Document Document Title
US08461910B2 High efficiency negative regulated charge-pump
A charge-pump circuit includes at least one flying capacitor stage having a capacitor with a first terminal selectively coupled between a negative voltage input through a first electronic switch and a negative voltage output through a second electronic switch. A second terminal of the capacitor is selectively coupled between a fixed voltage node through a third electronic switch and an error signal input through a fourth electronic switch. A positive voltage source is coupled to the negative voltage output through a feedback network. A feedback amplifier having an error signal output, a reference voltage input, and a feedback input is coupled to the feedback network. A switch controller having a first clock output drives the first electronic switch and the third electronic switch, while a second clock output drives the second electronic switch and the fourth electronic switch.
US08461909B2 Voltage booster
A voltage booster device may include a plurality of multiplication stages arranged in a sequence so that an input terminal of each multiplication stage, with the exception of a first multiplication stage, is connected to an output terminal of a previous multiplication stage. Each multiplication stage may include pumping circuitry for accumulating an electric charge proportional to a pump voltage value of the multiplication stage. Each multiplication stage may also include a phase signal generating circuit for switching the multiplication stages between a transfer phase and a maintaining phase. In at least one of the stages, the pumping circuitry may include at least two series connected charge accumulators. A terminal may be shared between the charge accumulators and may be connected through biasing circuitry to an output terminal of a previous multiplication stage for forcing the charge accumulators within a threshold potential drop value.
US08461902B2 Multiplexer circuit with load balanced fanout characteristics
A multiplexer (MUX) circuit with balanced select line loading is provided. The MUX circuit includes a plurality of 2:1 MUX units coupled together in a multistage cascading arrangement, along with a selection module coupled to the MUX units. The MUX units are arranged in an initial MUX stage, at least one intermediate MUX stage coupled to and following the initial MUX stage, and a final MUX stage coupled to and following the at least one intermediate MUX stage. Each MUX unit is controlled with a respective select bit input value provided by the selection module. The selection module controls the operation of the MUX units in the initial MUX stage with a first plurality of different select bits, controls the operation of the MUX units in the at least one intermediate MUX stage with a second plurality of different select bits, and controls the operation of the final MUX stage with a devoted select bit.
US08461900B2 Frequency converting circuit, signal processing circuit and receiver
An example frequency converting circuit generates a multiplied signal obtained by multiplying a local signal by an amplified signal generated by an amplifying portion. The frequency converting circuit includes a converter which converts the amplified signal into a current signal and a switching circuit which multiplies the current signal by the local signal and generates the multiplied signal. An impedance element supplies a first direct current from the amplifier and a second direct current from the switching circuit to the converter.
US08461897B2 Apparatus and method for well buffering
Apparatuses and methods for well buffering are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) switch having a gate, a drain, a source, and a well. The source and drain are formed in the well, and the gate is formed adjacent the well between the source and drain. The source is configured to receive a bias voltage from a power amplifier. The apparatus further includes a gate bias control block for biasing the gate voltage of the switch, a well bias control block for biasing the well voltage of the switch, and a buffer circuit for increasing the impedance between the well bias control block and the well of the switch.
US08461895B2 Per die temperature programming for thermally efficient integrated circuit (IC) operation
Methods and apparatus to provide per die temperature programming for thermally efficient integrated circuit (IC) operation are described. In some embodiments, the junction temperature of an IC component is determined, e.g., to reduce power consumption and/or improve performance. Other embodiments are also described.
US08461892B1 Interpolation circuit and interpolation system
An interpolation circuit, includes a bias generating module, a load module consisting of a current source sub-module and a load resistance sub-module, first and second clock control modules, and an output module. The first clock control module includes a first input sub-module, a first source terminal negative feedback sub-module, a first multiplex switch sub-module and a first multiplex current sink sub-module. The bias generating module includes first, second and third FETs, and a bias current terminal. The current source sub-module includes fourth and fifth FETs. The load resistance sub-module includes first and second resistors. The first input sub-module includes sixth and seventh FETs. The first source terminal negative feedback sub-module includes a third resistor and a first capacitor. The first multiplex switch sub-module includes first and second groups of switches. The first multiplex current sink sub-module includes first and second groups of FETs. An interpolation system is further provided.
US08461891B1 Voltage compensated integrated circuits
A method and system of voltage compensated integrated circuits. Operating characteristics of integrated circuitry are enhanced by application of voltage compensation.
US08461888B2 Dual phase detector phase-locked loop
A phase-locked loop for generating an output signal that has a predetermined frequency relationship with a reference signal, the phase-locked loop comprising a signal generator arranged to generate the output signal, a charge pump arranged to generate current pulses for controlling the signal generator, two control units for controlling a duration of the current pulses generated by the charge pump and a selection unit arranged to select either the first control unit or the second control unit to control the charge pump, wherein a first one of the control units is arranged to continuously monitor a phase-difference between the reference signal and a feedback signal formed from the output signal and to, when selected by the selection unit, control the charge pump to output a current pulse having a duration that is dependent on that phase-difference and a second one of the control units is arranged to, when selected by the selection unit, control the charge pump to output a current pulse of predetermined duration that compensates for a phase error in the feedback signal.
US08461877B2 CMOS circuit with dynamic parasitic net pulldown circuit
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit is described. The CMOS circuit includes a plurality of CMOS gates, a plurality of logic inputs and a logic output. Each CMOS gate is connected to a negative power supply terminal (Vss) and a positive power supply terminal (Vdd). The CMOS circuit further includes parasitic nets connected to the CMOS gates, and net pulldown circuits for eliminating a charge accumulation on the parasitic nets while avoiding potential short circuit conditions. The CMOS gates may be OR-AND-INVERT (OAI) gates or AND-OR-INVERT (AOI) gates.
US08461876B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes two unit circuits and a control unit. A middle point between the unit circuits is coupled with an inductive load. Each unit circuit includes a first switching element and a free wheel diode coupled in inverse-parallel with the first switching element. At least one of the unit circuits further includes a bypass section coupled in parallel with the first switching element and the free wheel diode. The bypass section includes a second switching element and a resistor coupled in series. The controller alternately turns on the first switching elements with a dead time during which both the first switching elements are turned off. The controller controls the second switching element coupled in parallel with one of the first switching elements to be an on-state when the one of the first switching elements transitions from an off-state to an on-state in the dead time.
US08461870B2 Non-volatile multiplexer-type programmable routing switch
A reconfigurable integrated circuit has non-volatile storage cells which form a plurality of programmable routing switches between basic tiles. The circuit includes a plurality of non-volatile storage cells providing a multiplexer-type programmable routing switch including a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal. The non-volatile storage cells are structured as a field effect transistor with a switch function and are placed in a propagation path of signal voltage from the input terminals to the output terminal, and the non-volatile storage cells configure the multiplexer-type programmable routing switch to selectively propagate the signal voltage from the input terminals, to provide a control circuit which directly writes conducted or non-conducted status for the non-volatile storage cells, erases the connection information, and reads to verify the conducted or non-conducted status of the non-volatile storage cells.
US08461866B2 Device for storing pulse latch with logic circuit
A device for storing pulse latch with logic circuit and thus having signal maintaining function is provided, wherein the device is composed of a data signal, a scan data input signal, a stored signal, a choosing data input signal, a time clock signal, a restoring signal, a first signal channel, a scan latch, a second signal channel, a pulse latch, a normal output signal, an output signal, a first OR gate, a second OR gate, a third OR gate, a AND gate and an inverter connecting to one another. The device may store the data when being switch off and restore the data when being switch on again.
US08461854B2 Systems and methods for characterizing a molecule
Techniques for characterizing a molecule are described herein. In one example, a portion of the molecule is trapped in a nanopore, a variable voltage is applied across the nanopore until the trapped portion of molecule is moved within the nanopore, and the molecule is characterized based on the electrical stimulus required to affect movement of at least a portion of the trapped portion of the molecule within the nanopore.
US08461853B2 High voltage liquid dielectric test vessel
A test vessel assembly comprises a central test vessel defining a chamber in which a sample to be tested may be stored. A pair of side adjustable electrodes is received in the chamber and immersed in the sample under test to determine the breakdown voltage of the sample. A gap between the electrodes can be adjusted by respective electrode adjusting moved in and out of the test vessel by rotation of an associated adjusting wheel. To prevent the breakdown in air rather than in the sample, care is taken to ensure sufficiently large creepage and clearance distances between the connections to the electrodes and from the connections to the electrodes to a wall of the test chamber. To this end, the adjusting wheels include convolutions that mesh with corresponding convolutions in the test vessel.
US08461850B2 Time-domain measurements in a test and measurement instrument
A test and measurement instrument and method for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, digitizing the RF signal using an analog-to-digital converter, downconverting the digitized signal to produce I (in-phase) and Q (quadrature) baseband component information, generating one or more IQ-based time-domain traces using the I and Q baseband component information, and measuring and displaying a variety of measurement values of the IQ-based time-domain traces. The IQ-based time-domain measurement values can be automatically generated and displayed, and/or transmitted to an external device.
US08461848B2 Cable diagnostics for Base-T systems
An apparatus and method for cable diagnostics is disclosed for deployment as part of an Ethernet communication system to conduct diagnostics. The system transmits one or more pulses which are Ethernet compatible and of finite duration. Reflections are detected and through processing and measurement of the amplitude and round-trip delay of the pulse's reflection, cable faults are located. In one embodiment, this innovation uses an IEEE 802.3 compliant transmit pulse, such as an auto-negotiation signal (AN pulse), to conduct cable diagnostics. The benefits of a standard compliant allow for use with any vendor on the far-end and the signal requires no special hardware or software to produce and, therefore, reduces system complexity and cost. To reduce incorrect measurements, the apparatus measures cable length and termination with multiple AN pulses. It then applies non-linear filters to redundant measurements in such a way that it produces accurate cable diagnostics information.
US08461847B2 Electrical interconnect status monitoring system
Disclosed are advances in the arts with novel methods and apparatus for detecting faulty connections in an electrical system. Exemplary preferred embodiments include basic, ASIC, AC, DC, and RF monitoring techniques and systems for monitoring signals at one or more device loads and analyzing the monitored signals for determining fault conditions at the device loads and/or at the main transmission lines. The invention preferably provides the capability to test and monitor electrical interconnections without fully activating the host system.
US08461846B2 Vehicle battery testing
A method of estimating a state of charge of a battery in a vehicle undergoing a vehicle assembly process. The method may include the steps of: installing the battery in the vehicle; employing a sensor mounted in the vehicle to automatically sense battery net amp hours during at least a portion of the vehicle assembly process; storing the net amp hours in a control module mounted in the vehicle; mounting a data link connector in the vehicle to provide communication with the controller; temporarily connecting a tool connector of a battery test assembly to the data link connector and transmitting the stored net amp hours data to the battery test tool from the control module; and comparing the net amp hours to a predetermined maximum net amp hours to estimate if the state of charge of the battery is acceptable.
US08461842B2 Methods and systems for stabilizing an amplifier
The invention generally relates to stabilizing an MRI power delivery system. In one aspect, a stabilization module that is in electrical communication with the MRI power delivery system is provided. The stabilization module includes a closed loop control system. The closed loop control system is used to modify the at least one characteristic of the input signal. The modified input signal is provided to the MRI power delivery system.
US08461841B2 Means and method for thermoregulating magnets within magnetic resonance devices
The present invention discloses to a magnetic resonance device consisting of magnets housed within a cage, a thermal regulating system (TRS) adapted to thermoregulate the magnets to room temperature T±ΔT. TRS comprising a (i) preset array of one or more opened-bore channels provided within the cage and/or within the magnets; and, (ii) means for forcing fluid throughout the array of opened-bore channels, such that temperature T of the magnets is regulated to a preset range of ΔT.
US08461840B2 Magnetic resonance method and apparatus to generate an image using a parallel acquisition technique
In a magnetic resonance a method and apparatus to generate images by a parallel acquisition technique, a first echo train is generated after a first excitation pulse, wherein the first echo train sufficiently densely scans a segment of k-space to be scanned for an acquisition of coil calibration data. Coil calibration data are acquired by means of the first echo train after the first excitation pulse. The acquired coil calibration data are stored in a coil calibration data set. A second echo train is generated after a second excitation pulse, wherein the second echo train undersamples a segment of k-space to be scanned for an acquisition of image data. Image data are acquired by means of the second echo train after the second excitation pulse. The acquired image data are stored in an incomplete image data set. An image data set is generated by substituting data missing in the incomplete image data set due to the undersampling by means of a selected PAT reconstruction technique using the coil calibration data. The first echo train and the second echo train are generated by an identical sequence technique such that each echo train has a series of echoes, with a time interval between successive echoes of the first echo train being shorter than a time interval of the second echo train.
US08461839B2 Magnetic resonance control system, method and apparatus for producing a 2D MR image
In a method and control system for producing two-dimensional diagnostic MR images using a magnetic resonance imaging scanner, a first three-dimensional MR image data set of a predetermined region within a body is produced using the magnetic resonance imaging scanner with an initial resolution. A second three-dimensional MR image data set of the predetermined region with a second resolution is then produced using the magnetic resonance imaging scanner, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution. Using the first three-dimensional MR image data set, layers are determined for the diagnostic two-dimensional MR images to be produced. The two-dimensional MR images are then computed from the second MR image data set for these layers automatically.
US08461838B2 Method and device for selecting body model positions for SAR monitoring of a magnetic resonance transmit array
In a method and a device for specific absorption rate monitoring in a magnetic resonance system wherein multiple transmit coils are independently charged with respective currents, a primary model point voxel and at least one auxiliary model point voxel are automatically selected from among multiple voxels that model a modeled examination subject. The primary model point voxel is that voxel in which an absolute maximum of a total field variable occurs that is produced by the respective electrical fields emitted by the transmit coils. The at least one auxiliary model point voxel is that voxel in which a relative maximum of the variable occurs. The primary model point voxel and the at least one auxiliary model point voxel are stored, and specific absorption rate monitoring of an actual examination subject in the magnetic resonance system is implemented during the acquisition of magnetic resonance data in respective voxels of the actual examination subject corresponding to the stored primary model point voxel and the stored at least one auxiliary model point voxel.
US08461837B2 Magnetic resonance method and apparatus with display of data acquisition progress for a subject continuously moving through the apparatus
In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to display progress of the acquisition of measurement data of an examination region of an examination subject during continuous travel of the examination region through a magnetic resonance apparatus, a current projection image is calculated on the basis of current measurement data acquired from central k-space during the continuous travel of the examination region, and the currently calculated projection image is displayed. By the calculation of the projection images on the basis of measurement data from central k-space, this calculation can ensue particularly quickly and with little effort. A particularly fast display of the projection images is therefore possible. A projection image can be calculated particularly quickly and simply from measurement data along a central k-space line—i.e. a k-space line that runs through the center of k-space—using a one-dimensional Fourier transformation along this central k-space line.
US08461835B2 Current sensor
A current sensor includes a magnetic equilibrium sensor including a magnetic sensor element with characteristics changed by an inductive magnetic field from a measurement target current and a feedback coil provided in the vicinity of the magnetic sensor element and generating a canceling magnetic field canceling the inductive magnetic field, a shunt resistor connected to a current line through which the measurement target current flows, and a switching unit switching between shunt resistor detection of sensing and outputting a voltage difference of the shunt resistor, and magnetic equilibrium detection of sensing and outputting a current flowing in the feedback coil in an equilibrium state where current flows in the feedback coil according to the inductive magnetic field and the inductive magnetic field and the canceling magnetic field cancel each other.
US08461834B2 Magneto-impedance sensor element and method for manufacturing the same
A magneto-impedance sensor element is formed in a planar type structure in which an amorphous wire is incorporated in a substrate. The magneto-impedance sensor element includes a nonmagnetic substrate, an amorphous wire arranged in an aligning direction of a planar pattern that forms a detecting coil, a spiral detecting coil formed of a planar pattern and a cubic pattern on an outer periphery of the amorphous wire, a planar insulating portion that insulates the planar pattern from the amorphous wire, a wire fixing portion to fix the amorphous wire on an upper surface of the planar insulating portion, and a cubic insulating portion that insulates the cubic pattern from the amorphous wire.
US08461833B2 Method for determining the sensitivity of an acceleration sensor or magnetic field sensor
A method for determining the sensitivity of a sensor provides the following steps: a) first and second deflection voltages are applied to first and second electrode systems of the sensor, respectively, and first and second electrostatic forces are exerted on an elastically suspended seismic mass of the sensor by the first and second electrode systems, respectively, and a restoring force is exerted on the mass as a result of the elasticity of the mass, and a force equilibrium is established among the first and second electrostatic forces and the restoring force, and the mass assumes a deflection position characteristic of the force equilibrium, and an output signal characteristic of the force equilibrium and of the deflection position is measured; and b) the sensitivity of the sensor is computed on the basis of the first and second deflection voltages.
US08461832B2 Method of characterizing a polycrystalline diamond element by at least one magnetic measurement
In an embodiment, a method of characterizing a polycrystalline diamond element is disclosed. The method includes providing the polycrystalline diamond element, and measuring at least one magnetic characteristic of the polycrystalline diamond element.
US08461831B2 Flow tracking in block caving mining
The invention provides a method and system for monitoring the flow of ore in block cave mining operations by inserting an active magnetic beacon 1 into an ore body 22 and generating an alternating magnetic signal with the beacon 1. The ore is monitored with a magnetometer (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) to detect the magnetic flux emitted by the beacon 1 thereby determining a position of the beacon. Successive recordings of the position of the magnetic beacon are taken as it moves along with the ore as it “caves”. In this way, flow patterns of the ore may be revealed.
US08461828B2 Wheel speed detecting device
A wheel speed detecting device includes a countermeasure against the entrance of muddy water. An annular recess groove is provided in an outer circumference of an end portion of a hub on a sensor side. A cup-shaped flange portion extends from the sensor supporting member with the flange portion covering the annular recess groove while maintaining a predetermined gap T1 between the flange portion and the outer circumference of the end portion of the hub. Muddy water heads toward a multi-pole magnet ring by running through the gap T1 formed between the flange portion and the outer circumference of the hub. However, the entrance of muddy water can be effectively prevented by making the gap T1 small. Thus, muddy water that enters the gap T1 is trapped in the annular recess groove.
US08461827B2 Roller bearing arrangement with a sensor unit
The invention relates to a roller bearing (01), with a revolving bearing component (05) and a stationary bearing component (04), and with a capacitive sensor unit (02). The capacitive sensor unit (04) comprises a pivoted sensor element (08), which is connected to the revolving bearing component (05), and a stationary sensor element (09). The sensor units (08, 09) form a capacitor. At least one of the sensor elements (08, 09) bears a first material measure (14, 16), so that a change arises in the capacitance of the capacitor when there is a relative motion in the sensor areas (08, 09). The sensor unit also includes a means for generating a periodic electrostatic field between the sensor plates, and a processing and amplifying electronics unit for evaluating the change in capacitance.
US08461826B2 Device for the detection quadrature signals
A device (10) for the detection of quadrature signals of a signal unit (11; 21) has a common power supply line (VBATT_A & B) and a common ground wire (GND), and emits at least two out-of-phase square wave signals (IA, IB; IS, ID) during operation for analyzing the same in an analysis unit (16), wherein both out-of-phase square wave signals (IA, IB; IS, ID) are applied to the common power supply line (VBATT_A & B) at different amplitudes, wherein the two out-of-phase square wave signals (IA, IB; IS, ID) are modulated onto the supply current (I0)), and wherein the analysis unit (16) is or can be connected to the power supply line.
US08461825B2 Current measurement apparatus with shunt resistor and heat sink
A current measurement apparatus includes a shunt resistor (1) located between two terminal members (5, 6), each connected electrically to a respective end (4, 3) of the shunt resistor, and each extending over substantially the whole of an adjacent side face of the shunt resistor. Electrically insulating, thermally conductive material (8, 9) is provided between each side face of the shunt resistor (1) and the terminal members (5, 6), and serves to provide a thermal path for heat exchange between the shunt resistor and the terminals. The shunt resistor (1) is engineered to have the desired electrical properties, and the terminal members are connected by mechanical fasteners (13, 14) to ensure the required electrical properties without calibration. Measuring circuitry (15) is incorporated between the shunt resistor (1) and terminal members (5, 6). The invention is implemented as a compact assembly encased in an outer insulated housing (18, 19) and is conveniently connectable to a battery terminal, to monitor current flow.
US08461824B2 Current sensor
A current sensor includes a conductive element, at least two magnetic field sensors arranged on the conductive element and adapted to sense a magnetic field generated by a current through the conductor element. The at least two magnetic field sensors are arranged on opposite sides of a line perpendicular to a current flow direction in the conductive element, an insulating layer is arranged between the conductive element and the magnetic field sensors, and a conductor trace is connected to the magnetic field sensors.
US08461819B2 Current detector for guarding against negative potential of an output node thereof
A current detector is comprised of a switch portion having an input node, an output node and a detection node, the switch portion being configured to selectively shift a power current between the input node and the output node and a detection current between the input node and the detection node; a current controller configured to control the detection current so as to equalize voltages at the detection node and the output node, the current controller being coupled with the detection node and the output node and including a transistor and a diode coupled to the transistor in series so as to prevent impression of negative voltage on the transistor, the transistor and the diode being formed within a single monolithic substrate; and a monitor current output portion having a monitor node and being coupled with the current controller, the monitor current output portion being configured to mirror the detection current in the current controller to the monitor node.
US08461818B1 Transient response device, having parallel connected diode and transistor, for improving transient response of power supply
A device for improving transient response of a power supply includes a diode connected in series with an output of the power supply and configured to provide a predetermined voltage drop to an output voltage of the power supply. The device further includes a source follower transistor connected in parallel with the diode and configured to be selectively activated to remove at least a portion of the predetermined voltage drop of the diode from the output voltage of the power supply during a transient period, in which an output current of the device is increasing.
US08461811B2 Power capacitor alternative switch circuitry system for enhanced capacitor life
Reliability enhanced systems are shown where an short-lived electrolytic capacitor can be replaced by a much smaller, perhaps film type, longer-lived capacitor to be implemented in circuits for power factor correction, solar power conversion, or otherwise to achieve DC voltage smoothing with circuitry that has solar photovoltaic source (1) a DC photovoltaic input (2) internal to a device (3) and uses an enhanced DC-DC power converter (4) to provide a smoothed DC output (6) with capacitor substitution circuitry (14) that may include interim signal circuitry (28) that creates a large voltage variation for a replaced capacitor (16). Switchmode designs may include first and second switch elements (17) and (18) and an alternative path controller (21) that operates a boost controller (22) and a buck controller (23) perhaps with a switch duty cycle controller (32).
US08461810B2 Circuit for generating boosted voltage and method for operating the same
A boosted voltage generation circuit may include: a boosting circuit configured to boost an input voltage based on a boosting rate and output a boosted voltage, a boosting rate setting unit configured to receive a feedback on a level of the input voltage and set a boosting rate, and an input voltage level setting unit configured to set the level of the input voltage in response to a target level of the boosted voltage and the boosting rate.
US08461809B2 Power conditioning unit
The present invention relates to a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac output, particularly ac voltages greater than 50 volts, either for connecting directly to a grid utility supply, or for powering mains devices independent from the mains utility supply. We describe a power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains output, the power conditioning unit comprising an input for receiving power from said dc power source, an output for delivering ac power, an energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to said input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor, and a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to said energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to said output, wherein said energy storage capacitor has a capacitance of less than twenty microfarads.
US08461806B2 Systems and methods for cell balancing
A cell balancing circuit comprises a first cell having a first voltage, a second cell in series with the first cell and having a second voltage that is greater than the first voltage, and a bypass path in parallel with the second cell for enabling a bypass current for the second cell if a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is greater than a predetermined threshold. The bypass current is enabled for a balancing time period that is proportional to the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.
US08461801B2 Wireless charging jacket cover combined with a battery and wireless charging system thereof
A wireless charging jacket combined with a battery includes an induction coil, a control circuit, an isolation gasket, at least one conductive terminal, and a package material. The induction coil transforms an electromagnetic wave into an electrical energy. The control circuit performs a wireless charging operation upon the battery by using the electrical energy transformed by the induction coil. The isolation gasket is used for isolating the electromagnetic wave. The conductive terminal is coupled to the control circuit, wherein the wireless charging jacket performs the wireless charging operation upon the battery via the conductive terminal. The package material at least partially covers the battery, such that the battery is installed in the wireless charging jacket. The induction coil, the control circuit, the isolation gasket, and the conductive terminal are disposed on the package material.
US08461799B2 Battery device and electronic apparatus
A battery charger includes a battery attachment section configured to have a rechargeable battery releasably attached thereto. The battery attachment section includes a flat attachment surface having a width corresponding to a width of a bottom surface of a case of the battery to be charged and a length greater than a length of the bottom surface of the case of the battery to be charged; a plurality of locking hooks provided on the attachment surface; a charger terminal configured to contact a terminal of the battery to be charged, the charger terminal including a plurality of plate-shaped contact pieces configured to be inserted into engaging grooves of the battery to be charged; and an attachment projection adjacent to the attachment surface and configured to secure the battery to the charger.
US08461796B2 Motor drive circuit for driving a synchronous motor
A coil current detector detects a current component flowing through a coil. A scaling unit scales a drive signal. An induced voltage component extraction unit extracts an induced voltage component by removing the drive signal, scaled by the scaling unit, from the coil current component detected by the current detector. A phase difference detector detects a phase difference between the phase of the drive signal and that of the induced voltage component. A signal adjustment unit adjusts the drive signal so that the phase difference detected by the phase difference detector can be brought close to a target phase difference.
US08461794B2 Method and apparatus for controlling of a servo-drive
In a method and apparatus for controlling of a servo-drive, in particular of a solid state actuator in which the servo-drive is controlled during each control process by means of a two-point regulator (R2P), the two-point regulator (R2P) has a power signal (I) as control signal for actuation of the servo-drive. An upper switch point (PO) of the two-point controller (R2P) is allocated to one maximum power value (ÎOn) and a lower switch point (PU) of the two-point controller (R2P) is allocated to one minimum power value (ÎUm). The upper switch point (PO) and the lower switch point (PU) are established during the controlling process so that they are separated in pairs by at least a minimum default spacing (Dmin).
US08461787B2 Electrical full bridge circuit configuration
An electrical full bridge circuit configuration having a bridge circuit, in the bridge branches of which electrical switch elements are situated, and having at least one bridge cross branch for connecting an electric motor that is switchable in its direction of rotation, in particular in an electrical system of a motor vehicle, and having a protective switch element for protecting against inadmissibly high electrical currents, in particular short circuit currents. For this purpose, the switch elements are provided as formed from switch contact elements of at least one relay.
US08461786B2 Method and device for determining the position of a mobile closing part of a vehicle
In a method and a device for determining the position of a closing part of a vehicle, that can be moved by a direct-current motor, a motor current signal is derived from the direct-current motor and converted into a digital signal by an analog-digital converter. The signal is filtered and forwarded to a position counter for counting the current ripple. The scanning frequency of the analog-digital converter is modified according to the rotational speed of the direct-current motor.
US08461784B2 Programmable motor for window coverings
An architectural window covering having a programmable electric motor is disclosed. The architectural window covering includes a head rail comprising at least one cavity, a shade coupled to the head rail, a bottom rail coupled to the shade, and at least two tandem stacked motors coupled to the shade via a drive rail such that the at least two motors fit within the at least one cavity of the head rail.
US08461782B2 Linear or rotational motor driver identification
A mechanism for assigning unique addresses to identical devices attached to a serial bus is presented. Each device has at least one output and is provided with a storage device to provide a configurable portion of a bus address having a fixed portion and a configurable portion. The device is further provided with circuitry, coupled to the storage device and the output, to determine a state of the output and use the state to configure the configurable portion. Once the configurable portion is configured, the bus address uniquely identifies the device. Such configuration allows more than one such device to be coupled to the same serial bus, e.g., an I2C bus.
US08461776B2 Solid state lighting panels with variable voltage boost current sources
A lighting system includes a lighting panel having a string of solid state lighting devices and a current supply circuit having a voltage input terminal, a control input terminal, and first and second output terminals coupled to the string of solid state lighting devices. The current supply circuit is configured to supply an on-state drive current to the string of solid state lighting devices in response to a control signal. The current supply circuit includes a charging inductor coupled to the voltage input terminal and an output capacitor coupled to the first output terminal. The current supply circuit is configured to operate in continuous conduction mode in which current continuously flows through the charging inductor while the on-state drive current is supplied to the string of solid state light emitting devices.
US08461775B2 Integrated three dimensional inductor and method of manufacturing same
An integrated 3-dimensional inductor device is provided. The inductor device includes a substrate having an electrical trace and a 3-dimensional inductor attached to the substrate. The inductor includes a magnetic core and a coil whose windings are formed from the electrical traces of the substrate and conductive material in the interconnect vias.
US08461772B2 High pressure discharge lamp ballast and light source apparatus
A high pressure discharge lamp ballast performs driving with a synthesized current waveform comprising a combination of first and second sets of current waveforms. The ballast controls content rates of each of the sets per unit time; detects a rotation synchronization signal for a color wheel; applies a synthesized current waveform in accordance with the synchronization signal and the content rates to a high pressure discharge lamp; and detects a lamp voltage. A period of each of the first and second sets equals to one rotation of the color wheel. The number of inversions of the second set is larger than that of the first set. The content rate of the second set is set to RL% when the lamp voltage exceeds a value V, and the content rate of the second set is set to RH% when lamp voltage falls below a value V′.
US08461767B2 Power factor control for an LED bulb driver circuit
A light-emitting diode (LED) bulb has a shell and a base attached to the shell. An LED is within the shell. A driver circuit provides current to the LED. The driver circuit has a power factor control circuit that includes a tracking circuit configured to produce a tracking signal indicative of the voltage of the supply line. The power factor control circuit also includes a switch-mode power supply (SMPS) controller having an input pin and an output pin. The tracking circuit is connected to the input pin. Based on the signal at the input pin, the SMPS controller is configured to change a duty cycle of an output signal on the output pin.
US08461764B2 Sampling external voltage which may exceed integrated circuit maximum voltage rating
An LED driver arrangement wherein a low voltage IC is arranged to sample the voltage at a terminal of each of the respective electronically controlled switches controlling a plurality of LED strings each receiving power from a single source, with the single source providing voltage in excess of the voltage rating of the IC. For each electronically controlled switch a controllable current source and an isolating unidirectional electronic valve is provided, the respective current source being enabled only when the respective associated electronically controlled switch is at least partially closed thereby ensuring that the respective isolating unidirectional electronic valve associated with the respective illuminating LED string conducts, and the voltage at the terminal of the respective electronically controlled switch is thus seen by the IC when the associated LED string is producing illumination, the voltage then being lower than the maximum voltage rating of the IC.
US08461760B1 Thin film encapsulation for flat panel display device and method of manufacturing thin film encapsulation structure
Thin film encapsulation for a flat panel display device and a method of manufacturing the thin film encapsulation structure. The thin film encapsulation structure of the flat panel display device includes thin film layers covering a display unit formed on a substrate, wherein the thin film layers comprise a plurality of inorganic layers and a hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) layer interposed between the inorganic layers. Accordingly, as multiple layers of the thin film encapsulation structure may be formed in a single chamber, the manufacturing process may be simplified, and also, as the HMDSO layer, which is flexible, absorbs stresses, a risk of cracks occurring may also be reduced.
US08461758B2 Buffer bilayers for electronic devices
The present invention relates to buffer bilayers, and their use in electronic devices. The bilayer has a first layer including (a) at least one electrically conductive polymer doped with at least one non-highly-fluorinated acid polymer and (b) at least one highly-fluorinated acid polymer, and a second layer including inorganic nanoparticles which are oxides or sulfides.
US08461755B2 Light source for lighting
A light source used for illumination provides favorable heat dissipation properties while suppressing the lowering of the efficiency of light emission. The light source includes a mount substrate, an LED 23 mounted on the mount substrate and a silicon resin mold containing phosphor particles that convert the wavelength of light emitted from the LED 25. The mount substrate includes a metal substrate 23 coated with a ceramic layer 24 containing light-transmissive or highly reflective ceramic particles.
