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Fun Giraffe
By: Becky Meverden
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Use the step by step photo tutorial by Becky Meveren to make a cute giraffe polymer clay project. In only nine steps you can have this little guy ready to give as a gift. Great for someone who loves giraffes.
- Premo! Sculpey polymer clay:
- Two ounce brick of cadmium yellow #5572
- Two ounce brick of raw sienna #5392
- Two black seed beads
- Straight pin
- Parchment paper or index card
- Paintbrush
- Baking dish or cookie sheet
- Round toothpick
- Oven thermometer
- Paring knife
- For the body, roll a one-inch ball of cadmium yellow clay into a cone. Press bottom against a flat surface and press a pin halfway into the top of the body.
- For brown patches, roll 1/8-inch balls of raw sienna clay and flatten, pressing them randomly all over the giraffe's body.
- Roll two 5/8-inch balls of cadmium yellow clay into tapered logs. Slightly flatten the narrower end of each log into a leg shape and randomly place brown patches all over each leg. Use the end of a paintbrush to make three impressions on the end of each leg then press a leg onto each side of the body.
- Roll two 9/16-inch balls of cadmium yellow clay into tapered logs. Slightly flatten the narrower end of each log into arm shapes. Randomly place brown
patches all over each arm and press one into each side of the body.
- For the head, roll a 13/16-inch ball of cadmium yellow clay into a 1-1/8-inch long log and shape into a head. Press two black seed beads into the head for eyes, and use a toothpick to make two squint lines by each eye.
- Roll two 1/4-inch balls of cadmium yellow clay into teardrop-shaped ears. Flatten slightly and press onto the head. Roll two 7/32-inch balls of raw sienna into teardrop-shaped antlers. Use the end of a paintbrush to make two holes in the top of the head between the ears and press an antler into each hole.
- Use the end of a paintbrush to make two nostrils in the end of the head. For the mouth, use a knife to cut a smile into the head about 1/4-inch deep.
- Randomly place brown patches all over the head and press the head onto the body.
- Bake in a preheated 265-degree oven for 30 minutes. Turn the oven off and remove the figure when cool.
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Original recipe yields 30 servings
Amount per serving ({{servings}} total)
Based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Ready In
I admit it. I changed the recipe, but only because I was too lazy to make my own pie crust for tartlet shells. I used puff pastry instead. The filling was very nice, with the blue cheese and oni...


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An optically-triggered silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) (21) having a number of semiconductor layers (23, 24, 31) diffused into an N type substrate (22). Specifically, the SCR is formed by diffusing a first P+ layer (23) into an upper surface of the substrate. Then, an N+ layer (24) is diffused into a portion of an upper surface of the first P+ layer. An oxide layer (25) which is permeable to optical radiation is formed on the first P+ layer. A conductive cathode terminal (26) is then deposited on the N+ layer. Therefore, a trench (30) is etched in the lower surface of the substrate. The trench is defined by a depth and a surface. A second P+ layer (31) is diffused into the surface of the trench. The depth of the trench substantially defines a spacing between the first and second P+ layers. The chip is soldered onto a pedestal (33) formed on a lead frame (34). The solder is deposited in the trench and contacts the second P+ layer to form an anode terminal (36). The pedestal may be formed by either etching or stamping a depression (35) in the lead frame.
1. A semiconductor device, comprising:
(a) a semiconductor substrate having first and second opposed surfaces, the second surface configured with a recessed area;
(b) a control layer located in the first surface of said semiconductor substrate;
(c) a cathode layer located in a first of said control layer and directly opposite the recessed area;
(d) a cathode contact fixed to said cathode layer;
(e) an anode layer located in the surface of said recessed area;
(f) an anode contact placed in said recessed area in contact with said anode layer, the depth of said recessed area being selected to obtain a particular operating characteristic of the device by defining a specific spacing between the anode layer and the cathode layer; and
(g) an oxide layer located in the first surface of said semiconductor device, said oxide layer allowing optical triggering of said control layer.
2. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the cathode layer is located in a first surface of the control layer so that the control layer is disposed directly between the cathode layer and the recessed area.
3. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the device is a silicon controlled rectifier.
4. The semiconductor device of claim 3, wherein the particular operating characteristic is a selected level of forward voltage.
5. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein said substrate and said anode layer are oppositely doped.
6. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein said control layer and said substrate are oppositely doped.
7. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein said cathode layer and said control layer are oppositely doped.
8. The semiconductor device of claim 1 further comprising a lead frame on which said anode contact is mounted.
9. The semiconductor device of claim 8, wherein said lead frame subtends said recessed area but not said device.
10. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the cathode contact is a single electrode.
11. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the control layer is a gate terminal and produces a gate current in response to optical radiation that triggers the device into operation.
This is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/341,283 filed Nov. 16, 1994 abandoned Mar. 29, 1996, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/040,830 filed Mar. 31, 1993 abandoned Nov. 16, 1994.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of solid state electronics. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device and a device so formed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, when fabricating a semiconductor device, a particular spacing between layers of semiconductor material produces a device having particular operating characteristics. For example, a correct anode-to-cathode spacing in a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is critical to achieving particular operating characteristics such as a certain level of forward voltage. Specifically, in a vertical SCR, an anode layer and a cathode layer are produced on opposing surfaces of a semiconductor wafer. Obtaining the correct anode-to-cathode spacing, i.e., a distance between the anode and cathode layers, in a vertical SCR is typically accomplished by choosing a thin silicon wafer and diffusing appropriate anode and cathode dopants deep into the wafer. The depth of the diffusion determines the anode-to-cathode spacing. Although deep diffusion techniques produce useful vertical SCRs, unfortunately considerable difficulty has been experienced by those skilled in the art in accurately diffusing the dopant to a required depth. Also, the depth to which a dopant can be diffused into a substrate has practical limitations. Additionally, diffusion inaccuracy increases with required diffusion depth; therefore, the diffusion inaccuracy and the limited diffusion depth limits deep diffusion techniques to use with very thin wafers. Consequently, maximum wafer diameter, which is a function of wafer thickness, is severely limited.
Consequently, those concerned with the development of semiconductor devices, such as vertical SCRs, have long recognized the need for improved fabrication techniques which mitigate problems associated with achieving accurate layer spacing.
To remedy the deficiencies in the art, our present invention teaches the use of a unique trench construction etched into one surface of a semiconductor wafer. As a result of this construction, an etched depth of the trench defines the inner-layer spacing of semiconductor material that forms the semiconductor device.
In general, our invention is directed to a semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate with first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface of the substrate contains a first layer of doped impurities. A trench, having a depth and a surface, is formed in the second surface of the substrate. The surface of the trench contains a second layer of doped impurities, such that a spacing between these two layers is primarily defined by the depth of the trench.
Additionally, the invention is directed to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. Using our inventive method, a first layer of doped impurities is diffused into a first surface of a semiconductor substrate. A trench, having a depth and a surface, is etched into a second substrate surface. The first and second substrate surfaces are opposing planar sides of the substrate. A second layer of doped impurities is diffused into the surface of the trench such that a spacing between the first and second layers is primarily defined by the depth of the trench.
More specifically, using our inventive fabrication technique, an SCR semiconductor device is formed using a number of layers of semiconductor material diffused into an N type substrate. A first P+ layer is diffused into an upper surface of the substrate. An N+ layer is diffused into a portion of the upper surface of the first P+ layer. An oxide layer is formed on the first P+ layer. A conductive cathode contact is deposited on the N+ layer. A trench is etched in a lower surface of the substrate. The trench is formed having a depth and a surface defined by sides and a bottom. A second P+ layer is diffused into the surface of the trench such that the depth of the trench primarily defines a spacing between the first and second P+ layers. Solder is deposited in the trench and contacts the second P+ layer to form an anode terminal. Additionally, the solder connects the device to a lead frame. The lead frame provides structural support for the semiconductor device and a contact to which a device lead can be connected.
The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device made in accordance with the present invention.
Although the preferred embodiment will be described in the context of an optically-triggered silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) structure and fabrication technique, it will be evident to those skilled in these arts that our invention has broad application with respect to a wide variety of other layered semiconductor devices, such as field effect transistors (FETs) and the like.
In general, an SCR is a four-layer P-N-P-N unidirectional device which is primarily used for bistable switching. A typical SCR has three semiconductor junctions, formed from layers of semiconductor material, and three terminals: anode, cathode and gate, each of which conductively connects to a corresponding layer of the device. Gate current is one factor that determines an anode-to-cathode voltage, i.e., the so-called "breakover" voltage, at which the device begins to conduct current from the cathode to the anode. In an optically-triggered SCR, the control element or gate is an optically sensitive layer located between the anode and cathode. Illuminating optical radiation produces a photo-current in the optically sensitive layer. The amount of photo-current determines the anode-to-cathode voltage at which the device begins to conduct. The anode-to-cathode voltage during conduction is known as the forward voltage. During full conduction, the forward voltage of the SCR is a function of the spacing between the anode and cathode.
