| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08174532B2 |
Programmable video signal processor for video compression and decompression
A data processing method with multiple issue multiple datapath architecture in a video signal processor (VSP) is provided. In the method, commands are received from the external signal processor. The received commands are routed to a plurality of separate command sequencers, an Input/output (IO) processor or a plurality of configure registers according to different command types. Each of the separate command sequencers packs the received commands into a plurality of instruction packets and sending the instruction packets to a plurality of instruction dispatch units, in which each of the instruction packets includes one or more instructions. The instruction packets are dispatched to respective function units for performing operations in response to the received instruction packets. |
| US08174530B2 |
Parallel date processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus includes a plurality of processing elements arranged in a single instruction multiple data array for processing data relating to graphical primitives. Vertex data relating to graphical primitives is used as feedback data for the processing elements for additional processing. |
| US08174516B2 |
Image display system, image signal transmitter and image display unit
An object of the present invention is to realize a transmission distortion correction system for allowing an image signal including a plurality of picture signals to be corrected, and to realize an image signal transmitter and an image display unit. The image display unit of the present invention includes: a second reference signal generation means for generating a second reference signal similar to a first reference signal regarding the image signal in which the first reference signal is inserted into each of the plurality of picture signals by the image signal transmitter; a plurality of waveform equalizers provided that correspond to the plurality of picture signals and that include a filter circuit capable of setting a characteristic thereto; and a control portion for inputting the plurality of picture signals, analyzing a characteristic of a transmission path between the image signal transmitter and the image display unit upon detecting the first reference signal in the input picture signals by comparing the first reference signal with the second reference signal, and setting a characteristic inverse to the analyzed transmission path characteristic to a filter circuit of the waveform equalizers that correspond to the input picture signals. |
| US08174514B2 |
Demultiplexer, and light emitting display using the same and display panel thereof
A demultiplexer, a light emitting display using the same, and a display panel thereof. The light emitting display includes: an image signal line for supplying a data signal for displaying an image through a plurality of first signal lines; a display area including a plurality of data lines for transmitting the data signal, a plurality of scan lines for transmitting a selection signal, and a plurality of pixels coupled to the data lines and the scan lines; a data driver for sequentially outputting a plurality of first control signals; a scan driver for sequentially applying the selection signal to the scan lines; and a demultiplexer including a plurality of switches for transmitting the data signal to at least two data lines in response to the first control signals. One of the first control signals is transmitted in at least two directions to switches in at least one of the switching units. |
| US08174512B2 |
Hybrid haptic device utilizing mechanical and programmable haptic effects
System and method for a rotary control in a device that comprises a knob, a shaft supporting the knob and coupled to rotate therewith a base supporting the shaft. A sensor, operationally coupled to the base, is configured to detect an aspect of manipulation of the knob, which may include information relating to position, velocity, acceleration, torque, rate of rotation, time of rotation, or a combination thereof. A mechanical haptic assembly is operationally coupled between the base and the shaft to provide mechanical based haptic effects in response to movement of the knob with respect to the base. A programmable electronic-based actuator is operationally coupled to the knob and provides electronic-based haptic force feedback to the knob. |
| US08174511B2 |
Touch panel display, electronic apparatus and playing apparatus
Disclosed herein is a touch panel display including, a flat plate-shaped movable panel unit, a movable support member, an acoustic vibration unit, and a soft member, wherein the acoustic vibration unit includes, a sound generating member, an actuator, and a hard member. |
| US08174503B2 |
Touch-based authentication of a mobile device through user generated pattern creation
A method, system, and apparatus of a touch-based authentication of a mobile device through user generated pattern creation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a mobile device includes recognizing a tactile force on a touch screen without a visual aid as an unlocking gesture, storing the unlocking gesture to a memory of the mobile device, associating another tactile force on the touch screen with the unlocking gesture, and transforming the mobile device from an initial state to an unlocked state based on the association between the another tactile force and the unlocking gesture. The method may include transforming the mobile device to operate as a telephonic communication device in the unlocked state. |
| US08174502B2 |
Touch event processing for web pages
One or more touch input signals can be obtained from a touch sensitive device. If the touch input signals are associated with one or more regions of a web page displayed on the touch sensitive device, a touch event associated with the regions of a web page is processed by the web page. Otherwise, the touch events can be processed by an application (e.g., a browser). |
| US08174497B2 |
Handheld vision based absolute pointing system
A method is described that involves identifying one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. Each marker is positioned on or proximate to a display. The images appear on a pixilated sensor within a handheld device. The method also involves determining a location on, or proximate to, the display where the handheld device was pointed during the identifying. The method also involves sending from the handheld device information derived from the identifying of the one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. The method also involves triggering action taken by electronic equipment circuitry in response to the handheld device's sending of a signal to indicate the action is desired. |
| US08174495B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a contact detection section for detecting contact from a user, a vibration output section for outputting an acoustic vibration that can be sensed by the user as a sound and a haptic vibration for stimulating the haptic sense of the user, a pattern generation section for generating an output vibration pattern including the acoustic vibration and the haptic vibration in response to the contact detection section detecting the contact from the user, and a drive section for driving the vibration output section in accordance with the output vibration pattern to make the vibration output section output the acoustic vibration and the haptic vibration. |
| US08174494B2 |
Electrophoretic display device, electronic device, and drive method for an electrophoretic display panel
An electrophoretic display device comprises an electrophoretic display panel having drive electrodes, a common electrode, and electrophoretic particles inbetween. The panel can update the display color of each display unit correlated to a particular drive electrode according to a voltage applied between that drive electrode and the common electrode. A drive control unit applies such voltage and also has components that determine for each display unit the current display color and selectively apply specifically configured first, second and third pulses between the common and drive electrodes of display units to effect color change. |
| US08174492B2 |
Method for driving an electrophoretic display
The display of after-images is prevented in an electrophoretic display by applying one gray of at least three different grays through at least some of the pixels, applying a middle gray through at least some of the plurality of pixels, and applying a final compensation voltage to refresh the plurality of pixels. |
| US08174488B2 |
Visual display system with varying illumination
A visual display system for use in conjunction with a display device includes one or more illumination sources for illuminating a region surround the image display region; and a control unit configured to control the illumination sources to vary the illumination in an inactive state of the display device. The control unit is further configured to synchronize the varying illumination with a color scheme. |
| US08174486B2 |
Light sensing circuit, liquid crystal display having the same, and method of driving the same using detected external light, internal light, and peripheral light
A light sensing circuit includes a sensor unit, a voltage generator and a readout circuit. The sensor unit includes a first sensor that detects an external light to output a first current value, a third sensor that detects an internal light generated from the backlight unit to output a third current value, and a second sensor that detects a peripheral light isolated from the external light and the internal light to output a second current value. The sensor unit outputs a first differential value between the third current value and the second current value and a second differential value between the first current value and the second current value. The voltage generator generates a reference voltage based on the first differential value and a sensing voltage based on the second differential value. The readout circuit outputs brightness information of the external light using the reference voltage and the sensing voltage. |
| US08174485B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
The method of driving a liquid crystal display device includes calculating a brightness average value of pixel data of at least one frame period supplied to a liquid crystal display panel, and storing the average to a memory unit; generating a brightness control signal having a duty ratio according to the brightness average value of the pixel data adjusted taking variation of transmissivity with an angle of view into account in a white or black driving mode of the liquid crystal display panel; and supplying the brightness control signal to a light source unit. |
| US08174481B2 |
Driving circuit of liquid crystal display
A driving circuit of a liquid crystal display including a first input port, a second input port, a first gamma buffer, a second gamma buffer, and a switching circuit is provided. A plurality of first gamma voltages are inputted from the first input port, and a plurality of second gamma voltages are inputted from the second input port. The switching circuit switches the connections between the two input ports and the two gamma buffers, such that a first line of pixels of the liquid crystal display receives the gamma voltages from the first gamma buffer within a first frame period and a second frame period, and that a second line of pixels of the liquid crystal display receives the gamma voltages from the second gamma buffer within the first frame period and the second frame period. |
| US08174480B2 |
Gate driver and display panel utilizing the same
A gate driver including a shift register, a level shifter, an output buffer, and a processing unit. The shift register generates a shifted signal. The level shifter generates a level signal according to a first operation voltage, a second operation voltage and the shifted signal. The output buffer provides a scan signal according to the level signal. The processing unit controls the level signal to follow the second operation voltage when the first operation voltage equals to a first preset value and the second operation voltage is higher than a second preset value less than the first preset value. |
| US08174477B2 |
Gate driver and repairing method thereof
A gate driver and a repairing method are disclosed, wherein the gate driver is provided with one or more plurality of auxiliary stages that can substitute for a disabled stage, the gate driver including a shift register provided with a plurality of first output lines; at least three output repairing lines arranged across the first output lines; at least two clock transmission lines to transmit at least two clock pulses of different phases; at least one clock repairing line arranged across the clock transmission lines; and at least one auxiliary stage connected to the output repairing lines and to the at least one clock repairing line. |
| US08174464B2 |
Two-dimensional and three-dimensional image selectable display device
A display device, adapted to display a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image, includes an image panel for displaying an image and a barrier panel located in front of the image panel. The barrier panel includes a first substrate including In-Plane-Switching type electrodes arranged on a surface of the substrate, a second substrate having a transparent electrode on the inner side surface, and a liquid crystal layer located between the first and second substrates. The barrier panel displays the image as a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image depending on electric fields established between first and second substrates of the barrier panel and between the In-Plane-Switching type electrodes formed on the first substrate. The two-dimensional image may be displayed with wide viewing angle and narrow viewing angle options. |
| US08174459B2 |
Coplanar antenna unit and coplanar antenna
The present invention is related to a coplanar antenna unit and a coplanar antenna. By utilizing the unique properties of meta-material to design 1-D balanced CRLH leaky-wave antenna. The antenna can be realized with the coplanar antenna unit consisting of MIM capacitor and grounded inductor. In this invention, all proposed elements are implemented by planar print circuit broad, so the full-space switched beam scanning antenna has shorter length of leaky-wave antenna and good radiation performance. |
| US08174455B2 |
Antenna element with improved radiation characteristics
An antenna element is disclosed. A substrate is made of dielectric material and has a first face. A first antenna element is made of conductive material and is provided on the first face. A first power feeding portion is made of conductive material and is disposed on the first antenna element. A second antenna element is made of conductive material, is provided on the first face, and forms a loop surrounding the first antenna element with a gap. A second power feeding portion is made of conductive material. The second power feeding portion is extended from the second antenna element toward the first antenna element and is arranged to form an electromagnetic coupling with the first antenna element. A perturbation element is made of conductive material and is extended from the second antenna element. A length of loop is twice a circumferential length of the first antenna element. |
| US08174453B2 |
Folder-type mobile communication device
The present invention is related to a folder-type mobile communication device. The device comprises a first dielectric substrate, a first ground plane disposed on the first dielectric substrate, a second dielectric substrate, a second ground plane disposed on the second dielectric substrate, an antenna element, a metal line, and a band-stop circuit. The antenna element is located near the first ground plane and is electrically connected to a source on the first dielectric substrate. The second ground plane is electrically connected to the first ground plane through the metal line. The band-stop circuit is located either on the first ground plane or on the second ground plane. The band-stop circuit includes a slit, a capacitive element, and an inductive element. The slit is near the metal line. The capacitive element is electrically connected to the two sides of the slit, and the inductive element is electrically connected to the two sides of the slit such that the inductive element and the capacitive element form a parallel LC resonant circuit. Therefore, the band-stop circuit generates a parallel resonance at a specified frequency. |
| US08174452B2 |
Cavity antenna for wireless electronic devices
Wireless portable electronic devices such as laptop computers are provided with cavity-backed monopole antennas. A wireless device may have a housing. Conductive portions of the housing such as a conductive outer metal layer and internal frame structures may form a cavity having conductive walls. An antenna resonating element structure may be formed from monopole antenna resonating element arms of dissimilar lengths. One of the arms may be straight and another of the arms may be implemented using a meandering path. The antenna resonating element may be mounted over the cavity to form a cavity-backed monopole antenna. A display within the device may be covered by a cover glass. An opaque bezel region around the periphery of the cover glass may cover the antenna and block it from view. The antenna resonating element arms may run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity. |
| US08174450B2 |
Broadband micropatch antenna system with reduced sensitivity to multipath reception
A micropatch antenna system with simultaneous high bandwidth and low sensitivity to multipath radiation is achieved by positioning a radiating element within a cavity in a ground plane. Bandwidth and sensitivity to multipath radiation may be varied by varying the height of the radiating element above the bottom of the cavity and above the top of the ground plane. The electromagnetic and physical characteristics of the antenna system may be further controlled by introducing dielectric solids or wave-slowing structures between the bottom of the cavity and the radiating element. A dual-band micropatch antenna system with simultaneous high bandwidth and low sensitivity to multipath radiation may be similarly configured by stacking a second radiating element on top of the first radiating element. |
| US08174439B2 |
Position information providing system indoor transmitter and method for providing position information
An indoor transmitter is capable of programmably changing a format of a transmitter signal. A process to be performed by a position information providing apparatus comprises the step of acquiring a received positioning signal, and the step of identifying an emission source of the positioning signal, wherein, if the emission source of the positioning signal is an outdoor source, the process further comprises the step of acquiring a navigation message included in the positioning signal, and the step of performing a processing for calculating a position based on the signal, or, if the emission source of the positioning sign is an indoor source, the process further comprises the step of acquiring message data from the positioning signal, the step of acquiring coordinate values from the data, and the step of displaying position information based on the coordinate values. |
| US08174436B2 |
Dive computer with global positioning system receiver
Dive computers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a microprocessor, a pressure transducer connected to the microprocessor, a microphone connected to the microprocessor, a speaker connected to the microprocessor, a telephone transceiver connected to the microprocessor, a GPS receiver connected to the microprocessor and a display. In addition, the microprocessor, pressure transducer and display are configured to display information concerning the dive computer's depth of submersion, the microprocessor, microphone, speaker and telephone transceiver are configured to enable the dive computer to be used as a telephone handset, and the microprocessor is configured to obtain GPS coordinates from the GPS receiver. In a further embodiment, the microprocessor, the microphone, the speaker, the telephone transceiver, the display, and the GPS receiver are components of a mobile phone handset including an external connector for communicating with external devices, the pressure transducer is packaged separately from the mobile phone handset and the pressure transducer packaging includes a connector configured to mate with the external connector of the mobile phone handset creating a connection between the pressure transducer and the microprocessor, and the mobile phone handset and the pressure transducer are contained within a waterproof housing. In addition, a software application installed on the mobile phone handset configures the microprocessor to record information concerning the dive computer's depth and time of submersion in a dive log. |
| US08174434B2 |
Method and device for determining a distance to a target object
An apparatus and a method for determining a distance (r) to a target object (200) proposes transmitting electromagnetic waves in the form of a transmission signal (120a) by a transmitter (111a), receiving at least one part of said transmission signal (120a) reflected by a the target object (200) in the form of a reception signal (120c, 120d) by receiving device (111b) and evaluating the reception signal (120c, 120d) according a reference signal (1230b) which has a known phase difference with respect to the transmission signal (120a) and a frequency equal to the frequency thereof. The reference (120) and reception (120c, 120d) signal frequencies are reduced in a frequency divider (113) with the same predefined divider factor (x) while preserving the existing phase difference between the reference signal (120b) and the reception (120c, 120d) signal in such a way that a reduced frequency reception signal (120b′) and a reduced frequency reception signal (120d) are obtained. The frequency difference between the reduced frequency reception signal (120b′) and reduced frequency reception signal (120d′) is evaluated in order to determine the distance (R). |
| US08174432B2 |
Radar apparatus
A radar apparatus mounted in a vehicle includes an inward bent surface and a radar device. The inward bent surface is formed in a lower portion of a bumper of the vehicle, and curves inward with a higher degree of curvature in a horizontal plane than a bumper surface of an upper portion of the inward bent surface. The radar device is placed behind the inward bent surface so that a beam axis of the radar device penetrates the inward bent surface. |
| US08174430B1 |
Detection of concealed object by standing waves
A process is provided to detect an object within a defined region using standing longitudinal cavity mode waves. The process includes disposing first and second conductive lines substantially parallel to the axis, transmitting an electromagnetic signal through the first line at a set frequency, returning the transmitted signal through the second line, measuring power from a reflected signal through the first line, adjusting the set frequency based on the measured power; extracting an appropriate parameter from the reflected signal to obtain a reflected characteristic, comparing the reflected characteristic to an established characteristic that lacks the object to obtain a characteristic differential, and analyzing the characteristic differential to obtain a position of the object along the length. The first and second conductive lines have specified length and width that bound a defined region. The analyzing can be performed by Fourier transform across wave modes. |
| US08174429B2 |
Mine detection
An integrated mine detection system includes a ground penetrating metal detector and a ground penetrating radar detector. The integrated mine detection system includes an integrated search device housing a radio-wave transmitter of the radar detector and a coil of the metal detector. The radio-wave transmitter includes an antenna. The integrated search device includes a radio-wave receiver in the form of a pair of receiving antennas. |
| US08174427B2 |
A/D converter and solid-state imaging device
According to one embodiment, an A/D converter includes a determination circuit configured to determine whether a first analog signal is greater than a second analog signal or not, the first analog signal being a present A/D conversion target, the second analog signal being an immediately preceding A/D conversion target, a calculation circuit configured to add a reference voltage to a difference obtained by subtracting the second analog signal from the first analog signal, a generation circuit configured to generate a comparison voltage, a comparator configured to compare a calculated value of the calculation circuit with the comparison voltage, and a conversion circuit configured to convert a period into a digital signal, the period being required until the calculated value is identical with the comparison voltage by the comparator. |
| US08174423B2 |
Pipelined analog-to-digital converter and sub-converter stage
The present invention introduces a sub-converter stage used in a pipelined analog-to-digital converter. The sub-converter stage comprises an amplifier with a gain A, a sub analog-to-digital converter with comparators and a digital unit, a first capacitor with capacitance C, a second capacitor with capacitance C−ΔC, and customized reference signal Vrefk, where Δ C C = 4 A + 2 and V refk = V ref ( 1 - Δ C 2 C ) . If the gain A of the amplifier is adjustable, the sub-converter stage needs an error detector to detect the difference between the output of the amplifier and reference signal Vref and adjust the gain A of the amplifier. The present invention also introduces a pipelined analog-to-digital converter employing the sub-converter stage. In the pipelined analog-to-digital converter and the sub-converter stage presented by this invention, the error generated by the finite gain of amplifier and the error generated by the capacitance mismatch have the same size but opposite sign, ending that the two errors can compensate each other. As a result, the sub-converter stage achieves an error-free conversion and the two errors are calibrated. |
| US08174418B2 |
Inexpensively improving resolution and reducing noise of low-noise signals
Systems and methods for improving resolution of low-noise signals in an analog-to-digital conversion circuit. A simple, low cost pseudo-noise generating circuit is disclosed that, when connected to the signal conditioning circuitry of A/D conversion circuit, adds pseudo-noise to an analog input voltage signal. Additional pseudo-noise is beneficial for improving the resolution of analog-to-digital conversion when oversampling and summing or averaging are used in post-conversion processing operations. The circuit is composed of a plurality of resistors configured in at least two parallel branches. An individually switchable voltage source output is connected to each branch. A resulting analog voltage can be measured at a common termination point for the branches, depending on the combination of switchable voltage source output turned on, and the branch to which the voltage output is applied. By varying the combination of switchable voltage source outputs turned on over time, a known analog pseudo-noise signal is developed. |
| US08174417B2 |
System and a method of correcting baseline wander
A system and method of correcting baseline wander (BLW) are disclosed. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts an analog input to a digital output, and a slicer maps the digital output to one of a plurality of predefined values. A BLW correction unit generates a BLW correction value according to a difference between an input and an output of the slicer. A correction controller generates a fine correction value and a coarse correction value according to the BLW correction value. Specifically, the fine correction value is used to correct the digital output of the ADC, and the coarse correction value is used to correct the analog input of the ADC. |
| US08174414B2 |
Methods and devices for load balancing in parallel entropy coding and decoding
Devices and methods for entropy decoding a bitstream of encoded data by extracting a plurality of encoded subsequences from a payload field of the bitstream for parallel decoding on a set of parallel entropy decoders. The method includes dividing the payload of concatenated encoded subsequences into segments using a distribution function and distributing the segments amongst the set of parallel entropy decoders to balance the computational load among the parallel entropy decoders. The received bitstream includes auxiliary information inserted by the encoder to enable the decoder to entropy decode segments that begin with a portion of an encoded subsequence. |
| US08174409B2 |
Lineographic alphanumeric data input system
An alphanumeric data input system for entering text into portable electronic devices by making linear traces or taps with a thumb or finger on a touch sensitive lineographic keypad. This keypad is conveniently located on the upper and left part of the electronic device in order to facilitate the natural motion of the thumb thus avoiding fatigue and strain of the same. The system allows the user to enter operational commands on the keypad, as well as entering of letters of different alphabets such as the Latin Alphabet, Mathematical Greek and Russian Alphabets and possibly of alphabets of other foreign languages including Japanese, Chinese and Korean. This system can be used for entering a combination of letters to speed up the writing process, and enables the entering of punctuation marks, typographical symbols and a wide range of mathematical symbols. |
| US08174408B2 |
Method and system for the wireless remote control of marker lights
A system for wirelessly controlling marker lights comprising a remote controller comprising a transmitter and one or more marker lights. Each of the marker lights comprise a receiver and processing means, and each of the marker lights have a configuration mode in which the processing means is adapted to cause the receiver to wirelessly receive data from the transmitter. This data comprises one or more group identifiers to assign one or more groups to the marker light. In addition, the processing means of each of the marker lights is adapted to cause the receiver to wirelessly receive one or more commands from the transmitter for controlling the operation of the marker light. The processing means is adapted to carry out the command when the commands comprise the same one or more group identifiers that correspond to the one or more groups to which the marker light was assigned. |
| US08174407B2 |
Material inspection methods and devices
Alerting a user of a material inspection device to a change in thickness of a material being inspected is disclosed. A thickness offset is determined from calibration information. The calibration information identifies a time of flight of a pulse through a reference sample similar in composition to a material to be inspected. The thickness offset indicates when a thickness of a material being inspected differs from a thickness of the reference sample. A calibration thickness alarm is set, the calibration thickness alarm corresponding to the thickness offset. A change in thickness of the material being inspected is detected. The calibration thickness alarm is engaged to alert the user of the inspection device of a detected change in thickness of the material being inspected. |
| US08174406B2 |
Detecting and sharing road traffic condition information
A method, system, and computer usable program product for detecting and sharing road traffic condition information are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A system receives a set of image inputs from a set of cameras that are stationary relative to a road and monitoring road traffic. The system combines the image inputs forming a view. The system determines whether an alarm condition exists in the view. If an alarm condition exists, the system maps the alarm condition on the view using a characteristic of the alarm condition, thus forming a part of a condition information. The system transmits the part of the condition information, such that the part of the condition information can be received by a motorist. The system may also receive a set of sensor inputs from a set of sensors and may combine the set of sensor inputs with the set of image inputs to form the view. |
| US08174400B2 |
Frequency monitoring to detect plasma process abnormality
Abnormal conditions within an RF-powered plasma process chamber are detected by detecting whether the frequency of a variable-frequency RF power supply moves outside established lower and upper limits. In a first aspect, a first pair of lower and upper limits are established as a function of the frequency of the power supply sampled after a new process step begins or after a sample control signal changes state. In a second aspect, a second pair of lower and upper limits are not adapted to the frequency of the power supply. Both aspects preferably are used together to detect different occurrences of abnormal conditions. |
| US08174398B2 |
Leak sensor monitor
A sensor leak monitor device that consists of well known elements arranged in a novel manner such that it can detect an involuntary consumption and alert a person when such is occurring. A pressure gage coupled with a timing device measures in a constant manner the internal pressure of a pipe and establishes a reference pressure. Upon the opening of any outlet of the network, the measured pressure will fall below this reference pressure value. If the measured pressure does not return to the reference pressure value within a stipulated time, it would be safe to assume that involuntary consumption is happening. Temperature is monitored and reported whenever it reaches a very low or freezing level. The device provides for audio and visual alerts to bring about the correction of the involuntary situation. |
| US08174397B2 |
Multi functional monitor
A multi function monitor for monitoring environmental conditions and events, the monitor comprising: a monitor panel having a plurality of monitors thereon; and a measuring device attachable at either end of the monitor panel for measuring the circumference of an object around which it is placed. The monitor panel includes: a temperature detection and display device; an ultraviolet radiation detection and display device; and a humidity detection and display device. |
| US08174391B2 |
Polarized RFID antenna with spatial diversity
A system, apparatus, and techniques for interrogating a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag are disclosed. The system includes an RFID reader that includes a pivotable polarized antenna for reading a reader/tag link. The antenna moves at a specific frequency over a specific distance resulting in reader/tag links being moved out of a null region of the reader. Advantageously, by pivoting the antenna, the antenna apparatus minimizes signal fading and improves signal quality from tags. |
| US08174390B2 |
Radio frequency identification tag and antenna for radio frequency identification tag
An RFID tag attached to an object and transmitting a signal that corresponds to identification information includes an RFID tag chip that modulates the signal according to the identification information and an RFID tag antenna that transmits the modulated signal. The RFID tag antenna includes a dielectric material, a radiating patch, and a slit. The dielectric material has a polyhedral shape and includes a first surface that contacts the object and a second surface that is parallel with the first surface, the radiating patch is formed on at least a part of the second surface and radiates electromagnetic to waves, and the slit is formed on at least a part of the radiating patch to expose the dielectric material. |
| US08174387B2 |
Method of shipping and tracking inventory
A universal tracking assembly that is capable of supporting more than one protocol used in electronic article surveillance (EAS) labels. The universal tracking assembly includes an acousto-magnetic (AM) EAS portion with a Radio Frequency (RF) EAS portion. The intrinsic characteristics and properties of the components of these individual labels are utilized to enhance the overall performance and utility of the combined EAS universal tracking assembly. |
| US08174385B2 |
Radio frequency identification reader having antennas in different directions
A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader includes a plurality of signal antennas, which are respectively arranged in directions that are not parallel to and co-linear with each other. Each of the signal antennas has a predetermined antenna field pattern and operates with a predetermined carrier wave frequency. A wireless receiver is connected to the signal antennas. A signal conversion unit is connected to the wireless receiver. A frequency generator generates the carrier wave frequency to the signal antenna. A microprocessor is connected to the signal conversion unit and the frequency generator. |
| US08174384B2 |
Method and system for controlling read range of a portable RFID reader
A method and system for controlling the read range of a portable RFID reader is provided. The system includes a trigger system including a mechanical actuator manually positionable by a user and a sensor for sensing the position of the actuator. The read range of the RFID reader is changed based on the sensing result. |
| US08174383B1 |
System and method for operating a synchronized wireless network
A system and method for operating a wireless network comprising a plurality of devices each having a powered down mode, a receive/transmit mode, and a timer, may include a master device and a defined time interval. Time interval information and synchronizing information are communicated to the plurality of devices of the wireless network, whereby the timers of each of the plurality of devices are set to time substantially the same time interval, and the time intervals of the plurality of devices of the wireless network are substantially synchronized. |
| US08174381B2 |
Mobile energy management system
According to an aspect of the disclosure, an energy management apparatus for a mobile energy management system and method includes detecting an availability of at least one network device at a site, displaying a proximity control selector within a graphical user interface of a mobile device associated with the site that can be toggled to enable and disable proximity detection using the mobile device, detecting a distance of the mobile device relative to the site in response to enabling proximity detection on the mobile device, and initiating a change to the operating condition of the network device in response to detecting a change in the distance of the mobile device relative to the site and the setting of the proximity control selector. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the network device may be a thermostat associated with the HVAC system of the site or other energy consuming appliances. |
| US08174380B2 |
Electronic device dock with replicating status indicator
An adapter may couple an electronic device to a host such as a computer. When coupled in this way, the host may transfer media files to the device. The host may also supply power to the electronic device using power lines in the adapter. The electronic device may have a status indicator such as a light-emitting diode status indicator. The adapter may also have a status indicator. During operation, the electronic device may transmit coded information on the current state of the status indicator in the electronic device by modulating the status indicator or other load in the device at a selected frequency. Control circuitry in the adapter may detect the transmitted state information by monitoring the power lines. The control circuitry may control the status indicator in the adapter so that the status indicator in the adapter replicates the current state of the status indicator in the electronic device. |
| US08174377B2 |
Suspension height sensor
A system is provided for determining a distance between a first portion of a vehicular suspension assembly and a second portion of the suspension assembly. The system comprises a transceiver coupled to the first portion for emitting a first signal toward the second portion, and for receiving a reflection of the first signal from the second portion, and a processor coupled to the transceiver for determining the distance between the first portion and the second portion. |
| US08174374B2 |
Method and system for coding digital information in lane markings using an optical sensor
A road surface includes lane marking that store digital information. Images of the road surface and lane markings are acquired by a camera. The digital information is decoded from the images, analyzed so that a feedback signal can be generated according to the decoded digital information. |
| US08174372B2 |
Providing haptic feedback on a touch surface
Systems and methods for providing haptic feedback to a touch surface are described herein. In one embodiment, among many, a layered structure comprises a first conducting layer electrically coupled to a first terminal of a power source and a second conducting layer electrically coupled to a second terminal of the power source. The layered structure also comprises a spacing layer electrically isolating the first conducting layer from the second conducting layer. Also, an actuation layer is positioned between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer. The actuation layer includes a material that reacts to an electrical stimulus. |
| US08174366B2 |
Interrogator and interrogation system employing the same
An interrogator, methods of discerning the presence of an object, and interrogation systems employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogation systems include multiple interrogators that communicate with a base command unit to track a location of an object. In another embodiment wherein the object is an RFID object (e.g., an object with an RFID tag), the interrogators employ signal processing techniques such as precharging the RFID object, and correlating a reference code with a reply code from the RFID object using selected techniques to increase a sensitivity of the interrogator, especially for adverse environments. In other embodiments, the interrogation systems include variations of metal instruments and sponges employed therewith. In yet another embodiment, the interrogation system includes metal interrogators capable of discerning the presence of a metal object, especially in a presence of another metal object. |
| US08174363B2 |
Multi-transceiver RFID reader system with centralized control and frequency source
Embodiments of the present invention provide RFID systems having a centralized frequency source and controller. The centralized frequency source generates a reference signal, having a frequency below the RF band of interest, which is transmitted to a plurality of reader nodes. The centralized controller generates and transmits data to the plurality of reader nodes. At each reader node, the reference signal is converted to an RF carrier signal that is modulated and transmitted within corresponding read field of the reader node. This modulated RF carrier signal may interrogate and communicate with one or more RFID tags within this read field. The RF carrier signal may also be held constant to enable communication from RFID tags to the reader node, which is subsequently transmitted back to the centralized controller or processor. |
| US08174362B2 |
Methods and apparatuses to secure data transmission in RFID systems
Methods and apparatuses to secure data transmission in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system against eavesdropping, using multiple communication channels. In one embodiment, a method includes communicating key information and cipher text generated based on the key information, or plain text, using a plurality of different, distinct and separate communication channels connected to an RFID tag. |