US08461749B2 Optical platform to enable efficient LED emission
An integrated multi-layer apparatus and method of producing the same is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an LED, a beam shaping layer, and a refracting layer between the beam shaping layer from the LED. The refracting layer may have an index of refraction lower than the index of refraction of the LED and the beam shaping layer.
US08461746B2 Liquid control apparatus
A liquid control apparatus controls movement of liquid in a microfluidic device having a sample introducing port, a sample delivering port, and a flow channel for holding liquid. The apparatus includes a vibration wave generating section for generating a vibration wave to be applied to the microfluidic device, and a signal supplying section for supplying drive signals so as to make the vibration wave generating section oscillate in different oscillation modes. The signal supplying section is capable of generating drive signals in a plurality of drive signal supply modes for realizing at least three of a transfer mode for moving liquid in a predetermined direction, a stop mode for stopping the movement of liquid, a mixing and/or agitation mode for mixing and/or agitating liquid, and a localization mode for localizing a predetermined substance in liquid, and for supplying the drive signals to the vibration wave generating section in a selected supply mode. In addition, the microfluidic device is held on the vibration wave generating section, and the transfer mode is carried out by using a resonance frequency to cause the microfluidic device to resonate.
US08461745B2 Piezoceramic surface actuator and method for the production thereof
A piezoceramic surface actuator comprising multilayer plates each having a plurality of piezoceramic plates separated from one another by in each case a positive or negative electrode. The positive and negative electrodes alternate and are constructed integrally with the piezoceramic plates, and have collector electrode surfaces for the positive and negative electrodes, which are connected to the associated positive or negative electrodes in a conducting manner and are arranged on two exterior sides of the surface actuator that are opposite from one another. The multilayer plates are plate-shaped and have a much greater width of the piezoceramic plates, defined by the distance between the opposite collector electrode surfaces, than the thickness of the multilayer plates. The collector electrode surface in each case contacts the positive or negative electrodes of the neighboring multilayer plates.
US08461742B2 Support system for dynamoelectric machine
A connection ring assembly and connection ring support system for a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The connection ring assembly includes a plurality of connection rings, and a clamp element disposed around a portion of the connection rings. The clamp element provides axial and tangential support to the plurality of connection rings. The connection ring support system includes one or more primary spring bars connected to the connection ring assembly. The primary spring bars permit radial and tangential movement of the connection ring assembly. One or more secondary spring bars are connected to the primary spring bars, and permit axial movement of the connection ring assembly.
US08461732B2 Transverse regulated flux alternator
An alternator has a rotor to be associated with a prime mover shaft and driven for rotation. The rotor is provided with permanent magnets. A stator has pole pieces, including a main winding and flux diverters separating the main winding from a control coil. Control is provided for controlling the power passing through the control coil. The alternator is a transverse flux machine. A vehicle power system including the alternator is also disclosed.
US08461731B2 Dynamoelectric machine pressurizing apparatus
A dynamoelectric machine pressurization apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a dynamoelectric machine air shield including a channel configured to fluidly connect an outlet of a rotor fan with an ambient air source.
US08461728B2 Linear vibrator having broadband
A linear vibrator is disclosed having a structure capable of generating a large vibratory force with a small size, outputting various types of vibrations in a wide bandwidth, and accurately coupling the magnet, the linear vibrator including: a case providing an inner space; a trembler including a yoke formed with a circular plate-shaped wing unit, a one inner lateral end-closed, cylindrical insertion unit bent from the wing unit to have a stair, an inner magnet coupled by being inserted into the insertion unit, and an external magnet coupled to one surface of the wing unit; an elastic member fixed at one end to the case and fixed at the other end to the trembler; and a stator fixed to the case to vibrate the trembler.
US08461727B2 Method and apparatus for operating an electrical appliance
In a method for operating an electrical appliance such as a hob, the electrical appliance has a plurality of functional units, an operator control surface and a freely movable operator control element for mounting on the operator control surface, with a mounting point for the operator control element provided on the operator control surface for each functional unit. A sensor for a touch switch and a sensor for identifying the rotation of the operator control element are provided on the mounting point. The mounting of an operator control element on the mounting point is identified and evaluated as an activation indication of the associated functional unit. Subsequent rotation of the operator control element is identified and effects a change in the functional unit, with a functional state of the corresponding functional unit being maintained after the operator control element is removed from the mounting point.
US08461726B2 Wire harness and ECU system
A wire harness is provided to include: one or more electric wires; and an ECU which includes a circuit body electrically connected to one ends of the one or more electric wires and a sealing member that seals the circuit body and the one ends of the one or more electric wires. The one ends of the one or more electric wire are electrically connected to at least one of a power line pattern, a GND line pattern and a signal line pattern of the circuit body.
US08461724B2 Universal control system with universal interface to operate a plurality of devices
This invention pertains to a controlling device for operating various appliances. It includes a personal computer, which is programmed to provide for regulation of the sequence of operations of various electrical devices, such as a controller, the controller functions to initiate or turn OFF a relay or switching electronics device, which can provide for the operations of an appliance, whether it be an industrial or household appliance, or appliances that are used specifically in the entertainment field, such as a scent emitting device, a dimmer, a misting mechanism, and a vibratory motor. These are examples.
US08461719B2 Wireless energy transfer systems
Described herein are improved capabilities for a source resonator having a Q-factor Q1>100 and a characteristic size x1 coupled to an energy source, and a second resonator having a Q-factor Q2>100 and a characteristic size x2 coupled to an energy drain located a distance D from the source resonator, where the source resonator and the second resonator are coupled to exchange energy wirelessly among the source resonator and the second resonator.
US08461718B2 Photovoltaic array systems, methods, and devices with bidirectional converter
Devices, systems and methods for operating, monitoring and diagnosing photovoltaic arrays used for solar energy collection. The system preferably includes capabilities for monitoring or diagnosing an array, under some circumstances, by using a bidirectional power converter not only to convert the DC output of the array to output power under some conditions, but also, for diagnostic operations, applying a back-converted DC voltage to the array.
US08461717B2 Active filtering electrical accumulator unit
A power generation system has a generator, a power bus and an electrical accumulator unit. The electrical accumulator unit includes an independent controller that actively filters transients from the power bus.
US08461714B2 Direct converter and system including a direct converter
A direct converter includes n input phase connections and p output phase connections, where n≧2 and p≧2. The direct converter also includes (n·p) two-pole switching cells for switching at least one positive voltage and at least one negative voltage between the poles. Each output phase connection is connected in series with each input phase connection, respectively, via a switching cell. To enable any desired and continuous current flow setting from an input phase connection to an output phase connection of the direct converter and, moreover, to exchange electrical energy between the two-pole switching cells of the direct converter, at least one inductance is connected into each series connection. A system including a direct converter is also provided.
US08461711B2 Counter rotation subsurface current generator
An invention for capturing and converting the hydro kinetic energy in ocean and tidal currents into mechanical energy for generating electricity. An internal turbine enclosed in a external turbine cylinder rotates opposite of internal turbine. Current is compressed into high pressure within internal turbine, the high pressure is vented into the rear low pressure side of external turbine producing additional energy. The internal and external turbines are enclosed in a cowling to maximize current through both counter rotating turbines. Permanent magnet rings are coupled to both turbine tips that rotate peripheral to stators. The cowling and turbines are balanced around the main center shaft, it is finned at the rear to steer the apparatus into the current. Counter rotation produces a neutral output torque with increased energy output that is transmitted via underwater cable to onshore grid.
US08461710B1 High speed industrial gas turbine engine with co-rotating generator for high speed use
An electric power plant with a gas turbine engine that drives an electric generator, where the generator is a co-rotating electric generator positioned between the turbine and the compressor such that the turbine drives the compressor through the electric generator, and where the co-rotating generator includes a rotor and a stator that both rotate in the same direction but with a differential rotational speed of around 3000 or 3,600 rpm in order to produce 50 or 60 hertz electrical power. A wire brush makes contact with a rotating surface of the generator to carry away electricity, and the wire brush is continuously fed to make up for wear.
US08461706B2 Flow development and cogeneration chamber
A fluid handling and cogeneration system has an inlet conduit receiving a fluid, a housing having a inlet end, a outlet end and an interior surface. The housing encloses an inner body which together with the housing is arranged to form an annular space between the interior surface of the housing and an exterior surface of the inner body. The system also includes at least one diverter configured such that the fluid is directed to circulate around the inner body and traverse the annular space from the diverter toward the outlet end of the housing in an organized fashion. A generator is provided within the housing to harness the fluid traversing the annular space to generate electrical power.
US08461705B2 Faucet hydroelectric generator
According to one embodiment, a faucet hydroelectric generator includes: a cylinder portion including a supply water inflow port and a supply water outflow port and having a supply water flow channel formed therein; a bucket having a rotation center axis generally parallel to the supply water flow channel, and including a bucket blade provided in the supply water flow channel so as to be rotatable about the rotation center axis; a magnet rotatable integrally with the bucket; a coil configured to generate electromotive force by rotation of the magnet; a nozzle portion including a plurality of injection ports configured to cause incoming water flowing parallel to the rotation center axis to be squirted in a plane generally perpendicular to the rotation center axis from radially outside the bucket blade toward the bucket blade; and a lid provided at an upstream end of the bucket blade and configured to rotate integrally with the bucket blade. The lid includes a thrust reducer configured to reduce a thrust force applied to the bucket.
US08461704B2 Gas turbine engine apparatus
A gas turbine engine arrangement comprises a core engine, a power turbine and a propulsor. The core engine comprises at least one compressor and at least one turbine arranged to drive the at least one compressor and the core engine is arranged in a casing. The power turbine is positioned downstream of the at least one turbine and the power turbine is arranged to drive the propulsor. An electrical machine is arranged upstream of the at least one compressor. The electrical machine comprises a stator and a rotor and the electrical machine comprises a motor/generator. A first clutch selectively connects the rotor of the electrical machine to the power turbine and a second clutch selectively connects the rotor of the electrical machine to the at least one compressor of the core engine.
US08461703B1 Integrated external combustion radial piston engine-generator
A engine-generator is provided which has a rotary engine formed with an engine housing having an output surface portion and an output shaft on a central axis extending externally of the engine housing. A generator has a stator secured to the output end of the shaft and has a surface in a confronting relation with the engine housing. Permanent magnets and windings are secured to the respective surface portion of the engine housing and stator at a radial distance from the axis. Each magnet and winding has a corresponding pole face lying in a corresponding one of a pair of first planes orthogonal to the central axis. The magnets and windings are rotatable with respect to each other and periodically align in a confronting relationship to define an air-gap between the parallel planes. The windings produce electrical output in response to rotation of the magnets relative to each other.
US08461702B2 System for the transport of an ore pulp in a line system located along a gradient, and components of such a system
A system for transporting an ore pulp (S) in a line system (2) located along a gradient, wherein the ore pulp (S) flows in the line system by the effect of gravity, has at least one generator station (8) located in the line system (2), the station comprising a flow machine (11) driven by the ore pulp (S) and a generator (14) coupled to the flow machine (11) for producing electrical energy as components of the transport system.
US08461699B2 Positive-type photosensitive resin composition, method for producing resist pattern, semiconductor device, and electronic device
The positive tone photosensitive composition of the invention comprises an alkali-soluble resin having a phenolic hydroxyl group, a compound producing an acid by light, a thermal crosslinking agent and an acrylic resin. It is possible to provide a positive tone photosensitive composition that can be developed with an aqueous alkali solution, has sufficiently high sensitivity and resolution, and can form a resist pattern with excellent adhesiveness and thermal shock resistance.
US08461698B1 PCB external ground plane via conductive coating
An integrated circuit assembly (ex.—a flip chip package, a wire bond chip package) is provided which includes a substrate (ex.—a printed circuit board) and a die assembly. The die assembly includes an integrated circuit chip which is connected to the printed circuit board. Further, an external dielectric layer (ex.—a solder mask layer) of the printed circuit board is at least substantially coated with a conductive coating (ex.—a low sintering temperature, nano-particle silver coating). The conductive coating is not in contact with the die assembly and/or passive electronics which are connected to the printed circuit board, however the conductive coating is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The conductive coating provides (ex—acts as) an external ground plane for the printed circuit board.
US08461694B1 Lead frame ball grid array with traces under die having interlocking features
A package includes a first plated area, a second plated area, a die attached to the first plated area, and a bond coupling the die to the second plated area. The package further includes a molding encapsulating the die, the bond, and the top surfaces of the first and second plated areas, such that the bottom surfaces of the first and second plated areas are exposed exterior to the package. Additional embodiments include a method of making the package.
US08461692B2 Semiconductor device structures including damascene trenches with conductive structures and related method
A method and apparatus for providing a conductive structure adjacent to a damascene conductive structure in a semiconductor device structure. The semiconductor device structure includes an insulation layer with at least one damascene conductive structure formed therein, wherein the at least one damascene conductive structure includes an insulative, protective layer disposed thereon. The insulative material of the protective layer is able to resist removal by at least some suitable etchants for the insulative material of the insulation layer adjacent to the at least one damascene conductive structure. A self-aligned opening is formed by removing a portion of an insulation layer adjacent the at least one damascene conductive structure. The self-aligned opening is then filled with a conductive material to thereby provide another conductive structure adjacent to the at least one damascene conductive structure.
US08461689B2 Packaging structure having embedded semiconductor element
A packaging structure having an embedded semiconductor element includes: a substrate having opposite first and second surfaces and at least an opening penetrating the first and second surfaces; a first metallic frame disposed around the periphery of the opening on the first surface; a semiconductor chip received in the opening and having an active surface formed with a plurality of electrode pads and an opposite inactive surface; two first dielectric layers formed on the active surface and the inactive surface of the chip, respectively; a first wiring layer formed on the first dielectric layer of the first surface; and a first built-up structure disposed on the first dielectric layer and the first wiring layer. A shape of the opening is precisely controlled through the first metallic frame around the periphery of the predefined opening region, thereby allowing the chip to be precisely embedded in the substrate.
US08461684B2 Cobalt nitride layers for copper interconnects and methods for forming them
An interconnect structure for integrated circuits incorporates a layer of cobalt nitride that facilitates the nucleation, growth and adhesion of copper wires. The cobalt nitride may deposited on a refractory metal nitride or carbide layer, such as tungsten nitride or tantalum nitride, that serves as a diffusion barrier for copper and also increases the adhesion between the cobalt nitride and the underlying insulator. The cobalt nitride may be formed by chemical vapor deposition from a novel cobalt amidinate precursor. Copper layers deposited on the cobalt nitride show high electrical conductivity and can serve as seed layers for electrochemical deposition of copper conductors for microelectronics.
US08461681B2 Layered structure for corrosion resistant interconnect contacts
The present invention is directed to an interconnect for an implantable medical device. The interconnect includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer introduced over the first conductive layer, and a third conductive layer introduced over the second conductive layer. One of the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the third conductive layer comprises titanium-niobium (Ti—Nb).
US08461679B2 Method for fabricating circuit component
A cylindrical bonding structure and its method of manufacture. The cylindrical bonding structure is formed over the bonding pad of a silicon chip and the chip is flipped over to connect with a substrate board in the process of forming a flip-chip package. The cylindrical bonding structure mainly includes a conductive pillar and a solder cap. The conductive pillar is formed over the bonding pad of the silicon chip and the solder cap is attached to the upper end of the conductive pillar. The solder cap has a melting point lower than the conductive pillar. The solder cap can be configured into a cylindrical, spherical or hemispherical shape. To fabricate the cylindrical bonding structure, a patterned mask layer having a plurality of openings that correspond in position to the bonding pads on the wafer is formed over a silicon wafer. Conductive material is deposited into the openings to form conductive pillars and finally a solder cap is attached to the end of each conductive pillar.
US08461670B2 Semiconductor component and method of manufacture
A semiconductor component and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor component, wherein the semiconductor component is configured to permit the determination of circuit parameters. A high side FET has a gate terminal coupled to an output terminal of a high side gate drive circuit, a drain terminal coupled for receiving an input voltage, and a source terminal coupled to the drain terminal of a low side FET. The gate terminal of the low side FET is coupled to the output terminal of low side drive circuit and the source terminal of the low side FET is coupled for receiving a source of operating potential. The high side gate drive circuit has a bias terminal coupled for receiving a floating potential where the bias terminal is electrically isolated or decoupled from the commonly connected source and drain terminals of the high side FET and the low side FET, respectively.
US08461667B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, and a guard ring made of an electrically conductive material and arranged between electrodes on the semiconductor chip and side edges of the semiconductor chip, the guard ring being divided by isolating sections on the semiconductor chip.
US08461661B2 Locos nitride capping of deep trench polysilicon fill
A polysilicon-filled isolation trench in a substrate is effective to isolate adjacent semiconductor devices from one another. A silicon nitride cap is provided to protect the polysilicon in the isolation trench from subsequent field oxidation. The cap has lateral boundaries that extend between the side boundaries of the polysilicon and the sidewalls of the trench. Subsequent field oxide regions formed adjacent to the trench establish a gap dimension from the substrate to a top surface of the field oxide regions adjacent to the polysilicon side boundaries that is no less than half of the field oxide thickness.
US08461659B2 Solid state imaging apparatus
According to one embodiment, in the upper laminated structure, first layers and second layers are alternately laminated, the first layer and the second layer having different refractive indices. In the lower laminated structure, first layers and second layers are alternately laminated, the first layer and the second layer having different refractive indices. The upper laminated structure and the lower laminated structure are equal in number of layers laminated therein. Each of the lowermost layer of the upper laminated structure and the uppermost layer of the lower laminated structure are configured by the first layer. The upper laminated structure and the lower laminated structure are configured to be asymmetric to each other such that, within some layer sets out of a plurality of layer sets each including two layers disposed at corresponding positions in the upper and lower laminated layers, one layer of the two layers in each layer set of the some layer sets is thinner than the other layer.
US08461657B2 Methods for forming a micro electro-mechanical device
Embodiments include methods for forming a device comprising a conductive substrate, a micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) structure, and a plurality of bond pads. The conductive substrate has a first side and a second side, the second side opposite the first side. The MEMS structure is formed over the first side of the conductive substrate. The plurality of bond pads are formed over the first side of the conductive substrate and electrically coupled to the first side of the conductive substrate. The conductive substrate and plurality of bond pads function to provide electrostatic shielding to the MEMS structure.
US08461653B2 Semiconductor devices including fin shaped semiconductor regions and stress inducing layers
A semiconductor device may include a substrate, an active semiconductor region of the substrate, and a gate electrode. The active semiconductor region may include a channel region between first and second junction regions. The channel region may include a first semiconductor material, the first and second junction regions may include a second semiconductor material, and the first and second semiconductor materials may be different. The gate electrode may be on the channel region with portions of the first and second junction regions being free of the gate electrode.
US08461651B2 ESD protection devices for SOI integrated circuit and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention discloses an ESD protection structure in a SOI CMOS circuitry. The ESD protection structure includes a variety of longitudinal (vertical) PN junction structures having significantly enlarged junction areas for current flow. The resulting devices achieve increased heavy current release capability. Processes of fabricating varieties of the ESD protection longitudinal PN junction are also disclosed. Compatibility of the disclosed fabrication processes with current SOI technology reduces implementation cost and improves the integration robustness.
US08461649B2 Opening structure for semiconductor device
An opening structure is disclosed. The opening structure includes: a semiconductor substrate; at least one dielectric layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the dielectric layer has a plurality of openings exposing the semiconductor substrate, and each of the openings has a sidewall; a dielectric thin film covering at least a portion of the sidewall of each of the openings; an etch stop layer disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric layer and extending partially into the openings to isolate the dielectric thin film from the semiconductor substrate; and a metal layer filled in the openings.
US08461648B2 Semiconductor component with a drift region and a drift control region
A semiconductor component with a drift region and a drift control region. One embodiment includes a semiconductor body having a drift region of a first conduction type in the semiconductor body. A drift control region composed of a semiconductor material, which is arranged, at least in sections, is adjacent to the drift region in the semiconductor body. An accumulation dielectric is arranged between the drift region and the drift control region.
US08461645B2 Power semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a vertical power semiconductor chip including a semiconductor layer. A first terminal is at a first side of the semiconductor layer and a second terminal is at a second side of the semiconductor layer opposite the first side along a first direction. A drift zone is within the semiconductor layer between the first terminal and the second terminal. The drift zone has, in a central part, a compressive stress of at least 100 MPa along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The central part extends from 40% to 60% of an overall extension of the drift zone along the first direction and into a depth of the semiconductor layer of at least 10 μm with respect to at least one of the first side and the second side of the semiconductor layer.
US08461642B2 Semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory cell with field effect transistors
The present invention can realize a highly-integrated semiconductor device having a MONOS type nonvolatile memory cell equipped with a split gate structure without deteriorating the reliability of the device. A memory gate electrode of a memory nMIS has a height greater by from 20 to 100 nm than that of a select gate electrode of a select nMIS so that the width of a sidewall formed over one (side surface on the side of a source region) of the side surfaces of the memory gate electrode is adjusted to a width necessary for achieving desired disturb characteristics. In addition, a gate electrode of a peripheral second nMIS has a height not greater than the height of a select gate electrode of a select nMIS to reduce the width of a sidewall formed over the side surface of the gate electrode of the peripheral second nMIS so that a shared contact hole is prevented from being filled with the sidewall.
US08461640B2 FIN-FET non-volatile memory cell, and an array and method of manufacturing
A non-volatile memory cell has a substrate layer with a fin shaped semiconductor member of a first conductivity type on the substrate layer. The fin shaped member has a first region of a second conductivity type and a second region of the second conductivity type, spaced apart from the first region with a channel region extending between the first region and the second region. The fin shaped member has a top surface and two side surfaces between the first region and the second region. A word line is adjacent to the first region and is capacitively coupled to the top surface and the two side surfaces of a first portion of the channel region. A floating gate is adjacent to the word line and is insulated from the top surface and is capacitively coupled to the two side surfaces of a second portion of the channel region. A coupling gate is capacitively coupled to the floating gate. An erase gate is insulated from the second region and is adjacent to the floating gate and coupling gate.
US08461638B2 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes: a charge accumulation layer (CAL) on a substrate; a memory gate formed onto the substrate through the CAL; a first side gate formed through a first insulating film on a first side of the memory gate; a second side gate formed through a second insulating film on a second side opposite to the first side; a first impurity implantation region (IIR1) in the substrate adjacent the first side gate; a second impurity implantation region (IIR2) formed in the substrate on a side of the second side gate; and a channel region between IIR1 and IIR2. The channel region includes a first region corresponding to a boundary between the CAL and the substrate; a select side region between the first region and IIR1; and an assist side region between the first region and IIR2. The select side region is longer than the assist side region.
US08461629B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating same
A semiconductor device having a core device with a high-k gate dielectric and an I/O device with a silicon dioxide or other non-high-k gate dielectric, and a method of fabricating such a device. A core well and an I/O well are created in a semiconductor substrate and separated by an isolation structure. An I/O device is formed over the I/O well and has a silicon dioxide or a low-k gate dielectric. A resistor may be formed on an isolation structure adjacent to the core well. A core-well device such as a transistor is formed over the core well, and has a high-k gate dielectric. In some embodiments, a p-type I/O well and an n-type I/O well are created. In a preferred embodiment, the I/O device or devices are formed prior to forming the core device and protected with a sacrificial layer until the core device is fabricated.
US08461628B2 MOS transistor with laser-patterned metal gate, and method for making the same
A MOS transistor with a laser-patterned metal gate, and methods for its manufacture. The method generally includes forming a layer of metal-containing material on a dielectric film, wherein the dielectric film is on an electrically functional substrate comprising an inorganic semiconductor; laser patterning a metal gate from the metal-containing material layer; and forming source and drain terminals in the inorganic semiconductor in locations adjacent to the metal gate. The transistor generally includes an electrically functional substrate; a dielectric film on at least portions of the electrically functional substrate; a laser patterned metal gate on the dielectric film; and source and drain terminals comprising a doped inorganic semiconductor layer adjacent to the metal gate. The present invention advantageously provides MOS thin film transistors having reliable electrical characteristics quickly, efficiently, and/or at a low cost by eliminating one or more conventional photolithographic steps.
US08461623B2 Power semiconductor module
A power semiconductor module (1) includes a first MOS transistor (16) connected to a positive side power supply terminal via a first conductor pattern (11), a first free wheeling diode (17) connected to the positive side power supply terminal via a second conductor pattern (12), a second MOS transistor (18) connected to a negative side power supply terminal via a third conductor pattern (13), and a second free wheeling diode (19) connected to the negative side power supply terminal via a fourth conductor pattern (14). These semiconductor elements (16-19) are connected to a load side output terminal via a common fifth conductor pattern (15). The semiconductor element (16, 17) connected to the positive side power supply terminal and the semiconductor element (18, 19) connected to the negative side power supply terminal are arranged alternately, substantially linearly.
US08461616B2 Semiconductor arrangement
According to at least one embodiment of the semiconductor arrangement, the latter comprises a mounting side, at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip with mutually opposing chip top and bottom, and at least one at least partially radiation-transmissive body with a body bottom, on which the semiconductor chip is mounted such that the chip top faces the body bottom. Moreover, the semiconductor arrangement comprises at least two electrical connection points for electrical contacting of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip, wherein the connection points do not project laterally beyond the body and with their side remote from the semiconductor chip delimit the semiconductor arrangement on the mounting side thereof.
US08461614B2 Packaging substrate device, method for making the packaging substrate device, and packaged light emitting device
A packaging substrate device includes: a first laminate including a first ceramic substrate and a first copper pattern disposed on an upper surface of the first ceramic substrate; and a second laminate disposed over the first copper pattern and including a second ceramic substrate, a second copper pattern that is disposed on an upper surface of the second ceramic substrate, and a through hole extending through the second ceramic substrate and the second copper pattern to expose a copper portion of the first copper pattern. A light emitting semiconductor die can be mounted on the copper portion within the through hole. Efficient heat dissipation can be achieved through the first laminate.
US08461613B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device comprises: a plurality of light emitting diodes and an insulating (low temperature co-fired ceramic) substrate with an array of recesses each for housing a respective one of the light emitting diodes. The substrate incorporates a pattern of electrical conductors that is configured for connecting the light emitting diodes in a selected electrical configuration and to provide at least two electrical connections on the floor of each recess. Light emitting diodes can be electrically connected to the electrical connections by at least one bond wire or by flip chip bonding. Each recess is filled with a transparent material to encapsulate each light emitting diode. The transparent material can incorporate at least one phosphor material such that the device emits light of a selected color and/or color temperature.
US08461612B2 Light-emitting device and lighting device
Provided is a light-emitting device having a structure in which a high refractive index component is provided between a solid light-emitting element and air, has an uneven structure on a surface in contact with air, and can be reused. The light-emitting device includes a substrate having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher and a light-transmitting property, a solid light-emitting element including a light-emitting region having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher on one surface of the substrate, and a component having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher and a light-transmitting property on the other surface of the substrate, wherein the component includes an uneven structure on a surface in contact with air and is connected to the substrate via a liquid having a refractive index of 1.6 or higher and a light-transmitting property.
US08461610B2 Semiconductor light emitting device having a reflective material with a side slant surface and method of manufacturing
A semiconductor light-emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same can include a wavelength converting layer located over at least one semiconductor light-emitting chip in order to emit various colored lights including white light. The semiconductor light-emitting device can include a base board, a frame located on the base board, the chip mounted on the base board, a transparent material layer located between the wavelength converting layer and a side surface of the chip so as to extend toward the wavelength converting layer, and a reflective material layer disposed at least between the frame and both side surfaces of the wavelength converting layer and the transparent material layer. The semiconductor light-emitting device can be configured to improve light-emitting efficiency of the chip by using the reflective material layer as a reflector, and therefore can emit a wavelength-converted light having a high light-emitting efficiency from a small light-emitting surface.
US08461609B2 Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package is provided. The light emitting device package may include a housing including a cavity, a light emitting device disposed within the cavity, a filler filled in the cavity in order to seal the light emitting device, a fluorescent layer disposed on the filler, and an optical filter being disposed within the filler and transmitting light with a particular wavelength.
US08461604B2 Optoelectronic module having a carrier substrate and a plurality of radiation-emitting semiconductor components
An optoelectronic module is described including a carrier substrate and a plurality of radiation-emitting semiconductor components. The carrier substrate includes structured conductor tracks. The radiation-emitting semiconductor components each include an active layer suitable for generating electromagnetic radiation, a first contact area and a second contact area. The first contact area is in each case arranged on that side of the radiation-emitting semiconductor components that is remote from the carrier substrate. The radiation-emitting semiconductor components are provided with an electrically insulating layer, which in each case has a cutout in a region of the first contact area. Conductive structures are arranged in regions on the electrically insulating layer. One of the conductive structures electrically conductively connects at least the first contact area of a radiation-emitting semiconductor component to a further first contact area of a further radiation-emitting semiconductor component or to a conductor track of the carrier substrate. A method for producing such a module is also described.
US08461603B2 Lamp module
A lamp module is provided, including a circuit board, at least an LED, an insulator and a metal barrier. The LED is disposed on the circuit board and has two conductive leads on opposite sides thereof. The insulator is disposed on the circuit board, having an opening and two protruding sheets. The metal barrier is disposed on the insulator, wherein the LED and the protruding sheets are extended through the metal barrier. The conductive leads are insulated from the metal barrier by the protruding sheets of the insulating member.
US08461602B2 Solid state light sheet using thin LEDs for general illumination
A solid state light sheet and method of fabricating the sheet are disclosed. In one embodiment, bare LED chips have top and bottom electrodes, where the bottom electrode is a large reflective electrode. The bottom electrodes of an array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) are bonded to an array of electrodes formed on a flexible bottom substrate. Conductive traces are formed on the bottom substrate connected to the electrodes. A transparent top substrate having conductors is then laminated over the bottom substrate. Various ways to connect the LEDs in series are described along with many embodiments. The light sheets may be formed to emit light from opposite surfaces of the light sheet, enabling it to be used in a hanging fixture to illuminate the ceiling as well as the floor. The light sheet provides a practical substitute for a standard 2×4 foot fluorescent ceiling fixture.
US08461601B2 Method for producing a plurality of optoelectronic devices, and optoelectronic device
A method for producing a plurality of optoelectronic devices is specified, comprising the following steps: providing a connection carrier assemblage having a plurality of device regions, wherein at least one electrical connection region is provided in each of the device regions, providing a semiconductor body carrier, on which a plurality of separate semiconductor bodies connected to the semiconductor body carrier are arranged, wherein the semiconductor bodies each have a semiconductor layer sequence having an active region, arranging the connection carrier assemblage and the semiconductor body carrier relative to one another in such a way that the semiconductor bodies face the device regions, mechanically connecting a plurality of semiconductor bodies to the connection carrier assemblage in a mounting region of a device region assigned to the respective semiconductor body, electrically conductively connecting the respective semiconductor body to the connection region of the device region assigned to the semiconductor body, and separating from the semiconductor body carrier the semiconductor bodies that are to be connected or are connected to the connection carrier assemblage, and dividing the connection carrier assemblage into a plurality of separate optoelectronic devices each having a connection carrier, which has the device region, and a semiconductor body arranged on the connection carrier and electrically conductively connected to the connection region.
US08461594B2 Thin film transistor and display device
Provided are a thin film transistor that is capable of suppressing desorption of oxygen and others from an oxide semiconductor layer, and reducing the time to be taken for film formation, and a display device provided therewith. A gate insulation film 22, a channel protection layer 24, and a passivation film 26 are each in the laminate configuration including a first layer 31 made of aluminum oxide, and a second layer 32 made of an insulation material including silicon (Si). The first and second layers 31 and 32 are disposed one on the other so that the first layer 31 comes on the side of an oxide semiconductor layer 23. The oxide semiconductor layer 23 is sandwiched on both sides by the first layers 31 made of aluminum oxide, thereby suppressing desorption of oxygen and others, and stabilizing the electrical characteristics of a TFT 20. Moreover, since the second layer 32 is made of an insulation material including silicon (Si), the time to be taken for film formation can be reduced compared with a single layer made of aluminum oxide.