FIG. 1 shows a portion of optically-triggered, vertical SCR 21 mounted on lead frame 34. Specifically, SCR 21 is formed on N type substrate 22 by diffusing P type impurities into an upper region of the substrate to form P+ control layer 23. The control layer is comparatively thicker in a central portion than towards the edges of the layer. N+ cathode layer 24 is formed by diffusing N type impurities into the central portion of control layer 23. Oxide layer 25 is formed on the outer portion of layer 23 and partly covers the edge of layer 24 leaving an opening in which a metal layer is deposited to form cathode terminal 26. Oxide layer 25 is permeable to optical radiation such that P+ control layer 23 can be illuminated with an incident light beam. The light beam is a conventional optical control beam, which, if of sufficient intensity, triggers SCR 21.
Vertical trench 30 is etched into the bottom surface of substrate 22. The trench has bottom 37 and sides 38 which form a surface and define a depth (symbolized by distance "d"). P type impurities are diffused into substrate 22 in the surface of trench 30 to form P+ anode layer 31. By accurately controlling the depth of the trench, the spacing between layers 31 and 23 is accurately controlled. Oxide layer 32 is formed on the bottom surface of substrate 22 and along a circumferential edge of P+ layer 31. Four N+ regions form conventional channel stops 27 which prevent surface leakage during reverse bias of the SCR.
SCR 21 is mounted on raised pedestal 33 formed in lead frame 34. The lead frame provides structural support for the semiconductor device and a contact area for connection of a conductive lead (not shown). Pedestal 33, which may be created by etching, stamping or otherwise forming depression 35 in the upper surface of frame 34, electrically isolates lead frame 34 from the circumferential edges of the silicon substrate which forms the SCR.
SCR 21 is preferably mounted on frame 34 by a soldering process. This process produces an ohmic contact between an exposed portion of P+ layer 31 and frame 34. This contact provides anode terminal 36.
In a typical SCR application, an applied voltage is connected between cathode terminal 26 and anode terminal 36. When optical radiation of a sufficient intensity passes through layer 25 to illuminate P+ control layer 23, a photo-current is generated in layer 23. The amount of photo-current produced will primarily determine the breakover voltage of SCR 21, i.e., the value of the applied voltage at which SCR 21 begins to conduct. When the SCR is triggered by an external light pulse and the applied voltage forms a forward bias that is greater than the breakover voltage, the SCR conducts current vertically between cathode terminal 26 and anode terminal 36. SCR 21 will continue to conduct until the applied voltage forming the forward bias is removed or falls below a level known as a forward voltage. The value of the forward voltage at full conduction is a function of the vertical spacing between layers 24 and 31. As such, the operating characteristics of SCR 21, i.e., its forward voltage at normal anode current, is dependent on the ability to obtain an appropriate layer spacing during fabrication. In accordance with the teachings of our present invention, this vertical spacing is readily controllable via the etching of vertical trench 30 within which the anode layer is formed.
As is well known in the art, the depth of a trench is more accurately controllable than the diffusion depth of a layer produced using a deep diffusion technique. As such and in accordance with our present invention, the trench is accurately etched to a particular depth into the substrate and a P+ anode layer is diffused into the surface of the trench. Because the depth of the P+ anode layer is primarily controlled by the depth of the trench which, in turn, primarily controls the spacing between the control layer and the anode layer, neither the control layer nor the anode layer need be deeply diffused. Thus, the spacing between the anode and control layers can be accurately controlled, i.e., less diffusion depth permits accurate depth control. Additionally, using a trench to define the spacing between layers permits the device to be constructed upon a relatively thick substrate. Since maximum wafer diameter is a function of wafer thickness, the capability of using a relatively thick substrate for the device permits use of a relatively large wafer upon which many devices can be formed. Given the foregoing description of our invention, those skilled in the art would readily be able to determine appropriate dimensions of the trench and the various layers to produce an operational semiconductor device having desired operating characteristics.
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. As mentioned above, the use of an etched trench to achieve the correct spacing between semiconductor layers is applicable to a variety of layered discrete and integrated circuit devices such as SCRs, FETs and the like.
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VIEWS: 908 PAGES: 11 CATEGORY: Corporate Finance POSTED ON: 10/3/2008 Public Domain
This is an example of Alabama divorce records. This document is useful for studying Alabama divorce records.
DIVORCE IN ALABAMA This information is provided to answer some of your questions about divorce and applicable Alabama law. This material does not attempt to get into the specifics of your case; rather, it provides general information that will be useful in consulting with us and as a reference. Grounds Alabama has many grounds for divorce. Some of these grounds are: voluntary abandonment for one year, physical cruelty, adultery, addiction to alcohol or drugs, incompatibility of temperament, and irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. These last m-o grounds are the basis for what is commonly called "no-fault' divorce. This simply means that the parties' want a divorce because they are unable to get alone to such an extent that the marriage has suffered irreparable damage. No proof of fault is necessary, although it may be considered by the judge on trial. Most divorces can be obtained on "no-fault" grounds. Residency There is a residency requirement, which must be satisfied in order for an Alabama court to have jurisdiction to grant a divorce. This requirement is satisfied if both parties or the defendant permanently reside in Alabama. If the defendant does not reside in Alabama, the plaintiff must have been domiciled in Alabama for six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the divorce complaint. There are limited exceptions which may apply if. You do not qualify under these rules. Divorce must be filed in the county of the defendants residence or county of residence when separation occurred; if the defendant is a nonresident, then in the county in which the other party to the marriage resides. However, if either party is an Alabama resident, divorce may, be filed in any county if the defendant fails to object. Petitions to modify, divorce decrees may be brought at the custodial parents option in the county where the custodial parent has resided for the last three (3) years or in the county where the divorce was granted. If the non-custodial parent files the petition to modify, the custodial parent may choose the, venue. Persons in military service and spouses living in Alabama are deemed residents of Alabama for the purpose of maintaining suits at law and equity in this state. When the defendant is a nonresident, the plaintiff must have been a bona fide resident of this state for six (6) months next before filing divorce, which must be alleged and proved. Common Law Marriage Marry, and the intent of the parties are essential elements. The intent can be proven by the parties holding themselves out to others as husband and wife. Once a common law marriage is established, it is no different from a ceremonial marriage. It can only be dissolved by divorce. Divorce v. Legal Separation In some instances a couple with marriage problems may wish relief short of divorce. They may object to divorce because of religious convictions or in order to retain health insurance military benefits. In a divorce from bed and board, commonly called a "legal separation," or in a suit for separate maintenance, the parties remain married after the legal proceedings. As in a divorce, legal separation and separate maintenance consider custody of the children, child support, alimony, and property use or division. During the legal separation or separate maintenance, either party can sue for a divorce on one or more grounds cited above. Divorce Proceeding Divorce proceedings may consist of several events and phases; fact-gathering from you; attempts to achieve an uncontested divorce; filing the complaint, Information- gathering from your spouse, records, and witnesses; settlement negotiations and the trial. Uncontested Divorce An uncontested divorce can often be obtained quickly and at less expense than a contested divorce. It can only occur when both parties agree to all of the terms of the divorce. It is often therapeutic for parties to work out a divorce agreement. Disputes over child custody, child support, visitation rights, alimony, or property division, will prohibit an uncontested divorce. Starting the Proceedings A divorce case begins with-the filing of a complaint in the Circuit Court. Costs vary among the counties but, generally, the filing fee is approximately $120. The party filing the complaint is the plaintiff and the opposing party, the defendant. The complaint is normally filed in the county where the defendant resides or where the parties resided at the time they separated. Service of the Complaint The law of Alabama requires that the defendant must be made aware of the suit for divorce. This procedure is known as service of process. When a divorce complaint is filed, a request is made for the sheriff to deliver a copy, of the complaint to the defendant or for the court clerk to mail a copy by registered mail to the defendant's last known address. To avoid the embarrassment often associated with being served by the sheriffs, the defendant may sign a waiver acknowledging receipt of a copy of the complaint. If your spouse has a lawyer, your spouse may authorize the lawyer to accept service. In some cases, service may be achieved by publishing notice in a newspaper. Separation The law does not require the parties to be physically separated and living apart on filing the divorce complaint. However, some judges may require it. Child Custody Custody is generally granted to the mother. However, this is not a steadfast rule. Alabama courts took to the "best interests of the children" and seek to determine which parent is most fit. The desires of older children are often considered by the judge. Regardless of which parent is granted custody, the other parent will be granted reasonable visitation rights, except in extreme circumstances. Joint custody may be an alternative, but many judges do not favor it. Child Support The Supreme Court of Alabama has adopted guidelines for use in determining the amount of childsupport to be paid by, the non-custodial parent. Once we have all of the relevant facts, we can estimate the amount of child support. The amount of child support depends on the income of the parties and the needs of the children. The law only requires support of a child until the child nineteenth (19th) birthday or until the child becomes self-supporting, whichever occurs first. If special needs are present, such as for a retarded child, child support can be extended past 19. By agreement, the parties can set the amount of child support and extend the age limit. Additional Support The Supreme Court has also determined that a divorce judge has authority to order the parties to provide a college education for their children. There may, be certain limitations but such a decision in now discretionary with the divorce judge. Support Guidelines Alabama has adopted an "Income share method to calculate child support. The gross income of the mother and father is used to arrive at "family income." Adjustments are made for