Disclosed is a graphene composite thin film composition composed of nano graphene platelets (NGPs) bonded by a graphene oxide binder, wherein the NGPs contain single-layer graphene or multi-layer graphene sheets having a thickness from 0.335 nm to 100 nm. The NGPs occupy a weight fraction of 1% to 99.9% of the total composite weight. The graphene oxide binder, having an oxygen content of 1-40% (preferably <10%) by weight based on the total graphene oxide weight, is obtained from a graphene oxide gel. The composite forms a thin film with a thickness no greater than 1 mm, but preferably no greater than 100 μm and no less than 10 μm. This composition has a combination of exceptional thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and mechanical strength unmatched by any thin-film material of comparable thickness range.

Carbon is known to have five unique crystalline structures, including diamond, fullerene (0-D nano graphitic material), carbon nano-tube (1-D nano graphitic material), graphene (2-D nano graphitic material), and graphite (3-D graphitic material).
The carbon nano-tube (CNT) refers to a tubular structure grown with a single wall or multi-wall, which can be conceptually obtained by rolling up a graphene sheet or several graphene sheets to form a concentric hollow structure. Carbon nano-tubes have a diameter on the order of a few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers. Its longitudinal, hollow structure imparts unique mechanical, electrical and chemical properties to the material.
A graphene sheet is composed of carbon atoms occupying a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice. An isolated, individual graphene sheet is commonly referred to as single-layer graphene. A stack of multiple graphene planes bonded through van der Waals forces in the thickness direction is commonly referred to as a multi-layer graphene, typically having 2-300 layers or graphene planes, but more typically 2-100 graphene planes. Single-layer graphene and multi-layer graphene sheets are collectively called "nano-scaled graphene platelets (NGPs)." Our research group pioneered the development of graphene materials and related production processes: (1) B. Z. Jang and W. C. Huang, "Nano-scaled Graphene Plates," U.S. Pat. No. 7,071,258 (Jul. 4, 2006), application submitted in October 2012]; (2) B. Z. Jang, et al. "Process for Producing Nano-scaled Graphene Plates," U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/858,814 (Jun. 3, 2004); and (3) Bor Z. Jang, Aruna Zhamu, and Jiusheng Guo, "Process for Producing Nano-scaled Platelets and Nanocomposites," U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/509,424 (Aug. 25, 2006).
NGPs are typically obtained by intercalating natural graphite flakes with a strong acid and/or oxidizing agent to obtain a graphite intercalation compound (GIC), as illustrated in FIG. 1. This is most often accomplished by immersing natural graphite flakes in a mixture of sulfuric acid, nitric acid (an oxidizing agent), and another oxidizing agent (e.g. potassium permanganate or sodium chlorate). The resulting WC is actually some type of graphite oxide particles. This GIC is then repeatedly washed and rinsed in water to remove excess acids, resulting in a graphite oxide suspension or dispersion which contains discrete and visually discernible graphite oxide particles dispersed in water. There are two processing routes to follow after this rinsing step:
Route 1 involves removing water from the suspension to obtain "expandable graphite," which is essentially dried GIC or dried graphite oxide particles. Upon exposure of expandable graphite to a temperature in the range of 800-1050° C. for approximately 30 seconds to 2 minutes, the GIC expands by a factor of 30-300 to form a "graphite worm," which is a collection of exfoliated, but largely unseparated or interconnected graphite flakes. In Route 1A, these graphite worms (exfoliated graphite or "networks of interconnected/non-separated graphite flakes") can be re-compressed to obtain flexible graphite sheets that typically have a thickness in the range of 0.125 mm (125 μm)-0.5 mm (500 μm). These flexible graphite (FG) sheets are used as a seal material and a heat spreader material, but exhibiting a maximum in-plane thermal conductivity of up to 600 W/mK (typically <300 W/mK) and in-plane electrical conductivity no greater than 1,500 S/cm. In Route 1B, the exfoliated graphite is subjected to mechanical shearing (e.g. using an ultrasonicator, high-shear mixer, air jet mill, or ball mill) to form separated single-layer and multi-layer graphene sheets (collectively, NGPs), as disclosed in our U.S. application Ser. No. 10/858,814.
Route 2 entails ultrasonicating the graphite oxide suspension for the purpose of separating individual graphene oxide sheets from graphite oxide particles. This is based on the notion that the inter-graphene plane separation has been increased from 0.335 nm in natural graphite to 0.6-1.1 nm in highly oxidized graphite oxide, significantly weakening the van der Waals forces that hold neighboring planes together. Ultrasonic power can be sufficient to further separate graphene plane sheets to form separate, isolated, or discrete graphene oxide (GO) sheets. These graphene oxide sheets can then be chemically or thermally reduced to obtain "reduced graphene oxides" (RGO) typically having an oxygen content of 2-10% by weight, more typically 25% by weight.
For the purpose of defining the claims of the instant application, NGPs include single-layer and multi-layer graphene or reduced graphene oxide with an oxygen content of 0-10% by weight, more typically 0-5% by weight, and preferably 0-2% by weight. Pristine graphene has essentially 0% oxygen.
It may be noted that flexible graphite sheets (obtained by re-compression of exfoliated graphite or graphite worms) exhibit a relatively low thermal conductivity (<600 W/mK as recited above). Flexible graphite sheets are also of low strength and poor structural integrity. The high tendency for flexible graphite sheets to get torn apart makes them difficult to handle in the process of integrating them in a microelectronic device.
Similarly, the NGPs, when packed into a film or paper sheet of non-woven aggregates, exhibit a thermal conductivity higher than 1,000 W/mK only when the film or paper is cast and pressed into a sheet having a thickness lower than 10 μm, and higher than 1,500 W/mK only when the film or paper is cast and pressed into a sheet having a thickness lower than 1 μm. This is reported in our earlier U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/784,606 (Apr. 9, 2007). However, ultra-thin film or paper sheets (<10 μm) are difficult to produce in mass quantities, and difficult to handle when one tries to incorporate these thin films as a heat spreader material during the manufacturing of microelectronic devices. Further, thickness dependence of thermal conductivity (not being able to achieve a high thermal conductivity at a wide range of film thicknesses) is not a desirable feature.
Our earlier application (Ser. No. 11/784,606) further disclosed a mat, film, or paper of NGPs infiltrated with metal, glass, ceramic, resin, and CVD graphite matrix material. Later on, Haddon, et al (US Pub. No. 2010/0140792, Jun. 10, 2010) also reported NGP thin film and NGP-polymer composites for thermal management applications. The processes used by Haddon et al to produce NGPs are identical to those disclosed much earlier by us (Jang, et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/858,814 (Jun. 3, 2004)). Balandin, et al (US Pub. No. 2010/0085713, Apr. 8, 2010) also disclosed a graphene layer produced by CVD deposition or diamond conversion for heat spreader application. More recently, Kim, et al (N. P. Kim and J. P. Huang, "Graphene Nanoplatelet Metal Matrix," US Pub. No. 2011/0108978, May 10, 2011) reported metal matrix infiltrated NGPs. However, metal matrix material is too heavy and the resulting metal matrix composite does not exhibit a high thermal conductivity.
Another prior art material for thermal management application is the pyrolitic graphite film. The lower portion of FIG. 1 illustrates a process for producing prior art graphitic films or sheets. The process begins with carbonizing a polymer 46 at a carbonization temperature of 500-1,000° C. for 2-10 hours to obtain a carbonized material 48, which is followed by a graphitization treatment at 2,500-3,200° C. for 5-24 hours to form a graphitic film 50. This is a slow, tedious, and energy-intensive process. Carbonization of certain polymers (e.g. polyacrylonitrile) involves the emission of toxic species.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly conductive GO gel-bonded NGP composite thin-film structure (and related production processes) that exhibits a thermal conductivity greater than 600 W/mK, typically greater than 800 W/mK, more typically greater than 1,500 W/mK (even when the film thickness is greater than 10 μm), and most preferably and often greater than 1,700 W/mK.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an NGP-GO composite thin-film sheet that exhibits a relatively thickness-independent thermal conductivity.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a GO-bonded pristine graphene composite thin film that exhibits exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity properties.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an NGP-GO composite thin-film sheet that is lightweight and exhibits a relatively high strength or structural integrity.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a highly conductive NGP-GO composite thin-film sheet (and related processes) wherein the in-plane thermal conductivity is greater than 600 W/mK (preferably and typically greater than 1,000 W/mK) and in plane electrical conductivity is greater than 2,000 S/cm (preferably and typically >3,000 S/cm), and/or a tensile strength greater than 10 MPa (preferably and typically >40 MPa).
It is another object of the present invention to provide a highly thermally conductive NGP-GO composite thin-film sheet that can be used for thermal management applications; e.g. for use as a heat spreader in a microelectronic device (such as mobile phone, notebook computer, and tablet), flexible display, light-emitting diode (LED), power tool, computer CPU, and power electronics. We are filing separate patent applications to claim the various products or applications of the presently invented NGP-GO composite thin-films.