US08461592B2 Organic light emitting display device
A transparent organic light emitting display device having improved transmittance comprises: a first substrate having a transmitting region and a plurality of pixel regions separated from each other by the transmitting region; thin film transistors positioned on a first surface of the first substrate and disposed in the pixel regions of the substrate; a passivation layer covering the thin film transistors; a plurality of pixel electrodes, formed on the passivation layer so as to be electrically connected to the thin film transistors, located in the pixel regions, and overlapping and covering the thin film transistors; an opposite electrode facing the pixel electrodes, formed to be able to transmit light, and located in the transmitting region and the pixel regions; an organic emission layer interposed between the pixel electrode and the opposite electrode to emit light; a second substrate facing the opposite electrode and bonded to the first substrate; and a conduction unit interposed between the second substrate and the opposite electrode, and having both ends contacting the second substrate and the opposite electrode.
US08461591B2 Organic light emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display device with a simplified manufacturing process and improved electrical characteristics, along with a method of manufacturing the device, are disclosed. The device includes: a substrate having a display area and a non-display area; a thin film transistor (TFT) in the display area; a wiring portion in the non-display area; an intermediate layer electrically connected to the TFT and including an organic light emitting layer; and a counter electrode on the intermediate layer. The TFT includes an active layer, a gate electrode, and source/drain electrodes electrically connected to the active layer. The source/drain electrodes include a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer that are sequentially stacked. The wiring portion includes the same material as the first conductive layer. One of the source/drain electrodes is longer than the other, to function as a pixel electrode, and is electrically connected to the intermediate layer.
US08461587B2 Ion-sensitive sensor with multilayer construction in the sensitive region
An ion-sensitive sensor with an EIS structure includes: a semiconductor substrate, on which a layer of a substrate oxide 103 is produced; an adapting or matching layer, which is prepared on the substrate oxide; a chemically stable intermediate insulator, which is deposited on the adapting or matching layer; and a sensor layer, which comprises a tantalum oxide or a tantalum oxynitride, and which is applied on the intermediate insulator; wherein the intermediate insulator comprises hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide or a mixture of zirconium oxide and hafnium oxide, and wherein the adapting or matching layer differs in its chemical composition and/or in its structure from the intermediate insulator and from the substrate oxide.
US08461586B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be retained even when power is not supplied, and does not have a limitation on the number of write cycles. The semiconductor device includes a memory cell including a first transistor, a second transistor, and an insulating layer placed between a source region or a drain region of the first transistor and a channel formation region of the second transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor are provided to at least partly overlap with each other. The insulating layer and a gate insulating layer of the second transistor satisfy the following formula: (ta/tb)×(∈ra/∈rb)<0.1, where ta represents the thickness of the gate insulating layer, tb represents the thickness of the insulating layer, ∈ra represents the dielectric constant of the gate insulating layer, and ∈rb represents the dielectric constant of the insulating layer.
US08461584B2 Semiconductor device with metal oxide film
In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film, a metal oxide film which has a function of preventing electrification and covers a source electrode and a drain electrode is formed in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, and then, heat treatment is performed. Through the heat treatment, impurities such as hydrogen, moisture, a hydroxyl group, or hydride are intentionally removed from the oxide semiconductor film, whereby the oxide semiconductor film is highly purified. By providing the metal oxide film, generation of a parasitic channel on the back channel side of the oxide semiconductor film in the transistor is prevented.
US08461574B2 Organic electroluminescence device
An organic electroluminescence device including opposite anode and cathode, and a hole-transporting region, an emitting layer and an electron-transporting region in sequential order from the anode between the anode and the cathode, wherein the emitting layer includes a red emitting portion, a green emitting portion, and a blue emitting portion; the blue emitting portion includes a host BH and a fluorescent dopant FBD; the triplet energy ETfbd of the fluorescent dopant FBD is larger than the triplet energy ETbh of the host BH; the green emitting portion includes a host GH and a phosphorescent dopant PGD; the electron-transporting region includes a common electron-transporting layer adjacent to the red emitting portion, the green emitting portion and the blue emitting portion; the common electron-transporting layer includes a material having a triplet energy ETel larger than ETbh; and the difference between the affinity of the host GH and the affinity of the material constituting the common electron-transporting layer is 0.4 eV or less.
US08461573B2 Organic thin film devices with stabilized threshold voltage and mobility, and method for preparing the devices
Organic thin film devices that included an organic thin film subjected to a selected dose of a selected energy of ions exhibited a stabilized mobility (μ) and threshold voltage (VT), a decrease in contact resistance RC, and an extended operational lifetime that did not degrade after 2000 hours of operation in the air.
US08461571B2 Method and apparatus for converting photon energy to electrical energy
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus including a nanopillar and a graphene film, the graphene film being in contact with a first end of the nanopillar, wherein the nanopillar includes a metal, the contact being configured to form an intrinsic field region in the graphene film, and wherein the apparatus is configured to generate a photocurrent from a photogenerated charge carrier in the intrinsic field region.
US08461567B2 Apparatus and method for sensing photons
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, including a plurality of photon sensing layers arranged on top of each other, and an intermediate layer between each two adjacent sensing layers, the sensing layers being of graphene, and each intermediate layer being configured to prevent a respective color component of light from proceeding into the photon sensing layer next to it.
US08461566B2 Methods, structures and devices for increasing memory density
Non-volatile memory devices comprising a memory string including a plurality of vertically superimposed diodes. Each of the diodes may be arranged at different locations along a length of the electrode and may be spaced apart from adjacent diodes by a dielectric material. The electrode may electrically couple the diodes of the memory strings to one another and to another memory device, such as, a MOSFET device. Methods of forming the non-volatile memory devices as well as intermediate structures are also disclosed.
US08461564B2 Memory devices having an embedded resistance memory with metal-oxygen compound
Memory devices based on tungsten-oxide memory regions are described, along with methods for manufacturing and methods for programming such devices. The tungsten-oxide memory region can be formed by oxidation of tungsten material using a non-critical mask, or even no mask at all in some embodiments. A memory device described herein includes a bottom electrode and a memory element on the bottom electrode. The memory element comprises at least one tungsten-oxygen compound and is programmable to at least two resistance states. A top electrode comprising a barrier material is on the memory element, the barrier material preventing movement of metal-ions from the top electrode into the memory element.
US08461563B2 Resistance change memory
According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes a memory cell unit. The memory cell unit is configured to stack a resistance change element and a diode element having non-ohmic properties, and the diode element is configured to stack in order to a semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type, a semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type, and a semiconductor layer having the first conductivity type from the first interconnect layer side. An area density of dopant impurities in the semiconductor layer having the second conductivity type is larger than a sum total of area densities of dopant impurities in the two semiconductor layers having the first conductivity type, and smaller than double an area density of an electric flux number associated with a threshold electric field of an interband tunneling current of a material includes the semiconductor layer having the second conductivity type.
US08461561B2 System for radiation sterilization of medical devices using a package having modifier sections
Methods and systems for selection radiation exposure in sterilization of medical devices are disclosed.
US08461558B2 System and method for ion implantation with dual purpose mask
A system for implanting a substrate. The system includes a substrate holder disposed within a process chamber of the system and coupled to ground. The system also includes an electrode disposed within the process chamber and coupled to a power source, the power source configured to supply voltage to the electrode as an unbalanced voltage pulse train, wherein a negative peak voltage during a negative voltage pulse period of the unbalanced voltage pulse train is higher than a positive peak voltage during a positive voltage pulse period of the unbalanced pulse train. The system further includes a movable mask, wherein the movable mask is configured to move between a first position proximate the substrate holder, and a second position proximate the driven electrode.
US08461555B2 Charged particle beam writing method and charged particle beam writing apparatus
Based on the pattern writing data input to an input unit 20, a control computer 19 divides a predetermined region on which writing is effected by an electron beam 54 into smaller regions each consisting of one or the same number of frames and determines the areal density of a pattern to be written on each smaller region. A drift compensation time interval determining unit 32 then determines the amount of change in pattern areal density between each two adjacent smaller regions, and groups the smaller regions in the predetermined region into region groups depending on whether or not the amount of change is greater than a predetermined value. A time profile for compensating for the drift of the electron beam 54 is then determined for each region group.
US08461554B1 Apparatus and method for charge neutralization during processing of a workpiece
A processing system may include a plasma source for providing a plasma and a workpiece holder arranged to receive ions from the plasma. The processing system may further include a pulsed bias circuit electrically coupled to the plasma source and operable to switch a bias voltage supplied to the plasma source between a high voltage state in which the plasma source is biased positively with respect to ground and a low voltage state in which the plasma source is biased negatively with respect to the ground.
US08461552B2 Active particle trapping for process control
A particle isolation system includes a semiconductor process chamber; at least one member within the semiconductor process chamber wherein the member has at least a first position and a second position; and at least one isolation compartment having a plurality of walls, the isolation compartment defined by the plurality of walls, at least one of the plurality of walls of the isolation compartment defining at least one opening wherein the member in the first position permits particles to enter the isolation compartment from the semiconductor process chamber through the opening, and wherein the member in the second position substantially encloses the isolation compartment thereby substantially retaining the particles in the isolation compartment and substantially limiting movement of the particles between the semiconductor process chamber and the isolation compartment through the opening. An ion implant system is also provided.
US08461549B2 Multi-needle multi-parallel nanospray ionization source for mass spectrometry
An electrospray ion source for a mass spectrometer for generating ions of an analyte from a sample comprising the analyte dissolved in a liquid solvent comprises: an electrode receiving the sample and comprising at least a first plurality of protrusions protruding from a base, each protrusion of the at least a first plurality of protrusions having a respective tip; and a voltage source, wherein, in operation of the electrospray ion source, the sample is caused to move, in the presence of a gas or air, from the base to each protrusion tip along a respective protrusion exterior so as to form a respective stream of charged particles emitted towards an ion inlet aperture of the mass spectrometer under application of voltage applied to the electrode from the voltage source.
US08461548B2 Ion beam irradiation device and method for suppressing ion beam divergence
To improve an efficiency of utilizing electrons and efficiently suppress an ion beam spread by a space charge effect while eliminating a need for a special magnetic pole structure by effectively using a space in the vicinity of a magnet, there are provided an ion source, a collimating magnet and a plurality of electron sources, wherein the electron sources are arranged in a magnetic field gradient region formed on an ion beam upstream side or ion beam downstream side of the collimating magnet and arranged outside a region passed by the ion beam, and an irradiation direction of the electrons is directed to supply the electrons to the magnetic field gradient region.
US08461546B2 Compounds for neutron radiation detectors and systems thereof
One embodiment includes a material exhibiting an optical response signature for neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for gamma rays, said material exhibiting performance comparable to or superior to stilbene in terms of distinguishing neutrons from gamma rays, wherein the material is not stilbene. Another embodiment includes a substantially pure crystal exhibiting an optical response signature for neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for gamma rays, the substantially pure crystal comprising a material selected from a group consisting of: 1-1-4-4-tetraphenyl-1-3-butadiene; 2-fluorobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid; 4-biphenylcarboxylic acid; 9-10-diphenylanthracene; 9-phenylanthracene; 1-3-5-triphenylbenzene; m-terphenyl; bis-MSB; p-terphenyl; diphenylacetylene; 2-5-diphenyoxazole; 4-benzylbiphenyl; biphenyl; 4-methoxybiphenyl; n-phenylanthranilic acid; and 1-4-diphenyl-1-3-butadiene.
US08461544B2 Radiation image capturing device, and radiation image capturing system
A radiation image capturing device has: a radiation image capturing section that is adapted to image capturing in a selected operation mode, an image processing section, a power supply section that supplies electric power for driving to the radiation image capturing section, a connection portion that electrically connects to at least one of a power supply device or an image processing device, and a control section. The control section effects control such that, in a case in which an operation mode that generates a predetermined generated heat amount or more is selected and the power supply device is connected to the connection portion, the power supply device is used instead of the power supply section, and, in a case in which an operation mode that generates a predetermined generated heat amount or more is selected and the image processing device is connected to the connection portion, the image processing device is used instead of the image processing section.
US08461536B2 Radiation scintillator and radiation image detector
Disclosed are a radiation scintillator and a radiation image detector comprising the radiation scintillator. The radiation scintillator which exhibits enhanced sharpness and luminance and is excellent in shock resistance, comprises, on the substrate, a scintillator layer containing a phosphor and formed by a process of gas phase deposition, and the scintillator layer exhibits a thickness of 100 to 500 μm, a filling factor of the phosphor of 75 to 90% by mass and a layer thickness distribution of not more than 20%.
US08461535B2 Phase stable rare earth garnets
A transparent ceramic according to one embodiment includes a rare earth garnet comprising AhBiCjO12, where h is 3±10%, i is 2±10%, and j is 3±10%. A includes a rare earth element or a mixture of rare earth elements, B includes at least one of aluminum, gallium and scandium, and C includes at least one of aluminum, gallium and scandium, where A is at a dodecahedral site of the garnet, B is at an octahedral site of the garnet, and C is at a tetrahedral site of the garnet. In one embodiment, the rare earth garment has scintillation properties. A radiation detector in one embodiment includes a transparent ceramic as described above and a photo detector optically coupled to the rare earth garnet.
US08461529B2 Variable waveband infrared imager
A waveband imager includes an imaging pixel that utilizes photon tunneling with a thermally actuated bimorph structure to convert infrared radiation to visible radiation. Infrared radiation passes through a transparent substrate and is absorbed by a bimorph structure formed with a pixel plate. The absorption generates heat which deflects the bimorph structure and pixel plate towards the substrate and into an evanescent electric field generated by light propagating through the substrate. Penetration of the bimorph structure and pixel plate into the evanescent electric field allows a portion of the visible wavelengths propagating through the substrate to tunnel through the substrate, bimorph structure, and/or pixel plate as visible radiation that is proportional to the intensity of the incident infrared radiation. This converted visible radiation may be superimposed over visible wavelengths passed through the imaging pixel.
US08461528B2 Image recording apparatus and control method thereof
Disclosed is an image recording apparatus comprising a temperature sensing module, a detecting module, an image capture module and a control unit. The control unit acquires an appropriate high threshold and an appropriate low threshold corresponding to an ambient temperature sensed by a temperature sensing module. The control unit outputs a high threshold voltage and a low threshold voltage to the detecting module for adjusting the sensitivity of the image recording apparatus to suit a variable ambient temperature properly.
US08461527B2 Scanning electron microscope and method for processing an image obtained by the scanning electron microscope
In the case where a specimen is imaged by a scanning electron microscope, it is intended to acquire an image of a high quality having a noise component reduced, thereby to improve the precision of an image processing. The intensity distribution of a beam is calculated on the basis of an imaging condition or specimen information, and an image restoration is performed by using a resolving power deterioration factor other than the beam intensity distribution as a target of a deterioration mode, so that a high resolving power image can be acquired under various conditions. In the scanning electron microscope for semiconductor inspections and semiconductor measurements, the restored image is used for pattern size measurement, defect detections, defect classifications and so on, so that the measurements can be improved in precision and so that the defect detections and classifications can be made high precise.
US08461526B2 Electron beam column and methods of using same
In one embodiment, a first vacuum chamber of an electron beam column has an opening which is positioned along an optical axis so as to pass a primary electron beam that travels down the column. A source that emits electrons is positioned within the first vacuum chamber. A beam-limiting aperture is configured to pass a limited angular range of the emitted electrons. A magnetic immersion lens is positioned outside of the first vacuum chamber and is configured to immerse the electron source in a magnetic field so as to focus the emitted electrons into the primary electron beam. An objective lens is configured to focus the primary electron beam onto a beam spot on a substrate surface so as to produce scattered electrons from the beam spot. Controllable deflectors are configured to scan the beam spot over an area of the substrate surface. Other features and embodiments are also disclosed.
US08461524B2 Ion guide with improved gas dynamics and combined noise reduction device
A mass spectrometry system arrangement includes a curved ion guide, where the curve of the ion guide is positioned such that a portion of the ion optics are visible from at the ion guide entrance, e.g. line of sight or z-axis. There are four electrodes parallel with each other and the central curved axis. Each electrode is equally radially spaced from the curved central axis. For each cross section of the ion guide, the central curved axis being positioned at the origin, the curved electrodes being radially positioned at 45°, 135°, 225°, and 315°. Depending upon the system, a blocking device is positioned external to the ion guide but within the “line of sight” or positioned tangential to the rising section of the bent ion guide.
US08461523B2 Ionizer for vapor analysis decoupling the ionization region from the analyzer
A method and apparatus are described to increase the efficiency with which a sample vapor is ionized prior to being introduced into an analyzer. Excellent contact between the vapor and the charging agent is achieved in the ionization chamber with a perforated impaction plate. As a result, some desired fraction of the gas going into, or coming out of the analyzer can be controlled independently from the flow of sample through the ionization chamber. Furthermore, penetration into the ionization chamber of the desired fraction of the gas is minimized by controlling the dimensions of the perforated impaction plate. Ions formed in the ionization chamber are driven partly by electric fields through the perforated impaction plate into the analyzer. As a result, most of the gas sampled into the analyzer carries ionized vapors, even when the sample flow is very small, and even when the analyzer uses counterflow gas.
US08461519B2 Water detection and 3-phase fraction measurement systems
Methods and apparatus enable monitoring a hydrocarbon well for water within a flow stream of the well. A water detector includes a light source for emitting into a flow stream infrared light that includes a water absorbent wavelength band. A detector detects attenuation of the water absorbent wavelength band upon the infrared radiation passing through at least a portion of the flow stream. The water detector outputs a presence of water and/or a phase fraction or quantification of water as determined based on the attenuation. Detecting attenuation of a substantially transmissive wavelength band with respect to water simultaneously with detection of the attenuation of the water absorbent wavelength band can enable correction for non-wavelength dependent attenuation.
US08461518B2 Method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus
This invention has one object to provide a method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus that allows reliable collection of calibration data with a wide detector ring. In order to achieve this purpose, in the method of collecting calibration data in radiation tomography apparatus according to this invention, the number of coincidence events is obtained while the phantom that emits annihilation gamma-ray pairs moves as to pass through an inner hole of the detector ring. Such configuration dose not need the phantom having a width equal or larger than the detector ring, and may realize reliable collection of calibration data. Moreover, it may be considered that annihilation gamma-ray pairs have been emitted in uniform property without depending on positions of the detector ring. As a result, calibration data that is more suitable for removal of a image artifact may be obtained.
US08461517B2 Ammonium salts as IMS positive mode calibrants/reactants
An ion mobility spectrometer includes a permeation tube, ammonium sulfate disposed within the permeation tube in solid form, and a heating device configured to heat the permeation tube so as to create ammonia gas to flow within the permeation tube. When an array of sensors of the IMS is placed in contact with an unknown sample, the ammonia operates as a reactant so as to provide detection signals that are provided to a processor unit of the IMS, so as to identify the unknown sample based on its ion mobility spectrum.
US08461513B2 Method and apparatus for device with minimized optical cross-talk
An improved method and apparatus for a device with minimized optical cross-talk are provided. In one example, the device includes a filtering material selected to maximize the attenuation of signals causing cross-talk while minimizing the attenuation of desired signals.
US08461510B2 Occupancy sensor and ambient light control
An occupancy sensor is provided with a separable override unit which can selectively override the operation of the occupancy sensor at designated times and for selected time intervals. The occupancy sensor includes a light sensor for actuating the occupancy sensor and a light assembly when the ambient light is below a predetermined level and to deactivate the occupancy sensor when the ambient light is above a threshold level to prevent the light assembly from being actuated when the light level is sufficient to avoid the need for actuating the light assembly. The override unit is removably attached to the occupancy sensor and is provided with a light source, such as an LED. The override unit is coupled to the occupancy sensor to emit light to actuate the light sensor of the occupancy sensor, thereby controlling the operation of the occupancy sensor, such as by preventing the occupancy sensor from being actuated regardless of the light level in the surrounding areas. The occupancy sensor includes a cavity on a top surface for receiving the override unit. The light sensor of the occupancy sensor is positioned in the cavity. The LED on the override unit in on an end that is inserted into the cavity to align with the light sensor. A control unit is operatively connected to one or more override units for selectively controlling the normal operation of the occupancy sensor.
US08461506B2 Projection system having a virtual mask
A projection system includes a projection screen defining a shape and a projector configured to project an image onto the projection screen. The projector may project a static or dynamic image that has substantially the same shape as the projection screen or otherwise block portions of the projected image that are projected outside of the projection screen with the aid of a virtual mask. The virtual mask and the projection screen may be created based on a virtual shape template that defines the desired shape for the projection screen, such as with a vector outline. In some embodiments, the virtual mask and the projection screen are created based on the same virtual shape template. The virtual shape template may define a cutting path for extracting the projection screen from a suitable material.
US08461499B2 Microwavable bag or sheet material
A microwavable material having a structure that may be used to enhance the browning and crisping, and thus improve the taste and appearance, of a food item cooked therein. The material may be in the form of a sheet material or formed as a container such as a bag, pouch, or other suitable structure. The material may have one or more features that help bring the material into close contact with the food item and help conform the bag around the food item. Furthermore, the material may have a structure that avoids substantial contact with liquid released by a food item, may have a venting system suitable for the exiting of moisture, may have a coating, a transparent surface, and when formed as a container, may have a gusseted surface.
US08461498B2 Microwave field director structure having V-shaped vane doublets
A self-supporting field director structure for use in heating an article in a microwave oven is characterized by a vane array comprising a plurality of V-shaped vane doublets, wherein each vane doublet itself comprises a first and a second vane. Each vane extends radially outwardly from the central axis. Each vane has a substrate formed from an electrically non-conductive material, with a portion of each vane being electrically conductive. A vane support structure is attached to the vane array.
US08461496B2 Induction heating device for battery electrode
An induction heating device includes a take-off roller, the take-off roller adapted to unwind a wound electrode plate having a coating portion and a non-coating portion, a guide roller adapted to feed the electrode plate, an induction heater above the guide roller, the induction heater being spaced a predetermined distance from the guide roller and the electrode plate, and a winding roller, the winding roller adapted to wind the electrode plate fed from the guide roller.
US08461495B2 Heated glass panel frame with electronic controller and triac
The present invention places an electronic controller and/or a triac in a frame, a cover, a chase, or a mounting member of a heated glass panel assembly, where the panel has a conductive coating dispose on it. By placing the controller in the panel frame, the cover, the chase, or the mounting member, field wiring of the panel assembly is greatly reduced, wire lengths are standardized, production glazing, wiring, and pre-testing are facilitated, and installation time and complexity are minimized. By placing the triac in thermal contact with the panel frame, the cover, the chase, or the mounting member, the heat from the triac may be used to complement the heat supplied by the assembly.
US08461494B2 Heater with safety mechanisms
An indoor or outdoor heater with a safety bar, a tiltable heater head, a power controlling and power limiting device serving as safety mechanisms.
US08461492B1 Emergency shut-off system for a cooking appliance and method of use thereof
An emergency shutoff system for a cooking appliance deactivates a cooking appliance upon the detection of smoke or rapidly rising heat. Three (3) embodiments are provided, depending on the presence of a gas or an electric model, each further comprises a combination heat and smoke detector located on the ceiling immediately above the appliance. The detector is connected to a control panel at the rear of the stove by a section of low voltage wiring. The control panel activates a shunt trip mechanism in the case of an electrically-powered stove or closes a low voltage solenoid valve in the case of gas-powered stove. Such features greatly reduce the affects of a fire at the cooking appliance should one occur.
US08461490B2 Substrate heating unit and substrate treating apparatus including the same
Provided are a substrate heating unit heating a substrate, and a substrate treating apparatus including the same. The substrate heating unit heats the substrate by transferring heat generated from a resistance heat generating member to a supporting plate. The supporting plate includes an upper plate having a central region which is thicker than an edge region thereof, and a lower plate made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than the material of the upper plate. By a difference in the shape and material of the upper plate and lower plate, heat arrives at the substrate more rapidly in the edge region than in the central region, so that an entire surface of the substrate is heated uniformly.
US08461489B2 Furnace for dental prosthesis or partial dental prosthesis
The invention relates to a furnace for a dental prosthesis, or a partial dental prosthesis, comprising a furnace chamber, a plurality of heating elements for heating the furnace chamber, and a power connector for connecting the heating elements to a power grid, wherein means for limiting the power consumption of the furnace are provided in order to increase the application possibilities and improve the furnace performance.
US08461488B2 Oven
Present embodiments provide an oven. The oven includes a cavity receiving food; a convection assembly provided in plurality, each convection assembly including a heater that heats the food, and a fan blowing air heated by the heater toward the food; and at least one covering member covering at least one of the fans, wherein the fans have respective shafts that are different in height from a bottom surface of the cavity.
US08461487B2 Apparatus for purifying metallurgical silicon for solar cells
A system for forming high quality silicon material, e.g., polysilicon. In a specific embodiment, the melted material comprises a silicon material and an impurity, e.g., phosphorous species. The system includes a crucible having an interior region. In a specific embodiment, the crucible is made of a suitable material such as a quartz material or others. The quartz material is capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 1400 Degrees Celsius for processing silicon. In a specific embodiment, the crucible is configured in an upright position and has an open region to expose a melted material. In a specific embodiment, the present system has an energy source. Such energy source may be an arc heater or other suitable heating device, including multiple heating devices, which may be the same or different. The arc heater is configured above the open region and spaced by a gap between the exposed melted material and a muzzle region of the arc heater to cause formation of a determined temperature profile within a vicinity of a center region of the exposed melted material while maintaining outer regions of the melted material at a temperature below a melting point of the quartz material of the crucible. In a specific embodiment, the system produces a melted material comprising a resulting phosphorous species of 0.1 ppm and less, which is purified silicon.
US08461475B2 System for the thermal processing of workpieces by a plasma jet or a laser beam
A system for the thermal processing of workpieces. In this respect, workpieces can be processed by a plasma jet or by a laser beam. The thermal processing of workpieces is done more flexibly and also less expensive in this respect. A laser processing head or a plasma processing head can be connected by a single shaft element.
US08461473B2 External corrosion protection for underground pipes
A method for establishing or restoring electrical continuity between metal pipe sections in pipeline rehabilitation according to embodiments of the present invention includes, from an inside of a pipe having first and second pipe sections, removing a layer of the first pipe section at a first location, removing a layer of the second pipe section at a second location, electrically connecting a spanner at the first location and the second location, deploying a tubular liner along the inside of the pipe, injecting grout between the tubular liner and the inside of the pipe, and distributing the grout between the tubular liner and the inside of the pipe, wherein a first radial distance from the inside of the pipe to the innermost extent of the spanner is less than or equal to a second radial distance from the inside of the pipe to the tubular liner.
US08461472B2 Modular welding equipment with light curtains
A welding machine that includes a machine frame having an opening permitting access to an interchangeable tooling module installed on the machine. The welding machine includes one or more light curtains covering the opening to disable operation of one or more welding stations on the tooling module if the light curtain is breached by an operator, robot, or other object. The welding machine includes a selector arm attached to the machine frame at a location between a first end and a second end of the opening. The selector arm can be moved into and out of position at the opening to selectively define either a single light curtain across the opening or a pair of adjacent light curtains that permit separate operation and access to separate welding stations behind each of the two light curtains.
US08461468B2 Multidirectional switch and toy including a multidirectional switch
A multidirectional switch includes a base, a weight coupled to the base via resilient member, and at least first and second contacts coupled to the base. The weight is biased toward a neutral position spaced from the first and second contacts. The weight is movable toward and contacts the first contact when a first force is applied to the base, which deforms the resilient member in a first direction. The weight is movable toward and contacts the second contact when a second force is applied to the base, which deforms the resilient member in a second direction different than the first direction.
US08461467B2 Local lighting keyboard
A local lighting keyboard includes a baseboard, a plurality of keycaps movable up and down against the baseboard, and a circuit board located between the baseboard and the keycaps that is depressible by the keycaps in the up and down movement to output corresponding signals. A mask is provided beneath the keycaps that has a light permeable zone and an impermeable zone, and at least one light source located below a lower surface of the mask. The light source emits light which is transmitted below the mask and passes through the permeable zone to project upwards outside the keyboard. Thus locations of the keycaps are easier to distinguish and keystroke accuracy improves.
US08461458B2 Card structure, socket structure, and assembly structure thereof
A card structure includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a connector. The first substrate includes a base surface, wherein at least one electronic part region and a terminal region are disposed on the base surface. The second substrate is disposed on the base surface and is coupled to the terminal region of the first substrate. The connector is disposed on the base surface to juxtapose the second substrate. The connector includes a connecting surface, a contact unit, and a plurality of contact regions disposed on the connecting surface and coupled to the contact unit and the terminal region, such that the plurality of contact regions are coupled to the second substrate via the terminal region of the first substrate.
US08461454B2 Aqueous absorptive polymer-containing resin composition-producing method, aqueous absorptive polymer-containing resin composition, and porous substance-producing method using same and porous substance, insulated electric cable-producing method, insulated electric cable and coaxial cable
A method for producing an aqueous absorptive polymer-containing resin composition in which a resin composition is doped with an aqueous absorptive polymer includes causing the aqueous absorptive polymer to absorb and be swollen by water beforehand, and milling and microparticulating the water-absorbed and -swollen absorptive polymer at an ultrasonic flow pressure of not less than 50 MPa.
US08461452B2 Arrangement for directing a lightning current within a wind turbine
The present invention relates to an arrangement for directing a lightning current within a wind turbine. The arrangement includes a first component, a second component, a contact element and a guideway. One of the two components is arranged moveably in relation to the other. The contact element is arranged in a way that the first component is electrically connected to the second component in order to direct a lightning current within the wind turbine. The contact element is guided moveably by the guideway. According to the invention, the guideway is at least partly integrated in the first component.
US08461448B2 Solar cell module
The present invention pertains to a solar cell module comprising at least one photovoltaic element encapsulated between a front layer on its light receiving surface side and a back layer, said front layer comprising at least one layer comprising a tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) polymer [polymer (F)], said polymer (F) comprising: recurring units derived from TFE; and from 15 to 25% wt of recurring units derived from at least one perfluoromonomer [monomer (CM)] chosen among: (i) perfluoroalkylvinylethers complying with formula CF2═CFORf1, in which Rf1 is a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl, e.g. —CF3, —C2F5, —C3F7; and/or (ii) perfluoro-oxyalkylvinylethers complying with formula CF2═CFOX0, in which X0 is a C1-C12 perfluorooxyalkyl having one or more ether groups, like perfluoro-2-propoxy-propyl; and (iii) mixtures thereof. Still objects of the invention are a process for the manufacture of the solar cell module as above defined and its use for producing current to external sources, e.g. for powering a fixed-wing aircraft.
US08461447B2 Device for use in a furnace exhaust stream for thermoelectric generation
A device for generating voltage or electrical current includes an inner elongated member mounted in an outer elongated member, and a plurality of thermoelectric modules mounted in the space between the inner and the outer members. The outer and/or inner elongated members each include a plurality of passages to move a temperature altering medium through the members so that the device can be used in high temperature environments, e.g. the exhaust system of an oxygen fired glass melting furnace. The modules are designed to include a biasing member and/or other arrangements to compensate for differences in thermal expansion between the first and the second members. In this manner, the modules remain in contact with the first and second members. The voltage generated by the modules can be used to power electrical loads.
US08461442B2 Computer-readable storage medium having music playing program stored therein and music playing apparatus
At a time T0, prior read reproduction is started with a volume of 0. Upon starting the prior read reproduction, MIDI events containing note events are sequentially generated. Each time each of the note events is generated, note data is generated based on these note events and sequentially stored in a note pool 123. At a time T1, actual reproduction is started. After the time T1, the actual reproduction and the prior read reproduction are concurrently performed at a same speed. Accordingly, the prior read reproduction precedes invariably two bars ahead of the actual reproduction. Information pertinent to notes contained in a part from a currently played position to a position two bars ahead of the currently played position can be easily obtained from the note pool 123.