pre- existing support payments for other dependent persons and for health insurance costs. The total support based on "family income" and number of children is then located on the guideline chart. An additional adjustment is made for net childcare costs. Then, the total support figure is multiplied by the percentage of the total income of both the mother and father. The non-custodial parent pays his or her percentage of the total support of the other spouse. Visitation The judge will generally approve the visitation periods agreed to by the parties. Visitation rights may be general ("at reasonable time") or specific ("every first and third weekend from Friday at 6:00 p.m. until Sunday at 6:00 p.m., one month during the summer vacation, one week each Christmas to include Christmas Day on alternate years, alternate spring vacations. Thanksgivings and Easters, Mother's Day and Father's Day, and on the spouse birthday") Special visitation rights may be awarded if the parents do not live close to one another. Alimony Alimony is the money paid by one spouse to the other, in recognition of the duty to support and maintain the other spouse. It is available in Alabama. The amount and duration of alimony awarded is different in every case. Some of the facts considered by the judge in awarding alimony are length of the marriage, ages of the parties. Assets and liabilities, income, earning capabilities, the degree of fault of the parties in causing the divorce, stations in life, and health. Alimony shall be terminated upon petition and proof that the receiving spouse has married or is living or cohabiting with a member of the opposite sex. Property Division There is no formula for determining how; the property (land, money, automobiles, household, goods, etc. ) will be divided. If the parties can reach a reasonable agreement, the judge will generally approve it. Otherwise, the judge will make a decision considering such factors as the length of the marriage, relative earning capacities, assets and liabilities. Custody of the children, and the fault of the parties in causing the divorce. Temporary Relief Under certain conditions, the judge may give temporary relief before the divorce is finalized. on showing of the potential for irreparable harm, the judge may prohibit any party from harming or harassing his or her spouse, and from selling property- belonging to the parties. It is important to tell your attorney if you are afraid your spouse will harm you or your children in any way. The judge may direct a spouse, usually the husband, to move out of the house pending the trial. The judge may also grant temporary relief by awarding custody. of the children, requiring the payment of child support and alimony, setting visitation rights, and requiring payment of attorney fees, all pending trial. Changing the Wife's Name The wife may legally change her name through the divorce proceedings to resume the use of her maiden name or name by a previous marriage. The children will retain the name of their father. Reconciliation We have an ethical obligation to explore the possibility of reconciliation between you and your spouse. After the divorce is filed, both of you may change your mind and try to work out your marital problems. Our policy is to encourage such efforts. The divorce proceedings can be dropped at any tome of your choosing. We will recommend marriage counselors at your request. Settlement v. Trial Usually the final proceeding in a divorce action is the trial. Although it will vary among the counties, you can expect a trial approximately six (6) months after the complaint is filed. Divorce actions are tried before a judge and not a jury. We are obligated to explore the possibility of a settlement throughout the divorce proceedings. If we think it to your advantage, we will so advice you. However, the choice is always your. You must not be afraid to try your case. A settlement made merely to avoid a trial is not wise. Dating Since you are still married until the judge divorce you, do not date during the divorce proceedings. Doing so can badly affect your case. Right of Parties to Remarry After Divorce Neither party shall again marry, except to each other, until sixty (60) days after the decree is rendered; and, if an appeal is taken, neither party shall again marry except to each other during the pendency of said appeal. Name After Divorce The divorced wife may be enjoined from the use of the given name or initials of the divorced husband. The wife will be granted the right to resume her maiden name if she so requests. Attorney's Fees Where Contempt Citation Made In all suits for the recovery of alimony, maintenance, or support in which a decree of divorce has been issued or is pending, and a contempt of court citation has been made by the court against either party, the court may award a reasonable attorney fee. Income Withholding Offers Every order, which includes a provision for child support, including divorce decrees, granted after May 18, 1984, must include a provision for enforcement of the support order by income withholding. The employer of the person ordered to pay support (the obligor) will withhold the amount ordered and pays it either to the court or to a designated public agency. A person who should be receiving support (the obligee) may file a petition for income withholding if the obligor is one (1) month or more in arrears. Income withholding may be effective immediately upon entry of the support order or when the obligor is one month or more in arrears in the court decision. In the latter case, the income withholding in activated by the obligee filing an affidavit with the court. The amount to be withheld cannot exceed the Federal fifty six (50/60) percent limitations. Protection from Abuse The Alabama Protection from Abuse Act provides authority for the court to make any orders necessary to bring about cessation of abuse, including possession of residence, and temporary custody and support. Divisibility of Military Retirement Pay Military retirement benefits are considered martial property and are often divisible in a divorce. They are also a source of income for alimony. Former Spouses Protection Act Military Retired Pay State court may consider military retiree pay as marital property which may be expressed either in dollars or as a percentage which cannot exceed fifty (50) percent. The court cannot consider the soldier's disposable retired pay as property unless the court has jurisdiction over the soldier's residence (other than because of military assignment), the soldier's domicile in the state, or the soldier's consent to the court's jurisdiction. Court orders, which were issued before June 26, 1981, which direct a division of the retired pay are still valid. If orders are issued prior to June 26, 1981, the law is not retroactive. If the order is after June 26, 1981, and does not carry this provision, there may be grounds for modification under state law. The test to even qualify for state law treatment is: Ten (10) years' marriage and ten (10) years toward retirement in service. Payments are made only if there is compliance with the Soldier's and Sailor's Civil Relief Act: If the soldier was on active duty at the time the court order was issued. Payments begin no later than ninety (90) days after the soldier is entitled to receive retired pay. Payments terminate on death of the former spouse or upon the death of the soldier, whichever is earlier, or under provisions of the court. Spousal Medical/Commissary and PX Privileges Twenty (20) years of marriage – twenty (20) years of active duty service – twenty (20) years overlap test. Spouse cannot be covered by any other medical insurance. Must not be remarried. The spouse will maintain medical, commissary and PX privileges. If over sixty- five (65) with medical care, must have a letter of disallowance for Medicare, Part A, from the Social Security Administration. Medical Care Only Twenty (20) years of marriage – twenty (20) years of active-duty service – fifteen (15) year overlap test. Expiration occurs two (2) years from the date of divorce or April, 1988, whichever is later. Not covered by employer-sponsored medical insurance. Must not be remarried. Divorce on or after April 1, 1985. No exceptions allowed to these criteria. Survivor Benefit Plan Under some state laws, soldiers can be required to have former spouses as benefits to survivor benefits plan. Soldier's Obligation of Support During Marriage Under AR 608-99, a soldier must meet the minimum support requirements for dependents. The spouse is entitled to receive BAQ at the "with dependents" rate if they are not living in government quarters and there is no other outstanding court order. If the spouse is living in government quarters, the soldiers must provide the difference between BAQ at the "with dependents" rate and the "without dependents" rate. Prior marriages are governed by the outstanding court orders. Confidentiality Anything you tell anyone in this office is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed without your permission. For this reason, you should not withhold any information from us and, above all, we must have the truth. We must have ALL the facts to represent you properly. During the course of the proceeding, it may be in your best interest not to discuss your case with other parties and we advise you not to do so. General Suggestions Your well-meaning friends may offer you advice about your case. You may hear tales about awards in other divorce cases. The facts surrounding your marriage, divorce, children, and property are unique and they differ from every other case. Divorce proceedings are very emotional and, at times, parties use them to seek revenge. Children are often used by a parent to punish the other parent. Prepare you children properly without poisoning their minds about your spouse. Attempt to cooperate with your spouse when the children are involved. New Wills Under Alabama law, divorce invalidates provisions for your spouse in your will made before the divorce. Following the divorce, you will need a new will. If you wish to pursue this, please tell us. Income Tax Consequences of Divorce Generally, most people do not consider the tax consequences of a divorce until the time come to file an income tax return. Nevertheless, many issues can arise in regards to taxes as a result of a divorce. Although not all-inclusive, the sections below summarize some of the pertinent considerations and consequences of divorce on taxation. Which parent can claim a child as a dependent for the exemption? Normally the parent that has custody of the child gets to claim the exemption deduction however, some divorce decrees state that Form 8332 will be filed giving the non custodial parent the right to claim the child as an exemption. Therefore, first look at the decree, if it is silent, then a safe assumption is that the custodial parent will be entitled to the exemption as long as the custodial parent provides more than one half of the child's total support for the year. What type of return should be filed for the year the divorce took place? Separate returns are require if spouses are divorced under a decree or an order of separate maintenance has been issued. If a divorce or separation is not final, the spouses should consult with their attorneys to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of filing separate or joint returns. Taxpayers with children should consult your military tax specialist to see if Qualified for Head of Household. Does alimony have to be included as income if it is received, and does the party paying alimony get deduction for alimony paid? Amount paid during an individual's taxable year for alimony or separate maintenance are Deductible. IRC 215(a). Amounts received as alimony or separate maintenance payments are included in gross income. IRC 72(a). What type of payments will be considered alimony by the IRS? a. To constitute alimony, payment must be pursuant to a divorce or separation agreement IRC72(b)(1)(A). b. A divorce or separation instrument is: 1. A decree of divorce or separate maintenance or written instrument incident to such a decree. IRC 71(b)(2)(C) 