, 5b), characterized in that, in order to preserve the optical and/or mechanical quality of the multilayer in the case in which the substrate (1) provided with said multilayer is subjected to a heat treatment of the toughening, bending or annealing type, at least one of the functional layers (3) includes a blocker coating (4) consisting of: on the one hand, a “protection” layer made of a material capable of helping to protect the functional layer from oxidizing and/or nitriding attack, immediately in contact with said functional layer; and on the other hand, at least one “adhesion” layer made of a material capable of promoting adhesion, immediately in contact with said “protection” layer. |
| US08147965B2 |
Water-sensitive film containing thermoplastic polyurethane
A film that contains a thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer is provided. The film is both elastic and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water -dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water. The dual attributes of elasticity and water-sensitivity may be achieved by reducing the tendency of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer to form separate phases. Namely, phase separation may cause the elastomer to act as a barrier and limit the ability of the water-soluble polymer to contact water and thereby disperse. To minimize such phase separation, a variety of aspects of the film construction may be selectively controlled, such as the nature of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer, the relative amount of each component, and so forth. For example, thermoplastic polyurethanes are polar in nature and thus may be generally compatible with water-soluble polymers (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol), which are also polar in nature. Further, water-soluble polymers having a relatively low molecular weight and viscosity typically possess better melt compatibility with polar thermoplastic polyurethanes. By carefully controlling the nature of the polymers used to form the film, the present inventors have discovered that a film may be formed that is generally free of distinct phases. |
| US08147963B2 |
Synthetic ice apparatus and method
A synthetic ice apparatus and method are provided. In one embodiment, a first layer is molded utilizing a mold of a natural ice form. Additionally, a second layer is coupled to the first layer for providing a rigid backing to the first layer. In another embodiment, a layer is molded utilizing a mold of a natural ice form, where such layer is of a predetermined thickness for providing rigidity. |
| US08147960B2 |
Bactericidal filler composition
A bactericidal composition comprising inorganic fillers having modified surface with submicrometric particles of a metal and/or salts thereof. Use of the composition in the preparation of latex paints, solvent based paints, powder paints, plasterings, putties, pre-dosed renderings and hydrophobic mass additives. |
| US08147952B2 |
Coating material for honeycomb structure
There is provided a coating material for a honeycomb structure, the coating material including inorganic particles or organic particles having D90/D10 of 5 to 50 with D10 of 50 μm or less and D90 of 4 μm or more (wherein D10 and D90 are values of 10% diameter and 90% diameter, respectively, in volume-based integrated fraction of a particle diameter distribution measured by a laser diffraction/scattering method from the smaller particle diameter side). |
| US08147949B2 |
Method of manufacturing ceramics molded component and mold employed therefor as well as ceramic component
A lower periphery constraint portion and an upper periphery constraint portion for molding the periphery of a lens as well as a mirror-finished optical molding surface and another mirror-finished optical molding surface are formed on a lower mold body and an upper mold body of a mold respectively. The upper periphery constraint portion and the lower periphery constraint portion are so formed as to have prescribed thicknesses α1 and α2 in a pressure axis direction respectively. A periphery nonconstraint portion not constraining ceramics when molding a ceramics material is provided between the lower mold body and the upper mold body. Thus, a ceramics molded component or the like is prevented from breakage and can be easily detached from the mold, so that the same can be more homogeneously densified. |
| US08147946B2 |
Polarizing plastic optical device and process for producing the same
A polarizing plastic lens comprising a polarizing film with low tendency to detachment from an optical resin layer. There is provided polarizing plastic lens comprising polarizing film constituted of a polyvinyl alcohol resin. Two optical resin layers of different thicknesses may be disposed on both surfaces of the polarizing film. The optical resin layers are formed by polymerizing a polymerization raw material composition in contact with the polarizing film. The polymerization raw material composition contains as one main component an isocyanated or isothiocyanated compound. The iscocyanate or isothiocyanate functional group reacts with the hydroxyl of polyvinyl alcohol resin of polarizing film to thereby form an urethane bond or thiourethane bond, so that the optical resin layers are strongly unified with the polarizing film. |
| US08147943B1 |
Replaceable impact resistant thermal protection system
A thermal protection system capable of withstanding impact loads without a detrimental effect to its main function, i.e. a protection of the vehicle from high temperature during re-entry or flight in the atmosphere. The system consists of the outer ceramic matrix composite shield, a ceramic tile sandwiched between the shield and the skin of the vehicle and fasteners joining the system and the protected structure. The ceramic matrix composite fasteners are capable of working in the same high-temperature environment as the rest of thermal protection system. They are also strong and stiff due to the presence of ceramic fibers. Cracks in the outer shield produced by impact cannot propagate into the ceramic tile since the shield and tile materials are discontinuous along the interface. The tile cannot disintegrate from the vehicle since it is pressed to its skin by the outer shield. The system can easily be disassembled for inspection and/or repair. |
| US08147941B2 |
Multi-information-layer recording medium and manufacturing process
In forming a space layer of a multi-formation-layer recording medium, there are provided a medium having a high precision in a thickness of the space layer and its manufacturing process. In the multi-formation-layer recording medium wherein at least two pairs of an information recording layer and a translucency spacer are layered on a substrate having physical patterns composed of an optical spot groove and/or pits on the surface, an average thickness of the translucency spacers in an information zone is 15 μm or less, and a difference in spacer thickness between a minimum value and a maximum value is 2 μm or less. |
| US08147940B2 |
Piece of cloth and cloth product consisting of a large number of pieces of cloth
Provided is a piece of cloth, wherein clothing composed of a soft and lightweight material can be constituted of flat small pieces. A piece of cloth consists of a hexagonal central part, and first and second peripheral edge parts located alternately at the peripheral edges of the central part. The first and second peripheral edge parts share one side of the hexagons, a first cut having a length shorter than the length of the side but longer than a quarter thereof is made in the border line of the first peripheral edge part and the central part, and second cuts having a length equal to or slightly longer than one half of [(the length of the side)−(the length of the first cut)] are made on the border line of the second peripheral edge part and the central part from the opposite ends of the side. |
| US08147938B2 |
Braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber membrane
A braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber membrane is disclosed. The braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber membrane comprising a reinforcing material of a tubular braid and a polymer resinous thin film coated on the surface of the tubular braid according to the present invention is characterized in that: the tubular braid comprises multifilaments made of monofilaments having a crimp rate of 2 to 40%, and the peeling strength of the tubular braid and a polymer resinous thin film coated on the surface thereof is 1 to 10 MPa. In the composite hollow fiber membrane, the crimp rate of the monofilaments constituting the tubular braid of the reinforcing material is 2 to 40%, thus the surface area of the tubular braid contacted with the polymer resinous thin film is increased. Thus, the peeling strength of the tubular braid and the polymer resinous thin film coated on the surface thereof is excellent. |
| US08147932B2 |
Black-to-color shifting security element
The invention discloses a security element for a banknote, a document of value, right or identity, a ticket, a label, a branded good identifier, or a tax banderole. The element comprises a combination of a coating containing at least one optically variable pigment having a substantial viewing-angle dependent color variation, with at least one selective spectral absorbing material, which blocks out visible spectral components reflected by the optically variable pigment at orthogonal incidence. The security element appears black when viewed at orthogonal angle, and colored when viewed at grazing angle. |
| US08147929B2 |
Liquid Crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The invention is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. |
| US08147926B2 |
Laser gas assisted nitriding of alumina surfaces
Laser gas assisted nitriding of alumina surfaces is a process for applying a nitride coating to an alumina or alumina-based composite surface. The method involves the step of applying a phenolic resin to the alumina surface in a thin, uniform film. The resin-coated alumina surface is maintained in a controlled chamber at about 8 bar pressure at a temperature of about 175° C. for about 2 hours. The surface is then heated at about 400° C. for several hours in an argon atmosphere. This converts the phenolic resin to carbon. The carbon coated alumina surface is then scanned by a 2 kW laser beam while applying nitrogen under pressure. The end result is the conversion of the alumina at the surface to aluminum nitride, the oxygen being released in the form of carbon dioxide. |
| US08147924B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing magnetic recording disk, and in-line type substrate processing apparatus
An apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic recording disk includes a magnetic-film deposition chamber in which a magnetic film for a recording layer is deposited on a substrate; a lubricant-layer preparation chamber in which a lubricant layer is prepared on the substrate in vacuum; and a cleaning chamber in which the substrate is cleaned in vacuum after the magnetic-film deposition in the magnetic-film chamber and before the lubricant-layer preparation in the lubricant-layer chamber. The apparatus may further include a transfer system that transfers the substrate from the cleaning chamber to the lubricant-layer preparation chamber without exposing the substrate to the atmosphere. |
| US08147923B2 |
Method for producing coatings from coating materials that can be cured by the action of heat or actinic radiation
A process comprising applying coating materials to substrates, and curing the coating materials thermally and with actinic radiation, alone or together with optional coating films already present on the substrate. The actinic radiation cure is conducted under an oxygen-depleted atmosphere. The coating materials comprise (meth)acrylate copolymers having an OH number from 100 to 220 mg KOH/g, Tg of −35 to +60° C., number-average MW of from 1,000 to 10,000 daltons and a mass-average MW of from 2,000 to 40,000 daltons and contain in copolymerized form an amount of hydroxyl-containing monomers (a) that corresponds to the OH number, of which (a1) from 20 to 90% by weight are based on (a), 4-hydroxybutyl(meth)acrylate and/or 2-alkylpropane-1,3-diol mono(meth)acrylate, and (a2) from 10 to 80% by weight are based on (a), other hydroxyl-containing olefinically unsaturated monomers. The process further comprises from 0.2 to 8% by weight of photoinitiators. |
| US08147922B2 |
Composition and method for a thermal coating system
A thermal coating includes a substrate, a first coating layer, and a second coating layer. The substrate is selected from the group consisting of superalloys and ceramic matrix composites. The first coating layer comprises an alumina powder, a silica binder, and at least one additive selected from either a first group or a second group. The second coating layer comprises at least one of zinc titanate or cerium oxide. A method for applying a thermal coating system includes spraying a bond coat mixture onto a substrate using a liquid electrostatic sprayer. The bond coat mixture comprises an alumina powder, a silica binder, and at least one additive selected from either a first group or a second group. The method further includes applying a top coat mixture onto the bond coat mixture, wherein the top coat mixture comprises at least one of zinc titanate or cerium oxide. |
| US08147917B2 |
Manufacturing method for elastic member
The present invention provides a sealing member for fuel which includes a fluororubber base and a sliding-treated layer coating the surface of the base. The sliding-treated layer includes a matrix made from a fluororubber, a sliding thin film formed in the surface portion of the matrix from a molten first particulate solid lubricant, and a second particulate solid lubricant dispersed in the matrix and the sliding thin film without being melted. |
| US08147915B2 |
Non-stick coating composition
A non-stick coating composition comprising a waterborne phenoxy resin, a crosslinker, a silicone compound, and a Fluoropolymer. An article, such as aluminum, may be coated with the composition. The composition may be multi-layers, but only the layers other than the first layer includes the silicone compound. The invention includes the method for applying the coating or coatings. |
| US08147911B2 |
Perforated porous resin base material and production process of porous resin base with inner wall surfaces of perforations made conductive.
A production process of a perforated porous resin base, comprising Step 1 of impregnating the porous structure of a porous resin base with a liquid or solution; Step 2 of forming a solid substance from the liquid or solution impregnated; Step 3 of forming a plurality of perforations extending through from the first surface of the porous resin base having the solid substance within the porous structure to the second surface in the porous resin base; and Step 4 of melting or dissolving the solid substance to remove it from the interior of the porous structure, and a production process of a porous resin base with the inner wall surfaces of the perforations made conductive, comprising the step of selectively applying a catalyst only to the inner wall surfaces of the perforations to apply a conductive metal to the inner wall surfaces. |
| US08147910B2 |
Method and apparatus for three-dimensional printing
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method to fabricate three-dimensional objects, layer by layer, by selectively dispensing material from a printing head onto a transfer platform to form a cross-sectional layer of the object that has a pre-determined non-uniform surface. Each layer may then be transferred from the transfer platform to previously formed layers that are carried by a fabrication platform by contacting an exposed surface of a previously formed layer to the layer on the transfer platform. |
| US08147909B2 |
Method of making and using alloy susceptor with improved properties for film deposition
Provided is a method for processing a wafer that includes providing an alloy susceptor including an exterior surface and a wafer contact surface. The exterior surface of the alloy susceptor is treated to produce a roughness of the exterior surface. The roughened exterior surface of is coated with a ceramic material. The alloy susceptor including the ceramic-coated roughened exterior surface is positioned in a wafer process chamber. A plurality of layers of a film are deposited on the ceramic-coated roughened exterior surface of the alloy susceptor, wherein a first adhesion exists between the plurality of layers of the film and the ceramic material coated on the roughened exterior surface of the alloy susceptor that is greater than a second adhesion that would exist between the plurality of layers of the film and a non-roughened exterior surface of the alloy susceptor without the ceramic material. |
| US08147906B2 |
Polarizer and method for producing the same, and liquid crystal display device
The present invention relates to a polarizer and a method for produce for producing the same, and an LCD device. The polarizer includes a glass substrate and a metal wire grating disposed on the glass substrate. The polarizer disposed on the LCD device can greatly lower cost of the polarizer and the LCD device. Besides, the polarizer does not absorb incident lights so as to greatly reduce energy loss of lights passing through the polarizer and improve the utilization rate of light energy. The method includes: disposing a cathode and an anode in parallel on one glass substrate; connecting the cathode and the anode to a direct current power supply; dropping solution containing metal positive ions between the cathode and the anode; disposing another glass substrate on the cathode and the anode; adjusting temperature of the solution until the solution is frozen to be ice; adjusting the temperature until a liquid layer appears between the one glass substrate and the ice; and supplying power for the cathode and the anode so as to obtain the polarizer, which can greatly simplify the producing process of the polarizer and lower the producing cost of the polarizer. |
| US08147904B2 |
Metal clad laminate and method for manufacturing metal clad laminate
A method for manufacturing a metal clad laminate having a film and a metal layer formed of a foundation layer and an upper layer includes the steps of forming the foundation layer on at least a part of a surface of the film by plating to obtain a first laminate; forming the upper layer on the first laminate by plating to obtain a second laminate; and heating the second laminate to obtain the metal clad laminate. Further, the film is a flexible thermoplastic polymer film, the foundation layer is formed of a nickel alloy, the upper layer is formed of copper, at least one of the foundation layer and the upper layer has a compression stress before the step of heating the second laminate, and the metal clad laminate shrinks in a planar direction of the film during the step of heating the second laminate. |
| US08147902B2 |
Electro luminescence display device and fabricating method and apparatus thereof
An electro luminescence display device having a display area and a non-display area includes a plurality of display organic light emission layers formed in the display area and a dummy organic light emission layer formed in the non-display area. |
| US08147901B2 |
Method of manufacturing gas sensor
Provided herein is a method of manufacturing a gas sensor. The method includes forming electrodes on a surface of a substrate, manufacturing a paste having a complex of CNTs and a metal-ligand complex comprising a metal that has gas adsorption selectivity for specific gases, coating the paste on the substrate to cover the electrodes, patterning the paste by a photolithography process, and reducing the metal-ligand complex included in the patterned paste. |
| US08147900B2 |
Multiple color fluorescence security imprint
A method for creating a security mark includes applying a first color fluorescence ink to a substrate and applying a second color fluorescent ink to the substrate is provided. The second color fluorescent ink overlies at least a portion of the substrate where said first color fluorescent ink is applied. A third color is applied to the substrate adjacent the substrate area where said second color fluorescent ink is applied. The first color fluorescent ink, the second color fluorescent ink and the third color border are such that a security mark is formed on the substrate. The blue color fluorescence, the red color fluorescence and the third color on the substrate are such that when viewed through a lens the security mark optical characteristics change. The change is from the optical characteristics of the security mark when the security mark is not illuminated with fluorescence-exciting radiation to a different optical characteristics when the security mark is illuminated with fluorescence exciting radiation. |
| US08147899B2 |
Methods and systems for depositing coating on a medical device
The present invention is directed to methods and systems for aligning and coating a medical device during a single coating cycle. A first section of an applicator may apply a contact force to surfaces of the medical device. The contact force may align and remove surface irregularities from the medical device prior to coating the medical device with coating. The coating may be resident on a second section of the applicator. |
