The present invention relates to a chemically amplified photoresist composition including an alkali-soluble resin including a (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

To expand the application of a microfabrication technique of a FAB process, packaging technology is also changing into process technology for manufacturing high performance, thinner, and shorter packages. In particular, with the increase of semiconductor input/output terminals, the use of flip chips is expanded and FOWLP technology is introduced. Further, the TSV process enabling direct connection between chips is expanded for the purpose of minimizing signal delay. In this regard, the demand for solder bumps is increased and the technical development of a bump PR forming the same is very important.
In the case of a bump PR, the sensitivity and resolution in a thick film ranging from 10 μm to 100 μm should be excellent and metal bumps should be formed through a plating process. Therefore, pattern performance such as straightness, residue, footing, and notching properties should be good, and resistance to a plating solution should be excellent.
Accordingly, a chemically amplified photoresist is used in order to increase the sensitivity and resolution in a thick film. It is known that this composition includes a resin which is dissociated by an acid to increase its solubility in an alkali developing solution (hereinafter referred to as 'alkali-soluble resin'), a photosensitive acid generator (hereinafter referred to as 'photoacid generator'), an acid diffusion control agent, a corrosion inhibitor, and a specific dissolution inhibitor.
Meanwhile, a metal substrate is used for the plating process. In this case, if a conventional photoresist composition according to the related art is used, there is a disadvantage in that scum remains on the exposed portion after development.
Therefore, there is a need for research on techniques capable of improving the above disadvantage.
The present invention had been made to overcome the above-mentioned problems, and the invention provides a chemically amplified photoresist composition which can improve the compatibility and solubility for an alkali resin to prevent the occurrence of scum on the exposed portion during development that has usually been generated when using a conventional corrosion inhibitor, can suppress a leaching phenomenon where a low-molecular weight substance leaches out into a plating solution, and can eliminate the need to use a separate corrosion inhibitor.
In the present specification, a chemically amplified photoresist composition including an alkali-soluble resin including a (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is provided.
The heterocyclic compound may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a triazole-based compound, an imidazole-based compound, a thiadiazole-based compound, a triazine-based compound, and a benzimidazole-based compound.
In the present specification, a photoresist pattern prepared from the chemically amplified photoresist composition is also provided.
In addition, in the present specification, a method for preparing a photoresist pattern using the chemically amplified photoresist composition is provided.
Hereinafter, the chemically amplified photoresist composition, the photoresist pattern, and the method for preparing a photoresist pattern according to specific examples of the present invention will be described in more detail.
As used herein, the term "alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms" may refer to a functional group in which a sulfur (S) element is attached to one side of an alkylene having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
In addition, as used herein, the term "alkali-soluble resin" refers to a resin in which a protecting group is deprotected by light, thereby having an alkali-soluble property. The alkali-soluble resin is a polymer resin having an acid group protected by a protecting group, and the acid group may be, for example, a carboxyl group, a phenolic hydroxyl group, or the like.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a chemically amplified photoresist composition including an alkali-soluble resin including a (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms may be provided, wherein the heterocyclic compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a triazole-based compound, an imidazole-based compound, a thiadiazole-based compound, a triazine-based compound, and a benzimidazole-based compound.
As the chemically amplified photoresist composition includes the alkali-soluble resin including a (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, it can improve the compatibility and solubility for the alkali resin to prevent the occurrence of scum on the exposed portion during development that has usually been generated when using a conventional corrosion inhibitor, can suppress a leaching phenomenon in which a low-molecular weight substance leaches out into a plating solution, and can exhibit a corrosion-inhibiting effect and thus eliminate the need to use a separate corrosion inhibitor.
Specifically, as described above, in the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit included in the (meth)acrylate-based resin, a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the heterocyclic compound can not only exhibit a corrosion-inhibiting effect, but also forms a bulky structure by being substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit, thereby playing a role in preventing a leaching phenomenon in which a low-molecular weight substance leaches out into a plating solution.
Further, as the heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit, the chemically amplified photoresist composition of the embodiment can improve compatibility and solubility, and even when used in a relatively small amount, it can implement an effect at an equivalent level or higher compared to when an additional corrosion inhibitor is added.