2. A written separation agreement. IRC 71(b)(2)(B); or 3. A decree or any @ of court order requiring a spouse to make payments for the Support or maintenance or the other spouse, including a temporary decree, and Interlocutory decree and a decree of alimony pendente lite IRC 71(b)(2)(C) c. Alimony payment pursuant to an oral separation agreement will not qualify. Can payment still be treated as alimony if the divorce or separated spouse live in the same household? a. Payment made under a divorce decree will not be treated as alimony it the divorced or separated maintenance payment. Temp. Treas. Reg. 1.7 1-1 T(b), Q&A-5. b. Transfers of services or property, including a debt instrument of a third party, an annuity contract, execution of debt instrument or the use of property, do not qualify as alimony or separation maintenance payments. If a person is paying home expenses on behalf of his or her spouse, can that be deducted as alimony for tax purpose? a. Generally, cash payment of rent, mortgage, tax or tuition to a third party on behalf of the payee spouse qualifies as alimony. Temp. Treas. Reg. 1.71- 1T(b), Q&A,B b. Payments made by a non-occupying spouse of mortgage, taxes and insurance are deductible to the extent of the occupying spouse's legal interest in the property. PLR 8710089. c. If a house is jointly owned, only half of the payments for the home expenses are deductible and other half are includabe. d. If the occupying spouse owns the house being used as the residence, payments made to third parties are payments on behalf of the payee spouse and deductible as alimony. e. Home expenses paid by a non-occupying spouse who is also the owner of the residence are not deductible. Temp. Treas. Reg. 1.71-1T(b), Q&A-6 If a person is making a payment to a third party at the request of a spouse, does that payment qualify as alimony for tax purpose? Cash payments made to a third party at the written request of a divorced or separated spouse qualify as alimony. The written request must state that both parties intend the payment to be treated as alimony. The written request must be received before the "payer" spouse files a return for the year the payments were made. Temp. Treas. Reg. 1.71 –1T(b), Q&A-7. If a divorce or separation agreement call for premiums to be paid for life insurance on the payer spouse's life, does that payment qualify as alimony for tax purposes? Premiums paid for life insurance on the payers spouse's under a divorce or separation agreement are deductible to extent the payee spouse is the owner of the policy. Temp. Treas. Reg. 1.71 What are the excess Front Loading Rules? If alimony payments in the first years exceed the average payment in the second and third year by more than $15,000, the excess amounts are recaptured in the third year be requiring the payer spouse to included the excess in income and allowing the payee spouse to deduct the excess amount. A similar rule applies if payment in the second year exceed payments in the third year by more that $15,000. IRC 71(f). Temporary support payments are not subject to recapture. IRC 71(f)(5)(B). Can child support payments be deducted, and does the receipt of child support require inclusion in income? Payments made for the support of children under a divorce or separation decree are not deductible by the payer spouse or includable in the gross income of the payee spouse. IRC 71(c). Payments that are partially alimony and child support are considered to first satisfy the child support obligation and secondly alimony. If a Joint tax return is filed, are both spouses liable for the tax? Husband and wife are jointly and severally liable for the tax on a Joint tax return. IRC 6013(d)(3). What happens if one spouse innocently signs a return and the other spouses entered fraudulent information? a. A spouse who innocently signs a return that understates income can be relieved of liability is such spouse qualifies as an "innocent spouse". IRC 6013(e). b. In order to be granted innocent spouse relief: 1. The spouses must have filed a valid Joint return. IRC 6013(e)(1)(A); 2. There must be a substantial understatement of tax ($500 or more). IRC 6013(e)(1)(B). 3. The understatement must be caused by a grossly erroneous item; 4. The spouse must establish that he or she did not know, or did not have a reason to know that there was substantial understand on the joint return. IRC 6013(e)(1)(C). 5. It must be inequitable to hold the spouse liable for the tax. IRC 6013(e)(1)(D).
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Town Square
Sycamore Valley Park turf project begins June 1
Original post made on May 31, 2012
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 1:23 PM
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a resident of Monte Vista High School
on May 31, 2012 at 6:49 am
What a privileged town we live in! How lucky are we?
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We certainly agree that the DPM/MD or DPM/DO agree is not for John McCord, DPM ("Should We Add 'MD' To Our Credentials?," page 74, September issue). This forward-looking concept is directed at the future of podiatric medicine, not the past or present. It would not be effective from a time or cost perspective for a practitioner such as Dr. McCord, with 29 years under his belt, to go back to school, pass tests or complete rotations. The concept of the dual degree is part of an evolutionary process that has elevated a former trade into a bona fide r ... continue reading
Editorial Staff
Jeff Hall
Brian McCurdy
Bonnie Shannon
Alana Balboni
Editorial Correspondence
Suite 100, Malvern PA 19355
Fax: (610) 560-0501
November 2004 | Volume 17 - Issue 11
6,531 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
By Brian McCurdy, Associate Editor
6,175 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
6,175 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
Type "DPM" or "podiatrist" into an Internet search engine and name after name of established practitioners will come up, leading to Web sites which may have established in order to market their practices. Many podiatrists have been building Web sites to supplement the traditional methods of reaching patients and facilitate the ability of potential patients to reach them. ... continue reading
By Gary L. Dockery, DPM, FACFAS
12,294 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
12,294 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
... continue reading
By Lowell Scott Weil, Jr., DPM, MBA
45,622 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
45,622 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
Last year, I wrote "Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has a long way to go to prove it has overwhelming medical benefits that are claimed by the manufacturers, but it is still in the early stages of its evolution. With time, it will be necessary to prove these claims through prospective studies." (See "Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy: Hope Or Hype?," page 46, November 2003 issue.) While this article is not intended to prove beyond a statistical doubt that ESWT works, emerging research via prospective placebo-controlled, double-blind studie ... continue reading
By Justin Franson, DPM, and Babak Baravarian, DPM
38,450 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
38,450 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
A 20-year-old male presents to your office with a painful sinus tarsi, medial arch and a history of recurrent ankle sprains over the last few years. The pain seems to limit his activities more and more, and he is frustrated with his lack of improvement. He has seen a few doctors for this problem, and has been treated with orthotics, ankle braces, physical therapy and NSAIDs. He wants to know why he is not getting better and what you can do to get him back to playing tennis. The majority of patients who walk (or limp) into our offices have conditions that ... continue reading
By Jeff Hall, Editor-in-Chief
13,863 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
13,863 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
There were a lot of reports circulating last month about the rise of injuries in the National Football League (NFL). An Indianapolis Star article noted that after four weeks of play, 34 players had been placed on injured reserve, the highest number in six years. As this issue went to press, 346 players are listed on injury reports in the NFL with the injuries ranging from mild to season-ending injuries. (That is an approximate average of 11 injured players per team.) Sixty-three of these injuries (18 percent) are lower-extremity injuries. When aske ... continue reading
Clinical Editor: Lawrence Karlock, DPM
128,675 reads | 1 comments | 11/03/04
128,675 reads | 1 comments | 11/03/04
Whether it is used as a topical ingredient or a dressing ingredient, the use of silver in treating wounds has been around for quite some time. Silver has an array of beneficial effects in promoting healing. Given the potential of silver in the wound care arena, our expert panelists take a closer look at the history of silver in wound care, key indications and their experience with the different modalities that contain silver. Q: Historically, how has topical silver been used in wound care? A: The panelists note that silver has ... continue reading
By Jesse Burks, DPM
8,132 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
8,132 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
Severe, acute or repetitive chronic inversion ankle sprains can often result in lateral instability of the lateral ankle complex. Although one can treat the vast majority of these conditions conservatively, a significant and unresponsive case may require surgical intervention. Over the course of the past two decades, improved soft tissue anchors and arthroscopic procedures have reduced the necessity of traditional open procedures. However, these procedures can still play a vital role in the surgical management of this condition. Naturally, there are numer ... continue reading
By Brian McCurdy, Associate Editor
8,208 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
8,208 reads | 0 comments | 11/03/04
For a few Tuesday nights out of the year, podiatric residents across the country will compete with fellow residents in other programs to test their knowledge. The game is not Jeopardy but the Residency Challenge, also known as the Residency Rumble, an academic tournament wherein residents from 76 programs draw upon their knowledge to answer questions on all aspects of podiatry. The brainchild of Podiatric Residency Education Services Network (PRESENT), these Tuesday night Web-based programs will occur four times a year, according to PRESENT CEO Alan Sherm ... continue reading
By Stephen L. Barrett, DPM, CWS, and Susan E. Erredge, DPM, CWS
48,650 reads | 2 comments | 11/03/04
48,650 reads | 2 comments | 11/03/04
Plantar fasciitis/heel pain syndrome is the most common condition treated by podiatric foot and ankle specialists in the United States.1 However, the true etiology of plantar fasciitis is still unknown and has been attributed to many different etiological factors. Even the term "plantar fasciitis" is a misnomer as the plantar fascia is really a tendonous aponeurosis and not a fascial layer.2 It is entirely possible that our whole paradigm for treating plantar fasciitis is based on a false foundation, especially in light of the h ... continue reading


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News Shikabane Hime DVD Released Monday
posted on 2011-05-22 16:12 EDT
The supernatural/action series Shikabane Hime, animated by the Gainax studio, debuts on UK DVD this Monday. Released by Manga Entertainment, the two-disc set contains the first 13-part serial, called "Aka," and it retails at £14.99.
Set in present-day Tokyo, the series involves Ouri, a foundling boy. Ouri encounters Makina, a gun-toting undead girl who exists to fight other tormented undead. Ouri's Buddhist monk guardian and 'brother,' Keisei, is voiced by the prolific actor Keiji Fujiwara, whose other roles include Holland in Eureka 7 and Maes Hughes in both TV versions of Fullmetal Alchemist.
