The high rate discharge performance and cyclability are improved. A battery having a hich capacity density and excellent cyclability and safety performance can be produced. A composite active material provided with a polymer on the surface of a carbon-based active material in an amount of from 0.01% to 5% by weight is used. Further, a composite active material provided with a polymer on the surface of a carbon-based active material in an amount of from 0.04 to 4% by weight is used. In particular, the former composite active material is used as a positive active material while the latter composite active material is used as a negative active material to obtain a non-aqueous electrolyte battery.

The present invention relates to an active material and a process for the production thereof, an electrode and a process for the production thereof, and a non-aqueous electrolyte battery.
With the recent remarkable development of portable electronic apparatus, there has been an urgent demand for the enhancement of the performance of battery used as power supply for these portable electronic apparatus. A secondary lithium battery comprising lithium as a negative active material, which shows the lowest electrode potential in metals and a small specific gravity, has been expected as one of batteries meeting this demand. However, the problem of the battery are low cyclability and poor safety performance because of formation of dendritic lithiums during charge-discharge cycle.
Therefore, a secondary lithium ion battery comprising a carbon material such as graphite and carbon as a negative active material on which dendritic lithium can hardly be deposited, and lithium cobaltate and lithium nickelate as a positive active material has been developed. In recent years, this type of a battery has been used as a high energy density battery.
The positive active material to be used in non-aqueous electrolyte batteries such as lithium ion battery has a low electronic conductivity and thus is applied to a current collector such as aluminum in admixture with an electroconductive material such as acetylene black. A non-aqueous electrolyte battery such as lithium ion battery is composed of various materials such as active material, electroconductive material, binder, current collector and separator.
However, due to the difference in materials, the various materials have drastically different wettability with the electrolyte, making it impossible for the each component of cells to wet uniformly with the electrolyte and hence causing nonuniform current distribution. Therefore, current can be concentrated on local points, deteriorating the high rate discharge performance of the battery.
Further, since the amount of the electrolyte in the battery decreases during cycle life test, the electrolyte on the area having a poor wettability with the electrolyte is absorbed by the area having a good wettability with the electrolyte, making a local insufficiency of the electrolyte and hence deteriorating the cycle life performance of the battery.
Moreover, the foregoing problems make it difficult to decrease the amount of the electrolyte in the battery.
Accordingly, a method of improving the safety by decreasing the amount of a inflammable organic electrolyte cannot be employed.
Further, in the case where a carbon material is used as a negative active material, the electrolyte can be decomposed on the surface of the carbon material during the first charge. irreversible reactions that a film is formed by the decomposed products on the surface of the carbon material occur. Therefore, the reversible capacity of the battery is reduced because of the limitation of the amount of lithium contained in the positive active material.
The secondary lithium ion battery comprising a carbon material as a negative active material is safe as compared with the secondary lithium battery comprising metallic lithium as a negative active material. However, when the temperature of the battery comprising a carbon material was increased by heating from the outside or internal short-circuit, thermal runaway at the positive electrode is occurred by exothermic reaction of lithium-inserted carbon with electrolyte. In order to prevent this trouble, other safety means are provided.
The reaction of the carbon material with the electrolyte occurs on their interface. Accordingly, by coating the surface of the carbon material with a polymer, the irreversible capacity of the negative electrode can be reduced, making it possible to inhibit the exothermic reaction.
For example, techniques have been disclosed which comprise coating the surface of a carbon material capable or lithium insertion and extraction with a polymer electrolyte (JP-A-7-235328 (The term xe2x80x9cJP-Axe2x80x9d as used herein means an xe2x80x9cunexamined published Japanese patent applicationxe2x80x9d) or coating the surface of a carbon material with a polymer film made of a polymer and an alkaline metal salt (JP-A-8-306353) to prevent the production of gas from the negative electrode during first charge.
However, even the use of these techniques cannot sufficiently inhibit the deterioration of high rate discharge performance, cyclability and life and the reaction of carbon material, if used in a negative electrode, with the electrolyte.
The present invention is intended to solve the foregoing problems.
The present invention has been worked out on the basis of the discovery that the reason why the foregoing problems cannot be solved by the method involving the coating the surface of active material with a polymer is that the amount of the polymer applied is improper or the method for producing the polymer coating is improper. Further, the present invention has been worked out on the basis of the discovery that when a proper amount of a polymer is used or a proper method of the producing is employed, the form or material of the polymer used can be properly predetermined, making it possible to further improve the performance of the active material.
The composite active material of the present application is provided with a polymer on the surface thereof in an amount of from 0.01% to 5% by weight.
Such a composite active material can be used as the active material for non-aqueous electrolyte battery for example to solve the foregoing problems attributed to wettability with electrolyte.
The polymer content is preferably from 0.1% to 1% by weight. The foregoing composite active material according to the present application preferably acts as a positive active material.
In the case where the active material is a carbon-based active material, the content of the polymer to be provided on the surface thereof is more preferably from 0.04% to 4% by weight. Such a composite active material can be used as the negative active material for non-aqueous electrolyte battery to solve the foregoing problems attributed to the reaction with the electrolyte, not to mention the foregoing problems attributed to wettability.
The term xe2x80x9ccontentxe2x80x9d as used herein is meant to indicate the percentage of the weight of the polymer provided on the surface of the composite active material based on the weight of the composite active material.
The composite active material according to the present application is provided with a polymer on the surface thereof. In this arrangement, by using the polymer as electrolyte and providing the polymer with pores for retaining the electrolyte and forming ion passage, she distribution of the electrolyte on the surface of the active material can be rendered uniform. In the case where the polymer is used as electrolyte or other cases, it is effective to render the polymer porous. This effect is caused by the polymer which enhanced the capability of the composite active material of retaining the electrolyte and facilitated the movement of ions to the active material.
In the composite active material according to the present application, the polymer preferably comprises fluorine incorporated therein whichever structure it has. This is because such a polymer has an excellent durability. The composite active material according to the present application is preferably provided with such a polymer particularly when used as the active material for non-aqueous electrolyte battery.
The process for the production of the composite active material according to the present application comprises providing a polymer solution on the surface of the active material.
In accordance with this process, the surface conditions of the composite active material can be optimized, making it possible to effectively accomplish the function of the polymer. This process can be applied also to the production of an active material having a size as small as molecular level.
This process is suitable for the production of the composite active material according to the present application and is advantageous in that the polymer content can be controlled merely by adjusting the concentration of the solution.
The viscosity of the polymer solution to be used in his process is preferably 20 mPaxc2x7s or less, more preferably 10 mPaxc2x7s or less. The active material is preferably dipped in a polymer solution having a viscosity within the above defined range to provide the polymer solution on the surface of the active material.
Regardless of whatever process is employed, the process for providing the polymer solution on the surface of the active material preferably comprises a first dipping step at which the active material is dipped in the polymer solution in a first pressure atmosphere and a second dipping step at which the active material is dipped in the polymer solution in a second pressure atmosphere having a pressure greater than that of the first pressure atmosphere. The first dipping step is preferably followed by the second dipping step to provide the polymer solution on the surface of the active material.
In the process for the production of the composite active material, the polymer solution provided on the surface of the active material is preferably followed by the phase separation of the polymer from the polymer solution provided on the surface of the active material.
The foregoing phase separation is preferably carried out by dipping the active material provided with the foregoing polymer solution in a non-solvent for the polymer contained in the polymer solution.
The electrode according to the present application comprises a composite active material of the present application or an active material produced by the production process of the present application. The electrode according to the present application is suitable particularly for non-aqueous electrolyte battery.
The electrode according to the present application is preferably provided with a porous polymer on the surface thereof Alternatively, the electrode according to the present application is preferably a porous electrode comprising pores formed between composite active materials, the pores being filled with a porous polymer. Still alternatively, the electrode according to the present application is preferably a porous electrode comprising pores formed between composite active materials having a porous polymer provided both in the pores and on the surface thereof.
The electrode according to the present application can be preferably produced by applying a mixture containing the foregoing composite active material of the present application or the composite active material produced by the process of the present application by coating to a collector.
The non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present application comprises the composite active material of the present application, the composite active material produced by the process of the present application or the electrode of the present application.
In particular, the non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present application preferably comprises a composite active material comprising a carbon-based active material provided with a polymer on the surface thereof in an amount of from 0.04% to 4% by weight as a negative active material. Alternatively, the non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present application preferably comprises a composite active material comprising a positive active material provided with a polymer on the surface thereof in an amount from 0.01% to 5% by weight as a positive active material. Still alternatively, the non aqueous electrolyte battery of the present application preferably comprises both a composite active material comprising a carbon-based active material provided with a polymer on the surface thereof in an amount from 0.04% to 4% by weight as a negative active material and a composite active material comprising a Positive active material provided with a polymer on the surface thereof in an amount of from 0.01% to 5% by weight as a positive active material.
Further, the non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present application preferably comprises a porous polymer as a separator to exhibit excellent performance.

