A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof. The method may further include forcing the opening toward the wall of the vascular site after the advancing step and before the moving step.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for debulking body lumens. More particularly, the present invention relates to atherectomy catheters for excising atheroma and other materials from blood vessels and from stents.
Cardiovascular disease frequently arises from the accumulation of atheromatous material on the inner walls of vascular lumens, particularly arterial lumens of the coronary and other vasculature, resulting in a condition known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs naturally as a result of aging, but may also be aggravated by factors such as diet, hypertension, heredity, vascular injury, and the like. Atheromatous and other vascular deposits restrict blood flow and can cause ischemia which, in acute cases, can result in myocardial infarction. Atheromatous deposits can have widely varying properties, with some deposits being relatively soft and others being fibrous and/or calcified. In the latter case, the deposits are frequently referred to as plaque.
One conventional treatment for cardiovascular disease is the use of stents. Endoluminal stents are commonly used to treat obstructed or weakened body lumens, such as blood vessels and other vascular lumens. Once deployed in the blood vessel, the stent can remain in the body lumen where it will maintain the patency of the lumen and/or support the walls of the lumen which surround it. One factor impeding the success of stent technology in endoluminal treatments is the frequent occurrence of in-stent restenosis, characterized by proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells within and/or adjacent to the implanted stent, causing reclosure or blockage of the body lumen.
Atherosclerosis and restenosis can be treated in a variety of ways, including drugs, bypass surgery, and a variety of catheter-based approaches which rely on intravascular debulking or removal of the atheromatous or other material occluding a blood vessel. Of particular interest to the present invention, a variety of methods for cutting or dislodging material and removing such material from the blood vessel have been proposed, generally being referred to as atherectomy procedures. Atherectomy catheters intended to excise material from the blood vessel lumen generally employ a rotatable and/or axially translatable cutting blade which can be advanced into or past the occlusive material in order to cut and separate such material from the blood vessel lumen. In particular, side-cutting atherectomy catheters generally employ a housing having an aperture on one side, a blade which is rotated or translated by the aperture, and a balloon to urge the aperture against the material to be removed.
Although atherectomy catheters have proven very successful in treating many types of atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis, improved atherectomy catheters and methods are continuously being pursued. For example, many currently available side-cutting atherectomy catheters have difficulty in capturing occluding material in the cutting aperture. To facilitate material capture, the cutting aperture is frequently elongated to increase the area into which the material can penetrate. Such elongation typically requires an equivalent lengthening of the cutter housing. Since most cutter housings are rigid, such lengthening makes it more difficult to introduce the distal end of the catheter through tortuous regions of the vasculature.
Another shortcoming of many currently available atherectomy catheters is that they typically require a balloon positioned opposite the cutting window to urge the cutting window into contact with occluding material. Such balloons, however, unduly increase the size of the distal portion of the catheter. Even with the balloon, the amount of material that can be removed by conventional atherectomy catheters is limited by the size of the cutting window. Other disadvantages of some catheters include cutting elements with less than ideal hardness, inadequate storage space within the catheter for containing removed material, sub-optimal guide wire lumens, and/or the like.
For these reasons, it would be advantageous to have atherectomy catheters, and methods for their use, which could access small, tortuous regions of the vasculature and remove atheromatous and other occluding materials from within blood vessels and stents in a controlled fashion. In particular, it would be desirable to have atherectomy catheters and methods which could facilitate capturing and invagination of atheromatous materials. Ideally, such catheters and methods would be adaptable for use in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary and other arteries. At least some of these objectives will be met by the present invention.
The present invention also relates to methods and devices for removing tissue from a body lumen such as a blood vessel or other vascular location. In particular, the present invention may be used for removing material from a vascular location but may find uses in other body lumens as well. It is understood that although the invention may be described with respect to use in blood vessels the methods and devices of the present invention may be practiced in any body lumen.
The present invention also relates to methods and devices for removing tissue from an atherectomy device and for storing material which has been removed from the atherectomy device.


Disclosed are a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell includes a molybdenum layer on a support substrate; an ohmic layer on the molybdenum layer; a light absorbing layer on the ohmic layer; and a front electrode layer on the light absorbing layer, wherein the ohmic layer comprises a first ohmic layer and a second ohmic layer having crystal structures different from each other.

Solar cells may be defined as devices for converting light energy into electric energy by using a photovoltaic effect of generating electrons when light is incident onto a P-N junction diode. The solar cell may be classified into a silicon solar cell, a compound semiconductor solar cell mainly including a group I-III-VI compound or a group III-V compound, a dye-sensitized solar cell, and an organic solar cell according to materials constituting the junction diode.
A solar cell made from CIGS (CuInGaSe), which is one of group I-III-VI Chal-copyrite-based compound semiconductors, represents superior light absorption, higher photoelectric conversion efficiency with a thin thickness, and superior electro-optic stability, so the CIGS solar cell is spotlighted as a substitute for a conventional silicon solar cell.
In general, a CIGS thin film solar cell is fabricated by sequentially forming a substrate having sodium (Na), a back electrode layer, a light absorbing layer, a buffer layer, and a front electrode layer. In general, the back electrode layer is made of molybdenum (Mo), and heat treatment is performed at a temperature of 450° C. or above in the selenium (Se) atmosphere so that a MoSe2 layer is formed. The MoSe2 layer functions as an electrode, and reduces damage applied to a molybdenum electrode during a patterning process.

Solar cell and method of fabricating the same


Transgenic plants containing cDNA encoding Gramineae lectin are described. The plants preferably contain cDNA coding for barley lectin and store the lectin in the leaves. The transgenic plants, particularly the leaves exhibit insecticidal and fungicidal properties.. GOVERNMENT RIGHTS. This application was funded under Department of Energy Contract DE-AC02-76ER01338. The U.S. Government has certain rights under this application and any patent issuing thereon.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to full length cDNA clones derived from Gramineae, particularly from barley and wheat, and to transgenic plants preferably plants transformed with barley cDNA expressing barley lectin. In particular the present invention relates to transgenic plants which produce an active lectin and store it in leaves and other parts of the plant in amounts which are sufficient to provide insecticidal properties.
(2) Prior Art
It is known that lectins have insecticidal properties. The Gramineae lectins are known to be effective against the cowpea weevil (Murdick et al Phytochemistry 1989). The problem has been to provide these lectins in the leaves and other parts of higher plants for the insects to feed upon. Until the present invention this has not been accomplished, due to the fact that different segments of the DNA of Gramineae which encode the full length of cDNA clones were not available.

Lectin cDNA and transgenic plants derived therefrom

Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University


An embodiment provides a circuit including a transformer having a primary winding coupled to an input port configured to receive an input voltage and a secondary winding configured to provide an output voltage at an output port, controller circuitry configured to switch on and off a current through the primary winding so that energy is transferred to the secondary winding while switching and supply circuitry connected to the controller circuitry, wherein the supply circuitry is coupled to an auxiliary winding of the transformer and configured to provide a supply voltage for the controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is further configured to: transition to a burst mode to switch on and off the current through the primary winding in first bursts, wherein the first bursts are separated by intervals during which switching on and off the current through the primary winding of the transformer by the first bursts is discontinued and provide second bursts during the intervals in order to keep the supply voltage of the controller circuitry between a lower bound value and an upper bound value while the output voltage ramps down to a requested valley value or provide second bursts during the intervals after reaching a timeout limit in order to provide the supply voltage to the controller circuitry while the output voltage ramps down to a requested valley value.

Modern AC/DC power supplies, such as those following the USB-PD (USB Power Delivery) specifications, can change an output voltage regulation according to requests coming from a load.
Power can be supplied to a primary side controller (an integrated circuit or IC, for instance) by an auxiliary winding on the primary side of a transformer in the controller. When the system is switching, a small part of the converter power flows through the auxiliary winding and provides a supply for the IC.
In the presence of a low load (or if no load is present) such a controller may operate in a burst mode, switching for a short time and then stopping for a relatively long time. The controller in this phase starts the active phase when the output voltage drops below a given threshold.

Power supply circuit, corresponding device and method


A gaspath component includes a body having at least one internal cooling passage and a metering feature integral to the internal cooling passage. The metering feature and the body are a unitary structure.