More specifically, when a specific heterocyclic compound is substituted at the terminal of the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit included in the (meth)acrylate-based resin via an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more improved effects can be achieved in view of significantly reducing the occurrence of scum, compared to when the corrosion inhibitor is additionally added in an amount of 0.01 to 0.5% by weight relative to the chemically amplified photoresist.
Meanwhile, the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms may include a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula A below.

In Chemical Formula A, Ra is hydrogen or methyl,
Rb and Rc are each a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and
X is a heterocyclic compound.
Meanwhile, the (meth)acrylate-based resin may contain 1 to 50% by weight of the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
When the resin includes the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms within the above range, the occurrence of scum can be more effectively prevented.
In contrast, when the (meth)acrylate-based resin includes the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in a higher content, a critical dimension (CD) of the lower part may be excessively widened after pattern development, or notching may occur at the bottom of the pattern in some cases.
Moreover, in addition to the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, the (meth)acrylate-based resin may further include a repeating unit derived from at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by Chemical Formulae 1 to 8 below.

In Chemical Formulae 1 to 8, R1 is hydrogen, a halogen, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and n1 and n2 are integers, wherein 1≤n1≤18 and 1≤n2≤18.
Meanwhile, the heterocyclic compound may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a triazole-based compound, an imidazole-based compound, a thiadiazole-based compound, a triazine-based compound, and a benzimidazole-based compound.
Specifically, the heterocyclic compound may be a compound containing one functional group selected from a thiol and an alkylene thiol, wherein the thiol may react with a double bond at the terminal of the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit included in the (meth)acrylate-based resin as a part of the alkali-soluble resin and carry out a thiol-ene click reaction to form an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and may be bonded to the (meth)acrylate-based resin therethrough.
More specifically, the heterocyclic compound may be derived from one selected from compounds represented by Chemical Formulae 9 to 14 below.

In Chemical Formulae 9 to 14, R2 to R10 are each independently hydrogen, a halogen, a thiol (SH), an amine (NH2), a hydroxy (OH), an alkylene having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R11 is a functional group containing a thiol (SH) or a functional group containing an alkylene thiol having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and n3 and n4 are integers wherein 1≤n3≤2 and 1≤n4≤4.
The thiol or the alkylene thiol contained in R11 may react with a double bond at the terminal of the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit to form an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
In the chemically amplified photoresist composition, the heterocyclic compound capable of performing the thiol-ene click reaction may be contained in an amount of 5 to 20 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total alkali-soluble resin.
When the heterocyclic compound is contained within the range of parts by weight described above, the sensitivity can be effectively increased with only a small equivalent weight, and thus the occurrence of scum on the exposed portion during development caused by excessive use of the heterocyclic compound may be prevented.
Specifically, when the compound is contained in an amount of less than parts by weight, the corrosion-inhibiting effect is hardly exhibited or is insignificant. When the compound is contained in an amount exceeding 20 parts by weight, the adhesion strength with the substrate may be lowered, and the photoresist film may not be formed properly.
Specifically, the alkali-soluble resin according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is bonded via an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
The alkali-soluble resin according to another embodiment of the present invention may, in addition to the (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is bonded via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to carbon atoms, further include at least one selected from the group consisting of a (meth)acrylate-based resin different from said resin; a novolac-based resin; and a polyhydroxystyrene-based resin.
More specifically, an alkali-soluble resin is included in the chemically amplified photoresist composition according to the present invention, wherein a part of the alkali-soluble resin may be a (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a specific heterocyclic compound is bonded via an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
Specifically, the (meth)acrylate-based resin includes a double bond at the terminal of the (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit, which reacts with thiol at the terminal of a specific heterocyclic containing at least one functional group selected from a thiol and an alkylene thiol and causes the thiol-ene click reaction to form an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and thus the both are bonded therethrough.
Meanwhile, the alkali-soluble resin may further include a commonly known alkali-soluble resin other than the (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
Specifically, the alkali-soluble resin may further include at least one selected from the group consisting of a different (meth)acrylate-based resin from the (meth)acrylate-based resin containing a (meth)acrylate-based repeating unit in which a heterocyclic compound is substituted via a divalent functional group containing an alkylene sulfide having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; a novolac-based resin; and a polyhydroxystyrene-based resin.