Composite active material and process for the production thereof, electrode and process for the production thereof, and non-aqueous electrolyte battery


A system includes a service provider network configured to communicate with a plurality of television-based user devices. The system also includes a database storing a status of user activity with respect to each of the plurality of television-based user devices and storing indicators of user-defined relationships between respective users of the plurality of television-based user devices. The system further includes a dedicated channel accessible to a group of users of the plurality of television-based user devices. The dedicated channel is arranged to enable interactive activity between members of the group.

A user of a television-based user device communicating with a service provider network, such as an internet protocol television (IPTV) network or a cable television (CATV) network, is typically unaware of the status of user activity of users of other television-based user devices. Members of a group of users of the television-based user devices may be unable to engage in interactive activities with each other by use of their television-based user devices.

Providing a dedicated channel accessible to a group of users


A cover material for a bulk material pile and method for applying the cover material are disclosed. The cover composition is free of fiber, clay, cement and pozzolanic material and comprises: 95 to 99.75 percent by weight water, 0.25 to 5 percent by weight of a water dispersible cellulosic polymer; and sufficient acid to maintain the pH of the solution between 1.0 and 6.0. The method for applying the cover material includes: providing the cover composition, which contains 95 to 99.75 percent by weight water, 0.25 to 5 percent by weight of a water dispersible cellulosic polymer; and sufficient acid to maintain the pH of the solution between 1.0 and 6.0; applying the cover composition onto a bulk material pile; and allowing the composition to harden to provide a cover to at least a portion of the bulk material pile.

During the processing or storage of waste, for instance industrial waste such as soil and fly ash, the waste may be concentrated into piles. When waste is concentrated into piles, it is often necessary to cover the waste piles to minimize the emission of odor and prevent the movement of the waste, particularly when the waste is particulate.
Several spray-on coatings have been developed to provide an effective cover to waste piles. These include the coatings described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,161,915; 5,275,508; 5,385,429; 5,525,009; and 7,544,243 (the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference here in their entirety), which are marketed under the registered trademark POSI-SHELL by LSC Environmental Products, LLC of Apalachin, N.Y. These cover materials typically comprise a mixture of water, mineral binder (such as cement kiln dust, "CKD," or similar materials), and fibers (both cellulose and synthetic) that can be sprayed on to a waste pile and allowed to set to provide an effective cover. These mineral-based covers have proven to provide effective covers to landfills and other waste piles.
Other prior art cover materials, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,082,500 and 5,516,830, are primarily fiber based. These fiber based cover materials also include clay and a polymer that aid in retaining the integrity of the fiber-based matrix. These prior art covers are predominantly fiber with minor amounts of clay binder. Since the fiber in the fiber-based covers tends to agglomerate or flocculate, it is inherently difficult to fluidize the fiber based slurry in order to pump and spay these fiber-containing products effectively. Accordingly, these fiber-based cover materials typically require inordinately large water content to prevent agglomeration of the fibers. However, the low solids content of such fiber-based cover materials provides a non-uniform cover that, when subjected to rain and wind, can lose its integrity.
Aspects of the present invention overcome these and other limitations of the prior art and provide an effective bulk material pile cover that can be easily applied and maintained without the limitations and disadvantages of prior art material cover materials. Aspects of the present invention provide improved adhesion and ease in application, in that the spray can be applied quickly and easily.

Bulk material cover compositions and methods of applying


A method of semiconductor processing comprises providing a semiconductor wafer in a processing chamber; feeding at least one tungsten-containing precursor in a gas state into the processing chamber for atomic layer deposition (ALD) of tungsten; feeding at least one reducing chemical in a gas state into the processing chamber; and monitoring a concentration of at least one gaseous byproduct in the chamber; and providing a signal indicating concentration of the at least one gaseous byproduct in the chamber. The byproduct is produced by a reaction between the at least one tungsten-containing precursor and the at least one reducing chemical during the ALD.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of films is extensively used in the semiconductor industry for fabricating integrated circuits on semiconductor wafers. This technique is based on a binary chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reaction between two reactants introduced into a semiconductor processing chamber sequentially. The self-limiting surface reaction yields molecular or atomic layers of films in a controlled and conformal manner.
Tungsten plugs function as metal contacts in a semiconductor device or as electric conductors between upper and lower interconnect levels in a semiconductor integrated circuit. For example, tungsten plugs are used as metal contacts above the source/drain regions or above the gate stack in a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device.
In an ALD process for forming tungsten plugs, the binary reactants generally include a tungsten precursor in gas state such as tungsten hexafluoride (WF6) and a reducing gaseous reactant. The reducing gas is a hydrogen containing chemical such as B2H6 and Si2H6.
Poor quality such as absence of the plugs or non-uniformity of the deposited film in the desired areas can damage device structures and reduce the chip yield in the semiconductor fabrication. So deposition of a thin film in ALD of tungsten should be precisely controlled.

System and method of monitoring and controlling atomic layer deposition of tungsten

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


CAM-based search engines may be configured to support multiple databases within a CAM core. These databases may represent tables for different applications, which can be searched sequentially in response to a single indirect instruction that is loaded during a control cycle. The databases to be searched may be identified by a multi-database search instruction that is loaded during a single data cycle, which may overlap with the control cycle. In some cases, the databases may be searched using variations of a primary search key, so that it is unnecessary to repeatedly load the entire search key across a network interface for each search operation within a respective database. Instead, shorter replacement key segments may be loaded for each of a plurality of the search operations and these replacement key segments may be combined with one or more segments of the primary search key in the CAM core to define a desired search key for a respective search operation.

In many memory devices, including random access memory (RAM) devices, data is typically accessed by supplying an address to an array of memory cells and then reading data from the memory cells that reside at the supplied address. However, in content addressable memory (CAM) devices, data is not accessed by initially supplying an address, but rather by initially applying data (e.g., search words) to the device and then performing a search operation to identify one or more entries within the CAM device that contain data equivalent to the applied data and thereby represent a "match" condition. In this manner, data is accessed according to its content rather than its address. Upon completion of the search operation, the identified location(s) containing the equivalent data is typically encoded to provide an address (e.g., CAM array block address+row address within a block) at which the matching entry is located. If multiple matching entries are identified in response to the search operation, then local priority encoding operations may be performed to identify a location of a best or highest priority matching entry. Such priority encoding operations frequently utilize the relative physical locations of multiple matching entries within the CAM device to identify a highest priority matching entry. An exemplary CAM device that utilizes a priority encoder to identify a highest priority matching entry is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,370,613 to Diede et al., entitled "Content Addressable Memory with Longest Match Detect," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The '613 patent also discloses the use of CAM sub-arrays to facilitate pipelined search operations. Additional CAM devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,706,224, 5,852,569 and 5,964,857 to Srinivasan et al. and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,101,116, 6,256,216, 6,128,207 and 6,262,907 to Lien et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
CAM cells are frequently configured as binary CAM cells that store only data bits (as "1" or "0" logic values) or as ternary CAM cells that store data bits and mask bits. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, when a mask bit within a ternary CAM cell is inactive (e.g., set to a logic 1 value), the ternary CAM cell may operate as a conventional binary CAM cell storing an "unmasked" data bit. When the mask bit is active (e.g., set to a logic 0 value), the ternary CAM cell is treated as storing a "don't care" (X) value, which means that all compare operations performed on the actively masked ternary CAM cell will result in a cell match condition. Thus, if a logic 0 data bit is applied to a ternary CAM cell storing an active mask bit and a logic 1 data bit, the compare operation will indicate a cell match condition. A cell match condition will also be indicated if a logic 1 data bit is applied to a ternary CAM cell storing an active mask bit and a logic 0 data bit. Accordingly, if a data word of length N, where N is an integer, is applied to a ternary CAM array block having a plurality of entries therein of logical width N, then a search operation will yield one or more match conditions whenever all the unmasked data bits of an entry in the ternary CAM array block are identical to the corresponding data bits of the applied search word. This means that if the applied search word equals (1011, the following entries will result in a match condition in a CAM comprising ternary CAM cells: {1011}, {X011}, {1X11}, {10X1}, {101X}, {XX11}, {1XX1}, . . . , {1XXX}, {XXXX}.
A plurality of CAM devices may be configured to operate as a search engine that is responsive to instructions generated by a network processing unit (NPU) or other application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional integrated circuit system 10 that utilizes a parallel arrangement of CAM devices 14a-14c and an NPU/ASIC device 12 to perform the functions of a search engine. In this system 10, all CAM devices receive instructions from the NPU 12 at the same time and the results generated by the CAM devices are passed to the last CAM device (CAM 3), which returns a result to the NPU 12. The system 10 includes three primary buses: INSTRUCTION IF (instruction interface bus), CASCADE IF (cascade interface bus) and RESULT IF (result interface bus). The performance of the system of FIG. 1 may be limited by the interface degradation that is typically present when a relatively large number of CAM devices are all loading from the same interface bus (e.g., INSTRUCTION IF).
FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate another integrated circuit system 20 that utilizes a serial cascaded arrangement of master and slave CAM devices 22a-22c to perform the functions of a search engine. Each CAM device is illustrated as having five ports: IN1, IN2, OUT1, OUT2 and OUT3. Input logic is provided between the first input port IN1 and the first output port OUT1. This input logic may be responsible for inspecting and/or altering instructions and/or decomposing instructions into multiple subordinate instructions to be performed by one or more slave CAM devices. The master CAM device 22a is responsible for, inspecting/interpreting and scheduling the instructions the NPU issues to the search engine. These instructions may be issued across a quad data rate (QDR) interface bus, as illustrated. For example, the master CAM device 22a may hold information that is used to translate an indirect address to an absolute address when executing instructions, including read and write instructions. The absolute address is transferred from the master CAM device 22a to the slave CAM devices 22b and 22c in combination with an instruction. Additional cascaded arrangements of CAM devices are illustrated in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,364, FIG. 13 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,485 and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,137,350, 6,490,650 and 6,493,793. In FIG. 1 of the '364 patent, an instruction bus IBUS is connected to two depth cascaded CAM devices. The '485 patent describes a method and apparatus for implementing a learn instruction in a depth cascaded CAM system.
Notwithstanding these conventional CAM systems that support multi-database search operations, the bandwidth of the NPU interface may be constrained by a typical requirement that each new search key to be used in a search operation be consecutively supplied to the CAM system as a separate word. Accordingly, if a significant percentage of the search words are long words (e.g., N×72 bits, where N≧2), then a relatively large number of data cycles may be required to transfer consecutive search keys across the NPU interface. In these situations, the NPU interface may operate as a bottleneck to system performance.