Graphene oxide gel bonded graphene composite films and processes for producing same


An optical arrangement for stereoscopic viewing of objects which is outfitted with an imaging system and with at least one lens group with a fixed focal length which is arranged between the imaging system and a viewed object for changing the imaging scale. This is achieved in that an adjusting device is provided for changing the position of the lens group in the direction of the optical axis and, accordingly, for changing the distance c between the lens group and a reference edge of the imaging system. This makes it possible to adjust different magnification β′ by actuating the adjusting device or changing the distance c and, therefore, to generate virtual intermediate images of objects located at various distances within a working range in the imaging plane of the stationary system. Accordingly, very advantageous applications are possible in restoration work, in dental engineering, and so on, in which the enhanced use value achieved by the invention is desired.

a) Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to an optical arrangement for stereoscopic viewing of objects which is outfitted with an imaging system and with at least one lens group with a fixed focal length which is arranged between the imaging system and a viewed object for changing the imaging scale.
b) Description of Relevant Principles and Art
Optical arrangements used for imaging objects have the possibility of focusing on these objects and adjusting the imaging focus. The apparatus provided for this purpose can be categorized according to three basic principles:
According to a first principle, the object and the imaging system are moved relative to one another for focusing; that is, either the imaging system is displaced in the direction of the object or, conversely, the object is displaced in the direction of the imaging system as, for example, in microscopes in which the objective is displaced based on the principle of objective focusing or the object support, or slide, with the object is moved based on the principle of table focusing.
In contrast, in a second principle, the focus adjustment is carried out with a constant distance between the object and imaging system in that an optical component of the imaging system is displaced axially relative to other components of the imaging system and the imaging system is accordingly focused on the object. Binoculars, photographic objectives and video cameras operate on this principle.
In optical arrangements based on a third principle, the transmission length is changed by an optical auxiliary system which is arranged between the object to be imaged and the imaging plane of the imaging system. In this way, the object position can be adapted to without intervention in the internal construction of the imaging system and without changing the position of the imaging system relative to the object. The invention described in the following must also be classed in this category.
Optical arrangements for stereoscopic imaging of objects in which, based on the third principle mentioned above, a supplementary optical system in the form of a lens group serving to change the imaging scale is positioned between a fixed imaging system and the object are known in the art.
Depending upon the particular application, such supplementary systems have a positive or a negative focal length. Greenough type microscopes in particular are outfitted with supplementary systems such as these. For example, the "DV 4" and "Stemi 2000" stereomicroscopes by Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH are known in which a fixed magnification factor is achieved with the supplementary system.
The use of supplementary systems is also known for telescope type stereomicroscopes, for example, the "TECHNIVAL" and "CITOVAL" stereomicroscopes described in Beyer/Riesenberg, "Handbook of Microscopy", Verlag Technik Berlin, third edition, 1998, 348ff. In this case, also, the transmission length is defined by the choice of magnification range and a change is possible only by changing the supplementary system or exchanging the base objective.
This is disadvantageous for applications in which a variable distance to the object to be viewed must be spanned by a stationary optical arrangement, which is required, for example, in restoration work. In this case, an upright, non-reversed image is needed, which can only be achieved with an imaging scale greater than "zero".
As is well known, either a real intermediate image or a virtual intermediate image is generated in the object plane of the stereomicroscope for this purpose. The invention described in the following is directed to the generation of virtual intermediate images.

Optical arrangement for producing stereoscopic images


The invention features methods and compositions for screening for agents that modulate replication of a virus, particularly Flaviviridae virus (particularly hepatitis C virus (HCV)), where the methods provide for detection of agents that modulate the binding of TBC and NS5A, the inhibition of TBC activity, inhibition of Rab1 activity, and/or the expression of the TBC protein and/or Rab1 protein. The invention also features methods of controlling viral replication, and agents useful in such methods.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), an example of a Flaviviridae virus, is the principal etiological agent of post-transfusion and community-acquired non-A non-B hepatitis worldwide. It is estimated that over 150 million people worldwide are infected by the virus. A high percentage of carriers become chronically infected with this pathogen and many patients progress to a state of chronic liver disease, so-called chronic hepatitis C. This group is in turn at high risk for serious liver disease such as liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and terminal liver disease leading to death.
HCV is an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus. The single strand HCV RNA genome is approximately 9500 nucleotides in length and has a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a single large polyprotein of about 3000 amino acids. In infected cells, this polyprotein is cleaved at multiple sites by cellular and viral proteases to produce structural and non-structural (NS) proteins, which are components of the mature virus and components involved in replication of the viral genome, respectively (Pawlotsky, 2004). In the case of HCV, the generation of mature nonstructural proteins (NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B) is effected by two viral proteases. The first one is a metalloprotease located in NS2 that cleaves the NS2-NS3 junction in cis; the second one is a serine protease contained within the N-terminal region of NS3 (henceforth referred to as NS3 protease) and mediates all the subsequent cleavages downstream of NS3, both in cis, at the NS3-NS4A cleavage site, and in trans, at the remaining NS4A-NS4B, NS4B-NS5A, NS5A-NS5B sites. The NS4A protein appears to serve multiple functions, acting as a cofactor for the NS3 protease and possibly assisting in the membrane localization of NS3 and other viral replicase components. The non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) is part of the intracellular membrane-associated viral replication complex (Lindenbach et al., 2005). Mutations in NS5A affect the rate of HCV replication (Blight et al., 2000). NS5A has generated considerable interest because of a postulated role in determining the response to interferon (Pawlotsky, 1999).
Similar to other positive-strand RNA viruses, HCV replication occurs in intimate association with specific intracellular membrane structures, which for HCV has been termed the membranous web (Egger et al., 2002). What host machinery is exploited to establish these sites of viral replication is unknown.
Rab-GTPases are small GTP-binding proteins that regulate vesicular membrane trafficking pathways, behaving as membrane-associated molecular switches (Pfeffer et al., 2004). Rab proteins have been previously implicated in the life cycles of various enveloped viruses being utilized by these viruses for endocytosis, trafficking, and sorting of their proteins (see, e.g., Voderheit et al. 2005). Rab1 has previously been shown to be recruited to a replication complex of an intracellular pathogen (Machner et al. (2006) Developmental cell 11(1), 47; Murata et al. (2006) Nature cell biology 8(9), 971). There, a bacterial protein mimics a GTPase exchange factor that activates Rab1 and recruits it to an organelle that supports bacterial replication, thereby subverting membrane transport from the endoplasmic reticulum. We believe that a similar mechanism might apply for the NS5A-TBC1D20 interaction. Since in this case, the interaction is with a GAP which inactivates Rab 1, the mechanism might involve local inactivation of the Rab1, thereby preventing vesicle transport to the Golgi and promoting their redirection to viral replication sites.
The mechanism by which HCV establishes viral persistence and causes a high rate of chronic liver disease has not been elucidated. Antiviral interventions to date have focused upon, for example, ribavirin and interferon-alpha (IFN-α)-based monotherapy and combination therapy. However, many patients are either not responsive to these therapies, or suffer from relapse after an initial response.
Further methods for identifying anti-HCV agents are of interest in the field.
Literature of interest, including full citations for references above: Hugle et al, 2001, Virol. 284:70-81; Gorbalenya et al., 1989, Nucleic Acids Res. 17:8413-40; Bartenschlager et al., 2000, Virol. 81 Pt 7:1631-48; Reed et al., 2000, Current Topics in Microbiol. and Immunol. 242:55-84; Mirzayan et al, 1992, Virol. 189:547-55; Rodriguez et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268:8105-10; Piccininni, 2002, J. Biol. Chem. 277:45670-9; Pawlotsky, 2004, Trends in Microbiol. 12:96-102; Lindenbach et al., 2005, Nature 436:933; Blight et al., 2000, Science 290:1972-4; Pawlotsky, 1999, J. Viral Hepat. 6 Supp 1:47-8; Egger et al., 2002, J. Virol. 76:5974-84; Pfeffer et al., 2004, Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 5:886-96; Vonderheit et al., 2005, PLoS Biol. 3:e233; Elazar et al., 2003, J. Virol. 77:6055-61; Haas et al. (7 Aug. 2007) J. Cell Sci. 120, 2997-3010 (doi:10.1242/jcs.014225); Stone et al. (2007) J. Virol., JVI.01366-01306; Machner et al. (2006) Developmental cell 11(1), 47; Murata et al. (2006) Nature cell biology 8(9), 971; US 2003/0087873; US2002/0147160, and WO 99/01582.

Methods and compositions for identifying anti-HCV agents

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


The present invention relates to a substrate inspection apparatus for inspecting a pattern formed on a substrate by irradiating a charged particle beam onto the substrate. The substrate inspection apparatus comprises: an electron beam apparatus including a charged particle beam source for emitting a charged particle beam, a primary optical system for irradiating the charged particle beam onto the substrate, a secondary optical system into which a secondary charged particle beam is introduced, the secondary charged particle beam being emitted from the substrate by an irradiation of the charged particle beam, a detection system for detecting the secondary charged particle beam introduced into said secondary optical system and outputting as an electric signal, and a process control system for processing and evaluating the electric signal; a stage unit for holding the substrate and moving the substrate relatively to said electron beam apparatus; a working chamber capable of shielding at least an upper region of the stage unit form outside to control under desired atmosphere; and a substrate load-unload mechanism for transferring the substrate into or out of the stage.