In addition, the chemically amplified photoresist composition for a thick film of one embodiment may further include at least one selected from a photoacid generator and a photoinitiator.
As the photoacid generator, those commonly used in the art can be used, and there is no particular limitation.
Such photoacid generator may include onium salts such as iodonium salts, sulfonium salts, diazonium salts, ammonium salts, and pyridinium salts; halogen group-containing compounds such as haloalkyl group-containing hydrocarbon compounds and haloalkyl group-containing heterocyclic compounds (halomethyltriazine derivatives, etc.); diazo ketone compounds such as 1,3-diketo-2-diazo compounds, diazobenzoquinone compounds, and diazonaphthoquinone compounds; sulfone compounds such as β-ketosulfone and β-sulfonylsulfone; sulfonic acid compounds such as alkyl sulfonates, haloalkyl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, and iminosulfonates; and naphthalimide compounds such as N-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)-1,8-naphthalimide, N-(p-toluenesulfonyloxy)-1,8-naphthalimide, N-(methylsulfonyloxy)-1,8-naphthalimide, and N-(camphorsulfonyloxy)-1,8-naphthalimide.
These compounds may be used singly or as a mixture of two or more.
In addition, the photoacid generator may be, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of triarylsulfonium salts, diaryliodonium salts, sulfonate compounds, triphenylsulfonium triflate, triphenylsulfonium antimonate, diphenyliodonium triflate, diphenyliodonium antimonate, methoxydiphenyliodonium triflate, di-t-butyliodonium triflate, 2,6-dinitobenzyl sulfonate, pyrogallol tris(alkylsulfonate), and succinimidyl triflate.
The photoinitiator may be one that is commonly used in the art, and is not particularly limited.
The photoinitiator is selected from, for example, benzophenone, aromatic α-hydroxy ketone, benzyl ketal, aromatic α-amino ketone, phenylglyoxylic acid ester, mono-acyl phosphine oxide, bis-acyl phosphine oxide, tris-acyl phosphine oxide, oxime ester derived from aromatic ketone, and/or oxime ester of a carbazole type.
Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the photoinitiator may be used in the process of preparing the photoacid generator, or may be used by being added together with the photoacid generator after polymerizing the alkali-soluble resin.
Meanwhile, the chemically amplified photoresist composition of the embodiment may further include an acid diffusion control agent, a dissolution inhibitor, a solvent, etc., in addition to the above components.
The acid diffusion control agent may be included for the purpose of improving the resist pattern configuration, post-exposure stability, and the like, but is not particularly limited. For example, it may at least one selected from the group consisting of triethylamine, tripropyl amine, tribenzyl amine, trihydroxyethyl amine, and ethylene diamine.
Meanwhile, the dissolution inhibitor may be one that is commonly used in the art, and is not particularly limited.
Meanwhile, the solvent may be included for controlling the viscosity of the photoresist composition, but is not particularly limited. For example, the solvent may include ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methyl isoamyl ketone, and 2-heptanone; polyhydric alcohols and derivatives thereof, such as ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monoacetate, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monoacetate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol monoacetate, dipropylene glycol, monomethyl ether, monoethyl ether, monopropyl ether, monobutyl ether, or a monophenyl ether of dipropylene glycol monoacetate; cyclic ethers such as dioxane; esters such as ethyl formate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl pyruvate, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl pyruvate, ethoxyethyl acetate, methoxymethyl propionate, ethoxyethyl propionate, methyl 2-hydroxypropionate, ethyl 2-hydroxypropionate, ethyl 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate, methyl 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, and 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate; and aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene.
These solvents may be used singly or as a mixture of two or more.
Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, a photoresist pattern prepared from the chemically amplified photoresist composition may be provided.
The photoresist pattern may be formed by using photoresist patterning methods and related devices, etc. that are commonly known in the art without particular limitation, except that the above-described chemically amplified photoresist composition is used.
Meanwhile, according to still another embodiment of the present invention, a method for preparing a photoresist pattern using the chemically amplified photoresist composition may be provided.
In the method for preparing a photoresist pattern, photoresist patterning methods and related devices, etc. that are commonly known in the art may be used without particular limitation, except that the above-described chemically amplified photoresist composition is used.