| US08147897B2 |
Cross-linkable polyionic coatings for medical devices
A method for making an article comprising a core material and a coating thereon, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing the core material;(b) applying one or more layers of a crosslinkable polycationic material, wherein the polycationic material is a reaction product of:(i) an epoxide of formula (I) wherein X equals bromo, chloro, iodo, or cyano, and R1, R2, R3, R4, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C1-C6-alkyl, and linear or branched C1-C6-alkyl which is substituted with halogen, and (ii) a polymer having repeating units comprising one or more secondary or tertiary amine group(s); (c) applying one or more layers of a polyanionic material; and (d) cross-linking the layers of polyelectrolytes formed by steps (b) and (c). The articles obtainable by the method of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the core material, durability, hydrophilicity, and wettability and are thus useful for the manufacture of medical articles such as ophthalmic devices. |
| US08147896B2 |
Solid product comprising oil-droplets
The present invention concerns a solid product comprising oil-droplets having a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 100 microns, cross-linked proteins at the interface of said droplets and any polar, low molecular compound in between the cross-linked protein interfaces. |
| US08147892B2 |
Kokumi flavour compounds and use
The invention relates to gamma-glutamyl and beta-asparagyl peptide compounds of formula (I) that provide a kokumi flavor to consumables and flavor compositions, and to consumables and flavor compositions comprising such compounds. Enzymatic methods to prepare the compounds are provided. |
| US08147889B2 |
Method for treating raw and processed grains and starches
A method of decontaminating grain, nut, or seed products and a method for conditioning grain in a milling process for decontamination and to produce an improved milled product which will yield baked goods, for example, of increased size and extended shelf life. In the decontamination and/or conditioning procedure, the grain, nut, or seed product is contacted with an aqueous anolyte product which can be undiluted or can be diluted with non-activated water. In undiluted form, the aqueous anolyte product preferably has a pH in the range of from about 4.5 to about 7.5 and a positive oxidation-reduction potential of at least +550 mV. |
| US08147888B2 |
Method for the intelligent continuous filling of a cooking device and cooking device therefor
A method for managing cooking programs first comprises selecting, at a point in time (t0), a type of item to be cooked (i), items (j) of the type of item to be cooked (i), and various treatment planes (k) of a cooking compartment that are to be filled at a point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, each treatment plane (k) is filled at point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, in dependence on at least the filling of the cooking compartment with items to be cooked at point in time (t2), a first cooking temperature is set at a point in time (t3). Then, a signal for removing the cooked items (j) from the cooking compartment is emitted at a point in time (t4ki) for each treatment plane (k). |
| US08147884B2 |
Sparkling alcoholic beverage and process for producing the same
The present invention provides an alcoholic beverage with improved a foam stability. A processing method of an alcoholic beverage with improved foaming properties comprising a process for processing a pre-fermentation, wherein a pea protein which was extracted and was obtained from green peas is added to a pre-fermentation liquid. The alcoholic beverage with improved foaming properties can be applied to the processing method of the alcoholic beverage with improved foaming properties by fermenting the pre-fermentation liquid which created raw materials containing malts or by fermenting the pre-fermentation liquid created using a syrup containing sources of carbon, sources of nitrogen, hops, a coloring matter, an improving substance for a generating of foam and for the foam stability and water as raw materials with a brewers' yeast. |
| US08147876B2 |
Medical agent for preventing or treating diseases resulting from one of inflammation and remodeling, and method for preventing or treating the diseases
An object of the present invention is to provide a medical agent that has an excellent effect on the diseases resulting from one of inflammation and remodeling and that can prevent or treat them in response to various mechanisms of onset and development of the diseases. Thus, the present invention relates to a medical agent for preventing or treating diseases resulting from one of inflammation and remodeling in blood vessel, including nanobubbles. |
| US08147874B2 |
Coated pellets
Coated pellets which comprise an active pharmaceutical ingredient that is poorly soluble in water, release at least 80% of the active ingredient under in vitro conditions in phosphate buffer at pH 5.0 after 30 minutes and are bioequivalent to a liquid formulation of the active ingredient under in vitro fed status test conditions and/or are coated with a composition, which includes a lipophilic component (A) and a hydrogel former (B), wherein the pure lipophilic component (A) has (i) an HLB value of ≦5, and/or (ii) a melting range of ≧60° C., and/or (iii) a solidification range Δ of less than 35° C., and/or (iv) a density of ≧0.80 g cm−3. |
| US08147871B2 |
Pharmaceutical formulations
The present invention is directed to novel pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric compositions suitable for melt extrusion and injection molding of single or multi-component pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising a plurality of drug substance containing sub-units, being capsule compartments and/or solid sub-units comprising a solid matrix of a polymer which contains a drug substance, the sub-units being connected together in the assembled dosage form. |
| US08147870B2 |
Oral drug delivery system
Dosage forms and drug delivery devices suitable for administration of pharmaceutical compounds and compositions, including the oral drug administration of compounds. |
| US08147867B2 |
Liposomes useful for drug delivery
The present invention provides liposome compositions containing substituted ammonium and/or polyanion, and optionally with a desired therapeutic or imaging entity. The present invention also provide methods of making the liposome compositions provided by the present invention. |
| US08147857B2 |
Infection-resistant polyurethane foams, method for producing the same and use thereof in antiseptic wound dressings
The present invention describes microbicidal hydrophilic polyurethane foams endowed with polyhexamethylenebiguanide (PHMB) and/or its hydrochloride and also a superabsorbent, wound contact materials obtainable therefrom and processes for producing the therapeutically endowed polyurethane foams and the wound contact materials obtainable therefrom. |
| US08147856B2 |
AXMI-031, AXMI-039, AXMI-040 and AXMI-049, a family of novel delta-endotoxin genes and methods for their use
Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, or 38, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, or 37, as well as variants and fragments thereof. |
| US08147853B2 |
Personal care compositions containing hydrophobically modified non-platelet particles
A rinsable personal care composition includes (a) 0 to 75 weight percent of a composition surfactant; (b) 0.01 to 99 weight percent of a skin benefit agent or emollient; (c) 0.01 to 20 weight percent of a hydrophobically modified non-platelet particle; and (d) 0 to 99% water. |
| US08147848B2 |
Method for treating premature ejaculation with a botulinum neurotoxin
Methods for prolongation of climax time in a patient in need thereof are presented, as are methods for treating premature ejaculation by local administration of a Clostridial neurotoxin, such a botulinum neurotoxin, to the patient, are provided. |
| US08147847B2 |
Shigella protein antigens and methods
The present invention relates to protein antigens IcsP2 and SigA2 from Shigella that are common among numerous Shigella types and species and which can protect against shigellosis or other enteric infections when administered as vaccines. In addition, the present invention relates to antigens that are in common between Shigella species and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC). The invention also relates to the use of antibodies raised against these antigens and of DNA probes for use in the diagnosis of Shigella and EIEC infections. |
| US08147844B1 |
Mpl ligand (thrombopoietin), nucleic acids encoding such, and methods of treatment using mpl ligand
Isolated thrombopoietin (TPO), isolated DNA encoding TPO, and recombinant or synthetic methods of preparing and purifying TPO are disclosed. Various forms of TPO are shown to influence the replication, differentiation or maturation of blood cells, especially megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte progenitor cells. Accordingly, these compounds may be used for treatment of thrombocytopenia. |
| US08147837B2 |
Use of mycobacterial mannosylated lipoglycans peptide mimotopes for treating inflammation
The present invention is based on the discovery that biological peptide-based mimotopes of mannose-containing cell-wall compounds of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, specifically, ManLAM, have an anti-inflammatory effect and immunoregulator effect in animal models of inflammation. Such models include animal models of allergic peritonitis, allergic asthma and septic shock model (mice injected with LPS) and in Crohn's disease model (TNBS-induced colitis). Thus, the present invention concerns the use a molecule, particularly, an amino acid based molecule for the production of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an inflammatory condition, the amino acid comprising one or more peptides characterized in that it can bind to ManLAM binding antibodies; and/or it can elicit an immune response in a subject inoculated therewith, giving rise to production of ManLAM-binding antibodies. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions for treating inflammatory conditions and comprising the amino acid-based molecule, as well as to methods of treatment of such conditions by administering to a subject an amount of the amino-acid based molecules. |