| US08174358B2 |
Handheld X-ray system interface with tracking feature
In one embodiment, an X-ray system includes a handheld X-ray interface device. The handheld X-ray interface device includes a wireless interface for communicating with an imaging system and a tracking device configured to provide a location and/or to track movement of the handheld X-ray interface device relative to the imaging system, wherein the location or tracked movement of the handheld X-ray interface device is communicated to the imaging system as an input for at least one control function of the imaging system. |
| US08174343B2 |
Electromechanical relay and method of making same
A relay comprises a movable body placed in a cavity which is formed on a substrate and surrounded by a spacer layer and sealed by a cover layer. The movable body comprises a first magnet which is permanently magnetized and has at least a first end. A nearby switching electromagnet, when energized, produces a switching magnetic field which is primarily perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the first magnet and exerts a magnetic torque on the first magnet to force the first magnet and said movable body to rotate and close an electrical conduction path at the first end. Changing the direction of the electrical current in the switching electromagnet changes the direction of the switching magnetic field and thus the direction of the magnetic torque on the first magnet, and causes the first magnet and said movable body to rotate in an opposite direction and opens the electrical conduction path at the first end. The first magnet can comprise multiple magnetic layers to form relatively closed magnetic circuits with other magnetic components. Latching and non-latching types of relays can be formed by appropriately using soft and permanent magnets as various components. |
| US08174342B2 |
Microelectromechanical system
The invention relates to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and more particularly, to MEMS switches using magnetic actuation. The MEMS switch may be actuated with no internal power consumption. The switch is formed in an integrated solid state MEMS technology. The MEMS switch is micron and/or nanoscale, very reliable and accurate. The MEMS switch can be designed into various architectures, e.g., a cantilever architecture and torsion architecture. The torsion architecture is more efficient than a cantilever architecture. |
| US08174338B2 |
Impedance transforming hybrid coupler
AN RF hybrid coupler is described having a coupling section and impedance matching transformer sections. The coupler, constructed of Strpline patterns, accepts an RF input signal at a first impedance value and outputs a plurality of RF signals at a second impedance value. The output RF signals are at equal amplitudes to one another and at lower amplitude than the input RF signal. |
| US08174337B2 |
Radio frequency switch for use in satellite receivers
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a radio frequency switch, for example for use in a satellite receiver. The switch includes a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, where output ports independently select signal paths from any of the input ports. The entire switch is embodied in a compact single-board layout. In another embodiment, a satellite receiver includes at least one antenna for receiving a signal from a satellite transponder and a radio frequency switch for selecting the satellite transponder from among a plurality of satellite transponders. |
| US08174336B2 |
Ultra-wideband balun and application module thereof
A first transmission line is formed on a first surface of a substrate. A first end of the first transmission line is connected to a transmission line of an unbalanced line. A second end is connected to a first transmission line of a balanced line. A second transmission line extends from a first end of the unbalanced line, alongside the first transmission line and spaced therefrom, and is connected to a second of the transmission lines of the balanced line. A ground plane is formed on a second surface of the substrate, extends from a first end of the balanced line, and is formed along the second transmission line to which the ground plane is connected through one or more vias. A width of a portion of the ground plane adjacent to the unbalanced line is greater than a portion thereof adjacent to the balanced line. |
| US08174332B1 |
Phase lock loop pre-charging system and method
A phase lock loop pre-charging system and method are described. In one embodiment, a phase lock loop pre-charge system includes a bias component for generating a pre-charge voltage, and an activation component for activating the bias component. In one exemplary implementation the pre-charge voltage is utilized to facilitate pre-charging of a phase lock loop voltage controlled oscillator. In one embodiment, the bias component includes replica bias components that track the voltage controlled oscillation control voltage over varying process, voltage and temperature characteristics. The phase lock loop pre-charging systems and methods can be utilized to reduce lock time for a circuit. |
| US08174327B2 |
Method and system for configuration of a phase-locked loop circuit
Example embodiments are directed toward configuration of a phase lock loop (PLL) circuits for low power operation. In particular embodiments, a fraction related to a desired gain of a PLL circuit is determined. A set of possible frequency-divider values and a set of possible feedback divider values are determined. A PLL configuration is selected from a combination of the sets of frequency divider and feedback divider values that forms a ratio indicated the determined fraction. |
| US08174319B2 |
Amplifier
An amplifier includes a first amplifier comprising an N-type field-effect transistor receiving a reference voltage at a gate, a P-type field-effect transistor connected between a drain of the N-type field-effect transistor and a power supply voltage line, and a constant current source connected between a source of the N-type field-effect transistor and a ground, to output a voltage from a connection of the drain of the N-type and P-type field-effect transistors; a second amplifier comprising a resistance and P-type field-effect transistors connected in series between the power supply voltage line and the ground to receive the voltage output from the first amplifier at their gate, and outputting a voltage from a connection of the P-type field-effect transistor and the resistance; and a switch between an output of the first amplifier and the power supply voltage line and comprising an N-type field-effect transistor receiving a reference voltage at a gate. |
| US08174318B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing linear transconductance amplification
Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving a transconductance amplifier. One such apparatus includes a transconductance amplifier comprising an input to receive an input voltage signal, and an output to provide an output current signal at least partly in response to the input voltage signal. The apparatus also includes a linearizer configured to remove non-linearity in the output current signal such that the output current signal is substantially linear when the input voltage signal is within a range; and a current booster configured to add a current to the output current signal such that the output current signal is substantially linear when the input voltage signal is outside the range. The current booster allows the amplifier to have a linear response to a larger voltage swing without adding noise. |
| US08174317B2 |
Fully-differential amplifier circuit
A fully-differential amplifier circuit comprises a differential amplifier configured to differentially amplify first and second input signals serving as an input differential pair to generate a pair of first and second intermediate signals, first and second class AB amplifiers configured to amplify the first and second intermediate signals to generate first and second output signals, wherein the first and second output signals serve as an output differential pair, the first class AB amplifier amplifies the first intermediate signal with reference to a reference voltage adjusted by a first feedback signal that is a common mode component of the first output signal and the second output signal, and the second class AB amplifier amplifies the second intermediate signal with reference to a reference voltage adjusted by a second feedback signal that is a common mode component of the first output signal and the second output signal. |
| US08174314B2 |
Aparatus and a method for processing and amplifying a signal
A method and an apparatus. The apparatus includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one parameter that affects a non-linearity of the non-linear amplifier and for generating at least one parameter indicator; a memory module for storing multiple sets of pre-distortion coefficient values; a retrieval module, coupled to the memory module, for receiving the at least one indicator, for selecting a selected set of pre-distortion coefficient values based on the at least one indicator, and for sending the selected set of pre-distortion coefficient values to a signal processing module; and a signal processing module, configured to receive an input signal, to receive the selected set of pre-distortion coefficient values, and to pre-distort the input signal, using the selected set of pre-distortion coefficient values such as to at least partly compensate for the non-linearity of the non-linear amplifier. |
| US08174311B2 |
Switching amplifier
A switching amplifier (200; 300; 400; 500) comprising: a switch (202; 302) configured to electrically connect and disconnect a first pin (202a; 302a) of the switch (202; 302) to a second pin (202b; 302b) of the switch (202; 302) in accordance with a pulse width modulated input signal (216; 316; 516). The second pin (202b; 302b) is connected to a ground connector (204; 304). The switching amplifier also comprises a feed inductor (206; 306; 406) connected between a voltage supply connector (208; 308) and the first pin (202a; 302a) of the switch (202; 302), and a circuit (210; 310; 522) comprising a variable component having a variable imaginary impedance. The circuit (210; 310; 522) is connected between the first pin (202a; 302a) of the switch (202; 302) and an output connector of the amplifier (212; 312. The switching amplifier further comprising a controller (214; 314; 514) configured to generate a control signal (315; 515) for the circuit (210; 310; 522) such that the variable component of the circuit is adjustable in accordance with the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated input signal (216; 316; 516). |
| US08174310B2 |
Quadrature modulation demodulation circuit
A quadrature demodulation circuit includes: first to fourth mixers to receive a modulation signal; a phase shifter to supply to the first and third mixers a first local frequency signal, to supply to the second mixer a second local frequency signal having a designated phase difference relative to the first local frequency signal, and to supply to the fourth mixer a third local frequency signal that is an inverse in phase to the second local frequency signal; a first adder to add a signal output from the first mixer and a signal output from the second mixer and to output a first demodulation signal; and a second adder to add a signal output from the third mixer and a signal output from the fourth mixer and to output a second demodulation signal. |
| US08174309B2 |
Reference voltage circuit
Provided is a reference voltage circuit in which a temperature characteristic of a reference voltage is excellent and a circuit scale is small. In the reference voltage circuit, for example, a temperature correction circuit separated from the reference voltage circuit is not used and a difference voltage between threshold voltages of two E-type NMOS transistors (14 and 15) is added to a threshold voltage of a D-type NMOS transistor to generate a reference voltage (Vref). Therefore, the influence of the D-type NMOS transistor on the reference voltage (Vref), which is a degradation factor of the temperature characteristic of the reference voltage (Vref), may be reduced to suppress a change in tilt and curve of the reference voltage (Vref) with respect to a temperature. |
| US08174307B1 |
Reduced gain variation biasing for short channel devices
An amplifier biasing circuit that reduces gain variation in short channel amplifiers, an amplifier biasing circuit that produces a constant Gm biasing signal for short channel amplifiers, and a multistage amplifier that advantageously incorporates embodiment of both types of amplifier biasing circuits are described. Both amplifier biasing circuit approaches use an operational amplifier to equalize internal bias circuit voltages. The constant Gm biasing circuit produces a Gm of 1/R, where R is the value of a trim resistor value. The biasing circuit that reduces gain variation produces a Gm of approximately 1/R, where R is the value of a trim resistor value, however, the biasing circuit is configurable to adjust the bias circuit Gm to mitigate the impact of a wide range of circuit specific characteristics and a wide range of changes in the operational environment in which the circuit can used, such as changes in temperature. |
| US08174300B2 |
Clock generator, pulse generator utilizing the clock generator, and methods thereof
A clock generator for generating a target clock signal, comprising: a control circuit, receiving a reference clock signal, and for generating a clock enable signal and a delay selecting signal according to the reference clock signal; a delay module, coupled to the control circuit, for delaying the reference clock signal according to the delay selecting signal to generate a delayed reference clock signal; and a clock gating unit, coupled to the delay module and the control circuit, for receiving the delayed reference clock signal and the clock enable signal, and for passing the delayed reference clock signal according to the clock enable signal, to generate the target clock signal. |
| US08174298B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving accuracy of signals delay
A delay module, includes a first delay unit, a second delay unit and an inverter. Each of the first and second delay units includes: a logic gate for gating and a logic gate for delaying. The input port of the logic gate for gating of the first delay unit is electrically connected to the output port of the inverter; the output port of the logic gate for delaying of the first delay unit is electrically connected to the input port of the logic gate for delaying of the second delay unit; the input port of the inverter is electrically connected to the input port of the logic gate for gating of the second delay unit; the input port of the inverter is adapted to input a clock signal to be delayed, and the logic gate for delaying of the second delay unit is adapted to output a delayed clock signal. |
| US08174297B2 |
Multi-phase clock generation
An apparatus and method for multi-phase clock generation are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a module generating first and second intermediate signals delayed from first edges of a clock signal having a first frequency. Each of the first and second intermediate signals has a second frequency that is half of the first frequency. The first and second intermediate signals have a phase difference of 180° from each other. The apparatus also includes a first delay line delaying the first intermediate signal by a first delay amount; a second delay line delaying the first intermediate signal by a second delay amount; a third delay line delaying the second intermediate signal by a third delay amount; and a fourth delay line delaying the second intermediate signal by a fourth delay amount. The apparatus also includes a closed feedback loop for detecting and adjusting the second and fourth delay amount. |
| US08174294B1 |
Configurable buffer circuits and methods
A buffer circuit includes a current source circuit, first and second switch circuits that are coupled to the current source circuit, a first resistor coupled to the first switch circuit, a second resistor coupled to the second switch circuit, and a third switch circuit coupled to the first and the second resistors. The third switch circuit couples the first and the second resistors to a node at a first voltage when the buffer circuit is configured to function in a current mode logic buffer mode. The third switch circuit couples the first and the second resistors to a node at a second voltage when the buffer circuit is configured to function in an H-bridge buffer mode. |
| US08174292B2 |
Current sensing circuit for PWM applications with pulse width modulation and corresponding current process
A current sensing circuit for a pulse width modulation (PWM) application may include first and second input terminals to be coupled to ends of a sensing resistance, an output terminal, and first and second internal circuit nodes. The current sensing circuit further may include an input block comprising a first transconductance amplifier to be coupled to a supply voltage. The first transconductance amplifier may be coupled to the first and second input terminals and to the first and second internal circuit nodes. The current sensing circuit may also include an amplifier block comprising an amplifier to be coupled to a reference voltage, and coupled to the first and second internal circuit nodes and the output terminal, and a feedback block comprising a second transconductance amplifier to be coupled to the supply voltage and being coupled to the output terminal and the first and second internal circuit nodes. The input block may further include a third transconductance amplifier coupled in cascade to the first transconductance amplifier and to the first and second input terminals. |
| US08174291B1 |
Buffer circuit with improved duty cycle distortion and method of using the same
An improved buffer circuit and method for minimizing (or altogether eliminating) duty cycle distortion between input and output signals of the buffer circuit are provided herein. In general, the improved buffer circuit essentially decouples the charging and discharging current paths of the buffer circuit from a reference voltage supplied to the buffer circuit. This ensures substantially equal time delays between rising and falling edges of the input and output signals, thereby decreasing duty cycle distortion and maintaining a maximum operating frequency of the buffer circuit, even when the reference voltage approaches a transistor threshold voltage. In addition, the improved method may include forwarding an input signal with an input duty cycle onto mutually connected gate terminals of a pair of pull-down transistors, and activating/inactivating at least one of the pair of pull-down transistors during logic high and logic low voltage values of the input duty cycle, respectively. In this manner, the method provides an output signal with an output duty cycle that is substantially equal to the input duty cycle. |
| US08174286B2 |
Transceiver circuits
A transceiver circuit supports a bidirectional mode and the bidirectional transceiver circuit is signal-compatible with JEDEC SSTL 2. A differential transceiver circuit supports a bidirectional mode and is also signal-compatible with JEDEC SSTL 2. Finally, transceiver circuits which, in interaction with the bidirectional transceiver circuits, allow a bus system to be set up. |
| US08174285B2 |
Component provided with an integrated circuit comprising a cryptorocessor and method of installation thereof
In order to protect an integrated circuit provided with a cryptoprocessor from attacks aiming to reveal secrets, it is anticipated to use a component sensitive to the activation of a parasitic (latchup) thyristor and/or to the activation of a parasitic bipolar transistor, or to design a circuit having this property. If the component is stressed due to the presence of this circuit, it is immediately deactivated, actually preventing the revelation of the secrets thereof. |
| US08174283B2 |
Calibration technique for measuring gate resistance of power MOS gate device at wafer level
This invention discloses a method for calibrating a gate resistance measurement of a semiconductor power device that includes a step of forming a RC network on a test area on a semiconductor wafer adjacent to a plurality of semiconductor power chips and measuring a resistance and a capacitance of the RC network to prepare for carrying out a wafer-level measurement calibration of the semiconductor power device. The method further includes a step of connecting a probe card to a set of contact pads on the semiconductor wafer for carrying out the wafer-level measurement calibration followed by performing a gate resistance Rg measurement for the semiconductor power chips. |
| US08174281B2 |
Method and circuit for tracking maximum power of a photo-voltaic array
A method and a circuit for tracking maximum power of a photo-voltaic array performs the operation of load increase/decrease with a preset current difference and determines if the photo-voltaic array operates at zone A or zone B based on change of the output voltage before and after the operation to decide the next operation being for load increase or load decrease. It is not necessary for tracking the maximum power with the multiplier to estimate the output power of the photo-voltaic array. Therefore, the circuit for tracking the maximum power of the photo-voltaic array is capable of being simplified and joined to the pulse width modulation circuit to form an integrated circuit with a function of tracking the maximum power. |
| US08174280B2 |
Method of testing display panel
A method of testing the display panel is provided. a display panel is provided, wherein the display panel has shorting bars and testing pads in a first peripheral area, and IC pads in a second peripheral area. A first stage test is performed to input a common voltage signal and a plurality of first stage test signals to the testing pads. A switching step is implemented to stop inputting the first stage test signals. A second stage test is carried out to input at least a second stage test signal to the IC pads. |
| US08174277B2 |
Compensation for voltage drop in automatic test equipment
Providing reliable testing of a device under test (DUT) by compensating for a reduced voltage inside the device without changing the internal circuitry of the device. The DUT has multiple connection terminals for connecting to the test equipment including at least first and second power connection terminals that both connect to an internal power bus of the DUT. An adapter board connects to the multiple connection terminals of the DUT via a removably attachable socket which holds the DUT. A tester supplies power to the DUT through the adapter board. The adapter board is configured to supply power from the tester to the DUT through the first power connection terminal and to monitor voltage at the second power connection terminal. The tester includes a compensation unit which controls power based on the voltage monitored at the second power connection terminal. |
| US08174276B2 |
Coaxial four-point probe for low resistance measurements
Various exemplary embodiments provide probes, systems and methods for measuring an effective electrical resistance/resistivity with high sensitivity. In one embodiment, the measuring system can include an upper probe set and a similar lower probe set having a sample device sandwiched there-between. The device-under-test (DUT) samples can be sandwiched between two conductors of the sample device. Each probe set can have an inner voltage sense probe coaxially configured inside an electrically-isolated outer current source probe that has a large contact area with the sample device. The measuring system can also include a computer readable medium for storing circuit simulations including such as FEM simulations for extracting a bulk through-plane electrical resistivity and an interface resistivity for an effective electrical z-resistivity of the DUT, in some cases, having sub-micro-ohm resistance. |
| US08174275B2 |
Storage battery inspecting system
A storage battery inspecting system includes a power supply unit and an inspecting unit. The inspecting unit includes two inspecting terminals to be connected to a battery soldering spot so as to detect response of the soldering spot to application of a test power signal by the power supply unit, and a control module for determining if a detected response of the soldering spot falls within a predetermined range configured in the control module, generating an indication signal if the detected response falls outside the predetermined range, and generating an inspection result corresponding to the detected response. The inspecting unit further includes an indication interface for outputting the indication signal, a transmission interface permitting supply of the inspection result to a processing device, and a control interface permitting supply of a control signal generated by the control module to a peripheral device for controlling operation of the peripheral device based on the detected response. |
| US08174271B2 |
Capacitance change measuring circuit of capacitive sensor device, capacitive sensor module, method of measuring capacitance change of capacitive sensor device, and electronic device
Scanning rate in a capacitance change measuring circuit for a capacitive sensor device is enhanced. The circuit includes: an electrode drive section line-sequentially applying an input pulse signal to a plurality of columns of first electrode patterns in the capacitive sensor device; a peak hold circuit storing a peak level of a detection signal extracted from each column of second electrode patterns into a capacitive element as a corresponding potential; a current source initializing the potential in the capacitive element within one period of the input pulse signal; a comparator comparing the potential in the capacitive element with a reference value; and determination sections each determining whether or not an input operation using a human body or the like is executed, based on a timing information and a reference timing information, the timing information representing a timing when the potential held in the capacitive element crosses the reference value. |
| US08174269B2 |
Abnormal switching monitoring device and abnormal switching monitoring method
The present invention relates to an abnormal switching monitoring device and method. A time point when a high-side switch in which a first electrode receives an input voltage is turned on, a time point when a low-side switch that is connected to a second electrode of the high-side switch is turned on, a time point when a charge current begins to flow to a bootstrap circuit, and a time point when a charge current stops flowing to the bootstrap circuit are compared so as to determine whether or not non-zero voltage switching occurs. The bootstrap circuit supplies an operating current to a gate driver controlling a switching operation of the high-side switch. |
| US08174268B2 |
Protective relay monitoring system and method of comparing behavior patterns
A system for collecting data and monitoring the operation of electrical circuits, such as branch circuits at a substation is provided. The system collects data from a plurality of sensors coupled to a plurality of electrical equipment associated with a circuit. The data from the sensors is collected and used to identify signatures in the data to ascertain potential issues in the electrical protective circuit. The data is further analyzed to determine signatures of abnormal operating conditions. The signatures are compared to reference signatures to identify the abnormal conditions and corrective action is initiated. |
| US08174262B2 |
Fluid saturation estimation
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to acquire signature data representing a plurality of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) echo trains associated with a material comprising a first fluid and a second fluid, force a subset of the signature data associated with the first fluid or the second fluid to correspond to single-peak signatures in the T1 and/or T2 domains, and solve for the first fluid and second fluid saturation. The first fluid may include oil, gas, or water and the second fluid may include oil-based mud filtrate or water-based mud filtrate, among others. |
| US08174261B2 |
Magnetic film sensor with a deformable part
A magnetic film sensor comprises a magnetic film for generating a magnetostriction, and a magnetostrictive structure for generating a magnetostriction in the magnetic film. The magnetostrictive structure is constructed so as to generate a magnetostriction by curving the magnetic film, for example. The magnetostrictive structure is obtained, for example, by providing a depressed insulating layer having a surface formed with a depression and forming the magnetic film across the depression. A deformable part that is formed using a softer material than the magnetic film may also be formed at least partly on a surface of the magnetostrictive structure, within the depression. |
| US08174260B2 |
Integrated circuit with magnetic material magnetically coupled to magneto-resistive sensing element
An integrated circuit including a first magneto-resistive sensing element, magnetic material and a spacer. The magnetic material is situated laterally to the first magneto-resistive sensing element. The spacer is situated between the first magneto-resistive sensing element and the magnetic material. The magnetic material is magnetically coupled to the first magneto-resistive sensing element. |
| US08174259B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining magnetic properties of materials
Apparatus for determining magnetic properties of materials comprises a portable probe (1), an equipment trolley (2) holding cryogenics and electronics and connecting cables (3). The probe (1) comprises a drive coil (4) and a correction coil (5), the drive coil (4) being disposed symmetrically with respect to an inner second-order gradiometer sensor coil (8). Electrical connectors in the form of 2-meter long Belden (1192A) microphone cables (3) are used to connect the apparatus on the equipment trolley (2) to the drive coil (4), the correction coil (5) and the sensor coil (8). The drive coil (4) is driven so as to generate a sinusoidally varying magnetic field. The electronics comprise a flux-locked loop (9), a SQUID controller (10), a data acquisition module (11), which captures and processes the signals and a computer (12). A liquid-nitrogen dewar (13) is supported on the equipment trolley (2) and houses a sensitive SQUID detector (14) and a transfer coil (15) made from copper. Possible applications of the apparatus include an intra-operative tool for sentinel lymph node detection in the treatment of breast cancer, and a non-destructive evaluation tool for detecting voids and defects in aluminum and applications in the aeronautics industry. |
| US08174257B2 |
Wheel bearing device with rotation detector
A wheel support bearing assembly for supporting a wheel, which assembly includes an outer member having rolling surfaces and serving as a stationary member; an inner member having rolling surfaces; a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between the respective rolling surfaces; a magnetic encoder fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner member at a location adjacent one end thereof; an annular sensor holder made of resin and fitted to the outer member through a core metal, the annular sensor holder having a built-in magnetic sensor with an axial gap intervening between it and the magnetic encoder; and a sealing unit arranged on an outer side axially outwardly of the encoder and the sensor for sealing a space between the sensor holder and the inner member. The magnetic encoder includes a plastic magnetic encoder having a plastic magnet defining a to-be-detected portion. |
| US08174255B2 |
Hall effect system
A hall effect system having a housing, an input element coupled to the housing, and a magnetic element coupled to the input element and configured to have a detectable magnetic flux. A sensing element is adjacent to the magnetic element. The sensing element is configured to sense the magnetic flux. A processing element is coupled to the sensing element and is configured to determine a position of the magnetic element relative to the sensing element by determining changes in and/or the orientation of the magnetic flux upon movement of the interface element by a user. |
| US08174250B2 |
Fixed frequency ripple regulator
A ripple regulator for providing a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for regulating an output voltage of a power converter switching stage. The regulator including a ripple circuit for providing a ripple voltage; a comparison circuit for comparing the ripple voltage to an output of an error amplifier; and a PWM circuit producing the PWM signal and receiving an output of the comparison circuit and a clock signal input, the clock signal input determining a first edge of the PWM signal and the output of said comparison circuit determining a second edge of the PWM signal. |
| US08174247B2 |
Microwave transmission line DC/DC converter
A method and an electrical circuit for DC-DC voltage conversion in a network comprising an input voltage terminal, an output voltage terminal, at least one first switch and at least one second switch, at least one input impedance, at least one load impedance and at least one transmission line with known impedance where the electrical circuit is characterized by that the impedance of the at least one transmission line is adapted to be mismatched to at least the load impedance and where at least one of the at least first switches is arranged in relation to the at least one transmission line to switch between open and closed positions for generating a pulse wave propagating in the at least one transmission line charging a load capacitance of the load impedance with electrical energy. |
| US08174246B2 |
Vehicle power generation controlling device and vehicle system
A switching element, a duty deciding circuit, an LRC circuit, a voltage detecting circuit, and an LRC limit value deciding circuit are included. The switching element 58 outputs a duty factor of a field winding of a vehicle power generator towards an ECU, via an FR terminal. The duty deciding circuit limits a speed at which the duty factor of the field winding increases to a predetermined limit value. The voltage detecting circuit detects a voltage at the FR terminal. The LRC limit value deciding circuit switches the limit value of the speed at which the duty factor increases based on the voltage value detected by the voltage detecting circuit. |
| US08174244B2 |
Charging device and charging system
A test circuit first detects whether or not a relay unit is normal, and then examines an operation of leakage detecting circuit. This allows relay unit to interrupt an electric power supply path including power lines more securely if electrical leakage occurs in the electric power supply path. If welding in the contact of the relay unit is detected before starting charging of a power storage device included in an electrical device, a control device does not allow the charging of the power storage device, which can prevent a problem from occurring in the electrical device. |
| US08174243B2 |
Power supply controller and method therefor
In one embodiment, a switching controller uses an auxiliary winding voltage of a transformer to form a signal representative of current flow through a secondary winding of the transformer. The controller is configured to limit a current through a secondary winding to a maximum value. |
| US08174241B2 |
Method of protecting electricity storage device in hybrid DC power supply system
A method protects a battery in a fuel cell vehicle, in which an inverter-driven motor is supplied with electric power from the battery and a fuel cell. If a battery voltage of the battery falls outside of a prescribed range, a primary current and a secondary current that flow through the DC/DC converter, or currents in branch paths that correspond to the primary current and the secondary current, are reduced in order to limit a charging current flowing into the battery or a discharging current flowing from the battery. |
| US08174238B2 |
Charging contact array for enabling parallel charging and series discharging of batteries
A contact array arrangement which both receives charging current for charging batteries of a battery pack, and which also breaks the parallel charging contact position (contact configuration in which individual batteries of the battery pack are charged in parallel) then reestablishes series connection of the batteries when a charge electrode array is urged against the contact array arrangement and when the charge electrode array is removed. A cover covering the contact array may be connected by throughbolts to a support supporting series connection contacts such that depressing the cover by imposing a downward force (e.g., the weight of a charge electrode array), moves the series connection contacts out of contact with those contacts receiving charge current. Springs return the series connection contacts to the series condition. Charge conductors fixed to the contact array pass through or by the series connection such that a very compact device results. |
| US08174236B2 |
Battery charging device and battery with the same
A battery charging device includes a power terminal unit to be connected to a power source and provided with power therefrom, a charging terminal unit to be connected to a power terminal of a battery, and a holding device to be fixed to side faces of the battery when the charging terminal unit contacts the power terminal of the battery. |
| US08174231B2 |
Mechanical methods for charging a car battery, related systems and infrastructure
The methods, system, and infrastructure described herein generally relate to methods for charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle. The methods described provide a method of charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle. The method includes the following steps: (a) while the vehicle is stationary, rotating a shaft of an electric traction motor of the vehicle using mechanical energy; (b) converting the rotation of the shaft into electrical energy by using the electric traction motor as an electrical generator; and (c) storing the electrical energy in the rechargeable battery of the vehicle. A system for charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle is also described. The system includes a rechargeable battery of a vehicle, an electric traction motor of the vehicle, and an external vehicle interface configured to rotate the shaft of the electric traction motor using mechanical power while the vehicle is stationary. An infrastructure for charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle is also described. The infrastructure includes one or more charging stations, each station including an external vehicle interface configured to rotate a shaft of an electric traction motor of the vehicle using mechanical power while the vehicle is stationary. |
| US08174223B2 |
Method of detecting state of synchronization loss in stepping motor
In a method of detecting synchronization loss in a stepping motor, a means for applying either control current or control voltage to a coil of each phase to thereby drive a stepping motor and a means for individually measuring a back EMF voltage induced at the coil of each phase are employed, wherein application of either the control current or the control voltage at the coil of each phase is halted by turns phase by phase for such a short time period as not to affect rotation of a rotor of the stepping motor at a predetermined timing within one step period of the rotor, the back EMF voltage at the coil is measured during the short time period, and the stepping motor is judged to lose synchronization when the measurement result of the back EMF voltage at the coil of at least one phase satisfies a detection criterion. |
| US08174220B2 |
Apparatus for controlling permanent-magnet rotary electric machine
Apparatus controlling a permanent magnet rotary electric machine. After the apparatus controls a current control portion, when a rotor of the machine rotates at a constant speed, to supply a predetermined current to an armature, the apparatus performs a dq vector control process by determining a predetermined temporarily set value as a magnetic pole position correction quantity while a d-axis current command value and a q-axis current command value in the dq vector control process performed on a dq coordinate system that has a d-axis extending in the direction of a magnetic field of the permanent magnet of the rotor and a q-axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the d-axis. Then, the apparatus obtains the magnetic pole position correction quantity based on a predetermined operation expression using the d-axis voltage command value and the q-axis voltage command value from the dq vector control process. |
| US08174219B2 |
Motor control unit and air conditioner having the same
A motor control unit or a semiconductor integrated circuit device for an air conditioner is provided. The motor control unit includes a current detector that detects a coil wound current of the permanent magnet motor; a coordinate transformer that transforms the coil wound current detected by the current detector into a d-axis current indicating a magnet flux component and a q-axis current indicating a torque component perpendicular to the magnet flux component; a position estimator that estimates a rotational position of the rotor based on an induced voltage of the permanent magnet motor; a current controller that calculates a command d-axis voltage based on a command d-axis current and the d-axis current detected by the current detector, and that calculates a command q-axis voltage based on a command q-axis current and the q-axis current detected by the current detector; an electrifier controller that electrifies the coil wound based on the command d-axis voltage and the command q-axis voltage; and a start-up controller that detects an oscillation of the rotor during a start-up operation and, if a velocity direction of the oscillation corresponds with a rotational direction of a forcible commutation, the start-up controller starts the forcible commutation so as to start an acceleration of the rotor by following an acceleration pattern. |
| US08174216B2 |
Container with automatic opening lid
A lid assembly for a container includes a lid engaging device, a transmission assembly mounted on the lid engaging device, and a lid including a first pivotal section and a second pivotal section disposed opposed to each other. The first and second pivotal sections define an imaginary axis “A” extended therebetween, and the first and second pivotal sections are mounted on the lid engaging device. The first pivotal section is engaged with the transmission assembly. The lid is pivoted automatically by the transmission assembly. The lid is pivotal about the imaginary axis “A” and is moveable between an open position that enables items to be put in the container and a closed position in which the lid prevents items to be put in the container. |
| US08174214B2 |
Three-phase low-loss rectifier with active gate drive
A three-phase bridge rectifier circuit (BRC) connectable to an AC voltage source (ACVS) via input lines (151, 153, 155) and a load (109) via output lines (157, 159). ACVS (102, 104, 106) supplies BRC (100) with AC voltage waveforms that differ in phase. The BRC includes a three-phase bridge rectifier circuit comprised of field effect transistors (FET) and gate drive circuits (GDC). Each GDC (101a, 103a, 101b, 103b, 101c, 103c) supplies a voltage to a gate of a respective FET (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120) for switching the FET to its “on” state at a certain time. The BRC further includes a diode (190, 128, 198, 148, 113, 168) connected between a drain of each FET and a terminal of each GDC. The BRC can further include voltage divider circuits (192/188, 130/140, 107/196, 150/160, 115/111, 170/180) and/or voltage clamping devices (121, 131, 123, 133, 125, 135). |