Specifically, the method for preparing a photoresist pattern may include a lamination step of laminating a thick film photoresist layer including the chemically amplified photoresist composition of the one embodiment on a support; an exposure step of irradiating the thick film photoresist layer with radiation including electromagnetic waves or particle beams; and a development step of developing the thick film photoresist layer after exposure to obtain a thick film resist pattern.


Compositions and methods of rendering cellulosic materials fire retardant, and articles of manufacture including the materials, are disclosed. The compositions include an amino acid, protein and/or peptide and optionally include one or more crosslinking and/or coupling agents. Enzymes are a preferred protein. The methods involve applying the composition to the material, and optionally involve covalently linking the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to the material, either directly or via a crosslinking agent. An advantage of covalently linking the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to the cellulosic material is the lack of any potential toxicity associated with breathable dust particles of unbound amino acid, protein and/or peptide, and the stability of the bonds between the material and the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to conventional steam cleaning and other carpet cleaning methods. In a preferred embodiment, the fire-retardant cotton-fiber composition is used to prepare cotton carpets, upholstery or raised surface apparel.

The present application relates to methods for reducing the flammability of cellulosic substrates, including cotton fiber carpets and raised surface apparel.
Cotton, like most textile fibers, is combustible. Whenever cotton is in the presence of oxygen and the temperature is high enough to initiate combustion (360-420xc2x0 C.), untreated cotton will either burn (flaming combustion) or smolder (smolder combustion). The degree of flammability depends on the fabric construction. Fabrics have different flammability requirements depending on the particular end use. Cotton fabrics, without the use of special flame-retardant finishes, meet practically all of these requirements for most existing end-uses. However, some new cotton product developments require special constructions or finishes to reduce their flammability. This is especially true in certain countries, such as the United States, which have strict regulations governing the flammability of these products.
Resistance to burning is one of the most useful properties that can be imparted to cotton fibers and textiles. Some end uses for cotton in textiles for apparel, home furnishings, and industry, can depend on its ability to be treated with chemical agents (flame-retardants) that confer flame resistance (FR). End uses requiring flame-retardant finishes include protective clothing (e.g., foundry workers apparel and fire fighters uniforms), children""s sleepwear, furnishing/upholstery, bedding, carpets, curtains/drapes, and tents.
Chemical agents for reducing the flammability of products containing cotton fiber and other cellulosic fibers are well known and generally grouped into two categories: durable and non-durable. The durable type tend not to be removed in conventional washes and the non-durable type are typically removed in conventional washes.
The variable manufacturing cost of a typical durable flame-retardant treatment is about $1-2 per yard, depending on fabric weight and other factors. This can be a major limitation. The flammability and flame resistance of cotton has been studied extensively and several comprehensive reviews of the subject are available.
Cotton is not currently the raw material of choice in the carpet industry. The carpet fiber business in the U.S. is roughly a 7,000,000 bale/year market, and cotton is less than one percent of this overall market. One reason that cotton has been almost excluded from this large market for fibers is the difficulty in complying with the Flammable Fabrics Act. This regulation requires that all carpets which are six feet by four feet or larger and are sold for residential use pass a flammability test. This test is commonly referred to as the xe2x80x9cPill Testxe2x80x9d. It calls for igniting a methenamine pill, which is placed in the center of a nine-inch by nine-inch carpet specimen. The specimen fails if the flame spreads to within one inch of a metal template containing an eight-inch diameter hole, which is placed on top of the carpet specimen prior to igniting the pill. The specimen passes if the flame does not spread to within one inch of the metal template.
For a residential carpet to be saleable, at least seven out of eight specimens must pass the test. Furthermore, if the carpet has been treated with a flame-retardant (with the exception of alumina trihydrate added to the back coating), then the carpet must be washed ten times as described in AATCC 124-1967 prior to testing.
There are numerous man-made fiber carpets which are currently available, many of which do not require any special treatments to pass federal flammability requirements because of the nature of the test. Many synthetic carpet fibers will melt away from the burning pill during the pill test, such that the pill eventually self extinguishes. The fuel load provided by these carpets in a fire, which is already burning, is not considered by the test method.