US08461441B2 Stringed instruments with internal baffling
A musical instrument with a hollow body is provided that has a top and a bottom, and at least one vertical baffle forming a meandering path within the hollow body of the musical instrument between the top and bottom of the hollow body. The hollow body of the musical instrument may further include a planer baffle located within the hollow body such that a separation chamber created therewith separates the soundboard of the musical instrument from the meandering path and the planer baffle maintains the volume of the meandering path such that the at least one vertical baffle does not interfere with vibration of the soundboard.
US08461439B2 Musical instruments
A musical instrument such as a trombone is manufactured by moulding from polymeric material. The instrument has a moulded body section which has an internal bore through which air is blown by the player. The internal diameter of the bore has a restriction formed thereon so that the diameter of the bore tapers along the section for tuning or tonal adjustment of the instrument.
US08461435B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH029591
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH029591. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH029591, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH029591 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH029591.
US08461434B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH707173
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH707173. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH707173, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH707173 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH707173.
US08461432B1 Maize variety inbred PH1DMK
A novel maize variety designated PH1DMK and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1DMK with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1DMK 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 PH1DMK or a locus conversion of PH1DMK with another maize variety.
US08461430B1 Inbred corn line OOA25LY
An inbred corn line, designated OOA25LY, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line OOA25LY, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line OOA25LY with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line OOA25LY with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line OOA25LY, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line OOA25LY and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08461428B1 Inbred corn line SRS10
An inbred corn line, designated SRS10, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line SRS10, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line SRS10 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line SRS10 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line SRS10, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line SRS10 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08461424B2 Soybean cultivar S080178
A soybean cultivar designated S080178 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S080178, to the plants of soybean S080178, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S080178 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S080178 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 S080178, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S080178 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 S080178 with another soybean cultivar.
US08461421B2 Toxin genes and methods for their use
Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:61-121 and 133-141, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1-60, 124-132, and 142-283, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US08461420B2 Alfalfa variety 05N16PY
A novel alfalfa variety designated 05N16PY and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant that comprise crossing alfalfa variety 05N16PY with another alfalfa plant. Methods for producing an alfalfa plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 05N16PY through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the alfalfa seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Alfalfa seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing alfalfa variety 05N16PY or a trait conversion of 05N16PY with another alfalfa plant or population. Alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 05N16PY, methods for producing other alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety 05N16PY and the alfalfa populations and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US08461419B2 Plant height regulatory gene and uses thereof
Provided are a crop height regulatory gene from Arabidopsis thaliana, expression regulatory sequences thereof and uses thereof. The crop regulatory gene can be used to regulate the plant height, volume, tiller, yield, flower organ size, or seed size of crops.
US08461412B2 Multilayered unitary absorbent core
The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, baby diapers, adult incontinence articles and sweat pads. According to the present invention the absorbent article in the region designated for liquid deposition on its wearer facing surface has a single layer topsheet onto which liquid to be absorbed is provided during use of the article. The absorbent article includes a backsheet forming the liquid barrier surface and a unitary absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet. Importantly the unitary core provides improved liquid handling to the absorbent article and increases the masking, i.e. ability to hide stains due to absorbed liquid, of the article. This is particularly beneficial in the context of articles for absorption of liquids with high color intensity, such as menstrual liquid or urine of older adults.
US08461404B2 Aromatization catalyst comprising prolongated silica and methods of making and using same
A prolongated silica bound zeolite support comprising from about 85 wt % to about 95 wt % zeolite. A catalyst composition comprising a prolongated silica bound zeolite supporting at least one Group VIII metal and at least one halide. A process of making a prolongated silica bound zeolite support comprising mixing a zeolite, a prolongated silica, and water to form a mixture, and shaping the mixture into the prolongated silica bound zeolite support. A process of making a prolongated silica bound zeolite catalyst comprising mixing a zeolite, a prolongated silica, and water to form a mixture, shaping the mixture into a prolongated silica bound zeolite support, and adding one or more catalytic compounds to the prolongated silica bound zeolite support to form the prolongated silica bound zeolite catalyst. A process for converting hydrocarbons to aromatics comprising: contacting a prolongated silica bound zeolite catalyst comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one halide with a hydrocarbon feed in a reaction zone under aromatization conditions; recovering an aromatic product from the reaction zone; and purifying the aromatic product to produce benzene, toluene, paraxylene, orthoxylene, metaxylene, or combinations thereof.
US08461402B2 Isomerization of 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
The present invention involves methods for isomerization of 1234zc. Also provided are methods for managing 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropene produced as a byproduct in a process for synthesizing trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene from 245fa, wherein 1234zc is converted into trans/cis-1234ze with the help of a catalyst in the absence of HF and in an isomerization reactor, or is converted into 1234zc and/or 245fa with the help of a catalyst in the presence of HF in a separate reactor or preferably in the same reactor of 245fa dehydrofluorination.
US08461401B2 Method for making hexafluoro-2-butene
Hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336) is a low global warming potential blowing agent, refrigerant and solvent. This invention provides a method for making the compound, including the cis-isomer, from the readily available raw materials, carbon tetrachloride and 3,3,3-trifluoropropene. The trans-isomer formed in the process can be isomerized into cis-isomer by the use of an isomerization catalyst.
US08461398B2 Oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds
In a process for oxidizing an alkylaromatic compound to the corresponding hydroperoxide, a feed comprising an alkylaromatic compound is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide. The contacting is conducted at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 150° C., with the cyclic imide being present in an amount between about 0.05 wt % and about 5 wt % of the alkylaromatic compound in the feed and the catalyst being substantially free of alkali metal compounds. The contacting oxidizes at least part of the alkylaromatic compound in said feed to the corresponding hydroperoxide.
US08461397B2 Oxidation of hydrocarbons
In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, a reaction medium comprising a hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in a reaction zone and in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide. During the oxidation process, a portion of the reaction medium is continuously or intermittently removed from the reaction zone, is stripped of water and organic acid impurities and then returned to the reaction zone.
US08461396B2 Process for purifying aqueous glyoxal solutions
A process for purifying an aqueous glyoxal solution comprising at least one acid by extractive acid removal, comprising i) mixing and dispersion of the aqueous glyoxal solution with an ion exchanger solution comprising a tertiary amine and an organic solvent, ii) phase separation and removal of the ion exchanger solution laden with the acid from the aqueous glyoxal solution, and iii) regeneration of the ion exchanger solution by contacting with a basic compound for neutralization of the acid and removal of the basic compound, iv) mixing and dispersion of the ion exchanger solution with water to obtain a dispersion of water and ion exchanger solution, v) Phase separation and removal of the aqueous phase from the ion exchanger solution in such a way that the content of the aqueous phase of the regenerated ion exchanger solution is <1% by weight, and recycling of the ion exchanger solution into step i).
US08461395B2 Synthesis of acetaldehyde from a carbon source
A process for the selective production of acetaldehyde by vapor phase reaction of acetic acid over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form acetaldehyde is disclosed and claimed. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over platinum and iron supported on silica selectively produces acetaldehyde in a vapor phase at a temperature of about 300° C.
US08461393B2 Synthesis of intermediate for treprostinil production
The compound according to Formula I is an intermediate in the synthesis of prostacylin analogs. The present invention provides an efficient method for synthesizing a Formula I compound.
US08461392B2 Process for preparing cyclic ketones
The present invention relates to a process for preparing at least one monocyclic ketone having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms by reacting a mixture G1 comprising at least one monocyclic olefin having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms with a mixture G2 comprising at least dinitrogen monoxide, wherein said reaction is performed adiabatically.
US08461384B2 Preparation of amides from an acid and amine for intermediates in the synthesis of morphinans
The present invention is directed to processes for the synthesis of morphinans. In particular, a process for coupling a carboxylic acid compound with an amine compound to form an amide product that can then be isolated or the crude amide product can be cyclized to form a 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline. In one embodiment, the carboxylic acid contains a phenol moiety protected with a labile protecting group. The protected phenol reduces reaction times, simplifies work-up of the product, and reduces the amount of cyclizing agent, POCl3 that is necessary to form the 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline.
US08461383B2 Process for starting up a separating process for purifying removal of acrylic acid crystals from a suspension S of crystals thereof in mother liquor
A process for starting up a separating process for purifying removal of acrylic acid crystals from a suspension S of crystals thereof in mother liquor with a hydraulic wash column which has a crystal melt circuit including crystal melt space, and a process space and a distributor space which are separated by an end with passages connecting the two spaces, in which the crystal bed is formed for the first time by first filling the crystal melt circuit and, at least partly, the process space with an acrylic acid-comprising startup liquid whose acrylic acid crystal formation temperature is less than or equal to the temperature of the suspension S increased by 15° C., and then continuing the filling of the wash column with the suspension S and optionally with control liquor until the difference between the pressure in the crystal melt space and the pressure in the distributor space falls suddenly, the arithmetic mean of the total waste liquor flow flowing through the filters of the filter tubes of the wash column until this time, based on the area of all filters, being not more than 80 m3/(m2·h).
US08461382B2 Ionic liquids
Novel ionic liquids comprising polyethercarboxylates as anions, a process for preparing them and their use.
US08461380B2 Method for production of acrylic acid
To provide a method of producing acrylic acid which enables low energy-consumption production of acrylic acid from glycerin mixtures including glycerin and one or more compound selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty acid salts, glycerides, fatty acid esters, alkali compounds and alkali compound salts. The method of producing acrylic acid according to the present invention includes the steps of obtaining an acrolein mixture by causing a dehydration reaction to a glycerin mixture; and obtaining an acrylic acid mixture by causing an oxidation reaction to the acrolein mixture; and recovering acrylic acid from the acrylic acid mixture.
US08461378B2 Purification of fluoroalkanesulfonate salts
A process for the purification of fluoroalkanesulfonate salt comprising (a) contacting a mixture of said salt and an inorganic salt contaminant with a solvent to selectively dissolve said fluoroalkanesulfonate salt in solution, and (b) isolating the solution, to yield a fluoroalkanesulfonate salt containing less than 500 micrograms of inorganic salt contaminant per gram of fluoroalkanesulfonate salt, or containing less than a maximum of 0.3% by weight of individual solvent.
US08461376B2 Systems for alkyl ester production
In one embodiment, a method for the production of alkyl esters comprises: introducing liquid biomass and an alcohol to a first transesterification reactor at a point in a lower 25% of the reactor; reacting the liquid biomass and the alcohol to form a liquid glycerol and a liquid alkyl ester, wherein greater than or equal to about 75 mass % of the liquid glycerol moves towards a bottom of the first transesterification reactor; removing a liquid alkyl ester stream from the first transesterification reactor; and removing the liquid glycerol from the first transesterification reactor. The liquid biomass and the alcohol form a combined liquid stream that flows through the first transesterification reactor in a laminar flow.
US08461374B2 Method for producing hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate
Disclosed is a method for producing a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate having high production efficiency and placing little burden on a production system. The method for producing a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate comprises a reaction step of reacting (meth)acrylic acid with an alkylene oxide in a reactor while stirring a liquid containing (meth)acrylic acid and the alkylene oxide with a stirrer to obtain a reaction liquid containing a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, and thereafter a deaeration step of reducing a pressure in the reactor while stirring the reaction liquid with the stirrer to vaporize and remove an unreacted alkylene oxide in the reaction liquid, a number of stirring revolutions of the stirrer in the deaeration step being reduced to 30 to 85% of a number of stirring revolutions of the stirrer in the reaction step.
US08461372B2 Amino acid derivatives and absorbable polymers therefrom
The present invention relates to the discovery of new class of hydrolysable amino acid derivatives and absorbable polyester amides, polyamides, polyepoxides, polyureas and polyurethanes prepared therefrom. The resultant absorbable polymers are useful for drug delivery, tissue engineering, tissue adhesives, adhesion prevention, bone wax formulations, medical device coatings, stents, stent coatings, highly porous foams, reticulated foams, wound care, cardiovascular applications, orthopedic devices, surface modifying agents and other implantable medical devices. In addition, these absorbable polymers should have a controlled degradation profile.
US08461371B2 Method of enantioselective addition to imines
The present invention relates to a method of enantioselective addition to imines, including: reacting R3CH═NY with R4ZnR5 in the presence of a compound represented by the following formula (I), in which Y, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined the same as the specification. Accordingly, the present invention can prepare secondary amines in high yields and enantiomeric excess by the above-mentioned method.
US08461365B2 Metallocene complex and polymerization method of olefin
A metallocene complex by which high uptake efficiency of ethylene and/or α-olefin can be obtained compared with the conventional metallocene catalyst, and robber component having high molecular weight can be polymerized, and polymerization method of olefin. Metallocene complex (metallocene complex having furyl or thienyl group in which substituent exists at 5-position of indenyl ring, and substituent may exist at 2-position of indenyl ring, and the like) represented by the general formula [II], the catalyst for olefin polymerization characterized by comprising said metallocene complex, and polymerization method of olefin characterized that polymerization or copolymerization of olefin is carried out using said polymerization catalyst for olefin, and the like.
US08461363B2 Deodorization and stabilization of marine oils
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of deodorized and stabilized food-grade marine oils by submitting marine oils to a counter-current steam distillation (CCSD) in a thin film column containing a structured packing and, if desired, adding antioxidant(s), to the food-grade marine oils thus obtained and to their uses in the food/feed, cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical industry.
US08461352B2 Process for preparing azabicyclic compounds
The present invention relates to a process for preparing azabicyclic compounds that are useful intermediates for synthesizing pharmaceutical compounds or salts thereof.
US08461351B2 Sterically bulky stabilizers
A sterically bulky stabilizer that includes an alkylated-benzimidazolone compound, where the sterically bulky stabilizer is associated non-covalently with a benzimidazolone pigment, and the presence of the sterically bulky stabilizer limits the extent of particle growth and aggregation, to afford nanoscale pigment particles.
US08461348B2 Heterocyclic derivative and use thereof
The present invention aims to provide a compound having superior pharmacological action, physicochemical properties and the like and useful as an sGC activation drug, or an agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases such as hypertension, ischemic cardiac disease, cardiac failure, kidney disease, arteriosclerotic disease, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, diabetes, diabetic complications, metabolic syndrome, peripheral arterial obstruction, erectile dysfunction and the like.An sGC activation drug containing a compound represented by the formula (II): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.
US08461347B2 Process for preparing form A of atazanavir sulfate
A process of making Form A of atazanavir sulfate comprises: a) mixing atazanavir free base with a solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), isopropanol (IPA), N-methylprrolidone (NMP) and combinations thereof; b) reacting sulfuric acid with the atazanavir free base in the mixture formed in step a) to form a reaction solution comprising atazanavir sulfate; c) mixing an antisolvent with the reaction solution; d) seeding the mixture formed in step c) with an effective amount of Form A of atazanavir sulfate to form a seeded mixture comprising Form A of atazanavir sulfate; and e) isolating Form A of atazanavir sulfate in solid form from the seeded mixture; wherein the antisolvent is selected from the group consisting of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), acetonitrile (MeCN), isopropyl acetate (IPAc), cyclohexane, and combinations thereof. In one alternative, step c) may be performed before step b). In another alternative, step d) may be carried out concurrent with or prior to step c).
US08461346B2 Benzyl amines, a process for their production and their use as anti-inflammatory agents
The present invention relates to the compounds of formula I, processes for their production and their use as anti-inflammatory agents.
US08461344B2 Polymorph forms of (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-[3-(5-isopropdxypyridin)yl]-4-penten-2-amine
Polymorph forms of (2S)-(4E)-N-methyl-5-[3-(5-isopropoxypyridin)yl]-4-penten-2-amine p-hydroxybenzoate, and methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical composition containing said polymorph(s) and use, are disclosed. The polymorphs can be administered to patients susceptible to or suffering from conditions and disorders, such as central nervous system disorders, to treat and/or prevent such disorders.
US08461343B2 Synthesis of thiohydantoins
A novel synthesis of the anti-androgen, A52, which has been found to be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer, is provided. A52 as well as structurally related analogs may be prepared via the inventive route. This new synthetic scheme may be used to prepare kilogram scale quantities of pure A52.
US08461342B2 Processes for producing cycloalkylcarboxamido-pyridine benzoic acids
The present invention relates to a process of providing the 3-(6-(1-(2,2-difluorobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)cyclopropanecarboxamido)-3-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzoic acid in substantially free form (Compound 1).
US08461336B2 Boron-containing small molecules
This invention provides, among other things, novel compounds useful for treating inflammatory conditions, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, as well as combinations of these compounds with at least one additional therapeutically effective agent.
US08461335B2 Acid gas scrubbing composition
This invention provides novel compositions comprising substituted polyamines as acid gas scrubbing solutions and methods of using the compositions in an industrial system. The invention relates to the use of such polyamine compounds in industrial processes to remove acidic contaminants from natural and industrial fluid streams, such as natural gas, combustion gas, natural gas, synthesis gas, biogas, and other industrial fluid streams. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful for removal, absorption, or sequestration of acidic contaminants and sulfide contaminants including CO2, H2S, RSH, CS2, COS, and SO2.
US08461334B2 Process for resolving zopiclone
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of the dextrorotatory isomer of zopiclone (eszopiclone). The present invention also provides eszopiclone di-p-anisolyl-L-tartrate and eszopiclone diacetyl-L-tartrate, which are useful as intermediates in a process for preparing eszopiclone.
US08461329B2 Isoquinoline derivative
A compound represented by formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof has an effect of inhibiting CRTH2 and, therefore, is useful as a preventive or a remedy for allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis.
US08461327B2 Diamine salts of carboxylic acids
The present invention relates to a salt of a carboxylic acid with a diamine such as 2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)diethyl amine, 3,3′-(ethylenedioxy)dipropyl amine and 2,2′-oxybis(ethylamine) and a method of preparing such salts. Preferably the carboxylic acid is a fermentation product such as clavulanic acid, mycophenolic acid or pravastatin.
US08461326B2 SiRNA targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to CTGF.
US08461322B2 Plant 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase
This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase in a transformed host cell.
US08461317B2 Linkers and co-coupling agents for optimization of oligonucleotide synthesis and purification on solid supports
A method of modulation of synthesis capacity on and cleavage properties of synthetic oligomers from solid support is described. The method utilizes linker molecules attached to a solid surface and co-coupling agents that have similar reactivities to the coupling compounds with the surface functional groups. The preferred linker molecules provide an increased density of polymers and more resistance to cleavage from the support surface. The method is particularly useful for synthesis of oligonucleotides, oligonucleotides microarrays, peptides, and peptide microarrays. The stable linkers are also coupled to anchor molecules for synthesis of DNA oligonucleotides using on support purification, eliminating time-consuming chromatography and metal cation presence. Oligonucleotides thus obtained can be directly used for mass analysis, DNA amplification and ligation, hybridization, and many other applications.
US08461314B2 Nucleic acid sequences for biosynthesis of non-MccJ25-related lariat peptides
A nucleic acid sequence is provided, encoding at least one of a precursor of a lariat peptide, a processing factor of a lariat peptide, and an export factor of a lariat peptide, wherein the lariat peptide is a non-MccJ25 lariat peptide according to general structural formula (I) Also provided are biosynthesis systems useful for the synthesis of peptides according to formula (I), and methods of detecting and identifying nucleic acid sequences encoding the disclosed proteins.
US08461313B2 Conjugates and compositions for cellular delivery
This invention features conjugates, compositions, methods of synthesis, and applications thereof, including folate derived conjugates of nucleosides, nucleotides, non-nucleosides, and nucleic acids including enzymatic nucleic acids and antisense nucleic acid molecules.
US08461308B2 Monoclonal antibodies against prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) lacking in fucosyl residues
The invention pertains to anti-PSMA antibodies that lack fucosyl residues. The antibodies of the invention exhibit increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity as compared to the fucosylated form of the antibodies. The invention also provides host cells that express the anti-PSMA antibodies that lack fucosyl residues, wherein the host cells are deficient for a fucosyl transferase. Methods of using the antibodies to inhibit the growth of PSMA+ cells, such as tumor cells, are also provided.
US08461306B2 Therapeutic use of anti-CS1 antibodies
The present invention is directed to antagonists of CS1 that bind to and neutralize at least one biological activity of CS1. The invention also includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. The present invention also provides for a method of preventing or treating disease states, including autoimmune disorders and cancer, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering into said subject an effective amount of such antagonists.
US08461304B2 Antibodies
The present invention provides antibodies which bind to an epitope in the extracellular domain of human CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) and which are capable of inhibiting the binding of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and/or thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) to CCR4. Also provided are inter alia immunoconjugates and compositions comprising such antibodies and methods and uses involving such antibodies, particularly in the medical and diagnostic fields.
US08461301B2 Synthetic dragline spider silk-like proteins
The present application relates to isolated amino acid sequence comprising multiple repeats of a semi-synthetic spider silk protein domain, or any functional homolog, variant, derivative, fragment or mutant thereof. The amino acid sequence of the invention further comprises an N-terminal region and a C-terminal region. The invention further provides a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid sequence of the invention, an expression vector comprising said nucleic acid, a host cell transformed with said expression vector, a recombinant spider silk protein thus produced and a fiber composed of the recombinant spider silk protein. The invention further encompasses a composition comprising as an active ingredient said amino acid sequence or any said recombinant protein or fiber comprising the same. Lastly, the invention relates to an article comprising at least one fiber composed of said recombinant spider silk protein.
US08461300B2 Materials and methods for stabilizing nanoparticles in salt solutions
Sequence-specific polymers are proving to be a powerful approach to assembly and manipulation of matter on the nanometer scale. Ligands that are peptoids, or sequence-specific N-functional glycine oligomers, allow precise and flexible control over the arrangement of binding groups, steric spacers, charge, and other functionality. We have synthesized short peptoids that can prevent the aggregation of gold nanoparticles in high-salt environments including divalent salt, and allow co-adsorption of a single DNA molecule. This degree of precision and versatility is likely to prove essential in bottom-up assembly of nanostructures and in biomedical applications of nanomaterials.
US08461294B2 Nucleophilic substitution of carbon nanotubes
Compounds are attached to carbon nanotubes (CNT) by a process which comprises: subjecting surface treated CNTs which have been treated to induce negatively charged surface groups thereon, to nucleophilic substitution reaction with a compound carrying a functional group capable of reacting with the negatively charged groups on the CNT surface, whereby the compound chemically bonds to the CNT. The surface CNT treatment may be reduction. The compounds which are bonded to the CNT may be epoxy resins, bonded directly or through a spacer group. Bi-functional CNTs, grafted to both epoxy resins and other polymers such as polystyrene, are also made by this process.
US08461292B2 Organic thin-film transistors
A thin-film transistor comprises a semiconducting layer comprising a semiconducting material selected from Formula (I) or (II): wherein X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 a, b, and n are as described herein. Semiconducting compositions of Formula (I) or (II) are also described.
US08461288B2 Polyester resin and toner comprising same
The present invention relates to a polyester resin prepared by adding an anti-hydrolysis agent to a reactant comprising an acid selected from an alkylester of aromatic dibasic acid or a mixture of an alkylester of aromatic dibasic acid and an alkylester of aliphatic dibasic acid, an aromatic diol and an aliphatic diol; and a toner produced by using the same as a binder resin.
US08461277B2 Caustic removable hot melt adhesive formulations
An additive composition for imparting caustic removability to a hot melt adhesive comprises a low molecular weight α,β ethylenically unsaturated anhydride-containing or acid-containing polymer. The polymer is selected from the group consisting of a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride homo-polymer or the at least partial ester thereof, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride copolymer or the at least partial ester thereof, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride polyolefin, a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride vinyl aromatic copolymer, and a low molecular weight carboxylic anhydride grafted copolymer, or the combination or mixtures thereof. A caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition comprises a hot melt adhesive additive and a conventional hot melt adhesive resin. A caustic removable adhesive label comprises a substrate and a caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition which includes an additive composition. The caustic removable hot melt adhesives can be used on labels for articles, such as glass bottles.
US08461276B2 Multi-component catalyst systems and polymerization processes for forming broad composition distribution polymers
Propylene polymerization processes, polymers and films formed therefrom are described herein. The propylene polymerization processes generally include contacting propylene and an amount of ethylene with a first metallocene catalyst and a second metallocene catalyst within a polymerization reaction vessel to form a propylene based polymer, wherein the amount is an amount effective to form the propylene based polymer including from about 2 wt. % to about 6 wt. % ethylene, the second metallocene catalyst is capable of incorporating a greater amount of ethylene into the propylene based polymer than the first metallocene catalyst and wherein the first metallocene catalyst is capable of forming a propylene/ethylene random copolymer exhibiting a melting temperature that is greater than that of a propylene/ethylene random copolymer formed from the second metallocene catalyst.
US08461268B2 Golf ball material, golf ball and method for preparing golf ball material
A golf ball material composed of (A) an oxygen-containing inorganic metal compound in the form of a particulate or a master batch capable of neutralizing at least some of the acid groups in an acid-containing polymer blend, (B) one or more polymer selected from among diene polymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers, and (C) an acid-containing polymer is prepared by mixing component A in a blend of components B and C. The golf ball material has a good heat resistance, flowability and processability, and can be used to produce high-performance golf balls having durability, scuff resistance and optimal hardness without a loss of rebound.
US08461266B2 Cable and polymer composition comprising a multimodal ethylene copolymer
The present invention relates to a cable comprising a conductor surrounded by one or more layers, wherein at least one layer comprises a polymer composition comprising a multimodal copolymer of ethylene with one or more comonomers, to a process for producing the cable and to a polymer composition suitable as a cable layer material.
US08461265B2 Triblock copolymer having biodegradable polymer blocks and method of producing the same
This invention provides a triblock copolymer useful as a compatibilizer for biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid, and general-purpose polymers.Namely, this is a triblock copolymer represented by the below general formula (i), wherein each R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, —CH3, —C2H5, and —CH2CH(CH3)2, n is an integer of 10 to 1000, and A represents a polyester block obtained by subjecting one or more cyclic esters selected from the group consisting of lactides, glycolides and lactones, to ring-opening polymerization.
US08461264B2 Thermoplastic resin composition
Disclosed is a thermoplastic resin composition comprising a cross-copolymer which meets specific requirements; and a polyphenylene ether resin, wherein the cross-copolymer is contained in an amount of 5 to 95 mass % and the polyphenylene ether resin is contained in an amount of 95 to 5 mass %. The thermoplastic resin composition has excellent heat resistant, excellent softness, excellent flexibility, excellent stretching properties, and excellent scratch-abrasion resistance.
US08461261B2 Engineering plastic resin composition containing graft copolymer
Provided is a resin composition containing a resin component prepared by blending a graft copolymer with an engineering plastic, wherein the above graft copolymer is a graft copolymer satisfying (a) to (e) shown below: (a) a graft rate is 1 to 150% by mass, (b) a weight average molecular weight measured by GPC is 500 to 400000, (c) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) is 1.5 to 4, (d) a main chain is a polymerization chain containing 1 to 100% by mass of a monomer unit having a functional group interacting with the engineering plastic and (e) a side chain is a homopolymerization chain of a single kind selected from α-olefins having 3 to 28 carbon atoms or a copolymerization chain of two or more kinds selected therefrom or a copolymerization chain comprising an α-olefin unit having 3 to 28 carbon atoms and an ethylene unit which accounts for 50% by mass or less, and a mesopentad ratio [mmmm] of the polymerization chain is 30 to 80 mole %.
US08461258B2 Method of producing amino acid-modified organopolysiloxane emulsions
The present invention relates to an amino acid-modified organopolysiloxane emulsion obtainable by reacting (a) a carboxy-unprotected amino acid, and (b) organopolysiloxane having an epoxy group in the molecule in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant, is incorporated in a cosmetic product. The present invention also relates to the simple and highly efficient production of emulsions of amino acid-modified polysiloxane, as well as the use of the emulsions as beautifying components.
US08461250B2 Powdery composition, in particular for coating metal substrates
A powdery composition, in particular for coating metal substrates, comprises approximately 70% to approximately 80% of a polyester mixture, relative to the total weight of the composition. Relative to the weight of the polyester mixture, the polyester mixture comprises approximately 57% to approximately 58% of a first copolyester, approximately 35% to approximately 36% of a second copolyester, and approximately 7% of a third copolyester.
US08461245B2 Copolymers for treating construction aggregates
The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
US08461240B2 Elastomeric nanocomposites, nanocomposite compositions, and methods of manufacture
A nanocomposite comprising at least one elastomer and at least one nanofiller. The elastomer comprises units derived from isoolefins having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms and at least one multiolefin. The nanofiller comprise a layered filler and an amine modifier wherein the nanofiller is substantially free of any unassociated amines. By eliminating unassociated amines in the nanofiller, prior to contact with the elastomer, the nanocomposite has improved processability characteristics while maintaining desired impermeability characteristics.
US08461232B2 Dispersing agent containing copolymer mixture
The invention relates to a polymer composition containing 3 to 90% by weight of a copolymer H and 3 to 90% by weight of a copolymer K, the copolymers H and K each having polyether macromonomer structural units and acid monomer structural units, which are present in the copolymers H and K in each case in a molar ratio of 1:20 to 1:1, and at least 20 mol % of all structural units of the copolymer H and at least 25 mol % of all structural units of the copolymer K being present in each case in the form of acid monomer structural units, at least 60 mol % of the polyether macromonomer structural units of the copolymer H being represented by the isoprenol polyether derivative structural units and at least 60 mol % of the polyether macromonomer structural units of the copolymer K being represented by the vinyloxy polyether derivative structural units.
US08461230B2 Process for producing aqueous polytetrafluoroethylene dispersion for coagulation processing, and aqueous polytetrafluoroethylene dispersion for coagulation processing
This invention provide an aqueous PTFE dispersion and a process for efficiently producing the aqueous PTFE dispersion for coagulation processing having excellent coagulation properties of PTFE microparticles. The process involves adding a synthetic adsorbent, having a specific surface area of from 100 to 2,000 m2/g, to an aqueous PTFE dispersion containing both PTFE microparticles, having an average particle size of from 0.10 to 0.50 μm, and a nonionic surfactant, followed by stirring or shaking and then separation into a liquid phase and a solid phase, and recovering an aqueous PTFE dispersion which contains from 45 to 70 mass % of PTFE microparticles having an average particle size of from 0.10 to 0.50 μm and from 1.4 to 2.1 mass %, based on the mass of the PTFE microparticles, of a nonionic surfactant.
US08461225B2 Oxidation resistant homogenized polymeric material
The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant homogenized polymeric materials and medical implants that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and annealing the antioxidant doped UHMWPE in a super critical fluid, and materials used therein.
US08461222B2 Shoe sole component
There is provided a shoe sole component that has properties such as strength and cushioning property that are suppressed from being changed even under a wide temperature range from severe cold at −10° C. or lower to high temperature conditions exceeding 30° C. A shoe sole component includes a cross-linked foam of a resin composition, the resin composition containing a thermoplastic polyolefin resin, in which tan δ (−20° C. to 40° C.) at a frequency of 10 Hz measured according to JIS K 7244-4 is 0.01 to 0.5, and tan δ (−20° C.)/tan δ (40° C.) at a frequency of 10 Hz is 0.7 to 1.3.
US08461221B2 Silicone antifoam particles
Antifoam particles contain: (A) porous copolymers of urea or melamine or a mixture thereof with an alkanal, and (B) a silicone antifoam composition which is liquid at 0° C. The invention also provides pulverulent antifoam agents which comprise antifoam particles and optionally further carrier materials.
US08461211B2 Use for budesonide and formoterol
The invention provides the use of formoterol and budesonide in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
US08461208B2 Bis(thio-hydrazide amide) salts for treatment of cancers
Disclosed are bis(thio-hydrazide amide) disalts and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also disclosed are methods of using bis(thio-hydrazide amide) disalts to treat cancer.
US08461206B2 Use of at least one (dihydro)jasmonic acid derivative for treating dry skin
A cosmetic process for treating dry skin and/or a dry scalp of non-inflammatory origin, for example, in a menopausal woman, comprising topically applying to the skin and/or the scalp a composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one (dihydro)jasmonic acid derivative; novel (dihydro)jasmonic acid derivatives and to the compositions, for example, suitable for topical application to the skin, comprising them.