Gas turbine engines generally operate by compressing a gas in a compressor and providing the compressed gas to a combustor. In the combustor the compressed gas is mixed with a fuel, and ignited generating high temperature combustion gasses. The high temperature combustion gasses are then expanded across a turbine section, driving the turbine section to rotate. Rotation of the turbine section, in turn, drives the compressor to rotate. In some gas powered turbines, such as a geared turbofan, the rotation of the turbine section further drives the rotation of a fan forward of the compressor.
The high temperature combustion gasses expose the gaspath components to substantial amounts of thermal cycling and heat stress. In order to reduce the thermal stresses on any given flowpath component, the flowpath components are actively cooled. In some examples, the active cooling is achieved via cooling passages internal to the flowpath component.
Typical methods of manufacturing gaspath components include various methods of removing material from a starting blank of material to form a desired completed part shape and casting a desired completed part shape around an investment casting core. Such methods utilize cutting tools and casting cores to form holes, surfaces, passages, overall shapes and more.
In some examples, once the completed part is formed one or more metering components are connected to the completed part at the inlet of the internal cooling passages. The metering components meter the flow of coolant into the internal cooling passages.

Additively manufactured component for a gas powered turbine


A video data processing apparatus converts one of NTSC type and VGA type video signals to the other or overlays the two types of video signals and outputs them as either an NTSC type overlaid video signal or a VGA type overlaid video signal. The processing apparatus has two video memories for storing video signal data. One of the two video memories stores solely VGA type video data. The other video memory stores either VGA type video data or NTSC type video data depending upon the particular function being carried out by the processing apparatus. Video data may be read out from the other video memory using different scan rates so that an individually dedicated memory is not required for each type of video data in performing the above-mentioned conversions and overlays. An output of the video processing apparatus may be fed back to either one of the two video memories so that the output may be stored in one of the memories for later transfer to an external memory.

Imaging systems available today include one in which, for example, a television (TV) signal generated by a TV camera or a video signal recorded on a video floppy disc by an electronic still camera is inputted to a computer system to be displayed on a monitor in a particular form such as, for example, a Video Graphics Array (VGA) form. This prior art imaging system as shown in FIG. 7 includes a personal computer 10 and an image recording and reproducing device 12 which are interfaced to each other by an electronics board 97. When the recording and reproducing device 12 is loaded with a video floppy disc 18 to read a video signal representative of a real image, the video signal is transformed into corresponding digital data by an analog-to-digital converter 98 of electronics board 97 and then developed as bit-mapped data in a dedicated video frame memory 99 also included in the electronics board. The personal computer 10 may then fetch the bit-mapped data later as needed and, thereafter, handle the data as a VGA image including displaying the data on VGA monitor 16.
Also, graphics in a VGA format generated by a personal computer may be converted to video signals capable of being recorded on a video floppy disc by an electronic still camera using conventional techniques as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6 PC graphics are stored in a dedicated Buffer 1 and are read out by scan converter 2 along line 3 using a read-out rate dependent on the particular type of video signal format desired. In the figure an NTSC video signal capable of being recorded on a video floppy disc is shown as an output of scan converter 2. However, different scan rates, for example, PAL or SECAM scan rates, may also be used. The resultant NTSC signal in the figure may then be displayed on NTSC monitor 24.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is known to provide a conversion from VGA to NTSC and vice versa. However, using the circuits of FIGS. 6 and 7, separate and independent hardware is required to store the video signal in its present state before it is converted. For example, in FIG. 6 a dedicated PC Graphics Buffer 1 must be provided to store the VGA signal before it is converted to NTSC by scan converter 2 since the VGA data must be arranged in a predetermined way so that the fixed rate scan converter 2 may properly access it in order to transform the signal to NTSC. Likewise, in FIG. 7 a dedicated frame memory 99 must be provided to store an NTSC signal before it is converted to VGA by the fixed-rate read-out operation of personal computer 10. Therefore, a large amount of hardware is needed in order to convert NTSC video signals to VGA and vice versa.
It is also known to insert (overlay) a computer graphics (VGA) signal in selected locations of an NTSC image and to display the thus-combined video signal onto an NTSC monitor such as a conventional TV receiver. Such a conventional system is shown in FIG. 8. An interlaced NTSC video signal is input to input terminal 202 and supplied to video combiner 203. A synchronization component of the input NTSC video signal is supplied to Gen-lock circuitry 201 which provides an output to video format converter 200. Non-interlaced VGA signals are pre-stored in PC graphics memory 100 and are supplied to scan-rate converter 200 which modifies the scan rate of the input non-interlaced VGA signals based on the output of the Gen-lock circuitry 201. The Gen-lock circuitry 201 receives the synchronization component of an input video signal, in this case NTSC, and provides an output to video format converter 200 so that the converter 200 can modify the format of its input, in this case VGA from PC graphics memory 100, so that the output of the converter 200 has a format equal to the input signal to the Gen-lock circuitry 201.
In FIG. 8 the converter 200 modifies the non-interlaced VGA input into interlaced VGA in the NTSC format and supplies the interlaced VGA to video combiner 203. At this point the VGA signal is of the same format (i.e., interlaced) as the NTSC video signal which is also supplied to video combiner 203. The output 204 of combiner 203 is an interlaced VGA signal overlaid onto an NTSC signal.
It is also known to overlay NTSC video signals onto VGA signals and to display the result onto a VGA monitor using prior art systems. However, a dedicated VGA Buffer and a dedicated NTSC video memory are required in the prior art systems.
As is clear from the description of the prior art systems above, a separate and dedicated frame memory or Buffer is required to hold each type of image signal, since a different type of image signal has a different format (i.e., interlaced or non-interlaced). For example, in FIG. 7 a separate dedicated frame memory 99 is required to store the NTSC signal before it is converted to VGA. Further, a separate and dedicated PC Graphics buffer (1,100) is required in FIGS. 6 and 8, respectively, in order to store VGA signals.
Since dedicated buffers or memories have been required by the prior art, a large amount of hardware is necessary in order to provide image signal processing equipment capable of handling a variety of image signal formats.
A video signal processing apparatus has been described in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/003,829 and involves a system for converting one of NTSC type and VGA type video signals to the other or overlays the two types of video signals and outputs them as either an NTSC type overlaid video signal or a VGA type overlaid video signal. The processing system has two video memories for storing video data. One of the two video memories stores solely VGA type video data. The other video memory stores either VGA type video data or NTSC type video data depending upon the particular function being carried out by the processing system. Video data may be read out from the other video memory using different scan rates so that an individually dedicated memory is not required for each type of video data in performing the above-mentioned conversions and overlays.
In the above-mentioned system, video output signals representing a mixture of a computer graphics (VGA) image and an NTSC-type image are easily displayed on a selected one of a computer graphics (VGA) type monitor or an NTSC-type monitor. However, the combined (overlaid) video image signals are not so easily sent on to an external memory. Difficulties arise in attempting to store an overlaid video signal in an external memory because the speed of the overlaid signal as it comes out of the above-mentioned video processing system is too fast for an external memory to handle. For example, the overlaid signals are sent out at a rate in the Megahertz (Mz) region. It would be useful to be able to store overlaid images in an external memory as an alternative to merely displaying the overlaid image onto a monitor display. By storing overlaid images in an external memory they would be able to be easily and selectably read out and displaced on a monitor at a later time without having to re-overlay the image signals making up the composite overlaid signal. Also, further processing or overlaying of the overlaid signals would be simplified.

Apparatus for processing signals representative of a computer graphics image and a real image including storing processed signals back into internal memory


Provided herein are long lasting hair compositions, color enhancers, and markers for selecting the same.