| US08174210B2 |
Illumination system with four primaries
An illumination system (10), comprising:—four lamps (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D);—four lamp drivers (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D) capable of driving their corresponding lamps with respective dim factors (ξ1, ξ2, ξ3, ξ4);—a common controller (15) for controlling the dim factors of the respective lamps. The controller is responsive to an input signal indicating a target color point (T) having target chromaticity coordinates (xT, yT) and target brightness (BT). The controller sets the dim factor (ξ4) of one lamp to be equal to 1, and calculates an optimum solution for the other three dim factors as a function of the target chromaticity coordinates (xT, yT), for the maximum allowed value of the luminance (YMAX) for which 0≦ξ≦1 applies for each of said dim factors (ξ1S, ξ2S, ξ3S). |
| US08174207B2 |
Lamp and driving device for backlight assembly having the same
A device for driving a backlight assembly includes a controller for outputting a control signal, a switching unit for outputting a DC square wave voltage in response to the control signal, an inverter for converting the DC square wave voltage into an AC voltage and a lamp for emitting light in response to the AC voltage, the lamp includes first and second glass tube portions having respective one ends bent and connected integrally to each other, first and second electrodes respectively formed at respective other ends of the first and second glass tube portions and a third electrode formed at the bent portion of the first and second glass tube portions, wherein electrical characteristics of the lamp are detected through the third electrode, wherein the electrical characteristics include voltage, current and impedance of the lamp. |
| US08174197B2 |
Power control circuit and method
A light source with substantially constant intensity and power consumption is provided. The light source includes a controllable dc voltage and current source; a non-linear light-emitting load supplied with dc voltage and current from the controllable dc voltage and current source; a current sense circuit connected in series with the non-linear light-emitting load; a variable LED forward voltage (varying with temperature, binning batch, aging) sensor circuit; a multiplier operative to measure a power-representative signal; and a power consumption control feedback circuit through which the dc voltage and current source is controlled in relation to the variable forward voltage representative signal to adjust the dc voltage and then a current to amplitudes that keep the light intensity and power consumption produced by the light source substantially constant. |
| US08174195B2 |
Mercury-free arc tube for discharge lamp unit
A mercury-free arc tube for a discharge lamp unit including a closed glass bulb in which main light emitting substances of NaI, ScI3, and ScBr3 and buffer substances of InI and ZnI2 are enclosed together with Xe gas, and wherein an amount of enclosed ScBr3 is in a range of about 5 wt % to about 24 wt % relative to a total weight of the substances enclosed in the closed glass bulb. The mercury-free arc tube may also include a shroud glass tube, which is surrounds the closed glass bulb and a pair of electrodes, which are disposed to be opposed to each other in the closed glass bulb. |
| US08174194B2 |
Discharge lamp, light source device and projector
A discharge lamp includes: an emitting portion in which a pair of electrodes are disposed, an electric discharge being generated between the pair of electrodes so as to emit light; at least either one electrode of the pair of the electrodes including: a small-diameter portion; and a large-diameter portion provided on an end of the small-diameter portion closer to the other electrode, the large-diameter portion having a larger diameter than the small-diameter portion; and the large-diameter portion including a projecting part, the projecting part projecting outward from the large-diameter portion. |
| US08174190B2 |
Dispersion liquid for near-infrared-absorbing adhesive-body, near-infrared-absorbing adhesive body, near-infrared-absorbing plasma-display-panel filter, and plasma display panel
To improve an optical property of a near-infrared-absorbing PDP filter and suppress a manufacturing cost. The present invention provides a dispersion liquid for near-infrared-absorbing adhesive-body. The dispersion liquid includes, in a solvent, one or more types of nanoparticles selected from a tungsten oxide nanoparticle and a composite tungsten oxide nanoparticle, and an acryl-based polymer dispersant is added to the dispersion liquid. The average dispersed nanoparticle diameter of the tungsten oxide nanoparticles and the composite tungsten oxide nanoparticles is equal to or smaller than 800 nm. |
| US08174189B2 |
White LED device capable of adjusting correlated color temperature
A white Light Emitting Diode (LED) device that enables the adjustment of a Correlated Color temperature to realize emotional illumination is provided. The white LED device includes a package body for accommodating a plurality of light source units; a first light source unit accommodated in the package body, configured to have one or more first LED chips and a first phosphor, and configured to emit white light having a first Correlated Color Temperature (CCT); a second light source unit accommodated in the package body, configured to have one or more second LED chips and a second phosphor, and configured to emit white light having a second CCT; and a current control unit for varying current, to be supplied to at least one of the first and second LED chips, so as to adjust the first and second CCTs. |
| US08174183B2 |
Organic light emitting display and mother substrate of the same
A mother substrate is provided including organic light emitting displays. The organic light emitting displays have a pad unit formed at one side. First and second wiring line groups extend in first and second directions, respectively, on the organic light emitting displays. The first and second wiring line groups are coupled to each pad unit. Intersection parts between the first and second wiring line groups are within scribing lines of each of the organic light emitting displays in which the first and second wiring line groups intersect. Partial regions of the second wiring line group excluding the intersection parts are within scribing lines of an adjacent one of each of the organic light emitting displays. Via holes are located through a protecting layer to expose the first and second wiring line groups where the first and second wiring line groups couple to the pad unit. |
| US08174180B2 |
Light-emitting device having scattering reflector with preset square average inclination
A light emitting device 1 includes a light emitting diode, a phosphor layer containing phosphors that emit a visible light by being excited by a light emitted from the light emitting diode, and a reflector disposed to surround the light emitting diode. A portion of 50% or more in an area ratio of a reflecting surface of the reflector is formed as a scattering surface with a mean square inclination (Δq) (0.1 mm) in a range of not less than 0.003 nor more than 0.03. |
| US08174175B2 |
Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing same
The light-emitting device of the present invention is a light-emitting device having a plurality of pixels that comprises a light-emitting function layer of at least one layer that emits light in accordance with a supplied current, a first electrode layer of a conductive material provided at one surface of the light-emitting function layer, and being transparent to at least part of a wavelength range of light emitted from the light-emitting function layer, a second electrode layer provided facing the first electrode layer on the other surface of the light-emitting function layer, including conductive material, and being transparent to at least part of the wavelength range of light emitted from the light-emitting function layer, and a reflecting layer provided on the second electrode layer, and being reflective to at least part of the wavelength range of light emitted from the light-emitting function layer. |
| US08174174B2 |
Cathode structures for X-ray tubes
An apparatus and method comprising a cathode structure which can be a cylindrical filament coiled in a helix or which can be constructed of a ribbon or other suitable shape. The cathode structure can be heated by passage of an electrical current, or by other means such as bombardment with energetic electrons. Selected portions of the surface of the cathode structure have an altered property with respect to the non-selected portions of the surface. In one embodiment, the altered property is a curvature. In another embodiment, the altered property is a work function. By altering the property of the selected portions of the surface, the electron beam intensity is increased, and the width is decreased. |
| US08174171B2 |
Piezoelectric vibrating devices having bisymmetric vibrating arms and supporting arms, and devices comprising same
An exemplary tuning-fork type piezoelectric vibrating piece has at least a pair of vibrating arms extending from one end of a base portion in a certain longitudinal direction (e.g., Y-direction). Supporting arms extend from respective side edges of the base, outboard of the vibrating arms in the certain direction. The supporting arms have respective mounting regions near their distal tips. Each supporting arm progressively narrows from its proximal end, coupled to the respective side edge of the base, to its respective mounting region. The progressive narrowing can be via one or more constrictions along the length of the supporting arm. |
| US08174170B1 |
Methods and apparatus for mechanical resonating structures
Mechanical resonating structures and related methods are described. The mechanical resonating structures may provide improved efficiency over conventional resonating structures. Some of the structures have lengths and widths and are designed to vibrate in a direction approximately parallel to either the length or width. They may have boundaries bounding the length and width dimensions, which may substantially align with nodes or anti-nodes of vibration. |
| US08174162B2 |
Motor and washing machine using the same
Disclosed is a washing machine which includes a tub which holds laundry, a drum which is disposed in and rotates within the tub, a stator which is fixed to the tub, and a rotor which is fixed to the drum. The rotor includes a frame, a bushing installed on the frame, a motor shaft having an end which is inserted in and fixed to the bushing, a bearing interposed between the motor shaft and the tub, and at least one guide disposed between the motor shaft and the bushing at an end of the bushing. |
| US08174160B2 |
Group of three stator windings for a stator of an electric machine, a stator arrangement, a generator, and wind turbine
A group of three stator windings for a stator of an electric machine, a stator arrangement, a generator, and wind turbine are provided. The first winding head segments of the three stator windings differ in form such that the first winding head segments of at least two of the three stator windings are differently tilted in radial direction of the electric machine and the length of the three stator windings is substantially the same. |
| US08174159B2 |
Optimized multi-phase armature winding
An electrical motor or generator asymmetrical armature winding configuration generating a multi-phase balanced power output. Each winding group for each pole, and the conductors constituting each winding group, are chosen individually according to their magnetomotive force (MMF) vector relationship to provide a balanced power output even though the individual windings may not be balanced or symmetrical. |
| US08174156B2 |
Rotating electrical machine with different lamination steel kinds and spacing
A rotating electrical machine includes: a rotor comprising a rotor core and a field winding wound round the rotor core; and a stator comprising a stator core and a stator winding wound round the stator core. The stator is arranged in opposition to the rotor with a predetermined spacing therebetween. the stator core is formed by punching a split piece, which comprises teeth for insertion of the stator winding thereinto and a core back on an outer periphery thereof, from a magnetic steel sheet, and laminating a plurality of those circular configurations in an axial direction, in which a plurality of the split pieces are arranged in a circle in a circumferential direction. The stator core has magnetic steel sheets, which are different in magnetic permeability in a diametrical direction, laminated at an axial end region of and in an axial central region of the stator core. |
| US08174152B2 |
Assembly for supplying a consumer with electric power
An arrangement for supplying a load with electrical energy from a power source comprises a textile, woven floor covering (101) with longitudinally running warp threads and transversely running weft threads, three or more current conductors (106) that are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another being woven in either as warp threads or as weft threads, the current conductors replacing part of a filling warp, a binding warp or the weft threads during the weaving operation. The arrangement also comprises a feed for the connection of the current conductors (106) to the power source and a coupling device (130) for picking up electrical energy from the current conductors (106) in the floor covering (101) and transporting it further to the load when the coupling device (130) is brought into a power pick-up area of the floor covering (101). The coupling device (130) is formed in particular in such a way that electrical energy can be inductively picked up from the current conductors (106) running in the floor covering. The supply arrangement allows a high degree of flexibility and can be integrated well in rooms. |
| US08174149B2 |
Auto-switching duplex module
A system and method (“utility”) for providing power to an electrically powered device from alternate, redundant power sources via a single power cord. The utility is operable to provide redundant power to an electrical device having a power cord terminating in a standard plug. The utility is operable to sense a loss of power quality from one power source, and to switch a connection to another power source in response to the loss. The utility may be configured to match the form factor of a standard (e.g., NEMA or other electrical standard) duplex receptacle unit. The utility may be incorporated into a standard outlet box or may plug into a standard outlet box. |
| US08174148B2 |
Controllable electrical outlet and a method of operation thereof
Controllable electrical outlets and systems and methods for controlling and disabling the electrical outlets. A controllable electrical outlet includes a current sensor, an electrical switch, and a microcontroller. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet, the current sensor senses the flow of current and a current sense event is reported from the electrical outlet to a central computer. The central computer provides timing and control of the electrical outlet. When a predetermined elapsed time has passed, as measured by the central computer, a timed-out event is communicated from the central computer to the electrical outlet triggering the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load. Communication between the central computer and an electrical outlet may occur, for example, via existing electrical wiring, wirelessly, or via dedicated communication wiring. |
| US08174146B2 |
Power split tailgate system and method
A power, split tailgate system is provided that allows each of an upper and a lower tailgate door to be simultaneously or independently driven between open and closed positions. The tailgate system may be operated in a chauffer mode where the lower tailgate door is opened to allow for the storage of luggage and other materials and in a manner that limits exposure of the passenger compartment. |
| US08174142B2 |
Wind turbine with paired generators
A wind turbine 20 has a turbine wheel 22 with a perimeter rim 24 and/or an intermediate rim 117 that are concentric with the axis of rotation of the turbine wheel. Electrical generators 46 and 48 are placed in engagement with the rims, with the generators formed in pairs that engage opposite surfaces of the rims. The electrical generators are mounted so that they may move laterally in response to the axial “wobble” likely to occur in the rims of the turbine wheel. |
| US08174138B2 |
Modular converter for converting the electric power produced by aerogenerators, and wind-power plant that uses said converter
A modular converter 30 for converting the electric power produced by aerogenerators, designed to be used within a wind-power plant, which is equipped with: input terminals 30a designed to be connected to an electric-power generator 3 of a single-phase or multiphase type; output terminals 30b; and control devices 36 for controlling the power of the electric-power generator 3. The modular converter has multiple modules 31 designed to receive on their inputs 31.1 alternating electric current and to produce on the respective outputs 31.2a, 31.2b direct electric current to be distributed within the wind-power plant, and, moreover, the control devices 36 receive a signal from the modules 31 and act on the electric-power generator 3. |
| US08174121B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate in which a first interlayer insulation layer having a first via hole and a first trench is formed. The semiconductor device also includes a first via plug and a first metal line respectively formed by filling the first via hole and the first trench with a first metal, a predetermined scratch being formed on the first metal line; and a second via plug a second metal line respectively formed by filling a second via hole and a second trench with a second metal, the second metal lines being separated. |
| US08174120B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with leadframe substrate
An integrated circuit package system is provided. A dual-type leadframe having first and second rows of leads is formed. A first row of bumps is formed on an integrated circuit chip. Solder paste is placed on the first row of leads, and the first row of bumps is pressed into the solder paste on the first row of leads. The solder paste is reflow soldered to form solder and connect the integrated circuit chip to the first row of leads, and the integrated circuit chip, the first row of bumps, the solder, and the leadframe are encapsulated. |
| US08174117B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a semiconductor device having a substrate, a semiconductor chip flip-chip mounted on the substrate, and a stacked film provided in a gap between the substrate and the semiconductor chip. The stacked film is composed of a protective film covering the surface of the substrate, and an underfill film formed between the solder resist film and the semiconductor chip. The protective film is roughened on the contact surface brought into contacting said underfill film. |
| US08174116B2 |
Spacer, and its manufacturing method
Provided are a spacer capable of avoiding a poor connection due to the suction of solder when the clearance width between a soldered semiconductor device and a printed circuit board is made constant, and a manufacturing method for the spacer. The spacer includes an electrically insulating base member, and at least one solder guiding terminal. The base member has a bottom face, a top face and at least one side face, of which the bottom face and the top face are out of contact with each other whereas the side face contacts one or both the bottom face and the top face. The solder guiding terminal covers the bottom face partially, the top face partially, and the side face partially or wholly. A solder guiding face as the surface of a portion of the solder guiding terminal covering the side face is not normal to the bottom face. |
| US08174115B2 |
Multi-chip package memory device
Provided is a multi-chip package memory device. The multi-chip package memory device may include a transmission memory chip and a plurality of memory chips that are stacked on the transmission memory chip. The transmission memory chip may include a temporary storage unit, and may transmit a received command or received data to a corresponding memory chip, or to an external element. Each of the memory chips may include a memory core, and may delay the received command according to the properties of the memory chips and then may output delay commands. The transmission memory chip may store the received data in different portions of the temporary storage unit when the delay commands are respectively received. |
| US08174113B2 |
Methods of fabricating robust integrated heat spreader designs and structures formed thereby
Methods and associated structures of forming an indium containing solder material directly on an active region of a copper IHS is enabled. A copper indium containing solder intermetallic is formed on the active region of the IHS. The solder intermetallic improves the solder-TIM integration process for microelectronic packaging applications. |
| US08174110B2 |
Semiconductor device having at least two terminals among the plurality of terminals electrically connected to each other while not being adjacent to one other and not being connected to internal circuit
A semiconductor device includes a base substrate including an internal circuit, a resin protrusion part that is disposed to protrude on an active face side of the base substrate, and a plurality of terminals that are formed by including an island-shaped conductive film disposed on the resin protrusion part. The plurality of terminals includes a terminal that a conductive state with the internal circuit, and a wiring line that electrically connects at least two terminals among the plurality of terminals is disposed on the active face side. |
| US08174103B2 |
Enhanced architectural interconnect options enabled with flipped die on a multi-chip package
A particular chip is designed having a first variant (front side connected chip) of the chip and a second variant (back side connected chip). The first variant of the chip is attached to a carrier. The second variant of the chip is attached to the carrier inverted relative to the first variant of the chip. The first and second variants of the chip are attached to the carrier such that a vertical surface (side) of the first variant of the chip faces a corresponding vertical surface of the second variant of the chip. A circuit on the first variant of the chip is electrically connected to a corresponding circuit on the second variant of the chip. |
| US08174100B2 |
Light source using a light-emitting diode
A light source is described herein. An embodiment of the light source comprises a mounting surface and a first lead frame. The first lead frame extends from the mounting surface. The first lead frame comprises a first portion extending from the mounting surface; a cup portion having a cup portion first side and a cup portion second side, the cup portion first side configured to receive a light-emitting diode, the cup portion second side being located opposite the cup portion first side; and a second portion extending between the first portion and the cup portion second side. |
| US08174089B2 |
High voltage switching devices and process for forming same
The present invention relates to various switching device structures including Schottky diode, P—N diode, and P—I—N diode, which are characterized by low defect density, low crack density, low pit density and sufficient thickness (>2.5 um) GaN layers of low dopant concentration (<1E16 cm−3) grown on a conductive GaN layer. The devices enable substantially higher breakdown voltage on hetero-epitaxial substrates (<2 KV) and extremely high breakdown voltage on homo-epitaxial substrates (>2 KV). |
| US08174084B2 |
Stress sensor for in-situ measurement of package-induced stress in semiconductor devices
A stress sensor is disclosed herein. The stress sensor includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes in a substrate, and first and second contacts electrically connectable with the plurality of carbon nanotubes. Methods of making and using the stress sensor are also disclosed. |
| US08174083B1 |
Dual-suspension system for MEMS-based devices
A dual-suspension system for MEMS-based devices includes a proof mass, an upper spring system, and a lower spring system. The proof mass is formed from a handle wafer, a first layer of silicon coupled to one side of the handle wafer, and a second layer of silicon coupled to the other side of the handle wafer. The upper spring system is formed from the first layer of silicon and the lower spring system is formed from the second layer of silicon. The upper and lower spring systems comprise one or more springs extending from the proof mass. The springs may be spaced at even intervals along the perimeter of the proof mass, may be symmetric or out of phase with each other, may comprise different geometries, and may be curved in shape. The upper and lower spring systems are coupled to a support structure that surrounds the proof mass. |
| US08174076B2 |
Method for manufacturing electronic devices integrated in a semiconductor substrate and corresponding devices
A method manufactures a vertical power MOS transistor on a semiconductor substrate comprising a first superficial semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, comprising: forming trench regions in the first semiconductor layer, filling in said trench regions with a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, to form semiconductor portions of the second conductivity type contained in the first semiconductor layer, carrying out an ion implantation of a first dopant type in the semiconductor portions for forming respective implanted body regions of said second conductivity type, carrying out an ion implantation of a second dopant type in one of the implanted body regions for forming an implanted source region of the first conductivity type inside one of the body regions, carrying out an activation thermal process of the first and second dopant types with low thermal budget suitable to complete said formation of the body and source regions. |
| US08174070B2 |
Dual channel trench LDMOS transistors and BCD process with deep trench isolation
A dual channel trench LDMOS transistor includes a substrate of a first conductivity type; a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed on the substrate; a first trench formed in the semiconductor layer where a trench gate is formed in an upper portion of the first trench; a body region of the first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer adjacent the first trench; a source region of the second conductivity type formed in the body region and adjacent the first trench; a planar gate overlying the body region; a drain region of the second conductivity type spaced apart from the body region by a drain drift region. The planar gate forms a lateral channel in the body region, and the trench gate in the first trench forms a vertical channel in the body region of the LDMOS transistor. |
| US08174069B2 |
Power semiconductor device and a method of forming a power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device has a top surface and an opposed bottom surface below a part of which is a thick portion of semiconductor substrate. At least a portion of a drift region of the device has either no or only a thin portion of semiconductor substrate positioned thereunder. The top surface has a high voltage terminal and a low voltage terminal connected thereto to allow a voltage to be applied laterally across the drift region. At least two MOS (metal-oxide-semiconductor) gates are provided on the top surface. The device has at least one relatively highly doped region at its top surface extending between and in contact with said first and second MOS gates. The device has improved protection against triggering of parasitic transistors or latch-up without the on-state voltage drop or switching speed being compromised. |
| US08174067B2 |
Trench-based power semiconductor devices with increased breakdown voltage characteristics
Exemplary power semiconductor devices with features providing increased breakdown voltage and other benefits are disclosed. |
| US08174065B2 |
Semiconductor device having vertical transistor and method of fabricating the same
There are provided a semiconductor device having a vertical transistor and a method of fabricating the same. The method includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having a cell region and a peripheral circuit region. Island-shaped vertical gate structures two-dimensionally aligned along a row direction and a column direction are formed on the substrate of the cell region. Each of the vertical gate structures includes a semiconductor pillar and a gate electrode surrounding a center portion of the semiconductor pillar. A bit line separation trench is formed inside the semiconductor substrate below a gap region between the vertical gate structures, and a peripheral circuit trench confining a peripheral circuit active region is formed inside the semiconductor substrate of the peripheral circuit region. The bit line separation trench is formed in parallel with the column direction of the vertical gate structures. A bit line separation insulating layer and a peripheral circuit isolation layer are formed inside the bit line separation trench and the peripheral circuit trench, respectively. |
| US08174064B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for forming the same
A semiconductor device includes a conductive pattern formed on the substrate; an interlayer dielectric layer formed on the conductive pattern; a contact plug connected to the conductive pattern extending through the interlayer dielectric layer; a semiconductor layer and an insulating layer sequentially formed on the interlayer dielectric layer; an electrode pattern formed on the insulating layer; and a capping insulating layer pattern covering upper portions of neighboring electrode patterns with the contact plug. An additional process is not needed to define an active region. An active region apart from the gate patter is not needed. A storage electrode contact line does not need to be formed. A height of a landing plug is reduced to reduce the landing plug resistance. A junction region does not need to be formed. |
| US08174058B2 |
Integrated circuits with split gate and common gate FinFET transistors
An integrated circuit includes common gate FinFET and split gate FinFET devices formed from different height fins at a semiconductor surface of a substrate. A patterned layer of gate electrode material formed over sides and unconnected over the tops of the taller fins defines respective gate electrodes for first and second paired transistors. The patterned layer of gate electrode material formed over the sides and connected over tops of the shorter fins defines common gate electrodes for transistors. In one embodiment, the common gate devices are used for cross-coupled inverters of a memory cell core storage element and the split gate devices are used for pass gates, with the gate electrodes coupled to wordlines and common source/drains coupled to bitline/complementary bitline and core element storage/complementary storage nodes.In another embodiment, the split gate devices are used for input transistors of a differential amplifier, with one gate electrode coupled to receive an input signal and the other gate electrode coupled to receive a mismatch correction bias. |
| US08174052B2 |
Standard cell libraries and integrated circuit including standard cells
A standard cell library includes a first power rail, a second power rail, a third power rail, a first standard cell, and second standard cells. The first power rail extends in a first direction. The second power rail extends in the first direction, and is spaced apart from the first power rail by a predetermined spacing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The third power rail extends in the first direction between the first power rail and the second power rail. The first standard cell has at least one cell having a first cell height, and is arranged between the first power rail and the second power rail. The second standard cells have at least two cells, each having a second cell height, that are in contact with each other in the second direction, and are in contact with the first standard cell in the first direction. |
| US08174051B2 |
III-nitride power device
A III-nitride power device that includes a Schottky electrode surrounding one of the power electrodes of the device. |
| US08174048B2 |
III-nitride current control device and method of manufacture
A III-nitride device includes a recessed electrode to produce a nominally off, or an enhancement mode, device. By providing a recessed electrode, a conduction channel formed at the interface of two III-nitride materials is interrupted when the electrode contact is inactive to prevent current flow in the device. The electrode can be a schottky contact or an insulated metal contact. Two ohmic contacts can be provided to form a rectifier device with nominally off characteristics. The recesses formed with the electrode can have sloped sides. The electrode can be formed in a number of geometries in conjunction with current carrying electrodes of the device. A nominally on device, or pinch resistor, is formed when the electrode is not recessed. A diode is also formed by providing non-recessed ohmic and schottky contacts through an insulator to an AlGaN layer. |
| US08174046B1 |
Reducing effects of parasitic transistors in thyristor-based memory using local thinning or implanting
Method and apparatus for an integrated circuit having memory including thyristor-based memory cells is described. A pair of the thyristor-based memory cells are commonly coupled via a bitline region, where a parasitic bipolar junction transistor is defined therebetween responsive to the bitline region being common. In another implementation, the pair of the thyristor-based memory cells are commonly coupled via the anode region, where a parasitic bipolar junction transistor is defined therebetween responsive to the anode region being common. The common bitline or anode region, respectively, has a locally thinned region to inhibit charge transfer between the pair via the parasitic bipolar junction transistor. Moreover, a method for forming a field-effect transistor on a silicon-on-insulator wafer is described, where charge transfer facilitated by a parasitic bipolar transistor is reduced responsive to an increase in dopants at least proximate to an insulator layer. |
| US08174044B2 |
Light emitting diode package and method for forming the same
A light emitting diode package is provided, which includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; at least a through-hole passing through the semiconductor substrate; a thermal via formed extending from the second surface toward the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the thermal via has a first end near the first surface and a second end near the second surface; an insulating layer overlying a sidewall of the through-hole and extending overlying the first surface and the second surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the insulating layer further covers at least one of the first end, the second end and a sidewall of the thermal via; a conducting layer overlying the insulating layer in the through-hole and extending to the first surface and the second surface of the semiconductor substrate; and an LED chip disposed overlying the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08174036B2 |
Lighting device
The invention relates to a lighting device comprising a light source (1) that emits incoherent light with a total radiation power P and has a radiation-emitting area (S) divided into a plurality of subareas (Si), wherein assigned to each subarea (Si) is a light ray (2) having a radiation power Pi and the sum of the radiation powers Pi is equal to the total radiation power P, and disposed after said light source (1) is an optical element (4) having a decoupling surface (5) and a total reflection angle (θc) assigned to said decoupling surface (5), said decoupling surface (5) being shaped so that at least for a portion of said light rays (2) the angle (α) of incidence on said decoupling surface (5) is smaller than the total reflection angle (θc), and the radiation power of said light rays collectively is greater than a predetermined fraction, equal to at least 50%, of the total radiation power P. |
| US08174032B2 |
Semiconductor white light sources
Semiconductor white light sources presented herein include special combinations of a blue source and a yellow source where these light fields are substantially overlapped. The source of blue light includes a blue emitting semiconductor operating in a conventional manner. However, this blue light source is combined with a special yellow light source and the light produced by each is mixed together. The yellow light source is primarily comprised of a high output ultraviolet emitting semiconductor coupled to a wavelength shifting medium whereby the semiconductor pumps the wavelength shifting medium causing re-emission at longer wavelengths; namely those corresponding to yellow colored light. These two sources operating in conjunction with each other operate to produce higher outputs than those attainable in competitive white light semiconductor systems. In special versions, provision is made whereby the color coordinates may be tuned by a variable current applied to the blue emitting semiconductor. |
| US08174029B2 |
Light emitting apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
The purpose of the invention is to improve reliability of a light emitting apparatus comprising TFTs and organic light emitting elements. The light emitting apparatus according to the invention having thin film transistors and light emitting elements, comprises; a second inorganic insulation layer on a gate electrode, a first organic insulation layer on the second inorganic insulation layer, a third inorganic insulation layer on the first organic insulation layer, an anode layer formed on the third inorganic insulation layer, a second organic insulation layer overlapping with the end of the anode layer and having an inclination angle of 35 to 45 degrees, a fourth inorganic insulation layer formed on the upper surface and side surface of the second organic insulation layer and having an opening over the anode layer, an organic compound layer formed in contact with the anode layer and the fourth inorganic insulation layer and containing light emitting material, and a cathode layer formed in contact with the organic compound layer containing the light emitting material, wherein the third inorganic insulation layer and the fourth inorganic insulation layer are formed with silicon nitride or aluminum nitride. |
| US08174028B2 |
Semiconductor composite apparatus, LED, LED printhead, and image forming apparatus
A semiconductor composite apparatus includes a substrate and a planarizing layer, and a semiconductor thin film. The planarizing layer is formed on the substrate either directly or indirectly. The planarizing layer includes a first surface that faces the substrate, and a second surface that is on the side of the planarizing layer remote from the substrate. The semiconductor thin film formed on the planarizing layer. The second surface has a roughness of not more than 5 nm. |
| US08174020B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and method for manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an insulation substrate; a gate line formed on the insulation substrate; a first interlayer insulating layer formed on the gate line; a data line and a gate electrode formed on the first interlayer insulating layer; a gate insulating layer formed on the data line and gate electrode; a semiconductor formed on the gate insulating layer and overlapping the gate electrode; a second interlayer insulating layer formed on the semiconductor; a first connection formed on the second interlayer insulating layer and electrically connecting the gate line and the gate electrode to each other; a drain electrode connected to the semiconductor; a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode; and a second connection connecting the data line and the semiconductor to each other. |
| US08174015B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes a lower panel including a lower substrate and a pixel transistor formed on the lower substrate; and an upper panel facing the lower panel, and including an upper substrate, a sensing transistor formed on the upper substrate, and a readout transistor connected to the sensing transistor and transmitting a signal. The readout transistor includes a first lower gate electrode formed on the upper substrate, a first semiconductor layer formed on the first lower gate electrode and overlaps the first gate electrode, and a first source electrode and a first drain electrode disposed on the first semiconductor layer. The sensing transistor includes a light blocking film disposed on the upper substrate, a second lower gate electrode contacting the light blocking film on the light blocking film, a second semiconductor layer overlapping the light blocking film on the second lower gate electrode, a second source electrode and a second drain electrode formed on the second semiconductor layer, and a second upper gate electrode overlapping the second semiconductor layer on the second source electrode and the second drain electrode. |
| US08174013B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, and display device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer having a channel region, an impurity layer having a source region and a drain region, and a gate electrode provided so as to face the semiconductor layer with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The semiconductor layer has a layered structure of at least a first amorphous film and a crystalline film including a crystal phase, and the first amorphous film is formed directly on the gate insulating film. |
| US08174010B2 |
Unified test structure for stress migration tests
A unified test structure which is applicable for all levels of a semiconductor device including a current path chain having a first half chain and a second half chain, wherein each half chain comprises lower metallization segments, upper metallization segments, an insulating layer between the lower metallization segments and the upper metallization segments, and connection segments. Each of the connection segments is electrically connected to a contact region of one of the lower metallization segments and to a contact region of one of the upper metallization segments to thereby electrically connect the respective lower metallization segment and the respective upper metallization segment, and the first half chain and the second half chain are of different configuration. |
| US08174008B1 |
Light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A light emitting device includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel rows. The pixel rows are arranged on the substrate. Each of the pixel rows includes a first sub-pixel row having a plurality of first sub-pixels, a second sub-pixel row having a plurality of second sub-pixels, and a third sub-pixel row having a plurality of third sub-pixels. In the mth pixel row, each first sub-pixel includes a first structure layer, the first structure layers are separated from each other and each corresponds to one first sub-pixel. In the (m+n)th pixel row, the first sub-pixels include a first common structure layer, the first common structure layer corresponds to a plurality of first sub-pixels in a same row. The first structure layer and the first common structure layer commonly act as an organic functional layer or an electrode layer, and m, n are each a positive integer. |