Other synthetic fiber carpets, such as polypropylene, require a flame-retardant such as alumina trihydrate. Alumina trihydrate is often added to a backcoating (or backing), as opposed to application directly to the carpet fibers. Synthetic thermoplastic fibers such as polypropylene melt quickly when exposed to a flame, for example, during the pill test. The burning pill then quickly falls, due to gravity, onto the backing. The backing typically includes three layers: a thermoplastic (usually polypropylene) primary backing layer, a latex adhesive layer (which may contain the flame-retardant) and a secondary thermoplastic (usually polypropylene) backing layer. Since the primary backing is also a low melting point thermoplastic, it quickly melts and allows the burning pill to come into direct contact with the latex. Since the latex often includes a flame-retardant, it can then suppress the spread of flames.
Certain other fibers, such as wool and modacrylic, are inherently flame resistant. These can be made into carpets which require no special treatments to pass the required pill test. Cotton carpets can also be made which require no special treatments to pass the pill test. For example, a cut pile carpet can be made from a {fraction (3/2)} Ne yarn composed of 90 percent cotton and 10 percent low melt thermoplastic fiber. The low melt fiber is allowed to melt, typically prior to tufting of the carpet. A carpet which includes 12 stitches per inch, {fraction (1/11)}-inch gauge, and xc2xc inch pile height can be constructed from this yarn. Such a carpet is generally dense enough, with a sufficiently low pile height, that it will pass the pill test without any additional treatment.
A disadvantage of relying on such low pile height constructions when manufacturing cotton carpets is that it is very limiting from a design and marketing standpoint. The consumer in the U.S. today has become accustomed to a wide variety of choices when selecting a carpet. Substantially limiting the choices of carpet construction is not a practical option for a successful marketing program.
Another disadvantage of attempting to reduce the flammability of a cotton (or cellulosic) carpet by construction alone is that achieving reduced flammability often means increasing the area density (oz./square yard) of the carpet. As the area density of the carpet increases, the cost also generally increases. This approach is therefore very restrictive and would limit the market to the small, upper price end.
Alumina trihydrate, which is effective on certain thermoplastic fiber carpets, is not typically effective on cotton-containing carpets. On cotton-containing carpets, the cotton yarn which is under and in the vicinity of the burning pill will tend to char but maintain sufficient integrity to support, insulate and separate the burning pill from the carpet backing. There is not a sufficient heat flux reaching the alumina trihydrate contained in the latex backing for the alumina trihydrate to be effective at suppressing the flame.
The use of flame-retardant low melt fibers in place of the typical non-flame-retardant low melt fiber used in the yarn has been attempted. The low melt fiber, in general, offers the advantages of improved resilience and tuft definition and minimizes shedding of loose fibers from the tufts. Testing has shown that flame retardant low melt fiber used in the yarn is not effective. Although various explanations have been offered, the mechanism is not understood.
Since federal law in the U.S. requires that any carpet which has a flame-retardant treatment (other than alumina trihydrate) be laundered ten times prior to flammability testing, any such flame-retardant which is applied for that purpose must remain effective after the ten home launderings. Because home launderings are rather effective at removing materials which are not chemically bonded to the fibers, durable flame retardants are generally the most effective.
There have been many techniques for imparting durable flame resistance properties to cellulosic substrates described in the literature. However, there are relatively few that are practiced today, due to commercial availability of the chemicals, safety concerns, process control issues or other reasons. Durable flame retardants are typically more complex, more expensive and more difficult to apply than non-durable treatments. The main flame retardant finishes used on cotton are phosphorus-based.
Two of the more common phosphorous-based systems which are used to provide durable flame resistance to cotton substrates are the xe2x80x9cpre-condensatexe2x80x9d /ammonia process and the reactive phosphorous process.
In the xe2x80x9cpre-condensatexe2x80x9d/NH3 process, the flame-retardant agent exists as a polymer in the fibrils of cotton fibers and is not combined chemically with OH groups in the cotton fiber. This process imparts durable flame resistance to 100% cotton. fabrics when applied under proper application procedures. It produces fabrics with a good hand and strength retention. Proper application of pre-condensates to cotton fabrics requires adequate fabric preparation, proper padding/uniform application, proper phosphorus add-on relative to fabric properties, appropriate moisture control prior to ammoniation, control of the ammoniation step to ensure adequate polymer formation, and effective oxidation and washing of the treated fabric.