Polyurethanes are a well-known class of synthetic polymers with broad utility in multiple industries. This versatility is derived from the ability to prepare polyurethanes from a large and diverse set of potential monomers. These diverse monomer options allow the realization of an equally diverse set of physical properties. Hence, the resulting polyurethanes can be in many different forms including e.g., soft foams, elastomers, adhesive films, or hard plastics, and can be used in many different types of products including bedding, foot wear, adhesives, and automobile parts. Among these many forms of polyurethanes, waterborne polyurethanes (WBPUs) have been used as film forming agents in commercially available personal care products.
A problem with the use of WBPUs has been the lack of performance and overall consistency in application. For example, common polyurethane products such as Luviset® P.U.R (Polyurethane-1), DynamX, and DynamX/H2O (Polyurethane-14 and AMP-Acrylates Copolymer) lack elasticity. This leads to an undesirable stiff feeling when applied to hair. Avalure UR 450 (PPG-17/IPDI/DMPA Copolymer), Baycusan C1004 (Polyurethane-35), Baycusan C1008 (Polyurethane-48), and Polyderm PE/PA ED (Polyurethane-58), on the other hand, are very flexible (i.e., do not lack elasticity). These products, however, have poor initial curl hold and elicit a gummy feeling. Other problems associated with the use of WBPUs include e.g., flaking upon touching or combing (e.g., dusty micro-flakes shown on hair fibers); undesirable tactile feelings upon touch (e.g., brittle, stiff, or tacky, gummy); poor humidity resistance (e.g., styling resins absorb moisture and weigh down hair resulting in a loss of style); lack of movement (e.g., plastic-like mold shape; hair curls don't move with motion; can't easily comb through; gummy; lack of bounciness); and short-lived hair styles (e.g., hair styles, curls, waves, etc. don't last long—on average styles typically last less than a half day).
There is therefore a need for improved and more consistent WBPU-based personal care products including e.g., ones that provide enhanced hold, high humidity curl retention, and/or positive sensory attributes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A battery power transfer system includes control circuitry coupled to a charge/discharge module. The charge/discharge module is configured to apply an electrical stimulus to a battery and to determine, based at least in part on a measured response of the battery to the applied electrical stimulus, a target power transfer frequency of the battery. The power is transferred to or from the battery with a power transfer profile comprising current pulses having a frequency component selected based on the determined target power transfer frequency.

This invention relates to charging and discharging batteries and battery packs, such as packs consisting of multiple batteries or battery cells interconnected in series and/or parallel configuration by electrical conductors, to be charged or discharged.
D.C. electrical storage devices, such as lead acid or lithium ion batteries, are able to store and release energy for use in a variety of applications including electric vehicles, portable power supplies, and alternative energy power systems. When using batteries to store energy, it is desirable to be able to charge and discharge the batteries as efficiently, and as quickly, as possible. However, discharging a battery too quickly can reduce its capacity in Amp-Hours and can also lead to high internal temperatures. Further, discharging some batteries below a minimum state of charge ("SOC") can result in permanent damage and/or shortened battery life. Even when a battery is discharged at the battery's natural rate, the dynamic internal impedance of the battery can generate losses in the form of heat. This results in lower discharge efficiencies.
Improvements in the energy conversion rate and the discharge efficiency of batteries would provide significant benefits to many industries, particularly if the improvements provide for increased specific power, faster discharge, and/or increased battery life.


The present invention relates to a disorder of the lower urinary tract, and in particular, reducing the symptoms (including treatment) of interstitial cystitis in vivo. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to treatment formulations and methods for reducing interstitial cystitis in patients.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic progressive disorder of the lower urinary tract that causes urinary urgency and frequency and/or pelvic pain. For many years, urologists regarded IC as a rare disease for which they had no broadly effective treatment. In fact, the condition is quite common. In 1999, prevalence in the United States was estimated at 750,000 cases (Curhan, et al. J Urol 161(2):549-552 (1999)). However the true prevalence of IC is estimated to be at least 1-2 million patients who are suffering from severe chronic pelvic pain.
Treatments with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), approved for IC in 1977 on the basis of data from uncontrolled trials, can be useful with weekly intravesical instillations for 6 to 8 weeks then every two weeks for 3-12 months for maintenance. However DMSO therapy results in benefit for approximately 50% of IC patients treated and the treatment takes a long time to reduce symptoms. Furthermore, this therapy causes pain that is unrelieved by local anesthetics by themselves due to their lack of absorption into the bladder wall. Narcotics are given for immediate relief of symptoms however they are only minimally effective. Some patients benefit from formal 8- to 12-week, one-on-one course of behavior modification. Patients are also advised to avoid potassium-rich foods, particularly citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, and coffee.
Therefore, treatments that would both benefit a larger portion of the patient population, provide immediate relief of symptoms without causing additional pain, without requiring extensive alterations in diet, and further provide reversal of the disease process over time are necessary. The present invention meets that challenge by providing compositions, detection methods and novel IC management treatment methods with the benefits described herein.

Interstitial therapy for immediate symptom relief and chronic therapy in interstitial cystitis

The Regents of the University of California


An apparatus includes a frame configured to suspend an article of clothing and a plurality of terahertz sensors coupled to the frame. The terahertz sensors are configured to image an article of clothing suspended from the frame from different vantage points from within an interior of the article of clothing. Another apparatus includes a frame configured to suspend an article of clothing and a terahertz sensor coupled to the frame and configured to image an article of clothing suspended from the frame from within an interior of the article of clothing. The terahertz sensor is selectively positionable along the frame thereby enabling imaging from different vantage points.

The present invention relates to terahertz sensors and photogrammetry, and more specifically, this invention relates to augmented reality (AR) applications of terahertz sensors and photogrammetry.
Terahertz waves (e.g. T-rays, T-waves, T-light, T-lux, or THz) are electromagnetic waves within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) designated band of frequencies. Terahertz wave frequencies range from 0.3 to 3 terahertz (1 THz=1012 Hz). Wavelengths of radiation in the terahertz band range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm (100 μm). Terahertz waves may penetrate various materials. Terahertz waves are non-ionizing and harmless to living tissue, DNA, etc. Measurements of the terahertz beams may be used for material characterization, layer inspection, alternative x-ray techniques, security screening, etc. Terahertz waves may be capable of producing high resolution images of solid objects.
Photogrammetry is the science of making measurements from photographs. Multiple photographs may be used to estimate three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of surface points of an object in an image. The output of photogrammetry is conventionally a map, drawing, measurement, and/or 3D model of the subject of the photographs. Photogrammetry may be used to create maps, in visual special effects, in various engineering applications, for vehicle accident investigations, etc.

Terahertz sensors and photogrammetry applications

International Business Machines Corporation


A solar cell includes a semiconductor wafer, at least one dielectric layer arranged on the semiconductor wafer, a metal layer arranged on the dielectric layer, and a contact structure arranged in the dielectric layer such that the contact structure provides an electrical connection between the metal layer and the semiconductor wafer. The contact structure has at least one first structure having a minimum dimension and at least one second structure having a maximum dimension, wherein the minimum dimension and the maximum dimension are defined along a surface of the semiconductor wafer and the minimum dimension of the first structure is greater than the maximum dimension of the second structure.

The vast majority of present-day silicon solar cells comprise a printed and fired rear-side metallization of aluminum-containing paste and silver-containing paste. The silver-containing paste regions on the rear side are necessary for interconnecting a plurality of solar cells by conventional soldering with tin-plated copper ribbons. There are a number of problems here, however. For cost reasons and also for increasing the efficiency of solar cells it is desirable to avoid the silver paste regions on the rear side of the solar cell and to strive for a whole-area aluminum paste metallization on the rear side. For increasing the efficiency of solar cells it is advantageous, moreover, to insert a passivating dielectric layer between rear-side metallization and silicon surface. One challenge here is to realize a sufficiently high adhesion of metal layer on the dielectric layer. With the use of silver paste regions (so-called busbar regions for soldering), the adhesion is realized by the silver paste penetrating through the dielectric layer and thereby producing sufficiently high adhesion with the silicon wafer.

Solar cell and method for producing same


The main object of the present invention is to provide a photocatalyst composition and a photocatalyst containing layer showing a high activity in a short period of time, and a pattern formed body using the photocatalyst containing layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photocatalyst composition used for various applications such as patterning of an organic layer, a photocatalyst containing layer, a pattern formed body using the photocatalyst containing layer or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as a production method for a pattern formed body for forming, on a substrate, various patterns such as a graphic, an image, a character and a circuit, various methods have been proposed. For example, the planographic printing, the offset printing, the printing method for producing a planographic printing original plate using a heat mode recording material or the like is used. Moreover, the production method for a pattern formed body with photolithography by for example carrying out the pattern exposure to a photoresist layer coated on a base material, developing the photoresist after the exposure, and furthermore carrying out the etching or using a substance having the functionality with respect to the photoresist for directly forming a purposed pattern by the exposure of the photoresist or the like is also known.
However, at the time of producing a highly precise pattern formed body to be used, for example, for a color filter, the above-mentioned printing method involves a problem of the low positioning accuracy or the like, and thus it is difficult to use the same. Moreover, according to the above-mentioned photolithography method, a problem is involved in that the waste liquid should be disposed or the like. This is because the photoresist needs to be used, and the developing with the liquid developing solution and the etching need to be executed after the exposure. Moreover, in the case a functional substance is used as the photoresist, a problem of the deterioration by the alkaline solution used at the time of the development or the like is also involved.
Then, a production method for a pattern formed body which forms a pattern with the property of the photocatalyst containing layer changed by an action of the photocatalyst accompanied by the energy irradiation by forming a photocatalyst containing layer containing a photocatalyst and a binder on a base material, and carrying out the exposure from a predetermined direction or the like is proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2000-249821). According to the method, the property of the photocatalyst containing layer can be changed easily by the action of the photocatalyst accompanied by the energy irradiation so that a pattern formed body capable of forming a functional part utilizing the property difference can be provided. Moreover, according to the method, it is also advantageous in that a developing solution or the like needs not be used. Although the function mechanism of such a photocatalyst is not always clear, it is considered that a carrier generated by the energy irradiation changes the chemical structure of an organic substance by the direct reaction with an adjacent compound, or by an active oxygen species generated in the presence of oxygen or water.
However, depending on the kind of the above-mentioned photocatalyst containing layer, the pattern formation requires time or the like due to the low activity of the photocatalyst. Moreover, at the time, in the case the energy is irradiated to the photocatalyst containing layer for a long period of time, due to the energy spreading around or the like, the pattern is thickened so that a problem is involved in that a highly precise pattern formation is difficult or the like.