US08461203B2 Microbiologically sound and stable solutions of gamma-hydroxybutyrate salt for the treatment of narcolepsy
Disclosed are formulations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in an aqueous medium that are resistant to microbial growth. Also disclosed are formulations of gamma-hydroxybutyrate that are also resistant to the conversion into GBL. Disclosed are methods to treat sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, with these stable formulations of GHB. The present invention also provides methods to treat alcohol and opiate withdrawal, reduced levels of growth hormone, increased intracranial pressure, and physical pain in a patient.
US08461201B2 Trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoid derivatives
The invention features methods for the preparation of naturally occurring trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoids and their structural analogs. The invention further provides new derivatives and analogs of trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoids that can be prepared according to these methods. The invention also provides compositions and methods using trihydroxy polyunsaturated eicosanoid derivatives for the prevention, amelioration and treatment of a variety of diseases or conditions associated with inflammation or inflammatory response, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, or abnormal cell proliferation or cancer.
US08461199B2 Transition metal complexes of a bis[thio-hydrazide amide] compound
The present invention is directed to a compound comprising a bis[thiohydrazide amide] or a deprotonated form thereof, complexed to a transition metal cation, wherein the bis[thiohydrazide amide] is represented by Structural Formula (I): or a prodrug, isomer, ester, salt, hydrate, solvate, polymorph or a deprotonated form thereof. The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention and method of use thereof.
US08461198B2 Use of acacetin and related compounds as potassium channel inhibitors
This invention provides a method for treating or preventing human atrial arrhythmia (fibrillation) using the leading flavone compound acacetin, and its derivatives and analogues that inhibit the ultra-rapidly-activating delayed rectifier potassium current (IKur or IKsus), transient outward potassium (Ito), and acetylcholine-activated potassium current (IK.Ach).
US08461193B2 Substituted pyrrolo-pyrazole derivatives active as kinase inhibitors
Substituted pyrrolo-pyrazole derivatives of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as defined in the specification, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed; the compounds of the invention may be useful in therapy in the treatment of diseases associated with dysregulated protein kinase activity, like cancer.
US08461188B2 Therapeutic combination of daptomycin and protein synthesis inhibitor antibiotic, and methods of use
A therapeutic combination comprises an antibacterially effective amount of daptomycin, and an amount of protein synthesis inhibitor antibiotic effective to prevent the development of daptomycin non-susceptibility in bacteria. Related combination therapies and methods are also included.
US08461181B2 Fused heterocyclic compound and use thereof
A fused heterocyclic compound of formula (1):wherein, A1 and A2 represent a nitrogen atom or the like, R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent a halogen atom or the like, R2 and R3 represent a halogen atom or the like, R5 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or the like, R6 and R7 represent a C1-C4 chain hydrocarbon group substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or the like, and n represents 0 or 1, has an excellent noxious arthropod controlling effect.
US08461180B2 Inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus replication
Compounds of formula (I): wherein c, X, Y, R2, R4 and R5 are defined herein, are useful as inhibitors of HIV replication.
US08461178B2 Naphthyridine derivatives and the use thereof as kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to kinase modulators of the naphthyridine type and to the preparation and use thereof as medicaments for the modulation of misdirected cellular signal transduction processes, in particular for influencing the function of tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases and for the treatment of malignant or benign tumors and other disorders based on pathological cell proliferation, such as, for example, restenosis, psoriasis, arteriosclerosis and cirrhosis of the liver.
US08461172B2 Solid forms and process for preparing
The present invention provides amorphous solid forms of the compound of Formula I, as well as methods for preparing the compound of Formula I by precipitation.
US08461167B2 Acetylenic heteroaryl compounds
This invention relates to compounds of the general formula: in which the variable groups are as defined herein, and to their preparation and use.
US08461165B2 2-Substituted phenyl-5,7-dihydrocarbyl-3,7-dihydropyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidin-4-one derivatives, the preparation and the pharmaceutical use thereof
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I, their preparation and the pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds. The invention also relates to the use of the compounds of formula I in preparing medicines, which can treat sexual dysfunction of animals including human (male and female), especially erectile dysfunction of male and the diseases in which the function of phospholipase 5 (cGMP PDE5) is involved.
US08461163B2 Substituted N-(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-yl)amides as inhibitors of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1
The present invention relates to apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (“ASK1”) . inhibiting compounds of the formula wherein the variables are as defined herein. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions, kits and articles of manufacture comprising such compounds, to methods and intermediates useful for making the compounds, and to methods of using the compounds.
US08461162B2 Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives
Compounds of the following formula (I) are inhibitors of microtubule affinity regulating kinase, and hence find use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with hyperphosphorylation of tau.
US08461161B2 Substituted pyrazines as inhibitors of kinase activity
Compunds of the general formula wherein each of Z1-Z4 is N or CR1 wherein only two of said Z1-Z4 may be N are useful as kinase inhibitors.
US08461160B2 Dihydropyrimidinones
This invention relates to dihydropyrimidinones of the formula wherein X and R1 to R7 are as defined in the description, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are BACE2 inhibitors and can be used as medicaments for the treatment or prevention of diseases such as diabetes.
US08461153B2 Benzodiazepinone compounds useful in the treatment of skin conditions
The present invention provides a family of benzodiazepinone compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The present invention also provides methods of treating certain skin conditions, e.g., atopic dermatitis, rosacea, or psoriasis, by administering a benzodiazepinone and methods of reducing the proliferation of keratinocyte cells by exposing such cells to a benzodiazepinone.
US08461152B2 Arylcyclohexylethers of dihydrotetraazabenzoazulenes
The present invention is concerned with arylcyclohexylethers of dihydro-tetraazabenzoazulenes, i.e. arylcyclohexylethers of 5,6-dihydro-4H-2,3,5,10b-tetraaza-benzo[e]azulenes of formula I wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as described herein, their manufacture, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds according to the invention act as V1a receptor modulators, and in particular as V1a receptor antagonists. The active compounds of the present invention are useful as therapeutics acting peripherally and centrally in the conditions of dysmenorrhea, male or female sexual dysfunction, hypertension, chronic heart failure, inappropriate secretion of vasopressin, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, anxiety, depressive disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, autistic spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and aggressive behavior.
US08461148B2 Use of memantine (namenda) to treat autism, compulsivity and impulsivity
The present invention relates to the treatment of compulsive, impulsive and pervasive developmental disorders. More particularly, the methods described herein comprise administration of memantine to an individual suffering from such a disorder in an amount effective to relieve one or more symptoms of said disorder. In particularly preferred aspects, the invention is directed to the use of memantine for the treatment of autism.
US08461147B2 Diaminopyridines for the treatment of diseases which are characterised by excessive or anomal cell proliferation
The present invention encompasses compounds of general formula (1) wherein A, B, R1-R3, Rx and n are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation, and their use for preparing a medicament having the above-mentioned properties.
US08461146B2 Pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of premature ejaculation
The present invention provides an oral pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of premature ejaculation, and the composition provides the effective and excellent treatment of premature ejaculation as well as reduced side effects like nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, sedation effect, awakening effect, and weight-loss etc.
US08461143B2 Stabilizing compositions for antibiotics and methods of use
The present invention is directed to improved liquid antibiotic formulations. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising an antibiotic in a liquid comprising triglycerides, wherein the composition has less than about 5% water (w/v).
US08461141B2 Preventive or therapeutic drug for Alzheimer-type dementia
It is intended to provide a highly safe preventive or therapeutic drug for Alzheimer-type dementia which can replace the conventional therapies currently used for Alzheimer-type dementia or which can be used together with the conventional therapy to realize high therapeutic effects, characterized in that a ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and thyroid hormone are used in combination.
US08461140B2 Synthetic bile acid compositions and methods
Bile acids and related compositions and methods of synthesis and use. More specifically, deoxycholic acid and related compositions, said compositions being free of all moieties of animal origin and free of pyrogenic moieties.
US08461139B2 Oral suspension of prednisolone acetate
The present invention relates to novel oral suspension formulation comprising prednisolone acetate, a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and a thickening agent. The present invention further provides a method of treating patients in need of prednisolone with the novel formulation.
US08461137B2 Benzoic acid, benzoic acid derivatives and heteroaryl carboxylic acid conjugates of hydrocodone, prodrugs, methods of making and use thereof
The presently described technology provides compositions comprising aryl carboxylic acids chemically conjugated to hydrocodone (morphinan-6-one, 4,5-alpha-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl) to form novel prodrugs/compositions of hydrocodone, including benzoates and heteroaryl carboxylic acids, which have a decreased potential for abuse of hydrocodone. The present technology also provides methods of treating patients, pharmaceutical kits and methods of synthesizing conjugates of the present technology.
US08461136B2 Compositions and methods for protecting cells during cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Compositions, pharmaceutical preparations and methods are disclosed for protecting non-neoplastic cells from damage caused by cancer chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy, during the course of cancer therapy or bone marrow transplant. These are based on the use of chemoprotective inducing agents that induce or increase production of cellular detoxification enzymes in target cell populations. The compositions and methods are useful to reduce or prevent hair loss, gastrointestinal distress and lesions of the skin and oral mucosa that commonly occur in patients undergoing cancer therapy. Also disclosed is a novel assay system for identifying new chemoprotective inducing agents.
US08461134B2 Boron-containing small molecules
This invention relates to, among other items, 6-substituted benzoxaborole compounds and their use for treating bacterial infections.
US08461132B2 Injectable cross-linked polymeric preparations and uses thereof
A therapeutic composition for treatment of a body tissue which includes an aqueous solution of a cross-linked polymer being capable of: (i) maintaining a liquid state in storage at room temperature for at least 24 hours; and (ii) assuming a gel state following deposition within the body tissue. The therapeutic composition can be effectively administered into a damaged body tissue via injection or catheterization, thereby treating the damaged body tissue.
US08461130B2 Food containing glycogen and use thereof
The present invention is directed towards improving blood glucose levels, visceral fat levels, blood cholesterol levels, neutral fat levels, etc. by oral administration of enzyme synthesized glycogen (ESG). The invention is further directed towards the intake of food by a subject that comprises ESG as a carbohydrate to improve blood glucose levels, visceral fat levels, blood cholesterol levels, neutral fat levels and the like.
US08461128B2 Anti-microbial agents and uses thereof
Many pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Yersinia pestis, rely on an iron acquisition system based on siderophores, secreted iron-chelating compounds with extremely high Fe(III) affinity. The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of domain salicylation enzymes, which catalyze the salicylation of an aroyl carrier protein (ArCP) domain to form a salicyl-ArCP domain thioester intermediate via a two-step reaction. The compounds include the intermediate mimic 5′-O—[N-(salicyl)sulfamoyl]-adenosine (salicyl-AMS) and analogs thereof. These compounds are inhibitors of the salicylate activity of MbtA, YbtE, PchD, and other domain salicylation enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of siderophores. Therefore, these compounds may be used in the treatment of infection caused by microorganisms which rely on siderphore-based iron acquisition systems. Pharmaceutical composition and methods of using these compounds to treat or prevent infection are also provided as well as methods of preparing the inventive compounds.
US08461126B2 Targeting EN2, PAX2, and/or DEFB1 for treatment of prostate conditions
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating a prostate condition in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject a subject effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition having a first agent that inhibits EN2 expression and/or EN2 activity and a second agent that inhibits PAX2 expression and/or PAX2 activity. The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise a third agent that enhances DEFB1 expression or activity.
US08461125B2 Compositions and methods to treat asthma
The present invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of asthma. The compositions can be, for example, siRNA directed to CD23. The invention also provides a method of treating asthma with a formulation for in vivo delivery of a CD23 siRNA to inhibit IgE binding in a patient.
US08461121B2 Macrolide synthesis process and solid-state forms
Described are methods for making macrolides, and, in particular, a method for making optionally substituted 20,23-dipiperidinyl-5-O-mycaminosyl-tylonolide and derivatives thereof, as well as uses of macrolides to make medicaments, methods of treatment using macrolides, and methods for making intermediates that, inter alia, may be used to make macrolides. Also described are solvated and non-solvated crystalline forms of 20,23-dipiperidinyl-5-O-mycaminosyl-tylonolide, as well as methods for making such crystalline forms, medicaments comprising (or derived from) such crystalline forms, methods for making medicaments comprising (or derived from) such crystalline forms, methods of treatment using such crystalline forms, and kits comprising such crystalline forms.
US08461115B2 Methods for local treatment with factor VII
The present invention provides methods for the local treatment of bleeding in a subject and/or reducing unwanted effects associated with the systemic administration of thrombotic agents to a subject, by local administration of FVII to the subject.
US08461113B2 Elastin digest compositions and methods utilizing same
The present invention provides compositions for the therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment of Elastin comprising tissues. Therapeutic and cosmetic compositions comprising an elastin digest stimulate the endogenous production of Elastin and appear to enhance the elasticity of the skin and provide an external supply of peptide precursors of Elastin that penetrate into the tissue to which it is applied. The present invention describes compositions containing an elastin digest derived from proteolytic digestion of insoluble elastin derived from mammalian ligaments with a protein digesting composition, such as proteinase K. The elastin digest is a mixture of elastin peptides wherein the elastin peptide mixture comprises peptides of the sequence GXXPG, wherein X represents one of the natural amino acids. The elastin digest of the present invention may also comprise epitopes of cytokines, growth factors and di-peptides. Methods of using these elastin digest comprising compositions for treating tissues in need of increased elasticity and or Elastin are described.
US08461110B2 Heterodimeric peptide compounds displaying NGF activity and their use to treat neurodegenerative disorders
Peptides having a structure characterized by the presence of two loops constrained in cyclic structure by the presence of covalent bonds between amino acid side chains, the amino acid sequences of the first and the second loop being substantially homologues to that of loop 1 (residues 29-38) and of loop 4 (residues 92-97) of NGF, respectively, displaying nerve growth factor (NGF) agonist or partial agonist activity.
US08461104B2 Surface protection of exposed biological tissues
The invention relates to a biodegradable barrier network comprising at least two polypeptides, one being anionic and the other one cationic. The invention also relates to applicators and kits comprising components to be used to create said biodegradable barrier network. The invention also relates to the use of said applicator or kit in therapy, such as in medicine, veterinary medicine and horticulture.
US08461101B2 Targeting PAX2 for the treatment of breast cancer
The present application provides methods of prevention and/or treatment of breast cancer in a subject by inhibiting expression of PAX2. In the cancer treatment methods disclosed, the method of inhibiting expression of PAX2 can be by administration of a nucleic acid encoding an siRNA for PAX2. A method of treating cancer in a subject by administering DEFB1 is also provided. Similarly, provided is a method of treating cancer in a subject by increasing expression of DEFB1 in the subject.
US08461100B1 Decenal mixtures and their use in perfume compositions
The present invention relates to a novel decenal mixture and the incorporation and use of this mixture as a fragrance material. The novel decenal mixture contains decenals that are represented by the formula set forth below: wherein the broken line represents one double bond and two single bonds.
US08461093B2 Adhesive agent for application on a sanitary object
Agent for sanitary facilities that can be applied directly on the sanitary object, adheres, and is flushable only after a large number of flushes. The agent comprises fillers from the group of surfactants and a bonding agent, wherein the bonding agent is selected from the group of polyalkylene derivatives, hydrogenated polystyrol derivatives, copolymers from the group of monoalkyl esters of poly(methyl vinyl ether/carbonic acid anhydrides, olefin homopolymers, and copolymers of two or more olefins, wherein the olefin homopolymers and copolymers can also be partially hydrogenated, partially oxidized, or further functionalized by graft molecules, and from the group of polyalkyleneimines, including in alkoxylized form, polyetheramines (alkoxylized amines) and polyglycerin polyether alkyl carbonic acids, polymers or derivatives comprising said polymer groups. The viscosity of the agent is at least 30 Pa s, measured using a Haake viscometer, plate/plate system, plate diameter 10 mm, at a shear rate of 2.62 s− at 20° C.
US08461092B2 Home care compositions comprising hydrolysis resistant organomodified disiloxane surfactants
Compositions comprising disiloxane surfactant compositions comprising a silicone composition comprising a silicone having the formula: MM′ where M=R1R2R3SiO1/2; M′=R4R5R6SiO1/2; with R1 selected from the group consisting of branched monovalent hydrocarbon radical of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and R7, where R7 has the formula: R8R9R10SiR12 with R8, R9, and R10 each independently selected from the group of monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and monovalent aryl or alkaryl hydrocarbon radicals having from 6 to 13 carbon atoms and R12 is a divalent hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from the group of from 1 to 6 carbon atom monovalent hydrocarbon radicals or R1, with R4 an alkylpolyalkyleneoxide of the general formula: R13(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)b(C4H8O)cR14 where R13 is a divalent linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having the structure: —CH2—CH(R15)(R16)dO— where R15 is H or methyl; R16 is a divalent alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbons where the subscript d may be 0 or 1; R14 is selected from the group consisting of H, monovalent hydrocarbon radicals of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and acetyl where the subscripts a, b and c are zero or positive and satisfy the following relationships: 2≦a+b+c≦20 with a≧2, and R5 and R6 are each independently selected from the group of monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or R4 that exhibit resistance to hydrolysis over a wide pH range.
US08461089B2 Dishwashing detergent composition having a malodor control component and methods of cleaning dishware
A dishwashing detergent composition comprising a malodor control component, and methods of cleaning dishware are provided. In some embodiments, the dishwashing detergent composition comprises at least one volatile aldehyde and an acid catalyst.
US08461084B2 Herbicidal mixture, comprising an imidazolinone herbicide and an adjuvant
A herbicidal mixture, comprising a) a herbicidally effective amount of an imidazolinone herbicide selected from the group consisting of imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr; b) an adjuvant comprising at least one of the following components: a partial phosphoric ester or a partial sulfuric ester of a monohydroxy-functional polyalkyl ether and optionally c) a further additive.
US08461080B2 Aluminum silicate-free, highly concentrated suspension concentrates of metribuzin
The invention relates to aqueous, aluminum silicate-free, highly concentrated suspension concentrates, containing the active substance metribuzin, one or more surfactants based on nonionic polymers from the ‘acrylic grafted polymers’ group, one or more thickeners based on anionic heteropolysaccharides from the xanthan gum group, one or more wetting agents and optionally other components such as antifoaming agents, antifreeze agents and preservatives and other surfactants differing from the aforesaid components.
US08461075B2 Recording material and method of recording
The present invention relates to recording material having a laser coloring layer, wherein the laser coloring layer comprises one or more materials selected from among pigments, dyes and inorganic materials, and the laser coloring layer exhibits absorption at a wavelength within a range from 700 to 12,000 nm. The recording material of the present invention has a laser coloring layer of a desired hue, such as yellow, cyan, magenta, orange, white or black, and by conducting printing by laser irradiation, a recorded item with excellent color tone can be obtained.
US08461071B2 Polycrystalline group III metal nitride with getter and method of making
A gettered polycrystalline group III metal nitride is formed by heating a group III metal with an added getter in a nitrogen-containing gas. Most of the residual oxygen in the gettered polycrystalline nitride is chemically bound by the getter. The gettered polycrystalline group III metal nitride is useful as a raw material for ammonothermal growth of bulk group III nitride crystals.
US08461068B2 Glass ceramics with bulk scattering properties and methods of making them
Described herein are glass ceramic compositions with bulk scattering properties that have improved light extraction properties due to high levels of diffuse transmission, and methods of making such glass ceramic compositions. The compositions are based on Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2 glass ceramics and with the proper crystal size, exhibit good volume scattering characteristic for visible light and enhance the outcoupling from the substrate to the air in optical devices, such as light emitting diodes.
US08461065B2 Structure of touch-fastening anti-skidding material
A touch-fastening anti-skidding material includes a knitted foundation layer and a plurality of synthetic yarns that is secured together by being collectively knitted in the foundation layer. The foundation layer is formed by knitting of pliable base yarns and synthetic yarns. The synthetic yarns are knitted in U-shaped loops and the base yarns are knitted between adjacent strands of the knitted synthetic yarns to make a large area cloth. The cloth may be in a planar form without hollow opening sections or it includes open sections to facilitate air permeability. The loops of the synthetic yarns have legs extending beyond the foundation layer by a predetermined length and the synthetic yarns show rigidity strength, whereby a flexible, resilient, light-weighted, and low-cost touch-fastening anti-skidding material is formed.
US08461061B2 Quartz boat method and apparatus for thin film thermal treatment
A method of supporting a plurality of planar substrates in a tube shaped furnace for conducting a thermal treatment process is disclosed. The method uses a boat fixture having a base frame including two length portions and a first width portion, a second width portion, and one or more middle members connected between the two length portions. Additionally, the method includes mounting a removable first grooved rod respectively on the first width portion, the second width portion, and each of the one or more middle members, each first grooved rod having a first plurality of grooves characterized by a first spatial configuration. The method further includes inserting one or two substrates of a plurality of planar substrates into each groove in the boat fixture separated by a distance.
US08461057B2 Process for the rough-etching of silicon solar cells
The present invention relates to a novel process for producing textured surfaces on multicrystalline, tricrystalline and monocrystalline silicon surfaces of solar cells or on silicon substrates which are used for photovoltaic purposes. It relates in particular to an etching process and an etching agent for producing a textured surface on a silicon substrate.
US08461055B2 Process for preparing cleaned surfaces of strained silicon
The present invention relates to a method of treating wafers comprising at least one surface layer of silicon-germanium (SiGe) and a layer of strained silicon (sSi) in contact with the SiGe layer, the sSi layer being exposed by etching of the SiGe layer, the method comprising the steps of: (a) a first selective etch of the SiGe layer, optionally followed by an oxidative cleaning step; (b) a rinsing step using deionized water; (c) drying; and (d) a second selective etch step. The present invention relates to a wafer comprising at least one surface layer of strained silicon (sSi), the at least one surface layer of sSi having a thickness of at least 5 nm and at most 100 μm and having at most 200 defects per wafer.
US08461050B2 Taper-etching method and method of manufacturing near-field light generator
A method of taper-etching a layer to be etched that is made of SiO2 or SiON and has a top surface. The method includes the step of forming an etching mask with an opening on the top surface of the layer to be etched, and the step of taper-etching a portion of the layer to be etched, the portion being exposed from the opening, by reactive ion etching so that a groove having two wall faces that intersect at a predetermined angle is formed in the layer to be etched. The etching mask is formed of a material containing elemental Al. The step of taper-etching employs an etching gas that contains a main component gas, which contributes to the etching of the layer to be etched, and N2.
US08461049B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor device
A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a gate structure thereon; forming a first cap layer on a surface of the substrate and sidewall of the gate structure; forming a second cap layer on the first cap layer; forming a third cap layer on the second cap layer; performing an etching process to partially remove the third cap layer, the second cap layer, and the first cap layer to form a first spacer and a second spacer on the sidewall of the gate structure; and forming a contact etch stop layer (CESL) on the substrate to cover the second spacer, wherein the third cap layer and the CESL comprise same deposition condition.
US08461042B2 Electrode contact contaminate removal
Manufacturing an electrode assembly comprising forming an intermediate assembly comprising a carrier member having one or more electrode contacts embedded therein, the surface of the electrode contacts having a layer of carrier member material thereon; removing the layer of carrier member from the surface of the one or more electrode contacts, wherein a residual amount of the carrier member material remains on the surface of at least one of the electrode contacts; and substantially removing the residual carrier member material from the surface of the at least one electrode contact so as to increase the effective surface area of the at least one electrode contact.
US08461032B2 Use of dopants with different diffusivities for solar cell manufacture
A method of tailoring the dopant profile of a substrate by utilizing two different dopants, each having a different diffusivity is disclosed. The substrate may be, for example, a solar cell. By introducing two different dopants, such as by ion implantation, furnace diffusion, or paste, it is possible to create the desired dopant profile. In addition, the dopants may be introduced simultaneously, partially simultaneously, or sequentially. Dopant pairs preferably consist of one lighter species and one heavier species, where the lighter species has a greater diffusivity. For example, dopant pairs such as boron and gallium, boron and indium, phosphorus and arsenic, and phosphorus and antimony, can be utilized.
US08461029B2 Method for fabricating InGaN-based multi-quantum well layers
A method for fabricating quantum wells by using indium gallium nitride (InGaN) semiconductor material includes fabricating a potential well on a layered group III-V nitride structure at a first predetermined temperature in a reactor chamber by injecting into the reactor chamber an In precursor gas and a Ga precursor gas. The method further includes, subsequent to the fabrication of the potential well, terminating the Ga precursor gas, maintaining a flow of the In precursor gas, and increasing the temperature in the reactor chamber to a second predetermined temperature while adjusting the In precursor gas flow rate from a first to a second flow rate. In addition, the method includes annealing and stabilizing the potential well at the second predetermined temperature while maintaining the second flow rate. The method also includes fabricating a potential barrier above the potential well at the second predetermined temperature while resuming the Ga precursor gas.
US08461028B2 Synthesizing graphene from metal-carbon solutions using ion implantation
A method and semiconductor device for synthesizing graphene using ion implantation of carbon. Carbon is implanted in a metal using ion implantation. After the carbon is distributed in the metal, the metal is annealed and cooled in order to precipitate the carbon from the metal to form a layer of graphene on the surface of the metal. The metal/graphene surface is then transferred to a dielectric layer in such a manner that the graphene layer is placed on top of the dielectric layer. The metal layer is then removed. Alternatively, recessed regions are patterned and etched in a dielectric layer located on a substrate. Metal is later formed in these recessed regions. Carbon is then implanted into the metal using ion implantation. The metal may then be annealed and cooled in order to precipitate the carbon from the metal to form a layer of graphene on the metal's surface.
US08461027B2 Method for producing nanostructures on metal oxide substrate, method for depositing thin film on same, and thin film device
A method for producing nanostructures on a metal oxide substrate includes the following steps: a) forming metal aggregates on the metal oxide substrate; and b) vapor phase growing nanostructures on the metal oxide substrate covered with metal aggregates, the substrate being heated in the presence of one or more precursor gases, and the vapor phase growth of nanostructures being catalyzed by the metal aggregates. The metal aggregate formation stage a) includes an operation for reducing the surface of the metal oxide substrate by reductive plasma treatment, causing droplets of metal aggregates to form on the substrate, the metal aggregate formation stage a) and the nanostructure growth stage b) being carried out in series in a single shared plasma reactor chamber, the nanostructure growth being directly carried out on the droplets of metal aggregates.
US08461023B1 Die singulation method
A method is disclosed for singulating die from a semiconductor substrate (e.g. a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate or a bulk silicon substrate) containing an oxide layer (e.g. silicon dioxide or a silicate glass) and one or more semiconductor layers (e.g. monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon) located above the oxide layer. The method etches trenches through the substrate and through each semiconductor layer about the die being singulated, with the trenches being offset from each other around at least a part of the die so that the oxide layer between the trenches holds the substrate and die together. The trenches can be anisotropically etched using a Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) process. After the trenches are etched, the oxide layer between the trenches can be etched away with an HF etchant to singulate the die. A release fixture can be located near one side of the substrate to receive the singulated die.
US08461022B2 Methods and apparatus for aligning a substrate in a process chamber
Methods and apparatus for aligning a substrate in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a process chamber having an interior volume for processing a substrate therein; and a substrate positioning system configured to determine a substrate position within the interior volume, wherein the substrate positioning system determines the substrate position in two dimensions by the interaction of a first position and a second position along an edge of a substrate with two beams of electromagnetic radiation provided by the substrate positioning system. In some embodiments, a method for aligning a substrate may include placing a substrate in the interior volume of a process chamber; directing electromagnetic radiation into the interior volume in a first beam along a first path and in a second beam along a second path; and determining the position of the substrate in two dimensions by interaction of the first and second beams of electromagnetic radiation with an edge of the substrate proximate a first position and a second position.
US08461014B2 Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures and devices with strained semiconductor material
Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures and devices include bonding a seed structure to a substrate using a glass. The seed structure may comprise a crystal of semiconductor material. Thermal treatment of the seed structure bonded to the substrate using the glass may be utilized to control a strain state within the seed structure. The seed structure may be placed in a state of compressive strain at room temperature. The seed structure bonded to the substrate using the glass may be used for growth of semiconductor material, or, in additional methods, a seed structure may be bonded to a first substrate using a glass, thermally treated to control a strain state within the seed structure and a second substrate may be bonded to an opposite side of the seed structure using a non-glassy material.
US08461009B2 Spacer and process to enhance the strain in the channel with stress liner
Process for enhancing strain in a channel with a stress liner, spacer, process for forming integrated circuit and integrated circuit. A first spacer composed of an first oxide and first nitride layer is applied to a gate electrode on a substrate, and a second spacer composed of a second oxide and second nitride layer is applied. Deep implanting of source and drain in the substrate occurs, and removal of the second nitride, second oxide, and first nitride layers.
US08461008B2 Methods for fabricating FinFET integrated circuits in bulk semiconductor substrates
Methods are provided for fabricating FinFETs that avoid thickness uniformity problems across a die or a substrate. One method includes providing a semiconductor substrate divided into a plurality of chips, each chip bounded by scribe lines. The substrate is etched to form a plurality of fins, each of the fins extending uniformly across the width of the chips. An oxide is deposited to fill between the fins and is etched to recess the top of the oxide below the top of the fins. An isolation hard mask is deposited and patterned overlying the plurality of fins and is used as an etch mask to etch trenches in the substrate defining a plurality of active areas, each of the plurality of active areas including at least a portion of at least one of the fins. The trenches are filled with an insulating material to isolate between adjacent active areas.
US08461006B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
It is made possible to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that includes CMISs each having a low threshold voltage Vth and a Ni-FUSI/SiON or high-k gate insulating film structure. The method comprises: forming a p-type semiconductor region and an n-type semiconductor region insulated from each other in a substrate; forming a first and second gate insulating films on the p-type and n-type semiconductor regions, respectively; forming a first nickel silicide having a composition of Ni/Si<31/12 above the first gate insulating film, and a second nickel silicide having a composition of Ni/Si≧31/12 on the second gate insulating film; and segregating aluminum at an interface between the first nickel silicide and the first gate insulating film by diffusing aluminum through the first nickel silicide.
US08461002B2 Vertical transistor, memory cell, device, system and method of forming same
A memory device, system and fabrication method relating to a vertical memory cell including a semiconducting pillar extending outwardly from an integrally connected semiconductor substrate are disclosed. A first source/drain region is formed in the substrate and a body region and a second source/drain region are formed within the pillar. A first gate is coupled to a first side of the pillar for coupling the first and second source/drain regions together when activated. The vertical memory cell also includes a storage capacitor formed on an extended end of the semiconducting pillar and electrically coupled to the second source/drain region.
US08461000B2 Method of making ultrahigh density vertical NAND memory device
Monolithic, three dimensional NAND strings include a semiconductor channel, at least one end portion of the semiconductor channel extending substantially perpendicular to a major surface of a substrate, a plurality of control gate electrodes having a strip shape extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the substrate, the blocking dielectric comprising a plurality of blocking dielectric segments, a plurality of discrete charge storage segments, and a tunnel dielectric located between each one of the plurality of the discrete charge storage segments and the semiconductor channel.
US08460989B2 Niobium and vanadium organometallic precursors for thin film deposition
Disclosed are methods for forming a metal-containing layer on a substrate. A vapor comprising at least one precursor compound selected from the group consisting of (Cp)V(=NtBu)(NEt2)2; (Cp)V(=NtBu)(NMe2)2; (Cp)V(=NtBu)(NEtMe)2; (Cp)V(═NiPr)(NEt2)2; (Cp)V(═NiPr)(NMe2)2; (Cp)V(═NiPr)(NEtMe)2; (Cp)V(═NC5H11)(NEt2)2; (Cp)V(═NC5H11)(NMe2)2; (Cp)V(═NC5H11)(NEtMe)2; (Cp)Nb(=NtBu)(NEt2)2; (Cp)Nb(=NtBu)(NMe2)2; (Cp)Nb(=NtBu)(NEtMe)2; (Cp)Nb(═NiPr)(NEt2)2; (Cp)Nb(═NiPr)(NMe2)2; (Cp)Nb(═NiPr)(NEtMe)2; (Cp)Nb(═NC5H11)(NEt2)2; (Cp)Nb(═NC5H11)(NMe2)2; and (Cp)Nb(═NC5H11)(NEtMe)2 is provided. At least one reaction gas selected from the group consisting of ozone and water is provided. The vapor and the reaction gas react with the substrate according to a deposition process to form the metal-containing layer on at least one surface of the substrate.