According to the BBFC website, the DVD is rated 12 for 'moderate violence, gore and sex references.'
Monday also sees the release of the second disc of Vampire Knight Guilty (the continuation of Vampire Knight). It features episodes 5 to 7 of the series. Volume 3 (episodes 8 to 10) is scheduled for June 27.
Anime Expo 2015 News Roundup: Day One & Day Two
The List - 7 of the Worst Sore Losers
Monster Musume GN 6
Answerman - Why Are All The Parents Dead?
Interview: Unified Pictures and Vampire Hunter D: Resurrection
Wanna Be the Strongest in the World! [Limited Edition] BD+DVD
The Summer 2015 Anime Preview Guide
Available Now: Aoharu x Machinegun - Classroom Crisis - GATE - Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2015 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics write up their impressions instantly and they get posted as they go along. Each critic will c...


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I have worked in more than 40, probably 50 (who counts anymore?), nations as a consultant to UN agencies, the US foreign aid program, various non-profit humanitarian agencies, and for-profit businesses. I have lived in several for extended periods. I am an analyst. It is not only my profession, it is in my blood. My focus is on the future.I have been published in Barron's, the Christian Science Monitor, Minyanville, the Asia Times Online, and others. I have been interviewed on CNBC, Reuters television, Australian television, and various radio networks. I have been interviewed by journalists from the New York Times, Associated Press, USA Today, US News & World Report, the BBC, Singapore's Straits Times, Fox Business News and a host of others. I have had blogs in the past, but never one that is as personal. This is that one.I am President and CEO of two companies, but this is a personal blog, so I will leave it at that.I live in Panama City, Panama very happily, and am in training as a curmudgeon. I like rum.
Here are the most fascinating innovations in underwater travel
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Mark Cuban's advice for his 20-year-old self — and millennials now
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In just one hour, two Bell Labs scientists had a breakthrough that won the Nobel prize — and changed photography forever
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Did you know it rains alot in Scotland?
Monday, 2 March 2015 by Disaelfr
This morning I woke up to a sprinking of snow on the ground. All day we have experienced rather patchy weather, (namely rain, snow, sleet, sunshine and a frigid wind out of the west/southwest).
I took some photos between 13:00 and 14:00 today.
First the crazy snow photos:
|View taken from the left panes of the bay window.
|Yes, that is the damage caused by an industrious mole. I suspect the lawn is most likely ruined. The piles of dirt remind me of groundhog burrows. Trust me the damage has been done by a wee mole. View taken from middle panes of the bay window.
|View taken from the right panes of the bay window.
|View from right panes of bay window at a slightly different angle.


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Monday, 6 July 2015
Last updated 5 hours ago
Jun 12 2012 | 11:24am ET
The Eurekahedge Hedge Fund Index lost 1.24% in May, outperforming underlying markets (as measured by the MSCI World Index) by 8.08%.
The May totals bring the hedge fund index's year-to-date returns to 2.23%.
CTA/managed futures funds provided a ray of light in an otherwise gloomy month, gaining 2.60%. Arbitrage funds also ended the month in the black, adding 0.26%.
Otherwise, it was a sea of red ink, with the worst performance put in by long/short equities, down 3.41%; followed by distressed debts funds, down 2.54% and event-driven funds, down 2.23%. Also losing ground in May were multi-strategy funds, down 1.62%; fixed-income funds, down 1.13%; relative value funds, down 0.68%; and macro funds, down 0.52%.
Year to date, however, the picture is brighter: all strategies remain in positive territory, led by relative value funds (up 4.08%) and arbitrage funds (up 3.41%).
All regional funds were down in May, led by Eastern Europe and Russia funds which plummeted 8.66%. Japan funds lost 3.47%, Asia ex-Japan funds lost 3.43% and emerging markets funds were down 3.19%. North American funds shed 1.77%, European funds lost 1.63% and Latin American funds lost 1.44%.
Again, the YTD picture is brighter, with some regions posting gains, led by Latin American funds which are up 4.46%. The only losers in yearly terms are Eastern Europe and Russia (down 2.65%) and Japan (down 0.15%).
Eurekahedge reports that assets in macro hedge funds were at historical high levels in May, surpassing US$140 billion for the first time, and the industry has expanded to the tune of 350 new funds so far in 2012.
The firm's data shows 920 funds are up over 10% YTD, led by long/short equities; 153 funds are up more than 20%; and 10 funds are up more than 50%.
Funds of hedge funds were down 1.88% in May but up 0.67% YTD.
Jun 26 2015 | 6:47am ET
If you want to set up an offshore hedge fund, like any great team, you're only...
Jun 8 2015 | 12:37am ET
The Wall Street Decathlon — a 10-event physical challenge that will crown "Wall...
Jun 26 2015 | 10:07am ET
In this article, financial expert Greg Silberman explores how to hedge a private...
May 27 2015 | 2:15pm ET
Support Hedge Funds Care, also known as Help For Children (HFC), by participating in this year's raffle. All proceeds go to support HFC's mission of preventing and treating child abuse. Read more…


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Psalm 91:2: I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Kids Books for Father's Day!
We hope you'll be able to worship with us this Sunday, which is Father's Day. We'll give a free copy of our children's book Our Home is like a Little Church to all dads who attend. This book teaches about biblical fatherhood, so bring your dad or any dad you know.
We'll have a brand new SojournKids book at the book table as well. Mandy Groce and Bill Bell wrote What Is The Church?, with illustrations by Tessa Janes, to teach our children that the church is not a building — it's a people that God has called together and made alive by faith. You can get this book for $5. Copies of Our Home Is Like A Little Church are available for the same price.
Father's Day Coloring Pages by Mandy Groce
Here are three original coloring sheets you can print out and use at church or home around Father's Day. These were created by Mandy Groce, a visual artist, and a Sojourn elder's wife. You can leave a comment below to express your appreciation or other thoughts on these coloring pages.
Directions: For each of the coloring sheets below, you can download a printer friendly PDF version or a full size jpeg image for anyone who wants to modify these pages directly.
- The first coloring page shows a father reading a Bible while two children (boy & girl) watch over his shoulder. The text is a prayer that reads, "Thank you Lord, Fathers are a blessing!" You can download this file as a printable PDF file or as a JPEG image (453K file size).
- The second coloring sheet has a father hiking with his daughter following along. The text in this picture is a prayer which says, "Dear God, Thanks you for my Daddy!" You can download this file as a printable PDF file or as a JPEG image (534K file size).
- The third coloring page pictures only four different children (2 boys & 2 girls). There is not father displayed in this frame but the text says, "God is the best Father anyone can have!" This one will provide an option for children who have no dad in their life and may feel left out at father's day. You can download this file as a printable PDF file or as a JPEG image (814K file size).
"Get in the Story" Devotionals
Over the next seven months, Sojourn Kids will be studying the end of the New Testament from the conversion of Saul in the Book of Acts to the Book of Revelation. Our series with the kids will roughly follow the same schedule as Sojourn's sermon series for our regular gatherings. We're hoping that this format will encourage family conversations as families read and study the Bible stories and passages together.
To aid in this goal, we'll be printing a monthly guide called "Get in the Story" with daily devotionals that correspond with each children's ministry lesson. Our prayer is that you will use this guide and it will encourage gospel conversations in your family. Please pick it up when you are in the children's area on Sunday.
Here is the schedule for June and July:
- June 6–Lesson 50: Saul Knocked to the Ground
- June 13–Lesson 51 The Gentiles were Converted
- June 20–Lesson 52: The Fruit of the Spirit
- June 27–Lesson 53: Paul's Work in Ephesus
- July 4—Lesson 54: Spiritual Gifts
- July 11—Lesson 55: Love
- July 18—Lesson 56: A New Creation
- July 25—Lesson 57: God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Bethlehem Baptist's New Youth Baptism Policy
Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, where David Michael serves as family pastor, recently updated their youth baptism information brochure and process. As part of that revision, they have provided a link to an explanation paper written by Scott Holman, a friend and fellow Sojourner, and myself. Bethlehem is a model church and a mentor to Sojourn in many ways. It is humbling that something we have been part of writing has been used and highlighted by a mentor church body that we respect very much. May the Lord be glorified in our efforts, and in the lives of the children and families who are part of this process at both Bethlehem and Sojourn.


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Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1000 - Optical - Wireless - Radio Frequency - Cyan Blue - USB 2.0 - 1000 dpi - Scroll Wheel - 3 Button(s) - Symmetrical - 2CF-00031
Product Guides
Go Anywhere. Stay Connected
You'll appreciate how this wireless mobile mouse comfortably fits your mobile lifestyle and your pocket or bag. Whether you're sending email or presenting to a class, you can rely on precise optical tracking to scroll, point and click smoothly. Plus, roam up to 9 metres/30 feet away and retain reliable wireless control of your computer. When it's time to pack up and go, you'll hardly notice the tiny transceiver. Leave it plugged into your computer's USB port, or tuck it into the bottom of the mouse for travel. Keep using the mouse for up to 10 months without having to change the batteries, and save power with the convenient on/off switch.


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Stock Photo:
A railroad along the Bow River near Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.