| US08147836B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating osteolytic disorders comprising MMP-14 binding proteins
Provided are methods and compositions for using MMP-14 or MMP-9 binding proteins alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents to treat osteolytic disorders such as osteotropic cancer and osteoporosis. |
| US08147832B2 |
CD20-binding polypeptide compositions and methods
A CD20-binding polypeptide composition comprising a combination of a modified heavy chain variable region polypeptide and a modified light chain variable region polypeptide. The combination can be (a) a modified 2B8 antibody heavy chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 48; and a modified 2B8 antibody light chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 49; or (b) a modified Leu16 antibody heavy chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 50; and a modified Leu16 antibody light chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 51. |
| US08147827B2 |
Tumor treatment
The invention concerns an improved method for treating tumor, including cancer, which combines the administration of a chemotherapeutic agent and an antagonist of a gene product the expression of which is upregulated by the chemotherapeutic agent. The invention further concerns methods and means for the diagnosis and classification of tumors, and for the prognosis of the outcome of tumor treatment, and patient response to a particular treatment modality. |
| US08147823B2 |
Method of treating or retarding the development of blindness
A method for treating an ocular disorder characterized by the defect or absence of a normal gene in the ocular cells of a human or animal subject involves administering to the subject by subretinal injection an effective amount of a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying a nucleic acid sequence encoding the normal gene under the control of a promoter sequence which expresses the product of the gene in the ocular cells. The ocular cells are preferably retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and the gene is preferably an RPE-specific gene, e.g., RPE65. The promoter is one that can express the gene product in the RPE cells. Compositions for subretinal administration are useful in this method. |
| US08147822B1 |
Oncolytic virus
The present invention is directed to a method of reducing the viability of a tumor cell involving administering a virus that is not a common human pathogen to the tumor cell. Preferably, the virus exhibits differential susceptibility, in that normal cells are not affected by the virus. This differential susceptibility is more pronounced in the presence of interferon. The tumor cell is characterized by having low levels, or no, PKR activity, or as being PKR−/−, STAT1−/− or both PKR−/− and STAT1−/−. The virus is selected from the group consisting of Rhabdovirus and picornavirus, and preferably is vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) or a derivative thereof. |
| US08147821B2 |
Method for drying biomaterials
The present invention provides a means to concentrate, dry and formulate biomaterials such as polysaccharides, gums and related biopolymers, and microorganisms such as cells, spores, and the like from dilute solutions using spent germ and other oil bearing residues. In addition, the spent germ can serve as a carrier for such biomaterials. The sorbed materials are useful in animal feeds. |
| US08147820B2 |
Attenuated vaccine against fish pathogen Francisella sp
An attenuated bacteria has been made by an insertion mutation in the iglC gene of Francisella asiatica, by allelic exchange. The attenuated strain proved to be an effective vaccine by providing protection against an infection of F. asiatica in tilapia, and is believed would at least partially immunize fish from other species of Francisella. The vaccine of the attenuated Francisella asiatica ΔiglC mutant can also serve as vectors to present antigens from other pathogens to the fish, thereby serving as vaccines against other pathogens as well. In addition, a highly sensitive and specific assay that can be used for the specific identification of F. asiatica in fish has been developed. |
| US08147818B2 |
Hepatitis C virus inhibitors
The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HCV infection. |
| US08147810B2 |
Method of making an antiperspirant active composition having SEC chromatogram exhibiting high SEC peak 4 intensity
A method of making the antiperspirant active compositions having SEC chromatogram exhibiting high SEC peak 4 intensity, which are described in PCT/US2007/087145 (Published as WO2009/075678) and PCT/US2008/086556 (Published as WO2009/076591). The method uses a combination of sodium hydroxide with a source of calcium ions. |
| US08147805B2 |
Conjugates for dual imaging and radiochemotherapy: composition, manufacturing, and applications
Compositions and methods for dual imaging and for dual chemotherapy and radiotherapy are disclosed. More particularly, the invention concerns compounds comprising the structure X1—Y—X2, wherein Y comprises two or more carbohydrate residues covalently attached to one another, X1 and X2 are diagnostic or therapeutic moieties covalently attached to Y, provided that when Y does not comprise a glucosamine residue, X1 and X2 are diagnostic moieties. The present invention also concerns methods of synthesis of these compounds, application of such compounds for dual imaging and treatment of hyperproliferative disease, and kits for preparing a radiolabeled therapeutic or diagnostic compound. |
| US08147803B2 |
Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and uses thereof
The present invention provides a biomimetic contrast agent comprising an amine-functionalized iron (II) oxide/iron(III) oxide nanoparticle core a targeting ligand attached to the nanoparticle core via a linker and an inert outer layer of a hydrophilic polymer conjugated to the targeting ligand and imaging methods using the biomimetic contrast agents. Also, provided is a dual functional contrast agent comprising a metal-doped iron (II) oxide/iron(III) oxide nanoparticle core, an inert layer of gold coating the nanoparticle core and a biodegradable cationic polymer linked thereto. The dual functional contrast agent is complexed to a therapeutic gene and when transfected into mesenchymal stem cells comprises a dual contrast agent and gene delivery system. In addition, methods of using the dual functional system are provided. Furthermore, kits comprising the biomimetic contrast agents and the dual contrast agent and gene delivery system are provided. |
| US08147799B2 |
Methods and compositions for improved F-18 labeling of proteins, peptides and other molecules
The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use of F-18 labeled molecules of use, for example, in PET imaging techniques. In particular embodiments, the labeled molecules may be peptides or proteins, although other types of molecules including but not limited to aptamers, oligonucleotides and nucleic acids may be labeled and utilized for such imaging studies. In preferred embodiments, the F-18 label may be conjugated to a targeting molecule by formation of a metal complex and binding of the F-18-metal complex to a chelating moiety, such as DOTA, NOTA, DTPA, TETA or NETA. In other embodiments, the metal may first be conjugated to the chelating group and subsequently the F-18 bound to the metal. In other preferred embodiments, the F-18 labeled moiety may comprise a targetable conjugate that may be used in combination with a bispecific or multispecific antibody to target the F-18 to an antigen expressed on a cell or tissue associated with a disease, medical condition, or pathogen. Exemplary results show that F-18 labeled targetable conjugate peptides are stable in human serum at 37° C. for several hours, sufficient time to perform PET imaging analysis. |
| US08147787B2 |
Configurations and methods for fuel gas treatment with total sulfur removal and olefin saturation
Refinery off gases are treated in a plant in two processing steps, wherein the off gases are first scrubbed in a wash column using lean oils for removal of heavy mercaptans and C5+ hydrocarbons, and wherein a hydrotreater is then used for saturating olefinic hydrocarbons and reducing sulfurous compounds. Most preferably, lean recycle oil is used for temperature control of the hydrotreater reactor(s) in configurations where the lean oil from a hydrotreater reactor outlet separator is mixed with the reactor feed to so cool the hydrotreater reactor via evaporation. |
| US08147780B2 |
Recovery of lead in form of high purity lead carbonates from spent lead batteries incl. electrode paste
Wet process of low environmental impact recovers the lead content of an electrode slime and/or of lead minerals in the valuable form of high purity-lead carbonates that are convertible to highly pure lead oxide by heat treatment in oven at relatively low temperature, perfectly suited for making active electrode pastes of new batteries or other uses. The process basically comprises the following steps: a) adding sulphuric acid to a different acid leach suspension of the starting impure material for converting all dissolved lead compounds to insoluble lead sulphate; b) separating the solid phase constituted by lead sulphate and undissolved impurities from the acid leach solution; c) selectively dissolving lead sulphate contained in said separated solid phase in an aqueous solution of a lead solubilizing compound comprising preferably sodium acetate; d) separating the solution containing dissolved lead sulphate from the solid phase residue including undissolved impurities; e) adding to the separated solution of lead sulphate a carbonate of the same cation of said dissolving compound for forming insoluble lead carbonate and/or and lead oxycarbonate and a dissolved sulphate of the same cation; f) separating the precipitated carbonate and/or oxycarbonate of lead from the dissolving solution now containing also sulphate of the cation of said solubilizing compound. |
| US08147777B2 |
Sample tube holder
A sample tube holder for receiving and holding a sample tube having a cylindrical shape, a length symmetry axis and an outer diameter lying in a predetermined range. The sample tube holder comprises a solid body comprising at least one elongated chamber adapted for receiving a longitudinal portion of a sample tube, and an elastic element associated with and located outside of said chamber. When a sample tube is arranged in the chamber there is a gap between the sample tube and the side walls of the chamber, and the elastic element is in direct contact with at least three points of the outer surface of the sample tube, the elastic element thereby holds the sample tube and brings the length symmetry axis of the sample tube into coincidence with the length symmetry axis of the chamber. |