| US08174005B2 |
Organic light emitting diode lighting apparatus
An organic light emitting diode lighting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of electrode lines that feed current to or from a plurality of light emitting diodes, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) that has a plurality of connection lines electrically connected to the plurality of electrode lines through the plurality of contact holes. In some embodiments, the FPCB has a fuse for each of the electrode lines. |
| US08174004B2 |
Organic thin film transistor, method of fabricating the same, and gate insulating layer used in the same
An organic thin film transistor is disclosed, which comprises an azole-metal complex compound used as the gate insulating layer. The method of making the self-assembled gate insulating layer is a water-based processing method that enables the azole-metal complex compound to be self-formed on the patterned gate electrode in a water-based solution and serves as a gate insulating layer. The organic thin film transistor (OTFT) of the present invention comprises the azole-metal complex compound used in the gate insulating layer, therefore can be manufactured in a simple, quick, easy way for large quantities, and low cost. |
| US08174002B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device
An organic electroluminescence device includes: a pair of electrodes; and at least one organic layer including a light emitting layer, the light emitting layer being provided between the pair of electrodes, wherein at least one layer of the at least one organic layer contains a compound represented by formula (1): wherein each of Z11 and Z12 independently represents an aromatic heterocyclic ring or an aromatic hydrocarbon ring; R11 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, provided that a plurality of R11s are the same or different; m represents an integer of 1 or more; and L1 represents a single bond or an m-valent linking group and is linked to any one of C atoms in R11, Z11 and Z12, provided that when m is 1, L1 does not exist. |
| US08174000B2 |
Liquid compositions for inkjet printing of organic layers or other uses
A method of forming an organic layer by using a liquid composition comprising a small molecule organic semiconductor material mixed in a ketone solvent. The liquid composition is deposited on a surface to form the organic layer. The ketone solvent may be an aromatic ketone solvent, such as a tetralone solvent. The organic semiconductor material may be cross-linkable to provide a cross-linked organic layer. The method can be used to make organic electronic devices, such as organic light emitting devices. In another aspect, the liquid composition comprises a small molecule organic semiconductor material mixed in an aromatic ether solvent. Also, provided are liquid compositions which can be used to make organic layers. |
| US08173995B2 |
Electronic device including an organic active layer and process for forming the electronic device
An electronic device can include an organic active layer and an electrode. In one aspect, the electrode can further include a first layer that is conductive, and a second layer that is conductive. The second layer can include a defect extending at least partly through a thickness of the second conductive layer. The electrode can also include a third layer lying within and substantially filling the defect, wherein each of the second and third layers includes a same metallic element.In another aspect, a process for forming an electronic device can include forming an organic active layer and forming a first layer that is conductive and is part of an electrode. The process can also include forming a second layer and exposing the second layer to a first plasma to form a first compound from the second layer. |
| US08173987B2 |
Integrated circuit 3D phase change memory array and manufacturing method
A 3D phase change memory device is based on an array of electrode pillars and a plurality of electrode planes that intersect the electrode pillars at interface regions that include memory elements that comprise a programmable phase change memory element and a threshold switching element. The electrode pillars can be selected using two-dimensional decoding, and the plurality of electrode planes can be selected using decoding on a third dimension. |
| US08173986B2 |
Laser-heated infrared source
Described are infrared light sources and methods for generating infrared radiation. The infrared light source includes a source of laser radiation, a target and an enclosure. The target is positioned in a path of an output region of the source of laser radiation. The target includes an absorbing material that absorbs radiation at a wavelength within the lasing spectrum of the source of laser radiation and converts the absorbed radiation into thermal energy. The enclosure defines a cavity that includes the target. The enclosure includes an infrared reflecting film on a side that defines the cavity. |
| US08173974B2 |
Method of indirect emission by nano-materials
A method of indirect emission by nano-materials includes providing an infrared up-conversion phosphor 1 (weight ratio) and a long-wave ultraviolet phosphor 0.01-10 (weight ratio); treating both surfaces of the infrared up-conversion phosphor and the long-wave ultraviolet phosphor; mixing the infrared up-conversion phosphor and the long-wave ultraviolet phosphor; exciting the infrared up-conversion phosphor by a near-infrared laser with a wavelength of 980 mn to emit blue light as a secondary excitation lightsource; exciting the long-wave ultraviolet phosphor by the blue light to emit a visible light. Biological reactions can be conveniently detected by detecting the visible light. |
| US08173973B2 |
Eliminating fluorescence background noise
A method for measuring a fluorescent sample on a substrate. The method includes exciting the fluorescent sample with an exciting light source for the generation of a sample fluorescent optical signal and a substrate fluorescent optical signal substantially eliminated. The microfluidic substrate fluorescent optical signal is leaving the sample fluorescent optical signal. The sample fluorescence optical signal can then be processed. |
| US08173972B2 |
Device for use in normalizing readings on a testing machine
An optic module verification device for normalizing between X photon counters, including a verification tray with X verification wells and a modular photon emitter in each verification well. Each photon emitter includes a spring, a Beta source disk, a scintillator disk adjacent the Beta source disk, and a neutral density filter over the scintillator disk, all of which are encapsulated in a cylindrical chamber with the filter adjacent an opening on one end of the chamber and the spring biasing the Beta source disk and the scintillator disk toward the opening. The device is periodically used for normalization, and may be updated when emitted photons fall below a desired level by replacing the scintillator disk and then determining a new normalized reference values for each photon emitter. |
| US08173971B2 |
Sample transfer unit and sample transferring method
There is provided a mini environment type transfer unit which can efficiently transfer a sample to a critical dimension scanning electron microscope (CD-SEM) even in the case of use of a SMIF pod which can store only one photomask. In addition to a load port, a stocker which can store a plurality of photomasks is provided in the mini environment type transfer unit. A mask storage slot in which a plurality of storage units are stacked is provided in the stocker, and one photomask is stored in each storage unit. A sensor is provided in each storage unit to determine whether or not the photomask is normally stored. Additionally, a sensor is provided in each storage unit to detect whether or not the photomask exists. |
| US08173966B2 |
Collimator storage apparatus integrated with patient support
According to some embodiments, a patient support system for a nuclear medical imaging system is provided that includes: a patient support; a collimator storage unit located under the patient support; a first support means for supporting substantially all of the weight of the collimator storage unit; and a second support means for supporting the patient support at least at a position distal from a gantry of the nuclear medical imaging system. In some embodiments, the first support means includes means for supporting the patient support at a position proximate a gantry of the nuclear medical imaging system and the second support means includes two vertical support structures. In addition, the system preferably includes at least one laterally extendable frame member mounted between the two vertical support structures. |
| US08173965B2 |
Thermally excited near-field source
A high resolution material observation system includes an object having at least one spatial dimension sufficient to support production of near-field infrared emissions, a holder adapted to receive a sample to be observed, the holder further adapted to position the sample in the near-field infrared emissions, and a thermal excitation unit, adapted to be thermally coupled to at least one of the object and the sample. The thermal excitation unit is further adapted to causing black body radiation in either the object or the sample within the infrared spectrum. |
| US08173962B2 |
Pattern displacement measuring method and pattern measuring device
An evaluation method and apparatus is provided for evaluating a displacement between patterns of a pattern image by using design data representative of a plurality of patterns superimposed ideally. A first distance is measured for an upper layer pattern between a line segment of the design data and an edge of the charged particle radiation image, a second distance is measured for a lower layer pattern between a line segment of the design data and an edge of the charged particle radiation image; and an superimposition displacement is detected between the upper layer pattern and lower layer pattern in accordance with the first distance and second distance. |
| US08173960B2 |
Low pressure electrospray ionization system and process for effective transmission of ions
Systems and methods that provide up to complete transmission of ions between coupled stages with low effective ion losses. An “interfaceless” electrospray ionization system is further described that operates an electrospray at a reduced pressure such that standard electrospray sample solutions can be directly sprayed into an electrodynamic ion funnel which provides ion focusing and transmission of ions into a mass analyzer. Furthermore, chambers maintained at different pressures can allow for more optimal operating conditions for an electrospray emitter and an ion guide. |
| US08173957B2 |
Mass spectrometry with selective ion filtration by digital thresholding
The methods described herein generally relate to characterization of large analytes, such as biomolecules, by molecular mass analysis. Specifically, the methods are directed to molecular mass analysis of singly- or multiply-charged ions by selective ion filtering carried out by a digital thresholding process. |
| US08173948B2 |
Optical coupling apparatus for a dual column charged particle beam tool for imaging and forming silicide in a localized manner
An optical coupling apparatus for a dual column charged particle beam tool allowing both optical imaging of an area of an integrated circuit, as well as localized heating of the integrated circuit to form silicide. In one embodiment, optical paths from a whitelight source and a laser source are coupled together by way of first and second beam splitters so that a single optical port of the dual column tool may be utilized for both imaging and heating. In another embodiment, a single laser source is employed to provide both illumination for standard microscopy-type imaging, as well as localized heating. In a third embodiment, a single laser source provides heating along with localized illumination for confocal scanning microscopy-type imaging. |
| US08173944B2 |
Cooking device
In a cooking device for cooking an object to be heated, a first operation section is provided to a lower portion of a door, and a second operation section is provided to an upper portion on a front face of a cooking device body so as to be exposed in spite of the door being opened or closed. Numeric keys for accepting a selection from a plurality of recipes stored in advance and start keys for accepting a start of heating are provided to the first and second operation sections redundantly. Therefore, in a case of when the door closes, the first and second operation sections can be used in parallel, allowing arrangement of many keys to have good operability. |
| US08173943B2 |
Apparatus for microwave heating of a planar product including a multi-segment waveguide element
The invention relates to a microwave waveguide element for matching a standard waveguide input port to an enlarged waveguide output port. In the waveguide element, a plurality of intermediate waveguide segments is cascaded in the propagation direction of the microwave energy to first split the waveguide element into two symmetrical waveguide branches and then combine the branches at the output port. Thus, the width of the waveguide element is gradually enlarged and the input port is matched to the output port. The intermediate waveguide segments are preferably dimensioned such that respective characteristic impedances are approximately matched with each other for the fundamental mode. |
| US08173941B2 |
Apparatus for microwave-assisted preparation of specimens
In an apparatus for microwave-assisted preparation of specimens with a microwave generator (1), a microwave chamber for receiving specimens (5) to be processed, and a container arrangement (11) for a number of containers (9) for liquids, the microwave chamber is realized as a waveguide (2) that includes a first opening (7a) for introduction of a specimen (5) and a second opening (8a), preferably arranged at the bottom, through which a liquid container (9) is reversibly introduced into the microwave chamber while the specimen (5) is held stationary, until the liquid container thus introduced into the microwave chamber, and the liquid contained therein, surround the specimen (5). |
| US08173937B2 |
Heat treatment apparatus emitting flash of light
Flash lamps connected to short-pulse circuits and flash lamps connected to long-pulse circuits are alternately arranged in a line. The duration of light emission from the flash lamps connected to the long-pulse circuits is longer than the duration of light emission from the flash lamps connected to the short-pulse circuits. A superimposing of a flash of light with a high peak intensity from the flash lamps that emit light for a short time and a flash of light with a gentle peak from the flash lamps that emit light for a long time can increase the temperature of even a deep portion of a substrate to an activation temperature or more without heating a shallow portion near the substrate surface more than necessary. This achieves the activation of deep junctions without causing substrate warpage or cracking. |
| US08173930B2 |
Apparatus for cutting substrate
An apparatus for cutting a substrate includes a laser oscillator generating a femtosecond laser beam, a first beam splitter splitting the femtosecond laser beam into first and second femtosecond laser beams, a first condenser lens receiving the first femtosecond laser beam and condensing the first femtosecond laser beam to have a first focal depth, a second condenser lens receiving the second femtosecond laser beam, and condensing the second femtosecond laser beam to have a second focal depth different from the first focal depth, and a second beam splitter receiving and splitting the first femtosecond laser beam condensed through the first condenser lens and the second femtosecond laser beam condensed through the second condenser lens, and irradiating the split first and second femtosecond laser beams at different positions on a substrate to be cut. |
| US08173926B2 |
Electrical switching device with a thermal release
The invention describes an arc-quenching arrangement for an electrical service switching device, with a fixed contact piece, a movable contact piece, with an arc splitter stack having arc splitter plates, each arc splitter plate having a cutout which is open towards the arc formation point, has a V-shaped notch and tapers in the form of a funnel in the arc running direction, and the arc being guided into the arc splitter stack via a first arc guide rail, which is associated with the fixed contact piece, and a second arc guide rail, which is associated with the movable contact piece. The first arc guide rail has a first, rectangular section, which faces the arc formation location, and a second section, which adjoins the first section and is in the form of a rectangular trapezium and whose first limb extends at an angle with respect to the mid-longitudinal axis of the first section and away therefrom. |
| US08173925B2 |
Capacitive operating element
An operating element having an actuating element disposed on a linear moving carrier element. The actuating element has a plate-like touch panel that is made of an electrically nonconductive material, which cooperates with a switching element, and wherein an electrically conductive sensor element of a capacitative proximity sensor is disposed. The sensor element is disposed on or in the touch panel. |
| US08173923B2 |
Rotary switch assembly for air conditioner in vehicle
The present invention relates to a rotary switch assembly for an air conditioner in a vehicle, in which detent means is mounted on a holder joined to a front housing to mount a knob on the holder, so that a cable switch assembly for operating a cable to control the air conditioner can be used to various switches in common without regard to existence and nonexistence of a detent structure or positions of the detent structure and the rotary switch assembly can prevent a movement of the knob and effectively transfer a manipulation force of the knob to the cable switch assembly since the detent means is mounted on the holder adjacent to the knob. |
| US08173920B2 |
Load control device having a modular assembly
A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic and the color of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input and a visual display for providing feedback to the user. The base module has a controllably conductive device and a controller for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the controller is operatively coupled to the actuation member and the visual display. |
| US08173917B2 |
Actuating device on a vehicle steering wheel
An actuating device contains two shifting buttons which are arranged on the upper side and lower side of the steering wheel. The shifting buttons are guided together rectilinearly on guide pins during a shifting operation, which guide pins are held in sleeves of a supporting plate and are fastened to a steering wheel cover. |
| US08173916B2 |
Move-out type interlock apparatus for circuit breaker
Disclosed is an interlock apparatus for a move-out type circuit breaker, capable of automatically discharging elastic energy charged in a closing spring and a trip spring when a main body of the circuit breaker is moved-in or moved-out, the apparatus including, a releasing protrusion member fixed to a predetermined position on a path that the circuit breaker is moved-in or moved-out and protruded upwardly from the predetermined position, an automatic releasing mechanism configured to be moved up by coming in contact with the releasing protrusion member upon moved-in or moved-out the circuit breaker to thereby drive a latching mechanism for latching the closing spring and the trip spring in a charged state to the release position. |
| US08173915B2 |
Ignition key switch apparatus with improved snap action mechanism
An ignition key switch apparatus having a compact size, high current capability, and a snap action mechanism. A pre-loaded snap spring can be configured to include a fixed end attached to an anchor and a free end attached to a movable contact operable between normal and actuated positions. A cam can be utilized to convert a rotary motion at a key interface into a linear movement of a plunger for snap spring blade actuation. The unique pre-loaded snap spring generates a fast (e.g., instantaneous) movement from an open to a closed position and vice versa upon application/removal of a load to reduce the effect of arcing on associated contacts and conductors. The pre-loaded snap spring also ensures that the movable contact does not remain in any intermittent position, other than the two extreme positions given at any position of the plunger. |
| US08173910B2 |
Printed circuit board ball grid array system having improved mechanical strength
A printed circuit board (PCB) ball grid array (BGA) system is provided. In one embodiment, the PCB BGA system includes a PCB, a PCB BGA pad formed on the PCB, a plated through-hole via disposed at least partially through the PCB proximate the PCB BGA pad, and a soldermask disposed over the PCB. The soldermask includes: (i) a BGA pad opening through which the PCB BGA pad is exposed, and (ii) a via opening through which a central portion of the plated through-hole via is exposed. The via opening has an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the plated through-hole via. |
| US08173904B1 |
Post insulator blade adaptor
An adapter for use between a two-hole blade end fitting of a line post insulator arm and a Y-clevis bolt eliminates the need to replace the entire insulator arm when the end fitting fails or becomes distorted due to wear of the Y-clevis bolt. The adapter includes a body with a two-hole insulator end that connects to the end fitting and a single or double eye conductor end that supports the Y-clevis bolt. The conductor end is configured to align the load axis of the insulator arm with the Y-clevis bolt to transfer the tension load effectively through the adapter. Annular shoulders surround the two holes in the adapter back and the insulator end of the body. The shoulders extend into the bolt holes in the end fitting to center the bolts and form a clamp on the blade end to prevent further damage to the end fitting. |
| US08173903B2 |
Fixing device for wire cable tray
The invention relates to a device for a yarn cable track (6) including longitudinal warp yarns (8) and transverse weft yarns (10), that includes a base (2) with a mounting surface (16) on the cable track as well as an attachment means (4; 34, 38, 38′). The device further includes: at least one trough-shaped longitudinal housing (18) for receiving a first yarn of the cable track and formed in the mounting surface (16); at least one bearing surface (20) made as an undercut relative to the mounting surface (16), said surface extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal housing (18) and parallel to the bottom (22) of the longitudinal housing (18) at an intermediate level between the bottom (22) of said housing (18) and the mounting surface (16); and at least one transverse cut-out (24) corresponding to each intersection between a longitudinal housing and a bearing surface, said cut-out (24) extending from one edge of the mounting surface (16) to a longitudinal housing (18). |
| US08173902B2 |
System for mounting electrical and optical conductors to floor beams of an aircraft
A system for mounting conductors, such as electrical wires, optical fiber cables, conduits and the like, to the floor beams of an aircraft cabin floor, having: an elongate raceway a longitudinal routing rails spanning between adjacent pairs of floor beams, each routing rail having an interior channel for housing conductors; conductor cradle blocks disposed in the interior channel, each cradle block including a mounting cushion adapted to engage a bottom portion of said conductors; and rail support brackets, each rail support bracket removably clamped on at least one of: the top flange; the bottom flange; and the web of a beam and removably mounted to the rail ends. |
| US08173901B2 |
Multifilament superconductor, as well as method for its production
A multifilament superconductor (1) has a core area (2), several superconductor filaments (7) and reinforcement filaments (6). The superconductor filaments (7) and the reinforcement filaments (6) are arranged, so that they have a regular two-dimensional matrix (5) in the cross-section of core area (2). The reinforcement filaments (6) consist of tantalum or a tantalum alloy, and the superconductor filaments (7) each have a core (8), made from a powder metallurgically produced superconductor, which is enclosed by an inner shell (9), made of a non-superconducting metal or a non-superconducting alloy. The core area (2) is enclosed by an outer shell (3), made of a non-superconducting metal or a non-superconducting alloy. |
| US08173898B2 |
Adjustable scalable rack power system and method
Systems and method for installing computer equipment and power distribution equipment in facilities is provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides an uninterruptible power supply system for use with a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices having a power input to receive power. The uninterruptible power supply system includes an equipment rack, an input to receive input power, a DC power source mounted in the equipment rack that provides DC power, an output that provides output power derived from at least one of the input power and the DC power, power distribution circuitry, mounted within the equipment rack, having a plurality of distribution devices each having an input coupled to the output to receive the output power, and a plurality of output power cables each having a first end coupled to one of the plurality of distribution devices to receive output power and a second end that mates with the power input of one of the plurality of devices. |
| US08173897B2 |
Superconducting cable line
A superconducting cable line includes a heat insulation pipe for a fluid for transporting liquid hydrogen, a superconducting cable housed in the heat insulation pipe for a fluid, and heat exchange means for performing a heat exchange between liquid hydrogen and a refrigerant of the cable. The superconducting cable includes a cable core inside a heat insulation pipe for a cable and is housed in the heat insulation pipe for a fluid to form a low temperature environment around the cable and a double heat insulation structure including the heat insulation pipe. Therefore, since heat intrusion into the superconducting cable is reduced and the refrigerant is cooled with liquid hydrogen, the line can reduce energy for cooling the refrigerant. |
| US08173895B2 |
Solar cell
A solar cell includes a photoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode on one surface of the photoelectric conversion layer, a second electrode provided on other surface of the photoelectric conversion layer, and a third electrode on the other surface of the photoelectric conversion layer. The third electrode is substantially rectangular with its corners rounded off in the in-plane direction of the photoelectric conversion layer, and overlaps the second electrode at the periphery thereof. |
| US08173889B2 |
Photovoltaic roofing wiring array, photovoltaic roofing wiring system and roofs using them
Photovoltaic wiring arrays and photovoltaic wiring systems suitable for use in rooftop photovoltaic power generation systems are provided. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a photovoltaic roofing wiring array for use with a plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements, the photovoltaic roofing wiring system including: a positive parallel wiring run comprising a main line and one or more connection branches pendant from the main line, each connection branch being terminated in a positive connector; and a negative parallel wiring run comprising a main line and one or more connection branches pendant from the main line, each connection branch being terminated in a negative connector. In some embodiments of the invention, the photovoltaic roofing wiring arrays are substantially prefabricated. |
| US08173888B2 |
Solar energy collection system and components
A solar energy collection system and components includes a vacuum and an air compressor. The system includes a plurality of flexible units each having a backing portion and a solar cell portion upwardly adjacent and coupled to the backing portion. Each backing portion includes adhesive and at least one channel in the adhesive. Each channel is configured for communication with the vacuum to withdraw air from the channel when the adhesive is initially coupled to a structure and for communication with an air compressor to provide air to the channel to separate the adhesive from the structure. Each solar cell portion has an electricity generating element. The structure for coupling units transfers electricity between units. Each unit has an electricity outlet for passing electricity generated by at least one generating element for storage or use. |
| US08173887B2 |
Systems and methods for a digital stringed instrument
Systems and methods for a digital instrument are described, for example to simulate or be used in conjunction with a stringed instrument. A sensor system detects the location of one or more fingers or objects at selected locations on a playing surface of the instrument, and the detected locations are combined with information indicative of one or more strings being played to generate a digital signal containing information as to the notes being played. |
| US08173880B1 |
Maize variety inbred PHN0K
A novel maize variety designated PHN0K and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHN0K with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHN0K through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHN0K or a locus conversion of PHN0K with another maize variety. |
| US08173879B1 |
Maize variety hybrid 10173980
A novel maize variety designated 10173980 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10173980 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10173980 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10173980, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10173980. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10173980. |
| US08173875B2 |
Garden bean cultivar H28105
A novel garden bean cultivar, designated H28105, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of garden bean cultivar H28105, to the plants of garden bean line H28105 and to methods for producing a bean plant by crossing the cultivar H28105 with itself or another bean line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a bean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other garden bean lines derived from the cultivar H28105. |
| US08173874B2 |
Soybean cultivar 8201155
A soybean cultivar designated 8201155 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 8201155, to the plants of soybean 8201155, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 8201155, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 8201155 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 8201155, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 8201155, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 8201155 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08173871B2 |
Bacterial proteins with pesticidal activity
Provided are pesticidal, particularly insecticidal, proteins which resemble S- layer proteins, as well as variants or mutants thereof, and DNAs encoding them. Further provided are methods and means for using said DNA or protein for controlling pests, particularly plant insect pests. |
| US08173869B2 |
Plants expressing environmental stress tolerances having petunia CBF genes therein
The present invention provides a method of controlling a plant's tolerance to environmental stress and to a transgenic plant having the desired characteristics. |
| US08173865B2 |
Plant having increased yield of seeds
It is found that a transformed plant into which a γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase gene has been introduced is increased in at least one of the number of flowers and the number of seeds in comparison with a wild-type plant, and is therefore increased in seed yield. Based on this finding, the present invention elucidates the function of a product of a plant-derived γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase gene and provides a technique for producing a plant having an increased seed yield. |
| US08173864B2 |
Plant egg cell transcriptional control sequences
The present invention relates generally to transcriptional control sequences. Generally, the present invention relates to transcriptional control sequences that specifically or preferentially direct expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant egg cell. The present invention is predicated, in part, on the identification of transcriptional control sequences derived from EC1 genes which, in preferred embodiments, direct preferential expression in an egg cell of at least one plant taxon. |
| US08173862B2 |
Rucola plants with cyptoplasmic male sterility (CMS)
The present invention discloses rucola plants, including an E. sativa plant, with cytoplasmic inherited male sterility (CMS) for hybrid breeding purposes. The present invention includes plants that comprise CMS-cytoplasm from cauliflower (B. oleracea var. botrytis) transferred to E. sativa by a wide interspecific cross. |
| US08173858B2 |
Absorptive article and method of producing the same
An absorptive article in which an absorptive body is deformed into a stable recessed shape to prevent leakage of a large amount of discharged bodily wastes including bodily fluid. The absorptive article has a front side sheet at least a portion of which is liquid permeable and that is placed on the skin contact surface side, a liquid non-permeable back side sheet placed on the clothing contact surface side, and a liquid retainable absorptive body placed between the front side sheet and the back side sheet. The absorptive body has a compression section formed, when compressed from the clothing contact surface side to the skin contact surface side, into a projected shape projected on the clothing contact surface side, toward the skin contact surface side, and the absorptive body also has a space section formed, when compressed from the skin contact surface side to the clothing contact surface side, into a recessed shape recessed on the skin contact surface side, toward the clothing contact surface side. The space section is formed on each of both sides of or on one side of a projection section located on the opposite side of the compression section on the skin contact surface side. |
| US08173857B1 |
Adhesion of particles of active ingredients to an open pore substrate
The present invention deals with the ability to transform a variety of inert, synthetic, popular, modern nonwovens and other filamentous materials into reactive products having a wide and diverse varying nature due to the coatings that can be successfully applied. This principle holds true especially for the web forming nonwovens of which the high lofts are an ideal dimensional matrix material, for not only having a good carrying capacity for a wide variety of active ingredients, but can scrub and entrap soils and particles as well, sometimes simultaneously. The active ingredient is held and protected within the open cell of the carrier media by means of an adhesion enhancing agent, such as a tackifier, that is coated on the fibers of the nonwoven carrier. |
| US08173856B2 |
Process for reducing corrosion
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for reducing corrosion during removal of one or more sulfur-containing hydrocarbons from a gas. Generally, the process includes producing an effluent including a caustic, one or more hydrocarbons, one or more sulfur compounds, and a gas from an oxidation vessel; sending the effluent to a stack of a disulfide separator; passing the gas, including oxygen and one or more sulfur compounds, through the stack; and passing a stream including one or more hydrocarbons to the stack at a temperature of less than about 38° C. for absorbing the one or more sulfur compounds. Typically, the stack includes one or more walls surrounding a void and adapted to receive a fluid including one or more phases, a packed bed positioned within the void, and a distributor including one or more risers and one or more compartments coupled to a substantially horizontal member forming a plurality of apertures there-through. |
| US08173854B2 |
Steam cracking of partially desalted hydrocarbon feedstocks
A process for cracking a hydrocarbon feedstock containing salt and/or particulate matter, wherein said hydrocarbon feedstock containing salt and/or particulate matter is partially desalted, e.g., by passing through a centrifugal separator, heated, then separated into a vapor phase and a liquid phase by flashing in a flash/separation vessel, separating and cracking the vapor phase which comprises less than about 98% of the hydrocarbon feedstock containing salt and/or particulate matter, and recovering cracked product. |
| US08173837B1 |
Process for the production of L-citrulline from watermelon flesh and rind
L-citrulline may be extracted from watermelons using a process which does not require rigorous extraction with alcoholic and/or acidic solvents, or treatment at high temperatures. In the process, the watermelon juice is contacted with an adsorbent effective for adsorption of L-citrulline thereon, and the juice is separated therefrom. The L-citrulline on the adsorbent may then be eluted and recovered. Lycopene-containing microparticles may also be separated from the watermelon juice prior to contact with the adsorbent. |
| US08173834B2 |
Process and apparatus for manufacturing pure forms of aromatic carboxylic acids
A process and apparatus for manufacture of aromatic carboxylic acids comprises a liquid phase oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbon feed materials and treatment of a high pressure off-gas from the liquid phase oxidation to separate water and reaction solvent and purification of impure aromatic carboxylic acid products wherein a purification liquid includes water from off-gas treatment. |
| US08173825B2 |
Method of making fatty acid ester derivatives
Fatty acid ester derivatives and a process for their production from unsaturated fatty acids are disclosed. The process comprises: a) reacting an unsaturated fatty acid or an ester thereof having one or more sites of unsaturation, with an epoxidation reagent to form a fatty acid epoxide wherein at least one of the sites of unsaturation of the fatty acid or fatty acid ester is converted to an oxirane ring; and b) reacting the fatty acid epoxide produced in a) with a carboxylic acid to form a hydroxy fatty acid ester derivative wherein the oxirane ring is opened and converted to a hydroxy ester comprising a hydroxyl group at one carbon of the opened oxirane ring and an ester of the carboxylic acid at the other carbon of the opened oxirane ring. |
| US08173817B2 |
Stereoselective synthesis of benzimidazole sulfoxides
The present invention relates to a process for stereoselective synthesis of substituted sulfoxides either as a single enantiomer or in an enantiomerically enriched form. Thus, 5-methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]thio]-1H-benzimidazole is reacted with (R)-camphorsulfonyl chloride to form a mixture of 1-(R)-camphorsulfonyl-5- (and 6-)methoxy-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methylthio]-1H-benzimidazole, oxidized to obtain a diastereomeric excess of 1-(R)-camphorsulfonyl-(5- and 6-)-methoxy-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methyl-(S)-sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole over 1-(R)-camphorsulfonyl-(5- and 6-)-methoxy-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methyl-(R)-sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole, the diastereomers are separated by fractional crystallization and the separated 1-(R)-camphorsulfonyl-(5- and 6-)-methoxy-2-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methyl-(S)-sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole is deprotected to give esomeprazole. |
| US08173809B2 |
Cysteine and cystine prodrugs to treat schizophrenia and reduce drug cravings
The present invention provides cysteine and cystine prodrugs for the treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs and compositions for treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. Exemplary prodrugs include the cysteine compound having the formula as well as cystine dimers thereof. |
| US08173805B2 |
sEH inhibitors and their use
The invention is directed to novel sEH inhibitors and their use in the treatment of diseases mediated by the sEH enzyme. Specifically, the invention is directed to compounds according to Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R4, R5, R6, A, B, Y, Z, n, and m are defined below, and to pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of the invention are sEH inhibitors and can be used in the treatment of diseases mediated by the sEH enzyme, such as hypertension. Accordingly, the invention is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the invention. The invention is still further directed to methods of inhibiting sEH and treatment of conditions associated therewith using a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention. |
| US08173802B2 |
Method for producing piperidin-4-one derivative
Provided is a method for producing a piperidin-4-one derivative useful as an intermediate for agricultural chemicals or pharmaceutical products. A piperidin-4-one derivative represented by formula (III-a) or formula (III-b) is produced by reacting a cyclic bis(aminol)ether compound represented by formula (I) and an acetone derivative represented by formula (II) in the presence of at least one substance selected from the group consisting of protonic acids, Lewis acids, acid halides and dialkyl sulfuric acids. |
| US08173799B2 |
Raw cotton linters composition, method of making, and uses thereof
A composition of a loose mass of comminuted raw cotton linter fibers has a bulk density of at least 8 g/100 ml and at least 50% of the fibers in the mass passes through a US standard sieve size #10 (2 mm opening). This composition is made by obtaining a loose mass of first cut, second cut, third cut, or mill runs raw cotton linters or mixtures thereof and comminuting the loose mass of raw cotton linters to a size wherein at least 50% pass through a US standard sieve size #10 (2 mm opening). This composition is used to make cellulose ether derivatives. |
| US08173797B2 |
Therapeutic compounds derived from spider venom and their method of use
The present invention is directed to new therapeutic compounds isolated from spider venom and methods of using these new compounds. The compounds are sulfated nucleoside derivatives including ribonucleoside mono- and disulfates derived from guanine, adenosine, and cytidine. Some of these compounds are glycosylated or fucosylated bearing one or more sugar residues. |
| US08173790B2 |
Insect desiccation resistance genes and uses thereof
An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof cDNA libraries were produced from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae in a desiccated state, a P. vanderplanki EST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins (PvLEA1, PvLEA2, and PvLEA3.) When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had α-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from PvLEA1, 2 and 3 genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that PvLEA1, 2 and 3 proteins have highly hydrophilic property as well as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel P. vanderplanki-derived LEA genes. Furthermore, introduction of these PvLEA 1, 2 and 3 genes into animal cells successfully conferred desiccation resistance to the cells. The present invention provides the first example of LEA genes isolated from insects. |