- Image ID: 43333621
- Copyright: David P. Lewis
High quality images curated from over 150 countries.
Over 50 million photos, vectors, illustrations, and more.
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Over 230,000 images downloaded every day.


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35 sd14 32 sigma 21 sigma50th 13 50mm 11 brno m42 9 1530mm 7 china dp1s 6 night carlzeiss carl portrait zeiss 5 foveon 35mm fireworks flektogon guizhou 4 sweden ignisbrunensis czech f24 3 old girl ohnostroj dead coney 135mm enbrabild island dp1 republic baby vasek man kitten moon ericsson tree w810i ceskykrumlov krumlov nightshot state rouchovany drunks dukovany farihatten krakow men dog empire building cloudy prigl happy sony 5d canon bird swedish cesky cat malmö f14 earth 2470mm zengchong blue jena folketspark
23 sd14,sigma 20 sigma,sigma50th 12 50mm,sd14 10 sd14,sigma50th 9 brno,sd14 8 1530mm,sd14 7 1530mm,sigma brno,sigma china,sd14 50mm,sigma 6 brno,sigma50th
morten almqvist 50
Flickr Hive Mind is a data mining tool for the Flickr database of photography. Flickr Hive Mind is a search engine as well as an experiment in the power of Folksonomies. All thumbnail images come directly
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Upcoming Events
Open Interviews (Grandview Hts. and Crosswoods)Grandview Hts. and Crosswoods will be conducting open interviews. The construction for our Bethel Rd. location will be done at the end of the summer and we are hoping to gain some new employees! Grandview Hts.: 9 am to 12 pm and again from 2 pm to 5 pm. Crosswoods: 2 to 5pm.


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Originally written on The Penalty Flag | Last updated 3/5/13
The free agency deadline for the National Football League is on the horizon and it is a good time to look at what possible unrestricted free agents that the Washington Redskins could be looking at to add to their roster for 2013. The big thing the 'Skins have going against them is they were docked $18 million for 2013 as the year is the second of the $36 million total for the non-cap year violations from 2010... Read more
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You can indicate the ring size, special gift wrapping or any other request to the designer at checkout.
Ships with
DHL Express: 2 - 5 days from dispatch.
sterling silver,oxidized silver
Puzzle is not only a childhood play but also grown-up's recreation.
Thus Puzzle is a fantastic object for me to share the world of both generations.
This inspiration was made into the jewelry.
Opened type silver ring with two twisted puzzle objects.
This piece is made to order within 2~5 working days and is handcrafted in my studio 'atelier R.Lee'.
Ships with
DHL Express: 2 - 5 days from dispatch.


text:
The present invention includes a catalyst having a layered structure with, (1) a porous support, (2) a buffer layer, (3) an interfacial layer, and optionally (4) a catalyst layer. The invention also provides a process in which a reactant is converted to a product by passing through a reaction chamber containing the catalyst.
1. A catalyst comprising a porous metal support, a buffer layer, an interfacial layer, and a catalytically active layer on the surface; wherein the porous metal support has an average pore size of from 1 μm to 1000 μm; wherein the porous metal support is selected from the group consisting of honeycomb, foam, felt, and wad;
wherein the buffer layer is disposed between the porous support and the interfacial layer, and the interfacial layer is disposed between the catalytically active layer and the buffer layer;
and wherein the buffer layer comprises a metal oxide.
2. A catalyst comprising a porous metal support, a buffer layer, and an interfacial layer;
wherein the porous metal support has an average pore size of from 1 μm to 1000 μm; wherein the porous metal support is selected from the group consisting of honeycomb, foam, felt, and wad; wherein the buffer layer is disposed between the porous support and the interfacial layer; and wherein the catalyst possesses thermal cycling stability such that, if exposed to 3 thermal cycles in air, the catalyst exhibits less than 2% flaking;
and wherein the buffer layer comprises a metal oxide.
3. The catalyst of
4. A method of making a catalyst comprising the steps of:
selecting a porous support selected from the group consisting of honeycomb, foam, felt, and wad;
vapor depositing a buffer layer on said porous support;
wherein the buffer layer comprises Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2, and ZrO2 or combinations thereof; and
depositing an interfacial layer on said buffer layer.
5. A process of converting at least one reactant to at least one product comprising:
passing at least one reactant into a reaction chamber;
wherein said reaction chamber comprises the catalyst of
conversion of said at least one reactant into at least one product; and
passage of the product out of the reaction chamber.
6. The catalytic process of
7. The catalytic process of
8. Microchannel apparatus in which at one of the interior walls of the apparatus have been coated with a buffer layer comprising a metal oxide, wherein the buffer layer has a thickness of between 0.05 μm and 10 μm.
9. The microchannel apparatus of
10. The microchannel apparatus of
11. The microchannel apparatus of
12. The method of
13. The catalyst of
14. The catalyst of
15. The process of
a buffer layer;
an interfacial layer; and
a catalytically active layer.
16. The catalyst of
17. The catalyst of
18. The catalyst of
19. The catalyst of
20. The catalyst of
21. The catalyst of
22. The process of
23. The method of
24. The method of
25. The method of
26. The method of
27. The method of
28. The method of
29. The method of
30. The method of
31. The catalyst of
32. The catalyst of
33. The method of
34. The catalyst of
35. The catalyst of
36. The catalyst of
37. The method of
38. The method of
39. The catalyst of
40. The catalyst of
41. The catalyst of
42. The catalyst of
43. The catalyst of
44. The catalyst of
45. The method of
46. A method of making microchannel apparatus comprising vapor depositing a buffer layer on at least one interior wall of a microchannel apparatus.
47. A microchannel apparatus made by the method of
48. The method of
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/492,950, now U.S. Pat. No. ______ , which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/123,781, both of which are incorporated by reference.
[0002] This invention was made with Government support under Contract DE-AC0676RLO1830 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
[0003] The present invention relates to a catalyst having a porous support, buffer layer and interfacial layer; methods of making the catalyst; and catalytic processes utilizing the catalyst.
[0004] Hydrogen and hydrocarbon conversion reactions including such as steam reforming, water-gas shift reactions, methanol synthesis and catalytic combustion are well known. These reactions are usually carried out at temperatures between 150 and 1000� C. Currently these reactions are industrially run using catalyst pellets which consist of an active catalytic metal or metal oxide deposited on high surface area ceramic pellets.
[0005] Foam or monolith catalysts are known that have three layers (1) porous support, (2) interfacial layer, and (3) catalyst metal as described in [1]. In making these catalysts, the interfacial layer has been deposited by various methods including solution impregnation techniques. The catalyst layer may be deposited by solution impregnation techniques. The interfacial layer has greater surface area than the porous support whereas the porous support has greater mechanical strength than the interfacial layer.
[0006] The porous support may be a metal or ceramic foam. Metal foams are highly thermally conductive and easy to machine. The sponge-like mechanical properties allow convenient sealing in a reaction chamber via mechanical contact. The closely matched thermal expansion between the metal foam and the housing reaction chamber minimizes cracking of the porous support and minimizes gas channeling around the porous support at higher reaction temperatures. Pestryakov et al prepared metal foam supported transition metal oxide catalysts with [1] and without [2] an intermediate gamma-alumina layer for the oxidation of n-butane. Kosak [3] examined several approaches to disperse precious metals on various metal foams where the surface was pre-etched with HCl solution, and reported that electroless deposition provides the best adhesion of precious metals to the foam supports. Podyacheva et al. [4] also synthesized foam metal supported LaCoO3 perovskite catalyst with a porous alumina intermediate for methane oxidation. Despite all of the potential advantages with metal foam supported catalysts, metal foam has low corrosion resistance and its nonporous and smooth web surfaces have provided poor adhesion to ceramic materials, and these materials are prone to spalling of interfacial layers after thermal cycling because of the mismatch in thermal expansion.
[0007] In order to increase corrosion resistance, methods such as diffusion alloying with Al, Cr, and Si have been used to fabricate ferritic steels, which are typically used for the manufacturing of high temperature furnace elements (about 1200� C.) [5]. When the aluminum containing ferritic steels are appropriately heat-treated, aluminum migrates to the alloy surface and forms a strongly adhering oxide film which is resistant to oxygen diffusion. Such ferritic steel foils have been used to fabricate metal monoliths with >10 ppi (pores per inch) open cells [6]. However, the search for the similar alloy foams with pores suitable for catalytic applications (<20 ppi, 80 ppi preferred) has been fruitless. This has been attributed to both the immature methods for making the finer Al-ferritic steel foams and the lack of the alloy precursors for making the foams.
[0008] Hence, there is a need in the art of supported catalysts for a porous support of a foam that is resistant to corrosion or oxidation and resists cracking of the interfacial layer.
[0009] References
[0010] 1. A. N. Pestryakov, A. A. Fyodorov, V. A. Shurov, M. S. Gaisinovich, and I. V. Fyodorova, React. Kinet.Catal.Lett., 53 [2] 347-352 (1994).
[0011] 2. A. N. Pestryakov, A. A. Fyodorov, M. S. Gaisinovich, V. P. Shurov, I. V. Fyodorova, and T. A. Gubaykulina, React.Kinet.Catal. Lett., 54 [1] 167-172 (1995).