| US08147776B2 |
Multi-well rotary synthesizer
An apparatus for synthesizing polymer chains includes a controller, a plurality of precision fit vials circularly arranged in multiple banks on a cartridge, a drain corresponding to each bank of vials, a chamber bowl, a plurality of valves for delivering reagents to selective vials, and a waste tube system for purging material from the vials. A purging operation can be selectively performed on one or more of the banks of vials. The multiple banks of valves provide an additional number of reagent choices while operating in a serial mode and faster reagent distribution while operating in a parallel mode. The plurality of vials are stored in the cartridge and are divided among individual banks wherein each bank of vials has a corresponding drain. There is at least one waste tube system for expelling the reagent solution from vials within a particular bank of vials when the waste tube system is coupled to the corresponding drain. The cartridge holding the plurality of vials rotates relative to the stationary banks of valves and the waste tube system. The controller rotates the cartridge and operates the banks of valves and the waste tube system in response to the required sequence of dispensing various reagent solutions and flushing appropriate vials in order to form the desired polymer chain within each vial. |
| US08147775B2 |
Self-cleaning and mixing microfluidic elements
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for mixing and self-cleaning elements in microfluidic systems based on electrothermally induced fluid flow. The apparatus and methods provide for the control of fluid flow in and between components in a microfluidic system to cause the removal of unwanted liquids and particulates or mixing of liquids. The geometry and position of electrodes is adjusted to generate a temperature gradient in the liquid, thereby causing a non-uniform distribution of dielectric properties within the liquid. The dielectric non-uniformity produces a body force and flow in the solution, which is controlled by element and electrode geometries, electrode placement, and the frequency and waveform of the applied voltage. |
| US08147772B2 |
Animal waste processing
A method and apparatus for eliminating mold spores, pathogens and odor from material like equine bedding. The apparatus includes two or more pairs of augers including blades to control the size of the material and to move it in a zigzag fashion through heat. |
| US08147767B2 |
Chemical process accelerator systems utilizing taylor vortex flows
Chemical process accelerator systems comprising viscid fluid Taylor Vortex Flows (98, 50a) with high-shear-rate laminar Circular Couette Flows (58) in contact with catalysts (92, 92′, 30, 32, 32f, 32g, 36, 40, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48), catalytic compositions and structures in chemical reactors and electrochemical cells (e.g. fuel cells, fuel reformers) are disclosed. |
| US08147761B2 |
Air freshener clip with domed head
An air freshener has at least one vent rod configured to engage an air vent. A scent material is associated with the at least one vent rod. A head is coupled to the at least one vent rod. The head has a domed face opposite the vent rod. Indicia is associated with the head. |
| US08147755B2 |
Drum type container for analytical elements
A drum type container for analytical elements comprises a casing defining a compartment with a plurality of portions For receiving respective ones of the analytical elements. The container further comprises a base assembly to which the casing is rotatably mounted. The base assembly includes a dispenser mechanism for dispensing the glucose test strips from the casing and a locking mechanism for maintaining an alignment of a selected one of the compartment portions with the dispensing mechanism. |
| US08147752B2 |
Sterilants and sterilization method for aseptic filling
The present invention provides an aqueous solution of a sterilant of peracetic acid series for use in aseptic filling comprised predominantly of hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and water wherein a pH of the aqueous solution is 2˜4, a ratio of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide/the concentration of peracetic acid is 0.7 or less, and the concentration of peracetic acid is 500˜3000 ppm as well as a sterilization method wherein the sterilant thereof is used. The sterilant of peracetic acid series exhibits an excellent sterilizing effect even at an extremely low concentration of peracetic acid and so is economically advantageous. What is more, washing of the sterilant with sterile water after sterilization of a container is attained by injecting sterile water even for a short period of time to such level that the sterilized container can be filled with foods and drinks, so that the sterilant is remarkable in economical value and working efficiency. The sterilization method is carried out by heating the sterilant of peracetic acid series and/or a container for foods and the like or the interior surface thereof at 60° C. or higher to obtain more effective sterilizing effect and can be used in a recycling system, so far as a ratio of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide/the concentration of peracetic acid be maintained. |
| US08147751B2 |
Silver-white copper alloy and process for producing the same
To provide a silver-white copper alloy which represents a silver-white color equivalent to that of nickel silver and is excellent in hot workability and the like. The silver-white copper alloy includes 47.5 to 50.5 mass % of Cu, 7.8 to 9.8 mass % of Ni, 4.7 to 6.3 mass % of Mn, and the remainder including Zn, and the silver-white copper alloy has an alloy composition satisfying relationships of f1=[Cu]+1.4×[Ni]+0.3×[Mn]=62.0 to 64.0, f2=[Mn]/[Ni]=0.49 to 0.68, and f3=[Ni]+[Mn]=13.0 to 15.5 among a content [Cu] mass % of Cu, a content [Ni] mass % of Ni, and a content [Mn] mass % of Mn, and has a metal structure in which β phases at an area ratio of 2 to 17% are dispersed in an α-phase matrix. The copper alloy is provided as a hot processing material or continuous casting material formed by performing one or more heat treatments and cold processes on a hot processing raw material formed by performing a hot process on an ingot or a casting raw material obtained by continuous casting. |
| US08147749B2 |
Superalloy compositions, articles, and methods of manufacture
A composition of matter comprises, in combination, in weight percent: a largest content of nickel; at least 16.0 percent cobalt; and at least 3.0 percent tantalum. The composition may be used in power metallurgical processes to form turbine engine turbine disks. |
| US08147746B2 |
Apparatus for precipitation/separation of excess copper in lead-free solder
An apparatus for depositing and separating excess copper dissolved in molten lead-free solder containing tin as the main element is provided. An apparatus 1 deposits excess copper in the molten lead-free solder as an intermetallic compound and separates it from the molten solder. The apparatus includes a deposition bath 2 for causing an intermetallic compound in the molten solder, a metal added from the outside and copper in the molten solder to be deposited, a granulation bath 4 including plates 31 32 and 33 for allowing the molten solder to pass through the plates to merge the intermetallic compounds into particles having a larger diameter, and a separation bath 5 for causing the enlarged intermetallic compounds to precipitate and separate in the molten solder. |
| US08147745B2 |
Process for producing fiber and method for producing catalyst layer
To provide a process whereby an ultrafine fiber of a fluorinated ion exchange resin can be produced easily at low cost, and a method whereby a catalyst layer having a high gas diffusion property can be produced easily at low cost.A process for producing a fiber by spinning a spinning solution containing a fluorinated ion exchange resin and a solvent by a dry spinning method, or producing an electrically conductive composite fiber by spinning n types (where n is an integer of at least 2) of spinning solutions, of which at least one type contains a fluorinated ion exchange resin and a solvent, and at least one type contains an electrically conductive material and a solvent, simultaneously by a dry spinning method, wherein the spinning solution which is being spun by the dry spinning method, is stretched by a gas stream; and a method for producing a catalyst layer, which comprises accumulating the fiber produced by such a process to form a non-woven fabric thereby to obtain a catalyst layer having the non-woven fabric. |
| US08147731B2 |
Alignment system and method for a substrate in a nano-imprint process
Methods described include placing a sensor system over a substrate positioned on a chuck. The sensor system generates a beam of optical energy towards the substrate and is configured to receive optical energy deflected from the substrate. The sensor system generates sensor signals in response to variations in received optical energy from the substrate and the chuck. |
| US08147730B2 |
Synthesis of small particles
The invention provides an apparatus for forming fine particles of a substance in a precipitation chamber, in which the apparatus has means to convey the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to at least one particle collection chamber, downstream of the precipitation chamber, the particle collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet. The invention also provides a method of forming fine particles of a substance, the method comprising contacting a non-gaseous fluid containing the substance with a dense fluid to expand the non-gaseous fluid in a precipitation chamber, conveying a resulting mixture of fluid and the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to a collection chamber, the collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet. |
| US08147723B2 |
Porous anode active material, method of manufacturing the same, anode comprising the same, and lithium battery comprising the anode
A porous anode active material including a Group 14 element oxide and a non-active material having no reactivity with lithium; a method of manufacturing the porous anode active material; an anode including the porous anode active material; and a lithium battery including the anode. The non-active material may be silica. |
| US08147720B2 |
Latent curing agent