In the field of semiconductor processes, the design rule is going into an age of 100 nm and the production form is on a transition from a mass production with a few models representative of a DRAM into a small-lot production with a variety of models such as a SOC (Silicon on chip). This results in an increase of a number of processes, and an improvement in an yield for each process must be essential, which makes more important an inspection for a defect possibly occurring in each process. The present invention relates to a substrate inspection method for inspecting a substrate such as a wafer after respective processes in the semiconductor process by using an electron beam, a substrate inspection apparatus to be used therefor and an electron beam apparatus for the inspection apparatus, and a device manufacturing method using the same method and apparatuses.
In conjunction with a high integration of semiconductor device and a micro-fabrication of pattern thereof, an inspection apparatus with higher resolution and throughput has been desired. In order to inspect a wafer substrate of 100 nm design rule for any defects, a resolution in size equal to or finer than 100 nm is required, and the increased number of processes resulting from a high integration of the device has called for an increase in the amount of inspection, which consequently requires higher throughput. In addition, as a multilayer fabrication of the device has been progressed, the apparatus has been further required to have a function for detecting a contact failure in a via for interconnecting a wiring between layers (i.e., an electrical defect). In the current trend, an inspection apparatus of optical method has been typically used, but it is expected that an inspection apparatus using an electron beam may soon be of mainstream, substituting for the inspection apparatus of optical method in the viewpoint of resolution and of inspection for contact malfunction. The inspection apparatus of electron beam method, however, has a weak point in that the inspection apparatus of electron beam method is inferior to the inspection apparatus of optical method in the throughput.
Accordingly, an apparatus having higher resolution and throughput and being capable of detecting the electrical defects has been desired to be developed. It has been known that the resolution in the inspection apparatus of optical method is limited to ½ of the wavelength of the light to be used, and it is about 0.2 μm for an exemplary case of a visible light having put to practical use.
On the other hand, in the method using an electron beam, typically a scanning electron beam method (SEM method) has been put to practice, wherein the resolution thereof is 0.1 μm and the inspection time is 8 hours per wafer (20 cm wafer). The electron beam method has a distinctive feature that it is able to inspect for any electrical defects (breaking of wire in the wirings, bad continuity, bad continuity of via). However, the inspection speed thereof is very low, and so the development of an inspection apparatus with higher inspection speed has been expected.
Generally, since an inspection apparatus is expensive and a throughput thereof is rather lower as compared to other processing apparatuses, therefore the inspection apparatus has been used after an important process, for example, after the process of etching, film deposition, CMP (Chemical-mechanical polishing) planarization or the like.
The inspection apparatus of scanning electron microscope (SEM) using an electron beam will now be described. In the inspection apparatus of SEM method, the electron beam is focused to be narrower (the diameter of this beam corresponds to the resolution thereof) and this narrowed beam is used to scan a sample so as to irradiate it linearly. On the other hand, moving a stage in the direction normal to the scanning direction allows an observation region to be irradiated by the electron beam as a plane area. The scanning width of the electron beam is typically some 100 μm. Secondary electrons emitted from the sample by the irradiation of said focused and narrowed electron beam (referred to as a primary electron beam) are detected by a detector (a scintillator plus PMT (i.e., photo multiplier tube) or a detector of semiconductor type (i.e., a PIN diode type) or the like). A coordinate for an irradiated location and an amount of the secondary electrons (signal intensity) are combined and formed into an image, which is stored in a storage or displayed on a CRT (a cathode ray tube). The above description shows the principle of the SEM (scanning electron microscope), and defects in a semiconductor wafer (typically made of Si) in the course of processes may be detected from the image obtained in this method. The inspection speed (corresponding to the throughput) is varied in dependence on an amount of primary electron beam (the current value), a beam diameter, and a speed of response of the detecting system. The beam diameter of 0.1 μm (which may be considered to be equivalent to the resolution), the current value of 100 nA, and the speed of response of the detector of 100 MHz are the currently highest values, and in the case using those values the inspection speed has been evaluated to be about 8 hours for one wafer having the diameter of 20 cm. This inspection rate, which is extremely lower as compared with the case using light (not greater than 1/20), has been a big problem (drawback).
On the other hand, as a method for improving the inspection speed or a drawback of the SEM method, new SEM (multi beam SEM) method using a plurality of electron beams and an apparatus therefor have been disclosed. In this method, though the inspection rate can be improved by a number of the plurality of electron beams, there are other problems that since a plurality of primary electron beam is irradiated from an oblique direction and a plurality of secondary electron beam is taken out along an oblique direction from a sample, the detector receives the secondary electrons emitted from the sample only along the oblique direction, that a shadow emerges on an image, and further that secondary electron signals are mixed together because it is difficult to separate respective secondary electrons coming from the plurality of electron beams respectively.
Conventionally, there has been known an evaluation apparatus in which a primary electron beam emitted from an electron gun is focused to be narrower by a lens system to be irradiated onto a surface of the sample, and then secondary electrons emitted from the sample are detected to evaluate the sample surface such as a line width measurement, inspection for the defects thereon or the like. In this kind of evaluation apparatus, the S/N ratio is required to be higher than a predetermined value (for example, 22 to 70). In the case where thermal field emission electron gun is used, it is required to detect the secondary electrons in a range of 1,000 to 10,000 for each pixel.
For example, assuming a detection efficiency being 10%, 104 to 105 pieces of primary electrons have to be irradiated for each pixel. When converting this value into dose, dose D (Q/cm2) may be represented, assuming the pixel size being 0.1 μm square, as:D=104×1.6×10−19Q/(0.1×10−4)2˜105×1.6×10−19Q/(0.1×10−4)2=16 μc/c m2˜160 μc/c m2
Such dose value as in the range of 16 μc/c m2 to 160 μc/c m2 is a significantly large value for the wafer containing a layer of almost completely finished transistor, and such a dose value may have a negative effect thereon that, for example, a threshold voltage Vth of the transistor may increase.
That is, the conventional evaluation apparatus of semiconductor wafer has to employ large S/N ratio and thus large dose, which means when the dose is increased to irradiate large amount of primary electron beam, the threshold voltage of the transistor on the wafer is increased, eventually resulting in a characteristic of the semiconductor device being damaged during the evaluation of a wafer.
Further, in the prior art, there has been another problem that there may occur a location offset between an image of secondary electron beam obtained by irradiating the primary electron beam onto the sample surface and a reference image prepared beforehand, resulting in a deterioration of accuracy in detecting the defect. This location offset may cause a considerably serious problem when an irradiation area of the primary electron beam has an offset with respect to the wafer, and thereby a part of an inspection pattern drops out of the detecting image of the secondary electron beam, which cannot be dealt with only by a technology for optimizing a matching area within the detecting image. This must be a fatal drawback especially in the inspection for a fine micro pattern.

Method for inspecting substrate, substrate inspecting system and electron beam apparatus


An apparatus, method and computer program product provide a simplified method for unlocking an electronic device that uses soft keys, such as capacitive touch keys, or proximity detection areas and patterns. The keys may be implemented in the form of areas of a sensor, and a processing circuit observes a touch pattern (or proximity pattern, or characteristic pattern such as a capacitance pattern of a user's finger) and compares the same with the registered pattern to determine if there is a likeness. In doing so, the electronic device is operated at a low power state, and in that low power state observes whether a predetermined pattern is observed and when it is, unlocks the electronic device for interaction with a user at a fully operational state. By operating in the low power state while waiting to observe a predetermined pattern before unlocking the user interface, the device does not waste power on false positive detections, and allows for convenient wakeup and accessibility by a user.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to apparatuses, methods and computer program product that use a single action to change an electronic device to an unlocked operational mode from a lower power locked mode.
2. Description of the Related Art
The "background" description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently-named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the disclosure that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.
More mobile terminals (such as cell phones, including smart phones) are being equipped with touch sensitive screens that replace hardware dome keys, for example. Normally, two or more operations are needed to wake-up and unlock these mobile terminals. FIG. 1 shows a conventional mobile terminal 10 having a touch screen 13 and an analog "home" key 11 disposed on the front of the mobile terminal 10. The home key 11 is often concave so it is not inadvertently pressed and places the mobile terminal 10 in an active state that wastefully draws more power. Some mobile terminals include a mechanical power switch 12, often mounted on the side of the mobile terminal 10.
There are separate ways to wake up and unlock the mobile terminal 10. One way to wake up the mobile terminal 10 is for the user to press the home key 11, and then the user unlocks the device by sliding his finger across an illuminated portion of the touch screen 13. This combination of user interactions wakes up, and subsequently, unlocks the mobile terminal 10. Another technique is for the user to slide the power switch 12 to the ON position, followed by an interaction with the touch screen 13, or perhaps touching of a key, such as the home key 11.
One purpose of having a separate wake up operation from an unlock operation is to avoid inadvertent waking up and unlocking of the mobile terminal 10. Moreover, it is unlikely that a user would accidently actuate the home key and then also swipe the main touch screen 13 in two consecutive actions.
Another feature of some devices is the replacement of analog "dome" keys with capacitive touch keys that are an extension of the touch screen. However, as recognized by the present inventors, without a two step action, the capacitive touch sensor keys too easily, and inadvertently, actuate the mobile device, which would unnecessarily waste battery reserve. Also, keeping the touch sensor active, constantly waiting for a touch event, also draws unnecessary power.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Sensor managed apparatus, method and computer program product


A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors that run different real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system runs on the multiple processors and includes a device manager, configuration manager, and data manager. The device manager automatically detects and adds new devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager automatically reconfigures which processors run the real-time applications. The data manager identifies the type of data generated by the new devices and identifies which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data.