| US08173788B2 |
Peptide having ability to activate cancer-related gene
To provide a cancer diagnostic reagent for determining malignancy of a cancer patient or a cancer cell and a tendency of canceration of a healthy subject, the reagent including a peptide having an ability to activate a cancer-related gene and extracted from cell membrane surfaces of human squamous-cell carcinoma cells or including a synthetic polynucleotide encoding the peptide or a partial amino acid sequence of the peptide. |
| US08173786B2 |
Nucleic acid sequences encoding and compositions comprising IgE signal peptide and/or IL-15 and methods for using the same
Fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules encoding fusion proteins are disclosed. Fusion proteins comprising non-IL-15 signal peptide linked to IL-15 protein sequences and fusion proteins comprising an IgE signal peptide linked to non-IgE protein sequences are disclosed. Vectors comprising such nucleic acid molecules; and to host cells comprising such vectors are disclosed as well as recombinant vaccines and live attenuated pathogens encoding fusion proteins, and methods of using the same, are disclosed. The immunomodulatory effect following delivery of IL-15 and CD40L, with or without immunogens, is disclosed as are various nucleic acid molecules and compositions thereof used for delivering such proteins and methods of using such compositions. |
| US08173784B2 |
Enzymatic substrates for multiple detection systems
An inventive substrate is provided which includes a substrate compound of formula A-B1-B2-B3-B4: wherein A is a sugar moiety; B1 is a linker moiety allowing the conjugation of moiety A and the remaining structure of the substrate; B2 is a linker moiety with a free reactive amino group so as to be available for reaction with carboxylic acids or detectable tags; B3 contains a permanently charged element such as a quaternary ammonium group so as to increase sensitivity for mass spectrometry analysis; and B4 of various carbon length conferring specificity amongst individual substrates in detection methods. Also provided is a molecule of the formula B1-B2-B3-B4, with similar structural characteristics to an enzymatic product produced by the action of a target enzyme on an inventive substrate. Further provided are methods for using inventive substrates for detecting enzymatic activity. |
| US08173783B2 |
Process for selectively isolating IgY antibodies from egg yolk of an anseriform bird and IgY antibodies obtained thereby
The present invention mainly relates to a process for isolation and purification of yolk antibodies from egg yolk of an anseriform bird by an adsorption chromatographic procedure using a water insoluble non-charged absorbent to accomplish a desired separation of yolk antibodies, and by a salting-out procedure that differentially precipitates the IgY antibodies. The present invention also relates to the yolk antibodies produced thereby and various uses of such yolk antibodies. |
| US08173779B2 |
Neutralizing human anti-IGFR antibody
The present invention includes fully human, neutralizing, monoclonal antibodies against human Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor-I (IGFR1). The antibodies are useful for treating or preventing cancer in a subject. Also included are methods of using and producing the antibodies of the invention. |
| US08173774B2 |
Polypeptides and use thereof
The present invention provides a polypeptide having a biological activity of the Chemotaxis Inhibitory Protein of Staphylococcus aureus (‘CHIPS’), the polypeptide comprising a variant of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, the polypeptide is a CHIPS variant wherein one or more of the following amino acids is modified: N31, S32, G33, L34, P35, K40, D42, R46, Y48, K50, G52, T53, K54, N55, S56, A57, Q58, K61, E67, K69, L76, N77, P79, D83, L90, K92, K100, K101, S104, K105, S107, Y108, N111 and G112. In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptide is less immunogenic hi humans than the wildtype CHIPS protein. The invention further provides methods of making and using such variant CHIPS polypeptides. |
| US08173773B2 |
Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion protein and uses thereof
The present invention is related to a M. tuberculosis fusion protein, polynucleotide coding for said protein, and a vector and host cell that contain said polynucleotide. The present invention also involves the preparation of said fusion protein, and the use thereof in preventions and treatment of tuberculosis. |
| US08173770B2 |
Intermediates for LHRH antagonist synthesis, process for the production, and process for LHRH antagonist production
The peptides Ac-D-2Nal-D-4ClPhe-D-3Pal-OH and Boc-D-2Nal-D-4ClPhe-D-3Pal-OH are intermediates useful in the synthesis of LHRH analogs by coupling with suitable heptapeptides, in particular with the heptapeptides P1-Ser(P2)-MMeTry(P3)-D-Lys(Nic)-Leu-Lys(iPr,P4)-Pro-D-AlaNH2 and P1-Ser(P2)-NMeTry(P3)-D-Asn-Leu-Lys(iPr,P4)-Pro-D-AlaNH2. |
| US08173767B2 |
Synthetic peptide vaccines for HIV: the CBD epitope as an effective immunogen to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV
The present invention relates to peptides, referred to as CBD-1, CBD-2, CBM-1/TH-1, CBM-1/TH-2, CBM-2/TH-1, CBM-2/TH-2 and C-20 peptides, which are antigenic and elicit a protective immune response against HIV infection. Compositions, pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising these antigenic peptides are also encompassed by the present invention, as well as neutralizing antibodies which inhibit infection of primary CD4+ T lymphocytes by various HIV isolates. Methods for diagnosis of HIV are also disclosed. |
| US08173764B2 |
Solubilization and targeted delivery of drugs with self-assembling amphiphilic polymers
There are provided amphiphilic biodegradable copolymers comprising a hydrophilic backbone with pendant aliphatic groups as the hydrophobic component. The polymers form nanoscale molecular aggregates in aqueous environments, which have hydrophobic interiors that are capable of solubilizing insoluble organic compounds such as drugs, vitamins, dyes, and imaging agents. The polymers optionally feature reactive functional groups that provide attachment points for antibodies, ligands, and other targeting moieties useful for the targeted delivery of drugs and imaging agents. |
| US08173758B2 |
Polysiloxane compound and method of producing the same
A polysiloxane represented by the formula (1) or (2): where R, R1, R2, m and n are defined in the specification. |
| US08173753B2 |
Method for producing aliphatic polyester resin, and an aliphatic polyester resin composition
A method for producing an aliphatic polyester resin including a melt polymerization step and a subsequent solid phase polymerization step, using a sulfonic acid group-containing compound as a catalyst, wherein the addition amount of the sulfonic acid group-containing compound during melt polymerization is 300 to 3000 ppm with respect to a raw material monomer calculated as sulfur atoms, the content of the sulfonic acid group-containing compound during melt polymerization is 300 to 3000 ppm with respect to a produced polymer calculated as sulfer atoms, and a residual rate of the sulfonic acid group-containing compound after solid phase at polymerization is more than 50. |
| US08173752B2 |
Polymer composition comprising polylactide
The present invention pertains to a polymer composition comprising one of poly-D-lactide and poly-L-lactide bonded to an anionic clay mineral and the other of poly-D-lactide and poly-L-lactide not bonded to the anionic clay mineral. In a preferred embodiment, the anionic clay mineral is a hydrotalcite or a meixnerite.The polylactide composition according to the invention combines a high polymerisation rate with a low amount of contaminants in the system. |
| US08173749B2 |
Photocrosslinkable materials
A diamine compound of formula (I) is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound. |
| US08173746B2 |
Method for producing olefinic thermoplastic elastomer
A method for producing an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer comprising mixing 100 parts by weight of an olefin copolymer rubber (A) obtained by polymerizing ethylene, an α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and a non-conjugated polyene, and based on 100 parts by weight of the olefin copolymer rubber (A), 11 to 50 parts by weight of a volatile organic solvent (B) and 5 to 150 parts by weight of an olefin resin (C), and removing from the mixture the volatile organic solvent (B) while kneading in an extruder. |
| US08173745B2 |
Compositions useful for preparing composites and composites produced therewith
A composite prepared using a thermosettable epoxy resin composition having, as components: (1) an epoxy resin; (2) an epoxidized cycloaliphatic dicyclopentadiene phenolic resin; (3) an optional epoxidized bisphenol-A novolac resin; (4) an optional oligomeric butadiene; (5) an optional organic solvent; and (6) an alkylphenol novolac resin, the alkylphenol novolac resin serving as a curing agent. The composite so prepared may have good physical properties and superior a electrical properties as compared to conventional composites, such as laminates. The prepregs used to make the laminates may have a better surface appearance as well. |
| US08173743B2 |
Silicone resin composition
A silicone resin composition obtainable by reacting a bifunctional alkoxysilane and a trifunctional alkoxysilane in the presence of a dispersion of fine metal oxide particles. The silicone resin composition is suitably used in backlights for liquid crystal displays, traffic lights, outdoor big displays, advertisement sign boards, and the like. |
| US08173741B2 |
Rubber mixtures with functionalized diene rubbers and with microgels, a production process, and use of the mixtures
The present invention relates to rubber mixtures with functionalized diene rubbers and with microgels, to a production process, and to the use of the mixtures for the production of low-abrasion motor-vehicle tires which have wet-slip resistance and which have low rolling resistance. |
| US08173740B2 |
Styrene tetrablock copolymers and polymer blend compositions based upon such copolymers
A composition of matter that may be used to make transparent, substantially gel-free polymeric films includes at least a styrenic block copolymer and a thermoplastic resin other than the styrenic block copolymer. The styrenic block copolymer (e.g. S-I-B-S) has four distinct and sequential blocks: a first styrenic block (S), a first diene block (e.g. isoprene or I), a second diene block that differs from the first diene block (e.g. butadiene or B) and a second styrenic block (S). The styrenic block copolymer desirably lacks any random diene block (e.g. a random isoprene/butadiene block). The styrenic block copolymer also desirably lacks any significant percentage of a triblock copolymer (S-I-B). The composition of matter may also include an extender material such as white mineral oil. The compositions may be used to make mono-layer or multi-layer cast or blown films. |
| US08173739B2 |
Optical polymeric composition and method of making same
The invention relates to a polymer composition, comprising: (i) at least one thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of at least about 220° C.; (ii) at least one phenylalkoxysilane, biphenol, trisilanolphenyl polyhedral oligomeric silesquioxane, or mixture of two or more thereof; (iii) inorganic particulates having an average particle size in the range up to about 100 nanometers dispersed in the thermoplastic resin, the inorganic particulates having an index of refraction in the range from about 1.4 to about 3; and (iv) an effective amount of at least one dispersant to disperse the inorganic particulates in the thermoplastic resin; with the proviso that when the trisilanolphenyl polyhedral oligomeric silesquioxane is in the form of particulates with an average particle size up to about 100 nanometers, the trisilanolphenyl polyhedral oligomeric silesquioxane particulates are optionally used as both component (ii) and as a partial or complete replacement for the inorganic particulates in component (iii). The polymer composition may be a high temperature thermoplastic suitable for forming, such as by molding, optical articles such as lenses. |
| US08173738B2 |
Rubber composition and tire using same
The present invention provides a rubber composition for a tire which makes it possible to consider an effect on environment, prepare for decrease in supply quantity of petroleum in future and improve weather resistance and rubber strength in good balance, and a tire prepared by using the rubber composition. The rubber composition of the present invention comprises not less than 20 parts by weight of a silica, not more than 5 parts by weight of a carbon black and 2 to 20 parts by weight of a turpentine soot and/or lamp black having an average particle diameter of not more than 1,000 nm, based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component comprising a natural rubber and/or an epoxidized natural rubber, and a tire prepared by using the rubber composition. |
| US08173737B2 |
Adhesives
Adhesive, comprising silanized, structurally modified, pyrogenically prepared silicas containing on their surface fixed vinyl groups or vinylsilyl groups, with hydrophobic groups, such as trimethylsilyl and/or dimethylsilyl and/or monomethylsilyl, additionally being fixed on the surface. |
| US08173730B2 |
Environmentally friendly material used for making pens
A biodegradable polylactic acid material being suitable for the manufacture of articles, such as pens, is the heated mixed product of the following components, 93% by weight to 96% by weight polylactic acid, 0.8% by weight to 1.2% by weight of a chain extender, 0.6% by weight to 1.0% by weight of a nucleating agent, and 2.5% by weight to 5.0% by weight of a filler. |
| US08173727B2 |
Crosslinkable elastomer composition and molded article using the same
The present invention provides a crosslinkable elastomer composition, in which generation of HF under high temperature conditions is reduced, the decrease in weight to both NF3 plasma treatment and O3 treatment in the semiconductor manufacturing process is small and generation of foreign substances (particles) in these treatments is suppressed significantly. Specifically, the present invention relates to a crosslinkable elastomer composition comprising a crosslinkable elastomer and a filler having a specific surface area of at least 0.5 m2/g and containing a synthetic polymer having a thermally and chemically stable aromatic ring in the main chain, a crosslinkable elastomer composition comprising a crosslinkable elastomer and nonoxide ceramics and a crosslinkable elastomer composition wherein the decrease in weight by NF3 plasma irradiation is at most 0.20%. |
| US08173723B2 |
EMI/RFI shielding resin composite material and molded product made using the same
Disclosed is an electromagnetic wave EMI/RFI shielding resin composite material that includes a thermoplastic polymer resin, an electrically conductive filler having a polyhedral shape or being capable of forming a polyhedral shape, and a low-melting point metal, and a molded product made using the EMI/RFI shielding resin composite material. |
| US08173721B2 |
Polymer cement for percutaneous vertebroplasty
A fluid cement for medical use for bone reconstruction, in particular for filling the vertebral body, and a binary composition which is intended for the preparation of such a cement. A device for conditioning the binary composition, and a method of preparing a bone cement from a binary composition. The fluid cement according to the invention comprises: a) approximately 70% to 85% by weight of a polymer comprising a polymethylmethacrylate and a methylmethacrylate monomer, and b) approximately from 15 to 30% by weight of a radio-opaque composition. Preferably, the radio-opaque composition comprises a radio-opacifier, such as a barium sulphate and zirconium dioxide, in a mixture with a calcium phosphate, for example hydroxyapatite. |
| US08173716B2 |
Open-cell foam modified with hydrophobines
Open-cell foam based on a melamine-formaldehyde condensation product, a polyurethane or a polyimide, which has been modified with hydrophobins, a method of producing such foams, and the use thereof for absorbing organic liquids, as leakage and bleeding protection for liquid stores, for liquid-liquid separation and as matrix for carrying out chemical and/or biological processes. |
| US08173707B2 |
Ophthalmologic irrigation solutions and method
Solutions for perioperative intraocular application by continuous irrigation during ophthalmologic procedures are provided. These solutions include multiple agents that act to inhibit inflammation, inhibit pain, effect mydriasis (dilation of the pupil), and/or decrease intraocular pressure, wherein the multiple agents are selected to target multiple molecular targets to achieve multiple differing physiologic functions, and are included in dilute concentrations in a balanced salt solution carrier. |
| US08173706B2 |
L-ornithine phenyl acetate and methods of making thereof
Disclosed herein are crystalline forms of L-ornithine phenyl acetate and methods of making the same. The crystalline form may, in some embodiments, be Forms I, II, III and V, or mixtures thereof. The crystalline forms may be formulated for treating subjects with liver disorders, such as hepatic encephalopathy. Accordingly, some embodiments include formulations and methods of administering L-ornithine phenyl acetate. |
| US08173704B2 |
Difluorophenol derivatives and their use
The present application relates to novel difluorophenol derivatives, processes for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and their use for producing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disorders. |
| US08173702B2 |
Pesticidal composition and method for controlling harmful insects
A pesticidal composition containing: 4-methoxymethyl-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl 3-(2-cyano-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, a saturated hydrocarbon having an initial boiling point of 150° C. or higher and a 95%-distillation temperature of 300° C. or lower, and at least one alkyl carboxylate ester selected from the group consisting of the following esters (i) to (iii): (i) alkyl alkylcarboxylate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, (ii) dialkyl dicarboxylate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and (iii) trialkyl acetylcitrate esters having 12 to 20 carbon atoms; has an excellent pesticidal activity. |
| US08173696B2 |
Inhibitors of cysteine proteases and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to semicarbazone or thiosemicarbazone inhibitors of cysteine proteases and methods of using such compounds to prevent and treat protozoan infections such as trypanosomiasis, malaria and leishmaniasis. The compounds also find use in inhibiting cysteine proteases associated with carcinogenesis, including cathepsins B and L. |
| US08173695B2 |
Kappa selective opioid receptor antagonist
A selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist useful for treating ethanol use disorder withdrawal and anxiety, and/or depression, or schizophrenia as independent comorbid conditions. |
| US08173693B2 |
Benzenesulfonamide derivatives and pharmaceutical composition thereof
The present invention is related to derivatives of benzenesulfonamide represented by formula (I), and the pharmaceutical composition thereof. In addition, the benzenesulfonamide derivatives disclosed in the present invention can serve as potential cell cycle inhibitors, and thereby these benzenesulfonamide derivatives and the pharmaceutical composition thereof can be antitumor drug candidates, which might aim at cell cycle. Particularly, the benzenesulfonamide derivatives disclosed in the present invention may function as antitumor drugs to treat solid cancers. |
| US08173691B2 |
De novo synthesis of bacteriochlorins
A method of making a bacteriochlorin is carried out by condensing a pair of compounds of Formula II to produce the bacteriochlorin, wherein R is an acetal or aldehyde group. The condensing may be carried out in an organic solvent, preferably in the presence of an acid. The bacteriochlorins are useful for a variety of purposes such as active agents in photodynamic therapy, luminescent compounds in flow cytometry, solar cells, light harvesting arrays, and molecular memory devices. |
| US08173688B2 |
Thiazole compounds, and compositions and methods using same
The present invention provides, in part, compounds and compositions including a thiazole moiety, that may be useful, for example, for treating cancers, for example kidney cancer. |
| US08173687B2 |
Compounds as cannabinoid receptor ligands
Disclosed herein are cannabinoid receptor ligands of formula (I) wherein Y, X1, X2, X3, R1, and R2 are as defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also disclosed. |
| US08173681B2 |
Method for the protection of materials
The present invention relates to the use of the compound A) 4-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile(fludioxonil) as a microbicide for the protection of engineering or industrial materials, to mixtures containing such compound, and to the use of such mixtures for the protection of engineering or industrial materials. |
| US08173675B2 |
Substituted amino-thiourea compounds for combating animal pests
The invention relates to substituted amino-thiourea compounds of formula (I), to the enantiomers, diastereomers and salts thereof and to compositions comprising such compounds. The invention also relates to the use of the substituted amino-thiourea compounds, of their salts or of compositions comprising them for combating animal pests. Furthermore the invention relates also to methods of applying such compounds. The substituted amino-thiourea compounds are defined by the following formula (I): wherein A, B, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5.1, R5.2 and R6 are defined as in the description. |
| US08173668B1 |
Use of non-peptidic bradykinin receptor agonists to treat ocular hypertension and glaucoma
The invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing ocular disorders associated with increased intraocular pressure comprising administering a non-peptide bradykinin agonist to a patient in need thereof. |
| US08173663B2 |
Dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors
Compounds, pharmaceuticals, kits and methods are provided for use with DPP-IV and other S9 proteases that comprise a compound comprising: wherein M is N or CR4; Q1 and Q2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of CO, SO, SO2, and C═NR9; and each L, X, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. |
| US08173661B2 |
Alpha-IIB-beta-3 inhibitors and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compounds and compositions useful for inhibiting and/or reducing platelet deposition, adhesion and/or aggregation. The present invention also relates to methods for screening compounds and compositions useful for inhibiting or reducing platelet deposition, adhesion and/or aggregation. The present invention further relates to methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of thrombotic disorders, including stroke, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, peripheral vascular disease, abrupt closure following angioplasty or stent placement and thrombosis as a result of vascular surgery. |
| US08173658B2 |
Diazabicycylic aryl derivatives and their medical use
This invention relates to novel diazabicyclic aryl derivatives, which are found to be cholinergic ligands at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and modulators of the monoamine receptors and transporters. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances. |
| US08173657B2 |
Imidazoquinoxaline compounds as immunomodulators
The invention provides novel compositions comprising imidazoquinoxaline compounds of formula (I) and analogs thereof. Also provided are methods of administering the compositions in an effective amount to enhance the immune response of a subject. Further provided are novel compositions and methods of administering the compositions in combination with (an) other agent(s). |
| US08173656B2 |
Imidazolopyrazine compounds useful for the treatment of degenerative and inflammatory diseases
Novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, arthritis, inflammation, and others. |
| US08173653B2 |
Pyridiazinone derivatives for the treatment of tumours
Compounds of the formula (I), in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular Met kinase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumors. |
| US08173647B2 |
PI 3-kinase inhibitors and methods of their use
Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor compounds, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and prodrugs thereof; compositions of the new compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and uses of the new compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, in the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases characterized by the abnormal activity of growth factors, protein serine/threonine kinases, and phospholipid kinases, including proliferative diseases, inflammatory and obstructive airways diseases, allergic conditions, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. |
| US08173639B2 |
Isoquinolinone derivatives as NK3 antagonists
Isoquinolone derivatives of the general formula are provided. The compounds are NK3 antagonists and useful for the treatment of e.g. psychosis and schizophrenia. |
| US08173638B2 |
Compounds which modulate the CB2 receptor
Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. Compounds according to the invention bind to and are agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists of the CB2 receptor, and are useful for treating inflammation. Those compounds which are agonists are additionally useful for treating pain. |
| US08173635B2 |
Kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions. |
| US08173631B2 |
Cyclic amine compounds
Compounds exhibiting calcium receptor antagonist activity that are safe and orally administrable having Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof |
| US08173630B2 |
Multipodal tethers for high-density attachment of redox-active moieties to substrates
This invention provides redox-active molecules attached to polypodal (e.g., bipodal, tripodal, quadrapodal, pentapodal, etc.) tethers that can be used for attachment of the redox-active molecules to a substrate (e.g., an electrode). The tethered redox-active molecules are useful for the fabrication of memory devices. |
| US08173628B2 |
Steroidal antiestrogens and antiandrogens and uses thereof
The present invention comprises the design, synthesis and development of a new class of chemotherapeutic agents for prophylactic and therapeutic treatments in a mammal, particularly a human, believed to be at risk of suffering from a hormone-responsive disorder. In an aspect of the invention, such treatments include therapeutic compositions comprising novel steroidal antiestrogen and antiandrogen compounds. In a preferred aspect, such a novel compound of the present invention has an address and a message component, which are made into a single composite entity for more aggressive intervention and effective treatment of hormone-responsive disorders, thereby prolonging the disease-free interval for the patient and reducing a number of side effects. |
| US08173625B2 |
Intravenous formulation with water-soluble cocrystals of acetylsalicylic acid and theanine
A water-soluble aspirin-theanine cocrystal composition which includes a quantity of acetylsalicylic acid and a quantity of a theanine enantiomer associated with the quantity of acetylsalicylic acid. The composition may be created by a method including the steps of: (i) providing a quantity of acetylsalicylic acid; (ii) adding a quantity of a theanine enantiomer to the quantity of acetylsalicylic acid to form a mixture comprising the quantity of acetylsalicylic acid and the enantiomer of theanine; (iii) wetting the mixture; and (iv) grinding the mixture for a length of time sufficient to produce a dried crystalline mass. The water-soluble cocrystal composition is suitable for intravenous administration, preferably to humans. |
| US08173619B2 |
Phosphoramidate derivatives of nucleoside compounds for use in the treatment of cancer
The compounds are phosphoramidate derivatives of nucleoside compounds such as cladribine, isocladribine, fludarabine and clofarabine useful in the treatment of cancer. |
| US08173618B2 |
Formulations for reducing neuronal degeneration
Nutriceutical and pharmaceutical formulations for treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are provided. Nutriceutical formulations include two or more of folate, vitamin E, and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR). Pharmaceutical formulations include two or more of 3-deaza-adenosine (DZA), N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). |
| US08173617B2 |
RNAi-mediated inhibition of frizzled related protein-1 for treatment of glaucoma
RNA interference is provided for inhibition of Frizzled Related Protein-1 mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having glaucoma or at risk of developing glaucoma. |
| US08173614B2 |
Therapeuting compositions comprising an RNAi agent and a neurotrophic factor and methods of use thereof
The invention provides novel combination therapies for treating Huntington's disease which comprise a) BDNF or suitable fragments thereof and b) agents capable of causing inhibition of a gene responsible for the neurodegenerative disease. The invention provides nucleic acid sequences, methods, and systems suitable for applications of these combination therapies. |
| US08173607B2 |
Promoter for the production of hyaluronic acid containing ginsenoside compound K
There are provided a promoter containing ginsenoside compound K for the production of hyaluronic acid, and more particularly, a new efficacy of 20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (compound K), a chief metabolite of ginseng saponin, to increase the expression of hyaluronic acid synthase gene in human cell and thereby to promote the production of hyaluronic acid, and an anti-aging agent containing the promoter for the production of hyaluronic acid as an effective ingredient. |
| US08173604B2 |
Inhibition of Skp2-cyclin a interaction
Methods of killing a cancer cell are provided. Also provided are methods of treating a subject having a cancer. Additionally, compounds are provided that comprise a peptide from about 18 to about 100 amino acids or peptidomimetics comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. Additionally provided are methods of screening an agent for the ability to kill a cancer cell. |
| US08173597B2 |
Modified recombinant factor VIII and von Willebrand factor and methods of use
The present invention provides novel methods of increasing the survival of a coagulation protein by inhibiting the interaction with a clearance receptor. The invention also provides methods of preparing compositions that inhibit coagulation protein clearance receptors. Conjugated coagulation proteins, including compositions and formulations thereof, are also provided by the present invention. |
| US08173595B2 |
Methods and compositions for the inhibition of thrombus formation
The present invention is directed to anti-platelet peptides that may be used in various methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of thrombosis. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using compositions GPIbα fragments as anti-platelet agents. The present invention is also directed to peptides that inhibit intracellular function of 14-3-3. |
| US08173587B2 |
Detergent composition
A hard surface detergent composition is provided, said composition comprising a peroxygen bleach capable of exhibiting bleaching properties at a pH of below 9, and an amino ketone or derivative thereof bleach activator, and wherein a 1% wt solution in distilled water at 25° C. of the composition has a pH lower than 9. Potassium monopersulphate is the preferred bleach compound and diethyl amino acetone or derivative thereof is the preferred bleach activator. The compositions exhibit good bleaching performance at pHs of less than 9. |
| US08173586B2 |
Coating removal composition
The present invention is directed to a coating removal composition comprising at least one weak metal binding agent, a solvent system comprising at least one alcohol or ester, and a corrosion inhibition system. A method of removing a coating from an intentionally colored concrete floor is also disclosed. Utilization of the method results in at least 70% retention of colorant component after stripping a coating from an intentionally colored concrete surface, such as a floor. |
| US08173583B2 |
Use of cationic copolymers of amine-containing acrylates and N-vinylimidazolium salts in hair cosmetic preparations
The present invention relates to the use of cationic polymers obtainable by free-radical copolymerization of a) 60 to 99 mol % of at least one 1-vinylimidazole monomer, b) 1 to 40 mol % of at least one free-radically polymerizable quaternizable monomer b1) or methacrylic acid b2) and c) 0 to 30 mol % of at least one further free-radically copolymerizable monomer different from a) and b) in hair cosmetic preparations. |
| US08173582B2 |
Oil composition for use in trace oil supply cutting/grinding work
This invention provides an oil composition for cutting and grinding by minimum quantity lubrication system, characterized by comprising an ester oil with a kinematic viscosity of 0.5-20 mm2/s at 100° C., and an ester-based polymer with a kinematic viscosity exceeding 20 mm2/s at 100° C. and an average molecular weight of 5,000-10,000,000. The oil composition for cutting and grinding by minimum quantity lubrication system according to the invention can achieve an excellent balance between misting property and inhibition of floating mist and ensure that an adequate amount reaches the working section, for cutting and grinding by minimum quantity lubrication system. |
| US08173573B2 |
Visible light response-type photocatalyst powder, visible light response-type photocatalyst material using the visible light response-type photocatalyst powder, photocatalyst coating material, and photocatalyst product
In one embodiment, a visible light responsive photocatalyst powder has organic gas decomposition performance that responds nonlinearly to an amount of irradiated light under visible light in an illuminance range of not less than 200 lx nor more than 2500 lx. The visible light responsive photocatalyst powder has a gas decomposition rate of 20% or more, for example, when visible light having only a wavelength of not less than 380 nm and an illuminance of 2500 lx is irradiated, the gas decomposition rate (%) being set as a value calculated based on [formula: (A−B)/A×100], where A represents a gas concentration before light irradiation and B represents a gas concentration when not less than 15 minutes have elapsed from the light irradiation and, at the same time, the gas concentration is stable, the gas concentrations being measured while allowing an acetaldehyde gas having an initial concentration of 10 ppm to flow into a flow-type apparatus in which 0.2 g of a sample is placed. |
| US08173571B2 |
Catalyst for the recombination of hydrogen with oxygen
Large quantities of explosive hydrogen-oxygen mixtures can be produced by leaks or accidents in technical plants, e.g. nuclear reactors. The invention relates to a catalyst, a catalyst system, an arrangement for recombining hydrogen with oxygen, and a method for producing a catalyst. The inventive catalyst is characterized in that the ignition point of the mixture is exceeded under no circumstances even though the catalyst works in a strictly passive manner without outside intervention and the recombination is an exothermal reaction. The basic idea is to design the catalyst such that the catalyst autonomously limits the activity thereof in accordance with the prevailing temperature. |
| US08173567B2 |
Process for regenerating catalyst
Disclosed is a catalyst distributor and process for spreading catalyst over a regenerator vessel. Nozzles disposed angular to a header of the distributor spread catalyst throughout a full cross section of the catalyst bed. |
| US08173565B2 |
Sintered body of low temperature cofired ceramic and multilayer ceramic substrate
In a sintered body of low temperature cofired ceramic constituting ceramic layers of a multilayer ceramic substrate provided with external conductor films, which is obtained by sintering a non-glass low temperature cofired ceramic material, respective crystalline phases of quartz, alumina, and fresnoite are deposited. The ceramic layers are, because of being in the form of a sintered body of non-glass low temperature cofired ceramic, less likely to fluctuate in composition, and the multilayer ceramic substrate can be thus inexpensively and easily manufactured therefrom. In addition, the ceramic layers have the above-mentioned respective crystalline phases deposited therein, and thus have a high joint strength with the external conductor films, and moreover, the sintered body itself has a high fracture touhgness value. |
| US08173562B2 |
Shaded zirconia ceramics
The invention relates to compositions based on Ce-stabilized ZrO2, and single- and multi-colored blanks made from oxide ceramics, and a process for their preparation, in which oxide ceramic powder is coated with a coloring substance, the coated powders are preferably graded and at least one colored powder is filled into a compression mould, the colored powder or powders are compressed to produce a shaped body, and the compressed shaped body is sintered to produce a blank, and to the use of these blanks for the preparation of dental restorations. The compositions exhibit high fracture toughness and high flexural strength. |
| US08173556B2 |
Protective barrier
A protection product has thermal and acoustic barrier characteristics such that it satisfies the requirements of the standard 14 CFR, part 25 issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The product is designed to be applied along metallic and composite structures, such as aircraft cockpits, boat hulls or the outside structures of trains or of other means of transport. The product is essentially in the form of a “mat” consisting of one or several fibre layers, preferably glass fibres, enclosed in a sheath. The sheath generally comprises at least one first support, preferably made of an organic material having sealing and anti-condensation properties, and an impregnated mica paper. The mica paper preferably has a weight per unit area of less than 50 g/m2 and comprises flakes of mica with a form factor greater than 1000. |
| US08173554B2 |
Method of depositing dielectric film having Si-N bonds by modified peald method
A method of forming dielectric film having Si—N bonds on a semiconductor substrate by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), includes: introducing a nitrogen- and hydrogen-containing reactive gas and a rare gas into a reaction space inside which the semiconductor substrate is placed; introducing a hydrogen-containing silicon precursor in pulses of less than 1.0-second duration into the reaction space wherein the reactive gas and the rare gas are introduced; exiting a plasma in pulses of less than 1.0-second duration immediately after the silicon precursor is shut off; and maintaining the reactive gas and the rare gas as a purge of less than 2.0-second duration. |
| US08173548B2 |
Reverse planarization method
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a semiconductor feature over the substrate; forming a first photoresist layer over the substrate; performing a lithography process on the first photoresist layer, such the first photoresist layer includes an opening therein that exposes the semiconductor feature; performing a stabilization process on the first photoresist layer; forming a second photoresist layer over the first photoresist layer, wherein the second photoresist layer fills the opening; and etching back the first and second photoresist layers until the semiconductor feature is exposed. |
| US08173547B2 |
Silicon etch with passivation using plasma enhanced oxidation
A method and apparatus for etching a silicon layer through a patterned mask formed thereon are provided. The silicon layer is placed in an etch chamber. An etch gas comprising a fluorine containing gas and an oxygen and hydrogen containing gas is provided into the etch chamber. A plasma is generated from the etch gas and features are etched into the silicon layer using the plasma. The etch gas is then stopped. The plasma may contain OH radicals. |
| US08173545B2 |
Method for the fabrication of a transistor gate using at least one electron beam
A microelectronic method for the fabrication of a transistor gate using a precursor material that is suitable for being broken down into at least one metallic material after having been exposed to an electron beam. The invention applies in particular to the fabrication of multi-channel transistors, of the FinFET, suspended-channel, ITS or GAA type. |
| US08173530B2 |
Semiconductor device and related fabrication methods that use compressive material with a replacement gate technique
A semiconductor device and related method of fabricating it are provided. An exemplary fabrication process begins by forming a gate structure overlying a layer of semiconductor material, the gate structure comprising a gate insulator overlying the layer of semiconductor material and comprising a temporary gate element overlying the gate insulator. The process continues by forming a layer of compressive material overlying the gate structure, and by removing a first portion of the compressive material to expose an upper surface of the temporary gate element, while leaving a second portion of the compressive material intact and external to sidewalls of the temporary gate element. Thereafter, at least a portion of the temporary gate element is removed, while leaving the second portion of the compressive material intact, resulting in a gate recess. The process continues by at least partially filling the gate recess with a gate electrode material. |
| US08173525B2 |
Systems and methods for nanomaterial transfer
Systems and methods of nanomaterial transfer are described. A method of nanomaterial transfer involving fabricating a template and synthesizing nanomaterials on the template. Subsequently, the nanomaterials are transferred to a substrate by pressing the template onto the substrate. In some embodiments, the step of transferring the nanomaterials involves pressing the template onto the substrate such that the nanomaterials are embedded below a surface layer of the substrate. In some embodiments, the temperature of the plurality of nanomaterials is raised to assist the transfer of the nanomaterials to the substrate. |
| US08173523B2 |
Method of removing heavy metal in semiconductor substrate
To provide a method of removing a heavy metal contained in a thinned semiconductor substrate.A method of removing a heavy metal in a semiconductor substrate of the present invention comprises: attaching, to a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, a material that lowers a potential barrier of the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, on a front surface of which a circuit is to be formed or is formed; applying a thermal treatment to the semiconductor substrate under a condition based on a thickness and a resistivity of the semiconductor substrate; and, depositing the heavy metal in the semiconductor substrate on the rear surface. |
| US08173518B2 |
Method of wafer bonding
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a device substrate having a front side, a back side, and a first edge portion, forming a material layer over a portion of the front side of the device substrate, trimming the first edge portion, removing the material layer, bonding the front side of the device substrate to a carrier substrate, thinning the device substrate from the back side, and trimming a second edge portion of the thinned device substrate. |