CAM-based search engines that support pipelined multi-database search operations using encoded multi-database identifiers


A control device for computers or industrial processes is provided. The device comprises one or more transducers arranged in a chair for sensing movements of the chair. A first transducer is arranged to sense turning movements of the chair and emit signals corresponding to movements in a horizontal direction. A second transducer is provided for sensing tilting movements of the chair and is arranged to emit signals corresponding to movements in a vertical direction. The output signals of the first and second transducers are supplied to an interface. The interface outputs signals to a transmitter which controls the computer or process, for example, a cursor on a display device.

The mouse has become a necessity when using most modern computer programs. Software using windows has been developed in recent years and has become very user-friendly. The computer is given instructions by pointing and clicking with the mouse. However, certain drawbacks have resulted. Unfavourable strain is caused on the arm, shoulder and neck when using the mouse, and gives rise to "mouse arm"0 which is currently a big problem.
Some 40-50 million personal computers are sold annually, for instance. Windows is often installed as standard equipment and a mouse is included in the delivery. "Mouse disease" or RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) costs the United States approximately seven billion dollars a year in treatment and lost production.
Efforts have been made to solve these problems in various ways, such as by providing support for the hand and/or arm, by means of a foot operated mouse, a trackball or by means of software that forces the user to take a break. However, these methods offer only a slightly reduced risk of injury and therefore do not solve the problem. The injurious static load remains.

Control means for computers or industrial processes


A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, can be provided by forming gate structures for transistors on a semiconductor substrate in a cell region and in a peripheral circuit region. An offset spacer can be formed including a first material on the gate structures. A first ion implantation can be done using the gate structures and the offset spacer as an ion implantation mask to form source/drain regions. A material layer can be formed including a second material on the semiconductor substrate and on the gate structures. A material layer can be formed of a third material, having an etch selectivity with respect to the second material, on the material layer of the second material. An etch-back can be performed the material layer comprising the third material in the cell region and in the peripheral region, to simultaneously expose the source/drains region in the peripheral region and not expose the source/drain regions in the cell region.

The inventive concept relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device with reduced photomasks.
In a semiconductor device including a cell region and a peripheral circuit region, the structures, sizes, and distances of semiconductor elements disposed in the cell region may be different from those of semiconductor elements disposed in the peripheral circuit region. Accordingly, the semiconductor elements disposed in the cell region may be fabricated separately from the semiconductor elements disposed in the peripheral circuit region, thereby increasing manufacturing costs.

Method of fabricating semiconductor device


The link permits communications between cars of a railway or subway trains. On at least a first one of the cars, a multiplexer multiplexes digital signals representative of the status of various systems on the car, and processes them into a first digital trainline signal. A transmitter includes a modulator which converts the digital trainline signal to a RF signal, and the RF signal is transmitted, by an antenna, through free space from the first car to a second car. The second car includes an antenna for receiving the RF signal, and a receiver for de-modulating the signal and converting it to a second digital trainline signal. A demultiplexer demultiplexes the second digital trainline signal into appropriate formats readable by the train systems on board the second car. Both the first and second cars include multiplexers and demultiplexers, and transmitters and receivers, so that communication is possible between the first car and the second car as well as between the second car and the first car.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a novel communication link for permitting communications between cars of a multi-car vehicle such as railway or subway trains. More specifically, the invention relates to such a communication link which includes free space radio communications between adjacent cars of the railroad or subway train.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to adapt to changing system requirements, such as passenger or freight volume, routing, maintenance, crew or rolling stock availability, etc., rail cars are coupled and uncoupled frequently. Train configuration and reconfiguration in this sense represents a significant proportion of all train operation, whether considered in terms of rolling-stock-hours, man-hours, out-of-service hours, or whatever. Therefore, these processes must be made as simple and as automated as possible.
While it is true that trains are made up a variety of different types of cars, and in some cases, certain groups of cars are rarely uncoupled, it is nonetheless a fact that a great number of individual couplings and uncouplings are performed every day. An example of a present system is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,410, Demarais, Jun. 9, 1992. As can be seen in FIG. 4 and 5 of the '410 patent, communication lines between cars (car n-1, car n and car n+l) is effected by twisted pairs of wires.
This invention addresses the problem of how to provide adequate information transfer between cars without inhibiting train car coupling or uncoupling.
This invention proposes a solution which provides high-volume, high-reliability information transfer between cars.
Information transfer between devices installed on different cars, in the form of electrical signals, has been a common feature of trains for a number of years. The electrical pathway that carries these signals is called a "trainline". It is made up of a bundle of wires, each of which is connected in an electrically continuous path over the length of the train.
On board devices that use the trainline can interact with each other in a wide variety of ways. For example, a device on one car, such as a switch, may be used to control a number of similar devices, such as lights, on every car of the train. For another example, a specific type of sensor may be installed on every car. If certain conditions arise on one car, the sensor may need to activate a warning buzzer installed in the cab of the head car. Many other configurations are possible.
The changing trainline information transfer requirements brought on by advances in electronic technology over the past two decades have given rise to new problems for trainline designers. Two interrelated factors are at issue here: information volume and information reliability.
In general, the volume of information transferred between rail cars has increased over the period mentioned. It promises to continue to increase for some time to come, as train systems on board each car utilize more and more electronic and electrical equipment. This increased information flow may be addressed in two ways. The increased flow may be handled by an increasing number of wires, or else each wire must handle a larger volume of information.
Reliability of information transfer between cars is and always has been essential to safe, efficient train operation. Within each car, reliability is accomplished by providing mechanically secure conventional electrical connectors that are rarely opened. However, for communications between adjoining cars, the connecting elements on the adjoining cars must be automatically and frequently connected and disconnected, rendering conventional electrical connectors inefficient.
The use of such connecting elements cause many problems leading to a large percentage of subway service interruptions. Some of the problems are as follows:
1. Faulty electrical contact caused by pin oxidation. PA0 2. Faulty electrical contact caused by dirt, grease and foreign matter on pins that accumulates when the pins are disconnected and therefore exposed. PA0 3. Electrical contact is prevented when a pin fails to spring back out to its proper position due to accumulated dirt, grease and foreign matter inside the pin tube. PA0 4. Electrical contact is prevented when returned springs fail due to loss of spring elasticity, which in turn is caused by de-tempering of the spring steel when abnormally high electrical current passes through the spring rather than the electrical shunt.
All of the above problems produce service interruptions and require expensive maintenance. Periodically, the pins must be checked and cleaned to ensure correct operation.
It is also known in the art to use optical arrangements to provide communication links between cars within a subset, and between the subsets of a train, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,144, Ochiai et al, July 21, 1987. Such a system is illustrated in FIG. 4 of the '144 patent.
The problem with optical systems in the environment of either subway or railroad trains is that the systems are operating in very dirty environments so that the optical couplers will very shortly become dirty themselves. Due to the dirt which will accumulate on the optical couplers, optical transmission is degraded and possibly completely eliminated. Accordingly, the system as illustrated in the '144 patent is not a practical solution to the provision to communication links between the end cars of subsets of a train.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,459, Miller et al, Nov. 30, 1976, a radio system is used to provide communications between a car which is derailed from a train and the remainder of the train. However, the '459 patent does not teach any other communications between the cars of the train using radio signals.
Another factor affecting reliability is the increase in information volume mentioned above. All else being equal, as information volume increases, overall reliability tends to decrease.
In summary, current train communications systems attempt to provide reliability by two methods: coupler pins and cable connectors. While the method of cable connectors between cars provides excellent reliability, it makes coupling and uncoupling the cars a laborious process. On the other hand, although coupler pins provide excellent ease of operation, they require high maintenance to maintain adequate reliability. Coupler pins are sensitive to environmental factors, and other problems. By far the highest incidence of communication failure, especially intermittent failure, occurs due to coupler pin problems.
Increasing the number of wires may work up to a point, but limitations are imposed on this method by a number of factors. Among the most serious of these factors is the problem of large numbers of electrical connections between cars that must be coupled and uncoupled frequently. These connections are at best a trade-off between reliability and automation; as their numbers increase, reliability and/or automation are reduced.
Increasing the volume of information handled by each wire eliminates the necessity of large numbers of electrical connections between cars. However, the high volume of information carried by each wire makes these connections vulnerable to both data loss and increased maintenance, due reliability problems associated with the current state of the art of high-volume information flow through coupler pins.