Cars include many different electromechanical and electronic applications. Examples include braking systems, electronic security systems, radios, Compact Disc (CD) players, internal and external lighting systems, temperature control systems, locking systems, seat adjustment systems, speed control systems, mirror adjustment systems, directional indicators, etc. Generally the processors that control these different car systems do not talk to each other. For example, the car radio does not communicate with the car heating system or the car braking system. This means that each one of these car systems operate independently and do not talk to the other car systems. For example, separate processors and separate user interfaces are required for the car temperature control system and for the car audio system. Many of these different car processors may be underutilized since they are only used intermittently.
Even when multiple processors in the car do talk to each other, they are usually so tightly coupled together that it is impossible to change any one of these processors without disrupting all of the systems that are linked together. For example, some cars may have a dashboard interface that controls both internal car temperature and a car radio. The car radio cannot be replaced with a different model and still work with the dashboard interface and the car temperature controller.
Integration of new systems into a car is also limited. Car systems are designed and selected well before the car is ever built. A custom wiring harness is then designed to connect only those car systems selected for the car. A car owner cannot incorporate new systems into the existing car. For example, a car may not originally come with a navigation system. An after market navigation system from another manufacturer cannot be integrated into the existing car.
Because after market devices can not be integrated into car control and interface systems, it is often difficult for the driver to try and operate these after market devices. For example, the car driver has to operate the after market navigation system from a completely new interface, such as the keyboard and screen of a laptop computer. The driver then has to operate the laptop computer not from the front dashboard of the car, but from the passenger seat of the car. This makes many after market devices both difficult and dangerous to operate while driving.
The present invention addresses this and other problems associated with the prior art.

Method and apparatus for dynamic configuration of multiprocessor system


In accordance with the present invention, an x-ray diffraction apparatus and method are provided in which an x-ray or goniometer head can be adjusted in different directions to allow the head to direct x-rays at a part from various positions. In this manner, measurements can be taken from a wider region of the part without requiring that the part itself be moved or that an operator move the unit, which can be relatively heavy. In one aspect, the head can be rotated about its internal axis so that it can more readily direct x-rays along curved surfaces of parts while keeping a substantially constant distance therefrom. It is preferred that the apparatus be a portable unit including adjustment mounts to allow the x-ray head to be moved in the different directions so that it can be transported for use in the field at the site at which a part is located. In this instance, the unit allows for measurements to be taken from the part while it remains in service. Accordingly, the present portable unit allows for x-ray diffraction techniques to be used on parts where it is not practical or economic to remove them from service, such as cables or wire ropes used as tension members for bridges. Moreover, the preferred portable x-ray diffraction unit herein provides an easy to interpret readout of the results of its measurements by generating a map at the part site so that, for example, any abnormalities in stress measurements taken will be highlighted in comparison to adjacent points on the map where more normal measurements are shown.

The use of x-ray diffraction techniques for measuring residual stresses in crystalline substances such as metal or ceramic materials is well-known. The general idea with the use of x-ray diffraction is to subject the material to the radiation of x-rays with the resulting sensed x-ray diffraction peak interpreted to arrive at a measurement of a strength related characteristic, i.e. stress, retained austenite, hardness of the part material, to show, for instance, the level of fatigue in the material. While using coupons or removing the part from service for measurement by x-ray diffraction laboratory equipment is done, neither is particularly satisfactory in that coupons require a portion of the part to be removed therefrom, and removing a part to be measured from service can create undue downtime along with the requisite labor for removal and replacement of the part back into service.
Accordingly, there is a need for portable x-ray diffraction equipment that can be used in the field at the site at which a part is located and without requiring the part to be removed from service. Portable x-ray diffraction equipment is known, however, some of these units suffer from great bulk making them less than ideal for use in field conditions. A further shortcoming with known x-ray diffraction equipment lies in the limitations in moving the goniometer head so that measurements can be taken across a sufficient number of positions on the part to obtain meaningful information therefrom, particularly where the part being tested has been used in the field where corrosion and other environmental use conditions can cause highly localized variations in the strength characteristic being determined. When the only measurements taken are those including such localized aberrations, the determination of what the remaining useful life of the part is before it needs to be retired to avoid fatigue failure thereof can be compromised.
In the laboratory setting this shortcoming requires periodic operator intervention to shift the part being measured so that the goniometer head is in position to direct x-rays at different positions thereon. As is apparent, such operator intervention is time consuming and labor intensive. In the field with current portable units, an operator generally has to physically shift the x-ray diffraction unit including the goniometer head along the part to the different positions at which measurements are desired. In either instance, there is significant operator intervention that is required which is undesirable. In addition, a portable x-ray diffraction unit is needed that can take measurements from complexly-shaped parts and preferably without having to remove them from service while also providing an easy to interpret readout of the results of the measurements to show variations in the fatigue of the part in the region thereof that is measured.
In this regard, currently there is no means available to directly and quantitatively measure the total strain and hence be able to calculate the total stress non-destructively, the dead load strain and hence the dead load stress on the following: wire rope and/or single strand and/or multi-strand cables once they are installed on a structure or component. In addition there is no technique which can determine the strains on individual strands which may comprise a cable bundle or wire rope.
It would be desirable to be able to measure the total strain and hence determine the total stress on these types of load bearing members. Total strain is the residual strain plus the restraint strain plus the applied strain. Accordingly, the total strain relates to a material's remaining capacity to bear a load which is information that is particularly useful for load bearing structures for a number of safety and economic reasons.
Similarly, it would be desirable to be able to measure the dead load strain and hence dead load stress, which is the strain as a result of the weight and restraint stain of the structure or component without the strain due to the intended carrying load.
Another problem is that currently there is no means available to directly, accurately and non-destructively track the changes in wire rope and cable strain due to corrosion, creep, fatigue, overload etc.
A further problem is that currently there is no means available to directly and quantitatively and non-destructively measure the strain and hence be able to calculate the stress on the following: wire rope and or single strand and or multi-strand cables installed on an existing structure or component.
Despite the widespread use of cables, there are few tools available to inspect and characterize the stresses on cables. In fact, at this time there are two techniques currently in common use, a direct measurement by "jacking", literally by deflecting the cable with a calibrated jack and an indirect method using the "time to damping" of an induced vibration. Both of these approaches to stress measurement are at best an approximation of cable force due to underlying assumptions as discussed in F. A. Zahn and B. Bitterli's paper "Developments in Non-Destructive Stay Cable Inspection Methods" delivered at the IABSE Symposium in San Francisco in August, 1995 (see pp. 861–866). This is because the accuracy of the measurement is less than ideal, the total stress in the cable is ignored and the techniques cannot characterize individual strands which may comprise a cable bundle. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method that can address these shortcomings.


A writing board ink composition comprises a medium formed of a lower alcohol solvent which contains an alcohol-soluble polymer, a scraping (erasing) agent, a surfactant and a diketopyrrolopyrrole pigment having a median Stokes diameter (ultrafine particle size) of not more than 0.2 .mu.m and represented by the following formula ##STR1## R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent an unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl group of a non-water-solubilizing substituent substituted phenyl or naphthyl group, and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent hydrogen or a non-water-solubilizing substituent. The writing board ink composition remains stable for a long time while in pens even when the resin content (alcohol-soluble polymer) is such that unclear writing and scrapability reduction (loss of scrapability or erasability) can be avoided, since the pigment of ultrafine particle size is fast to lower alcohol solvents.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a writing board ink composition which can be used to write on writing boards, such as the so-called whiteboard, with a marking pen, and which offers scrapable (erasable) writing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In writing board marking inks which can be used to write on writing boards, such as the so-called whiteboard, with a marking pen, and which offer scrapable (erasable) writing, mixtures of ketone and ester solvents have traditionally been used as solvents. Also, various pigments fast to these solvents have been used to color such inks. For example, MAICROLITH RED BR-K and 4C-K of Ciba-Geigy AG, which are processed pigments prepared by dispersing a red azo pigment in a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin carrier, can be used in writing board inks incorporating a mixed solvent of ketone solvent and ester solvent (Japanese Patent No. 936873).
In recent years, from the viewpoint of solvent odor and toxicity, there has been a need for the use of lower alcohol solvents. Therefore organic pigments fast to lower alcohol solvents are required. However, because conventional azo pigments are generally low in alcohol resistance when finely dispersed in lower alcohols, their use in writing board inks poses practical problems such as those in ink stability and writing erasability, since residual stain occurs upon scraping (erasing) the writing with an eraser etc. and increase in ink viscosity, pigment aggregation and other undesirable phenomena tend to occur during ink storage. Known organic pigments having excellent solvent resistance (alcohol solvent fastness), recognized as high quality pigments, include anthraquinone pigments (e.g., C. I. Pigment Red 168 and 167), condensed azo pigments (e.g., C. I. Pigment Red 144, 166 and 220), perillene pigments (e.g., C. I. Pigment Red 149, 178, 179 and 224). quinacridone pigments (e.g., C. I. Pigment Red 122, 207 and 209, and C. I. Pigment Violet 19), and thioindigo pigments (C. I. Pigment Red 38 and 88).
For these pigments to remain stable for a long time while in dispersion in an alcohol solvent in pens, they should be dispersed in the solvent in the form of ultrafine particles. However, this reduces the alcohol fastness of these pigments, which are recognized as good in alcohol fastness.
To ensure a stable dispersion system in such a state, resin is required to be used in an amount in proportion to the pigment surface area increased as the ultrafine particles are formed. However, increase in the resin content in a writing board ink incorporating a lower alcohol solvent poses problems, such as an increased occurrence of blurred writing, due to increase in ink viscosity, when the ink is used in pens, and a reduction in scrapability (erasability) in proportion to resin content.
Developed in view of the above problems in the prior art, the present invention is intended to provide a writing board ink composition incorporating a medium comprising, or based on, a lower alcohol solvent almost free of problems of odor and toxicity, wherein the pigment dispersed in the medium is fast to the above solvent despite its ultrafine size so that it remains stable for a long time while in pens even when the resin content is such that blurred writing and scrapability (erasability) reduction can be avoided.