| US08173517B2 |
Method for forming a self-aligned isolation structure utilizing sidewall spacers as an etch mask and remaining as a portion of the isolation structure
The present invention relates to methods for forming microelectronic structures in a semiconductor substrate. The method includes selectively removing dielectric material to expose a portion of an oxide overlying a semiconductor substrate. Insulating material may be formed substantially conformably over the oxide and remaining portions of the dielectric material. Spacers may be formed from the insulating material. An isolation trench etch follows the spacer etch. An optional thermal oxidation of the surfaces in the isolation trench may be performed, which may optionally be followed by doping of the bottom of the isolation trench to further isolate neighboring active regions on either side of the isolation trench. A conformal material may be formed substantially conformably over the spacer, over the remaining portions of the dielectric material, and substantially filling the isolation trench. Planarization of the conformal material may follow. |
| US08173512B2 |
Forming structures that include a relaxed or pseudo-relaxed layer on a substrate
A method for forming a structure that includes a relaxed or pseudo-relaxed layer on a substrate. The method includes the steps of growing an elastically stressed layer of semiconductor material on a donor substrate; forming a glassy layer of a viscous material on the stressed layer; removing a portion of the donor substrate to form a structure that includes the glassy layer, the stressed layer and a surface layer of donor substrate material; patterning the stressed layer; and heat treating the structure at a temperature of at least a viscosity temperature of the glassy layer to relax the stressed layer and form the relaxed or pseudo-relaxed layer of the structure. |
| US08173509B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A type semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type; a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type; a plurality of gate electrodes which are formed in gate trenches via gate insulating films, the gate trenches being formed through the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer; a plurality of impurity regions of the second conductivity type which are formed at regions below bottoms of contact trenches, the contact trenches being formed at the third semiconductor layer in a thickness direction thereof between corresponding ones of the gate trenches and longitudinal cross sections of the contact trenches being shaped in ellipse, respectively; first electrodes which are formed so as to embed the contact trenches and contacted with the impurity regions, respectively; and a second electrode formed on a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08173506B2 |
Method of forming buried gate electrode utilizing formation of conformal gate oxide and gate electrode layers
A method of forming a buried gate electrode prevents voids from being formed in a silicide layer of the gate electrode. The method begins by forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate, forming a conformal gate oxide layer on the semiconductor in which the trench has been formed, forming a first gate electrode layer on the gate oxide layer, forming a silicon layer on the first gate electrode layer to fill the trench. Then, a portion of the first gate electrode layer is removed to form a recess which exposed a portion of a lateral surface of the silicon layer. A metal layer is then formed on the semiconductor substrate including on the silicon layer. Next, the semiconductor substrate is annealed while the lateral surface of the silicon layer is exposed to form a metal silicide layer on the silicon layer. |
| US08173504B2 |
Method of fabricating gate electrode using a treated hard mask
A method for fabricating an integrated device is disclosed. A polysilicon gate electrode layer is provided on a substrate. In an embodiment, a treatment is provided on the polysilicon gate electrode layer to introduce species in the gate electrode layer and form an electrically neutralized portion therein. Then, a hard mask layer with limited thickness is applied on the treated polysilicon gate electrode layer. A tilt angle ion implantation is thus performing on the substrate after patterning the hard mask layer and the treated polysilicon gate electrode to from a gate structure. |
| US08173501B2 |
Reduced STI topography in high-K metal gate transistors by using a mask after channel semiconductor alloy deposition
In a manufacturing strategy for providing high-k metal gate electrode structures in an early manufacturing stage, process-related non-uniformities during and after the patterning of the gate electrode structures may be reduced by providing a superior surface topography. To this end, the material loss in the isolation region may generally be reduced and a more symmetrical exposure to reactive etch atmospheres during the subsequent removal of the growth mask may be accomplished by providing an additional etch mask when removing the growth mask from the active regions of N-channel transistors, after the growth of the threshold adjusting semiconductor material on the active regions of the P-channel transistors. |
| US08173498B2 |
Method for manufacturing an array substrate
A method for manufacturing an array substrate is provided, wherein a data line is composed of first and second segments connected by a contact pad. First and second insulation layers are disposed between the first segment of the data line and a shielding electrode. In addition, the first insulation layer is disposed between the second segment of the data line and a gate line in their overlapping area. Accordingly, the coupling effect between the conductive layers can be reduced. For example, the RC delay problem due to parasitic capacitance between the shielding electrode and the data line is solved. As a result of the design of the two insulator layers between the first segment of the data line and the shielding electrode, the shorting between the conductive layers can also be simultaneously solved and the product yield can be increased. |
| US08173497B2 |
Semiconductor device preventing floating body effect in a peripheral region thereof and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device having a cell region and a peripheral region includes an silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate having a stack structure of a silicon substrate, a buried insulation layer, and a silicon layer. An epi-silicon layer is formed in the buried insulation layer of the peripheral region and connects a peripheral portion of a channel area of the silicon layer to the silicon substrate. A gate is formed on the silicon layer and junction areas are formed in the silicon layer on both sides of the gate. |
| US08173494B2 |
Thin film transistor array and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array and method of manufacturing the same include a pixel electrode formed of a transparent conductive layer on a substrate, a gate line formed of the transparent conductive layer and an opaque conductive layer on the substrate, a gate electrode connected to the gate line and formed of the transparent conductive layer and an opaque conductive layer on the substrate, a gate insulating layer which covers the gate line and the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating layer to overlap the gate electrode, a data line which intersects the gate line, a source electrode connected to the data line to overlap a part of the semiconductor layer, and a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode to overlap a part of the semiconductor layer. |
| US08173492B2 |
Method of manufacturing thin film transistor substrate
Provided are a wire structure, a method of forming a wire, a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, and a method of manufacturing the TFT substrate. The wire structure includes a barrier layer disposed on a lower structure, a copper conductive layer comprising copper or copper alloy disposed on the barrier layer, an intermediate layer comprising copper nitride disposed on the copper conductive layer, and a capping layer disposed on the intermediate layer. |
| US08173486B2 |
Memory cell that employs a selectively grown reversible resistance-switching element and methods of forming the same
In some aspects, a method of forming a memory cell is provided that includes (1) forming a steering element above a substrate; and (2) selectively forming a reversible resistance-switching element coupled to the steering element by: (a) forming a material layer on the substrate; (b) etching the material layer; and (c) oxidizing the etched material layer to form a reversible resistance-switching material. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US08173484B2 |
Method of fabricating solar cell using microwave and apparatus for the same
A method of fabricating a solar cell includes: forming a first electrode on a substrate; forming a first impurity-doped semiconductor layer on the first electrode; forming a first intrinsic semiconductor layer of amorphous silicon on the first impurity-doped semiconductor layer; forming a second impurity-doped semiconductor layer over the first impurity-doped semiconductor layer, forming a second electrode over the second impurity-doped semiconductor layer; and irradiating a first microwave to form a second intrinsic semiconductor layer of microcrystalline silicon by crystallizing the first intrinsic semiconductor layer. |
| US08173483B2 |
Method of manufacturing solar cell
A method of manufacturing a solar cell includes forming a transparent conductive layer on a substrate by depositing a transparent conductive oxide under room temperature, crystallizing the transparent conductive layer by irradiating a laser beam to the transparent conductive layer using a first laser; selectively etching the crystallized transparent conductive layer to form embossed and depressed patterns at a surface of the transparent conductive layer; forming transparent electrodes in unit cells by patterning the transparent conductive layer having the embossed and depressed patterns; forming a p-n junction semiconductor layer on the transparent electrodes and patterning the p-n junction semiconductor layer; and forming rear electrodes on the patterned p-n junction semiconductor layer by forming a metallic material layer and patterning the metallic material layer, the rear electrodes corresponding to the unit cells. |
| US08173481B2 |
Thin film deposition apparatus and method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display device by using thin film deposition apparatus
A thin film deposition apparatus to remove static electricity generated between a substrate and a mask, and a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display device using the thin film deposition apparatus. |
| US08173480B2 |
Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor and a method of manufacturing an image sensor. A method of manufacturing an image sensor may include forming an interconnection and/or an interlayer dielectric over a semiconductor substrate including circuitry connected to an interconnection. A method of manufacturing an image sensor may include forming a photodiode having a first doping layer and/or a second doping layer over an interlayer dielectric, and forming a via hole through a photodiode, which may expose a portion of a surface of an interconnection. A method of manufacturing an image sensor may include forming a barrier pattern over a via hole which may cover an exposed surface of a second doping layer, and a contact plug on and/or over a via hole, which may connect an interconnection and a first doping layer. An upper portion of a contact plug may be etched. An insulating layer may be formed over a contact plug. |
| US08173468B2 |
Method for fabricating LED chip comprising reduced mask count and lift-off processing
A method for fabricating a light emitting diode chip is provided. In the method, a half-tone mask process, a gray-tone mask process or a multi-tone mask process is applied and combined with a lift-off process to further reduce process steps of the light emitting diode chip. In the present invention, some components may also be simultaneously formed by an identical process to reduce the process steps of the light emitting diode chip. Consequently, the fabricating method of the light emitting diode provided in the present invention reduces the cost and time for the fabrication of the light emitting diode. |
| US08173464B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes growing an AlN layer by MOVPE in which a nitrogen-source flow ratio at a far side from a substrate is set lower than that at a near side, the nitrogen-source flow ratio being a ratio of a flow rate of a nitrogen source to a total flow rate of growth gas; and growing a GaN-based semiconductor layer on the AlN layer by MOVPE. |
| US08173460B2 |
Control circuit for stacked OLED device
A plurality of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) control circuits, each circuit comprising three electrodes, a first electrode, a second electrode independently controlled from the first electrode, and a third electrode is connected in common with the third electrode from another OLED control circuit and independently controlled from the first and second electrode. Given a first and second OLED, the first electrode is connected to a first terminal of the first OLED, the second electrode is connected to a second terminal of the first OLED and to a first terminal of the second OLED, and the third electrode is connected to a second terminal of the second OLED. At least one bypass transistor, responsive to a bypass signal, connects the second electrode and third electrode. |
| US08173457B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing thin-film transistor array substrate
A method and apparatus of fabricating a thin film transistor array substrate is disclosed, which is capable of reducing fabrication time owing to a simplified fabrication process, wherein at least one of steps for forming a gate pattern, forming a semiconductor pattern, forming a data pattern, removing an ohmic contact layer pattern exposed between source and drain electrode patterns, and forming a conductive layer pattern is performed by a laser scribing process. |
| US08173455B2 |
Phosphor coating method for fabricating light emitting semiconductor device and applications thereof
A phosphor coating method for fabricating a light-emitting semiconductor is provided. The phosphor coating method comprises the steps as follows: First a light emitting semiconductor wafer having a plurality of die units formed thereon is provided, and a photoresist is then formed on the light emitting semiconductor wafer to cover the die units. A pattern process is conducted to form a plurality of openings associated with the die units, whereby each die can be exposed via one of the openings. Subsequently, a compound mixed with phosphor is filled into the openings. |
| US08173451B1 |
Etch stage measurement system
Provided is a system for measuring an etch stage of an etch process involving one or more layers in a substrate, the etch stage measurement system configured to meet two or more etch stage measurement objectives. The system includes an etch process tool, the etch process tool having an etch chamber, a controller, and process parameters. The etch process tool is coupled to two or more optical metrology devices and at least one etch sensor device measuring an etch process parameter with high correlation to the etch stage. The processor is coupled to the etch process tool and is configured to extract an etch measurement value using a correlation of etch stage measurements to actual etch stage data and etch stage measurement obtained from the two or more metrology devices and the at least one etch process sensor device. |
| US08173446B2 |
Method of producing an integrated micromagnet sensor assembly
A method of integrating a permanent bias magnet within a magnetoresistance sensor comprising depositing an alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material on or within a surface of an insulating substrate; depositing a mask on the surface of the insulating substrate to create an opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; applying a magnetic paste within the opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; curing the magnetic paste to form a hardened bias magnet; removing the mask; and magnetizing the hardened bias magnet by applying a strong magnetic field to the hardened bias magnet at a desired orientation. |
| US08173445B1 |
DNA intercalating agents
The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting incorporation of a labeled nucleotide triphosphate onto the growing end of a primer nucleic acid molecule. The method is used, for example, to genotype and sequence a nucleic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the method described herein detects individual NTP molecules. |
| US08173444B2 |
Metal particle and a testing method using the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a metal particle with which a highly-sensitive testing method can be conducted, and a testing method using such metal particle. The present invention provides a metal particle, which is produced by coating a metal particle labeled with a molecule binding to an analyte with a mixture of two or more types of water-soluble polymer having a mercapto group, a dithiol group or a sulfide group and differing in molecular weight. |
| US08173442B2 |
Methods for detecting dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites by mass spectrometry
Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. In certain preferred embodiments the methods include immunopurifying the dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites prior to mass spectrometry. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites in a single assay. |
| US08173439B2 |
Measurement system with optical referencing
A system is described for determining the concentration of an analyte in a liquid by absorption measurement comprising a test element with a detection area which contains at least one reaction area with reagents for detecting the analyte which cause a change in the absorption behavior upon reaction with the analyte. The detection area contains at least one reference area in which the absorption behavior is substantially not changed when wetted by a sample having the analyte. Furthermore, the system contains a detection unit for the spatially resolved detection of light intensities which are received from the detection area and an evaluation unit for evaluating signals from the detection unit. Further embodiments of the system comprise reaction areas and reference areas arranged alternately in two dimensions. |
| US08173437B2 |
Rapid serum sugar biomarker assay of rheumatoid arthritis
The present invention includes compositions, methods, kits and diagnostics for biosugar profiling of biological samples from a patient suspected of having a disease associated with changes in the biosugar profile. The biosugar profile from the patient sample is compared to a healthy biosugar profile from the same type of biological sample to evaluate disease potential and progression. |
| US08173436B2 |
Biosensor utilizing a resonator having a functionalized surface
Systems and methods for detecting the presence of biomolecules in a sample using biosensors that incorporate resonators which have functionalized surfaces for reacting with target biomolecules. In one embodiment, a device includes a piezoelectric resonator having a functionalized surface configured to react with target molecules, thereby changing the mass and/or charge of the resonator which consequently changes the frequency response of the resonator. The resonator's frequency response after exposure to a sample is compared to a reference, such as the frequency response before exposure to the sample, a stored baseline frequency response or a control resonator's frequency response. |
| US08173435B2 |
Method for evaluating oil-and-fat amount in seed and method for screening for plant exhibiting varied level of oil-and-fat content
This invention is intended to evaluate the oil-and-fat amount in a seed and genetic changes thereof. A fusion protein of an oil body-specific protein, such as the oleosin-GFP fusion protein, and a fluorescent protein is expressed, and the oil-and-fat amount in a plant seed and changes thereof are evaluated based on the fluorescent intensity in a cotyledon of a fluorescent protein, such as GFP. |
| US08173433B2 |
Platelet biomarkers for cancer
The present invention relates to the fields of immunology and biochemistry. Particularly, the present invention describes methods, devices and kits for early detection of clinical conditions having associated changes in systemic angiogenic activity, particularly cancers, inflammatory conditions, infections, and events associated with pregnancy and abortion. |
| US08173432B2 |
Method and system for characterization and mapping of tissue lesions
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for the in vivo, non-invasive, early detection of alterations and mapping of the grade of these alterations, caused in the biochemical and/or in the functional characteristics of epithelial tissues during the development of tissue atypias, dysplasias, neoplasias and cancers. The method is based, at least in part, on the simultaneous measurement of the spatial, temporal and spectral alterations in the characteristics of the light that is re-emitted from the tissue under examination, as a result of a combined tissue excitation with light and special chemical agents. The topical or systematic administration of these agents result in an evanescent contrast enhancement between normal and abnormal areas of tissue. The apparatus enables the capturing of temporally successive imaging in one or more spectral bands simultaneously. Based on the measured data, the characteristic curves that express the agent-tissue interaction kinetics, as well as numerical parameters derived from these data, are determined in any spatial point of the examined area. Mapping and characterization of the lesion, are based on these parameters. |
| US08173429B2 |
Characterization of the I-Spomi endonuclease from fission yeast
Isolated DNAs encoding the enzyme I-SpomI and its recognition and cutting site are provided. The DNA sequences can be incorporated in cloning and expression vectors, transformed cell lines and transgenic animals. The vectors are useful in gene mapping and site-directed insertion of genes. |
| US08173427B2 |
Method of producing a population of post-mitotic cells of the neutrophil lineage
A method is provided for producing a population of post-mitotic cells of the neutrophil lineage, which method comprises the ex vivo steps of: (a) providing a population of cells comprising neutrophil progenitor cells; and (b) culturing the population of cells in an animal cell culture medium comprising (i) one or more early acting cytokines and (ii) one or more cytokines that differentiate said progenitor cells into a neutrophil specific lineage, under conditions of low oxidative stress, the culture medium being agitated when the cells are at a cell density at which oxygen transfer via the surface of the culture medium is insufficient for growth of the progenitor cells and the progeny thereof under static conditions, to produce a population of post-mitotic cells of the neutrophil lineage. The resulting population of cells can be used to increase the number of neutrophils in a patient. |
| US08173426B2 |
Muller cells de-differentiated to cells expressing markers of neural cell progenitors
A method for the production of retinal cells, useful in transplantation therapy, comprises: (i) obtaining one or more mammalian adult Müller cells; and (ii) culturing the cells in the presence of an extracellular matrix protein and a growth factor to thereby induce dedifferentiation of the Müller cells into a progenitor phenotype. |
| US08173424B2 |
Internalizing ErbB2 antibodies
This invention provides novel erbB2-binding internalizing antibodies. The antibodies, designated F5 and C1, specifically bind to c-erbB2 antigen and, upon binding, are readily internalized into the cell bearing the c-erbB2 marker. Chimeric molecules comprising the F5 and/or C1 antibodies attached to one or more effector molecules are also provided. |
| US08173420B2 |
Cell seeding module
An apparatus and method is described for seeding cells on a sample or specimen. The cells may be selectively and locally seeded on an upper and lower surface of a planar sample or specimen or on either or both of an interior luminal surface and exterior surface of a hollow sample or specimen. The apparatus includes a chamber suitable for cell seeding, cell growth, and cell conditioning. |
| US08173419B2 |
Equipment for wastewater treatment comprising anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel and acclimatization vessel
Equipment for treating wastewater by anaerobic ammonium oxidation includes an anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to receive water to be treated containing ammonium and nitrite and to denitrify ammonium and nitrite in the water by anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria, forming denitrified treated water, an acclimatization vessel downstream from the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel to receive the denitrified treated water from the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel, the acclimization vessel containing an immobilizing material that collects the anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria in the denitrified treated water as immobilized microorganisms attached to the immobilizing material, wherein the acclimatization vessel has a structure such that the immobilizing material is prevented from flowing out of the acclimatization vessel, and a pipe connecting the acclimatization vessel to the anaerobic ammonium oxidation vessel. |
| US08173418B2 |
Device for activating a self-contained biological indicator
The present invention provides a device for activating a self-contained biological indicator. The biological indicator includes a casing, an ampule having a growth-promoting medium disposed therein and microorganisms. The ampule and microorganisms are disposed within the casing. The device is comprised of a first lever arm having a cavity formed therein. The cavity is dimensioned to receive a biological indicator. A second lever arm has a protrusion extending from a surface thereof and is moveable relative to the first lever arm to deform a casing of the biological indicator thereby fracturing an ampule in the casing and exposing microorganisms in the casing to a growth-promoting medium in the ampule of the biological indicator. |
| US08173413B2 |
Separation and concentration of biological cells and biological particles using a one-dimensional channel
This document discloses, among other things, a method and system for a substrate having a bypass region for fluid flow. The substrate includes a plurality of fluid flow channels with each channel configured to concurrently allow fluid flow while precluding passage of a target particle or object. |
| US08173412B2 |
Method of liberating bound oil present in stillage
A method for processing of byproducts in an ethanol production process is provided. The method includes applying a mixture of a microorganism to a stillage stream, metabolizing gums in the stillage stream using the mixture to release oil in the gums carried by the stillage stream and recovering the oil. Methods of liberating or releasing bound oil present in stillage are also provided. |
| US08173411B2 |
Drying process for preserving an active agent as a highly viscous liquid
The present invention relates to a method of drying biological and other labile samples so that they can be preserved as a highly viscous liquid. The method involves the steps of preparing a preservation sample by dissolving/suspending an active agent in a solution of a stabilizing agent, subjecting the preservation sample to such temperature and pressure conditions that the preservation sample looses solvent by evaporation without freezing or bubbling to form a foam and removing solvent until the preservation sample dries to form a highly viscous liquid. The stabilizing solution comprises a glass forming polyol and a second component which decreases the flow rate of the highly viscous liquid formed by the method. |
| US08173409B2 |
Acid fungal proteases
The present invention is directed to novel acid proteases and more specifically to NSP24 family proteases and NSP25 family proteases including biologically active fragments thereof and to nucleic acid molecules encoding said proteases. Also provided are vectors and host cells including nucleic acid sequences coding for the proteases, methods for producing the proteases, enzyme compositions and methods employing said proteases. |
| US08173401B2 |
Method for direct amplification from crude nucleic acid samples
The present teachings relate to improved methods, kits, and reaction mixtures for amplifying nucleic acids. In some embodiments a novel direct buffer formulation is provided which allows for the direct amplification of the nucleic acids in a crude sample with minimal sample purification. |
| US08173400B2 |
Method of detecting or quantitating endogenous wheat DNA and method of determining contamination rate of genetically modified wheat in test sample
An object of the present invention is to discover an endogenous wheat sequence satisfying the conditions of: a) it is universally present in varieties of wheat, b) the amount present (detected amount) is not affected by the wheat variety, c) even if other grains are present, only wheat can be detected without cross-reactivity, and d) it is amplified quantitatively by the PCR reaction. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of accurately detecting and quantitating endogenous wheat DNA in a test sample by the polymerase chain reaction. The present invention provides a method of detecting or quantitating endogenous wheat DNA in a test sample by the polymerase chain reaction, the method comprising: a step of using a nucleic acid molecule in the test sample or a nucleic acid molecule extracted from the test sample as a template to amplify the nucleic acid molecule of a region consisting of the nucleotide sequence identified as SEQ ID NO: 2 or a partial sequence thereof with a primer pair capable of amplifying that region; and a step of detecting or quantitating the amplified nucleic acid molecule. |
| US08173397B2 |
Folded recombinant catalytic fragments of multidomain serine proteases, preparation and uses thereof
The invention relates to unglycosylated folded C-terminal fragments of a multidomain serine protease of the complement cascade obtainable by expression in a bacterial host, wherein said serine protease is capable of binding a recognition molecule of the complement cascade, e.g. C1 or MBL. The invention also relates to methods and bacterial expression vectors for the preparation of said fragments, uses of said fragments for raising antibodies and screening substrates or inhibitors of said serine proteases and uses of the fragments in research and treatment of complement related disorders. The invention also relates to assay methods for assessing MASP-1 and MASP-2 levels in a sample of biological origin.The invention provides for research tools, assays and diagnostic kits useful in complement research and research and diagnosis of complement related disorders. |
| US08173396B2 |
Methods for reducing gluconoylation of proteins
The present invention relates to methods of preventing glyconoylation of polypeptides produced in micororganisms. |
| US08173393B2 |
Expanding the eukaryotic genetic code
This invention provides compositions and methods for producing translational components that expand the number of genetically encoded amino acids in eukaryotic cells. The components include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases and unnatural amino acids. Proteins and methods of producing proteins with unnatural amino acids in eukaryotic cells are also provided. |
| US08173387B2 |
Method of examining chemical using gene-disrupted strain
A method having higher sensitivity in a bioassay method utilizing cell response of a microorganism, for detecting the presence of a chemical in a test specimen is provided. The method of the present invention is characterized in that it uses specified gene-disrupted strains. |
| US08173385B2 |
Method for stabilization of peptides in a biological sample
The present invention provides a simple method for the stabilization of a peptide in a biological sample and a reagent for the stabilization, a simple method for the preservation of a biological sample comprising a peptide and a reagent for the preservation, and a method for the accurate measurement of a peptide in a biological sample and a reagent for the measurement. Addition of a saccharide to a biological sample enables the stabilization of a peptide in the biological sample, the preservation of the biological sample comprising a peptide in a stable condition and the accurate measurement of a peptide in the biological sample. As the present invention can stabilize a peptide in a biological sample collected in the clinical examination, the peptide as a marker in the biological sample can be measured accurately in the clinical examination. |
| US08173381B2 |
Nucleic acid and corresponding protein entitled 85P1B3 useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene (designated 85P1B3) and its encoded protein are described. While 85P1B3 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, it is aberrantly expressed in multiple cancers including set forth in Table 1. Consequently, 85P1B3 provides a diagnostic and/or therapeutic target for cancers. The 85P1B3 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit an immune response. |
| US08173380B2 |
Metering technique for lateral flow assay devices
A diagnostic test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The kit employs a lateral flow device that contains a membrane. A metering channel is formed in the membrane that is capable of delivering a controlled volume of the test sample to a detection zone upon initiation of the assay. Such a metering channel is particularly effective for embodiments in which the test sample has a relatively low volume, such as less than about 100 microliters, in some embodiments from about 0.5 to about 25 microliters, and in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 10 microliters. For example, whole blood drops obtained from patients with a lancet typically have a volume of less than about 3 microliters. Despite their low volume, the present inventors have discovered that the blood drops may still be accurately analyzed for the presence of an analyte using lateral flow detection techniques. |
| US08173379B2 |
Method of determining a concentration of analytes of interest in a sample
A method of determining a concentration of analytes of interest in a sample reaction mixture is disclosed. The method can include measuring intensities of the polarized fluorescence of at least one comparative reaction mixture containing different, known amounts of the analytes of interest, and measuring the intensities of the polarized fluorescence of a sample reaction mixture. The method can also include determining the preliminary concentrations of the analytes of interest in the sample reaction mixture by comparing the measured intensities of the sample reaction mixtures at various time points. The margin of error for the preliminary concentration of the analytes of interest in the sample can be determined at the various time points. Finally, the concentration of the analytes of interest in the sample reaction mixture can be determined by comparing the preliminary concentrations and the respective margin of error at the given time points. |
| US08173376B2 |
Method for identifying compounds for treatment of pain
Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of CNS intracellular chloride levels. The methods and products may also relate to modulation of the activity and/or expression of a chloride transporter, such as the KCC2 potassium-chloride cotransporter. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing a compound for the treatment of pain, the reduction of nociception and the diagnosis and prognostication of pain are also described. |
| US08173374B2 |
Human embryonic stem cell methods and PODXL expression
A method of identifying an undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell in a sample which may contain such cells, the method comprising identifying the cell or cells within the sample that express podocalyxin-like protein (PODXL) on their surface. A method of isolating an undifferentiated human embryonic stem cell from a sample containing such cells, the method comprising isolating the cell or cells within the sample that express PODXL on their surface. Typically, the methods use an antibody which binds to PODXL. Undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells isolated by the method may be useful in cell therapy. Also, in particular, compositions of cells differentiated from a human embryonic stem cell but which composition has been depleted of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells are provided which are useful in cell therapy. |
| US08173373B2 |
Methods of screening T1R1/T1R3 heteromeric receptors for compounds that modulate umami taste signaling
Methods for screening compounds that modulate umami taste signaling in taste cells are provided. These methods comprise contacting a compound with hetero-oligomeric taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors that respond to umami taste stimuli, and determining whether the compound binds to and/or affects the activity of the hetero-oligomeric umami receptor. |
| US08173361B2 |
Method of determining metabolism of a test agent
A method for detecting one or more metabolites of a test agent in a tissue including: A) incubating a test agent and an enzyme within a three-dimensional structure comprising a first mold or polymer scaffold, a semi-permeable membrane, and a second mold or polymer scaffold, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is disposed between the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds, and wherein the first mold or polymer scaffold has microchannels that form a fluidic branching network that mimics the forces and transport of natural vasculatures and wherein the second mold or polymer scaffold comprises cells; B) forming an enzyme-substrate complex between the enzyme and the test agent; and C) detecting one or more metabolites of the test agent. |
| US08173360B2 |
Cell death inhibitor
The cell death inhibitor comprising a substance capable of binding to macrophage migration inhibitory factor is useful as a preventive/therapeutic agent for, e.g., heart diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, central nervous infections, traumatic diseases, demyelinating diseases, bone/joint diseases, kidney diseases, liver diseases, myelodysplastic diseases, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, sepsis, inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune diseases, failure accompanying rejection in organ transplantation, AIDS, cancer, etc. |
| US08173359B2 |
Methods and apparatus and assays of bacterial spores
A sample of unknown bacterial spores is added to a test strip. The sample of unknown bacterial spores is drawn to a first sample region on the test strip by capillary action. Species-specific antibodies are bound to the sample when the unknown bacterial spores match the species-specific antibodies, otherwise the sample is left unbound. DPA is released from the bacterial spores in the bound sample. The terbium ions are combined with the DPA to form a Tb-DPA complex. The combined terbium ions and DPA are excited to generate a luminescence characteristic of the combined terbium ions and DPA to detect the bacterial spores. A live/dead assay is performed by a release of the DPA for live spores and a release of DPA for all spores. The detection concentrations are compared to determine the fraction of live spores. Lifetime-gated measurements of bacterial spores to eliminate any fluorescence background from organic chromophores comprise labeling the bacterial spore contents with a long-lifetime lumophore and detecting the luminescence after a waiting period. Unattended monitoring of bacterial spores in the air comprises the steps of collecting bacterial spores carried in the air and repeatedly performing the Tb-DPA detection steps above. The invention is also apparatus for performing the various methods disclosed above. |
| US08173358B2 |
Method of forming fine patterns of a semiconductor device
A method of forming fine patterns of a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of first mask patterns on a substrate such that the plurality of first mask patterns are separated from one another by a space located therebetween, in a direction parallel to a main surface of the substrate, forming a plurality of capping films formed of a first material having a first solubility in a solvent on sidewalls and a top surface of the plurality of first mask patterns. The method further includes forming a second mask layer formed of a second material having a second solubility in the solvent, which is less than the first solubility, so as to fill the space located between the plurality of first mask patterns, and forming a plurality of second mask patterns corresponding to residual portions of the second mask layer which remain in the space located between the plurality of first mask patterns, after removing the plurality of capping films and a portion of the second mask layer using the solvent. |
| US08173352B2 |
Resist composition
A resist composition comprising: (A) a resin comprising a structural unit having an acid-labile group in its side chain and a structural unit represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Z1 represents a single bond or —(CH2)k—CO—O—, k represents an integer of 1 to 4, and ring X represents an unsubstituted or substituted C3-C30 cyclic hydrocarbon group having —COO—, (B) a resin comprising a structural unit having an acid-labile group in its side chain and a structural unit represented by the formula (III): wherein R6 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R7 is independently in each occurrence a linear or branched chain C1-C6 alkyl group and n represents an integer of 0 to 4, and (C) an acid generator. |
| US08173351B2 |
Compound and radiation-sensitive composition
A compound shown by the following formula (1) can be used as a material for a radiation-sensitive composition capable of forming a resist film which effectively responds to electron beams or the like, exhibits low roughness, and can form a high precision minute pattern in a stable manner. |
| US08173350B2 |
Oxime compound and resist composition containing the same
An oxime compound represented by the formula (I): wherein Y represents an unsubstituted or substituted n-valent C6-C14 aromatic hydrocarbon group, n represents an integer of 1 to 6, R1 represents a C1-C30 aliphatic hydrocarbon group etc., R2 represents a linear or branched chain C1-C20 aliphatic hydrocarbon group etc., W represents —CO—O— etc., Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom etc., Z represents a C1-C20 halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon group etc, and the resist composition containing the same. |
| US08173337B2 |
Fuser material composition comprising of a polymer matrix with the addition of graphene-containing particles
Exemplary embodiments provide material compositions useful for electrophotographic devices and processes. The material composition can include a plurality of graphene-containing particles dispersed or distributed in a polymer matrix. Such material composition can be used for electrophotographic members and devices including, but not limited to, a fuser member, a fixing member, a pressure roller, and/or a release donor member. In one embodiment, a material composition dispersion can be applied on a substrate in electrophotography to form a functional member layer to control, e.g., to improve, at least one of thermal, mechanical and/or electrical properties. |