[0012] 3. J. R. Kosak. A Novel Fixed Bed Catalyst for the Direct Combination of H2 and O2 to H2O2, M. G.Scaros and M. L.Prunier, Eds., Catalysis of Organic Reactions, Marcel Dekker, Inc. (1995), p115-124.
[0013] 4. O. Y. Podyacheva, A. A. Ketov, Z. R. Ismagilov, V. A. Ushakov, A.Bos and H. J.Veringa, React.Kinet.Catal.Lett., 60 [2] 243-250 (1997).
[0014] 5. A. N. Leonov, O. L. Smorygo, and V. K. Sheleg, React.Kinet.Catal.Lett., 60 [2] 259-267 (1997).
[0015] 6. M. V. Twigg and D. E. Webster. Metal and Coated-Metal Catalysts, A Cybulski and J. A. Moulijn, Eds., Structured Catalysts and Reactors, Marcel Dekker, Inc. (1998), p59-90.
[0016] The present invention includes a catalyst that has at least three layers, (1) porous support, (2) buffer layer, (3) interfacial layer, and optionally (4) a catalytically active layer. In some embodiments, the buffer layer, which is disposed between the porous support and the interfacial layer, contains at least two compositionally different sublayers. The buffer layer typically provides a transition of thermal expansion coefficient from the porous support to the interfacial layer thereby reducing thermal expansion stress as the catalyst is heated to and cooled from high operating temperatures. The buffer layer also reduces corrosion and oxidation of the porous support, and minimizes side reactions catalyzed by the surface of the porous support.
[0017] The invention also provides a catalyst having a porous support, a buffer layer disposed between the porous support and an interfacial layer; and wherein the catalyst possesses oxidation resistance such that, if it is heated at 580� C. in air for 2500 minutes the catalyst increases in weight by less than 5%. Alternatively, the catalyst may also be characterized by its resistance to flaking during thermal cycling.
[0018] The invention further provides a process of converting at least one reactant to at least one product in which the reactant is passed through a reaction chamber containing the catalyst.
[0019] The method of the present invention for making the multi-layer catalyst (at least three layers) has the steps of (1) selecting a porous support, (2) depositing a buffer layer on the porous support, (3) depositing an interfacial layer thereon, and optionally (4) depositing a catalytically active layer onto or integral with the interfacial layer; wherein the buffer layer is disposed between the porous support and the interfacial layer. Better results can be obtained where the buffer layer is vapor deposited. The catalytically active layer can be deposited after or during the deposition of the interfacial layer.
[0020] Advantages of the present invention, that include a porous support with a buffer layer and an interfacial layer, may include: better match of thermal expansion coefficients and better stability to temperature changes, reduction of side reactions such as coking, desired metal-oxide interactions, strong bonding to a high-surface-area interfacial layer, and enhanced protection of the underlying porous support.
[0021] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.
[0022]FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross section of a catalyst.
[0023]FIG. 2a is a graph of weight gain (via oxidation) versus time for a stainless steel foam (top line) and a stainless steel foam coated with titania (bottom line) at 580� C. (dotted line).
[0024]FIG. 2b is a graph of weight gain (via oxidation) versus time for a nickel foam (top line) and a nickel foam coated with titania (bottom line) at 500� C.
[0025]FIG. 3 is a pair of photomicrographs comparing the effect of thermal cycling on a stainless steel foam that has a titania buffer layer and an alumina wash coat (left) and a stainless steel foam that has an alumina wash coat (no buffer layer, right).
[0026] The catalyst of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1 having a porous support 100, a buffer layer 102, an interfacial layer 104, and, optionally, a catalyst layer 106. Any layer may be continuous or discontinuous as in the form of spots or dots, or in the form of a layer with gaps or holes.
[0027] The porous support 100 may be a porous ceramic or a metal foam. Other porous supports suitable for use in the present invention include carbides, nitrides, and composite materials. Prior to depositing the layers, the porous support has a porosity of at least 5% as measured by mercury porosimetry and an average pore size (sum of pore diameters/number of pores) of from 1 μm to 1000 μm as measured by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Preferably, the porous support has a porosity of about 30% to about 99%, more preferably 70% to 98%. Preferred forms of porous supports are foams, felts, wads and combinations thereof. Foam is a structure with continuous walls defining pores throughout the structure. Felt is a structure of fibers with interstitial spaces therebetween. Wad is a structure of tangled strands, like steel wool. Less preferably, porous supports may also include other porous media such as pellets and honeycombs, provided that they have the aforementioned porosity and pore size characteristics. The open cells of a metal foam preferably range from about 20 pores per inch (ppi) to about 3000 ppi and more preferably about 40 to about 120 ppi. PPI is defined as the largest number of pores per inch (in isotropic materials the direction of the measurement is irrelevant; however, in anisotrpoic materials, the measurement is done in the direction that maximizes pore number). In the present invention, ppi is measured by scanning electron microscopy. It has been discovered that a porous support provides several advantages in the present invention including low pressure drop, enhanced thermal conductivity over conventional ceramic pellet supports, and ease of loading/unloading in chemical reactors.
[0028] The buffer layer 102 has different composition and/or density than both the support and the interfacial layers, and preferably has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is intermediate the thermal expansion coefficients of the porous support and the interfacial layer. Preferably, the buffer layer is a metal oxide or metal carbide. Applicants discovered that vapor-deposited layers are superior because they exhibit better adhesion and resist flaking even after several thermal cycles. More preferably, the buffer layer is Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2, and ZrO2 or combinations thereof. More specifically, the Al2O3 is α-Al2O3, γ-Al2O3 and combinations thereof. α-Al2O3 is more preferred because of its excellent resistance to oxygen diffusion. Therefore, it is expected that resistance against high temperature oxidation can be improved with alumina coated on the porous support 100. The buffer layer may also be formed of two or more compositionally different sublayers. When the porous support 100 is metal, for example a stainless steel foam, a preferred embodiment has a buffer layer 102 formed of two compositionally different sub-layers (not shown). The rst sublayer (in contact with the porous support 100) is preferably TiO2 because it exhibits good adhesion to the porous metal support 100. The second sublayer is preferably α-Al2O3 which is placed upon the TiO2. In a preferred embodiment, the α-Al2O3 sublayer is a dense layer that provides excellent protection of the underlying metal surface. A less dense, high surface area alumina interfacial layer may then be deposited as support for a catalytically active layer.
[0029] Typically the porous support 100 has a thermal coefficient of expansion different from that of the interfacial layer 104. Accordingly, for high temperature catalysis (T>150� C.) a buffer layer 102 is needed to transition between the two coefficients of thermal expansion. The thermal expansion coefficient of the buffer layer can be tailored by controlling the composition to obtain an expansion coefficient that is compatible with the expansion coefficients of the porous support and interfacial layers. Another advantage of the buffer layer 102 is that it provides resistance against side reactions such as coking or cracking caused by a bare metal foam surface. For chemical reactions which do not require large surface area supports such as catalytic combustion, the buffer layer 102 stabilizes the catalyst metal due to strong metal to metal-oxide interaction. In chemical reactions which require large surface area supports, the buffer layer 102 provides stronger bonding to the high surface area interfacial layer 104. Preferably, the buffer layer is free of openings and pin holes - this provides superior protection of the underlying support. More preferably, the buffer layer is nonporous. The buffer layer has a thickness that is less than one half of the average pore size of the porous support. Preferably, the buffer layer is between about 0.05 and about 10 μm thick, more preferably, less than 5 μm thick. The buffer layer should exhibit thermal and chemical stability at elevated temperatures.
[0030] The interfacial layer 104 can be comprised of nitrides, carbides, sulfides, halides, metal oxides, carbon and combinations thereof. The interfacial layer provides high surface area and/or provides a desirable catalyst-support interaction for supported catalysts. The interfacial layer can be comprised of any material that is conventionally used as a catalyst support. Preferably, the interfacial layer is a metal oxide. Examples of metal oxides include, but are not limited, to γ-Al2O3, SiO2, ZrO2, TiO2, tungsten oxide, magnesium oxide, vanadium oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, molybdenum oxide, tin oxide, calcium oxide, aluminum oxide, lanthanum series oxide(s), zeolite(s) and combinations thereof. The interfacial layer 104 may serve as a catalytically active layer without any further catalytically active material deposited thereon. Usually, however, the interfacial layer 104 is used in combination with catalytically active layer 106. The interfacial layer may also be formed of two or more compositionally different sublayers. The interfacial layer has a thickness that is less than one half of the average pore size of the porous support. Preferably, the interfacial layer thickness ranges from about 0.5 to about 100 μm, more preferably from about 1 to about 50 μm. The interfacial layer can be either crystalline or amorphous and preferably has a BET surface area of at least 1 m2/g.
[0031] The catalytically active material 106 (when present) can be deposited on the interfacial layer 104. Alternatively, a catalytically active material can be simultaneously deposited with the interfacial layer. The catalytically active layer (when present) is typically intimately dispersed on the interfacial layer. That the catalytically active layer is "disposed on" or "deposited on" the interfacial layer includes the conventional understanding that microscopic catalytically active particles are dispersed: on the support layer (i.e., interfacial layer) surface, in crevices in the support layer, and in open pores in the support layer. The catalytically active layer may include: catalyst metals, including but not limited to, noble metal, transition metal and combinations thereof; metal oxides, including but not limited to, oxides of alkali elements, alkaline earth elements, boron, gallium, germanium, arsenic, selenium, tellurium, thallium, lead, bismuth, polonium, magnesium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, zirconium, molybdenum, tin, calcium, aluminum, silicon, lanthanum series element(s), and combinations thereof; composites; zeolite(s); nitrides; carbides; sulfides; halides; phosphates; and combinations of any of the above.