This process is very useful for specialty applications that can command a very high price, such as protective clothing for fire fighters and other workers who may be exposed to fire or excessive heat. It is generally not practical for cotton carpets or raised surface apparel that will be sold to the average consumer. The problems associated with this process include the high cost, the special equipment needed (ammoniation chamber) which is not generally available, and the two drying steps which are required.
Reactive phosphorus-based flame retardants are compounds (e.g., N-methylol dimethyl phosphonopropionamide (MDPPA)) that react with cellulose, the main constituent of cotton fiber. These compounds can be used both for cotton and for cotton blends with a low synthetic fiber content. The finish, usually applied to the fabric after the coloring stage, promotes char formation. The durability of the finish makes the resulting treated fabric suitable for curtains, upholstery, bed linen and protective clothing.
The reactive phosphorus-based flame retardants are typically applied using a pad/dry/cure method, in the presence of phosphoric acid catalyst. The finish is sometimes applied with a methylated melamine resin to increase the bonding/fixation of the agent to cellulose, which enhances the flame retardancy. Afterwashing is generally required, often with an alkali such as soda ash, followed by further rinsing and drying. The afterwashing helps to reduce loss of fabric strength. The reactive phosphorous-based process has the advantage of not requiring specialized equipment such as an ammonia cure unit, and has less affect on dyes than the pre-condensate process. However, this process can cause more strength loss than the pre-condensate process. Further, there can be a durability problem associated with some wash treatments if the instructions of the chemical supplier are not followed.
Reactive phosphorus based flame retardants can be unsuitable for certain end uses, such as cotton or cotton blend carpets. This is especially true when the products contain formaldehyde, because of concerns about the human health effects of exposure to certain volatile organic compounds (VOC""s) which may have been released from carpeting or carpet backing in past years. Because of this, most carpet manufacturers generally consider even very low levels of formaldehyde to be unacceptable. Another issue is that these products are generally designed to be afterwashed as part of the application procedure. While the toxicity of such materials is generally low, there are significant concerns about the exposure of babies or small children to residual unfixed chemicals left on the carpet.
Another phosphorous-based approach has been to apply a flame-retardant cyclic phosphonate ester and tetrakis-(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate (THPS) to polyester/cotton fabrics. The components are applied simultaneously and then cured (U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,609 to Johnson). The phosphonate ester bonds to the polyester, and the THPS bonds to the cotton fibers. The minimum amount of polyester when this composition is used is 35% by weight. The treated fabrics can purportedly be washed numerous times and also have an acceptable hand. A limitation of the chemistry is that it requires such a large percentage of polyester in the blend, and also that phosphorous compounds can be problematic, as discussed above. Other organophosphorous-based treatments include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,603 to Sistrunk, U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,584 to Swidler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,425 to Leblanc and LeBlanc, U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,780 to Garner, U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,820 to DiPietro et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,796 to Harper and Beninate.
A non-phosphorous approach for rendering cotton fire retardant has been to incorporate a water-insoluble, solid particulate mixture of brominated organic compounds and metal oxides, optionally with a metal hydrate, into the carpet fiber (U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,606 to Mischutin). However, a limitation of the chemistry is that the metal oxide compounds may be rendered soluble when washed if the pH of the solution is on the acid side. Also, particles of brominated organic compounds may be irritating to people coming into contact with them, and may be harmful if ingested.
Another non-phosphorous approach has been to prepare a solution of boric acid, ammonium sulfate, borax, hydrogen peroxide, and optionally a surfactant and/or an alkyl phthalate ester, and apply this as a coating on cellulosic materials. A major limitation of this chemistry is the water-solubility of the components, which results in the composition being substantially removed during conventional washing.
There is a need for fire retardants for cotton fiber, especially when the fiber is used in a cotton carpet or in raised surface apparel, that survives a certain number of washings, including steam cleanings. The present invention provides such materials.