US08460987B2 Method for obtaining a layer of AlN having substantially vertical sides
A method for producing a layer of AlN having substantially vertical sides relative to the surface of a substrate, including: the formation of an AlN growth layer on a substrate, the deposition of the AlN layer, on at least said growth layer, the formation of a mask layer over the AlN layer, at least one edge of which is aligned with at least one edge or side of the growth layer, in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to a surface of the substrate or a surface of the growth layer, and the etching of the AlN layer.
US08460984B2 FIN-FET device and method and integrated circuits using such
FIN-FET ICs with adjustable FIN-FET channel widths are formed from a semiconductor layer (42). Fins (36) may be etched from the layer (42) and then some (46) locally shortened or the layer (42) may be locally thinned and then fins (46) of different fin heights etched therefrom. Either way provides fins (46) and FIN-FETs (40) with different channel widths W on the same substrate (24). Fin heights (H) are preferably shortened by implanting selected ions (A, B, C, etc.) through a mask (90, 90′, 94, 94′, 97, 97′) to locally enhance the etch rate of the layer (42) or some of the fins (36). The implant(s) (A, B, C, etc.) is desirably annealed and then differentially etched. This thins part(s) (42-i) of the layer (42) from which the fins (46) are then etched or shortens some of the fins (46) already etched from the layer (42). For silicon, germanium is a suitable implant ion. Having fins (42) with adjustable fin heights Hi on the same substrate (24) enables such FIN-FET ICs (40) to avoid channel-width quantization effects observed with prior art uniform fin height FIN-FETs (20).
US08460983B1 Method for modifying and controlling the threshold voltage of thin film transistors
Doped semiconductor ink formulations, methods of making doped semiconductor ink formulations, methods of coating or printing thin films, methods of forming electronic devices and/or structures from the thin films, and methods for modifying and controlling the threshold voltage of a thin film transistor using the films are disclosed. A desired dopant may be added to an ink formulation comprising a Group IVA compound and a solvent, and then the ink may be printed on a substrate to form thin films and conductive structures/devices, such as thin film transistors. By adding a customized amount of the dopant to the ink prior to printing, the threshold voltage of a thin film transistor made from the doped semiconductor ink may be independently controlled upon activation of the dopant.
US08460982B2 Manufacturing method for array substrate with fringe field switching type thin film transistor liquid crystal display
A manufacturing method for an array substrate with a fringe field switching (FFS) type thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) includes the following steps. A pattern of a gate line (1), a gate electrode, a common electrode (6) and a common electrode line (5) is formed by patterning a first transparent conductive film and a first metal film formed successively on a transparent substrate. Contact holes of the gate line in the pad area and a semiconductor pattern are formed through a patterning process after a gate insulator film, and a semiconductor film and a doped semiconductor film are formed successively. A second metal film is deposited and patterned. A second transparent conductive film is deposited and a lift-off process is performed. And then, a pattern of a source electrode, a drain electrode, a TFT channel and a pixel electrode (4) is formed by etching the exposed second metal film and the doped semiconductor film.
US08460977B2 Mesa termination structures for power semiconductor devices and methods of forming power semiconductor devices with mesa termination structures
A method of forming an electronic device, including forming a preliminary buffer layer on a drift layer, forming a first layer on the preliminary buffer layer, selectively etching the first layer to form a first mesa that exposes a portion of the preliminary buffer layer, and selectively etching the exposed portion of the preliminary buffer layer to form a second mesa that covers a first portion of the drift layer, that exposes a second portion of the drift layer, and that includes a mesa step that protrudes from the first mesa. Dopants are selectively implanted into the drift layer adjacent the second mesa to form a junction termination region in the drift layer. Dopants are selectively implanted through a horizontal surface of the mesa step into a portion of the drift layer beneath the mesa step to form a buried junction extension in the drift layer.
US08460976B2 Manufacturing method of SOI high-voltage power device
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of SOI devices, and in particular, to a manufacturing method of SOI high-voltage power devices. The method comprises steps of: forming a first oxide layer in a section on the surface of the SOI substrate; removing the first oxide layer to form a depressed area in the corresponding section of the upper surface of the SOI substrate; forming a second oxide layer, the upper surface of which is as high as the that of the SOI substrate, in the depressed area formed in step (B); performing photoetching and doping processes to form a P-type region, an N-type region and a gate region on the thus-formed structure where the second oxide layer is formed; forming a third oxide layer by deposition on the drift region of the structure after P-type and N-type regions are formed; wherein the total thickness of the third oxide layer and the second oxide layer approximates to the thickness of the buried oxide layer in the SOI substrate; and forming metal sub-regions, which are respectively in contact with the P-type region, the N-type region and the gate region, on the structure where the third oxide layer is formed, thereby forming a high-voltage power device.
US08460969B2 Method for encapsulating an electronic arrangement
Method for encapsulating an electronic arrangement against permeates wherein a pressure-sensitive adhesive mass based on butylene block copolymers is applied to and around the areas of the electronic arrangement to be encapsulated.
US08460965B2 Manufacturing method for solar cell
A manufacturing method for a solar cell including an upper electrode extracting an electrode at an incident light side, the upper electrode including a transparent conductive film, a basic structural element of the transparent conductive film being any one of an indium (In), a zinc (Zn), and tin (Sn), the manufacturing method including: a step A forming a texture on a front surface of a transparent substrate using a wet etching method, the transparent conductive film being formed on the transparent substrate, wherein in the step A, when the texture is formed, a metal thin film is formed on the transparent substrate, and an anisotropic etching is performed with the metal thin film being a mask.
US08460962B2 Capacitive MEMS switch and method of fabricating the same
The present invention discloses a capacitive MEMS switch on top of a semiconductor substrate containing a CMOS driving circuitry. The capacitive MEMS switch disclosed includes: 1) a semiconductor substrate containing a driving circuitry inside, and first and second conductors as well as a bottom electrode on top; 2) a suspended composite beam above and anchored onto the semiconductor substrate, containing a top electrode aligned to the bottom electrode with a first vertical distance, a top conductor, capped by a dielectric layer, having a first and second contact tips aligned with the first and second bottom conductors with a second vertical distance differentially smaller than the first vertical distance. The electrostatic attraction generated between the top electrode and the bottom electrode pulls the first and second contact tips in physical contact with and electrically connects the first and second bottom conductors through the top conductor.
US08460957B2 Optical semiconductor device, method for manufacturing optical semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing optical semiconductor apparatus
A method for manufacturing a high quality optical semiconductor device includes: (a) preparing a growth substrate; (b) forming a semiconductor layer on the growth substrate; (c) forming a metal support made of copper on the semiconductor layer by plating; (d) separating the growth substrate from the semiconductor layer to remove the growth substrate; and (e) carrying out a thermal treatment in order to even density distributions of crystal grains and voids in the copper forming the metal support.
US08460956B2 Method for fabricating a thin film transistor substrate
A method for fabricating a thin film transistor substrate includes: (a) forming a gate electrode on a substrate using a first photoresist layer; (b) forming an insulating film, an active semiconductor layer, a doped semiconductor layer, an ohmic contact metal film, a passivation film, and a second photoresist layer on the substrate to cover the gate electrode; (c) disposing a multi-tone mask over the second photoresist layer, followed by performing a lithography process to form the second photoresist layer into a patterned photoresist, which has different thicknesses at a location corresponding in position to the gate electrode and on two opposite sides of the location; and (d) performing etching using the patterned photoresist.
US08460947B2 Fluid ejection device and method
A fluid ejection device includes one or more digital data storage arrays having plural EPROM cells. A method for affirming performance adequacy of EPROM cells in the one or more arrays includes the steps of identifying a reference cell in each array, measuring a selected performance criterion for the reference cells, obtaining a reference criterion value, and evaluating the actual performance of at least one cell in each array with respect to the reference criterion value.
US08460942B2 Semen analysis
Provided is a method for measuring motile sperm concentration (MSC) in a semen sample. The method includes placing the sample in a transparent container between a light source and a photodetector thereby generating a waveform analog signal, sampling the signal so as to produce a plurality of signal samples, selecting acceptable signals and calculating the MSC based on the average of the acceptable signal samples.
US08460939B2 Method for producing purified hematinic iron-saccharidic complex and product produced
A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species (AHS) present in iron-saccharidic compositions, including AHS such as sodium ferric gluconate complex, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function. The method separates the AHS from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilizes the separated AHS. Separation of the AHS permits its analytical quantification, further concentration, purification and/or lyophilization as well as preparation of new and useful products and pharmaceutical compositions, including those useful for the treatment of humans and animals.
US08460935B2 Sample analyzer, sample analyzing method, and computer program product
A sample analyzer is provided. The sample analyzer includes a reagent container holder, a measurement unit, and an information processing unit configured to perform operations including controlling the measurement unit to start the successive measurement of the plurality of samples, determining whether to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container while performing the successive measurement by using the reagent contained in the first reagent container, controlling the measurement unit to suspend a start of aspiration of a next sample, to measure a quality control measurement sample prepared from the reagent contained in the second reagent container, when determined to switch from the first reagent container to the second reagent container, and controlling the measurement unit to start the aspiration of the next sample when an analysis result of the quality control measurement sample meets a predetermined condition.
US08460932B2 Method of treating a disorder by suicide gene therapy
The present invention relates to a method of prolonging the expression of an exogenous gene in a cell transduced with the exogenous gene. The method comprises co-administration of the exogenous gene with a herpes virus gene, whereby such co-administration prolongs the expression of the exogenous gene in the transduced cell. The method is particularly useful as a means of effecting gene therapy.
US08460930B2 Method for controlling proliferation of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells and use thereof
The present invention provides a method for controlling the proliferation and differentiation of cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells with excellent safety when proliferating them by culturing. The hematopoietic stem cells are inoculated into a medium containing a sonicated liquid component of cord blood. The proliferation and differentiation of the cord blood hematopoietic stem cells can be inhibited in the presence of the sonicated liquid component of cord blood. On the contrary, the proliferation of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells can be accelerated by inoculating the hematopoietic stem cells into a medium containing a non-sonicated liquid component of cord blood. Thus, according to the present invention, by using serum derived from cord blood, it is possible to regulate the inhibition of the proliferation and differentiation of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells and the acceleration of the proliferation of the same as desired.
US08460929B2 Methods of tissue generation and tissue engineered compositions
Provided are methods and compositions for constructing stable mammalian embryonic epithelial tissues and organs as well as constructing kidney tissue, and treating renal failure. Disclosed are methods of using an active epithelial growth factor having the capability of effectuating induction of growth and morphogenesis is cells.
US08460928B2 Methods of specifying mesodermal, endodermal and mesoendodermal cell fates
We disclose a method for producing a mesodermal or a endodermal cell from a pluripotent stem cell, the method comprising activating a Wnt signalling pathway in the pluripotent stem cell. In some embodiments, the pluripotent stem cell is in a substantially 2 dimensional configuration, such as a monolayer, for at least a portion of the time when the Wnt signalling pathway is activated.
US08460924B2 Supercoiled minivectors™ for gene therapy applications
The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecule compositions comprising MiniVectors™ encoding a nucleic acid sequence and methods of gene therapy using MiniVectors encoding a nucleic acid sequence.
US08460922B2 Immunosensor system for blood with reduced interference
An electrochemical immunosensor system with reduced interference, comprising: a first immunosensor that generates an electrochemical signal based on the formation of a sandwich between an immobilized antibody, a target analyte and a labeled antibody, wherein a portion of the signal arises from non-specific binding of the labeled antibody in the region of the first immunosensor, and a second immunosensor that acts as an immuno-reference sensor and generates a signal that is the same as or predictably related to the degree of non-specific binding which occurs in the region of the first immunosensor, and has an immunocomplex between an immobilized antibody and an endogenous or exogenous protein that is in the sample and that is not the target analyte.
US08460921B2 Multinetwork nerve cell assay platform with parallel recording capability
A neuronal network analysis plate having alternating rows of recording wells and amplifying wells. The recording wells contain a neural cell network and a series of electrodes for recording the action potential signals of the neurons. The electrodes are connected to amplifiers in adjacent amplifying wells. The close proximity of these amplifiers ideal because it permits the parallel, non-multiplexed recording of action potential signals from multiple different active nerve cell networks. The amplifiers in the amplifying wells can then be connected to external amplification equipment. The neuronal network analysis plate may be contained within a single commercially available 24 or 96 well plate. The neuronal network analysis plate can be used to detect and quantify pharmacological and toxicological responses of the neural cells to one or more agents in vitro.
US08460920B2 Method for the purification of adenovirus particles
The invention provides methods for large-scale adenovirus purification from high cell density suspensions, using host cell DNA precipitation followed by a clarification step.
US08460918B2 Lactic acid bacteria having action of lowering blood uric acid level
Various types of lactic acid bacteria were cultured in the presence of a purine, the amount of the purine consumed and the amount of purine degradation products produced were measured, and several lactic acid bacteria showing remarkable purine-decomposing ability were selected. Lactic acid bacteria that were assessed to have high purine-decomposing ability according to the above-mentioned selection were orally administered to rats reared on purine-containing feed, the general status and serum uric acid level of the rats were measured, and the effect of lactic acid bacteria administration on serum uric acid levels was examined. As a result, lactic acid bacteria that significantly suppress the increase of serum uric acid levels, Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2959 and Lactobacillus oris OLL2779, were found.
US08460916B2 TS-23 alpha-amylase variants with altered properties
Described are variants (mutants) of a parent alpha-amylase having alpha-amylase activity and exhibiting altered properties relative to the parent alpha-amylase, and methods of use, thereof.
US08460912B2 Nucleic acid construct containing full length genome of human hepatitis C virus, recombinant full length virus genome-replicating cells having the nucleic acid construct transferred thereinto and method of producing hepatitis C virus particle
The present invention provides a method for replicating efficiently an RNA containing fulllength HCV genomic sequence and a method for producing HCV virus particles containing fulllength HCV replicon RNA or fulllength HCV genomic RNA by using a cell culture system. Further, the present invention relates to a method for producing hepatitis C virus particles which comprises culturing a cell, into which a replicon RNA comprising a nucleotide sequence comprising a fulllength genomic RNA sequence of hepatitis C virus of the genotype 2a, at least one selectable marker gene and/or at least one reporter gene and at least one IRES sequence or the fulllength genomic RNA of hepatitis C virus of the genotype 2a is introduced, and generating virus particles in the culture medium. Still further the present invention relates also to a hepatitis C vaccine and an antibody against hepatitis C virus particles.
US08460910B2 Modified polymerases for improved incorporation of nucleotide analogues
The invention relates to modified polymerase enzymes which exhibit improved incorporation of nucleotide analogues bearing substituents at the 3′ position of the sugar moiety that are larger in size than the naturally occurring 3′ hydroxyl group. Also described are methods of using the polymerases to incorporate nucleotides into polynucleotides, particularly in the context of DNA sequencing.
US08460908B2 Polypeptides having colanic acid-degrading activity
The present disclosure generally relates to polypeptides having colanic acid-degrading activity and methods of using the same. Polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides are also described. The polypeptides may be used, for example, in processes for degrading colanic acid, processes for the removal of endotoxins from biological samples, and processes for purifying plasmid DNA.
US08460906B2 Immobilized product tolerant microorganisms
Methods for mutagenizing and selecting microorganisms with increased product tolerance are provided. Additionally, methods and systems are disclosed for culturing the microorganisms to produce products.
US08460905B2 Enzymatic degumming utilizing a mixture of PLA and PLC phospholipases with reduced reaction time
A method for degumming an oil composition comprises the steps of (a) providing an oil composition containing a quantity of phospholipids, (b) contacting said oil composition simultaneously with one or more phospholipase A enzymes and one or more phospholipase C enzymes, under conditions sufficient for the enzymes to react with the phospholipids to create phospholipid reaction products, and (c) separating the phospholipids reaction products from the oil composition, the remaining oil composition after the separation being a degummed oil composition, whereby during step (b) the reaction of said one or more phospholipase A enzymes proceeds at a faster rate than it would in the absence of said one or more phospholipase C enzymes, and wherein the reaction of step (b) continues for a duration of less than about one hour.
US08460904B2 Method of producing reduced coenzyme Q10
The present invention relates to a method of producing high-quality reduced coenzyme Q10 converted from oxidized coenzyme Q10 by natural reductase. It is stable, completely natural and can be used on injection. This method is suitable for large-scale industrial production without special protective environment/atmosphere. The method of producing reduced coenzyme Q10 includes three stages: {circle around (1)} phosphorylation of oxidized coenzyme Q10 {circle around (2)} reduction of phosphorylated oxidized coenzyme Q Q10 by biological reductase {circle around (3)} extracting reduced coenzyme Q10 from reductases.
US08460903B2 Method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family
A method for producing an L-amino acid is described using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, wherein the bacterium contains a protein which is able to confer resistance to growth inhibition by L-cysteine.
US08460896B2 Host cells and culture methods
Improved host cells and culture methods involving overexpression of MAN1C1 activity to improve protein production are provided.
US08460894B2 Calcium-sensing receptor 2 (CaR2) and methods for using
The current disclosure provide a novel human calcium sensing receptor named CaR2 and the nucleotide sequence that encodes the receptor. The disclosure further provides antibodies specific for CaR2. Also disclosed are methods of identifying modulators of the receptor and methods of using the identified modulators to treat calcium receptor mediated conditions.
US08460892B2 Detecting infection in reduced pressure wound treatment
Provided is a method of detecting infection in a wound caused by an infecting organism at a wound site. Also provided is a system for detecting an infection in a wound at a wound site. Additionally, a porous pad comprising luciferase is provided.
US08460890B2 Detection and measurement of blood-feeding activity
This invention provides compositions and methods for detection of hematophagous ectoparasitic activity in an enclosure or area. The compositions comprise a reagent or reagents which are reactive against antigens or markers as they appear in the excrement or other ectoparasitic materials. Such markers or antigens may be produced by the ectoparasite itself or may have been introduced into the ectoparasite because of its blood feeding activity. The method of the present invention comprises collecting from the enclosure or area, a sample comprising environmental dust or materials and subjecting the sample to tests for detecting the presence of hematophagous ectoparasitic markers, host markers or both.
US08460888B2 Variable domains of camelid heavy-chain antibodies directed against glial fibrillary acidic proteins
The present invention relates to the use of variable domains of camelid heavy-chain antibodies (VHH domains) directed against an intracellular target and having an isoelectric point of at least 8.5, for targeting said intracellular target or for the preparation of a peptide vector. Particularly, it concerns VHH domains directed against a glial fibrillary acidic protein and uses thereof for preparing therapeutic or diagnostic agents.
US08460883B2 Activation epitope of FcγRII (CD32), binding molecules that specifically bind the epitope and means and methods for the detection of the epitope, and uses of said epitope or said binding molecules
The present invention provides means and method for detecting an activation epitope on FcyRII (CD32) on Fcγ (CD32) expressing cells. The presence of epitope on FcγRII (CD32) correlates with priming of the cell containing FcγRII (CD32) expressing said epitope. The invention further provides binding molecules specific for said activation epitope on FcγRII (CD32), and uses thereof in the detection of activated cells. Further uses are the treatment of individuals suffering from inflammation or at risk of suffering thereof. Also provided, among others, are uses for detecting and/or following an inflammation in an individual.
US08460882B2 Cancer biomarkers
Provided is a biomarker for detecting cancer, in particular prostate cancer in a male subject, the biomarker comprising at least one homeodomain containing transcription factor, such as a HOX peptide or EN-2 peptide, or a fragment thereof. The use of said biomarker in detecting and/or treating prostate cancer is provided, together with methods and kits therefor.
US08460876B2 Screening methods involving the detection of short-lived proteins
A method is provided for screening for agents that affect protein degradation rates, the method comprising: taking a library of cells, the cells expressing a fusion protein comprising a reporter protein and a protein encoded by a sequence from a cDNA library derived from a sample of cells, the sequence from the cDNA library varying within the cell library; contacting the library of cells with a plurality of agents which may affect protein degradation rates; for each agent, selecting cells in the library which express short-lived proteins based on whether the cells have different reporter signal intensities than other cells in the library, the difference being indicative of the selected cells expressing shorter lived fusion proteins than the fusion proteins expressed by the other cells in the library; and characterizing the fusion proteins expressed by the selected cells for each agent.
US08460875B2 Recombinase polymerase amplification
This disclosure provides methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA. The methods exploit the properties of the bacterial RecA and related proteins to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes. Further, the methods allow amplification of DNA up to hundreds of megabases in length.
US08460872B2 Quantification of a minority nucleic acid species
The technology relates in part to quantification of a minority nucleic acid species from a nucleic acid sample. In some embodiments, methods for determining the amount of fetal nucleic acid (e.g. absolute amount, relative amount) in a maternal sample are provided.
US08460871B2 Cystic fibrosis gene mutations
The present invention provides novel mutations of the CFTR gene related to cystic fibrosis or to conditions associated with cystic fibrosis. Also provided are probes for detecting the mutant sequences. Methods of identifying if an individual has a genotype containing one or more mutations in the CFTR gene are further provided.
US08460867B2 Methods of treating psychosis and schizophrenia based on polymorphisms in the CNTF gene
This invention relates to the use of the association between the 103 G>A polymorphism in the CNTF gene to determine antipsychotic treatment strategies in patients with psychotic disorders.
US08460866B2 High throughput sequence-based detection of SNPs using ligation assays
Method for the detection the presence or absence of one or more target sequences in one or more samples based on oligonucleotide ligation assays with a variety of ligatable probes containing identifiers and the subsequent identification of the identifiers in the amplicons or ligated probes using high throughput sequencing technologies.
US08460865B2 Multiplex decoding of array sensors with microspheres
The invention relates to compositions and methods for multiplex decoding of microsphere array sensors.
US08460864B2 Methods for identifying compounds that modulate untranslated region-dependent gene expression and methods of using same
The present invention relates to methods for identifying compounds that modulate untranslated region-dependent expression of a target gene. The invention particularly relates to using untranslated regions of a target gene or fragments thereof linked to a reporter gene to identify compounds that modulate untranslated region-dependent expression of a target gene. The methods of the present invention provide a simple, sensitive assay for high-throughput screening of libraries of compounds to identify pharmaceutical leads.
US08460858B2 Near-infrared-ray absorbing material containing cyanine compound, and cyanine compound
A near-infrared-ray absorbing material containing a cyanine compound per formula (I) exhibits a sharp light absorption in wavelength range 800-1000 nm, with excellent light resistance. R1 - R4, Y1, Y2 represents hydrogen atom, a group of formula (II) or (II′), etc., and Anq− represents a q-valent anion, provided that at least R1 is a group of formula (II) or (II′) or Anq− is an ion of formula (III); R11 - R13 each represents a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, etc.; Z1, Z2 represents a C1-10 alkyl group, etc. In formula (II′), the bond between G′ and T′ is a double bond or a conjugated double bond; G′ represents a carbon atom; T′ represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom; the ring including G′ and T′ represents a 6-membered ring, etc.; w′ is 0-4; and R01′ represents a hydrogen atom, hydroxy, etc. In formula (III), R5 and R6 represents a halogen-substituted C1-8 alkyl group.
US08460857B2 Manufacturing method for wiring
In the case in which a film for a resist is formed by spin coating, there is a resist material to be wasted, and the process of edge cleaning is added as required. Further, when a thin film is formed on a substrate using a vacuum apparatus, a special apparatus or equipment to evacuate the inside of a chamber vacuum is necessary, which increases manufacturing cost. The invention is characterized by including: a step of forming conductive layers on a substrate having a dielectric surface in a selective manner with a CVD method, an evaporation method, or a sputtering method; a step of discharging a compound to form resist masks so as to come into contact with the conductive layer; a step of etching the conductive layers with plasma generating means using the resist masks under the atmospheric pressure or a pressure close to the atmospheric pressure; and a step of ashing the resist masks with the plasma generating means under the atmospheric pressure or a pressure close to the atmospheric pressure. With the above-mentioned characteristics, efficiency in use of a material is improved, and a reduction in manufacturing cost is realized.
US08460855B2 Composition for forming underlayer coating for litography containing epoxy compound and carboxylic acid compound
There is provided an underlayer coating forming composition for lithography that is used in lithography process of manufacture of semiconductor device; and an underlayer coating having a high dry etching rate compared with photoresist. Concretely, it is a composition for forming an underlayer without use of crosslinking reaction by an strong acid catalyst, and an underlayer coating forming composition containing a component having an epoxy group (a polymer, a compound) and a component having a phenolic hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a protected carboxyl group or an acid anhydride structure (a polymer, a compound).
US08460851B2 Salt and photoresist composition containing the same
A salt represented by the formula (I): wherein Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom or a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl group, L1 represents *—CO—O-La- or *—CH2—O-Lb-, * represents a binding position to —C(Q1)(Q2)-, La and Lb independently represent a C1-C15 divalent saturated hydrocarbon group in which one or more —CH2— can be replaced by —O— or —CO—, ring W1 represents a C2-C36 nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group in which one or more —CH2— can be replaced by —O—, and Z1⊕ represents an organic counter ion.
US08460849B2 Heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet
A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, having, on a transparent support, a lenticular lens and at least one receptor layer in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet has a subbing layer which contains a resin that is identical with at least one resin constituting the lenticular lens, on the side of the transparent support opposite to the side on which the lenticular lens is provided, and the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet has a receptor layer containing a latex polymer on the subbing layer.
US08460844B2 Robust photoreceptor surface layer
A imaging member, such as a photoreceptor, comprising a structured organic film comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may comprise at least one secondary component, such as an antioxidant.
US08460838B2 Generator module architecture for a large solid oxide fuel cell power plant
A solid oxide fuel cell module contains a plurality of integral bundle assemblies, the module containing a top portion with an inlet fuel plenum and a bottom portion receiving air inlet feed and containing a base support, the base supports dense, ceramic exhaust manifolds which are below and connect to air feed tubes located in a recuperator zone, the air feed tubes passing into the center of inverted, tubular, elongated, hollow electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells having an open end above a combustion zone into which the air feed tubes pass and a closed end near the inlet fuel plenum, where the fuel cells comprise a fuel cell stack bundle all surrounded within an outer module enclosure having top power leads to provide electrical output from the stack bundle, where the fuel cells operate in the fuel cell mode and where the base support and bottom ceramic air exhaust manifolds carry from 85% to all 100% of the weight of the stack, and each bundle assembly has its own control for vertical and horizontal thermal expansion control.
US08460835B2 Fuel cell system
A fuel cell system increases an output voltage of a fuel cell if an electric power generation command value Pref for the fuel cell abruptly reduces while the fuel cell is being warmed up at a low-efficiency operation, which has lower electric power generation efficiency than that of a normal operation. Thus, the surplus electric power Ws corresponding to the difference between an electric power generation amount Pmes of the fuel cell and the electric power generation command value Pref is stored into a capacitive component of the fuel cell, thereby matching the electric power supplied to an external load of the fuel cell (Pmes-Ws) with the electric power generation command value Pref. This makes it possible to conduct control not to supply the surplus electric power to the external load when the electric power required from the fuel cell suddenly reduces during the low-efficiency operation.
US08460829B1 Porous polymer separator layer having a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness for use in a secondary liquid-electrolyte battery
A porous polymer separator layer that exhibits a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness and a method of making the same are disclosed. The porous polymer separator layer may be made by a process that involves forming a film having a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness similar to that sought to be imparted to the resultant separator layer and deriving the porous polymer separator layer from the film. An electrochemical battery cell for a secondary liquid-electrolyte battery may incorporate the disclosed porous polymer separator layer between a negative electrode and a positive electrode in a way that helps maintain a more evenly distributed current density within the cell.
US08460826B2 Lithium-iron disulfide cell design
A lithium-iron disulfide electrochemical cell design is disclosed, relying on judicious selection of the electrolyte, a thicker lithium anode and a cathode with specific characteristics selected to cooperate with the electrolyte. The resulting cell has a reduced interfacial surface area between the anode and the cathode but, surprisingly, maintains excellent high drain rate capacity.
US08460823B1 Electrochemical components employing polysiloxane-derived binders
A processed polysiloxane resin binder for use in electrochemical components and the method for fabricating components with the binder. The binder comprises processed polysiloxane resin that is partially oxidized and retains some of its methyl groups following partial oxidation. The binder is suitable for use in electrodes of various types, separators in electrochemical devices, primary lithium batteries, electrolytic capacitors, electrochemical capacitors, fuel cells and sensors.
US08460820B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery in which bending of a portion of long sides of a cap assembly is prevented or reduced during insertion of the cap assembly into a can. A secondary battery includes a can having an opening and accommodating an electrode assembly, and a cap assembly sealing the opening of the can and including a cap plate including long sides and short sides extending between the long sides, wherein ductility of the short sides of the cap assembly is greater than that of portions of the cap plate other than the short sides.
US08460819B2 Battery stack arrangement
The present invention relates to a battery stack arrangement (50) comprising at least one bipolar battery. Each bipolar battery comprises a plurality of battery cell arranged between endplates (22,23). Each battery cell is provided with a seal (24) arranged around the entire periphery of each cell, and a sealing pressure Fseal is applied over the seal to prevent electrolyte leakage between adjacent cells. The battery stack arrangement further comprises a mounting frame (57) including: at least two mounting units (58,59) and at least one tie unit (60, 60′, 60″) holding said mounting units together. The bipolar battery is arranged between the mounting units (58,59), and the battery stack arrangement further comprises at least one spacing element (61) arranged between the mounting units (58,59) and each spacing element (61) abuts against at least one endplate (22,23) and is held in place by said mounting frame (57) to create a stack pressure Fstack, independent of the sealing pressure Fseal. The stack pressure is controlled by the tie unit.
US08460816B2 Rechargeable battery assemblies and methods of constructing rechargeable battery assemblies
Rechargeable battery assemblies and methods of constructing rechargeable battery assemblies are provided. Rechargeable battery assemblies can include a storage cell and receive circuitry comprising a receive coil operatively connected to receive control circuitry, the receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, the receive control circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to the storage cell, the coil wound around a shield/core comprising magnetically permeable material, and the shield/core disposed around the storage cell. Methods of constructing rechargeable battery assemblies can include disposing a shield/core comprising magnetically permeable material around a storage cell; winding a receive coil around the shield/core; and providing the receive coil in operative connection with receive control circuitry and the storage cell, the receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, and the receive control circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to the storage cell.
US08460812B2 Lithium secondary battery
A lithium secondary battery obtained by the present invention has a negative electrode sheet 20 in which the theoretical capacities of the negative active material per unit area are equalized in a negative active material layer 24b on the outer circumference side and a negative active material layer 24a on the inner circumference side of a negative electrode collector 22, and at least one of the following conditions is met with respect to at least part of a bent section 85, which is bent toward the inside of a wound electrode body 80: (1) the percentage content of binder of the outer negative active material layer 24b is smaller than the percentage content of binder of the inner negative active material layer 24a; and (2) the density of the outer negative active material layer 24b is smaller than the density of the inner negative active material layer 24a.
US08460811B2 Prismatic sealed secondary battery
In a prismatic sealed secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of positive electrode substrate exposed portions and negative electrode substrate exposed portions of an electrode assembly is split into two groups, and therebetween are disposed intermediate members that are made of a resin material and hold one or more connecting conductive members. The two split substrate exposed portions are electrically connected to collector members and to at least one of the connecting conductive members by resistance-welding. Voids are formed in resin material portions of the intermediate members that are located around the resistance-welded portions of the connecting conductive members. Therefore, lowered resistance between the substrate exposed portions and the collector members and stabilized quality of the welds are realized and the manufacturing yield of the prismatic sealed secondary battery is improved.
US08460805B1 Magnetic layers
An apparatus includes a first magnetic layer including a plurality of grains. The first magnetic layer has a first anisotropy value. The apparatus also includes a second magnetic layer including a plurality of grains. The second magnetic layer has a second anisotropy value that is different than the first anisotropy value. The apparatus also includes an exchange tuning layer including a plurality of grains and located between the first and second magnetic layers. The exchange tuning layer has stronger inter-granular exchange coupling than the first and second magnetic layers. The exchange tuning layer has an anisotropy value less than the first and second anisotropy values.