| US08173335B2 |
Beam ablation lithography
Provided are beam ablation lithography methods capable of removing and manipulating material at the nanoscale. Also provided are nanoscale devices, nanogap field effect transistors, nano-wires, nano-crystals and artificial atoms made using the disclosed methods. |
| US08173332B2 |
Reflection-type exposure mask and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A reflection-type exposure mask includes a multilayer reflective film in a main surface and serving as a high reflective region to an exposure light, and an absorber pattern on the multilayer reflective film and serving as a low reflective region to the exposure light, wherein a phase difference between reflection lights of the exposure light from the multilayer reflective film and the absorber pattern is in a range of 180°±10°, and the absorber pattern includes first and second linear patterns having longitudinal directions intersecting at right angles, contrast values of optical images of the first and second linear patterns formed on a wafer is to be 0.6 or more when one of the longitudinal directions of the first and second patterns agree with an incident direction of the exposure light to the main surface viewed from above the main surface. |
| US08173330B2 |
Pellicle
A pellicle is provided that includes an aluminum pellicle frame having an anodized layer on its entire surface; and a pellicle film stretched over and affixed to an end face of the pellicle frame, the anodized layer having a thickness of 4 to 8 μm. |
| US08173327B2 |
Electrode assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell and method for making the same
An electrode assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrode assembly including a porous ceramic oxide matrix and an array of fluid conduits. The porous ceramic oxide matrix includes a labyrinth of reinforcing walls interconnected to one another. Each of the fluid conduits is formed from the porous ceramic oxide matrix and has an external surface with a plurality of struts projecting outwardly therefrom and an internal surface defining a first passage for flowing a first fluid therethrough. The struts are configured to connect the fluid conduits to one another and the external surfaces and the struts define a second passage around the fluid conduits for flowing a second fluid therethrough. |
| US08173326B2 |
Electrochemical device
A polymer electrolyte electrochemical device includes an anode current collector (1), a membrane electrode assembly (2) with anode and cathode gas backings (3, 4), and a cathode current collector (5), wherein the membrane electrode assembly is sealed and attached at least to the anode current collector by adhesive elements, thereby creating an anode gas chamber, and optionally attached to the cathode current collector by adhesive elements, the adhesive elements being electrically conducting or electrically non-conducting. The invention also relates to polymer electrolyte electrochemical device components adapted for use in a single cell electrochemical device and a series arrangement electrochemical device. |
| US08173325B2 |
Functional membrane and electrolyte membrane for fuel cells and method for producing the same
A functional membrane is provided, which has high functionality combined with the gas barrier performance and mechanical strength inherent in a polymer film substrate. In particular, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided, which is excellent in terms of high proton conductivity and gas barrier performance and is most appropriate to serve as a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells. A method for producing a functional membrane is provided, which comprises: a step of ion irradiation, in which active species are generated in a polymer film substrate containing nonconductive inorganic particles by irradiating the polymer film substrate with high-energy heavy ions to the extent of 104/cm2 to 1014/cm2; and a step of graft polymerization subsequent to the step of ion irradiation, in which one or more monomers selected from group A consisting of monomers containing useful functional groups are added such that the monomers are graft polymerized with the polymer film substrate. |
| US08173319B2 |
Fuel cell water management system and method
Systems and methods for transporting accumulated water in a fuel cell system are disclosed. Briefly described, in one aspect, a system comprises a fuel cell flow field plate with at least one channel disposed on a surface of the fuel cell flow field plate, and at least one water management fin residing on a wall of the channel such that when the accumulated water is transported along the channel the water management fin guides the accumulated water. |
| US08173317B2 |
Fuel cells power generation system
In a fuel cells power generation system provided with a power generation module having a plurality of fuel cells, the structure is made such that a cross sectional area of at least one of a fuel flow path and an air flow path is larger in an inner portion of the power generation module and smaller in an outer portion thereof. Accordingly, gas tends to flow through the inner portion of the power generation module, a gas flow rate is quickened, and it is possible to uniformize a molar flow rate of the fuel and the air supplied to the fuel cell, even in a state in which a temperature distribution of the module is not uniform within the power generation module. |
| US08173311B2 |
Method for dynamic adaptive relative humidity control in the cathode of a fuel cell stack
A fuel cell system and method for controlling relative humidity in a fuel cell system. A controller can be signally coupled to one or more sensors and configured to operate at least one flow manipulation device in response to changes in a relative humidity of a reactant passing through the cathode flowpath of the fuel cell in order to maintain the relative humidity within a prescribed range. The controller correlates one or more of a temperature setpoint, pressure setpoint, stoichiometry setpoint or actual operating condition of any of them to an operating condition of the system. In this way, a desired level of relative humidity can be achieved, maintained or both while minimizing the use of power-robbing flow manipulation devices, such as a pump, compressor, fan or related component. |
| US08173309B2 |
Reformer for fuel cell, and fuel cell system comprising the same
A reformer for a fuel cell system includes a heating source for generating heat by a reaction of a fuel and an oxidant using an oxidizing catalyst, and a reforming reaction part for generating hydrogen by a reforming catalyst reaction. The oxidizing catalyst includes a solid acid, including a strong acid ion and an inorganic oxide, and a platinum-based metal. The reformer for a fuel cell system can start a fuel oxidation catalyst reaction at a low temperature with the heating source having a simplified structure. |
| US08173305B2 |
Film former-free electrolyte/separator system and use thereof in electrochemical energy accumulators
The invention relates to an electrolyte separator system comprising an ionic liquid, a conductive salt and a ceramic separator, and the use of the electrolyte separator system according to the invention in electrochemical energy storage systems, in particular of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries. |
| US08173302B2 |
Sulfur-carbon material
An electrode material having carbon and sulfur is provided. The carbon is in the form of a porous matrix having nanoporosity and the sulfur is sorbed into the nanoporosity of the carbon matrix. The carbon matrix can have a volume of nanoporosity between 10 and 99%. In addition, the sulfur can occupy between 5 to 99% of the nanoporosity. A portion of the carbon structure that is only partially filled with the sulfur remains vacant allowing electrolyte egress. In some instances, the nanoporosity has nanopores and nanochannels with an average diameter between 1 nanometer and 999 nanometers. The sulfur is sorbed into the nanoporosity using liquid transport or other mechanisms providing a material having intimate contact between the electronically conductive carbon structure and the electroactive sulfur. |
| US08173299B2 |
Anode and battery
An anode capable of relaxing the stress concentration and improving the characteristics and a battery using it are provided. The anode includes an anode current collector and an anode active material layer containing silicon (Si) as an element, wherein the anode active material layer has a metal element increasing and decreasing region in which a metal element is contained as an element, and a concentration of the metal element is increased and then decreased in a thickness direction. |
| US08173293B2 |
Pouch type battery pack
A pouch type battery pack, including: a first pouch battery and a second pouch battery adjacent to the first pouch battery, wherein the first and second pouch batteries are combined by bonding an edge of the first pouch battery and an edge of the second pouch battery to each other. Accordingly, the bare cell can be separated without being damaged when the pouch battery is separated from the battery pack. Furthermore, the heat radiation performance is improved by including a heat radiation member between the two pouch batteries when the pouch batteries are stacked. |
| US08173292B2 |
Solid battery and a method for manufacturing an electrode thereof
A solid battery includes at least either one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode comprising bars of an active material of the electrode and bars of a solid electrolyte of the electrode arranged alternately in such a manner that each of the bars of the active material of the electrode is disposed adjacent to each of the bars of the solid electrolyte of the electrode, and a solid electrolyte constituting a separator and having a plane to which the bars of the active material and the bars of the solid electrolyte of the electrode are disposed in a crossing direction. There is also provided a method for manufacturing an electrode of such solid battery. |
| US08173291B2 |
Electrode package and secondary battery using the same
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed between those two electrodes. The secondary battery also includes a container for receiving the electrode assembly inside thereof; a cap assembly electrically connected to the electrode assembly and fixed to the container to seal the container; collector plates electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrodes, and an auxiliary collector plate disposed between at least either the positive or negative electrode and the collector plate corresponding to that electrode. |
| US08173290B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack including: a bare cell; a protection circuit module disposed on a first side of the bare cell; a connection member connected to the protection circuit module; and an adhesive unit to attach the connection member to the bare cell. The bare cell includes a rectangular can. The protection circuit module is disposed on a first side of the can and is electrically connected to a first electrode terminal of the bare cell that extends through the first side of the can. The protection circuit board is electrically connected to a second side of the can, by the connection member. The adhesive unit may be an adhesive tape or a conductive adhesive. |
| US08173289B2 |
Electrical energy storage cell and electrical energy storage module including the same
The storage cell includes a flat roll electrode that includes a strip of positive electrode having a positive electrode current collector foil and a positive electrode layer formed thereon, a strip of negative electrode having an electrode current collector foil and a negative electrode layer formed, and a strip of electrically insulated separator, the strip of positive electrode and the strip of negative electrode being wound into a flat roll configuration with the strip of electrically insulated separator sandwiched therebetween; a sealed casing that hermetically seals the flat roll electrode impregnated with an electrolyte; a positive terminal and a negative terminal each electrically insulated from the sealed casing, connected to the positive current collector foil and the negative current collector foil, respectively. |
| US08173285B2 |
Lithium battery management system
Provided is a system for managing a lithium battery system having a plurality of cells. The battery system comprises a variable-resistance element electrically connected to a cell and located proximate a portion of the cell; and a device for determining, utilizing the variable-resistance element, whether the temperature of the cell has exceeded a predetermined threshold. A method of managing the temperature of a lithium battery system is also included. |
| US08173284B2 |
Housing for a sealed electrochemical cell
An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit. |
| US08173280B2 |
Nickel oxide film for bolometer and method for manufacturing thereof, and infrared detector using the same
There are provided a nickel oxide film for a bolometer and a manufacturing method thereof, and an infrared detector using the nickel oxide film. The nickel oxide film has properties with a TCR value greater than −3%/° C., a low noise value, and stable and high reproducibility properties. The nickel oxide film is applicable to manufacturing an infrared detector using a nickel oxide film for a bolometer. |
| US08173264B2 |
Resin composition and metal laminate plate
A resin composition comprises a polyimide resin composition or precursor thereof obtained from an acid dianhydride component containing a compound represented by the following Formula (1) and a diamine component containing a diamine compound represented by the following Formula (2), and a bismaleimide compound represented by the following Formula (3), wherein the diamine component contains a diamine compound (a) in which m in the Formula (2) represents an integer of 0 or 1 and a diamine component (b) in which m in the Formula (2) represents an integer of 2 to 6 in a molar ratio (a:b) of from 100:0 to 50:50, wherein, in the Formula (2), when m is 2 or more, each X may be independently the same or different, and represents O, SO2, S, CO, CH2, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2 or a direct bond, wherein, in the Formula (3), n represents an integer of 0 to 6. |
| US08173260B1 |
Nano-structure enhancements for anisotropic conductive adhesive and thermal interposers
The present invention features additions of nano-structures to interconnect conductor fine particles (spheres) to: (1) reduce thermal interface resistance by using thermal interposers that have high thermal conductivity nano-structures at their surfaces; (2) improve the anisotropic conductive adhesive interconnection conductivity with microcircuit contact pads; and (3) allow lower compression forces to be applied during the microcircuit fabrication processes which then results in reduced deflection or circuit damage. When pressure is applied during fabrication to spread and compress anisotropic conductive adhesive and the matrix of interconnect particles and circuit conductors, the nano-structures mesh and compress into a more uniform connection than current technology provides, thereby eliminating voids, moisture and other contaminants, increasing the contact surfaces for better electrical and thermal conduction. |
| US08173258B2 |
Powder with improved recycling properties, process for its production, and use of the powder in a process for producing three-dimensional objects
A powder which is capable of being used in a layer-by-layer process in which regions of the respective pulverulent layer are selectively melted and, after cooling, are fixed, contains a mixture of diacid-regulated polyamide and diamine-regulated polyamide and/or diacid-regulated copolyamide and diamine-regulated copolyamide. |
| US08173257B2 |
Cellulosic fibers having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of forming thereof
A viscose fiber comprises a fiber body including a regenerated cellulosic material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed in the regenerated cellulosic material. The regenerated cellulosic material is derived from an organic plant material and the plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material has a transition temperature in the range of 0° C. to 100° C., the phase change material providing thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of latent heat at the transition temperature. |
| US08173255B2 |
Clean flame retardant insulation composition to enhance mechanical properties and flame retardancy for wire and cable
One of the major problems of commercial clean flame retardant materials is unstable mechanical properties because of high filler loadings. Clean flame retardant compositions having very low smoke and toxicity generation are invented by a method based on partial cross-linking of polymers. These composites are processed by routine thermoplastic extruder and do not use post curing system. Composition mainly contain 100 parts by weight (p/w) of resin (polyolefin or 100 p/w of polyolefin/ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM rubber)), 90-150 p/w of non halogen content main flame retardants, 0.1-0.5 parts by weight of crosslinking agent, 1-20 p/w of auxiliary secondary flame retardant agents and 0.2-1.0 p/w of antioxidants. Clean flame retardant compositions use peroxide composite as a crosslinking agent and metal hydroxide composite as a flame retardant. The present invention demonstrates more reliable method for producing clean flame retardant insulations for wire and cable without deterioration of mechanical properties. |
| US08173254B2 |
Polyester fiber, woven knit fabric, car seat and process for producing polyester fiber
This invention is polyester fibers with an initial tensile resistivity of 15 to 38 cN/dtex, a elastic recovery rate of 70% or more after 20% elongation, and a self-shrinkage percentage of 0.3% to 1.4% after dry heat treatment at 160° C. The polyester fibers of this invention can be used to obtain a woven or knitted fabric resistant against repeated loads, excellent in surface softness and uniformity, and free from projections/recesses and curling. Since the woven or knitted fabric obtained from the polyester fibers of this invention are highly resistant against repeated loads, it can be suitably used as a car seat loaded with human bodies. |
| US08173251B2 |
Gasket material comprising a metal plate and a fluorine rubber layer having a specific vickers hardness
A gasket material including: a metal plate; and a fluorine rubber layer having a Vickers hardness of 15 to 30 N/mm2, being provided on one side or both sides of the metal plate, and obtained from a fluorine rubber composition containing a fluorine rubber polymer. The gasket material maintains a sealing bead surface at a high surface pressure without changing the engine block design and the gasket design and also possible to absorb flange surface roughness that is an original purpose of the rubber layer. |
| US08173249B2 |
Substrate structures applied in flexible electrical devices and fabrication method thereof
A substrate structure applied in flexible electrical devices is provided. The substrate structure includes a carrier, a release layer overlying the carrier with a first area and a flexible substrate overlying the release layer and the carrier with a second area, wherein the second area is larger than the first area and the flexible substrate has a greater adhesion force than that of the release layer to the carrier. The invention also provides a method for fabricating the substrate structure. |
| US08173247B2 |
Lightweight high stiffness composites having class A surface finish
Stiff, lightweight composite materials that include a Class A surface finish as well as methods of making these composites and articles that include these composites. The fiber reinforced HPPC composite sheet material includes a glass laminate layer and a metal layer. The metal layer covers the unidirectional glass fibers in the HPPC composite while the glass laminate layer gives the composite mechanical puncture resistance, while providing a composite sheet material with Class A surface properties that is still lightweight. |
| US08173246B2 |
Transparent conductive laminate and touch panel equipped with it
The transparent conductive laminate of the present invention is a transparent conductive laminate, comprising: a transparent film substrate; a transparent conductive thin film provided on one side of the transparent film substrate with a dielectric thin film interposed therebetween; and a transparent substrate bonded to another side of the transparent film substrate with a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer interposed therebetween, wherein the transparent substrate comprises at least two transparent base films laminated with the transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer interposed therebetween, and the dielectric thin film comprises a first transparent dielectric thin film consisting of a SiOx (x is from 1.5 to less than 2) film having a relative refractive index of 1.6 to 1.9, and a second transparent dielectric thin film consisting of a SiO2 film. This feature can improve the surface contact pressure durability. |
| US08173243B2 |
Shingle with reinforcement layer
A laminated shingle and a method of making it is provided in which the rear surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof. |
| US08173241B2 |
Sandwich system
A composite system comprises a base layer, a capping layer, and at least one core geocell layer. The base layer and capping layer are staked below and above the core geocell layer, which is infilled with a low quality material. In specific embodiments, the base layer and capping layer are each geocells infilled with a high quality material. This composite system meets engineering specifications economically. |
| US08173237B2 |
Method for joining strips, structure of joint, and continuous strip obtained by the method
Disclosed is a method for joining two strips, where the two strips each include a laminate of a release liner and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and the release liner extends from the corresponding pressure-sensitive adhesive layer in a longitudinal end region of at least one of the two strips. The method includes butting cross-sections of longitudinal ends of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers of the two strips to bond the two pressure-sensitive adhesive layers; and superposing end regions of the release liners of the two strips and fixing the release liners so that surfaces of the release liners in portions at least 1 mm long inward from the longitudinal ends are not in contact with surfaces of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers. This method gives a continuous strip from which the release liner can be smoothly removed without “binding” even at the joint. |
| US08173236B1 |
Bamboo load bearing panel and method of manufacturing
A bamboo load bearing panel includes at least one bamboo panel element. The bamboo panel element includes a bamboo laminate layer with first and second layers of a plurality of bamboo strips having a cortex and pith surface, parallel and longitudinally cut from bamboo culm pressed flat and planed wherein the first and second layers are each planed to a thickness. The cortex surface of the first layer of bamboo strip is bonded to the cortex surface of the second layer of bamboo strip and a wood veneer layer is bonded to the pith surface of the first layer of the bamboo strip positioned such that the grain of the wood veneer layer is perpendicular to the grain of the bamboo strip. A finished bamboo load bearing panel includes at least one bamboo panel element bonded to optional layers of finishing wood veneers. |
| US08173232B2 |
Stretch hood films
A multi-layer film structure is made from a specific polyethylene copolymer comprising the inner layer and is useful as a stretch hood film structure. The polyethylene copolymer can be characterized by a Comonomer Distribution Constant greater than about 45. |
| US08173226B2 |
Polymerizable compound, polymer, ink composition, printed articles and inkjet recording method
A polymerizable compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein, in the formula (1), R1 represents any one of a hydrogen atom, a substituted alkyl group, and an unsubstituted alkyl group; R2 represents an alkylene group; W represents any one of —CO—, —C(═O)O—, —CONH—, —OC(═O)—, and a phenylene group; X represents any one of —CO—, —NHCO—, —OC(═O)—, —CH(OH)CH2—, and —SO2—; R3 and R4 represent a monovalent substituent; R3 and R4 may be bound to each other to form a ring structure; and m and n each independently represent 0 or 1. |
| US08173225B2 |
Photocurable organic material and method of fabricating array substrate for liquid crystal display device using the same
A method of fabricating an organic insulating layer used for an array substrate for a liquid crystal display device comprises forming a base material layer on a substrate; forming a photocurable organic material layer having a first liquid phase polymeric precursor, a second liquid phase polymeric precursor and a photo-initiator on the base material, the first liquid phase polymeric precursor having a single-functional group material, the second liquid phase polymeric precursor having at least one of a two-functional group material and a three-functional group material; disposing a stamp having a convex portion over the photocurable organic material layer; moving at least one of the substrate and the stamp such that the stamp depresses the photocurable organic material layer, wherein a contact hole, which exposes a portion of the base material layer and corresponds to the convex portion, is formed in the photocurable organic material layer; curing the photocurable organic material layer having the contact hole through the stamp; and detaching the stamp from the cured photocurable organic material layer. |
| US08173215B2 |
Continuous ink jet ink compositions
The invention relates to continuous ink jet printing of an aqueous pigmented ink composition recycled from a main ink supply reservoir, employing a printer with a fluid delivery system capable of measuring the ink electrical resistivity, and providing needed quantities of either vehicle replenisher fluid or fresh ink to maintain the desired recycled ink concentration. The electrical resistivity of the pigmented ink can be modified advantageously for stable ink recycling by the addition of the organic amine salt of an acid, and the pH stability of the ink can be simultaneously improved by the additional inclusion of the neutral form of the organic amine in similar molar proportions to the amine salt. The pigmented ink jet ink compositions provide for particularly stable and invariant fluid properties during periods of extended printer operation and ink recirculation. |
| US08173213B2 |
Process stability of NBDE using substituted phenol stabilizers
A stabilized cyclic alkene composition comprising one or more cyclic alkenes, and at least one stabilizer compound having the Formula (I), R1,R2,R3,R4,R5(C6)OH Formula (I) wherein R′ through R5 can each independently be H, OH, C1-C8 linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, C1-C8 linear, branched, or cyclic alkoxy or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and wherein the stabilizer compound is present in an amount greater than 200 ppm up to 20,000 ppm and has a boiling point lower than 265° C. A method for forming a layer of carbon-doped silicon oxide on a substrate, which uses the stabilized alkene composition and a silicon containing compound. |
| US08173211B2 |
CVD synthesis of carbon nanotubes
A method of production of carbon nanoparticles comprises the steps of: providing on substrate particles a transition metal compound which is decomposable to yield the transition metal under conditions permitting carbon nanoparticle formation, contacting a gaseous carbon source with the substrate particles, before, during or after said contacting step, decomposing the transition metal compound to yield the transition metal on the substrate particles, forming carbon nanoparticles by decomposition of the carbon source catalysed by the transition metal, and collecting the carbon nanoparticles formed. |
| US08173207B2 |
Arrangement for depositing coating powder on a rotational symmetric body
An arrangement for depositing coating powder on a rotational symmetric body is provided. The arrangement includes a rotation device for rotating the rotational symmetric body around a horizontal axis of rotation, wherein the horizontal axis of rotation coincides with the axis of the rotational symmetry of the body, a nozzle arranged vertically above a surface of the rotational symmetric body for providing the coating powder to the surface and a horizontal barrier at a specified distance defining a coating thickness above the surface, wherein the barrier is arranged next to the nozzle in the direction of a rotational movement of the surface at the nozzle. At this point, the nozzle includes a cross section elongated in one direction parallel to the axis of rotation. |
| US08173206B2 |
Methods for repairing barrier coatings
Methods for repairing barrier coatings involving providing a component having a barrier coating including at least one damaged portion, removing the damaged portion of the barrier coating leaving a void, applying a replacement tape cast barrier coating to the void of the component, and sintering the component having the replacement tape cast barrier coating layer. |
| US08173205B2 |
Method for fabricating ZnO thin films
Disclosed is a method for fabricating ZnO thin films using a ZnO precursor solution containing zinc hydroxide nitrate (Zn5(OH)8(NO3)2.2H2O) as a zinc supplier. The ZnO thin film is fabricated by using a simple and economical coating method at a low process temperature. |
| US08173198B2 |
Deposition of metal oxides onto surfaces as an immobilization vehicle for carboxylated or phophated particles or polymers
Intermediates and methods for forming activated metal complexes bound to surfaces on oxide layers, immobilizing beads to the modified surface and articles produced thereby are described. Hydroxyl groups on the oxide surfaces are reacted with a metal reagent complex of the formula Y(L-Pol)m, where Y is a transition metal, magnesium or aluminum, L is oxygen, sulfur, selenium or an amine, and “Pol” represents a passivating agent such as a methoxyethanol, a polyethylene glycol, a hydrocarbon, or a fluorocarbon. The resulting modified surface can be further reacted with a passivating agent having a phosphate functional group or a plurality of functional groups that are reactive with or that form complexes with Y. The metal oxide surfaces exhibit minimal binding to bio-molecules, exhibit uniform deposition and immobilization of beads at high density, can be subsequently modified to create surfaces having a variety of properties, and can be used for nucleic acid sequencing and other analyses and in single-molecule detection schemes. |
| US08173197B2 |
Coated medical devices and methods of making same
Methods of protecting an insertable medical device from chemical degradation are provided. Methods include coating the insertable medical device with an acrylic layer and then coating the acrylic layer with an acrylic-grafted fluoropolymer. Medical devices coated with oxidation-resistant coatings are also provided. |
| US08173195B2 |
Aerated frozen suspension with adjusted creaminess and scoop ability based on stress-controlled generation of superfine microstructures
Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams. |
| US08173193B2 |
Production of stabilized whole grain flour and products thereof
A stabilized bran component and a stabilized whole grain flour containing the component are produced by subjecting a bran-enriched coarse fraction which contains bran, germ and starch to grinding or milling to reduce grittiness of the coarse fraction without substantially damaging the starch due to abrasion. The coarse fraction may be stabilized by heating to substantially reduce the lipase and lipoxygenase activity of the coarse fraction without substantial gelatinization of the starch. High levels of natural antioxidants and vitamins are retained while avoiding substantial acrylamide formation during the stabilization. The stabilized coarse fraction or stabilized bran component may be combined with a fine fraction which contains predominantly endosperm to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour. The stabilized whole grain flours and the stabilized bran component exhibit extended shelf life and may be used for making baked goods, such as cookies, with desirable oven spread, and a non-gritty mouthfeel. |
| US08173191B2 |
Knotting system for a dough strand
The invention relates to a device and a method for the automated production of knotted dough products, in particular pretzels. Said device comprises: a shaping table (2) for horizontally supporting a U-shaped bent dough strand (46); a shaping tool (6) that can be activated to vertically support the U-shaped bent dough strand (46), the shaping table (2) and activated shaping tool (6) forming a common stop for the U-shaped bent strand (46); and a knotting head (9) for seizing the ends of the dough strand and for knotting said strand (46). According to the invention, the knotting head (9) can be displaced from a seizing position (48), in which the ends of the U-shaped bent dough strand (46) are seized, into an extension position (49), in which the dough strand is extended, then into a knotting position (51), in which the dough strand is knotted and finally into a placing position 52, in which the ends of the dough strands are placed on the central part of the dough strand. In addition, the common shaping stop is configured to be stationary, in particular on the horizontal displacement plane. |
| US08173187B2 |
Assembly for presenting and preparing a puffed composition
The invention concerns an assembly for preparing and presenting an edible composition designed to be puffed including a first portion defining a chamber for enabling the puffed composition to be presented, and a second portion defining a storage chamber designed to include at least one non-puffed composition, the second portion being arranged in the first portion. The invention also concerns a method for preparing a composition to be puffed using the assembly. |
| US08173183B2 |
Mucosal membrane healant and moisturizer
A pharmaceutical composition for treatment and prevention of severely dehydrated soft tissue is disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition has ingredients that prevent the onset of dehydration and ingredients that increase the healing rate of dehydrated tissue that has become cracked. In particular, the present invention treats and prevents the dry-nose condition caused in oxygen respiratory therapy. |
| US08173174B2 |
Solubilized protein composition obtained from avian eggshell membrane
A solubilized protein composition is obtained from avian eggshell membrane without the use of proteolytic enzymes or cross-linking agents. The composition is essentially odor-free, has an ash content of less than 10% by weight of the composition and a protein content of at least 90% by weight of the composition including a mixture of solubilized proteins such as Type I collagen. Type V collagen. Type X collagen, elastin, lysozyme, ovotransferrin, desmosine, and/or B-N-acetylglucosaminidase, wherein the solubilized proteins are undenatured and retain biological activity. |
| US08173169B2 |
Formulation and process for the preparation of modafinil
The present invention provides pharmaceutical tablets comprising modafinil particles, processes for preparing such pharmaceutical tablets, and methods of treating a disease or disorder using the pharmaceutical tablet of the invention. In particular, the pharmaceutical tablet of the invention comprises modafinil particles and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the modafinil particles have a size distribution such that at least about 65% of the modafinil particles have a diameter greater than 220 microns and the tablet is bioequivalent to PROVIGIL®. The pharmaceutical tablet of the invention is prepared by a dry granulation method. |
| US08173167B2 |
Micelle composition of polymer and passenger drug
Hydrophobic drugs become more practical for treatments by being encapsulated in micelle compositions for increasing solubility. Micelle compositions may include an excipient tocopherol and/or prodrug formulations of the drug. Micelles extend the time period the drug remains in the micelles to improve drug circulation time and thereby drug delivery. Hydrophobic drugs for micelle encapsulation may include rapamycin, geldanamycin, and paclitaxel. Administration of these micelle compositions does not require Cremophor EL or Tween 80, avoiding serious side effects associated with these products which would previously accompany such drug administration. |
| US08173166B2 |
Methods of producing tungsten nanoparticles
The present teachings are directed methods of producing tungsten-containing nanoparticles, specifically tungsten nanoparticles and tungsten oxide nanoparticles with an average particle size of less than about five nanometers. |
| US08173165B2 |
Water-dispersible pellets
A water-dispersible particle for delivery of nitrogen to a plant is disclosed. The water-dispersible particle also delivers an active ingredient such as a plant hormone to a desirable plant or a pesticide or herbicide to an undesirable organism. Methods for making and using the water-dispersible particle are described. |
| US08173162B2 |
Preparation for repairing cartilage tissue, especially articular cartilage defects
The invention relates to preparations which are suitable for repairing enchondral or osteochondral defects (4) by means of implantation, said preparations comprising a cartilage element (A) and optionally a bone element (B) which is connected to the cartilage element (A). The cartilage element (A) can already contain cells during the implantation or is populated after the implantation with cells migrating from surrounding tissue. The aim of the invention is to better equip the cartilage element (A) of one such preparation for integration into the surrounding tissue and/or for an easy-to-achieve, primary stability. To this end, said cartilage element is not homogeneously embodied but has different characteristics in a peripheral and/or basal region (2, 3) to those in a central region (3). Said differing characteristics (A) relate to the structure and/or composition of the matrix used and/or to the cells established in the matrix, and are in no way used to prevent the migration of cells into the preparation from the surrounding tissue. |
| US08173159B2 |
Microcapsules
A novel microcapsule comprising an encapsulated material which is enclosed within a solid permeable shell of a polymer resin having surface modifying compounds capable of reacting with isocyanate incorporated therein is disclosed. The process for producing such microcapsules is likewise disclosed. |
| US08173158B2 |
Methods of treating gastrointestinal disorders independent of the intake of food
The present invention relates to a method of treating a gastrointestinal disorder by administering to a patient in need of treatment thereof a pharmaceutical composition, wherein said pharmaceutical composition can be administered to the patient independent of the intake of food. |
| US08173156B2 |
Method for avoiding crystallization of anti-inflammatory agent in plaster formulation
An anti-inflammatory-containing plaster is provided. The anti-inflammatory-containing plaster may include, e.g., a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, a high molecular weight polyisobutylene, a low molecular weight polyisobutylene, a tackifier, a plasticizer, a dispersant, and an anti-inflammatory having a carboxyl group or a salt thereof. However, the anti-inflammatory-containing plaster does not contain L-menthol. The anti-inflammatory-containing plaster has medicament release rates of 20-64% by mass and 40-93% by mass at one hour and three hours, respectively. |
| US08173155B2 |
Adhesive patch
The present invention relates an adhesive patch comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer that contains a drug, wherein the adhesive layer contains a mixed adhesive base containing a hydrocarbon rubber and a silicon-containing polymer. The adhesive patch of the invention shows extremely superior skin absorbability of a drug in a preparation, reduced skin irritation, and excellent aging stability of the drug in the preparation, and can achieve easiness of drug-taking methods and improvement in compliance. |
| US08173152B2 |
Stabilized compositions containing alkaline labile drugs
A stabilized bioadhesive composition containing an alkaline labile drug and a method for its preparation are provided. In one aspect, the composition is a hot-melt extruded (HME) composition comprising a preformed excipient mixture comprising an acidic component and an alkaline thermoplastic matrix-forming material, e.g. polymer. The excipient mixture is formed before blending with an alkaline labile drug. The blend is then hot-melt extruded to form the HME composition. By so doing, the acidic component is able to neutralize or render moderately acidic the excipient mixture. This particular process has been shown to substantially reduce the degradation of an alkaline labile drug during hot-melt extrusion. The excipient mixture softens or melts during hot-melt extrusion. It can dissolve or not dissolve drug-containing particles during extrusion. Various functional excipients can be included in the carrier system to improve process performance and/or improve the chemical or physical properties of the HME composition. |
| US08173149B2 |
Method for producing porous β-tricalcium phosphate granules
A porous β-tricalcium phosphate material for bone implantation is provided. The multiple pores in the porous TCP body are separate discrete voids and are not interconnected. The pore size diameter is in the range of 20-500 μm, preferably 50-125 μm. The porous β-TCP material provides a carrier matrix for bioactive agents and can form a moldable putty composition upon the addition of a binder. Preferably, the bioactive agent is encapsulated in a biodegradable agent. The invention provides a kit and an implant device comprising the porous β-TCP, and a bioactive agent and a binder. The invention also provides an implantable prosthetic device comprising a prosthetic implant having a surface region, a porous β-TCP material disposed on the surface region and optionally comprising at least a bioactive agent or a binder. Methods of producing the porous β-TCP material and inducing bone formation are also provided. |
| US08173148B2 |
Stabilized polymeric delivery system comprising a water-insoluble polymer and an organic liquid
The invention relates to a delivery system for the sustained and controlled delivery of a group of bioactive agents. More particularly, the invention relates to a delivery system and a method for delivery of a bioactive agent containing a nucleophilic functional group by means of a biodegradable, sustained-release implant. The implant may be a preformed implant, microparticles or an in situ formed implant. The implant includes a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, the bioactive agent having a nucleophilic group substituent and a stabilizing associate as well as other optional components. The combination of the stabilizing associate with the bioactive agent prevents and/or minimizes and/or lessens degradation of the thermoplastic polymer by the bioactive agent. |
| US08173145B2 |
Formulation containing phosphate derivatives of electron transfer agents