A method is provided for storing thermal energy or increasing the thermal energy of a heat pump using reversible chemical reactions in which inorganic oxoacid compounds and/or their salts are hydrolysed and condensed or polymerized in order to release and capture heat.

Thermal energy storage is very important in many applications related to the use of waste heat from industrial processes, renewable energies or from different other sources. Moreover heat recuperation is receiving wide spread attention as a means of reducing the demand on fossil fuels and as means of reducing the exhaust of Kyoto gases.
Several heat capturing systems already exist. Heat can be generated from solar or heat sinks, or other sources including sun, geothermal, rest heat or other heat sources.
Examples of heat capturing systems can generally be divided in 3 categories:    I. Sensible heat<500 MJ/m3):            Water systems        Thermal oil            II. Latent heat by phase change in materials<1 MJ/m3:            Materials using there phase change as a means to store or release heat. Example is the use of Na-acetate crystallization. (theoretical heat density 300-800 GJ/m3)        Using absorption heat of water on silica gel.            III. Reaction heat by reversible chemical reactions <3 GJ/m3:            Using the mixing heat of sulfuric acid and water.        Using the reaction heat of hydrogen and metals like Magnesium. (theoretical heat density 3 GJ/m3)        Salt Hydrates
Most of the proposed alternative energy is using the sun or wind as an energy source. Due to the process (chemical cycle) of the present invention, another heat source can be used with more easiness then nowadays: waste heat. Lots of waste heat (also called rest heat) are generated in industry and released into the environment as non usable for further energy utilization, more specific electricity generation, this due to the low exergy state. However the use of rest heat makes sense for instance in residential areas for heating houses or flats and in industrial areas to heat process streams. Instead of using conventional energy sources with high exergy, as e.g. natural gas or other combustibles of others, one could use as well the low exergetic rest heat. It prohibits using high caloric energy sources for low caloric applications. One of the mayor obstructions to use rest heat for these purposes is the fact that rest heat in industry is used continuously versus the discontinuous usage of residential heat and moreover the fact that the heat producing industry is located quite far from residential areas. The energy buffering capacity, the easiness of transport and the possibilities to use this chemical cycle as a heat pump of what is claimed below, forces a breakthrough for the use of rest heat and opens a new way for reducing Kyoto gases. The use of cheap and low CO2 generating transport such as e.g. bulk or container shipments by boat and pipelines form an alternative for intensive CO2 generating road trucks.
In the method described further in this text, heat is used to form polymers of inorganic oxoacid compounds or its salts by a (poly) condensation reaction of inorganic molecules or molecules containing inorganic sub molecules with polyoxoacid compounds or its salts. Proton concentrations, catalysts, membranes etc. are used to promote the synthesis (condensation reaction) and hydrolysis reaction. E.g. mono phosphoric acid and poly phosphoric acids are further polymerized by means of adding heat and by removing water (condensation). The hydrolysis reaction by adding the water again, generates the exothermic depolymerization heat.
Moreover the method and components can be used as a reversible heat pump enabling to generate cold from rest heat, or to increase the thermal energy of a heat sources, with very low electric consumption, typically 1-10%. It accordingly clearly differs from existing heat pump systems such as;    A. Organic Rankine Cyclus (ORC) pumping up heat from low temperature sources to higher temperature levels or using the ORC to produce electricity from rest heat. Typically their realistic thermal efficiency or COP is a heat to power ratio of about 3-5.    B. Using LithiumBromid or water/NH3 and rest heat as a heat pump to produce cold by absorbing heat due to the dissolution of Li—Br in water under vacuum conditions. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,02581, and JP01161082 this process is further optimized, with an improved efficiency, by means of a crystallization inhibiting additive    C. Enzymatic systems such as for example described in CN101168481A, see whole document and WPI abstract acc. no 2008-H14900 [46] and CAS abstract acc. no. 2008:538691. In this document ATP is used to realize storage and release of high energy. This is done by use of a secretory gland, and consequently differs from the reversible hydrolysation reaction of the present invention.    D. Crystallization processes that release heat with a phase transition to form a solid or solid crystalline form.            JP 58060198A; Matsushita electric works ltd; Nomura Kazuo; Heat accumulating material. In this patent the a sodium phosphate; Na2HPO4 is used to store heat by means of crystallization or phase transition, by means of specific nucleus agent.        GB 1396292 A; Randall; 10 Feb. 1971; Improvements in or relating to heat storage units. In this patent the use of a crystallization heat of phosphates is used to store heat.            E. Using dissolution heat such as after bringing after bringing sulfur oxide and sulfuric acid in contact with water or burning heat by bringing S in contact with air, as described in the 2 patents below:            U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,734; Norman Dec. 20, 1983; Sulfuric Acid-sulfur heat storage cycle. In this patent the heat of the dissolution of sulfurdioxyde or highly concentrated sulfuric acid in water, acting as a solvent, to form low concentrated sulfuric acid and the burning of sulfur with oxygen are used to produce heat. To realize heat storage, the highly concentrated sulfuric acid and sulfur need to be stored. This storage enables leveling heat from the sun during longer period.        U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,778; Clark et al Aug. 6, 1985; chemical heat pump and chemical energy storage system. In This US patent the dissolution heat is of sulfuric acid is used to store heat or to realize a heat pump to upgrade the temperature level (or increase the thermal energy) of waste heat.            F. Further systems using dissolution heat, are based on the application of salt hydrates, like e.g. MgC12, Mg(OH)2Ca(OH)2, Sodium carbonate and water, to use the mixing heat of the salts in water.            Recent patents on engineering, 2008, 2,208-216. Review of recent patents on chemical heat pump. Cheng Wang, Peng Zhang and Ruzhu Wang. The thermal potential transformation reversible reaction in chemical heat pump mainly includes liquid-gas absorption, solid-gas reaction and solid adsorption.        Possibility of chemical heat pump technologies by Yukitaka Kato, 31 Jan. 2011, High density thermal energy storage workshop, Arlington, Va., USA. Description of state of the art chemical heat pumps mainly based on the finding that metallic oxides & chloride reactions are till then best available techniques for chemical heat pumps.            G. Other systems to exploit ATP as a molecule with a high energy density, may simply use this compounds as an enhancer for battery or motor performance; e.g.            US20070218345 A; Sakai et al; A fuel cell, electronic device, movable body, power generation system congeneration system.        US20020083710A1; Schneider, Thomas; Molecular motor with use of ATP, actin & myosin to rotate cylinders to produce work.        EP 1089372A1; Camus et al. Sep. 28, 1999; Independent and self-sustainable power generation and storage system. Especially paragraphs 0006 and 0056 and FIG. 7 where ATP is used. In this patent a method for electrical storage is described wherein ATP is used to improve the battery performance.
But do not rely on a reversible hydrolysation reaction as in the present case. Instead ATP synthesis will be driven enzymatically (see CN101168481A above) or by photosynthesis, e.g. Nature materials, 2005, Vol 4(3); Luo et al pp 220-224; Photo induced proton gradients and ATP biosynthesis produced by vesicles encapsulated in a silica matrix.

Methods and components for thermal energy storage

Abstract: The method allows thermal energy to be stored at ambient circumstances in a transportable medium and allows converting a continuous heat generation process into a discontinuous and even dislocated consumption.

Technology for Renewable Energy Systems (TFRES) BVBA


Systems and methods for managing data retention in a solid-state storage system utilizing data retention flag bytes are disclosed. A data storage device includes a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of non-volatile memory devices and a controller configured to write data to a memory unit of the non-volatile memory array and write a data retention flag value indicating a number of bits of the written data programmed in a first of a plurality of logical states. The controller is further configured to read the data and determine a number of bits having the first of the plurality of logical states in the read data, and determine a difference between the number of bits of the written data programmed in the first logical state and the number of bits having the first logical state in the read data. The difference is used to determine data retention characteristics of the non-volatile memory.