An aluminum chelate-based latent curing agent is provided which can cure a thermosetting epoxy resin at a relatively low temperature in a short period of time. A method for producing such an aluminum chelate-based latent curing agent, whose curing conditions can be relatively easily controlled, is also provided. The aluminum chelate-based latent curing agent is made latent by reacting a silsesquioxane-type oxetane derivative with an aluminum chelating agent in the presence of an alicyclic epoxy compound. |
| US08147719B2 |
Conductive polymer compositions
Electrically conductive polymer compositions are provided. The compositions are dispersed in an aqueous liquid medium having an oxygen content less than 10% of the saturated level. The compositions can be an electrically conductive polymer doped with a fluorinated acid polymer, an electrically conductive polymer in admixture with a fluorinated acid polymer, or mixtures thereof. The conductive polymer composition has a conductivity that changes by less than 10% in 30 days. |
| US08147717B2 |
Green emitting phosphor
A green emitting phosphor is provided, allowing the internal quantum efficiency to be increased. The green emitting phosphor comprises a mother crystal containing Sr, Ga and S, and a luminescent center, characterized in that, in an XRD pattern, the ratio of the diffraction intensity of the maximum peak appearing at diffraction angle 2θ=14 to 20° over the diffraction intensity of the maximum peak appearing at diffraction angle 2θ=21 to 27° is 0.4 or greater. |
| US08147715B2 |
Phosphor, process for producing the same, and luminescent device
A green phosphor for emitting light, a spectrum of which is sharp, in an ultraviolet and visible light region, which has higher green light brightness than the conventional rare earth-activated sialon phosphor and has higher durability than the conventional oxide phosphor, is provided. The phosphor being characterized in that Al and a metal element M (here, M is Eu) are incorporated into a crystal of a nitride or oxynitride having a β-type Si3N4 crystal structure as a solid solution, the content of oxygen in the crystal does not exceed 0.8% by mass, and the phosphor emits a visible light having a luminescence peak wavelength in the range of 450 nm to 650 nm upon exposure to an excitation source is provided. This luminescence spectrum has a sharp spectrum shape. A manufacturing method of the phosphor, a lighting device and an image display device utilizing the phosphor are also provided. |
| US08147711B2 |
Adjuvant for controlling polishing selectivity and chemical mechanical polishing slurry
Disclosed is an adjuvant for controlling polishing selectivity when polishing a cationically charged material simultaneously with an anionically charged material. CMP slurry comprising the adjuvant is also disclosed. The adjuvant comprises: (a) a polyelectrolyte that forms an adsorption layer on the cationically charged material in order to increase the polishing selectivity of the anionically charged material; (b) a basic material; and (c) a fluorine-based compound. when the adjuvant for controlling polishing selectivity of CMP slurry according to the present invention is applied to a CMP process, it is possible to increase the polishing selectivity of a silicon oxide layer, to obtain a uniform particle size of CMP slurry, to stabilize variations in viscosity under an external force and to minimize generation of microscratches during a polishing process. Therefore, the adjuvant for CMP slurry according to the present invention can improve reliability and productivity during the fabrication of very large scale integrated semiconductors. |
| US08147706B2 |
Low temperature flameless aerosol producing fire extinguishing composition and production method thereof
A low temperature flameless aerosol producing fire extinguishing composition containing potassium nitrate and binding fuel is characterized by using cellulose-fibrous mass as a binding fuel, with potassium nitrate at 30-70% and fibrous cellulose mass making up the remainder. A production method for the composition is further provided. |
| US08147704B2 |
Wide area stamp for antireflective surface
Nanoimprint molds for molding a surface of a material are provided. A nanoimprint mold includes a body with a molding surface that is formed by shaped nanopillars. The nanopillars may be formed on a substrate and shaped by performing at least a first partial oxidation of the nanopillars and then removing at least a portion of the oxidized material. Once shaped, a hard substance is deposited on the nanopillars to begin forming the molding surface of the nanoimprint mold. The deposition of a hard substance is followed by the deposition of carbon nanotube on the hard substance and then the removal of the substrate and nanopillars from the molding surface. |
| US08147701B2 |
Immobilized redox mediators for the treatment of contaminated waters and gas emissions
The present invention relates to a treatment process applicable to degrade or transform organic and inorganic pollutants, commonly found in industrial wastewaters, contaminated aquifers and gas emissions, in which reduction or oxidation reactions (e.g. redox reactions) are involved. The treatment concept comprises reactors in which catalysts, with redox mediating properties, have been immobilized on ion exchange resins in order to improve and accelerate the transformation of priority pollutants by chemical or biological means. |
| US08147698B2 |
Process for metabolic control and high solute clearance and solutions for use therein
The present disclosure describes novel standardized citrate replacement fluid solutions and a standardized dialysate solution for use with CRRT methods. The standardized citrate replacement fluid solutions and standardized dialysate solutions do not require modification based on the clinical status of the individual patients. The use of the standardized solutions described herein offers significant advantages over the prior art solutions used in CRRT. The present disclosure describes superior metabolic and electrolyte control and significantly increased dialyzer patency in: (a) 24 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with ARF using a 0.67% trisodium citrate replacement fluid solution, and (b) 32 ICU patients with ARF using a 0.5% trisodium citrate replacement fluid solution. Both groups were treated with Bicarbonate-25 dialysate and achieved effluent rates of 35 mL/kg/hr. |
| US08147695B2 |
Method of removing phosphorus from wastewater
A process for removing phosphorus from wastewater wherein an iron or aluminum salt is added to the wastewater. The iron or aluminum salt results in the precipitation of certain iron or aluminum species that include phosphorus adsorption sites. These iron or phosphorus species are settled and become a part of sludge produced in the course of the wastewater treatment process. By recycling substantial portions of the sludge, the concentration of these iron or aluminum species in the wastewater is increased. This increased concentration results in the presence of large quantities of unused phosphorus adsorption sites that attract and adsorb phosphorus, resulting in phosphorus being removed from the wastewater. |
| US08147688B2 |
Stormwater chamber detention system
A stormwater detention system includes a containment row for removing and collecting solids from stormwater. The containment row may be surrounded by a water-impermeable membrane, and designed to receive incoming water before other rows of the detention system. The containment row collects solids from the stormwater before the water is redirected into one or more additional rows, which are water permeable and buried in water permeable media. Filter structure may be associated with a flow system that delivers water from the containment row to the additional rows. |
| US08147684B2 |
Apparatus and methods for lubricant filtration and drum pump filtration system
A lubricant filtration assembly is provided for quick attachment with a lubricant reservoir, for pre-filtering lubricant and pumping the lubricant into its intended machinery. |
| US08147683B2 |
Portable lubricant filtration system and method
A portable lubricant filtration system and method is provided for facile pre-filtering of used or new lubricant prior to pumping the lubricant into its intended machinery. |
| US08147676B2 |
Delayed coking process
The present invention relates to an improved delayed coking process. A coker feed, such as a vacuum resid, is treated with (i) a metal-containing agent and (ii) an oxidizing agent. The feed is treated with the oxidizing agent at an oxidizing temperature. The oxidized feed is then pre-heated to coking temperatures and conducted to a coking vessel for a coking time to allow volatiles to evolve and to produce a substantially free-flowing coke. A metals-containing composition is added to the feed at at least one of the following points in the process: prior to the heating of the feed to coking temperatures, during such heating, and/or after such heating. |
| US08147675B2 |
Process for the total conversion of heavy feedstocks to distillates
A process for the conversion of heavy feedstocks selected from heavy crude oils, distillation residues from crude oil or coming from catalytic treatment, visbreaker tars, thermal tars, bitumens from oil sands, liquids from coats of different origins and other high-boiling feedstocks of a hydrocarbon nature known as “black oils.” |
| US08147674B2 |
Rapid-read gated amperometry
A sensor system, device, and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is described. Input signals including multiple duty cycles of sequential excitation pulses and relaxations are input to the sample. One or more signals output from the sample within 300 ms of the input of an excitation pulse may be correlated with the analyte concentration of the sample to improve the accuracy and/or precision of the analysis. Determining the analyte concentration of the sample from these rapidly measured output values may reduce analysis errors arising from the hematocrit effect, mediator background, and other error sources. |
| US08147672B2 |
Process for the preparation of sucralose
A process for preparing sucrose-6-ester is provided, which comprises electrolyzing an electrolyte solution containing sucrose, an acylating reagent and a halide catalyst. Also disclosed is a process for preparing sucralose, which involves the preparation and chlorination of sucrose-6-ester followed by deacylation of the molecule. The process of the invention can be more readily performed with a higher yield than those in the art. |
| US08147669B2 |
Reflective optical systems and their fabrication