Trainline communication link using radio frequency signal


A motor drive control system connected to an alternating current/direct current conversion circuit which converts alternating-current voltage or alternating current to direct-current voltage or direct current are provided. A control circuit controls supply or stop of the supply of the direct-current voltage or direct current from the alternating current/direct current conversion circuit to the first number of first direct current/alternating current conversion circuits and the second number of second direct current/alternating current conversion circuits while maintaining the total of the outputs of the first number of motors and the outputs of the second number of motors at a certain power not more than power which can be supplied from the alternating current/direct current conversion circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor drive control system which drives and controls at least one motor which is provided at an axis of a machine tool, industrial machine, robot, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
In such a motor drive control system, in order to control rotational speed of a motor, alternating-current voltage or alternating current from a commercial alternating current power supply such as a three-phase alternating current power supply is converted once into direct-current voltage or direct current, then the direct-current voltage or the direct current is converted into any frequency alternating-current voltage or alternating current, then the converted alternating-current voltage or the converted alternating current is supplied to the motor. To do this, the motor drive control system is connected to one alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) conversion circuit which converts alternating-current voltage or alternating current to direct-current voltage or direct current and has at least one direct current/alternating current (DC/AC) conversion circuit which converts direct-current voltage or direct current to alternating-current voltage or alternating current and supplies the converted alternating-current voltage or alternating current to the motor.
Conventionally, in order to add a motor which can be driven and controlled by the motor drive control system, a motor drive control system which enables connection of one or more DC/AC conversion devices at the outside of the motor drive control system has been proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 3626152 (JP3626152B). In this case, the DC/AC conversion device converts direct-current voltage or direct current into alternating-current voltage or alternating current and supplies the converted alternating-current voltage or the converted alternating current to the motor which is added to the motor drive control system so as to enable the motor which was added to the motor drive control system to be driven and controlled by the DC/AC conversion device. When a DC/AC conversion device is connected to such a motor drive control system, the AC/DC conversion circuit supplies direct-current voltage or direct current to at least one direct current/alternating current conversion circuit and at least one direct current/alternating current conversion device.
In a conventional motor drive control system which enables connection of a DC/AC conversion device, when one or more DC/AC conversion devices are connected to the motor drive control system, and a motor connected to a DC/AC conversion device is driven, because of large output of the motor connected to the DC/AC conversion device (for example, the output of the motor which is connected to the DC/AC conversion circuit of the motor drive control system), there may be a situation where the total of the outputs of the motors to be driven exceeds power which can be supplied from the AC/DC conversion circuit. Therefore, according to a conventional motor drive control system which enables connection of a DC/AC conversion device, there is a disadvantage of overloading the AC/DC conversion circuit when the total of the outputs of the motors to be driven exceeds power which can be supplied from the AC/DC conversion circuit.

Motor drive control system enabling connection of direct current/alternating current conversion device


A phase-shift dimming circuit for LED controller having a delay signal generator configured to receive a PWM input signal, and to provide a plurality of pairs of set signal and reset signal, the set signal and the reset signal respectively having pulses; and a plurality of latches configured to respectively receive the plurality of pairs of set signal and reset signal to generate a plurality of PMW output signals, each of the PWM output signals having pulses, and wherein the rising edge of the pulses of the PWM output signals is based on the corresponding set signal pulses, and the falling edge of the pulses of the PWM output signals is based on the corresponding reset signal pulses.

LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) are widely applied in the electronic display devices because of small size, low power consumption, high luminous efficiency, long life and so on. Analog dimming method and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming method are the conventional ways applied in a LED controller, and the PWM dimming method which modulates the pulse width of a dimming control signal to adjust brightness of LEDs is applied more widely today. In conventional PWM dimming method, usually one dimming control signal controls a plurality of LED strings. As a result, the brightness of the LEDs changes too sharply between ON and OFF, which reduces image quality. Meanwhile, the plurality of output dimming control signals which respectively controls the LED strings may be phase shifted compared with the input dimming control signal, but the duty cycle of them could not be adjusted.
The present invention pertains to provide a phase-shift dimming circuit which generates a plurality of phase-shifted output dimming control signals. Moreover, the duty cycle of the plurality of output dimming control signals may be controlled to be changed.

Phase-shift dimming for LED controller and the method thereof

Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.


Methods are provided for tagging digital media files. A digital media file is obtained with a digital media device. One or more event tags are associated with the digital media file on the digital media device responsive to a user prompt. The one or more event tags identify the digital media file. Related devices and computer program products are also provided.

As photographs taken with film cameras (or traditional cameras) take a back seat to digital photographs, due to cost, convenience and the like, the use of photo albums and photo boxes that chronologically display photos related to particular events, for example, graduations, birthdays and the like, may become a thing of the past. Digital photographs may be more convenient than traditional photographs because, for example, traditional photographs cannot typically be stored in computer files or emailed to others without first scanning them into the computer. However, conventional digital camera devices store photographs taken with the camera linearly and, therefore, may be hard to organize while stored on the digital camera device.

Methods, devices and computer program products for event-based media file tagging


System, device, and method for determining predicted annoyance level of multimedia content. A Predicted Annoyance Level (PAL) management unit processes content of frames of an endless-loop cinemagraph content-item, and determines a PAL score that indicates a predicted level of annoyance that the content-item is predicted to cause viewers due to motion of content in its content-item. The determining of the PAL score is based on comparison of content of pairs of frames of the endless-loop cinemagraph content-item; content of each frame of is compared to content of its immediately preceding frame, except for the first frame of the endless-loop cinemagraph content item which is compared to the last frame thereof. The PAL score is adjusted based on time-length and frame rate of the content item. Analysis of the PAL score triggers one or more notifications, alerts, or mitigation operations.

Electronic devices and computing devices are utilized on a daily basis by millions of users worldwide. For example, laptop computers, desktop computers, smartphone, tablets, and other electronic devices are utilized for browsing the Internet, consuming digital content, streaming audio and video, sending and receiving electronic mail (email) messages, engaging in Instant Messaging (IM) and video conferences, playing games, or the like.
Some activities that are performed via an electronic device, involve consumption of marketing content or advertising content. For example, a user may read a news article in an online magazine, and a banner advertisement may be displayed in proximity to the article text. In another example, a streaming video website may show a short video advertisement to a user prior to playback of a particular streaming video that the user requested to watch.


Described herein is a wall assembly for use in walls of energy efficient residential or commercial buildings which can provide improved thermal resistance, moisture resistance and structural capacity. The wall assembly includes a frame assembly; a laminated outer sheathing layer; and a closed cell inner foam layer for coupling the layer to the frame assembly. Also described herein is a method of manufacturing the wall assembly.