Photocatalyst composition and photocatalyst containing layer

Abstract: To attain the object, the invention provides a photocatalyst composition containing at least a photocatalyst, characterized by including a portion with the signal intensity of the electron spin resonance spectrum derived from the hydroxy radical increased to 1,000 times or more in 1 second within 600 seconds of the start of the ultraviolet ray irradiation at the time of measuring the electron spin resonance spectrum while irradiating the ultraviolet ray.


The present invention relates to particle and nanoparticle composites useful as oxygen-reduction electrocatalysts. The particle composites are composed of a palladium or palladium-alloy particle or nanoparticle substrate coated with an atomic submonolayer, monolayer, bilayer, or trilayer of zerovalent platinum atoms. The invention also relates to a catalyst and a fuel cell containing the particle or nanoparticle composites of the invention. The invention additionally includes methods for oxygen reduction and production of electrical energy by using the particle and nanoparticle composites of the invention.

The present invention relates to particle composites useful as catalysts, and particularly, oxygen-reducing electrocatalysts in fuel cells. The invention particularly relates to platinum atomic monolayer nanoparticle composites having low platinum loading coupled with high catalytic activity.
A "fuel cell" is a device which converts chemical energy into electrical energy. In a typical fuel cell, a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen is fed to an anode (the negative electrode), while an oxidant such as oxygen is fed to the cathode (the positive electrode). Oxidation of the fuel at the anode causes a release of electrons from the fuel into an external circuit which connects the anode and cathode. In turn, the oxidant is reduced at the cathode using the electrons provided by the oxidized fuel. The electrical circuit is completed by the flow of ions through an electrolyte that allows chemical interaction between the electrodes. The electrolyte is typically in the form of a proton-conducting polymer membrane that separates the anode and cathode compartments and which is also electrically insulating. A well-known example of such a proton-conducting membrane is NAFION®.
A fuel cell, although having components and characteristics similar to those of a typical battery, differs in several respects. A battery is an energy storage device whose available energy is determined by the amount of chemical reactant stored within the battery itself. The battery will cease to produce electrical energy when the stored chemical reactants are consumed. In contrast, the fuel cell is an energy conversion device that theoretically has the capability of producing electrical energy for as long as the fuel and oxidant are supplied to the electrodes.
In a typical proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, hydrogen is supplied to the anode and oxygen is supplied to the cathode. Hydrogen is oxidized to form protons while releasing electrons into the external circuit. Oxygen is reduced at the cathode to form reduced oxygen species. Protons travel across the proton-conducting membrane to the cathode compartment to react with reduced oxygen species forming water. The reactions in a typical hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell are as follows:Anode: 2H2→4H++4e−  (1)Cathode: O2+4H++4e−→2H2O  (2)Net Reaction: 2H2+O2→2H2O  (3)
In many fuel cell systems, a hydrogen fuel is produced by converting a hydrocarbon-based fuel such as methane, or an oxygenated hydrocarbon fuel such as methanol, to hydrogen in a process known as "reforming". The reforming process typically involves the reaction of either methane or methanol with water along with the application of heat to produce hydrogen along with the byproducts of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Other fuel cells, known as "direct" or "non-reformed" fuel cells, oxidize fuel high in hydrogen content directly, without the hydrogen first being separated by a reforming process. For example, it has been known since the 1950's that lower primary alcohols, particularly methanol, can be oxidized directly. Accordingly, a substantial effort has gone into the development of the so-called "direct methanol oxidation" fuel cell because of the advantage of bypassing the reformation step.
In order for the oxidation and reduction reactions in a fuel cell to occur at useful rates and at desired potentials, electrocatalysts are required. Electrocatalysts are catalysts that promote the rates of electrochemical reactions, and thus, allow fuel cells to operate at lower overpotentials. Accordingly, in the absence of an electrocatalyst, a typical electrode reaction would occur, if at all, only at very high overpotentials. Due to the high catalytic nature of platinum, supported platinum and platinum alloy materials are preferred as electrocatalysts in the anodes and cathodes of fuel cells.
However, a significant obstacle in commercializing fuel cells is the limitation of current platinum oxygen-reducing cathodes. One major problem in current platinum oxygen-reducing cathodes is the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction. In addition, a large loss in potential of 0.3-0.4 volts is typically observed during operation of the fuel cell. This loss in potential is the source of a major decline in the fuel cell's efficiency.
Another problem in existing electrocatalyst technology is the high platinum loading in fuel cell cathodes. Since platinum is a high-cost precious metal, high platinum loading translates to high costs of manufacture.
Accordingly, there have been efforts to reduce the amount of platinum in electrocatalysts. For example, platinum nanoparticles have been studied as electrocatalysts (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,007,934; and 4,031,292). In addition, platinum-alloy nanoparticles, such as platinum-palladium alloy nanoparticles, have been studied (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,264; Solla-Gullon, J., et al, "Electrochemical And Electrocatalytic Behaviour Of Platinum-Palladium Nanoparticle Alloys", Electrochem. Commun., 4, 9: 716 (2002); and Holmberg, K., "Surfactant-Templated Nanomaterials Synthesis", J. Colloid Interface Sci., 274: 355 (2004)).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,670,301 B2 to Adzic et al. relates to an atomic monolayer of platinum on ruthenium nanoparticles. The platinum-coated ruthenium nanoparticles are useful as carbon monoxide-tolerant anode electrocatalysts in fuel cells. See also: Brankovic, S. R., et al., "Pt Submonolayers On Ru Nanoparticles—A Novel Low Pt Loading, High CO Tolerance Fuel Cell Electrocatalyst", Electrochem. Solid State Lett., 4, p. A217 (2001); and Brankovic, S. R., et al, "Spontaneous Deposition Of Pt On The Ru(0001) Surface", J. Electroanal. Chem., 503: 99 (2001), which also disclose platinum monolayers on ruthenium nanoparticles.
However, none of the art discussed above disclose platinum-based electrocatalysts with significantly improved oxygen-reducing catalytic activity in combination with a significant reduction in platinum loading. Accordingly, there is a need for new platinum-based electrocatalysts having these advantages. The present invention relates to such platinum-based electrocatalysts.

Platinum- and platinum alloy-coated palladium and palladium alloy particles and uses thereof


A cutting system that includes a rotary blade cartridge that can be interchangeably used with a variety of cutting tools is disclosed. The cartridge houses a rotary blade assembly that is maintained in a secure and safe retracted state and that can be activated when the cartridge is inserted into a cutting tool. Activating a plunger of any of the cutting tools causes a piston of the rotary blade assembly to move the blade to an operative cutting position protruding from an aperture provided in the cartridge housing. Deactivating the plunger causes the blade to be return to its retracted and inoperative position within the housing. Cutting tools of the invention include rail cutters such as a primary workstation and a compact workstation, circle cutters, elliptical cutters, and freeform cutters. Each cutting tool is capable of receiving a rotary blade cartridge. Cartridges are freely interchangeable between the cutting tools.

Handling cutting blades presents a risk for injury. During various cutting operations, blades must customarily be changed out, either because a blade has become dull or because a different style of blade is desired to achieve a different effect. Often, cutting tools require a specific blade size and type for the specific tool, requiring a user to have a variety of extra blades and blade styles for each type of cutting tool.
What is needed is a safe and efficient way to remove, handle and transport cutting blades for a cutting tool when not in use. What is also needed is a blade that is interchangeable with a variety of types of cutting tools.
Various features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following descriptions which taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrate by way of example only, the principles of the invention.