Compositions and methods for providing cellulosic fibers with reduced flammability, and articles of manufacture prepared from the resulting fire-resistant cellulosic fibers, are disclosed,
The compositions include one or more amino acids, proteins and/or peptides, and optionally include one or more crosslinking and/or coupling agents. The methods involve applying to a cellulosic fiber a composition including an amino acid, protein and/or peptide, and optionally involve chemically combining the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to the hydroxy groups on the cellulosic fiber using crosslinking and/or coupling agents.
Suitable amino acids include naturally-occurring and synthetic amino acids. The amine group can be at a position alpha to the carboxylic acid group, or can be at positions other than or in addition to the alpha position. Many amino acids include reactive groups such as hydroxy groups, thiols, amines, and carboxylic acids. Carboxylic acids are known to react with hydroxy groups under various coupling conditions using known coupling agents to form ester linkages. Thiols, amines and hydroxy groups on amino acids, proteins and/or peptides do not react directly with the hydroxy groups on the cellulosic materials, but can be covalently linked via crosslinking agents. Preferred amino acids are those which are commercially available in large quantities, for example, lysine and arginine.
Proteins and peptides are prepared by forming peptide (amide) bonds between various amino acids. Suitable proteins include soy proteins, milk proteins such as casein, derivatives thereof, and enzymes. In a preferred embodiment, the protein is an enzyme. Suitable enzymes include cellulases, lipases, catalases, amylases, proteases, pectinases, xylanases, isomerases and beta-glucanases. Examples of suitable enzymes include the Denimax(copyright) family of enzymes sold by Novo Nordisk.
Cotton is a preferred cellulosic fiber. Other cellulosic fibers include flax, jute, hemp, ramie, lyocell and regenerated unsubstituted wood celluloses such as rayon.
The crosslinking agents are reactive molecules which include two or more leaving groups, such that a thiol, amine and/or hydroxy group on the amino acid, protein and/or peptide can react with one of the groups, and the other group can react with a hydroxy group on a cellulosic material. Examples of suitable crosslinking agents include dichlorotriazines, ureas, imidazolidinones, imidazoles, dialdehydes, urethanes, carbonates, orthocarbonates, chloroformate, dihalides such as 1,2-dichloroethane, diesters such as dimethylsuccinate, diacid halides such as succinyl chloride, and the like.
The carboxylic acids on the amino acids, proteins and/or peptides and the hydroxy groups on the cellulosic substrate can be linked via ester linkages with or without the use of coupling agents. In one embodiment, the esterification is performed using a catalyst and heat, using the esterification conditions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,307 to Welch et al., the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
In another embodiment, more conventional esterification conditions, for example, forming acid halides and reacting the acid halides with the hydroxy groups on the cellulosic material in the presence of a tertiary amine, are used. This embodiment can be less preferred, due to the higher cost of the raw materials.
When the composition is applied to the cellulosic substrate by spray or foam, the percent by weight of the fire retardant solution which is applied to the cellulosic substrate is typically between about 5 and 100 percent by weight, preferably between about 10 and 50 percent by weight, and more preferably, between about 15 and 30 percent by weight of the fiber to be treated. These ranges vary depending on the mode of application and the cellulosic substrate to be treated. For example, for raised surface apparel, larger amounts of the fire retardant solution may be required to achieve adequate fire resistance. This same general principal, of adjusting the solution concentration based on the total wet add-on, applies to other substrates as well, such as fiber fill or upholstery.
The amino acids, proteins and/or peptides can also be applied by other application techniques including exhaust. In an exhaust application the liquor ratio may vary over a broad range of about 2 to 1 up to about 50 to 1. More preferably about 3 to 1 to about 20 to 1, meaning about 20 pounds of treating solution per pound of cellulosic containing substrate. In one preferred embodiment the liquor ratio is about 10 to 1 and the amino acid, protein and/or peptide concentration is adjusted accordingly down to a concentration ranging from 0.001 percent to about 5.0 percent and preferably from about 0.01 to 1.0 percent on the weight of the treating liquor which is equivalent to 0.1 percent to 10.0 percent on the weight of the cellulosic substrate. Wet coupling or crosslinking agents, which can also be applied by exhaust techniques from the same bath, can be applied with proteins, enzymes or amino acids to provide covalent linkages which result in treatments which are durable to various cleaning techniques. One such wet crosslinking agent is known as T-DAS, a dichlorotriazine.