Wall assemblies for use as walls of a building, such as residential buildings, or commercial buildings, are known in the art. The conventional wall assembly includes a frame assembly which consists of a top member, a bottom member spaced from the top member, and a plurality of vertical members disposed between the top and bottom members. These top, bottom, and vertical members of the frame assembly are typically made of wood. In general, the top, bottom, and vertical members of the frame assembly are coupled together using fasteners, such as nails, screws and the like.
The wall assemblies may be of pre-fabricate type which are assembled offsite at a factory or warehouse. After assembly, the refabricated wall assembly is transported on-site where the building is to be constructed. The conventional prefabricated wall assembly reduces construction time to construct the building and reduces the labor cost for constructing the building.
The conventional wall assembly also includes an insulating layer coupled to the frame assembly. Typically, the insulating layer comprises preformed panels made from polystyrene. The insulating layer is coupled to the frame assembly by using the fasteners. The insulting layer has minimum thermal resistance value (R-value). Further, as insulating layer comprises pre-formed panels, a plurality of seams results between adjacent panels. The seams can be a source of reduced R-value and provide a path for weather elements, such as wind and water, to enter the frame assembly, which is undesirable. In patent application No. US20140115991 a wall assembly is disclosed in which a fastener free technology is used. The closed cell foam layer couples the outer structural sheathing layer such as polystyrene to the frame assembly.
Further, in some conventional wall assemblies the exterior sheathing is coupled to the frame assembly with the fasteners. As is the case with the preformed panels of the insulating layer, the exterior sheathing is available in preformed sheets. A plurality of seams is also formed between adjacent preformed sheets of the exterior sheathing. The seams between preformed sheets of the exterior sheathing also provide a pathway for the weather elements to penetrate the frame assembly. Typically, once the weather elements penetrate the conventional prefabricated wall assembly, the weather elements penetrate the frame assembly and eventually the building itself, which causes damage to an interior sheathing, such as drywall or gypsum board.
Still further, a sheathing layer such as polystyrene is applied to the frame assembly and an exterior rigid polyurethane foam layer is applied to the exterior of the sheathing layer. Because the exterior rigid foam layer is on the exterior of the sheathing layer, the exterior rigid foam layer may become damaged during handling and installation of the wall assembly. Additionally, because the sheathing layer is directly connected to the frame assembly and is between the exterior rigid foam layer and any interior rigid foam layer, the wall assembly lacks a thermal break to prevent the flow of thermal energy from the sheathing layer through the frame assembly. WO2016118493 attempted to overcome said problem by providing a wall assembly in which a rigid foam layer is disposed between the frame assembly and sheathing layer, the rigid foam layer provides a thermal break between the sheathing layer and the frame assembly within the wall assembly. This arrangement of sheathing layer also imparts strength to the wall assembly.
In some cases, once the conventional prefabricated wall assembly is on-site, a barrier layer, such as Tyvek® is added to the exterior sheathing in an effort to minimize the penetration of the weather elements into the conventional prefabricated wall assembly. However, over time, the weather elements can penetrate or circumvent the barrier layer, thus penetrating the conventional prefabricated wall assembly.
Accordingly, there still exists a need to provide an improved wall assembly for use in walls of energy efficient residential or commercial building which can provide increased durability while providing thermal, moisture and vapor barrier.


A zoom lens comprises, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens unit having a positive refractive power; a second lens unit having a negative refractive power; and a rear unit including at least one lens unit. The intervals between the adjacent lens units vary during zooming. The rear unit has a positive refractive power over the entire zoom range. The second lens unit includes at least three negative lenses, and at least two positive lenses. The materials of all the positive lenses included in the second lens unit are appropriately selected.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens and an image pickup apparatus including the same. In particular, the present invention is suitable for image pickup apparatuses, such as a digital camera, a video camera, a television camera, a monitoring camera and a camera for silver halide photography.
Description of the Related Art
An image pickup optical system included in an image pickup apparatus requires to be a zoom lens that has a small lens total length (the length from a first lens surface to an image plane), high resolution, and a high zoom ratio. To achieve high optical characteristics of such a zoom lens, correction of monochromatic (single wavelength) aberrations, such as spherical aberration and coma, are required to be corrected and, additionally, chromatic aberration is also required to be appropriately corrected. In particular, to achieve high resolution, a telephoto zoom lens that has a high zoom ratio and a long telephoto focal length requires that chromatic aberrations are corrected such that primary achromatism is achieved and furthermore the secondary spectrum is appropriately corrected.
Among zoom lenses having high zoom ratios, what is called a positive lead type zoom lens has been known. In this zoom lens, a lens unit at the most object side has a positive refractive power. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-32702 discloses a five-unit zoom lens that consists of five lens unit, which are first to fifth lens units, having positive, negative, positive, negative and positive refractive powers in order from the object side to the image side. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-163964 discloses a five-unit zoom lens that includes an optical element made of a material having abnormal dispersion. The zoom lens disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-163964 includes an optical element made of an optical material having high abnormal dispersion, which reduces occurrence of chromatic aberration.
Increase in high zoom ratio in the positive lead type zoom lens increases chromatic aberrations, such as axial chromatic aberration and lateral chromatic aberration, in the entire zoom range. To achieve a high zoom ratio and high optical characteristics over the entire zoom range in the positive lead type zoom lens, reduction in chromatic aberration is important. To reduce chromatic aberration, adoption of a lens made of low dispersion and abnormal dispersion at an appropriate position in the zoom lens is effective.
In particular, it is important for the positive lead type five-unit zoom lens to appropriately adopt the lens configuration of a second lens unit having a negative refractive power for variable magnification, and materials of lenses configuring the second lens unit.

Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same


Surface-mountable devices include a conductive polymer layer between first and second electrodes, on which are disposed first and second insulation layers, respectively, with first and second planar terminals on the second insulation layer. A first cross-conductor connects the second electrode to the first terminal, and is separated from the first electrode by a portion of the first insulation layer. A second cross-conductor connects the first electrode to the second terminal, and is separated from the second electrode by a portion of the second insulation layer. At least one cross-conductor may include a beveled portion through the first insulation layer. Alternatively, at least one cross-conductor may contact an anchor pad on the first insulation layer, the anchor pad having a small area relative to the areas of the terminals. Enhanced adhesion between the cross-conductor(s) and the first insulation layer is provided, while allowing thermal expansion without excessive stress.

This disclosure relates to the field of conductive polymer electronic components and devices. In particular, it relates to resistive devices comprising a layer of thermally-sensitive resistive material, such as a conductive polymer, that is laminated between a pair of planar electrodes, wherein the device has a surface-mountable configuration.
Conductive polymer thermally-sensitive resistive devices have become commonplace on electronic circuits. These include devices that exhibit a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) and a negative temperature coefficient of resistivity (NTC). In particular, resistive devices comprising a conductive polymer resistive material exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTC) have found widespread uses as over-current protection devices or "self-resettable fuses," due to their ability to undergo a rapid and drastic (at least three or four orders of magnitude) increase in resistance in response to an over-current situation.
It is a common design goal for electronic components to reduce the surface area or "footprint" that they occupy on a circuit board, so that circuit boards can be made as small as possible, and so that component density on a circuit board of a specific area can be increased. One way of achieving a compact geometry, while also achieving economies in manufacturing costs, is to configure the components to be "surface-mountable" on a circuit board. A surface-mountable component is flush-mounted on conductive terminal pads on the board, without the need for sockets or through-board pins.
Various surface-mountable configurations have been devised for conductive polymer thermal-resistive devices, particularly PTC devices. There are several design criteria in making surface-mountable conductive polymer PTC devices, besides the criterion of having a small footprint. For example, the design of the devices must lend itself to low manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the design must provide for integrity of the connections between the metallic elements (electrodes and terminals) and the non-metallic (polymer) element(s). In many cases, the design is a compromise among these various criteria.
One problem with surface-mountable conductive polymer devices is that the metal elements tend to impose a physical constraint on the thermal expansion of the polymeric element(s) when they experience an over-current situation. Conductive polymer PTC elements are typically formed from an organic polymer, such as polyethylene, into which is mixed conductive particles, such as carbon black or metallic particles. The conductivity (or, conversely, the resistivity) of the composition is determined, in substantial part, by the average spacing between the conductive particles. The drastic and sudden increase in resistivity of a conductive polymer element in a PTC device upon experiencing an over-current condition is due to a thermally-induced expansion of the polymer element, which increases the average spacing between the conductive particles within the polymeric material. To the extent that the metallic elements of such a device impose physical constraints on the expansion of the conductive polymer element(s), the functionality of the device may be impaired, especially after repeated over-current "trippings." For example, "repeatability" (the characteristic of the device to exhibit substantially the same operational parameters) may degrade over a multitude of duty cycles (over-current tripping and subsequent resetting upon removal of the overvoltage), due to a kind of stress-induced "hysteresis" effect.
In particular, typical prior art conductive polymer PTC devices tend to exhibit poor resistance stability as a function of the number of duty cycles. This means that the normal (non-over-current condition) resistance in many prior art conductive polymer PTC devices tends to increase markedly after as few as 40-50 duty cycles. Furthermore, to the extent that the metal elements allow at least some degree of polymeric expansion, the metal elements are subject to mechanical stresses that may compromise the physical integrity of the device over repeated duty cycles.
Thus, there has been a long-felt, but as yet unsatisfied, need for a surface-mountable conductive polymer resistive device, particularly a PTC device, that is economical to manufacture, that has a small circuit board footprint, and that allows adequate thermal expansion of the polymer element without subjecting the metal elements to undue stress.