[0032] The catalyst (including porous support, buffer layer, interfacial layer and catalytically active layer, if present) preferably is sized to fit within a reaction chamber. The catalyst is preferred to have contiguous porosity such that molecules can diffuse through the catalyst. In this preferred embodiment, the catalyst can be disposed in a reaction chamber such that gases will flow substantially through the catalyst rather than around it. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the catalyst occupies at least 80%, more preferably at least 95% of the cross-sectional area of the reaction chamber. In preferred embodiments, the catalytically active material is distributed on surfaces throughout catalyst such that reactants passing through the catalyst can react anywhere along the passage through the catalyst; this is a significant advantage over pellet-type catalysts that have a large volume of unused space or catalytically ineffectively used space in the pellet's interior. The inventive catalyst is also superior over powders because packed powders may cause a severe pressure drop.
[0033] Catalysts of the present invention can also be characterized by the properties they exhibit. Factors that can be controlled to affect these properties include: selection of the porous support, buffer, interfacial, and catalytically active layers; gradation of thermal expansion coefficients, crystallinity, metal-support interactions, deposition techniques and other factors as are apparent in view of the descriptions herein. Use of a buffer layer combined with routine experimentation utilizing these factors allows the production of catalysts for catalyzing a variety of chemical reactions. Preferred embodiments of the catalysts of the present invention exhibit one or more of the following properties: (1) adhesion—after 3 thermal cycles in air, the catalyst exhibits less than 2% (by area) of flaking as viewed by SEM (scanning electron microscope) analysis; (2) oxidation resistance. After heating at 580� C. in air for 2500 minutes, the catalyst increases in weight by less than 5%, more preferably less than 3%; still more preferably, after heating at 750� C. in air for 1500 minutes, the catalyst increases in weight by less than 0.5%. Weight gain is measured by thermal gravity analysis (TGA). Each thermal cycle consists of heating from room temperature to 600� C. in air at a heating rate of 10� C./min, maintaining the temperature at 600� C. for 3000 minutes, and cooling at a rate of 10� C./min. The catalyst preferably has a surface area, as measured by BET, of greater than about 0.5 g/cc, more preferably greater than about 2.0 g/cc.
[0034] The invention further provides a catalytic process comprising passage of at least one reactant into a reaction chamber comprising the inventive catalyst, conversion of said at least one reactant into at least one product, and passage of the product out of the reaction chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the catalytic process is conducted in a apparatus having microchannels. Examples of suitable microchannel apparatus and various process related factors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,611,214, 5,811,062, 5,534,328, 6,129,973, 6,200,536 and U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 09/375,610, 09/123,779, ______ (attorney docket no. B-1479), cofiled U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 09/492,246 (filed Jan. 27, 2000),______ (attorney docket no. E-1664), Ser. No. 09/375,614 (filed Aug. 17, 1999) and Ser. No. 09/265,227 (filed Mar. 8, 1999), all of which are incorporated by reference as if reproduced in full below. In another preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a monolith—a single contiguous, yet porous, piece of catalyst or several contiguous pieces that are stacked together (not a bed of packed powder or pellets or a coating on the wall of a microchannel) that can easily be inserted and extracted from a reaction chamber. The piece or stack of catalyst pieces preferably have a width of 0.1 mm to about 2 cm, with a preferred thickness of less than 1 cm, more preferably, about 1 to about 3 mm. The inventive catalyst may provide numerous advantages to catalytic processes such as: chemical stability, stability to repeated thermal cycling, thermal stability, efficient loading and unloading of catalysts, high rates of heat transfer and mass transfer, and maintenance of desired catalytic activity.
[0035] The metal surfaces within microchannel apparatus can be coated with either or both the buffer and the interfacial layers. This can be done using any of the processes described herein, preferably by vapor deposition. Preferred coating materials include titania and and 5-10% SiO2/Al2O3. The interior surfaces of the reaction chamber, heat exchanger and other surfaces of microchannel apparatus may be coated. In some embodiments, the walls of a reaction chamber can be coated with an optional buffer layer, an interfacial layer, and a catalytically active material—typically the catalytically active material and the interfacial layer combine to form a supported catalyst. Coatings can also be applied to metal walls in tubes and pipes that form connections to or within microchannel apparatus.
[0036] Catalytic processes of the present invention include: acetylation, addition reactions, alkylation, dealkylation, hydrodealkylation, reductive alkylation, amination, aromatization, arylation, autothermal reforming, carbonylation, decarbonylation, reductive carbonylation, carboxylation, reductive carboxylation, reductive coupling, condensation, cracking, hydrocracking, cyclization, cyclooligomerization, dehalogenation, dimerization, epoxidation, esterification, exchange, Fischer-Tropsch, halogenation, hydrohalogenation, homologation, hydration, dehydration, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, hydrocarboxylation, hydroformylation, hydrogenolysis, hydrometallation, hydrosilation, hydrolysis, hydrotreating, hydrodesulferization/hydrodenitrogenation (HDS/HDN), isomerization, methanol synthesis, methylation, demethylation, metathesis, nitration, oxidation, partial oxidation, polymerization, reduction, steam and carbon dioxide reforming, sulfonation, telomerization, transesterification, trimerization, water gas shift (WGS), and reverse water gas shift (RWGS).
[0037] The method of making the inventive catalyst has the steps of selecting a porous support 100, depositing a buffer layer 102 on the porous support 100 and depositing an interfacial layer 104 thereover. Optionally a catalyst layer 106 may be deposited onto the interfacial layer 104. or both the interfacial layer and the catalyst layer may be simultaneously deposited on the buffer layer 102.
[0038] Because metal has web surfaces that are nonporous and smooth, deposition of the buffer layer may be impeded. One way to mitigate this problem is to rough the metal surface via chemical etching. The adhesion of high surface area gamma-alumina supported metal catalysts to metal foam is significantly improved when metal foam is roughed via chemical etching using mineral acid solutions, for example 0.1 to 1 M HCl. Roughed web surface also shows improved resistance to the spalling of catalyst layer under thermal cyclings. In a preferred embodiment, wherein a metal foam is used as the porous support 100, the metal foam is etched prior to vapor depositing the buffer layer 102. Etching is preferably with an acid, for example HCl.
[0039] Deposition of the buffer layer 102 is preferably by vapor deposition including but not limited to chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition or combinations thereof. Surprisingly, it has been found that vapor deposition, which is typically conducted at high temperatures, results in polycrystalline or amorphous phases that provide good adhesion of the buffer layer to the surface of the porous support. The method is particularly advantageous for adhering a metal oxide buffer layer to a metal porous support. Alternatively, the buffer layer 102 may be obtained by solution coating. For example, the solution coating has the steps of metal surface functionalization via exposing the metal surface to water vapor to form surface hydroxyls, followed by surface reaction and hydrolysis of alkoxides to obtain a coating of metal oxide. This solution coating may be preferred as a lower cost method of depositing the buffer layer 102.
[0040] The interfacial layer 104 is preferably formed by vapor or solution deposition using precursors as are known for these techniques. Suitable precursors include organometallic compounds, halides, carbonyls, acetonates, acetates, metals, colloidal dispersions of metal oxides, nitrates, slurries, etc. For example, a porous alumina interfacial layer can be wash-coated with PQ alumina (Nyacol Products, Ashland, Mass.) colloidal dispersion followed by drying in a vacuum oven overnight and calcining at 500� C. for 2 hours.
[0041] The catalytically active material can be deposited by any suitable method. For example, catalyst precursors can be deposited on colloidal metal oxide particles and slurry coated on a buffer-coated porous support, then dried and reduced.
[0042] An experiment was conducted to demonstrate certain advantages of the buffer layer of the present invention.
[0043] An unetched stainless steel foam (Astromet, Cincinnati Ohio) was coated with 1000 Angstroms TiO2 via chemical vapor deposition. Titanium isopropxide (Strem Chemical, Newburyport, Mass.) was vapor deposited at a temperature ranging from 250 to 800� C. at a pressure of 0.1 to 100 torr. Titania coatings with excellent adhesion to the foam were obtained at a deposition temperature of 600� C. and a reactor pressure of 3 torr.
[0044] SEM (scanning electron microscope) analysis showed that the stainless steel foam supported gamma-alumina with a TiO2 buffer layer did not show spalling after several (3) thermal cycles from room temperature to 600� C. In a control experiment with a stainless steel foam support coated with gamma-alumina without the TiO2 buffer layer, severe flaking or spalling of the gamma alumina under the identical testing conditions was observed. Resistance to high temperature oxidation is shown in FIGS. 2a and 2 b As can be seen in the FIG. 2a, uncoated steel foam rapidly oxidized (as shown by the weight gain, i.e., thermal gravity, values) while the titania coated steel oxidized relatively slowly. As can be seen in the FIG. 2b, uncoated nickel foam oxidized, while, under the same conditions, the titania coated nickel foam showed zero (i.e., undetectable levels of) oxidation.
[0045] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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