Cutting system having an interchangeable rotary blade cartridge


A thermistor having multiple metal layers about at least a portion of a semiconductor body. The thermistor includes a first thick film electrode layer, a reactive metal layer, a barrier metal layer and, optionally, a layer to facilitate attachment to an electrical contact. Also, a method of making the thermistor is described.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a thermistor for temperature measurement, control and/or temperature compensation and a method of making the same. More particularly, the invention is directed to a thermistor having multiple layers of electrode metal.
2. Background of the Invention
Thermistors (thermally sensitive resistors), are ceramic semiconductors which exhibit large changes in electrical resistance with corresponding changes in temperature. Because of their sensitivity, accuracy, and stability, thermistors are generally accepted to be the most advantageous sensor for many applications including temperature measurement, compensation, and control. Thermistors are used extensively for commercial consumer electronic products, automotive, industrial, and medical electronic applications, food handling and processing, communication and instrumentation, computers, military and aerospace, and research and development. Some practical uses of thermistors include liquid level measurement, photography, thermometers, intravenous catheters, blood analysis, myocardial needle probes, automotive climate control, fuel level/temperature, temperature sensors for household appliances such as air conditioners, coffee makers, and data logger applications such as air, soil, liquid temperature probes. Their use in portable phones, carphones, quartz oscillators and transceivers continues to expand.
The most important characteristics of thermistors are an extremely high temperature coefficient of resistance and precise resistance versus temperature characteristics. The sensitivity to temperature change can result in a thermistor resistance change of 10 million to one over an operating temperature range. Prior art chip thermistors are of small size, square configuration, are available coated or uncoated, in leaded or unleaded embodiments, having operating temperature ranges of xe2x88x9280xc2x0 C. to 300xc2x0 C., and resistance ranges from 0.5 ohms to 40 megohms.
The electrical resistivity of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor increases with increase in temperature. PTC thermistors switch from a low resistance to a high resistance state at a specific temperature. They are widely used as current limiters from xe2x88x9280xc2x0 C. to 300xc2x0 C., 0.5 ohms to 40 megohms. Conversely, the electrical resistivity of a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor decreases with increase in temperature. NTC thermistors are used to sense temperatures from xe2x88x9280xc2x0 C. to 300xc2x0 C. with nominal resistance at 25xc2x0 C. from 0.5 ohms to 40 megohms. Therefore, they have a large temperature coefficient of resistance and a wide range of resistance values. They are also available in a wide range of sizes from 3 mm in diameter to 22 mm in diameter in adaptable shapes and sizes for a wide variety of mechanical environments. Typical applications for NTC thermistors include fan control, temperature sensing, circuit protection and temperature control. NTC thermistors are chosen when remote sensing is required, small size is desired, or where small temperature differences need to be measured.
NTC thermistors used for temperature measurement and compensation are usually made from various compositions including the oxides of manganese, nickel, cobalt, copper, iron, and other metals to form a ceramic semiconductor material. Thermistors may be formed into different shapes of bead, disc, rod, chip or flake configuration. The flake style thermistor is simply a much smaller size version of the chip thermistor. Wafer thermistors are produced by forming thin sheets of material including powders of the oxides of manganese, nickel, and other oxides combined in a binder. The material is sintered at elevated temperatures, coated with a conductive metal composition, and then diced to size. Leads are attached by soldering. The units are finally coated in an epoxy or other electrical insulation material for final protection and stabilization. A typical prior art thermistor element, shown in FIG. 1, represents a chip type thermistor composed of sintered powders of metal oxides (1) on which electrodes (2) and (3) are deposited.
Specifically, when the prior art thermistors with thick film electrodes made with Ag, PdAg or Au are attached to substrates (surface mount configurations, FIG. 1) or to leads (discrete component configurations, FIG. 2) with high temperature solders using processes operating between 200xc2x0 C. and 380xc2x0 C. at dwell times ranging from 5 seconds to 3 minutes, their electrical resistance shifts outside the allowable specified resistance tolerance (typically 2-5%). This results in a defective or deficient final product or sub-assembly into which the thermistor is assembled.
These resistance shifts of the prior art thermistors have now been found to be caused by a phenomenon called leaching, which occurs during the soldering process. Leaching occurs because the metal in the electrode has a higher affinity for the molten solder than its bond with glass frit or fritless binder of the electrode. As the thermistor electrode is being soldered, the metal is released from its bond with the glass frit or fritless binder of the electrode and is absorbed into the molten solder. As a result, the electrical resistance of the thermistor increases from its original value, prior to the soldering process. In other words, the metal element forming the external electrodes will be compromised due to the solder leaching.
The rate of leaching of the thermistor thick film electrode is dependent on the type of electrode material and the temperature and the duration of the soldering process to which the thermistor is exposed. Typically, exposing thermistors of the prior art to molten solder at temperatures above 200xc2x0 C. for extended periods of time (greater than 5 seconds) is not recommended by thick film electrode manufacturers since degradation of the electrode increases more rapidly above this temperature and beyond this time. In addition to the shift in electrical resistance, leaching causes degradation of the solder-electrode and electrode-semiconductor bond. Weakened bonds may result in thermistors having greatly reduced stability and reliability.
Thick film Pt electrodes have been found to be resistant to leaching compared to other electrode materials. However, the high cost of thick film Pt electrodes renders the prior art thermistor not cost effective to manufacture. Also, it is more difficult to bond Au wire to thick film Pt electrodes using the thermo-sonic or equivalent wire ball bonding process.
In addition, prior art thermistors with thick film Ag or PdAg electrodes are not commonly used in hybrid microcircuit applications requiring 0.001xe2x80x3 OD gold wire (or equivalent) to be bonded using the thermo-sonic or equivalent wire ball bonding process because the wire bonds to these electrodes may not be reliable over the long term.
A thermistor element using two layers of thin film electrodes have been described in the prior art (U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,085). Other prior art (U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,717) describes a thermistor with a pair of electrodes in a shorter inner electrode and a longer inner electrode are mutually opposite each other and separated by a gap. However, this prior art does not solve the leaching problem described.
Based on the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a a cost effective thermistor with electrodes having a high degree of solder leach resistance and able to withstand soldering processes operating at temperatures typically between 200xc2x0 C. and 380xc2x0 C. with dwell times typically between 5 seconds and 3 minutes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for the manufacture of a thermistor with leach resistant electrodes that allow for use of higher temperature solders or low fire conductive compositions to attach leads, thereby increasing the maximum operating temperature capability over that achieved in the prior art.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention directed to a thermistor having a semiconductor body with a first electrode layer deposited outward from opposite surfaces of the semiconductor body. The first layer, having a thickness of not less than about 5 micrometers, is formed from an electrode material which may be any suitable conductive metal. The second layer is deposited outward from the first layer and has a thickness of not more than about 5 micrometers. The second layer is formed from an electrode material which may be any xe2x80x9creactive metalxe2x80x9d. The third electrode layer is deposited outward of said second layer and has a thickness of preferably not more than about 5 micrometers. The third electrode layer is formed from electrode material which may be any xe2x80x9cbarrierxe2x80x9d metal. The fourth layer, which is optional depending on the electrical contacts to be bonded thereto, is formed from an electrode material compatible with the electrical contact and/or means for bonding thereto, outward of the third layer and preferably have a thickness of not more than about 5 micrometers. Each of the layers are in electrical contact with the other layers and the semiconductor body.
For the purposes of this disclosure, metals are considered to be any metal, combination of metals or metal alloys. xe2x80x9cReactivexe2x80x9d metals are considered to be metals, including any combination or alloy, that react at some level with an adjacent metal to provide improved bonding. xe2x80x9cBarrierxe2x80x9d metals are considered to be metals, including any combination or alloy, that resists leaching, i.e. migration of the metal into the solder under high temperature conditions, making them suitable for high temperature soldering processes thereby preventing degradation of the layers beneath.
The present invention can be used with any type semiconductors derived from any suitable processes known in the art including but not limited to disc, rod, chip and flake semiconductors. The present invention applies to PTC or NTC semiconductors.
The method for manufacture of the thermistors of this invention include applying the first layer to the semiconductor body by any known means. The subsequent layers are then deposited outward of the first layer so that the reactive layer is outward of the first layer and the barrier layer is outward of the reactive layer. If the electrical contacts can be bonded to the barrier layer no additional layer is contemplated. However, if the contact is not compatible with the barrier metal, an optional fourth layer is applied over the barrier layer. The choice of metals depends on the type of die and/or wire bonding materials to be used for attaching the thermistor.
As a result of the leach resistant properties imparted by the present invention, the thermistor demonstrates much greater stability and reliability both during and after the soldering process used for attaching said thermistor to substrates than that achieved with prior art. For example, a thermistor element of the present invention soldered to an electrical contact under the same conditions and using the same die and/or wire bonding techniques and processes as previously described for the prior art showed resistance shifts of less than 1% as compared to 6% to 20% for a thermistor of the prior art with thick film Au electrodes.