Conductive polymer electronic devices with surface mountable configuration and methods for manufacturing same


The invention relates to iRNA agents that preferably include a modification that targets CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5). The invention also relates to methods of making and using such modified iRNA agents.

CC Chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a coreceptor for the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). CCR5 is expressed by bone marrow-derived cells known to be targets for HIV-1 infection, including a subpopulation of lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages in blood, primary and secondary lymphoid organs, and noninflamed tissues. An increased number of CCR5-positive mononuclear cells have been found in chronically inflamed tissues, and the number of immunoreactive cells in these tissues was directly associated with a histopathologic correlate of inflammatory severity.

IRNA agents targeting CCR5 expressing cells and uses thereof


Methods of forming electrical interconnects on semiconductor substrates include the steps of forming a first electrically insulating layer (e.g., silicon dioxide) and then forming a contact hole in the insulating layer to expose a layer underlying the insulating layer. A first electrically conductive region (e.g., W, Ti, Tin, Al) is then formed in the contact hole. A step is then performed to remove a portion of the first electrically insulating layer to define a recess therein which preferably surrounds an upper portion of the first conductive region. A second electrically conductive region (e.g., Al, Cu, W, Ti, Ta and Co) is then formed in the recess. Here, the first conductive region is preferably chosen to have good step coverage capability to fully bury the contact hole and the second conductive region is preferably chosen to have very low resistance even if some degree of step coverage capability is sacrificed. Planarization steps (e.g, CMP, etch-back) may also be performed to define the first conductive region in the contact hole and define the second conductive region in the recess surrounding the first conductive region. Barrier metal layers may also be conformable deposited in the contact hole prior to forming the first conductive region therein and in the recess prior to forming the second conductive region therein.

According to the multilevel interconnect structure of a semiconductor device, the aspect ratio (the ratio of depth to width) of a contact or via hole generally continues to increase since a proportionate decrease in the contact or via hole depth is typically not realized with the decrease in the width of the contact or via hole. Accordingly, a conventional method for fabricating a metal interconnection layer has limitations, such as non-planarity, poor step-coverage, metal shorts, low yield and degraded reliability. To overcome these problems, a new interconnect technology called Dual Damascene process in which a contact plug and a metal interconnection layer are simultaneously formed, has been suggested.
FIGS. 1 through 4 are sectional views for explaining a method for forming a metal interconnection layer of a semiconductor device using a conventional Dual Damascene process.
Referring to FIG. 1, an insulating later 12 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 10. Subsequently, a lower metal layer 14 is formed on the insulating layer 12 and then a dielectric layer 16 is formed on the lower metal layer 14.
Referring to FIG. 2, the dielectric layer 16 is etched to form a contact hole 17 partially exposing the lower metal layer 14. Then, a barrier metal layer 18 is formed over the resultant structure. The barrier metal layer 18 may be formed of a titanium (Ti) film and a titanium nitride (tin) film.
Referring to FIG. 3, a metal layer 20 is formed of tungsten on the resultant structure having the barrier metal layer 18 formed therein by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Generally, the metal layer 20 formed by the CVD method must be formed of a material having a low resistance and excellent step coverage. If the metal layer 20 is not effectively buried in the contact hole 17, the contact resistance is increased.
Referring to FIG. 4, the metal layer 20 on the dielectric layer 16 is polished by a chemical mechanical polishing method to form a metal plug 22 buried in the contact hole 17 as a metal interconnection layer.
However, according to the method for forming the metal interconnection layer using the aforementioned conventional Dual Damascene process, since the metal layer 20 and a metal plug 22 are formed of the same material, the metal material for forming the metal layer 20 is restricted to a material having an excellent capability of burying the contact hole.


A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen. A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.

The present invention deals with catheters. More specifically, the present invention deals with delivery of a small bolus of liquid with a catheter.
A wide variety of different mechanisms and techniques have been developed in order to treat coronary disease. However, such techniques and devices are typically drawn to the physical manipulation of biological tissues, such as heart tissue, or other vascular tissue within the vascular system.
For example, some treatment techniques are drawn to the physical removal or dilation of restrictions (stenoses and total occlusions) in the vasculature. Techniques for dealing with this type of disease have included percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in which an angioplasty balloon catheter is inserted into the body via the femoral artery and positioned across a restriction in an artery. The balloon is inflated to widen the restriction and restore blood flow to portions of the heart muscle previously deprived of oxygenated blood. Implantation of stents using PTCA is also a common technique for opening an arterial restriction.
Another technique for dealing with vascular disease includes coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures. Such procedures typically include the placement of a graft at a desired location in the vasculature to supplement blood flow to the area previously deprived of blood (or provided with reduced blood flow) due to the vascular restriction. One common type of CABG procedure involves placement of a sapphenous vein graft (SVG) between the ascending aorta proximal of the restriction, and a region in the restricted vessel distal of the restriction.
Another technique for dealing with vascular disease includes an atherectomy procedure. In an atherectomy procedure, an atherectomy device is placed in the vasculature proximate the restriction. The atherectomy device is deployed to physically cut away, abrade, or otherwise physically remove, the occlusive material from the restricted vessel. The portions of the restriction which are severed by the atherectomy device are subsequently removed by aspiration, or by another suitable device.
Another technique called transluminal myocardial revascularization is also receiving attention in the medical community as an acceptable therapy.
Various drug therapies have also been developed. Such therapies have been used in place of, and in conjunction with, the above mentioned therapies under certain circumstances. For example, during grafting procedures, it may be desirable to deliver drugs to the graft site which inhibit the formation of thrombus. In addition, some drug therapies have been developed which involve the delivery of drugs directly to the heart tissue. With recent advancements in the pharmaceutical industry, other drug therapies have also become desirable. Some such recent pharmaceutical developments include the development of gene therapy drugs, such as growth factors.
A transluminal technique for delivering the drugs, along with the various types of known positioning and visualization techniques commonly used with transluminal treatments, can be highly desirable. The drug therapies typically require site specific administration of the drug. Transluminal techniques can be effectively used to deliver a liquid material to a selected site in the vasculature.
However, drug therapies, can be prohibitively expensive. For example, newly developed drugs are commonly extremely expensive and can only be administered in any pragmatic fashion in very low volumes. Typically, such drugs only need to be administered to the vascular site being treated. However, there is no technique available to date by which the site to be treated can be accessed transluminally with a catheter and which enables only a very small quantity of drug to be delivered from the distal portion of the catheter to the treatment site.
Rather, conventional transluminal drug delivery catheters require a proximal infusion device which is connected to a proximal end of the infusion catheter and which is used to pressurize a fluid or infusate which contains the drug to be delivered. The catheter is filled with the infusate and the drug is administered at the distal portion of the infusion catheter (upon pressurization of the infusate) after the catheter is inserted and properly positioned. While the internal volume of such infusion catheters is typically small, it is still much too large to make drug delivery with extremely expensive drugs practical.


A belted tire including carcass, which is formed by a plurality of body plies, and tread rubber vulcanized to the plies. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart wear indicating members are secured to the tire carcass, preferably between two plies, but optionally to any single ply. The wear indicating members extend radially outward from the carcass to a desired wear-indicating position, which may be beyond the base of adjacent tire grooves or at other radial levels. The wear indicating member includes a housing assembly containing a visually distinctive material which is visually perceptible from the color of the tire tread. The housing assembly thermally insulates the visually distinctive material sufficiently during vulcanization of the tire to prevent thermal degradation of the wear-indicating material. Optionally, the housings can be solid metallic pins which also provide a shiny visually perceptible wear-indicating material. As the tread rubber wears down, the visually distinctive wear-indicating material is exposed.