US08460804B2 Glass or glass-ceramic article coated with hard material and method for production thereof
The object of the invention is to create a hard-material coating for glass ceramics and glasses, a coating which is particularly temperature-resistant and protects the substrate from mechanically caused damage as well as chemical attack. For this purpose, a silicon nitride coating is proposed, which has a structure-free morphology in the volume.
US08460798B2 Wood member for musical instrument and method of manufacturing the same, as well as soundboard manufacturing system and method
A wood member for a musical instrument, which is capable of preventing occurrence of damage, such as cracking, to thereby ensure smooth and stable operation of the musical instrument and maintain excellent appearance of the same over a long time period. The wood member has compressive internal stress remaining at least in an outer peripheral portion thereof by being subjected to heating processing, cooling processing, and moisture conditioning processing, in advance. A wood workpiece as a workpiece for the wood member is heated at a predetermined temperature, and the heated wood workpiece is cooled. The cooled wood workpiece is subjected to moisture conditioning such that compressive internal stress is generated at least in an outer peripheral portion of the wood workpiece.
US08460797B1 Capped component and method for forming
A method of manufacturing a component comprised of a substrate layer and a cap layer. In one exemplary embodiment, multiple co-extruded wood composite components may be formed simultaneously. In another exemplary embodiment, a component may have a substrate layer comprised of cellulosic material. The cap layer may also include cellulosic filler and at least one streaker. The resulting component may serve a variety of different uses. For example, the component may be used in railing systems such as for decks, porches, fences, stairs, or other suitable applications.
US08460795B2 Curable film-forming compositions demonstrating burnish resistance and low gloss
The present invention is directed to curable film-forming compositions comprising: a) a curing agent; and b) a film-forming material comprising a fluoropolymer, a polymer having functional groups, and a plurality of particles comprising fillers and/or nanoscale particles having an average particle size ranging from 1 to less than 1000 nanometers prior to incorporation into the composition; wherein 20 to 30 percent by weight of the film-forming material of b) comprises the fluoropolymer. In certain embodiments, after application to a substrate as a coating and after curing, the cured composition demonstrates burnish resistance and an 85° gloss of less than 50. Multi-component composite coating compositions are also provided.
US08460793B2 Component with a self-healing surface layer, self-healing enamel or coating powder with self-healing characteristics
A component with a self-healing surface layer, a self-healing enamel and a coating powder are disclosed. A self-healing is guaranteed by a reactive substance, which is encased in sheathed particles. Only damage to the enamel coating leads to a destruction of the coating, preferably under the influence of a catalytic material, so that the encased fluid enamel can emerge. Under the effects of UV light the fluid enamel cures and seals the crack thus occurring.
US08460792B2 Microcapsule and method of producing same
A microcapsule which is able to stably retain a benefit agent such as a volatile substance for an extended period, and which is also suitable for encapsulating fragrances and the like. Such capsule encapsulates a mixture comprising a volatile substance, and an additive that has a higher melting point than the volatile substance and is able to undergo mutual dissolution with the volatile substance, wherein the mixture exhibits a melting point range, and a portion of, or all of, that melting point range falls within a range from −20 to 60° C. The present invention also relates to consumer products including cleaning and/or treatment compositions comprising such microcapsules, and processes of making and using same.
US08460785B2 Wrinkle-free nanomechanical film
Methods to control and prevent polymer films from buckling are provided. Buckled morphologies are created by thermally cycling or mechanically compressing a substrate such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coated with a polyelectrolyte multilayer film. By varying the dimensions of the surface topography relative to the buckling wavelength (e.g., pattern size is less than, equal to, and greater than the buckling wavelength) the orientation and the local morphology of the buckled films is controlled. Based on the information obtained, we demonstrate how to alleviate the unavoidable buckling by incorporating nanoparticles into the film. In addition, we studied the effect of the silica layer that results from oxygen plasma treatment and the critical temperature for permanent film buckling.
US08460775B2 Floor mat improvement
An improved apparent surface (Astroturf like) material surrounded by a water tight enclosure with raised borders that better control and conceal any debris and dirt that is scraped off the shoes or otherwise fall onto the mat. Means are provided to direct the debris to an area where it is better concealed from view and more protected from any blowing air. The debris is less likely to be blown about by any stream of air, such as a heater fan. In one configuration the debris is substantially completely sealed.
US08460774B2 Splice tape for imprintable webs
A splice tape for a thermally imaging web. A polymer tape layer, which is thin and strong, has an adhesive layer on its lower side and a thermally imaging composition on its upper side. The thermally imaging composition is similar to the thermal imaging layer on the web. When two ends of a web are joined, the splice tape is placed thereon to join the two ends. The splice tape may be printed at the same time as the web. The thinness of the splice allows the printing to be consistent at the splice, minimizing blank areas.
US08460773B2 Detachable sheet
A sheet having two opposing sides and a fiber orientation, comprising: a first section on one side of the sheet; and a second section on another the other side of the sheet and substantially parallel to the first section, wherein the sections are not transverse to the fiber orientation of the sheet, and wherein the sections are dimensioned and arranged so that respective separation lines and separation regions formed on the respective sides of the sheet when the sheet is torn result in a homogeneous outlook where respective separation regions are hidden from view.
US08460772B1 Adjustable scored panels
Break away panels, devices and methods of using the breakaway panels with grid scored patterns for fire extinguisher cabinets which can be made for small, mid-size and large size fire extinguisher cabinets, and easily resized when needed. Three novel panels each having novel vertical and horizontal scored lines running throughout the panels and be located on the inside surface of the installed panels. An installer can easily break off upper and/or lower and/or side edges of the panels in order to resize the panel to fit almost any size fire extinguisher cabinet. The scoring lines can be accomplished by a router. Alternatively, the entire panel and the scored lines can be formed from injection molding.
US08460771B2 Retortable liners and containers
Retort liners and containers including a container body such as a bottle or jar, a closure, and the retort liner, wherein the retort liners exhibit attractive properties such as low compression set under retort conditions, desirable adhesion to a polymeric closure such as a cap or lid, and beneficial oxygen barrier properties. In particular, the retort liners are thermoplastic elastomers formed from compositions including one or more styrenic block copolymers, one or more polyolefins and a softener. In a preferred embodiment, the retortable containers are all plastic packages, wherein the bottle or jar and the closure are thermoplastic compositions and the liner is a thermoplastic elastomer composition.
US08460766B2 Liquid crystal compounds and compositions and liquid crystal displays and photoelectric devices comprising the compounds and compositions
A liquid crystal compound of Formula (1) is provided below: wherein R is hydrogen, linear or branching C1-15 alkyl, linear or branching C1-15 alkyl (wherein any one of —CH2— is replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, or —O—CO—), linear or branching C2-15 alkenyl, or linear or branching C2-15 alkenyl (wherein any one of —CH2— is replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CO—O—, or —O—CO—), A and B are, independently, cyclohexane, cyclohexane (wherein any one of —CH2— is replaced by —O— or —NH—), benzene, or benzene (wherein any one of —CH2═ is replaced by —N═), X is a single bond, —CO—O—, —O—CO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CH2CH2—, —C═C—, —C≡C—, —CF2O—, or —OCF2—, Q is oxygen or CH2, Y is CF3, CF2H, or CFH2, L1, L2, and L3 are, independently, hydrogen or fluorine, and m is 0, 1, or 2.
US08460762B2 Electron beam curable composition for curing in a vacuum chamber
A liquid composition and a process for coating the composition onto a surface of a substrate in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere, under vacuum conditions. The composition comprises one or more components, all of which components do not go into a gas or vapor phase under the vacuum conditions. The composition has an ethylenically unsaturated component composed of an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer, or a combination of an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated methacrylate oligomer. The ethylenically unsaturated component is polymerizable or crosslinkable by the application of sufficient electron beam radiation. The composition is substantially absent of ethylenically unsaturated acrylate components, substantially absent of polymerization initiators, and substantially absent of solvents. The composition optionally further comprises one or more polymers without an acrylate functional group and without a methacrylate functional group. The composition optionally further comprises one or more of waxes, pigments, and/or wetting agents.
US08460760B2 Coating a perforated surface
An example method of coating a surface includes rotating a sprayer about an axis and directing spray away from the axis using the sprayer. The method coats a surface with the spray. The method moves a fluid through apertures established in the surface to limit movement of spray into apertures. The apertures are configured to direct the fluid toward the axis.
US08460756B2 Method for producing a pattern on an endless strip
The invention relates to a method for producing a topographical pattern from polymer material on an endless strip with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction extending perpendicularly thereto, in which method a cylindrical rotary screen is used to apply the polymer material by the screen printing process to a circumferential side of the endless strip to be printed, wherein, when producing the pattern, the rotary screen, rotating repeatedly about its longitudinal axis, rolls on the circumferential side of the endless strip, whereby the pattern is applied to the circumferential side in at least one path running at least once uninterruptedly around the circumferential side in such a way that the beginning and the end of each revolution of the path are arranged along a common straight line, wherein, when rolling, the rotary screen performs N revolutions about its longitudinal axis during each revolution of the path on the circumferential side of the endless strip and N is a positive integer.
US08460753B2 Methods for depositing silicon dioxide or silicon oxide films using aminovinylsilanes
Described herein are methods to form silicon dioxide films that have extremely low wet etch rate in HF solution using a thermal CVD process, ALD process or cyclic CVD process in which the silicon precursor is selected from one of: R1nR2mSi(NR3R4)4-n-m; and, a cyclic silazane of (R1R2SiNR3)p, where R1 is an alkenyl or an aromatic, such as vinyl, allyl, and phenyl; R2, R3, and R4 are selected from H, alkyl with C1-C10, linear, branched, or cyclic, an alkenyl with C2-C10 linear, branched, or cyclic, and aromatic; n=1-3, m=0-2; p=3-4.
US08460751B2 Method for the synthesis of metallic nanotubes and nanotubes synthesized by the method
The present disclosure relates to a method for the synthesis of at least one metallic nanotube (10). The method includes the steps of: growing at least one nanowhisker (6) on a substrate (2), the nanowhisker (6; 12) consisting of or having a coating of a first metal (12); coating said first metal (12) with a second metal (14) to form a coated nanowhiskers (8); and heat treating the at least one coated nanowhisker (8), to produce a metallic nanotube (10). Moreover, the present teaching relates to metallic nanotubes (10) grown by the method of the present teaching.
US08460749B2 Binder for electrode of non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, electrode, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
The present invention provides a binder for an electrode of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a copolymer, wherein the copolymer contains 0.0005˜0.05 moles of group of an acid having nitrogen family element or chalcogen element or 0.0005˜0.05 moles of group of salts of the acid per 100 g of the copolymer. The binder exhibits excellent dispersion of an active material for an electrode. The invention also provides an electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, in which the active material layer formed by the composition for an electrode containing the above binder and the active material for an electrode is adhered to the current collector, in which the active material for an electrode is densely-filled, and which exhibits excellent surface smoothness.
US08460747B2 Large-area transparent conductive coatings including alloyed carbon nanotubes and nanowire composites, and methods of making the same
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to large-area transparent conductive coatings (TCCs) including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanowire composites, and methods of making the same. The σdc/σopt ratio of such thin films may be improved via stable chemical doping and/or alloying of CNT-based films. The doping and/or alloying may be implemented in a large area coating system, e.g., on glass and/or other substrates. In certain example embodiments, a CNT film may be deposited and then doped via chemical functionalization and/or alloyed with silver and/or palladium. Both p-type and n-type dopants may be used in different embodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments, silver and/or other nanowires may be provided, e.g., to further decrease sheet resistance. Certain example embodiments may provide coatings that approach, meet, or exceed 90% visible transmission and 90 ohms/square target metrics.
US08460746B2 Method of forming insulated conductive element having a substantially continuous barrier layer formed via relative motion during deposition
Coating an elongate, uncoated conductive element with a substantially continuous barrier layer. An uncoated conductive element is around a frame comprising spaced supports. During deposition, the relative position of the conductive element to the frame is adjusted so that all sections of the conductive element are physically separated from the supports for a time that is sufficient to form a desired coating of barrier material on all sections of the conductive element.
US08460741B2 Process for the preparation of a canola protein isolate
A novel canola protein isolate with predominantly of 2S canola protein and having equal to better solubility properties and improved clarity properties, has an increased proportion of 2S canola protein and a decreased proportion of 7S canola protein. The novel canola protein isolate is formed by heat treatment or isoelectric precipitation of aqueous supernatant from canola protein micelle formation and precipitation, to effect precipitation of 7S protein which is sedimented and removed. Alternatively, the novel canola protein isolate may be derived from a selective membrane procedure in which an aqueous canola protein solution containing 12S, 7S and 2S canola proteins is subjected to a first selective membrane technique to retain 12S and 7S canola proteins in a retentate, which is dried to provide a canola protein isolate with predominantly 7S canola protein, and to permit 2S canola protein to pass through the membrane. The permeate is subjected to a second selective membrane technique to retain 2S canola protein and to permit low molecular weight contaminants to pass through the membrane, and the retentate from the latter membrane technique is dried.
US08460740B2 Fruit breaking method and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for producing pieces of sweetened, dried fruit. Methods as described in the present disclosure generally include supercooling sweetened, dried fruit having a moisture content between 8% and 18%, and then breaking the supercooled fruit into pieces having an appropriate size distribution. Supercooling the fruit may be accomplished by immersing or otherwise exposing the fruit to a supercooling substance such as liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, or solid carbon dioxide. Breaking the fruit may be accomplished, for example, by rapidly vibrating the supercooled fruit on a screen, or by passing the supercooled fruit through a cutting device such as a centrifugal slicer, among others. A system for producing pieces of sweetened, dried fruit may include apparatus for drying the fruit, infusing it with sugar or otherwise sweetening it, immersing or otherwise exposing the fruit to a supercooled substance, and/or breaking the fruit through vibration, cutting, or the like.
US08460739B2 Process for making red or purple cocoa material
The invention relates to acidified cocoa nibs, wherein the nibs comprise at least 20 mg/g of polyphenols, preferably more than 30 mg/g of polyphenols, most preferably from 40 to 60 mg/g of polyphenols, cocoa refiner or expeller flakes, liquor, cakes, and cocoa powder obtainable from the nibs and a process for producing cocoa-derived material, comprising the steps of: (i) treating cocoa nibs obtained from beans or seeds which have a higher polyphenol content than fermented cocoa beans with an acid; and (ii) optionally drying the nibs.
US08460737B2 Edible products with low content of saturated and trans unsaturated fats
The present invention relates to a structured, fat continuous edible product, wherein the edible product contains, expressed on total product basis, a) less than 30 wt. % of saturated fatty acids, b) between 20 and 100 wt. % of a triglyceride composition c) between 0 and 80 wt % of a filler material d) less than 15 wt. % of water wherein the triglyceride composition contains with respect to the weight of the triglyceride composition e) less than 45 wt. % of saturated fatty acids, f) less than 10 wt. % of trans unsaturated fatty acids g) at least 8 wt. % of SUS triglycerides, wherein S is a C16-18 saturated fatty acid, U is unsaturated fatty acid having at least 18 C atoms, h) less than 15 wt. % of S3, i) at least 90 wt. % of C8-18 fatty acids, j) at least 75 wt. % of C18 fatty acids including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, k) has an SFC at 20° C. of between 5 and 50%. The present invention also relates to the use of this structured product in the preparation of fat continuous as well as non-fat continuous products.
US08460735B2 Method for producing soy sauce powder
This invention provides a soy sauce powder having a strong and preferable soy sauce-derived flavor with simple operations in an advantageous manner in industrial practice and without the need of a step of, for example, preparing an aromatic substance by distilling soy sauce oil with the use of water vapor. This invention also provides a soy sauce powder having a strong and preferable soy sauce-derived flavor by adding an emulsifier such as glycerin fatty acid ester to soy sauce, mixing the soy sauce with soy sauce oil, agitating the mixture, allowing the mixture to stand still, separating the mixture into an oil phase and an aqueous phase so as to obtain an aqueous phase containing soy sauce-derived aroma components at high concentrations, and subjecting the obtained aqueous phase to spray drying.
US08460731B2 System and method for producing a dehydrated food product
A process and apparatus for preparing a dried food product said process comprising treating a dried food with an aqueous acidulant, in an amount and for a period of time which is sufficient to modify a surface of the food to increase water permeability; dehydrating the acidified food to obtain a desired moisture content with heat; cooling the heated dehydrated acidified food; and infusing the cooled dehydrated acidified food with an infusate.
US08460728B2 Preserved slices of vegetables and fruits and processing methods
A dehydrated slice of a vegetable or a fruit is provided, which is adapted to be rehydrated by a rehydration process, having a circumference which is substantially the same as the circumference of the respective slice of the raw vegetable, and having a thickness which is reduced about 20 to 90% in comparison to the thickness of the respective slice of the raw vegetable or fruit. The dehydrated slice has a planar surface. Furthermore, a method is provided to produce said dehydrated slices. Said dehydrated slices are adapted to be rehydrated by a rehydration process herein provided, whereby performance of said process leads to a rehydrated slice with a thickness of the respective raw vegetable or fruit.
US08460727B2 Chia-based fatty acids food product, rich in omega-3, with good stability
A food product with Chia vegetable oil as a source of essential fatty acids, obtained by a simple and effective micro-encapsulation method using spray drying under special conditions. The product is highly soluble and oxidatively stable (by micro-encapsulation), odorless and flavorless, and can be used in food preparations or can be ingested alone.
US08460726B2 Dry food product containing live probiotic
The disclosure relates to a probiotic delivery system that can be consumed as a snack-food or added to a food product. In particular, the disclosure describes a crisp and tasty treat that comprises viable probiotic microorganisms preserved in a vacuum dried matrix of sugars, proteins, and polysaccharides. The probiotic remain viable within the treat for a longer time without the need for additional moisture barrier coating. The probiotic also remain viable in the animal gastrointestinal tract.
US08460725B2 Method for producing sugar
Provided is a method for efficiently producing sugar and simultaneously efficiently producing ethanol. A method for producing sugar characterized by comprising a pretreatment step in which a plant-origin sugar solution is fermented by a microorganism having no sucrose-degrading enzyme and a step for producing sugar from the fermented sugar solution. A method for producing sugar characterized by comprising a pretreatment step in which a plant-origin sugar solution is fermented by a microorganism in the presence of a sucrose-degrading enzyme inhibitor and a step for producing sugar from the fermented sugar solution.
US08460724B2 Method of reducing the purine content of an edible material
Disclosed herein is a method of reducing the purine content of an edible material, including treating an edible material having a first level of purine content with a microorganism capable of digesting purine compounds, such that the thus treated edible material has a second level of purine content lower than the first level of purine content, wherein the microorganism is selected from Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11493, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 26850, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 44193, Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 26831, Rhizopus oryzae ATCC 52362, and combinations thereof. An edible material obtained from the aforementioned method is also disclosed.
US08460720B2 Hops-based deodorant
The present invention relates to deodorants and other body care products comprising a CO2 extract of the hops plant having bacteriocide/bacteriostat properties wherein the CO2 extract has a very low level of essential hops oils.
US08460717B2 Liquid oral care product geared to disinfect and sterilize a toothbrush head in a collapsible condiment like package
The invention relates to an oral care liquid composition in a unique collapsible, air-tight, condiment like package geared toward sterilize and disinfect a toothbrush head.The product is poured onto a toothbrush head removing potentially harmful bacteria and germs from their toothbrush head.
US08460715B2 Placental tissue grafts
A method for preparing placenta membrane tissue grafts for medical use, includes obtaining a placenta from a subject, cleaning the placenta, separating the chorion tissue from the amniotic membrane, mounting a selected layer of either the chorion tissue or the amniotic membrane onto a drying fixture, dehydrating the selected layer on the drying fixture, and cutting the selected layer into a plurality of tissue grafts. Preferably, the drying fixture includes grooves or raised edges that define the outer contours of each desired tissue graft, after they are cut, and further includes raised or indented logos that emboss the middle area of the tissue grafts during dehydration and that enables an end user to distinguish the top from the bottom side of the graft. The grafts are comprised of single layers of amnion or chorion, multiple layers of amnion or chorion, or multiple layers of a combination of amnion and chorion.
US08460712B2 Prolonged release formulations comprising an 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine derivate
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising Brivaracetam or Seletracetam as active ingredient, the invention relates specifically to a prolonged release formulation made of granules containing the active ingredient in their inner core.
US08460711B2 Poly(citric acid) functionalized carbon nanotube drug delivery system
A method for synthesizing carbon nanotube drug carriers and the carbon nanotube drug carriers are disclosed. Initially, carbon nanotubes, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid are mixed to oxidize carbon nanotubes in a first mixture. The oxidized carbon nanotubes are then extracted from the first mixture. The oxidized carbon nanotubes and monohydrated citric acid are mixed to synthesize carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) in a second mixture. The carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) are then extracted from the second mixture. The carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine are dissolved in anhydrous dimethylformamide in a third mixture. Next, a mixture that comprises a drug is added to the third mixture to synthesize the carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) and the drug in a fourth mixture. Then, the carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) and the drug are extracted from the fourth mixture.
US08460709B2 Pharmaceutical microparticles
Microparticles consisting of (a) a matrix with a mixture of (a1) at least one hydrophobic, biologically degradable polymer and (a2) optionally at least one water-soluble polymer, (b) a pharmaceutical active ingredient distributed in the matrix, and (c) in addition at least one water-insoluble, surface-active substance from the group of lecithins and phospholipids, distributed in the matrix, and a three-phase emulsion process for their preparation.
US08460706B2 Hydrophilic/lipophilic polymeric matrix dosage formulation
An oral dosage form comprising a pharmaceutical tablet of one or more layers, one of which carries a biologically active substance; the formulation of said tablet includes different percentages of hydrophilic and lipophilic polymeric materials, and adjuvant substances. The tablets of the present invention show a release rate which is independent from the amounts of active substance present in the tablet.
US08460700B2 First aid formulations of turmeric powder lavender essential oil and glycerin for dressing wounds
A formulation made from natural substances, for healing cuts, bruises, wounds, and the like on the skin, has a natural-heal compound that has proportion of very fine curcuma longa (turmeric) powder, lavender essential oil, and glycerol that is compounded to the consistency of a paste. The formulation has ⅛ teaspoon to ⅜ teaspoon of very fine turmeric powder, one to three drops of lavender essential oil, and one-half to one and one-half drop of glycerol for a per square inch of the wound area. The formulation is used in a first aid means using a bandage, and as cotton gauze that is sealed in an air tight package.
US08460698B2 Composite article suitable for use as a wound dressing
A composite article comprises a fluid transport layer having first and second surfaces and a hydrophobic layer applied to the first surface of the fluid transport layer. When the composite article is used as a wound dressing, the first surface of the fluid transport layer provides a skin-facing surface. The hydrophobic layer comprises a plurality of discontinuities, and at least a portion of the discontinuities have a dimension sufficient to permit the passage of fluid through the hydrophobic layer and into the fluid transport layer.
US08460697B2 Pro-angiogenic peptides and uses thereof
This present invention is directed to peptides, compositions, and methods for modulating endogenous cytokine expression in a subject. More specifically, the invention provides peptides useful in regulating the release of a specific pattern of cytokines that promote angiogenesis and/or can be used to modulate the immune system of a subject.
US08460692B2 Alginate-based nanofibers and related scaffolds
Alginate nanofibers, scaffolds that include alginate nanofibers, implantable devices that include alginate nanofibers, and methods for making the alginate nanofibers by electrospinning.
US08460686B2 Bioactive bone graft substitute
The invention relates to biocompatible bone graft materials for repairing bone defects and the application of such bone grafts. The devices of the invention comprise resorbable calcium phosphate, resorbable collagen and bioactive glasses.
US08460683B2 Protein or glycoprotein from Haliotis midae and its use as an immunotherapy agent
Disclosed is a protein or glycoprotein obtainable from a crude extract of Haliotis midae, with a molecular weight of approx. 30 kDa and an isoelectric point of around 4.3-4.5, possessing passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-inhibiting activity.
US08460681B2 Sequences of Brachyspira, immunogenic compounds, methods for preparation and use thereof
Novel polynucleotide and amino acids of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae are described. These sequences are useful for diagnosis of B. hyodysenteriae disease in animals and as a therapeutic treatment or prophylactic treatment of B. hyodysenteriae disease in animals. These sequences may also be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases in animals caused by other Brachyspira species.
US08460677B2 Method of accelerating the growth and development of trees and shrubs via enhanced root development
A method and container for developing seedlings includes germinating the seeds and air pruning the seedlings to a depth of about 3 inches.
US08460674B2 HSV-1 epitopes and methods for using same
The invention provides HSV antigens and epitopes that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.
US08460673B2 Fusion protein inhibiting osteoclast formation, preparation method and medicine compositions thereof
The present invention provides a coding gene having the nucleic acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO:1 and the fusion protein RIG (SEQ ID NO:2) that inhibits osteoclast formation. The present invention also provides the preparation method for the fusion protein RIG as well as synthetic oligo-nucleotide primers, plasmids and host cells used in the method and a medicine having the above fusion protein RIG as active ingredient. The fusion protein RIG in present invention is derived from humanized immunoglobulin and RANKL with a flexible hinge region. RIG can cross link the cell surface receptor RANK and Fcγ 1 to induce a cytosolic inhibitory signal leading to the inhibition of osteoclast formation. The fusion protein RIG in present invention can play an essential role in treating osteoporosis and bone resorption diseases caused by tumor metastasis.
US08460672B1 Mosaic protein and nucleic acid vaccines against hepatitis C virus
The invention relates to immunogenic compositions useful as HCV vaccines. Provided are HCV mosaic polypeptide and nucleic acid compositions which provide higher levels of T-cell epitope coverage while minimizing the occurrence of unnatural and rare epitopes compared to natural HCV polypeptides and consensus HCV sequences.
US08460671B2 Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of influenza
The present invention provides novel human anti-influenza antibodies and related compositions and methods. These antibodies are used in the diagnosis and treatment of influenza infection.
US08460664B2 Anti-CεmX antibodies capable of binding to human mIgE on B lymphocytes
The invention pertains to the generation and utility of antibodies that can bind effectively to CεmX domain on membrane-bound IgE (mIgE) expressed on the surface of human B lymphocytes. The CεmX domain of 52 amino acid residues, located between the CH4 domain and the C-terminal membrane-anchor peptide on human membrane-bound epsilon chain, had been suggested as an antigenic site for immunological targeting of B cells expressing mIgE. Previous reported monoclonal antibodies, including a20, which bind to RADWPGPP (SEQ ID NO:1) peptide at the C-terminal of CεmX, have now been found to bind poorly to mIgE on human B cells. We have discovered that only monoclonal antibodies specific for certain segments, such as GLAGGSAQSQRAPDRVL (SEQ ID NO:2) and HSGQQQGLPRAAGGSVPHPR (SEQ ID NO:3), of CεmX can bind effectively to mIgE on human B cells and hence have the utility for targeting those B cells for the treatment of diseases mediated by IgE.
US08460661B2 Methods of using antibodies that bind the glutamate ligand binding region of Notch1
Isolated antibodies that specifically binds to an extracellular conserved ligand binding region of a human Notch receptor and inhibits growth of a tumor are described. Also described are methods of treating cancer, the method comprising administering an anti-Notch antibody in an amount effective to inhibit tumor growth.
US08460659B2 Toll-like receptor 3 antagonists for the treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases
Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) antibody antagonists, polynucleotides encoding TLR3 antibody antagonists or fragments thereof, and methods of making and using the foregoing are disclosed.
US08460657B2 Modulation of the TrpV: Vps10p receptor system for the treatment of pain
This invention relates to the use of an agent capable of binding and thus inhibit formation of a binary Vps10p-domain receptor:TrpV receptor complex, and/or formation of a further ternary Vps10p-domain receptor:TrkA:TrpV receptor complex for the preparation of a medicament for the inhibition of pain and pain signalling through said complex(es). The invention is thus beneficial in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of neuropathic pain, chronic pain and acute pain. The invention furthermore relates to the identification of such agents and animal models for screening for such agents.
US08460656B2 Phytase variants
The present invention relates to a phytase which has at least 80% identity to a phytase derived from Citrobacter braakii and comprises at least one alteration when compared to this phytase. These phytase variants have amended, preferably improved, properties, such as thermostability, temperature profile, pH profile, specific activity, performance in animal feed, reduced protease sensitiliby, and/or an amended glycosylation pattern. The invention also relates to DNA encoding these phytases, methods of their production, as well as the use thereof, e.g. in animal feed and animal feed additives.
US08460653B2 Superoxide dismutase variants and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure provides variant superoxide dismutase polypeptides, compositions comprising the polypeptides, and nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptides. The present disclosure provides methods of reducing oxidative damage in a cell, tissue, or organ. The present disclosure provides methods of identifying agents that increase superoxide dismutase activity.
US08460652B2 Topical skin care formulations
A topical anti-aging skin care formulation comprising an effective amount of a benzoquinone, such as CoQ10, plus a synergistic pair of stabilizers and a synergistic pair of whiteners. The stabilizers are octyl salicylate and octyl methoxycinnamate. The whiteners are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. When proper amounts of these ingredients are used in an aqueous based emulsion formulation, the product will be initially white, and will remain white for an extended period of time.
US08460649B2 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with phytosanitary capabilities
The invention relates to a strain of Saccharomyces cerivisiae characterized in that it is selected from strain No. I-3936 deposited on Mar. 4, 2008 at the CNCM, strains No. I-3937 deposited on Mar. 4, 2008 at the CNCM, strain No. I-3938 deposited on Mar. 4, 2008 at the CNCM, and strain No. I-3939 deposited on Mar. 4, 2008 at the CNCM. The invention also relates to a phytosanitary composition and to a method for treating or protecting plants against diseases caused by pathogens, using said strain.
US08460647B2 Pre-ligand assembly domain of the IL-17 receptor
The invention provides isolated Pre-Ligand Assembly Domain (PLAD) polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence of a domain (e.g., a Fibronectin Ill-like domain) of an IL-17 Receptor (IL-17R) family member, wherein the PLAD polypeptide inhibits multimerization of a receptor complex comprising an IL-17R family member. Also provided are isolated PLAD-binding polypeptides, e.g., antibodies and avimers, which specifically bind to a PLAD polypeptide described herein. Related chimeric proteins, conjugates, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells are provided herein. Further provided are methods of treating an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, methods of inhibiting IL-17-mediated signal transduction, methods of inhibiting IL-17 ligand binding, methods of inhibiting multimerization of IL-17R complexes, and methods of inhibiting the production of at least one cytokine, chemokine, matrix metalloproteinase, or other molecule associated with IL-17 signal transduction are provided.
US08460640B2 Narcotic drug formulations with decreased abuse potential
The present application relates to novel narcotic formulations having a decreased injection abuse potential In a representative embodiment, the formulation comprises methadone hydrochloride (6-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenylheptan-3-one, a synthetic opiod), meglumine, cellulose, lactose, and magnesium stearate The application further illustrates methods for making the contemplated formulations.
US08460636B2 Complex compound and MRI probe made of same
Novel gadolinium complex compounds responsive to ions and compounds other than zinc ion, as well as MRI probes made of the compounds are disclosed. Since the gadolinium complex compounds of the present invention such as that represented by the following structural formula exhibit responsiveness to potassium ion, calcium ion, glucose or the like, by using the gadolinium complex compounds of the present invention as a MRI probe, the ion or compound in a living body can be detected and concentration distribution thereof may be determined.
US08460633B2 Process for the production of hydrogen with very high purity from alcohols that comprise at least two carbon atoms
Process for the production of high-purity hydrogen from an ethanol or higher-alcohol feedstock, employing a steam reforming unit, a carbon monoxide conversion unit and a membrane separation unit and comprising intense thermal integration that is obtained by combustion under the control of an effluent of the process so as to provide the calories that are necessary to the steam reforming reaction.