A gaming device for playing a game by a game player. The gaming device allows the game player to place a telephone call. A controller generates a prize. Several images of persons who may receive the telephone call are displayed to the game player. The telephone call is placed to one of the images. The prize is announced by the selected image to the game player. A second telephone call is placed to a telephone number in order to select a multiplier. The controller generates the multiplier. The multiplier is the last digit of the telephone number. The prize is multiplied by the multiplier to obtain a total prize.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a gaming device that allows a player to use a telephone as a part of the game.
2. Description of Related Art
Gaming Devices
Gaming devices are well known in the art and a large variety of gaming devices have been developed. In general, gaming devices allow users or players to play a game. In many casino-type gaming devices, the outcome of the game depends, at least in part, on a randomly generated event. For example, a gaming device may use a random number generator to generate a random or pseudo-random number. The random number may then be compared to a predefined table to determine the outcome of the event. If the random number falls within a certain range of numbers on the table, the player may win a predefined prize. The table may also contain display information that allows the gaming device to generate a display that corresponds to the outcome of the game. The gaming device may present the outcome of the game on a large variety of display devices, such as mechanical spinning reels or video screens.
Bonus Games
Some gaming devices award bonuses in addition to prizes that are awarded in the primary game. A bonus can be defined as an additional prize that is awarded to the player when a predefined event occurs. An example of a bonus game can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,932 issued to Adams. One of the gaming devices described in this document comprises three spinning reels and a spinning wheel bonus display. When predetermined indicia are displayed on the spinning reels of the primary game, the wheel can be activated to indicate a bonus prize. The bonus prize is awarded in addition to any prizes awarded in the primary game.
Generally, bonus prizes are offered in such games in order to increase the excitement and enjoyment experienced by players. This attracts more players to the game and encourages players to play longer. When gaming devices attract more players and the players play longer, they tend to be more commercially successful relative to other gaming devices.
Display Devices
In addition, highly visible display devices are utilized on gaming devices in order to attract players. Once players are attracted to the gaming device, they tend to play longer because the display device enhances the stimulation and excitement experienced by players. It is, therefore, desirable for gaming devices to incorporate highly visible display devices.
Display devices tend to be more successful if they are a derivation of a well-known game or theme. They are more successful because players tend to be drawn to games that they instantly recognize. Many players are reluctant to try completely new games because they must spend time to learn the new game. It is, therefore, desirable to provide display devices that are based on well-known games or themes.
Display devices also tend to be more successful if they utilize physical objects rather than simulations. Although video devices and electronic signs can be used for display devices, players are more attracted to display devices that utilize physical objects. Physical objects can be even more effective display devices if they are moveable and they are used in combination with lights and sounds.
What has long been needed is a gaming device that adds to player satisfaction and enjoyment leading to longer playing times. Another long felt need is for a gaming device that allows the game player to utilize physical objects to interact with the game while at the same time providing for a random outcome of the game.

Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc.


Specific information that can be stored in a mobile terminal device, changes over time, cannot be altered when a lock operation is requested, and can be acquired by an owner, such as a last-dialed telephone number, is managed as owner-specific authentication information, and, when an e-mail requesting a lock operation is extracted, a lock number for authentication for locking the mobile terminal device is calculated by using the owner-specific authentication information as a parameter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for remotely locking a mobile terminal device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some mobile terminals can be locked, i.e., the mobile terminal can be put in a state so that it can not accept key input by an unauthorized person. The locking operation includes setting a password. Various methods are available for setting the password. The password can be set, for example, by key-input or audio input. However, these methods are useful when the mobile terminal is available before the eyes. In other words, a password can not be set if the mobile terminal is misplaced or lost.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2000-181865 discloses a technique by which the password can be set by sending an e-mail to the mobile terminal. The email can be sent via any ordinary network, i.e., does not require special infrastructure.
However, the technique disclosed in JP-A No. 2000-181865 uses a conventional and simple password (security code) for authenticating the lock operation, and the password could often be acquired by a malicious third party. Thus, it is comparatively easy for the malicious third party to lock the mobile telephone, and difficult for the owner to prove own identity as the owner of the mobile telephone merely by transmitting the correct password via e-mail. This method therefore lacks security.
JP-A Nos. 2001-268649 and 2001-337929 disclose examples of techniques for improving password security. JP-A No. 2001-268649 uses a partial password consisting of a given digit from a password of, for example, sixteen digits, and JP-A No. 2001-337929 varies the password by using a dynamic security code that changes dynamically over time, thereby making sure that the password is not always fixed to a particular one. In the techniques disclosed in JP-A Nos. 2001-268649 and 2001-337929, digit information relating to a fluctuating password, time lapse information, and the like are presented by the target device such as a mobile telephone at a time of actually using and directly operating the target device, a user inputs a fluctuating password selected or calculated-according to the presented information, and the input password is authenticated. However, when the owner does not possess the target device due to misplacing it or the like, there is no way of learning the fluctuating password information, and consequently, these techniques cannot be applied in a remote e-mail method such as that disclosed in JP-A No. 2000-181865.
Therefore, the conventional e-mail method, although has the advantages of simplicity, is insufficient in improving the security of a lock method for identifying the owner of the mobile telephone and preventing its misuse by a third party.

Method and apparatus for lock control of mobile terminal device, computer product


A filter for separation of a liquid from a solid has a turbine surrounded by an elongated filter body and forms a short first stage with short-pitch blades, providing a high axial impulse and low radial impulse, followed by a long second stage with long-pitch blades providing primarily radial displacement. Water vapor can be injected to promote juice extraction and is fed axially into the shaft and emerges from outlets therealong.

Normally, the pulp resulting from the preparation processes performed with usual separator filters still comprise soluble solid material (brix), that constitutes a significant part of the product. The separation of this soluble solid material from insoluble solid material is presently carried out by means of specific equipment placed ahead of the filter in the processing line. This extraction of the soluble solids is not completely suitable since it makes the process complex and it is necessary to provide specific equipment and means for circulation of the pulp form the filters to the specific equipment. In addition the processing is more complex.
Besides the technical complexity it also deserves being emphasized that this processing of the juice is more expensive as a whole.

Filter with turbulence generating turbine and separation method


A processor may perform real-time event processing of real-time events in a manner that enables a radio module equipped computer system to operate in accordance with a wireless communication protocol using host processor baseband processing. In accordance with one embodiment, the processor may perform real-time event processing by halting a process in response to receiving a real-time event, handling the event, then returning to the process. In accordance with another embodiment, the processor may perform real-time event processing on a non-symetric processing core integrated with a primary host processor core that shares the same L2 cache.

Mobile computer systems, from small handheld electronic devices to application-specific electronic components, such as set-top boxes, to medium-sized notebook and laptop systems, are becoming increasingly pervasive in our society. Unlike their symmetric multiprocessing counterparts, such as server, workstation, and high-end desktop systems, mobile computer systems typically include a single, primary, host processor coupled to various peripheral devices. Computer system designers continually strive to provide more features to users without significantly increasing the cost of the system. Unfortunately, each additional feature typically corresponds to additional components added to the computer system, resulting in increased size and expense.

Method and apparatus for processing real-time events associated with a wireless communication protocol


The tool for rewinding winch belts has a C-shaped member having a pair of parallel arms, a transverse portion joining the arms, and a shaft extending from the transverse portion away from the arms along a rotational axis thereof. Each arm has a boss protruding therefrom, with both bosses protruding toward each other along a working axis. One of the bosses has an inclined end defining a straight side facing a working direction and an inclined surface facing a releasing direction. In another aspect, a clevis and a pin extending through a diameter of the shaft define an articulation axis of the tool, extending at right angle from the working axis and the rotational axis. The articulation of the pin and the articulation of the bosses in the holes through the socket of a winch jointly define an universal joint along the tool's rotational axis.