Pneumatic vehicle tires essentially consist of a tire carcass, which consists of plies of rubberized fabric, and tread rubber, which surrounds the exterior surface of the carcass. In belted tires, additional layers of fiber glass, steel, or aramid are placed between the plies and the tread rubber. During manufacture, the tire is vulcanized to gain its final shape and strength characteristics. Beside equalizing the stresses within the tire body, the vulcanization changes the rubber compound into a tough, highly elastic material and bonds the parts of the tire into one integral unit.
During the vulcanization process, the tread rubber is molded to form the tire treads which provide frictional engagement between the tire and the road surface. The treads also protect the tire carcass from foreign obstacles on the road surface which could damage the carcass. Since the effectiveness of the tire tread as a cushioning and protective sheath is dependent upon the amount of tread rubber covering the carcass, this effectiveness is decreased as the treads are reduced by wear. If the tire is not routinely inspected, the tread may be worn down to a level where driving becomes dangerous.
In the past, it has been known to form a tire with a layer of a colored material embedded in the tread rubber to visually indicate the degree of tread wear. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,388 discloses positioning plies having colored fibers at different tread depths to visually indicate when the tread has been worn to the point at which the tread should be recapped or the tire replaced. U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,467 discloses a tire having a sub-surface tread portion of a color contrasting to the outer portion of the tread to indicate when the tread is worn. U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,467 suggests embedding a colored indicating means within the tread portion of a tire. In this case, the indicating means is preferably made from rubber, metal, or plastic. It has also been recognized in the past to incorporate a colored material directly within the tire treads to visually monitor the amount of tread wear, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,102,784 and 4,226,274.
Problems have arisen in connection with the abovedescribed colored tread wear indicators in that the coloring in the indicators degrades under the high temperature of vulcanization. Moreover, in instances when the colored material is formed from plastic, the colored material may not sufficiently adhere to the tread rubber. Consequently, after the tire cools following vulcanization, air pockets may remain between the plastic tread wear indicators and the tread rubber, thereby reducing the integrity of the tire.
Another method of visually indicating tread wear involves positioning colored tread markers in the grooves of a tire, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,055. Shoulder portions are cut or molded into the base of the grooves for receiving the colored markers, which are preferably made from a plastic material.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,422 discloses a tire having a traction pattern incorporated in the tread rubber. The pattern only becomes visible when a predetermined amount of the tread rubber remains, thus warning the user that the tire will soon have to be replaced or retreaded. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,074,742, 3,833,040 and 3,362,376 disclose other tire tread wear indicating systems.
The difficulties suggested in the preceding art are not intended to be exhaustive but rather are among many which tend to reduce the effectiveness of prior tires having colored tread wear indicators. Other noteworthy problems may also exist; however, those presented above should be sufficient to demonstrate that such tires for indicating tread wear appearing in the past will admit to worthwhile improvement.
Accordingly, it is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a belted tire which will obviate or minimize difficulties of the type previously described.
It is a specific object of the invention to provide a belted tire which visually indicates the degree of tread wear to warn a user when the tread has been worn to an unsafe limit.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pneumatic or solid belted tire which includes a colored and/or fluorescent and/or solid tread wear indicator structurally designed to maintain its coloring, fluorescence and integrity under the high temperatures of vulcanization.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a tread wear indicator for use with a belted tire which is durable, compact, and economical to manufacture.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for forming a tire which visually indicates when the tread has been worn to an unsafe limit.

Tire for indicating tread wear and method of manufacturing the same


Embodiments of radiographic imaging systems; radiography detectors and methods for using the same; and/or fabrication methods therefore can include radiographic imaging array that can include a plurality of pixels that each include a photoelectric conversion element coupled to a thin-film switching element. In certain exemplary embodiments, thin-film switching element is a metal oxide (e.g., a-IGZO) TFT manufactured using a reduce photolithography mask counts. In certain exemplary embodiments, the thin-film switching element is a metal oxide (e.g., a-IGZO) TFT that includes reduced lower alignment tolerances between TFT electrodes. In certain exemplary embodiments, the thin-film switching element is a metal oxide (e.g., a-IGZO) TFT including a reduced thickness active layer.

Thin-film transistors (TFT) are used as one of the fundamental building blocks for current large-area electronics. Amorphous silicon (a-Si) TFTs usually serve as electrical switches for large-area liquid-crystal displays (LCD) and large-area flat-panel imagers (FPD); they are well known in the art of large-area electronics fabrication. A typical TFT has three terminals: gate, source, and drain. A majority of the charge carriers flow between the source and drain terminal through a semiconducting layer (referred to as an active layer). The degree of conduction of the semiconducting layer between the source and drain terminal is controlled by the potential of the gate terminal. The source and drain terminal is usually identified by the type carrier responsible for the main conduction current flow. Further, the TFTs can be made geometrically symmetric and therefore the distinction between source and drain is only made by its electrical potential difference and the type of charge carrier the transistor uses for conduction. Therefore, the two terminals are often referred together as the source/drain (SD) terminals. For the purpose of this application, the source and drain terminals are not separately identified to be distinct, but that is not intended to limit the scope of the application.
For large size radiographic imaging arrays, TFTs are typically used as a switching element in pixels within a radiographic imaging array. To those of ordinary skill in the art, it is immediately evident that there are numerous other possible choices for the switching elements as well as types of materials that can compose the elements. There is a need to improve performance characteristics of TFTs included in large-size radiographic imaging arrays, digital radiographic (DR) detectors and methods for using the same.

Radiographic imaging array fabrication process for metal oxide thin-film transistors with reduced mask count


The present invention relates to an analytical method and device utilizing magnetic materials and acoustics sensor. The invention employs a magnetic material modified with specific recognizable molecules to capture a substance in a sample and provides an external magnetic field to draw the magnetic material to an sensing region of an acoustics sensor, and then converts an effect occurred on a surface of the sensing region to an amount of the substance in the sample, wherein the effect is caused by a contact of the surface with the magnetic material and the substance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an analytical method and device utilizing magnetic materials and acoustics sensor, in particular, an analytical method and device that combines the use of magnetic materials and mass-sensitive sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are in general two approaches to assaying a substance in a sample. One is utilizing separation technique, such as solvent extraction, condensation, precipitation, or chromatography to purify the target substance and then quantify its content. The other is utilizing reaction specificity to directly measure the amount of a specific substance in a complex sample. The process of purification-quantification is prone to result in loss of bioactivity and error, especially when the process is sophisticated and protracted. Thus assay techniques nowadays are mostly developed towards the specific reaction approach. The use of biosensor is one of the examples.
A biosensor typical consists of recognizable molecules, transducer and signal processor. The recognizable molecules are located on the surface of a sensing region of transducer to contact the target substance and react with it. Thus recognizable molecules must possess specificity for the target substance to enhance sensor selectivity. Commonly used recognizable molecules include biological tissue, microorganism, organelle, cell receptor, enzyme, antigen and antibody.
The function of a transducer is to convert changes in the physical quantity or chemical quantity of recognizable molecules after its reaction with the target substance into electronic signals. Physical quantity or chemical quantity could be optically, mass, thermochemically, electrochemically or magnetically. For example, in a biosensor system using enzyme as recognizable molecules, the reaction between enzyme and substrate is highly selective, and heat, changes in pH or absorption band, or other chemical substances would occur in the reaction process. Coupled with a proper transducer (e.g. thermocouple, electrode, photon counter, etc.), the changes in the process are converted into current signals, which are then read and process by a signal processor to determine the properties and content of the target substance. In the same way, when the quartz crystal microbalance (one kind of acoustics sensing elements) is used as a transducer, the binding of target substance to recognizable molecules coated on the surface of quartz crystal causes mass change on it, which leads to changes in the frequency of quartz crystal and allows measurement of the content of target substance. But to modify recognizable molecules on the surface of the sensing region of transducer usually need troublesome surface treatment and protein immobilization technics, and result in poor detection sensitivity and signal reproducibility. To render the use of highly sensitive acoustics sensor more efficient and free of restrictions, magnetic material modified with recognizable molecules is incorporated in the development of related techniques.
A prior art (U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,342) utilizes a magnetically responsive reagent that can recognize the target substance and a mobile solid phase reagent to determine the presence or amount of target substance contained in a sample by measuring the response to the magnetic field of the magnetically responsive reagent, or that of the mobile solid phase reagent. This prior art requires the combined use of magnetically responsive reagent and mobile solid phase reagent to produce measurable effect. Such effect is weight change caused by the changes in the attraction or repulsion between magnet and magnetic bead. Also, the method disclosed in the prior art is sensitive only to the level of microgram (μg).
Another prior art (U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,990) discloses the use of a capture agent to capture the target substance and then bind to a signal producing agent, and signals produced by the signal producing agent are detected and measured. In this technique, the use of additional agents adds more steps to the process and restrictive binding conditions tend to result in error. U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,396 discloses a method of immobilizing receptor on the surface of a capturing means to capture recognizable particles in a test sample. In this technique, the use of a specific receptor on the capturing means limits its application to specific analyte, or the surface of capturing means needs to be replaced for it to analyze other substances. Thus the technique lacks the value of general application.
This invention aims to provide a biosensor device and analytical method that are more sensitive, simpler and don't need use extra labeling materials.