A process for fabricating a reflective optical system is disclosed that includes providing first and second mandrels that form a mandrel assembly, and positioning the mandrel assembly in an electroforming bath. The process also includes performing an electroforming operation for a predetermined period, thereby forming an optical system on the mandrel assembly. The process further involves separating the mandrel assembly from the optical system. The resulting optical system is reflective and has at least first and second elongate hollow sections each having an axis corresponding to the axis of elongation of a respective mandrel. The reflective optical system may be used as an afocal relay and used in lithography applications. |
| US08147666B2 |
Biosensor membranes composed of polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogens
Novel membranes comprising various polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogen groups are described. These membranes are usefully employed in electrochemical sensors, such as amperometric biosensors. More particularly, these membranes effectively regulate a flux of analyte to a measurement electrode in an electrochemical sensor, thereby improving the functioning of the electrochemical sensor over a significant range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes are also described. |
| US08147665B2 |
Device for receiving a fluid sample and applications thereof
The invention relates to a device for receiving a fluid sample, which is designed such as to form an electrode, such as a counter electrode or a working electrode, in an electrochemical cell. The inventive device comprises an end part having at least one cavity which opens to the exterior via an opening and which is equipped with a base. The invention is characterized in that the aforementioned end part comprises a first electrically-insulating hydrophobic zone which is adjacent to the cavity opening and a second electrically-conducting hydrophilic zone which is adjacent to the first zone and which at least partially covers the base of the cavity, such that, when the end part is immersed in the fluid and then removed therefrom, the cavity retains part of the fluid by means of capillary action. |
| US08147664B2 |
Sputtering apparatus
A sputtering apparatus includes a target holder which is placed in a vacuum vessel and can hold a target configured to deposit a film on a substrate, a substrate holder which can mount the substrate, a first shield member which is disposed in a vicinity of the substrate holder, and configured to form a closed state in which the substrate holder and the target holder are shielded from each other, or an open state in which the substrate holder and the target holder are opened to each other, a first opening/closing driving unit adapted to open/close the first shield member to enter the open state or the closed state, a second shield member, having an annular-shaped, disposed on the surface of the substrate holder and an outer peripheral portion of the substrate, and a driving unit adapted to move the substrate holder in order to bring the substrate holder, on which the second shield member is disposed, close to the first shield member in the closed state. The first shield member has at least one annular-shaped, first protruding portion formed on it to extend in the direction of the second shield member. The second shield member has at least one annular-shaped, second protruding portion formed on it to extend in the direction of the first shield member. The first protruding portion and the second protruding portion fit together in a non-contact state at the position up to which the driving unit brings the substrate holder close to the first shield member. |
| US08147662B2 |
Capping board section and assembly with reinforced mating projection
The invention concerns a capping board assembly and its multiple connectable sections. Each pair of sections is connected with an interlocking joint, each of which comprises at least one projection and at least one recess that cooperate and prevent the longitudinal and lateral movement of the sections. Each interlocking joint is reinforced by a rod embedded within the section and extending within the projection. The rod has a tip that anchors the projection. The interlocking joints allow precision assembly of the sections of the capping board which greatly benefits strength, installation, replacement and transportation. |
| US08147659B2 |
Gated electrodes for electrolysis and electrosynthesis
A gated electrode structure for altering a potential and electric field in an electrolyte near at least one working electrode is disclosed. The gated electrode structure may comprise a gate electrode biased appropriately with respect to a working electrode. Applying an appropriate static or dynamic (time varying) gate potential relative to the working electrode modifies the electric potential and field in an interfacial region between the working electrode and the electrolyte, and increases electron emission to and from states in the electrolyte, thereby facilitating an electrochemical, electrolytic or electrosynthetic reaction and reducing electrode overvoltage/overpotential. |
| US08147658B2 |
Sacrificial electrode mounting structure
In a structure for mounting a sacrificial electrode in a cooling water passageway provided in a cylinder block of a water-cooled engine for an outboard engine unit, the cooling water passageway is defined by a groove portion provided in the cylinder block and a lid member closing an opening of the groove portion, a gasket member is provided between the groove portion and the lid member, and a screw fixedly fastens the sacrificial electrode to a bottom wall of the cooling water passageway. The gasket member has an extension portion opposed to a surface of the head of the screw located remote from the bottom wall of the cooling water passageway. |
| US08147657B2 |
Sputtering device and film forming method
A sputtering apparatus according to the present invention is provided with first to fourth targets. The first and the second targets are disposed so that their surfaces face each other. The third and the fourth targets are also disposed so that their surfaces face each other. When a dielectric film is formed, sputtering is alternately performed on the first and the second targets and on the third and the fourth targets. When sputtering is performed on two of the targets having surfaces that face each other, the remaining two targets function as a ground. As a result, abnormal discharges are inhibited. |
| US08147652B2 |
Paper machine belt conditioning system, apparatus and method
A belt conditioning method, apparatus and paper machine employing the method and apparatus are provided. The belt method and apparatus include multiple conditioning devices using chemicals to condition water impermeable surfaces of paper machine belts, such as transfer belts and prevent deposits from accumulating on the belts. In one embodiment, the belt supports a web at a first portion of the belt's loop and is separated from the web at a second portion. The conditioning apparatuses are placed in the second portion. |
| US08147646B2 |
Semiconductor device producing method
A semiconductor device producing method includes: vacuum-adsorbing a printed substrate on a vacuum adsorption surface of a stage with the printed substrate being pressed on the vacuum adsorption surface; temporarily fixing the printed substrate on the stage by commonly inserting a pin to a through hole formed in the printed substrate and a hole formed in the stage; and releasing the vacuum adsorption. |
| US08147645B2 |
Syringe for fabricating liquid crystal display panel
A syringe for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel is provided. The syringe includes a body, a plurality of nozzles, and a connection portion. The body portion has a dispensing material contained therein. The plurality of nozzles supply the dispensing material received from the body portion to a substrate of the liquid crystal display panel. The connection portion are provided on a bottom surface of the connection portion and couples the nozzles with the body portion. |
| US08147644B2 |
Method of manufacturing thermoplastic membrane articles and methods of use
A release liner web has thermoplastic membranes coated on opposite sides of the release liner web that are thermoplastically fused proximally to an edge of the release liner web, nearly doubling the width of thermoplastic membranes that can be prepared using conventional equipment. Also described are geomembranes prepared from an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic sheet material and having a high gloss surface, and methods of manufacture and use of same. |
| US08147643B1 |
Bar code label book single pass manufacturing process
A method for manufacturing a pro label book includes printing static indicia on a web of label material, applying an adhesive to each portion of the web of label material that will become a label page in a pro label book that is not the portion of the web of label material that will become a top page of a label book to be formed if the adhesive is applied to a top surface of the web of label material or a bottom page of a label book to be formed if the adhesive is applied to the bottom surface of the web of label material, printing variable information on the web of label material, sheeting the web of label material to form label pages, and batching the label pages together utilizing the applied adhesive. Certain embodiments include attaching one of a backer or a cover to the web of label material following the printing static indicia step. |
| US08147642B2 |
Process of making boxer shorts from a web
A boxer-style pant and a method of making a boxer-style pant having side seams, a contracted crotch region, and hanging legs. A web is provided. The web may be a single pant assembly, or a continuous web of multiple pant assemblies connected to one another. The web may be folded against a support structure. In certain embodiments, a multi-lane production system may be used wherein the web is folded against multiple support structures each parallel to a direction in which the web is conveyed, with each lane or machine direction array of pant assemblies folded against just one support structure. The web is cut to define leg openings, and contracted in selected areas along the web between the leg openings. Front and back regions are then joined together to form the side seams. An absorbent structure may be attached to the web. |
| US08147641B1 |
Integrated shipping label and packing list form