A flatbed transport trailer normally has a series of belt-type winches along one side thereof. When the trailer is loaded, the belts from these winches extend over the load and are fastened to a rail on the other side of the trailer. Each winch has a spindle to which a belt is tied and wound. This spindle has a socket on its end. The socket is hollow and has four or more holes there through along its radii. A pry bar is inserted in a pair of holes to tighten the belt. A latch wheel and a pawl on the other end of the spindle prevent the spindle from giving slack to the belt.
When the trailer is unloaded, all these belts have to be rewound on the winches' spindles. While a pry bar is necessary for applying tension to each belt when these belts are deployed, it is not convenient for rewinding the belts.
A number of devices have been developed by others for rewinding winch belts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,844 issued to R. D. Anderson on Aug. 11, 1998, discloses a portable crank assembly that can be mounted inside the socket on a belt winch to turn the spindle of the winch. The crank is mounted on a rubber bushing that is inserted inside the socket. A bolt through the rubber bushing and a wingnut are used to expand the rubber bushing inside the socket to grip the socket and to transmit a torque from the crank to the spindle.
It is also known that different brace-and-bit-like handles have been developed by others for rewinding winch belts. In each case, one end of the handle is inserted axially into the socket on the winch's spindle and has a bent portion that is engaged with one of the radial holes. The handle is rotated to turn the spindle in a rewinding direction. Examples of these manual tools are described in the following documents:    U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,637 issued to Joseph Mocci on Aug. 15, 2000;    U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,470 issued to Roger G. Mosley on Jun. 4, 2002;    U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,339 issued to John Ray Childers on Nov. 30, 2004;    U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,872 issued to Thelton Ray Perkins, Jr. on Feb. 1, 2005.
In another example of a winch belt rewinding tool, U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,143 issued to Marty Guenther on Jul. 12, 2005, discloses a bar-like tool which has an end section that is bent at a right angle from the handle portion, the end section is inserted through the socket across the diameter of the socket to rotate the spindle. In the rewinding position, the handle of the tool extends parallel with the axis of the spindle. In the tightening position, the handle is tilted to extend perpendicular with the axis of the spindle.
Although manual tools of the prior art deserve undeniable merits, cordless drills are commercially available and more and more people appreciate their usefulness in an increasing number of applications. The use of a cordless drill in the rewinding of winch belts on transport trailer has its advantages as it makes the job much easier and faster. These advantages are particularly appreciated when the belts must be rewound in inclement weather conditions.
The prior art contains at least two examples of power-driven winch belt rewinding tools. The following documents disclose tools driven by cordless drills. These tools engage with structural features inside the socket on the winch, and each has a stem that is adapted to mount into the chuck of a cordless drill. These documents are:    U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,233 issued to James T. Wilsey on Oct. 31, 2000;    U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,755 issued to Thomas J. Reilly et al. on Oct. 22, 2002.
It is believed that a power-driven tool engaging with a structural feature inside the socket of a winch can work very well when the winch is new. After several years of use of the winch, however, the socket is generally filled with dust; it can also be slightly deformed from excessive force on the pry bar that is used to tighten the belts; or it can be deteriorated from corrosion due to humidity, ice, snow and road salt. In these conditions, the latter-mentioned tools may be difficult to insert inside the socket of a winch, and therefore these tools may not work as easily as anticipated.
Therefore, it is believed that there is a need in the trucking industry for a winch belt rewinding tool that can be power-driven and easily mountable to the outside surface of the winch's socket where corrosion, dust and dirt are less susceptible of hampering the tool's engagement with the socket.


By forming an appropriate material layer, such as a metal-containing material, on a appropriate substrate and patterning the material layer to obtain a cantilever portion and a tip portion, a specifically designed nano-probe may be provided. In some illustrative aspects, additionally, a three-dimensional template structure may be provided prior to the deposition of the probe material, thereby enabling the definition of sophisticated tip portions on the basis of lithography, wherein, alternatively or additionally, other material removal processes with high spatial resolution, such as FIB techniques, may be used for defining nano-probes, which may be used for electric interaction, highly resolved temperature measurements and the like. Thus, sophisticated measurement techniques may be established for advanced thermal scanning, strain measurement techniques and the like, in which a thermal and/or electrical interaction with the surface under consideration is required. These techniques may be advantageously used for failure localization and local analysis during the fabrication of advanced integrated circuits.

1. Field of the Invention
Generally, the present disclosure relates to metrology in the manufacturing of microstructures, such as integrated circuits, and, more particularly, to the measurement of the surface characteristics of microstructure features by means of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) for determining surface and near-surface characteristics with nanometer resolution.
2. Description of the Related Art
In manufacturing microstructures, such as integrated circuits, micromechanical devices, opto-electronic components and the like, device features, such as circuit elements, are typically formed on an appropriate substrate by patterning the surface portions of one or more material layers previously formed on the substrate. Since the dimensions, i.e., the length, width and height, of individual features are steadily decreasing to enhance performance and improve cost-effectiveness, these dimensions have to be maintained within tightly set tolerances in order to guarantee the required functionality of the complete device. Usually a large number of process steps have to be carried out for completing a microstructure, and thus the dimensions of the features during the various manufacturing stages have to be thoroughly monitored to maintain process control and to avoid further cost-intensive process steps owing to process tools that fail to meet the specifications in an early manufacturing stage. For example, in highly sophisticated CMOS devices, the gate electrode, which may be considered as a polysilicon line formed on a thin gate insulation layer, is an extremely critical feature of a field effect transistor and significantly influences the characteristics thereof. Consequently, the size and shape of the gate electrode has to be precisely controlled to provide the required transistor properties. Thus, great efforts are being made to steadily monitor the dimensions of the gate electrode. However, for highly scaled microstructures, the surface characteristics of the materials used also increasingly become important aspects for enhancing performance and reliability of the devices and/or for reducing yield loss and the like. For example, the detection of grain sizes, micro-cracks, adhesion characteristics and elastic properties may be important for the performance and reliability of the devices, especially when highly scaled microstructure devices are considered. By way of example, in metallization layers of advanced integrated circuits, the adhesion characteristics may significantly affect the mechanical strength during the manufacturing process and may also determine the reliability of the finished device while also the crystallinity of the metal influences the current drive capability and thus the performance of the device. Moreover, the formation of well-understood interfaces between two different materials is an important aspect and may therefore require reliable measurement data of surface characteristics.
Consequently, there was a growing need for techniques which may be able to characterize materials and in particular their engineered surfaces with a spatial resolution that is appropriate for highly scaled microstructures, such as integrated circuits. Frequently used and very powerful tools in this respect are the atomic force microscope (AFM) and the scanning tunnel microscope (STM) which allow the characterization of nano-structured materials by scanning an appropriate tip of a cantilever across a sample surface. During the scan operation, typically the charge cloud of the tip interacts with respective charge clouds of the sample surface, wherein the corresponding interaction, i.e., the minimal displacements of the tip or the tunnel current, are recorded to obtain information on the surface structure with a nanometer resolution. Thus, scanning probe microscopy provides a three-dimensional image of the surface topography, which may provide precious information with respect to the surface structure of the sample. When imaging a sample surface with high spatial resolution, respective surface portions within an area of a few micrometers or smaller may appear almost atomically flat so that the corresponding image obtained by means of the scanning probe microscope may include less contrast and thus may not allow efficient extraction of detailed information on surface characteristics at this high resolution, although on a broader scale a significant sample topography may be present.
Therefore, a plurality of probing techniques have been developed, in which image contrast and thus extraction of details of small areas of interest may be efficiently enhanced by initiating an interaction of the probe with the sample surface, by, for instance, exciting the sample surface with sound waves, wherein ultrasonic sound with frequencies up to several MHz may be used. In this case, the tip of the probe may act as a means for interacting with the surface and also as a detector for recording the response of the surface to the excitation. However, many other mechanisms have been developed to interact with the sample surface based on the principle of using the highly local influence of the tip of a scanning probe on the sample surface. For instance, an electric field may be created or modified in a highly localized manner, which may be advantageously used in strain measurement techniques.
Recently, strain-inducing techniques have been established in an attempt to further enhance performance of silicon-based circuit elements, since strained silicon exhibits a modified charge carrier mobility compared to non-strained silicon. For this reason, various techniques have been proposed for creating a specific type and magnitude of strain in the channel regions of silicon-based field effect transistors to obtain enhanced drive current capability and thus switching speed. The strain in the channel regions and/or other transistor areas may have to be specifically applied for the different transistor types, such as N-channel transistors and P-channel transistors, since the type of strain that enhances performance of one type of transistor may result in performance degradation in another type of transistor. Thus, sophisticated strategies may be required to create the desired type and magnitude of strain in a highly localized manner, thereby also calling for advanced measuring techniques that may allow the determination of strain characteristics in a spatially resolved manner at high precision and reliability. In this respect, Raman spectroscopy has been proven to be a viable candidate, since internal strain may be determined on the basis of the shift of spectral lines. It has been demonstrated that the sensitivity of this metrology technique may be greatly enhanced by locally modifying the electric field at the surface portion under consideration by positioning a probe having a tip that may interact with the surface to achieve the desired modification of the local electric field.
In other cases, the temperature distribution may have to be determined with high spatial resolution, which may require a thermal and electrical probe that, however, should not significantly affect the temperature of the surface portion to be measured, thereby requiring a thorough balancing of thermal conductivity characteristics and low overall mass at appropriate mechanical stability of the nano-probe.
Thus, since the introduction of STM and AFM techniques, a multitude of nano-probes have been developed on the basis of modifications of the initial concept, thereby resulting in a plurality of new analytical techniques. For each of these analytical tools used for the determination of various surface-specific characteristics, a specific nano-probe has to be manufactured in such a way that a tip portion that is connected to an appropriate cantilever provides the possibility for an interaction with the sample surface to be examined on the basis of nanometer dimensions. For this purpose, typically a tip portion with a nano-sized curvature of the apex may be formed by wet or dry etching of an appropriate structural material, such as silicon, by, for instance, taking advantage of the different etch characteristics of different crystallographic orientations for certain etch chemistries. Thus, depending on the basic lithography and etch techniques used, the tip portion of the nano-probe may be manufactured in an appropriate shape as required for the mechanical probing of the surface under consideration. That is, the nano-probes formed on the basis of well-established lithography and etch techniques may be used as nano-mechanical "interfaces" interacting with the surface portion under consideration, thereby meeting the requirements for a wide class of applications, in which the mechanical interaction represents the main aspect of the analytical technique of interest. In other applications, however, additional requirements beyond the pure mechanical interaction have to be taken into consideration. For electrical nano-probing for measurement techniques requiring electrical interaction with the sample surface, the tip portion has to be conductive and also requires appropriate connections with the cantilever portion for signal propagation.
In other aspects involving thermal characteristics of the surface under consideration, as previously mentioned, even more challenging requirements of such a nano-probe have to be taken into consideration. For example, a corresponding probe requires, in addition to the nano-size tip portion to be in contact with the sample, a transducer portion enabling the measurement of the temperature has to be provided at the apex of the tip portion, while, at the same time, the thermal mass has to be as small as possible to reduce the overall response time and also maintain a thermal influence on the surface portion to be measured at a low level. Moreover, thermal conditions occurring in the vicinity of the tip portion should not significantly affect the measurement results obtained by the interaction of the tip portion with the sample surface. For example, heating of the cantilever portion by the laser used to detect the minute deflections of the cantilever portion caused by the interaction of the tip portion with the sample surface should not significantly modify the actual thermal measurement results.
Thus, a plurality of promising analytical techniques are available on the basis of scanning probe microscopy techniques, which may be used for estimating materials and manufacturing techniques applied for the manufacturing of microstructural devices, such as advanced integrated circuits, wherein, however, the fabrication of appropriate nano-probes on the basis of conventional strategies may reduce the overall efficiency of these promising analytical tools.
The present disclosure is directed to various methods and devices that may avoid, or at least reduce, the effects of one or more of the problems identified above.