Analytical method and device utilizing magnetic materials

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A lubricating composition containing (a). at least 3 weight percent of an overbased sulphonate detergent with a metal ratio of 12.5:1 to 40:1; (b). at least 1.5 weight percent of a sulphur containing phenate detergent with a metal ratio of not more than 2.5; and (c). an oil of lubricating viscosity, wherein the sulphur containing phenate contains oligomers of hydrocarbyl phenol with at least 50 wt % of said oligomers in the form of the tetramer or higher oligomers. The composition is suitable for internal combustion engines, particularly marine diesel applications to provide improved cleanliness decreased cylinder wear and reduced deposits.

It is known to add various additives to an oil of lubricating viscosity for diesel or gasoline engines to reduce wear and improve cleanliness. In diesel engines an oil of lubricating viscosity is used particularly to reduce wear of cylinder liners and piston rings. Often engine operating temperatures and pressures are sufficient to break down the film of the oil of lubricating viscosity on the internal walls of the cylinder. As a consequence of this, the cylinder experiences increased wear and decreased engine cleanliness due to deposits. Formation of high levels of deposits around the piston rings can also result in excessive wear.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,794, Dunn, discloses the use of a marine diesel engine lubricant composition containing (a) an overbased metal detergent having a TBN of at least 300 and/or (b) a metal detergent other than component (a), provided that if detergent (b) is present the composition does not contain a minor amount of an extreme pressure additive; and (c) ashless antiwear additives; and (d) an oil of lubricating viscosity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,051, Carey et al., discloses diesel cylinder oils with improved cleanliness and load carrying capabilities by using an additive package containing at least one detergent, an antioxidant, an antiwear agent and a dispersant. The detergent component contains at least one of an overbased phenate, phenylate, salicylate or sulphonate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,434, Katafuchi, discloses lubricating oil compositions for diesel engines containing at least one of (a) overbased sulphonate, overbased phenates and overbased salicylates; and (b) a bis-type succinic imide compound.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,965, Nagamatsu, discloses a marine diesel lubricating oil composition containing an overbased alkyl sulphonate detergent and an overbased sulphurised alkylphenate detergent. The overbased sulphurised alkylphenate has a TBN of 110 or more.
British Patent application GB 2,328,217 A discloses marine diesel lubricating oil compositions containing a polyalkylene succinimide compound for improving anti-wear. The lubricating oil composition can further include up to 6% of at least one highly overbased detergent selected from alkyl or alkenyl phenates, alkyl or alkenyl phenate-carboxylates, alkyl or alkenyl aromatic sulphonates; and mixtures thereof.
European Patent application EP 1,126,010 Nagamatsu et al., discloses a lubricating oil composition containing an overbased alkylsulphonate detergent and an overbased sulphurised phenate. The sulphurised phenate and overbased alkylsulphonate are present at on a weight ratio basis of 55:45 to 95:5. The composition further includes a zinc antiwear agent such as dialkyldithiophosphate and a dispersant.
European Patent application EP 1,086,960 discloses a lubricating oil composition containing novel succinimide compounds and at least one detergent selected from overbased sulphonates, phenates and salicylates of alkaline earth metals.
East German Patent DD298519 discloses marine diesel engines employing an anticorrosion detergent-dispersant additive combination containing (a) weakly basic or neutral alkaline earth sulphonates; and (b) medium or highly basic alkaline earth sulphonates, phenolates or phenolate sulphides in which the ratio of sulphonate groups to phenolic groups is 1:3.6 to 4.4; and (c) a succinimide ash free detergent.
It would be desirable to have compositions with cleanliness properties. The invention provides compositions with cleanliness properties.
It would be desirable to have compositions capable of reducing wear and reducing deposits. The invention provides compositions capable of reducing wear and reducing deposits.

Lubricating compositions containing sulphonates and phenates


The invention relates to a method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine comprising an inlet pipe leading to a cylinder input where a gas input valve is placed. Said engine also comprises a drive for the gas input valve which makes it possible to adjust a gas input valve lift for at least two values. The engine also comprises an injection valve for metering fuel and a spark plug which controls the crankshaft angle of air-fuel mixture ignition. Said internal combustion engine is controlled in a following manner: a fuel is metered at least once during the intake stroke of a cylinder when the valve lift (VL) passes from one value to the other and at least one final injection is carried out in a dosing manner only when the valve lift (VL) is really carried out.

Increasingly high demands are made on internal combustion engines with regard to their performance and efficiency. At the same time, because of stringent legal regulations, the emissions must also be low. Such requirements can be met properly if the internal combustion engine is equipped with gas-changing valves and corresponding drives for this internal combustion engine in which the valve lift curve differs depending on the operating point of the internal combustion engine. Because of this, throttle losses in the case of air intake can be reduced and, if required, higher exhaust gas recirculation rates can quickly be set.
Adjusting the valve lift of a gas intake valve of the internal combustion engine between a lower and a higher valve lift is known. The Porsche 911 Turbo for example is thus equipped with a device for adjusting the valve lift of the gas intake valve and the gas outlet valve. In addition, the internal combustion engine of this vehicle is provided with a camshaft on which for each gas intake valve, one cam with a lower lift and two additional cams with a higher lift are embodied. The cam lift is transferred by means of a transfer unit to the gas intake valve. The transfer unit is embodied as a cup-shaped tappet comprising a cylinder element and a ring cylinder element arranged concentrically to this cylinder element. The cam with a lower lift acts on the cylinder element while the cams with the higher lift act on the ring cylinder element. Depending on a switch position of the cup-shaped tappet, either the lower or the higher lift is transferred to the gas intake valve. While the internal combustion engine is idling, the lower cam lift is transferred to the gas intake valve. This results in lower frictional losses based on the small diameter of the cam and the cylinder element used in this mode of operation and the lower valve lift.
In addition, a higher loading movement is achieved. This enables the emissions of the internal combustion engine to be decreased and at the same time, the fuel consumption to be kept low. The lower valve lift is maintained in the case of a lower and average load. Throttle losses can also be reduced by a corresponding phase adjustment between the gas intake valve and the gas outlet valve and a resulting internal exhaust gas recirculation rate. In the case of higher load requirements made on the internal combustion engine, the valve lift passes to the higher value. For a high driving comfort of a vehicle in which such an internal combustion engine is arranged and for low emissions of noxious substances, it is important that the passage from the lower valve lift to the higher valve lift takes place without misfiring.

Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine


A method and an arrangement for dynamic breakthrough detection is proposed. The arrangement comprises at least a transfer element, at least a memory unit in which sensor characteristic curves, at least a controller and an evaluation logic are stored.

Catalytic converters are used in motor vehicles for exhaust gas treatment to reduce harmful emissions in the exhaust gas. There are various known types of catalytic converters, such as three-way catalytic converters, unregulated oxidation catalytic converters and SCR catalytic converters.
In SCR catalytic converters, so-called selective catalytic reduction (SCR: Selective Catalytic Reduction) is used as a method for the reduction of nitrogen oxides. The chemical reaction in an SCR catalytic converter is selective, thus the nitrogen oxide (NO, NO2) is reduced, while undesired side reactions, such as oxidation of the sulfur to sulfur dioxide, are largely suppressed.
In internal combustion engines used in motor vehicles, the reduction of nitrogen oxides by the SCR method proves to be difficult because there exist varying operating conditions, which makes the dosage of reducing agents difficult.
A reducing agent is dosed for the operation of SCR catalytic converters, whereby a NOx sensor value is controlled after SCR. The NOx sensor has a cross-sensitivity to NH3. If overdosing takes place in the system, then a so-called NH3 slip is the result after the SCR reaction, or increased NOx emissions arise again after the SCR if a slip catalyst is used in the system after the SCR.
The NO sensor therefore presents ambiguity in a characteristic curve. Therefore, it cannot be predictably differentiated whether the dosage is too low and whether NOx emissions are present, or whether the dosage is too high and a NH3 slip or increased NOx emission is present due to NH3 conversion in the slip catalyst.
The problem described does not occur when only low NOx conversion rates are required through the SCR catalytic converter. Then the conversion in the system is far from the maximum possible conversion with the so-called slip limit. However, high conversion rates must be achieved for fuel-saving engine tuning and efficient utilization of the catalytic converter.
Another way to resolve the ambiguity of the characteristic curve is to introduce artificially small changes in the dosage quantity of the reducing agent. By appropriate evaluation of the NOx value after the SCR, the presence of an NH3 slip can be detected. Such an approach is described in DE 10 2009 012 092 A1.
Such an evaluation, however, only works when the system is in a steady state; thus the existence of an NH3 slip is only detected after a certain delay.

Method for the dynamic detection of leakages for SCR catalytic converters