1. Field
This disclosure relates to data storage systems. More particularly, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for monitoring data retention in solid-state drives.
2. Description of Related Art
Certain solid-state memory devices, such as flash drives, store information in an array of memory cells constructed with floating gate transistors. In single-level cell (SLC) flash devices, each cell stores a single bit of information. In multi-level cell (MLC) devices, each cell stores two or more bits of information. When a read operation is performed, the electrical charge levels of the cells are compared to one or more voltage reference values (also called "voltage read level" or "voltage threshold") to determine the state of individual cells. In SLC devices, a cell can be read using a single voltage reference value. In MLC devices, a cell is read using multiple voltage references values. Certain solid-state devices allow for a memory controller to set voltage read levels.
Various factors can contribute to data read errors in solid-state memory devices. These factors include charge loss or leakage over time, and device wear caused by usage. When the number of bit errors on a read operation exceeds the ECC (error correction code) correction capability of the storage subsystem, the read operation fails. Voltage read levels can contribute to a device's ability to decode data.

Data retention flags in solid-state drives


Intraocular lens implant (10) for providing accommodation for near vision includes an optic (20) centrally disposed in a flexible membrane (30) and at least one haptic (40) outwardly extending from the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is adapted in use to facilitate translatable movement of the optic in response to attempted accommodation by the ocular substrate.

The human eye has two major refracting elements responsible for focusing light on the retina The cornea is the anterior refracting surface responsible for the majority of the focusing power of the eye equivalent to approximately 43 diopters whilst the remaining power of approximately 19 diopters is from the crystalline lens which is a transparent structure that focuses light in the human eye.
Emmetropia refers to a state of focus of the human eye where objects viewed at a distance are in focus on the retina. If axial length of the eye is such that the focal point is in front of the retina the refractive error is known as myopia and if the focal point is beyond the retina the refractive error is termed hypermetropia If the focus of the eye is unequal in different meridians the refractive error is known as astigmatism that can be associated with myopia or hypermetropia.
The power of the cornea is a fixed quantity and the ability to maintain focus for objects closer than infinity depends on altering the focus of the crystalline lens.
The human lens is attached to the wall of the eye by fine filamentary fibers known as zonules that attach the equatorial region of the lens to the region of the eye wall surrounded by a circular muscle known as the ciliary muscle. In an emmetropic individual, when an object in the distance is viewed the ciliary muscle is relaxed and the zonules are under tension. The elastic capsule of the lens is taut and the curvature of the lens is influenced and slightly flattened by these forces. If the object of regard is changed to a near object a reflex stimulates contraction of the ciliary body which relaxes the zonular attachments to the lens. This allows the elastic capsule of the lens and the malleable lens fibers to assume a more spherical shape and due to the increase in pressure in the posterior segment the lens moves forward. Both factors increase the focusing power of the lens by the required amount so that the near object of regard remains in focus. This process is referred to as accommodation.
Up to the 4th decade the human crystalline lens is capable of altering its focus to maintain clarity of vision for near objects by the process of accommodation but this power is gradually lost over the next two decades. This is thought to occur due to several factors including an increased rigidity of the lens fibers, an increase in the diameter of the lens, and possible reduced elasticity of the capsule and zonules. The refractive error describing this inability to achieve near focus is known as presbyopia and is the reason for the progressive need for reading glasses for individuals from the 5th decade of life.
Spectacles or contact lenses placed in the optical pathway can correct the focus for clarity of vision in patients with myopia, hypermetropia, or astigmatism. The correction of presbyopia includes separate glasses for reading, bifocal or multifocal spectacles. Simultaneous near and distant vision can be achieved by multifocal contact lenses that provide simultaneous foci for near and distance. This method however is associated with reduced contrast in vision that may be disturbing to many patients.
More recently it has been found that laser surgery can alter the corneal curvature to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hypermetropia or astigmatism. Phakic intraocular lenses can be placed in the anterior chamber of the eye or behind the iris to correct myopia or hyperopia and the lens can be removed and replaced by an intraocular lens implant for the purpose of correcting a refractive error.
Surgical procedures have also been proposed to restore accommodation in the presbyopic age group. These include sclera implants to expand the diameter of the globe to counteract the expansion of the crystalline lens that occurs with age. Radial incisions at the limbus have also been considered for the same purpose. These procedures however have not proved to be sufficiently reliable or predictable. Laser procedures can alter the corneal curvature to produce a multifocal refracting surface. Corneal implants placed in the corneal stroma can also produce a similar bifocal or multifocal refraction. Finally intraocular lenses with a diffractive or refractive surface can be constructed to provide multiple foci and allow simultaneous focus for distance and near vision. These lenses can be implanted after surgical removal of the crystalline lens or placed in front of the crystalline lens as a phakic implant. Unfortunately all surgical procedures which depend on simultaneous near and distance vision are compromised by reduced contrast and are often associated with undesirable effects such as haloes around lights which may be disturbing to individual patients. The development of an intraocular lens capable of accommodation similar to the crystalline lens in a young individual is therefore extremely desirable.
Opacification of the lens known as cataract formation is a common cause of poor vision in the elderly and can be corrected surgically. Modern cataract surgery is performed by manual extracapsular cataract extraction or by phacoemulsification. Manual extracapsular cataract extraction involves expressing the hard nucleus of the cataract through a 10 mm to 12 mm incision. Phacoemulsification utilises ultrasonic energy transmitted by a needle to fragment the nucleus and allow aspiration of the cataract through a 2.5 mm to 3.2 mm incision. A small incision is desirable in cataract surgery to avoid distortion of the corneal curvature known as astigmatism. In both operations an opening is made in the anterior capsule to allow removal of the lens contents. The capsular bag remnant, however, is left in situ to provide support for an intraocular lens implant which is inserted following removal of the cataract to replace the focusing power of the natural crystalline lens. It is known to provide an intraocular lens implant to replace the cataractous or clear crystalline lens. The power of the lens can be accurately selected prior to surgery so that the patient is emmetropic i.e. clear focus is achieved for objects in the distance. An intraocular lens implant typically comprises a centre focusing element, known as the optic and a peripheral support structure known as the haptic. The haptic of an intraocular lens is the outwardly extending supporting element which interacts with the anterior and posterior leaflets of the capsular bag remnant to ensure fixation and stability. The optic and the haptic of the intraocular lens may be manufactured from transparent rigid plastics material such as polymethyl methacrylate or from flexible plastic materials such as acrylic, silicone or hydrogel polymers. Intraocular lens implants manufactured from flexible materials are preferable to those made of rigid materials because the lens may be folded to allow insertion through a small incision in the sclera or outercoat of the eye and is then allowed to unfold to its original dimensions.
The optic and haptic of the intraocular lens may be manufactured from the same material as a single piece unit or the haptic may be attached to the optic by a variety of mechanisms. There may be one or a plurality of haptics attached to the optic, although the most common configuration includes an optic with two outwardly extending diametrically opposed haptics. The purpose of the haptic is to provide optimal centration of the optic as well as a means of fixation of the implant within a capsular bag remnant of the original lens following cataract or lens extraction. It is preferable that the haptics conform to the periphery of the capsular bag to provide a larger surface area of contact between the intraocular lens implant and the capsular bag and to ensure centration of the optic.
It is also possible to implant a lens in front of the anterior capsule behind the iris with the haptics resting in the region between the root of the iris and ciliary processes, known as the ciliary sulcus. As previously mentioned intraocular lenses may also be inserted in phakic eyes to correct refractive errors, such as myopia or hyperopia. In these circumstances the intraocular lens implant may be placed in front of the crystalline lens behind the iris with the haptic providing support in the ciliary sulcus. Furthermore, as an alternative site of implantation in phakic eyes, intraocular lenses may be inserted in front of the iris in the anterior chamber with the haptics resting in the angle of the anterior chamber.
In all these instances it is preferable that the haptics conform to the periphery of the capsular bag or to the ciliary sulcus or the angle of the anterior chamber in the phakic eye The prior art discloses several haptic designs, including a flange style or loop style, which seek to maximise the surface areas of contact between the intraocular lens implant and the capsular bag. The most common design includes two loop style haptics attached at diametrically opposed points of an optic wherein terminal ends of the haptics extend arcuately towards the periphery of the capsular bag.
The fixation and stability of the intraocular lens implant is not solely dependent on the rigidity of the supporting haptics of an intraocular lens, but is also dependent on fusion of leaflets of anterior and posterior capsule in the interval between the optic of the implant and the terminal of the haptic in contact with the periphery of the capsular bag. It is preferable to maintain as large an interval as possible to provide maximum opportunity for fusion to occur.
Post-operative shrinkage of the capsular bag is not an unusual occurrence. The aforementioned interval may be maintained by a rigid haptic which resists shrinkage of the capsular bag, or by a design for haptics manufactured from flexible plastics which maintains an interval between the terminal of the haptic and the optic in the even of shrinkage of the capsular bag. In order that the design should accommodate the various sizes of capsular bag that will be encountered in different individuals as well as the varying degrees of shrinkage that would occur during the post-operative phase, it is preferable that the haptics should be compressible.
A distinct disadvantage however, of the current haptic designs is that the haptic terminal may be flexed at any point between the haptic terminal and the haptic optic junction towards the optic such that the interval between the haptic terminal and the optic is reduced to the extent where migratory fusion of the leaflets of the anterior and posterior capsule fails to occur. The Author has described (International Publication Number WO00/01323) a haptic design which maintains an interval between the terminal haptic and the optic and provides better conformity of the terminal portion of the haptic with the periphery of the capsular bag.
Previous descriptions of intraocular lenses capable of an accommodative effect include lenses constructed to have an induced increase in curvature of the optic of the lens or a change in position of the lens during attempted focus for near objects. The latter include lenses with a haptic constructed with a hinge to allow forward translation of the optic with attempted accommodation. This occurs due to the increase in pressure in the vitreous or liquid in the posterior segment of the globe induced by contraction of the ciliary body. The accommodative effect of this type of intraocular lens however varies widely in individual patients. The unpredictable results of a intraocular lens with a hinged haptic are due to the differences in fixation that occur with an implant placed in the capsular bag after cataract surgery or removal of the normal crystalline lens by similar techniques. The amount of overlap of the anterior capsular bag leaflets over the haptic and edge of the optic is variable as is the extent and area of fusion of the anterior capsular leaflets to the posterior capsule. This variability interferes with the ability of the hinged haptic to allow forward movement of the optic in response to contraction of the ciliary body in attempted accommodation and is an important factor in the unpredictable accommodative effect that has been encountered in present day accommodative intraocular implants.
The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages.