Nanoprobe tip for advanced scanning probe microscopy comprising a layered probe material patterned by lithography and/or FIB techniques


An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention includes: a display configured to display at least one content; and a processor configured to set a selection area on the basis of an input to at least one content displayed on the display, determine whether to automatically scroll or not on the basis of the attribute of the selection area, and when performing the automatic scroll, change the size of the selection area on the basis of the automatic scroll, and other embodiments may be applied.

With the advancement of information communication technology and semiconductor technology, an electronic device is gradually evolving into a multimedia device having complex functions. For example, through applications, an electronic device can provide a user with functions, including a web search, schedule management, taking a photograph, and the like. According to the provision of such various functions, the number of contents output from an electronic device is gradually increasing. However, since an electronic device includes a display having a limited size, the electronic device may display, on the display, at least some of contents to be provided to a user, and may additionally display, on the display, the remaining contents through a scroll function.

Method for selecting content and electronic device therefor


Packages are received from multiple sources at one central facility. The approved and verified packages are then transported to different airlines for expedited transport. The method features receiving self-reported identification and objective security information about the source and/or the package, and maintaining a database of this information. The security information is evaluated for each of the packages, and they are selectively approved based on this evaluation.

Airlines have been accepting small packages for their next available flight. They typically accept packages weighing from one ounce or so to 70 pounds from independent shippers at counters for receiving small packages, and ship them in the next regularly scheduled passenger flight. At the airport, airlines generally verify the identity of a sender, prepare an airway bill, and they may make a record of package contents as reported by the sender. The package is then usually put into a unit load device (ULD) and put on a plane. These procedures are not optimal, especially in light of today's airport security and congestion problems.

Apparatus and method for improved airborne transportation of small packages


Techniques for transmitting data to an entity may be provided. In particular, a location of a data file (e.g., image, text, multimedia file, document, blog entry, identifying user information) can be provided to a location of a transitive file storage device for the entity to retrieve, instead of providing the data file directly to the entity. The entity can then provide the data file to users (e.g., via a hosted network page) and/or provide the data file to a service provider along with code to enable the service provider to provide the data file to users.

Providers of network pages frequently have their network pages provided in a networked environment by network page hosts that offer web hosting services. In some instances, the providers may generate network page instructions for implementing the network pages they provide. The providers may send the network page instructions to the host, so that the host can display the network page appropriately, without generating their own network page instructions for the provider. However, the host may not know whether the instructions are malicious, creating potential vulnerability for the host.

Data transmission to an untrusted entity


A device for resurfacing the valve face of a poppet valve in which the pressure between a cutting surface and the valve face is controllable by the operator during the surfacing operation. A bearing case is rotatably attached to a base which is attached to a pair of gripping blocks. A cutting head is rotatably mounted on the bearing case. The cutting head, the bearing case, the base and the gripping blocks define a passage into which a valve stem is inserted. The gripping blocks are clamped in a vise which in turn clamps the valve stem in the device. When the bearing case is rotated, pressure between the cutting surface and the valve face is increased. When the cutting head is rotated, the valve face is resurfaced.

The resurfacing of the seating surface on poppet valves for internal combustion engines has typically required utilization of cumbersome and expensive machinery which effects a grinding of the seating surface. Such machinery is not only expensive to purchase and maintain, but is also complex to operate. Small repair shops generally cannot afford such machinery, and hence will often replace the valve due to an inability to efficiently refinish the seating surface of the old valve.
To provide a simple and inexpensive tool for refacing of poppet valves, U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,762, owned by the assignee hereof, discloses a valve refacing device employing a cylindrical sleevelike housing having a conical recess formed in one or both ends thereof. One or more carbide cutting blades are mounted on the housing so as to project outwardly from a conical surface defining the conical recess. With this device, the poppet valve is positioned so that the stem projects coaxially through a clearance opening provided in the housing, whereupon the valve seating surface is positioned within the recess for engagement with the cutting blades. Relative rotation between the device and the poppet valve effects cutting, and hence refacing, of the seating surface. This device can be readily manufactured to accommodate different valve seat angles.
While the device of U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,762 performs a desirable valve refacing operation, nevertheless this device does possess inconveniences. For example, the free end of the valve stem is typically gripped by a vise to stationarily support the valve, following which the device is manually gripped and axially pulled toward the valve head to control the contact pressure between the cutting blades and the valve face, whereupon manual rotation of the device then effects desired refacing of the valve face. Gripping the valve stem by the rough vise surfaces may, however, damage the valve stem. Also, the contact pressure between the cutting blade and the valve face is controlled by the operator pulling on the device at the same time he is rotating it, and it is difficult to apply an even pressure while at the same time turning the device at a uniform rotational speed. Further, when a small-diameter valve is refaced, the unsupported length of the valve stem can lead to valve tipping in the conical recess if the operator relaxes the contact pressure, which can then result in uneven cutting.
There is thus a need for a manual valve resurfacing device that can readily hold a valve without damage and that can apply an even pressure between the cutting blade and valve face while the cutting blade is being rotated. The present invention relates to an improved valve refacing device which is believed capable of performing in this manner, and hence overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior devices.