There is provided an emulsion composition for therapeutic administration comprising: (a) at least one mono-(electron transfer agent) phosphate derivative; (b) at least one di-electron transfer agent phosphate derivative; wherein the amount of transfer agent phosphate derivatives is no less than equimolar to the amount of di-electron transfer agent phosphate; and (c) a suitable carrier. |
| US08173144B2 |
Administration of urea compounds for combating signs of cutaneous aging
Signs of aging of the skin and/or mucous membranes are prevented and/or reduced, and the activity of the proteolytic enzymes of the stratum corneum are stimulated as well, by administering to an individual in need of such treatment, a cosmetic/pharmaceutical composition which comprises a thus effective amount of at least one hydroxylated urea compound having the following formula (I): in which: the radicals R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be identical or different, are each a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl radical or a C2-C6 hydroxyalkyl radical which can contain from 1 to 5 hydroxyl groups, wherein at least one of the R1 to R4 radicals represents a hydroxyalkyl radical, or salt, solvate or isomer thereof, formulated into a physiologically acceptable medium therefor. |
| US08173143B2 |
Personal skin care compositions containing anti-flammatory and anti-microbial agents
Personal care compositions suitable for use in skin care applications, which effectively deliver and/or deposit anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents, which are relatively non-irritating, and thus suitable for use by people having irritated or sensitive skin, particularly the skin around the eyes of a user. The personal care composition comprises a first formulation that provides anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be easily reformulated to a second formulation that includes an anti-microbial agent by simply adding an anti-microbial agent without having to completely begin with a new formula and without compromising the properties found in the first formulation. |
| US08173142B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions of drugs and neutralized acidic polymers
Pharmaceutical compositions comprised of low-solubility and/or acid-sensitive drugs and neutralized acidic polymers are disclosed. |
| US08173141B2 |
Immunogenic complexes and methods relating thereto
The present invention relates generally to an immunogenic complex comprising a charged organic carrier and a charged antigen and, more particularly, a negatively charged organic carrier and a positively charged antigen. The complexes of the present invention are useful, inter alia, as therapeutic and/or prophylactic agents for facilitating the induction of a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to an antigen. |
| US08173135B2 |
Methods for preparing complex multivalent immunogenic conjugates
Methods for preparing complex multivalent immunogenic conjugates that include simultaneously reacting a plurality or immunogenic-distinct polysaccharides with at least one protein to make the complex multivalent immunogenic conjugates. The simultaneous reaction involves reaction of a hydrazide group on one reactant with an aldehyde or cyanate ester group on the other reactant. |
| US08173133B2 |
Acyl pseudodipeptides which carry a functionalized auxiliary arm
The present invention is directed in particular to dipeptide-like compounds derived from functionally substituted amino acids, having fatty acid chains bound thereto through amidification of the amine functional groups of said dipeptide-like compounds, one end portion of which bears an accessory functional side chain spacer, with the other end portion being an acid group either in neutral or charged state.Compounds of the present invention have immunomodulating properties like adjuvants, In addition, compounds of the invention can be grafted on a given antigen in order to modulate or tune the immune response or can be equally grafted on a pharmaceutical carrier to enhance the therapeutic effect or targeting thereof. Accordingly, compounds of the invention find use in human and veterinary medicine both as immunogens and diagnostic tools. |
| US08173131B2 |
Compositions and methods for modulating RSV infection and immunity
Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment or prevention of RSV disease by modulating RSV infection and immunity. In particular, amino acid sequences in the RSV G glycoprotein, containing the chemokine motif defined as C-X-X-X-C (or CX3C), are identified that are essential in causing RSV infection and disease. The chemokine motif is biologically active and participates in virus binding to and infection of susceptible cells. The prevention or treatment of RSV infection is achieved by interfering with the motif, such as by administering a vaccine in which the motif is altered or by administration or induction of blocking molecules that inhibit the biological activity of the motif. |
| US08173130B2 |
Antibodies against flagellin and uses thereof
The present invention provides a novel class of monoclonal antibodies which have a high affinity, broad spectrum neutralizing reactivity to flagellin from various Gram-negative bacteria including, but not limited to, E. coli, Salmonella, Serratia, Proteus, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Campylobacter and Pseudomonas. The present invention further provides methods of treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and methods of treating enterobacterial infections using anti-flagellin antibodies in humans, other animals and birds. |
| US08173127B2 |
Specific antibodies to amyloid beta peptide, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof
The invention relates to methods of treating a subject having Alzheimer's Disease, comprising the step of administering an antibody molecule which is targeted to β amyloid peptide or to fragment thereof. In another embodiment the invention relates to methods of treating a disease or a disorder, characterized by amyloid beta deposition. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody molecule, which is free end-specific for the N-terminus or the C-terminus of an amyloid β peptide and to a pharmaceutical composition thereof. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an antibody molecule, which is targeted to the free C or N-terminus of a N-and/or C-terminus truncated amyloid β peptide fragment. |
| US08173124B2 |
Method to treat using antagonistic anti-hTNFSF13b human antibodies
Human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to TNFSF13b polypeptides are disclosed. These antibodies have high affinity for hTNFSF13b (e.g., KD=10−8 M or less), a slow off rate for TNFSF13b dissociation (e.g., Koff=10−3 sec−1 or less) and neutralize TNFSF13b activity in vitro and in vivo. The antibodies of the invention are useful in one embodiment for inhibiting TNFSF13b activity in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hTNFSF13b activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the present invention, as well as, vectors and host cells for expressing them are also encompassed by the invention. |
| US08173118B2 |
Compositions consisting essentially of TGF-β, BMP-2 FGF-4, leukemia inhibitory factor, IGF-1, IL-6 and H-α-thrombin
This document provides methods and materials for treating cardiovascular tissue. For example, stem cells, compositions containing stem cells, methods for obtaining stem cells, compositions for generating stem cells expressing particular markers (e.g., compositions comprising TGF-β1, BMP-2, FGF-4, and leukemia inhibitory factor), and methods for repairing cardiovascular tissue are provided. |
| US08173114B2 |
Excretion accelerator for accumulative chlorine compound
An agent for promoting excretion of an accumulative chlorine compound comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable anion exchange resin, which is a novel agent that is for promoting the excretion of an accumulative chlorine compound and is capable of efficiently excreting residual chlorinated compounds including dioxins as typical examples. |
| US08173113B1 |
Bioadhesive composition and patch
A bioadhesive composition that adheres suitably to a mucosal surface and is capable of delivering drugs in sustained fashion, and a patch comprising the bioadhesive composition. Methods of using and processes for preparing the bioadhesive composition are also described. |
| US08173112B2 |
Emulsified composition for hair
An emulsified composition for hair, which contains a nonionic surfactant that is a solid at normal temperature and has a Krafft point of at least 40° C., an oil component, and water, and which has an average emulsified particle size of 0.5 μm or less, provides long-lasting luster. Further, an emulsified composition for hair, which is an water-in-oil emulsified composition and which contains the following two types of oil phase as the oil phase, improves the feel of hair immediately after use: 1) an oil phase with an average particle size of 0.5 μm or less, formed with a nonionic surfactant that is a solid at normal temperature and has a Krafft point of at least 40° C., and 2) an oil phase with an average particle size of 0.5 to 100 μm, formed with a surfactant and/or an alkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer. |
| US08173111B2 |
Hair cleansing compositions
A hair cleansing composition comprises the following ingredients (A) to (C): (A) a hydroxymonocarboxylic acid, or a salt thereof, (B) an organic solvent, and (C) an anionic surfactant having a sulfate group; and has a pH of from 1 to 4 when diluted 20-fold by weight with water and a buffer capacity not lower than 0.005 gram equivalent/L but lower than 0.2 gram equivalent/L. |
| US08173109B2 |
Eyelash cosmetic
An eyelash cosmetic according to present invention, by blending (a) wax and/or (b) resin, and (c) hollow powder, can impart a voluminous feeling and, at the same time, perform excellent curling effect and curl retaining effect, and excellent usability such as easiness eyelash coating, and easiness overlaying, and also perform excellent uniformity of finishing, water resistance and oil resistance after coating. |
| US08173107B2 |
Delivery of antipsychotics through an inhalation route
The present invention relates to the delivery of antipsychotics through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing antipsychotics that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, an antipsychotic is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a composition, wherein the composition comprises an antipsychotic, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles with less than 5% antipsychotic drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering an antipsychotic through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of an antipsychotic composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol. |
| US08173103B2 |
Inhibition of cancer metastasis
P-Selectin on platelets and endothelium binds cell surface chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycans, which are abundantly and stably expressed on the surface many cancer cells. Binding of the cancer cells through the CS moieties may be blocked to inhibit the interaction of cancer cells with platelets and endothelium. The present inventors disclose compositions and methods for the inhibition of cancer metastasis. |
| US08173101B2 |
Method for removal of heavy metals
The invention relates to a method for removing heavy metal ions from the lattice of tectosilicates or phyllosilicates, especially from zeolite mineral, particularly clinoptilolite, by exchanging ions with calcium ions. According to the inventive method, the zeolite rock is brought in contact with hydrochloric and ammonium-containing solutions in a chain of exchange reactors such that a large part of the cations of the lattice are replaced with ammonium ions, and the ammonium ions located in the lattice are replaced with calcium in a basic calcium hydroxide solution. The ammonium or ammonia used in the process is conducted in the circuit by binding the same in hydrochloric acid as an ammonium ion from the exchange solutions by conveying anhydrous ammonia and can be fed back to the exchange solution. The ions from the lattice that are exchanged are essentially precipitated as phosphate, carbonate, or hydroxide. |
| US08173099B2 |
Method of forming a porous aluminous material
An aggregate material includes an aluminous material and a toughening agent in contact with the aluminous material. The aluminous material has a primary aspect ratio of at least about 1.5 and a particle size between about 30 nm and about 1000 nm. |
| US08173096B2 |
Carbon nanosphere with at least one opening, method for preparing the same, carbon nanosphere-impregnated catalyst using the carbon nanosphere, and fuel cell using the catalyst
A carbon nanosphere has at least one opening. The carbon nanosphere is obtained by preparing a carbon nanosphere and treating it with an acid to form the opening. The carbon nanosphere with at least one opening has higher utilization of a surface area and electrical conductivity and lower mass transfer resistance than a conventional carbon nanotube, thus allowing for higher current density and cell voltage with a smaller amount of metal catalyst per unit area of a fuel cell electrode. |
| US08173095B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing graphene oxide layers on an insulating substrate
In a method of making a functionalized graphitic structure, a portion of a multi-layered graphene surface extending from a silicon carbide substrate is exposed to an acidic environment so as to separate graphene layers in a portion of the multi-layered graphene surface. The portion of the multi-layered graphene surface is exposed to a functionalizing material that binds to carbon atoms in the graphene sheets so that the functionalizing material remains between the graphene sheets, thereby generating a functionalized graphitic structure. The functionalized graphitic structure is dried in an inert environment. |
| US08173093B2 |
Iron silicide sputtering target and method for production thereof
Provided is an iron silicide sputtering target in which the oxygen as the gas component in the target is 1000 ppm or less, and a manufacturing method of such iron silicide sputtering target including the steps of melting/casting high purity iron and silicon under high vacuum to prepare an alloy ingot, subjecting the ingot to gas atomization with inert gas to prepare fine powder, and thereafter sintering the fine powder. With this iron silicide sputtering target, the amount of impurities will be reduced, the thickness of the βFeSi2 film during deposition can be made thick, the generation of particles will be reduced, a uniform and homogenous film composition can be yielded, and the sputtering characteristics will be favorable. The foregoing manufacturing method is able to stably produce this target. |
| US08173091B2 |
Method for preparing nanophosphor from metal hydroxy carbonate and nanophosphor prepared by the method
Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a nanophosphor from a metal hydroxy carbonate and a nanophosphor prepared by the method. The method is capable of mass-production of a uniform particle-size nanophosphor with superior dispersibility and enables reduction in preparation costs. The nanophosphor prepared by the disclosed method exhibits high luminescence efficiency. |
| US08173084B2 |
Yb:Y2O3 ceramic powders
A high purity nano-sized Yb3+ doped Y2O3 (Yb:Y2O3) ceramic powder with a narrow size distribution and without hard agglomerates is provided. Also provided is a process for manufacturing the same wherein water in the reaction bath is replaced by a non-water washing agent having little or no hydrogen bonding capability to inhibit the formation of hard agglomerates in the ceramic powder. |
| US08173083B2 |
Catalytic reactors
A compact catalytic reactor defines a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately in the reactor, for carrying first and second fluids, respectively, wherein at least the first fluids undergo a chemical reaction. Each first flow channel containing a removable gas-permeable catalyst structure (20) incorporating a metal substrate, the catalyst structure defining flow paths therethrough, with catalytic material on at least some surfaces of each such path. The catalyst structure also incorporates a multiplicity of projecting resilient lugs (22) which support the catalyst structure (20) spaced away from at least one adjacent wall of the channel (17). |
| US08173080B2 |
Flow cells and manifolds having an electroosmotic pump
A flows cell for use in a microfluidic detection system is provided. The flow cell includes a flows cell body having a channel that is configured to convey a solution through the flows cell body. The flow cell also includes a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface is configured to be removably held by the detection system, and the top surface is transparent and permits light to pass therethrough. The flow cell body also includes fluidic inlet and outlet ports that are in fluid communication with the channel. A pump cavity is also provided in the flow cell body. The pump cavity fluidly communicates with, and is interposed between, an end of the channel and one of the fluidic inlet and outlet ports. An electroosmotic (EO) pump is held in the pump cavity. The EO pump induces flow of the solution through the EO pump and channel between the fluidic inlet and outlet ports. |
| US08173076B2 |
Method and apparatus for making acetic acid with improved light ends column productivity
An improved apparatus and method of producing acetic acid includes condensing overhead vapor to provide reflux to the light ends column as well as condensing vapor from a central portion of the light ends column to increase capacity. Throughput or load on the light ends column is substantially reduced without compromising product quality. |
| US08173073B2 |
Portable microfluidic radiosynthesis system for positron emission tomography biomarkers and program code
Methods and devices for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in a fast, efficient and compact manner are disclosed. In particular, the various embodiments of the present invention provide an automated, stand-alone, hands-free operation of the entire radiosynthesis cycle on a microfluidic device with unrestricted gas flow through the reactor, starting with target water and yielding purified PET radiotracer within a period of time shorter than conventional chemistry systems. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is related to a microfluidic chip for radiosynthesis of a radiolabeled compound, comprising a reaction chamber, one or more flow channels connected to the reaction chamber, one or more vents connected to said reaction chamber, and one or more integrated valves to effect flow control in and out of said reaction chamber. |
| US08173068B2 |
Fluid exchange in a chamber on a microscope slide
A sample chamber is formed by a housing sealed against a microscope slide. The housing has fluid ports, including a well formed over at least one port. In a rinse station, rinse solution is drawn from a reservoir through the chamber to a waste reservoir. At a fill station, an aliquot of reagent already placed in the well is driven into the chamber. The reagent may be driven into the chamber by first drawing a vacuum on the chamber through the aliquot of reagent and then releasing the reagent to be drawn into the chamber by the vacuum. |
| US08173067B2 |
Organic compound and metal ion synergistic disinfection and purification system and method of manufacture
A new, novel and useful disinfection and purification system comprised of organic compounds in synergistic action with selected metal ions and method of manufacture and use. One of the benefits that is derived from this system is the ability to quickly and easily treat a surface, fluid or medium for disinfection of bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae and protozoans, with a non-toxic, non-chlorinated mixture that effectively kills all such organisms in minutes or hours. The disinfection and purification system remains effective for long periods of time maintaining its disinfection capacity making it highly effective for stored or transported mediums such as potable drinking water. The disinfection and purification system may be incorporated with carbon block or membrane filters to disinfect filtered liquids such as water to render it potable. The disinfection and purification system may be infused into semi-permeable surfaces or applied to non-porous surfaces such that the disinfectant compounds of the system would be delivered to surface of an object to be disinfected by leaching, capillary action, mere contact, water activation and/or osmosis/diffusion. |
| US08173066B2 |
Method for irradiating thrombocyte concentrates in flexible containers with ultra-violet light
The invention relates to a method for inactivating pathogens such as bacteria and viruses and/or leucocytes in thrombocyte concentrations by irradiation in flexible containers with ultra-violet light using agitation. The blood product is packaged in a flexible bag to permit the intermixing of the fluid by agitation (tilting, rotation, translation). This is also promoted by the filling of the bag to a maximum 30% of the filling capacity. |
| US08173065B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for a takeout holder and insert
The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for handling glass containers that has a takeout jaw assembly with a base with a first side, a second side and a groove. The groove extends from the first side to the second side and is adapted to fit an insert. The groove also has a recess with one or more flexible retaining tabs positioned to secure the insert and a yoke extending substantially perpendicular from the base. |
| US08173061B2 |
Pattern transfer method
A pattern transfer method for filling a surface on a template having a concave-convex pattern with a resist material has contacting the template with the resist material applied on a substrate, curing the resist material while contacting the template with the resist, electrically charging the template and the resist with an identical polarity, and removing the template from the resist material while eclectically charging the template and the resist with an identical polarity. |
| US08173059B2 |
Manufacturing process improvement
A method of manufacturing an article using stereolithography in which the article includes at least one feature that defines an isolated volume is described. The method includes the step of forming one or more removable structures within said isolated volume from cured resin during the stereolithography process. The removable structures restrict the flow of liquid resin within said isolated volume. |
| US08173055B2 |
Multi-ring system for fuselage barrel formation
An aircraft fuselage barrel (10) includes a skin (12) and a shear tie (18). The shear tie (18) resides within and is integrally formed with the skin (12). The shear tie (18) is separate from and configured for frame attachment thereon. A multi-ring system (79) for fuselage barrel formation includes a mold (68) with a ring (50). The ring (50) has width (W2) approximately equal to a separation distance (D) between two adjacent fuselage frames (22) and includes a module (52) that has a circumferential length (L1) that is greater than a circumferential distance between two fuselage longerons (14). A support structure (80) is coupled to and supports the mold (68). A method of forming the aircraft fuselage barrel (10) includes constructing the support structure (80). Rings (86) of the mold (68) are attached to and over the support structure (80). The mold (68) is constructed. Material is laid-up onto the mold (68) to integrally form the one-piece fuselage barrel (10) including a Hat-configured longeron (14). |
| US08173054B2 |
Silicon carbide based porous material and method for production thereof
A silicon carbide-based porous material is provided, including silicon carbide particles as an aggregate, metallic silicon and an oxide phase containing Si, Al and an alkaline earth metal. The silicon carbide-based porous material is high in porosity and strength and superior in oxidation resistance and thermal shock resistance and, when used as a filter, has a very low risk of fluid leakage causing defects such as cuts and the like, as well as a low pressure loss. |
| US08173052B2 |
Writing implement with thermochromic coloring color-memory composition
A writing implement with a thermochromic coloring color-memory composition which comprises a homogeneous solubilized mixture of (A) an electron donative coloring organic compound, (B) an electron accepting compound and (C) a reaction medium which controls color reactions of the components (A) and (B), wherein a complete decoloring temperature (T4) of the thermochromic coloring color-memory composition is 50° C. or higher and a coloring starting temperature (T2) of thermochromic coloring color-memory composition is 10° C. or lower regarding the color density-temperature curve, and the thermochromic coloring color-memory composition has color-memory ability at the ordinary temperature range. |
| US08173051B2 |
Insulated ultrafine powder, process for producing same and resin composite material with high dielectric constant using same
There are disclosed insulated ultrafine powder comprising electroconductive ultrafine powder which is in the form of sphere, spheroid or acicular each having a minor axis in the range of 1 to 100 nm and an insulating film applied thereto; a process for producing the same which is capable of covering the surfaces of the insulated ultrafine powder with the insulating film having a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 100 nm without causing any clearance or vacancy; and a resin composite material which uses the same. A high dielectric constant of the material is assured by adding a small amount of insulated ultrafine powder wherein an insulating film is applied to the electroconductive ultrafine powder, while maintaining the processability and moldability that are the characteristics inherent in a resin material. |
| US08173050B2 |
Conductive pattern formation ink, conductive pattern and wiring substrate
A conductive pattern formation ink which can be stably ejected in the form of liquid droplets and form a conductive pattern having high reliability, a conductive pattern having high reliability, and a wiring substrate provided with the conductive pattern and having high reliability are provided. The conductive pattern formation ink is used for forming a conductive pattern by ejecting the ink in the form of liquid droplets on a surface of a ceramic molded body using a liquid droplet ejecting method, the ceramic molded body being made of a material containing ceramic particles and a binder. The ink contains a water-based dispersion medium, and metal particles dispersed in the water-based dispersion medium, wherein the water-based dispersion medium contains oxygen molecules and nitrogen molecules, and wherein when the water-based dispersion medium is analyzed using a gas chromatography method, a total amount of the oxygen and nitrogen molecules contained in the water-based dispersion medium is 12 ppm or less. |
| US08173049B2 |
Electrode materials with high surface conductivity
The present invention concerns electrode materials capable of redox reactions by electrons and alkali ions exchange with an electrolyte. The applications are in the field of primary (batteries) or secondary electrochemical generators, super capacitors and light modulating system of the super capacitor type. |
| US08173046B2 |
Method of producing a conductive polymer film
A conductive polymer film is produced by drying out a solution of conductive polymer and a dopant thereof to obtain a dried film.A dried film obtained from the solution is treated, in a reaction vessel, with an organic solvent and pressurized carbon dioxide. |
| US08173044B1 |
Process for biomass conversion to synthesis gas
Biomass is processed through a biomass fractioning system that creates, through the application of selective temperature ramps and pressure shocks, a series of useful volatile components and BMF char, wherein the BMF char is reacted sacrificially with any one stream of methane, carbon dioxide, steam or oxygen to create highly pure synthesis gas with a controllable range of compositions. The resulting synthesis gas may be used in any desired manner, including conversion to oxygenates such as methanol and dimethyl ether, and to hydrocarbons. |
| US08173043B2 |
Process for producing fluorescent substance composite glass and fluorescent substance composite glass green sheet
The present invention provides a fluorescent substance composite glass which is chemically stable, has a large size, is reduced in wall thickness, has a uniform thickness and therefore has a high energy conversion efficiency; a fluorescent substance composite glass green sheet and a process for producing the fluorescent substance composite glass. The fluorescent substance composite glass of the present invention is produced by baking a mixture containing a glass powder and an inorganic fluorescent substance powder, in which the energy conversion efficiency to a visible light wavelength region of 380 to 780 nm is 10% or more, when light having an emission peak in a wavelength range of 350 to 500 nm is applied. |
| US08173028B2 |
Method of manufacturing magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording including two side shields
A magnetic head includes a pole layer, first and second side shields, and an encasing layer having first to third grooves that accommodate the pole layer and the first and second side shields. A manufacturing method for the magnetic head includes the step of forming the first to third grooves in a nonmagnetic layer by using an etching mask layer having first to third openings. This step includes the steps of forming the first groove by etching the nonmagnetic layer using the first opening, with the second and third openings covered with a first mask; and forming the second and third grooves by etching the nonmagnetic layer using the second and third openings, with the first opening covered with a second mask. |
| US08173026B2 |
Pressurized water evaporation system and method of evaporating water
Pressurized water evaporation systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from water impoundment ponds or other waste water sources. Water evaporation systems include one or more water evaporation barrels having an air acceleration chamber, water atomization chamber, and pressurizable air and water lines in fluid communication with the barrel. Fast moving air and water create fine water droplets within the water atomization chamber of each barrel. A fine spray or mist of tiny water droplets is emitted from a discharge nozzle of each barrel. Water evaporation systems and methods can be used to efficiently evaporate waster water produced by a wide variety of industrial processes, including waste water produced at oil or gas wells. |
| US08173025B2 |
Water evaporation device and method of evaporating water
Water evaporation devices, systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from water impoundment ponds or other waste water sources. Water evaporation devices include a water evaporation barrel having an air acceleration chamber that creates venturi suction so as to draw water from a water source into a venturi chamber. Fast moving air and water create fine water droplets within a water atomization chamber, which droplets are then emitted from the water evaporation barrel through a discharge nozzle and into the air as a spray or cloud of fine water droplets. Water evaporation devices and associated systems and methods can be used to efficiently evaporate waster water produced by a wide variety of industrial processes. |
| US08173023B2 |
Method and apparatus for treatment of a fluid
An apparatus for the magnetic treatment of a fluid which produces at least one magnetic field for a period of time, Tc at or above a critical magnetic field strength, Hc, the period Tc and the field strength Hc determined relative to one another and dependant upon the properties of the fluid. |
| US08173022B2 |
Method for manufacturing packing material, packing material, and column
A method for manufacturing a packing material includes a first step of reacting an inorganic particle having a hydroxyl group with a silane coupling agent including a silane coupling agent having an alkenyl group with a carbon number of 2 or more and 8 or less and/or an alkynyl group with a carbon number of 2 or more and 7 or less and a second step of reacting the inorganic particle having reacted with the silane coupling agent, with a compound represented by a general formula of: (in the formula, R1 is an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 or more and 50 or less or an aryl group with a carbon number of 6 or more and 30 or less and each of R2 and R3 is independently a hydrogen atom, a chloro group, or an alkyl group with a carbon number of 1 or more and 4 or less.). |
| US08173020B2 |
Method for removing contaminants from water using a membrane biofilm reactor
Apparatus and methods for water treatment are described, particularly for the simultaneous removal of nitrate, perchlorate, and other organic contaminates from contaminated water using a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). |
| US08173018B2 |
Fluid filter module including sealed boss
A fluid filter module including an end cap assembly disposed about at least one end of a tubular-shaped housing. The end cap assembly includes a base, fluid port and sealed boss which may optionally comprise an integrally molded structure. |
| US08173017B2 |
Single-cell mechanical flotation system
A mechanical flotation system having only one cell may be nearly as efficient as one having two or more cells, yet provide an apparatus with a considerably smaller footprint, significantly reduced capital and operating costs, as well as be resistant to floating oil recovery platform wave effects. The single-cell mechanical flotation system may have one skim collection channel that at least partially surrounds a single gas ingestion and mixing mechanism. At least one baffle may direct suspended matter or floc toward the skim collection which may be circular. The gas layer over the liquid is not vented for the purpose of gasification. The vessel may be a cylindrical pressure vessel oriented vertically, and optionally the inlet may be tangential to the periphery of the vessel to impart liquid rotation inside the vessel when liquid is introduced. |
| US08173012B1 |
Marine oil leak recovery and marine petroleum mining method
A vertical flexible oil flow director hose is used to recover, to guide, and to filter the spilled oil from its source beneath the sea floor to the surface of water and to accumulate the floating oil therein for being ready to be pumped into an oil tanker. The said hose extends in the sea all the way from the sea floor to the surface of water by connecting its lower end to a circular sinking weight block and its upper end to a hollow doughnut-shaped floating device. The said hose includes two main portions abutting each other, the lower portion is for guiding and displacing water out through the gaps or meshes. The upper portion is for continued guiding and accumulating the oil in its upper section. A gas-tight dome cap having an opening at its bottom may be used to cap the upper opening of the oil accumulator well in the floating object, for holding the gas as necessary. A gas-compressor and gas tank or tanks will be equipped on the oil tanker ready to take and to store the gas. |
| US08173007B2 |
High temperature electrochemical characterization of molten metal corrosion
A system and method for the high temperature in-situ determination of corrosion characteristics of a molten metal on an alloy under study is provided which takes place within an insulated furnace. A graphite crucible provided in the furnace contains an electrolyte formed from a molten salt of a metal halide. A reference electrode formed from the same metal as the electrolyte is immersed in the electrolyte solution in the graphite crucible. A beta-alumina crucible containing a molten metal is also provided within the furnace and preferably within the graphite crucible. A measuring electrode formed from the alloy under study is immersed in the molten metal. Standard electrochemical techniques are used to measure and analyze the electrochemical effects of corrosion of the molten metal on the alloy. |
| US08173004B2 |
Method of manufacturing chromium plated article and chromium plating apparatus
A pulse current from a pulse current supply side is fed to a middle part of an anode holding body to which anodes are connected; both end portions of a cathode holding body, to which cathodes are connected, are connected to a negative pole on the pulse power source side; and inductances of wiring between adjacent anodes and inductances of wiring between adjacent cathodes are set at a ratio of 1:2:3:4 in a direction of spacing from a connection to the pulse power source side. Pulse currents are equally fed to each work and it can be ensured that chromium plating treatment of each work is made equal. |
| US08173000B1 |
Active matrix device and method of driving the same
An active matrix electrowetting on dielectric (AM-EWOD) device which includes a plurality of array elements configured to manipulate one or more droplets of fluid on an array, each of the array elements including a corresponding array element circuit. Each array element circuit includes a top substrate electrode and a drive electrode between which the one or more droplets may be positioned; circuitry configured to write data to the corresponding array element by selectively applying to the drive electrode either: (i) a time-varying voltage waveform V1 of amplitude VB and period t0; or (ii) a time-varying voltage waveform V2, the logical inverse of V1, and applying to the top substrate electrode the time-varying voltage waveform V2+Voffset, where Voffset represents an offset voltage signal which may have AC and/or DC components and may equal zero. |
| US08172998B2 |
Ionic solvents used in ionic polymer transducers, sensors and actuators
Ionic liquids are incorporated into transducers, actuators or sensors which employ the ionic polymer membranes. The ionic liquids have superior electrochemical stability, low viscosity and low vapor pressure. The transducers, actuators and sensors which utilize ionic polymer membranes solvated with ionic liquids have long term air stability. Superior results are achieved when a conductive powder and ionomer mixture is applied to the ionic polymer membrane to form the electrodes during or after the ionic liquid is imbibed into the ionic polymer membrane. |
| US08172994B2 |
Biomaterial measuring device and manufacturing method thereof
A method of producing a biomaterial measuring device is disclosed. The method includes forming a plurality of reactions elements, to which an assay reagent is applied, on a first substrate, cutting the resulting first substrate in a unit of individual reaction element, and attaching a first substrate piece, which is formed by cutting the resulting first substrate in the unit of individual reaction element, to a predetermined portion of a second substrate. In the biomaterial measuring device, since a material cost in minimized and it is easy to automate production, it is possible to reduce a production, it is possible to reduce a production cost. |
| US08172981B2 |
Separating lignin from black liquor by precipitation, suspension and separation
A method for controlling the sodium and sulphur balance of a pulp mill while separating lignin from black liquor, and also a lignin product or an intermediate lignin product obtainable by the method. The present invention also provides use of a lignin product or an intermediate lignin product for the production of fuel (solid, gaseous or liquid) or materials. |
| US08172980B2 |
Device with self aligned gaps for capacitance reduction
A method for reducing capacitances between semiconductor device wirings is provided. A sacrificial layer is formed over a dielectric layer. A plurality of features are etched into the sacrificial layer and dielectric layer. The features are filled with a filler material. The sacrificial layer is removed, so that parts of the filler material remain exposed above a surface of the dielectric layer, where spaces are between the exposed parts of the filler material, where the spaces are in an area formerly occupied by the sacrificial layer. Widths of the spaces between the parts of the filler material are shrunk with a shrink sidewall deposition. Gaps are etched into the dielectric layer through the shrink sidewall deposition. The filler material and shrink sidewall deposition are removed. |
| US08172977B2 |
Methods and apparatus for application of nested zero waste ear to traveling web
The present invention provides a process wherein a rotary knife or die, with one or more cutting edges, turns against and in coordination with a corresponding cylinder to create preferably trapezoidal ears. Ear material is slit into two lanes, one for a left side of a diaper and the other for a right side of a diaper. Fastening tapes are applied to both the right and the left ear webs. The ear material is then die cut with a nested pattern on a synchronized vacuum anvil. The resulting discrete ear pieces however, due to the trapezoidal pattern of the ears, alternate between a correct orientation and an incorrect (reversed) orientation. The reversed ear is required to be rotated 180° into the correct orientation such that the ears and associated tape present a left ear and a right ear on the diaper. |
| US08172970B2 |
Method for the production of an upper shoe part
The invention relates to a method for the production of at least one layer (1) of a shoe upper or of a part of a shoe upper, wherein a nonwoven fabric (2) made of thermoplastic elastomere (TPE) is used as the basic material for at least a section of the layer (1) of the shoe upper. To influence the local properties of the material selectively in a cost efficient manner the invention suggests that at least partitions (3) of the surface of the nonwoven fabric (2) are exposed to a welding beam (4) in such a manner, that in those partitions (3) at least a partial melting of the nonwoven fabric (2) takes place, so that the density of the material is increased in the molten partitions (3). |
| US08172968B2 |
Method and system for contacting of a flexible sheet and a substrate
The invention relates to a method for contacting a flexible sheet to a first element with improved lateral alignment. The method includes a step of measuring a first lateral misalignment after establishing a first contact between the flexible sheet and either of the first element and a sheet parking surface called anchor in the first stage. If the 5 misalignment exceeds a predetermined threshold the flexible sheet is parked at the anchor such that it is not in contact with the first element, and the relative position of the first element and the anchor is altered during the second stage for correcting the mismatch during a contact between the flexible sheet and the first element to be established within the next step of the method. During the steps of shifting the contact point to obtain the second stage 10 the contacting process is more accurate and reproducible than the process for establishing the initial contact. The invention also relates to an apparatus for executing the method, and the use of the method and apparatus for the manufacture of devices. |
| US08172966B2 |
Non-lethal payloads
Non-lethal payloads may be customized for particular uses and desired visual and audible incapacitation based upon the selection of igniter/activators and illuminants used with the non-lethal payloads. Non-lethal payloads employing high flame temperature igniter/activators and illuminants of powder metals, powdered metals combined with oxidizers, and powdered metals combined with heat-activated chromophores may produce improved “flashes” and “bangs” for non-lethal payloads used with diversionary or other devices. Such devices and methods of producing illuminance and noise are also disclosed. |