A backlight unit which includes a structure in which the sensitivity of a light sensor for detecting color reproducibility of white light is increased, and a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device having the same. The backlight unit includes a light source which generates light, a light guide plate which guides the light incident from the light source, a light sensor which detects the light emitted from the light guide plate and a mold frame which receives the light source, the light guide plate, and the light sensor. The mold frame includes a receiving recess which receives the light sensor, and a light sensing structure formed on a sidewall thereof being in contact with a side of the light guide plate which reflects the light emitted from the light guide plate and provides the light emitted from the light guide plate to the light sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display ("LCD") device and, more particularly, to a backlight unit including a structure in which the sensitivity of a light sensor for detecting color reproducibility of white light is increased, and an LCD device including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a display device displays an image by converting data in an electrical format processed by an information processor of an electronic product into a visual image. These are various types of display devices such as a cathode ray tube ("CRT"), a plasma display panel ("PDP)", a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), an electroluminescence ("EL"), and the like. The LCD device is a flat panel display device which displays an image using electrical and optical characteristics of a liquid crystal injected therein. Due to various advantages of the LCD device such as being thin in thickness, light in weight and low in power consumption as compared with other display devices, it is widely used in various industrial applications.
The LCD device is not a self-luminous display device. Therefore, it requires a backlight unit which emits light, as a separate light source. In general, the backlight unit uses a light source for generating white light, such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp ("CCFL"), a flat fluorescent lamp ("FFL"), and the like. Recently, a light emitting diode ("LED") is used to reduce power consumption and improve color reproducibility.
There are two types of LEDs such as a white light LED and a red, green, blue ("RGB") LED. The RGB LED mixes light generated from red, green, and blue chips to generate white light. Since the life span of the red, green and blue chips of the RGB LED is different from one another and the RGB LED includes a brightness variation, the RGB LED detects the brightness of the white light using a light sensor to maintain the color reproducibility of the white light.
The light sensor detects the light of the RGB LED incident to a first surface of a light guide plate and emitted to a second surface of the light guide plate. When the light sensor is positioned on a sidewall of the second surface of the light guide plate, the thickness of the backlight unit is increased due to the thickness of the light sensor. Accordingly, the light sensor is arranged in a lower part of the second surface of the light guide plate.
The light sensor detects light emitted from the second surface of the light guide plate and reflected by a sidewall of a mold frame receiving the light guide plate. When the light guide plate is received in the mold frame, the distance between the light guide plate and the sidewall of the mold frame may vary according to manufacturing conditions. Moreover, when the light guide plate is in contact with the sidewall, the intensity of light reflected by the sidewall and emitted towards the light sensor may be reduced and thereby it is difficult for the light sensor to detect the brightness of light.

Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same


A method is described for producing a decorative laminate including: providing a decorative layer, applying a mixture of a thermohardening synthetic resin and hard particles to said layer, pressing the decorative layer and the mixture in a hot press at a press temperature in order to obtain a laminate, the mixture also containing a wax whose melting point is less than approximately 140° C. and/or by more than approximately 50° C. lower than the press temperature. A decorative laminate, a decorative laminate board and a method for producing a decorative prepreg sheet are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a decorative laminate, a decorative laminate board as well as methods for producing the decorative laminate and decorative laminate board.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
Decorative laminates are being increasingly used in the field of floor coverings, work tops and table tops. Given the fields of application, properties such as abrasion resistance and wear resistance are of prime importance for the quality of such a decorative laminate and decorative laminate board. In addition, the properties that account for an optical impression of a patterned laminate or a surface of the decorative laminate, such as transparency and colour impression, are of particular relevance. Decorative laminate boards commonly comprise three main components: a protective layer (uppermost layer); a decorative layer having a pattern, which is covered by the protective layer; and a supporting substrate for supporting the protective layer and the decorative layer. Therefore, the properties of the protective layer or uppermost layer, respectively, are particularly relevant for an overall quality of the decorative laminate.
Conventionally, a so-called "overlay" is disposed on top of a decorative web, which overlay is a high-quality covering web or coating web made of paper which is impregnated with a resin and becomes transparent during the pressing process. As part of past efforts to improve an abrasion resistance of the decorative laminates and of the uppermost layer, in particular, hard particles, such as those made from silica, were incorporated into the uppermost layer. However, many manufacturers of decorative laminates encountered problems in achieving a homogeneous distribution of these particles in and on the coating web (overlay) and thus the uppermost layer.
This triggered a new trend of replacing covering webs with layers of synthetic resins comprising particles. To this effect, decorative laminates are conventionally manufactured by impregnating a paper web having a pattern thereon with a thermohardening resin and by either fully or partially hardening the impregnated paper web by application of pressure and heat, optionally together with a supporting web also impregnated with resin. Subsequently, the thus coated paper web is disposed on top of a supporting substrate, in case of a fully hardened decorative laminate by adhesive bonding or the like and in case of an only partially hardened decorative laminate by additional application of pressure and heat. Such decorative laminates tend to have a better transparency and thus convey a better optical impression of the pattern.
Continuous efforts are being made to improve properties of the protective layer, which are crucial for the properties of the entire decorative laminate, both with and without use of covering webs. As a result, many concepts for achieving protective layers of improved quality have been developed. These concepts mainly relate to the particles themselves, as well as the embedding of the particles in the synthetic resin. Use of hard particles in the production process created problems in that the tools used for application of pressure and heat, such as hot presses, were damaged by these new layers. This was attributed in particular to parts of the particles protruding and sticking out from a surface of the synthetic resin and resulted in increased wear of the tools.
Accordingly, efforts are made to improve embedding of the particles in the resin. Some approaches are based on an improvement of a distribution of the particles in the suspension used in the production process prior to its application, for instance by addition of α-cellulose, such as described in published patent application EP 0 732 449 A1.
Despite some success having already been achieved, there is still a need for decorative laminates and decorative laminate boards wherein embedding of the particles is improved. A fairly comprehensive review of the prior art may be found in European patent EP 0 875 399 B1, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Decorative laminate and corresponding production method


A closed combustion system is used to incinerate hazardous wastes and vitrify ash. An incinerator is provided with pure oxygen, hazardous waste and fuel for incinerating the hazardous waste. Slag from the incinerator is treated separately. Combusted products from the incinerator such as flue gases, liquids, solids and ash are channeled through the system and recirculated back to the incinerator for incineration. A dust collector is used to collect ash from the combusted product and recirculate back to the incinerator. A condensing heat exchanger is used to collect and dispose of waste liquids. Filters are used for filtering particulates from the combusted product. A CaO pebble bed is provided for causing reactions with the flue gases. Remaining insert gas in the system are bled into the atmosphere. Flue gases from the system are recirculated back into the pure oxygen for entry into the incinerator in order to provide temperature control.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the incineration of hazardous wastes and, in particular, to the incineration of hazardous wastes using closed cycle combustion and ash vitrification.
2. Description of the Related Art
Incineration is the principal means employed for the permanent destruction of hazardous organic wastes. The incinerator destruction efficiency of some organic hazardous wastes must be on the order of 99.9%. Other organics must be destroyed to an efficiency of 99.99%, and still others such as dioxins must be destroyed to an efficiency of 99.9999%. Under some conditions, hazardous wastes can be burned in conventional boilers. However, these boilers are not always well suited to achieve the high destruction efficiencies required. For example, the carbon conversion efficiency of a coal-fired boiler usually will not exceed much more than about 99.6%. Conventional incinerators designed for the explicit purpose of destruction of hazardous organic wastes include simple refractory enclosures designed to burn liquid wastes (liquid injection furnaces), rotary kilns, multiple rotary hearths, and fluidized bed incinerators.
All known hazardous waste incineration processes are open cycle processes with respect to the gas phase. Air is used as the oxidant and consequently, flue gas, i.e., the products of the reaction plus nitrogen, must be exhausted from the process and vented to the atmosphere. One consequence of this situation is the fact that if the destruction of the hazardous waste is not completed to the prescribed extent, e.g., 99.99%, then the untreated hazardous waste is released directly to the atmosphere where it can endanger public health. This situation is complicated further by the fact that no economically viable continuous monitoring instrumentation exists which can measure the emission rate of these hazardous species on a full time basis. Adequate performance of the incinerator must be "inferred" based upon periodic spot tests of the incinerator. These spot tests are used to define a proper set of operating conditions for that incinerator to "insure" the destruction of the specific hazardous wastes.