Methods and systems for making an improved integrated shipping label and packing list form. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, such a form comprises a first sheet material, a second sheet material, and a third sheet material. The sheet materials are joined together with the first sheet material between the other two sheet materials. Lines of weakness defining at least one shipping label and packing list label are cut into the joined together sheet materials. |
| US08147637B2 |
Method of fabricating a composite item
To fabricate a composite item, a first end effector is selected from a plurality of end effectors to apply tows to a form. The first end effector includes an integrated creel configured to store spools of the tow on an assembly of spindles. The assembly of spindles is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first integrated creel. The first end effector is secured to a positioning device. The tows are applied to the form and the tows are compacted on the form with a compaction device. The assembly of spindles are disposed circumferentially about the compaction device. |
| US08147635B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus of fiber-reinforced resin strand
A manufacturing apparatus of a fiber-reinforced resin strand including spreaders that spread a reinforcing fiber bundle and are provided inside a crosshead to which a molten resin material is supplied continuously from an extruding machine, twisting rollers provided at a downstream position from an exit nozzle of the crosshead and that pultrude a fiber-reinforced resin strand formed of a resin-impregnated fiber bundle from the exit nozzle while imparting twists thereto, and twist retaining rollers provided at a downstream position from the twisting rollers and that retain twists of the fiber-reinforced resin strand. The twisting rollers and the twist retaining rollers are made of metal with asperities being formed on the surface thereof. The manufacturing apparatus can achieve excellent durability and is capable of manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin strand at a high production rate without causing slipping. |
| US08147628B2 |
Method for producing cryogenic, solid monopropellants and solid propellants produced according to said method
The invention relates to a method for producing (cryogenic) solid monopropellants which are cooled to below room temperature and are used for rocket drives, especially using heterogeneous liquid-solid propellants wherein at least one of the reactants in the form of an oxidizer or a fuel contains a phase which is liquid or gaseous at normal temperature, for example emulsions of liquid constituents which do not dissolve in each other, suspensions of solid in liquid constituents or liquid-impregnated feed materials. The invention also relates to a cryogenic solid propellant for rocket drives, especially heterogeneous quasi-monopropellant fuel-oxidizer combinations. The aim of the invention is to increase the efficiency of the cryogenic solid propellants compared with conventional storable solid drives, hybrid drives or liquid driving gears, and to improve in a simple manner the storage properties and economic efficiency of said propellants, avoiding costly liquid management, and simultaneously eliminating the permanent ignition of the cryogenic solid propellants. To this end, the at least one liquid or gaseous phase embodied as a reactant in the form of a fuel or an oxidizer is transferred into a solid structure comprising interconnected cavities, said structure consisting of reactants which are formed in such a way that they complement the liquid phase, and the liquid phase is converted into a cryogenic solid phase inside the solid structure by means of freezing, said solid phase being stable below normal temperature. |
| US08147624B2 |
Electrode
The present invention relates to an electrode composed of an Al-M-Cu based alloy, to a process for preparing the Al-M-Cu based alloy, to an electrolytic cell comprising the electrode the use of an Al-M-Cu based alloy as an anode and to a method for extracting a reactive metal from a reactive metal-containing source using an Al-M-Cu based alloy as an anode. |
| US08147620B2 |
Apparatus for removing water-soluble support material from one or more rapid prototype parts
The support removal apparatus comprising in combination a retention tank having a manifold assembly comprising a plurality of nozzle heads, articulating arms or a combination of both in hydraulic communication with the discharge side of a pump, collectively configured for agitating an aqueous cleaning solution; a heating element mounted within the retention tank for heating the aqueous cleaning solution to a predetermined temperature set point; a basket strainer mounted within the retention tank in hydraulic communication with the intake side of the pump to mitigate passage of small rapid prototype parts and residual support material therethrough and into the pump and manifold assembly; a thermocouple for maintaining the temperature within a tolerable range for optimum removal of support material; a level indicator to ensure adequate solution level in the retention tank for operability of the pump and heating element; a cabinet having an interface controller mounted on an exterior panel thereof for setting timer and heat functions; and a microprocessor having capabilities for making minute adjustments to the heating element via feedback from the thermocouple and controlling operation of the pump and heating element for a pre-set time interval. |
| US08147617B2 |
Substrate cleaning method and computer readable storage medium
A wafer W is processed by supplying a two-fluid, high pressure jet water, or mega-sonic water onto the wafer W, while rotating the wafer W in an essentially horizontal state. After supply of the cleaning fluid is stopped, the wafer W is dried by rotating the wafer W at a higher speed than that used in supplying the cleaning fluid. No rinsing process using purified water is performed in a period after stopping supply of the cleaning fluid and before rotating the substrate at the higher speed. |
| US08147615B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor cleaners
A method of manufacturing cleaning solvents is provided. The method includes selecting a small plurality of test solvents from a large plurality of perspective solvents. The equilibrium composition of a multi-component solution is preferably described by the Hansen solubility model. A small plurality of test solvents is applied to solute samples and the degree of dissolution or swelling recorded. Based on the degree of dissolution or swelling, at least one solvent is selected from the large plurality of perspective solvents based on the Hansen parameters. In other embodiments, the three-parameter Hansen solubility model includes additional parameters that enable more accurate solubility predictions. In one embodiment, an additional parameter accounts for oxidizing solution components. In an alternative embodiment, an additional parameter accounts for the acidic/basic property of the solution. Still another embodiment accounts for temperature effects. |
| US08147611B2 |
Method of manufacturing single crystal
A method of manufacturing a single crystal based on a Czochralski method of applying a horizontal magnetic field, wherein the single crystal is pulled in such a manner that a radial magnetic field intensity gradient ΔBr/ΔRc in a direction connecting central points of magnetic field generation coils exceeds 5.5 (Gauss/mm) and becomes 10 (Gauss/mm) or below where an origin O is a central part of the single crystal on a solid-liquid interface, ΔBr (Gauss) is a variation in a magnetic field intensity from the origin O to a crucible inner wall on a surface of a melt, and ΔRc (mm) is a radial distance from the origin O to the crucible inner wall on the surface of the melt. |
| US08147609B2 |
Non-dispersible concrete for underwater and underground construction
A non-dispersible concrete for underwater and underground construction is disclosed, whose composition primarily comprises: coarse aggregate in a range of from 600 to 1200 kgw/m3; fine aggregate 500 to 1100 kgw/m3, with a fineness modulus (F.M.) in a range of from 2.2 to 3.2; powder 300 to 700 kgw/m3; mixing water 140 to 300 kgw/m3; and cohesion-enhancing admixture (for example, polyacrylamide, PAA) whose solid content is 0.1 to 5.0 wt % of the powder. In addition, a SCC for underwater and underground construction is also developed and has excellent property of self-consolidation (its test value is 400 to 750 mm in slump flow spread test) and an appropriate compressive strength (between 14 to 70 MPa), so as can be widely applied to underwater and underground construction, whose composition further includes superplasticizer with solid content 0.1 to 3.0 wt % of the powder. Also, it covers: water to binder ratio (W/B) of 0.22 to 1.00, paste volume 0.25 to 0.60 m3, and water/powder volume ratio 0.5 to 2.95. |
| US08147608B2 |
Modified pigments and methods for making and using the same
A method of producing a modified pigment by sulfonating a pigment and subsequently oxidizing the pigment. The modified pigment may have sulfonic acid and carboxyl surface modifying groups attached to the surface of the pigment. Charge balancing counterions such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and NR1R2R3H+, where R1, R2 and R3 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl groups, may be associated with the surface modifying groups. The modified pigment is combined with water to produce a dispersion that can be used in such applications as coatings, paints, papers, adhesives, latexes, toners, textiles, fibers, plastics and inks. |
| US08147607B2 |
Hydrophobic self-cleaning coating compositions
Coating compositions of the present invention comprise hydrophobic particles, an alcohol, a solvent, and an effective amount of water such that coatings formed therefrom are hydrophobic. The hydrophobic particles may comprise a metal oxide, such as silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), titania (TiO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO), or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic particles comprise fumed silica. The amount of hydrophobic particles is in the range of from about 0.3 wt. % to about 2 wt. %. In one embodiment, the effective amount of water is at least about 0.066 wt. %. The ratio of the amount of the solvent to the amount of the alcohol is slightly less than 100, and, in another embodiment, is at least about 50 to 50. A surface treated with the composition is characterized by a water contact angle of 115° or more, and more particularly 135° or more. |
| US08147605B2 |
Coating composition for a mould
A coating system for a mould for the directional solidification of silicon. The coating is applied as an aqueous slurry of silicon nitride particle, carbon black and microsilica. |