US08460632B2 Method of manufacturing quantum dot
A method of manufacturing a quantum dot, the method including: mixing of a Group II precursor and a Group III precursor in a solvent to prepare a first mixture; heating the first mixture at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C.; adding a Group V precursor and a Group VI precursor to the first mixture while maintaining the first mixture at the temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C. to prepare a second mixture; and maintaining the second mixture at the temperature of about 200° C. to about 350° C. to form a quantum dot.
US08460630B2 Method and apparatus for producing hydrogen and recovering carbon dioxide
When the production of hydrogen and the recovery of carbon dioxide are simultaneously performed by using as a raw material a carbon-containing fuel, the increase of the system cost is suppressed and the efficiency is improved. Disclosed is a method for producing hydrogen and recovering carbon dioxide which method produces hydrogen from a carbon-containing fuel and recovers carbon dioxide, including: a hydrogen-containing gas producing step of obtaining a hydrogen-containing gas that contains hydrogen and carbon dioxide by reforming a carbon-containing fuel; a PSA step of separating, by using a pressure swing adsorption apparatus, the hydrogen-containing gas into a first hydrogen-enriched gas that is a gas enriched in hydrogen and a PSA offgas that is a gas enriched in the components other than hydrogen; and a step of obtaining, by treating the PSA offgas with a hydrogen separation membrane and a carbon dioxide separation membrane, a second hydrogen-enriched gas that is a gas enriched in hydrogen and a carbon dioxide-enriched gas that is a gas enriched in carbon dioxide. Also disclosed is an apparatus for embodying the method.
US08460627B2 Apparatus and process for decomposing dinitrogen monoxide in an adiabatic fixed bed reactor
A device and method for the decomposition of laughing gas including a gas inlet for supplying a laughing-gas-bearing gas; a first heat-exchanger for the exchange of heat between an exhaust and the laughing-gas-bearing gas; a heating device for occasional heating of the laughing-gas-bearing gas and a fixed-bed reactor in which a catalyst is included in order to decompose the laughing gas. The device also includes a gas outlet, through which exhaust leaving the fixed-bed reactor can be taken away through the heat exchanger. The device may be used to implement a method where the catalyst for decomposition of laughing gas is maintained at temperatures below 800° C. and in which the fixed-bed reactor is arranged as an adiabatic reactor.
US08460626B2 Compositions based on cerium oxide, zirconium oxide and, optionally, another rare earth oxide, having a specific raised surface at 1100° C, method for the production and use thereof as a catalyst
The inventive composition, according to a first embodiment, consists essentially of a cerium oxide and a zirconium oxide in an atomic ratio Ce/Zr of at least 1. According to a second embodiment, said composition is based on cerium oxide, zirconium oxide with an atomic ratio Ce/Zr of at least 1 and at least one rare earth oxide other than cerium. After calcination at 1100° C., said composition has a specific surface of at least 9 m2/g in the second embodiment. The inventive composition can be used as a catalyst especially for the treatment of waste gases from internal combustion engines.
US08460621B2 Temperature transfer stand
A portable temperature transfer stand for holding thermo-conductive laboratory devices transferring thermal energy to laboratory devices is provided as well as its methods of use. The temperature transfer stand comprises at least one supporting structure (foot) and a stable stage, both comprising a thermal conductive material. The supporting structure is in direct contact with the stage which is in direct contact with a laboratory device.
US08460616B2 Analyzer, method for cleaning photometry mechanism in such analyzer, and cleaning tool
The present invention relates to an analyzer (1) including a photometry mechanism (6) for photometrically analyzing a reagent pad of an analytical tool to which a sample is applied, and a table (4) including a placing portion (41) at which the analytical tool is to be placed. The light emitting surface (68) or the light incident surface (68) of the light from the light emitting elements (66) of the photometry mechanism (6) is cleaned, with a cleaning tool (22) placed at the table (4). The present invention further provides a cleaning tool (22) for cleaning the photometry mechanism (6) of the analyzer (1).
US08460610B2 Canister aftertreatment module
An aftertreatment module for use with an engine is disclosed. The aftertreatment module may have a canister, and a wall disposed within the canister and axially-dividing the canister into a first portion and a second portion. The aftertreatment module may also have a first treatment device disposed within the first portion, an inlet connected to the first portion, a second treatment device disposed within the second portion, an outlet connected to the second portion, and an external tube extending from the first portion to the second portion.
US08460609B1 Vent stick air freshener with grip head
An air freshener includes a fork body with a pair of vent rods and a polymer body coupled to a vent rod. A scent material is interspersed within the body. A head extends away from the pair of vent rods with indicia thereon and a pair of opposite finger grip surfaces is disposed on opposite sides of the head.
US08460603B2 Method of manufacturing electrical discharge surface treatment-purpose electrode and electrical discharge surface treatment-purpose electrode
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical discharge surface treatment-purpose electrode that stabilizes properties and a film-forming rate of a coating made by surface treatment that uses the electrode showing a narrow distribution in physical properties such as a composition and resistance. A method of manufacturing an electrical discharge surface treatment-purpose electrode according to the present invention is identified as a method of manufacturing an electrical discharge surface treatment-purpose electrode formed of a green compact made of a metal powder subjected to compression molding, characterized in that the method includes the step of forming a nitride coating by nitriding a surface of the metal powder, and the step of forming a green compact by subjecting the metal powder having its surface nitrided to compression molding.
US08460602B2 Method for producing regenerated target
A sintering method with uniaxial pressing includes: a powder filling step of disposing a spent target in an inner space of a frame jig having the inner space piercing in a uniaxial direction, and filling the inner space with a raw material powder for a target to cover an erosion part side of the spent target with the raw material powder for a target, a cushioning-material disposition step of disposing a deformable cushioning material so that the raw material powder for a target with which the inner space has been filled in the powder filling step is sandwiched between the spent target and the deformable cushioning material; and a sintering step of pressing the raw material powder for a target with which the inner space has been filled and the spent target in the uniaxial direction through the cushioning material and sintering them.
US08460601B2 Vessel for molten metal
The invention provides a vessel for molten metal comprising a vessel body formed of an alumina-silica-based material, and a protective layer formed of a silicon nitride- alumina-based material provided on the inner surface of the vessel body, wherein the material for the vessel body is adjusted to have an alumina content x of 72 to 95 parts by weight per 100 total parts by weight of alumina and silica, and the material for the protective layer is adjusted to have a silicon nitride content y per 100 total parts by weight of silicon nitride and alumina in such a manner that y applies to the following formulae: (1) y<−1.1x+128 and (2) y>−0.5x+62.5. The present invention provides a vessel for molten metal having excellent durability and corrosion resistance against hot molten metal.
US08460598B2 Method for recycling energy in a blow moulding machine for blow moulding containers
A method for recycling energy and related blow molding machine—for blow molding plastic material containers including a recycling system for recycling the pneumatic energy of the discharge air coming from the blowing cavities of said machine, capable of recycling the discharge air making it available at a given pressure for a subsequent blowing in a cavity.
US08460595B2 Rod-shaped implant, in particular for spinal stabilization, method and tool for producing the same
A rod-shaped implant for spinal stabilization includes a first component comprising a first material, and a second component comprising a second material, wherein at least the first material is a plastic material, and wherein the first and the second component are connected by melting at least the first component to connect to the second component.
US08460585B2 Method of forming an optical diffusion module
An optical diffusion structure includes an optical diffusion structure comprising a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions. Each convex portion is adjacent to a plurality of concave portions and each concave portion is adjacent to a plurality of convex portions. The convex portions, the concave portions and each junction of the convex and concave portions have a curvature different from 0. The optical diffusion structure further includes a diffusion plate having a first surface, wherein the optical diffusion structure is formed on the first surface, and the convex portions are arranged in a two dimensional array along a first direction and a second direction, and the concave portions are arranged in a two dimensional array along a third direction and a fourth direction.
US08460583B2 Electroactive materials
There is provided an electroactive material having Formula I wherein: Q is the same or different at each occurrence and can be O, S, Se, Te, NR, SO, SO2, P, PO, PO2, and SiR2; R is the same or different at each occurrence and can be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; R1 through R10 are the same or different and can be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, halogen, hydroxyl, aryloxy, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, alkylthio, phosphino, silyl, —COR, —COOR, —PO3R2, —OPO3R2, or CN.
US08460579B2 Red-emitting luminophore and light source comprising such a luminophore
A red-emitting phosphor composed of an M-Al—Si—N system, comprising a cation M, wherein M is represented by at least one of the elements Ca or Ba or Sr and, if appropriate, can additionally be combined with at least one further element from the group Mg, Zn, Cd, wherein the phosphor is activated with Eu, which partly replaces M, and wherein the phosphor additionally contains LiF.
US08460577B2 Polymerizable oxetane derivative
The invention provides a compound represented by formula (1). In the formula (1), R1 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; X1 is a single bond, —O— or —OCO—; X2 is a single bond, —O—, —COO— or —OCO—; A1 and A2 are each independently a divalent aromatic ring or a divalent cyclohexane ring, and in these rings, arbitrary hydrogen may be replaced by halogen, alkyl having 1 to 3 carbons or halogenated alkyl having 1 to 3 carbons; Z1 is independently a single bond, —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —CH═CH—COO—, —OCO—CH═CH—, —CH2CH2—COO—, —OCO—CH2CH2—, —CON(R)— or —N(R)CO—; R is hydrogen or methyl; Y is a terpenoid residue or a steroid residue; m is an integer from 0 to 20; and n is an integer from 0 to 3.
US08460576B2 Liquid crystal composition containing polymerizable compound and liquid crystal display element using the same
Provided are a liquid crystal composition containing, as a first component, a polymerizable compound represented by general formula (I): and a liquid crystal display element using the liquid crystal composition.
US08460571B2 Lubricant composition for refrigerator and compressor using the same
Provided is a lubricant composition for a refrigerator, which is characterized by using a substance mainly containing a polyoxyalkylene glycol derivative and having a hydroxyl number of 5 mgKOH/g or less, as a base oil. Also provided is a compressor using such the lubricant composition for a refrigerator. The lubricant composition for a refrigerator is used for a refrigerator which uses a refrigerant having a specific structure such as an unsaturated fluorohydrocarbon and being usable in current air-conditioning systems for cars or the like. The lubricant composition for a refrigerator exhibits excellent compatibility with the refrigerant, while having excellent stability. The compressor uses such the lubricant composition for a refrigerator.
US08460569B2 Method and system for post-etch treatment of patterned substrate features
A method of patterning a substrate, comprises providing a set of patterned features on the substrate, exposing the set of patterned features to a dose of ions incident on the substrate over multiple angles, and selectively etching exposed portions of the patterned features.
US08460568B2 Method for making nanostructured surfaces
A continuous method for making a nanostructured surface comprises (a) placing a substrate comprising a nanoscale mask on a cylindrical electrode in a vacuum vessel, (b) introducing etchant gas to the vessel at a predetermined pressure, (c) generating plasma between the cylindrical electrode and a counter-electrode, (d) rotating the cylindrical electrode to translate the substrate, and (e) anisotropically etching a surface of the substrate to provide anisotropic nanoscale features on the surface.
US08460565B2 Process for fabricating patterned magnetic recording device
A method of fabricating a patterned magnetic recording medium, comprises steps of: (a) providing a layer stack including an uppermost non-magnetic interlayer; (b) forming a resist layer on the interlayer; (c) forming a first pattern comprising a first group of recesses extending through the resist layer and exposing a first group of spaced apart surface portions of the interlayer; (d) filling the first group of recesses with a layer of a hard mask material; (e) selectively removing the resist layer to form a second pattern comprising a second group of recesses extending through the hard mask layer and exposing a second group of spaced apart surface portions of the interlayer; and (f) filling the second group of recesses with a layer of a magnetically hard material forming a magnetic recording layer.
US08460564B2 Drug delivery chip and fabricating method thereof
A drug-delivery chip and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The drug-delivery chip has a main body having at least one drug receiving space individually formed with an opening for storing drugs therein; a thin film for sealing up the at least one drug receiving space; a first conductive wire connecting to one end of the thin film; a second conductive wire connecting to another end of the thin film; a signal-receiving module for receiving actuated signals; and a control module for applying voltages to first and second wire conductive s according to the actuated signal, thereby generating heat to break off the thin film for the release of a drug or drugs received in the at least one drug receiving space.
US08460562B2 Cochlear implant assembly
A method of forming electrode structures comprising a plurality of electrode pads and a plurality of electrically conducting wires extending from the electrode pads. The method comprises coating an electrode structure with a relatively electrically insulating material, arranging each of the electrode pads in a first arrangement; arranging the wires relative to each other to provide a sufficient gap of separation between neighboring wires; securing the wires to a remotely positioned anchor member to preserve a gap of separation between neighboring wires, and applying a coating of relatively electrically insulating material to the electrode structure.
US08460561B2 Crystal oscillator piece and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a crystal oscillator piece in which the cross section of its vibrating tine, while not symmetrical in shape, has a principal axis that is oriented parallel to an X axis to suppress the generation of leakage vibration, and a method for manufacturing such a crystal oscillator piece. More specifically, the invention provides a crystal oscillator piece includes a vibrating tine having an upper surface, a lower surface having a larger width than the upper surface, a first side face, and a second side face, and a balance adjusting groove formed in the vibrating tine, wherein the first and second side faces are formed in sloping fashion so that the width of the vibrating tine gradually increases from the upper surface toward the lower surface, and the balance adjusting groove is formed in accordance with the sloping of the first and second side faces so that at least one of two dynamically perpendicular principal axes passing through a centroid on a cross section taken perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the vibrating tine becomes substantially parallel to the upper surface or the lower surface. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing such a crystal oscillator piece.
US08460560B2 Variable influent flow channel baffle
An input channel (and method of making an input channel) for the flow of waste water into a grit removal unit. The input channel has a depth D extending from the bottom to the top of the channel. One side wall of the channel is configured to vary the channel width over the depth of the channel, whereby (a) the width at the bottom of the channel is WB, (b) the width at the top of the channel is WT, and (c) the width at channel depth “d” above the bottom of the channel is Wd, wherein (i) 0≦d≦D, (ii) WB
US08460559B2 Swimming pool rake and debris catcher apparatus and system
An assembly and method for capturing debris before it enters a skimmer mechanism in a pool are described, herein. A basket filter assembly is comprised of a frame assembly, which is constructed of water- and rust-proof material that has a mesh material placed around and attached to it. The basket filter assembly is then attached to a U-shaped arm, by which it is lowered into position over the skimmer mechanism. The other end of the arm is then attached to a weighted stand such that it holds the assembly in place.
US08460558B2 Batch filtration system for preparation of sterile fluid for renal replacement therapy
A first connector of a connector assembly of a sterile batch container can be unsealed. The connector assembly can be attached to a filling port of the sterile batch container and can have a sterile filter arranged between the filling port and the first connector. The first connector can be coupled so as to receive produced purified water. A transmembrane pressure can be monitored across the sterile filter while flowing the purified water through the connector assembly into the sterile batch container so as to provide a sterile fluid stored therein. The connector assembly can be detached from the filling port of the sterile batch container. After the detaching, the sterile batch container can be coupled to the blood treatment system. In response to a change in the transmembrane pressure exceeding a predefined level, an alarm signal can be generated.
US08460554B2 Forward osmosis membranes
Forward osmosis membranes include an active layer and a thin support layer. A bilayer substrate including a removable backing layer may allow forward osmosis membranes with reduced supporting layer thickness to be processed on existing manufacturing lines.
US08460553B2 Recovery by vapor recompression of industrial process fluid components
The invention provides the combined use of UF and MVR for the treatment of industrial process fluid wastewater that contains recoverable material. The recoverable material desirably has a molecular diameter of less than about 5 to 6 nm and a boiling point of less than about 200 ° C. In one embodiment, the recoverable material may then be utilized in the preparation of another industrial process fluid. In another embodiment, the recoverable material is isolated and retained for later use. The invention thereby provides aqueous industrial process fluid which contains water; one or more of an emulsifier, oil, amine, biocide, thickener, lubricant, dispersant, antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, alkaline compound, surfactant, and carrier; and one or more chemical compounds recovered from aqueous industrial process fluid wastewater treated with UF and MVR.
US08460550B2 Continuous processing and solids handling in near-critical and supercritical fluids
Apparatus for the continuous processing and solids handling in first near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the first near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a second fluid.
US08460542B2 Suction filter and fuel supply device
A suction filter may comprise a bag-shaped filter member and a passage member. The passage member is disposed in an internal space of the filter member. The passage member has a fuel passage and a plurality of openings, and guides fuel from the internal space to the outside of the internal space. The openings communicate the internal space of the filter member to the fuel passage. When the passage member is cut along a surface thereof perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the passage member in each of the openings, a position on an outer circumferential surface of the passage member in the cut surface, in which the distance between the outer circumferential surface and the filter member is the smallest, is distant in a circumferential direction from a position on the outer circumferential surface where the opening is formed.
US08460541B2 Process for converting carbon-based energy carrier material
A process is disclosed process for converting a solid or highly viscous carbon-based energy carrier material to liquid and gaseous reaction products, said process comprising the steps of: a) contacting the carbon-based energy carrier material with a particulate catalyst material b) converting the carbon-based energy carrier material at a reaction temperature between 200° C. and 450° C., preferably between 250° C. and 350° C., thereby forming reaction products in the vapor phase. In a preferred embodiment the process comprises the additional step of: c) separating the vapor phase reaction products from the particulate catalyst material within 10 seconds after said reaction products are formed. In a further preferred embodiment step c) is followed by: d) quenching the reaction products to a temperature below 200° C.
US08460540B2 Hydrocracking catalyst and process using insitu produced Y-fauajasite
A hydrocracking catalyst comprising zeolite crystallized as a layer on the surface of a porous alumina-containing matrix, said zeolite-layered matrix arranged in a configuration to provide macropores in which the zeolite layer is provided on the walls of the macropores. Hydrogenating metals can be incorporated into the catalyst.
US08460534B2 Chromium(VI)-free black passivation of surfaces containing zinc
The invention relates to a treatment solution for producing substantially chromium(VI) free black conversion layers on alloy layers containing zinc, the solution comprising the following: (i) at least one first carboxylic acid having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, the acid containing no polar groups with exception of the carboxyl group and being a monocarboxylic acid, (ii) at least one second carboxylic acid having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, comprising at least one further polar group that is selected from —OH, —SO3H, —NH2, —NHR, —NR2, —NR3+, and —COOH (wherein R is a C1-C6 alkyl group), (iii) 20 to 400 mmol/l Cr3+ and (iv) 50 to 2000 mmol/l NO3−. The invention further provides a method for the black passivation of surfaces containing zinc, wherein the surface to be treated is immersed into such a treatment solution.
US08460533B2 Indium compositions
Indium compositions including hydrogen suppressor compounds and methods of electrochemically depositing indium metal from the compositions onto substrates are disclosed. Articles made with the indium compositions are also disclosed.
US08460526B2 Gas sensor and process for producing the same
A sealing portion is formed of a calcined body that is made by calcining a powder compact of a spherically-shaped granulated powder that is selected from the group consisting of alumina, aluminum titanate and cordierite. Anisotropy in physical properties is less likely to occur in the powder compact, because these ceramics are not only good in terms of thermal stability but also their spherically-shaped granulated powders are less likely to be oriented at the time of powder compacting. Therefore, the sealing portion comes to have a long longevity, because slippages between the particles are less likely to occur even when thermal histories are applied thereto, and because it can maintain the gas sealing property stably for a long period of time.
US08460524B2 System and methods of chemistry patterning for a multiple well biosensor
Methods and systems for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a blood sample and, more particularly, to methods of chemistry patterning reagent layers for multiple well biosensors. A first capillary is first configured to receive a dispensed reagent layer such that the reagent layer is distributed in a substantially uniform manner within the first capillary. The first capillary may also configured to isolate the first capillary from other capillaries present in the biosensor. After the reagent layer has been dispensed and dried, the first capillary may then be reconfigured to allow the first capillary to receive a blood sample.
US08460523B2 Analysis instrument
The present invention relates to an analytical tool (X1) to be mounted to an analytical apparatus (1) which includes a plurality of terminals (11, 12) and an analysis circuit (13). The analytical tool includes a plurality of electrodes (21, 22) coming into contact with the plurality of terminals (11, 12) when mounted to the analytical apparatus (1). In the analytical tool (X1), at least one (12) of the electrodes (21, 22) serves as a disturbing-noise countermeasure electrode to which disturbing noise is more likely to come in comparison with the other electrodes (11) than the above-mentioned electrode (12).
US08460517B2 Methods and apparatuses for steam addition to a reboiler coupled to an extractive distillation column for improved extractive distillation
Methods and apparatuses for extractive distillation using internal addition of steam to an extractive distillation column from a reboiler are described herein. The apparatuses include an extractive distillation column, a reboiler (for example, a kettle reboiler) coupled to the extractive distillation column, and a steam input line. The steam input line is coupled to an internal steam sparger device of the reboiler. Methods utilizing the apparatuses to perform extractive distillation of a hydrocarbon feed stream are also described herein.
US08460516B2 Coke oven featuring improved heating properties
A coke oven of a horizontal construction of the non-recovery or heat recovery type is shown. The oven has at least one coking chamber, in which laterally vertical downcomers as well as horizontal bottom flues extend underneath the coking chamber for indirect reheating of the coking chamber. At least a part of the interior walls of the coking chamber is configured as a secondary heating source by coating it with a high-emission coating (HEB) that shows an emission degree equal to or higher than 0.9, and consists of the substances Cr2O3 or Fe2O3 or a mixture containing these substances, with the portion of Fe2O3 amounting to at least 25% by weight in the mixture, and with the portion of Cr2O3 amounting to at least 20% by weight in the mixture.
US08460514B2 Papermaking fabric
The present invention relates to an industrial fabric, in particular press fabric or transfer belt, for use in a papermaking machine. The industrial fabric includes a porous composite structure, having a batt fiber structure and particulate polymeric material. The batt fiber structure has an upper surface and a lower surface extending parallel to the upper surface and spaced from the upper surface along a thickness direction extending perpendicular to the upper and lower surface. The particulate polymeric material is partly fused together and bonded with fibers extending on at least one of the surfaces of the batt fiber structure and with fibers inside the batt fiber structure such that the polymeric material partly impregnates fibers of the batt structure and partly fills interstices between fibers of the batt structure to form the porous composite structure. Further in accordance with the present invention, the composite structure has a varying amount of polymeric material in the batt fiber structure along at least a section of the thickness direction of the batt fiber structure. The present invention further provides a method of making same.
US08460512B2 Paper with improved stiffness and bulk and method for making same
The invention provides a three layered reprographic paper having improved strength, stiffness and curl resistance properties, and a method for making same. The paper has a central core layer made largely of cellulose and bulked with a bulking agent such as a diamide salt. A starch-based metered size press coating is pressed on both sides of the core layer, wherein the starch has a high solid content. The coating forms a three layered paper having an I-beam arrangement with high strength outer layers surrounding a low density core.
US08460503B2 Pipe preformed liner comprising metal powder
The present invention relates to a preformed liner of Tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer adhered to the surface of a pipe, and in particular, an oil well pipe, without the need for either a primer layer or an adhesive. The liner comprises an effective amount of metal powder which provides adhesion between the liner and the surface of the pipe. The present invention also relates to a process for making such pipe, where in a preferred embodiment, the liner is co-extruded to form an inner layer and an outer layer. This co-extrusion embodiment is particularly useful in applications where high purity is necessary. In this case, the inner layer comprises an effective amount of metal powder and the outer layer is pure tetrafluoroethylene/ perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer.
US08460497B2 Coatings derived from polyester crosslinked with melamine formaldehyde
A coating composition is based on a polyester mixed with an alkyl-etherified melamine formaldehyde. The coating composition is partially cured in a first stage to provide a thermoformable partially cured, tack-free, non-blocking, coating layer, followed by application to generally a contoured substrate and thermoforming to conform thereto. The contoured partially cured coating layer is then heat cured to form a cured coating. A hydroxyl-terminated polyoxetane containing repeat units derived from oxetane monomers having one or two pendent —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf groups, wherein Rf is partially or fully fluorinated, can be esterified with polyester-forming reactants to form a fluorinated polyoxetane-modified polyester.
US08460495B2 Method for producing absorbent article with stretch film side panel and application of intermittent discrete components of an absorbent article
Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for creation of a configured laminate of a non-woven material, to which a character strip is applied, the character strip exposed by either heat severing and removal of overlying materials, or intermittent application of overlying materials to leave the desired portions of the character strip exposed. A simultaneously formed core insert is applied to a preformed chassis web.
US08460488B2 Eyeglasses holder clip
A holder clip having a planar body is secured to a temple piece of a pair of eyeglasses to allow a user to suspend and support the eyeglasses from a pocket, lapel, or other location on a garment. The holder clip can be secured by adhesive or flexible gripping fingers that are crimped around the temple piece.
US08460482B2 Heat-resistant alloy spring and Ni-based alloy wire therefor
A heat-resistant alloy spring is made of a Ni-based alloy material comprising in weight %: not more than 0.1% C; not more than 1.0% Si; not more than 1.50% Mn; 13.0 to 25.0% Cr; 1.5 to 7.0% Mo; 0.5 to 4.0% Ti; 0.1 to 3.0% Al; {at least one optional element selected from the group consisting of 0.15 to 2.50% W, 0.001 to 0.020% B, 0.01 to 0.3% Zr, 0.30 to 6.00% Nb, 5.0 to 18.0% Co, and 0.03 to 2.00% Cu}; the balance being essentially Ni; and incidental impurities. The Ni-based alloy material is provided in its crystal structure with gamma prime phase [Ni3(Al, Ti)] or gamma prime phase [Ni3(Al, Ti, Nb)].
US08460479B2 Door assembly for a dishwashing appliance, and associated apparatuses and methods
A door assembly and associated components for a dishwashing appliance are provided, wherein the dishwashing appliance includes a tub portion defining a forward access opening. The door assembly is pivotably engaged with the tub portion and cooperates therewith to cover the forward access opening. The door assembly includes an integrally formed and structurally reinforced inner door member, without a separate reinforcement panel. The inner door member includes at least one reinforcing member integrally formed therewith and along a contour thereof so as to provide reinforcement thereof. The dishwashing appliance further includes a covering member configured to encompass a wiring arrangement associated with the inner door member, for protecting the wiring arrangement within the dishwashing appliance. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.
US08460478B2 Wet processing apparatuses
A semiconductor apparatus includes a first tank configured to accommodate a first fluid. A second tank is configured to receive overflow of the first fluid into an upper portion of the second tank and to accommodate a second fluid. A cycling system including a first conduit is configured between the first tank and the second tank. The first conduit has an end substantially below a surface of the second fluid. A fluid providing system including a second conduit is fluidly coupled to the second tank and configured to provide the second fluid into the second tank. The second conduit has an end substantially below the surface of the second fluid. An overflow system is coupled to the second tank and configured to remove an upper portion of the second fluid when the surface of the second fluid is substantially equal to or higher than a pre-determined level.
US08460474B2 Method of cleaning semiconductor wafers
A method of cleaning semiconductor wafers using an acid cleaner followed by an alkaline cleaner to clean contaminants from the materials is provided. The acid cleaner removes substantially all of the metal contaminants while the alkaline cleaner removes substantially all of the non-metal contaminants, such as organics and particulate material.
US08460472B2 Method for glycosylating and separating plant fiber material
The invention relates to a method for hydrolyzing a plant fiber material and producing and separating a saccharide including glucose. The method of the invention includes a hydrolysis process of using a cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state to hydrolyze cellulose contained in the plant fiber material and produce glucose. In the hydrolysis process, the cluster acid catalyst and a first amount of the plant fiber material that increases a viscosity of the cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state when added to the cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state are heated and mixed, and a second amount of the plant fiber material is then further added when the decrease in viscosity of the heated mixture occurs.
US08460471B2 Method for glycosylating and separating plant fiber material
The invention relates to a method for hydrolyzing a plant fiber material to produce and separate a saccharide including glucose. The method includes a hydrolysis process of using a cluster acid catalyst in a pseudo-molten state to hydrolyze cellulose contained in the plant fiber material, and produce glucose. The cluster acid catalyst is subjected to a clustering enhancing treatment by which clustering of the cluster acid catalyst in a crystalline state is enhanced.
US08460470B2 Vapor phase deposition apparatus and support table
A vapor phase deposition apparatus includes a chamber, a support table arranged in the chamber, and having a first support unit which is in contact with a back side surface of a substrate and on which the substrate is placed and a second support unit which is connected to the first support unit to support the first support unit, a heat source arranged at a position having a distance from a back side surface of the substrate, the distance being larger than a distance between back side surface of the support table and the heat source, and which heats the substrate, a first flow path configured to supply a gas to form a film into the chamber, and a second flow path configured to exhaust the gas from the chamber.
US08460468B2 Device for doping, deposition or oxidation of semiconductor material at low pressure
A device for doping, deposition or oxidation of semiconductor material at low pressure in a process tube, is provided with a tube closure as well as devices for supplying and discharging process gases and for generating a negative pressure in the process tube. A closure of the process chamber that is gas tight with respect to the process gases and the vacuum tight seal of the end of the tube closure are spatially separated from each other in relation to the atmosphere and are arranged on a same side of the process tube in such a manner that a bottom of a stopper, sealing the process chamber, rests against a sealing rim of the process tube and the tube closure end is sealed vacuum tight by a collar, which is attached to the process tube and against which a door rests sealingly.
US08460465B2 Support ring for supporting a semiconductor wafer composed of monocrystalline silicon during a thermal treatment, method for the thermal treatment of such a semiconductor wafer, and thermally treated semiconductor wafer composed of monocrystalline silicon
A support ring for supporting a monocrystalline silicon semiconductor wafer during a thermal treatment of the semiconductor wafer has outer and inner lateral surfaces and a curved surface extending from the outer lateral surface to the inner lateral surface, this curved surface serving for the placement of the semiconductor wafer. The curved surface has a radius of curvature of not less than 6000 mm and not more than 9000 mm for 300 mm diameter wafers, or a radius of curvature of not less than 9000 mm and not more than 14,000 mm for 450 mm diameter wafers. Use of the support ring during thermal treatment reduces slip and improves wafer nanotopography.
US08460464B2 Method for producing single crystalline diamonds
A method for producing one or more single crystalline diamonds. The method comprises placing one or more substrates on a substrate holder in chemical vapor vaporization (CVD) chamber. A mixture of gases including at least one gas having a carbon component is provided adjacent to the one or more substrates in the CVD chamber. Thereafter, the mixture of gases is exposed to microwave radiation to generate a plasma. Reactive species of nitrogen produced in a remote reactive gas generator are introduced in the plasma. Then, the one or more substrates are exposed to the plasma, such that diamond growth occurs at a rate of 10 to 100 microns per hour, to produce one or more single crystalline diamonds.
US08460462B2 Method and an apparatus for growing a silicon single crystal from a melt
Silicon single crystals are grown from the melt by providing the melt in a crucible; imposing a horizontal magnetic field on the melt; directing a gas between the single crystal and a heat shield to a melt free surface, and controlling the gas to flow over a region of the melt free surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the magnetic induction. A suitable apparatus has a crucible for holding the melt; a heat shield surrounding the silicon single crystal having a lower end which is connected to a bottom cover facing a melt free surface and a non-axisymmetric shape with respect to a crucible axis, such that gas which is directed between the crystal and the heat shield to the melt free surface is forced to flow over a region of the melt which extends substantially perpendicular to the magnetic induction.
US08460461B2 Clad textured metal substrate for forming epitaxial thin film thereon and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides an oriented substrate for forming an epitaxial thin film thereon, which has a more excellent orientation than that of a conventional one and a high strength, and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention provides a clad textured metal substrate for forming the epitaxial thin film thereon, which includes a metallic layer and a silver layer bonded to at least one face of the metallic layer, wherein the silver layer has a {100}<001> cube texture in which a deviating angle Δφ of crystal axes satisfies Δφ≦9 degree. The textured metal substrate can be manufactured by subjecting the silver sheet containing 30 to 200 ppm oxygen by concentration to the orienting treatment of hot-working and heat-treating, and bonding the metal sheet with the oriented silver sheet by using a surface activated bonding process.