Incineration of hazardous wastes using closed cycle combustion ash vitrification


A method of manipulating retail data characterised by the steps of entering a purchase amount into electronic data manipulation system, and adding a percentage of the purchase amount via the data manipulation system to a jackpot total associated with the method of data manipulation, and operating a random number generated to trigger a jackpot pay-out between a range of funds, and indicating via the data manipulation system whether the purchase amount triggered the jackpot.

With the proliferation of large shopping malls, there is increased competition between malls to attract shoppers to them. Often what is perceived as necessary to attract shoppers is a mall-wide promotion which involves a large proportion of the shops at the mall, rather than individual shop promotions.
In addition to attracting shoppers to the shopping mall, it is also of course desirable to encourage those shoppers to spend as much money as possible at the shops.
Unfortunately, conventional promotional methods have become stale and no longer inspire shoppers. It would be desirable if there could be provided a less conventional promotional method that not only attracts shoppers to shopping malls but also has ah element which encourages shoppers to spend money there. That is, a promotional system that has the potential to benefit the shoppers geared on their level of spending.
Other aspects of the retail industry could also benefit from a new promotion tool. For example, shopping chains such as service stations, fast food outlets, and other shopping networks could benefit
It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

System for deducting and adding a percentage of a customer's purchase amount to a jackpot


A container-closure assembly made of a soft plastic material comprising an elongated tubular member having a hollow nozzle, the bore of the nozzle at the tip end defining a discharge opening, a cap member connected at one end to the tip of the nozzle by a fracturable bridge connection and having a outwardly flared skirt projecting from said one end, a hollow finger disposed interiorly of the skirt, and the opening of said finger adjacent said nozzle being of a smaller diameter than the discharge opening in the nozzle to define a stepped configuration.

Container closure assemblies of the above-described type are not new per se. The Turner et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,739, issued Jan. 7, 1975 entitled BREAKAWAY NECK CONTAINER WITH INTEGRAL CAP, shows a container closure assembly of the type to which the present invention relates. This assembly includes a container and cap which are initially integral, the container having a dropper type end with a passageway which in the integrated condition of the cap and container, preferably extends into the cap. The cap has an elongated finger engaging portion and frusta-conical end portions which are resistant to compression or deformation. The cap is provided with an internal projection. The container is open at its end remote from the cap for filling with a product and then sealed. When it is desired to discharge the contents, the cap is broken away from the container to permit discharge of contents through the passageway. After a given application, the cap can be inverted so that the internal finger in the cap engages in the passageway to reseal the contents.


Treatment methods and devices are provided for percutaneously accessing a patient's thoracic region via a controlled opening in the aorta, so that cardiac procedures, such as a coronary bypass procedure, can be performed in a minimally invasive manner. Advantageously, it may be possible to perform the procedure without placing the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. The method may include percutaneously delivering at least one catheter into an aorta of a heart, forming a controlled opening in the aorta and pericardium via the at least one catheter to access a thoracic region within the patient's chest, and performing at least one coronary bypass graft procedure through the controlled opening.

The present invention relates generally to minimally invasive methods for performing cardiac medical and/or surgical procedures, and more particularly to percutaneous methods for performing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure on a patient in need thereof.
Coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western societies. A number of approaches have been developed for treating coronary artery disease. It is often sufficient to treat the symptoms with pharmaceuticals and lifestyle modification to lessen the underlying causes of the disease. In more severe cases, the coronary stenoses may be treated endovascularly using techniques such as balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, laser ablation, stenting, thrombectomy, and the like.
In still more severe cases where pharmaceutical treatment and/or conventional endovascular approaches have failed or are likely to fail, it may be necessary to perform a coronary artery bypass graft procedure using open surgical techniques. Such techniques require that a patient's sternum be opened, the chest spread apart to provide access to the heart, and the heart stopped. While very effective in many cases, the use of open surgery to perform coronary artery bypass grafting is highly traumatic to the patient. The procedure requires immediate postoperative care in an intensive care unit, hospitalization for five to ten days, and a recovery period as long as six to eight weeks.
Alternative techniques have been devised to perform coronary bypass surgical procedures thorascopically. Examples of such procedures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,131,447 and 7,028,692 to Sterman et al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,247 to Benetii. Although such methods are believed to decrease morbidity, mortality, cost, and recovery time when compared to conventional open surgical coronary bypass procedures, they still require stopping the patient's heart and placing the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass.
It would be desirable to provide a better method for performing a coronary bypass procedure that is less invasive than open surgical or thorascopic techniques. It would also be desirable to provide an interventional procedure that does not require use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Devices and methods for minimally invasive coronary bypass and other treatments


A hydrogen sensor includes a solid electrolyte made of a barium cerium oxide, and a first electrode and a second electrode that are formed on the surface of the solid electrolyte. The first and the second electrodes are made of a material having a catalytic effect with respect to an oxidation reaction of hydrogen and are made of the same material. Thus, the hydrogen sensor can be inexpensive and has good hydrogen selectivity and responsiveness to detection, and thus it is possible to measure hydrogen in a high concentration region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hydrogen sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
To detect hydrogen with a high sensitivity, sensors of various systems such as optical sensors, catalytic combustion sensors, semiconductor sensors, electromotive force type sensors, current detection (battery) sensors, mechanical type sensors utilizing pressure variation that employ hydrogen adsorption or hydrogen occlusion characteristics, and MOS capacitor sensors have been developed and used in different applications in which the characteristics of each system can be exhibited sufficiently. For example, to detect gas leakage, semiconductor sensors made of a material such as TiO2, SnO2 or the like generally are used. For gas leakage of industrial or combustion equipment or temperature control, catalytic combustion sensors generally are used.
In recent years, hydrogen sensors made of, for example, SrCeYO3, which is a proton conductor, have been developed as a sensor that can detect hydrogen in a solution in which Al or the like is molten at a high temperature.
Furthermore, a sensor using a calcium-zirconium oxide, which is an oxide ion conductor (oxide ions are represented by MO−, MxOyα− or the like, in addition to O2−) for a solid electrolyte, is known as a hydrocarbon sensor that detects combustible gas, which is the same as a hydrogen sensor. This sensor is characterized by excellent hydrogen selectivity, although the configuration is simple. For example, electromotive force type sensors employing Pd-Au electrodes (see the Meeting Abstract of the Spring Meeting of the Electrochemical Society '95, University of Nagoya) and limiting a current detection type sensors employing porous alumina as a diffusion controlled layer (see the proceedings of the autumn conference of the Chemical Sensor Society '96, TOYOTA Central R&D Lab., Inc.) are well known.
Thus, a proton conductor such as a SrCeO3-based oxide and a CaZrO3-based oxide, or an oxide ion conductor such as zirconia and ceria is used as an ion conductor that is used for a solid electrolyte, and various hydrogen sensors with high sensitivity and high hydrogen selectivity have been proposed.
However, inexpensive hydrogen sensors that have excellent hydrogen selectivity and can measure hydrogen even in a high concentration region have not been developed. For example, optical sensors are suitable for precise analysis, but they are expensive.
Although catalytic combustion sensors and semiconductor sensors are comparatively inexpensive and have high reliability during measurement for a long time, they have poor hydrogen selectivity because they react with a reducing gas such as CO that is not an immediate subject for measurement, so that they are not suitable for detection of a high concentration of % order. Furthermore, in semiconductor sensors, the hydrogen selectivity is increased by mixing a semiconductor material used with a catalytically active material, but they are not suitable for measurements for high concentration regions.
In electromotive force type sensors and a current detection type sensors employing a calcium-zirconium oxide, which is an oxide ion conductor, for a solid electrolyte, the detection precision of hydrogen concentrations depends on the characteristics of the ion conductor. In addition, the proton conductivity of the ion conductor is small (about 5×10−4S/cm at 600° C.), and the detection precision of hydrogen concentrations is low. Therefore, for electromotive force type sensors, it is necessary to set the temperature of a sensor to a high temperature of 700° C. or more during detection of hydrogen concentrations, and for a current detection type sensors, it is necessary to reduce the thickness of the solid electrolyte. Mechanical type sensors utilizing pressure variation and MOS capacitor sensors have poor responsiveness to detection, and low practical values.
At present, there is a demand for hydrogen sensors for detecting hydrogen in living environments, selectively detecting hydrogen leaked from a fuel battery, and detecting the concentration of hydrogen contained in the air at room temperature or hydrogen in an airtight room. In particular, inexpensive hydrogen sensors that have excellent hydrogen selectivity and good responsiveness and can detect hydrogen in a high concentration region in a simple manner are desired as a sensor for controlling a fuel battery and equipment utilizing hydrogen, but as described above, hydrogen sensors that satisfy these requirements sufficiently have not been obtained yet.

Hydrogen sensor, hydrogen sensor device and method of detecting hydrogen concentration

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.