The resulting cellulosic fiber is fire resistant. When the amino acid, protein and/or peptide is crosslinked with the cellulosic substrate, the linkages between the reactive groups on the amino acid, protein and/or peptide and the hydroxy groups on the cellulosic fiber are stable to most conventional washings, including the ten home launderings specified in 16 C.F.R. 1630 and 1631 for carpets which have been treated with a flame retardant.
The treated fiber can be present alone or as blends of cotton and other commercially available fibers, including polyester. The fibers can be used to prepare suitable articles of manufacture, including carpets, raised surface apparel, other garments, upholstery, and other articles which have acceptable fire resistance based on required tests for that particular use. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber is cotton and the article of manufacture is a cotton-based carpet or raised surface apparel. The treated cotton carpets can have an area density between about 20 oz/yd2 and 120 oz/yd2, preferably between about 30 oz/yd2 and 80 oz/yd2.
The compositions can optionally include additional components, such as other fire retardants, dyes, wrinkle resist agents, foaming agents, buffers, pH stabilizers, fixing agents, stain repellants such as fluorocarbons, stain blocking agents, soil repellants, wetting agents, softeners, water repellants, stain release agents, optical brighteners, emulsifiers, and surfactants.

Methods for reducing the flammability of cellulosic substrates


A flexible mounting slider with anti-static structure includes a slider body, an anti-static structure and a lead layer. The slider body includes an ABS, a slider back surface opposite to the ABS and a trailing edge connected with the ABS and the slider back surface. The trailing edge forms a plurality of slider pads thereon. The anti-static structure is provided on the slider back surface, which includes an insulation plate formed on the slider back surface, an anti-static plate formed on the insulation plate and a grounding element. In the invention, the anti-static plate comprises an insulation layer and an anti-static layer. The grounding element is electrically contacting with the anti-static layer of the anti-static plate and the slider back surface simultaneously. The lead layer is sandwiched between the insulation plate and the insulation layer of the anti-static plate and electrically connected with the slider pads of the slider body.

Disk drives are information storage devices that use magnetic media to store data and movable read/write elements positioned over the magnetic media to selectively read data from and write data to the magnetic media.
FIGS. 1a-1b illustrate a conventional disk drive device 200. As shown in the figures, a disk 101 is mounted on a spindle motor 102 for spinning the disk 101. A voice-coil motor (VCM) arm 104 carries a head gimbal assembly (HGA) 100. The HGA 100 includes a suspension 111 and a slider 103 mounted on a tail end of the suspension 111. The slider 103 embeds read/write elements (not shown) therein to realize data read/write operation of the slider 103 relative to the disk 101. A voice-coil motor 106 is provided for controlling the motion of the voice-coil motor arm 104 and in turn, controlling the slider 103 to move across the surface of the disk 101 from track to track, thereby realizing data read/write operation of the read/write elements relative to the disk 101. In operation, a lift force is generated by the aerodynamic interaction between the slider 103 incorporating read/write elements and the spinning disk 101. The lift force is opposed by equal and opposite spring force applied by the suspension 111 of HGA 100 such that a predetermined flying height of the slider 103 above the surface of the spinning disk 101 is maintained over a full radial stroke of the voice-coil motor arm 104.
FIG. 1c illustrates the slider 103 shown in FIGS. 1a-1b. The slider 103 is a flexible mounting slider (FMS), which could simplify the assembly process of HGA and the whole disk drive device, and thus has been widely used. As shown in FIG. 1c, the flexible mounting slider 103 includes a slider body 155, a first insulation layer 154 formed on the slider body 155, a lead layer 153 formed on the first insulation layer 154 and a second insulation layer 152 formed on the lead layer 153.
The slider body 155 has an air bearing surface (ABS) 180 and a slider back surface 181 opposite to the ABS 180. A trailing edge 184 is formed on the slider body 155 to connect with the ABS 180 and the slider back surface 181, which is provided with read elements (not shown) and write elements 182 thereon. The trailing edge 184 forms a plurality of slider pads 183 at a position close to the slider back surface 181. In the invention, the slider pads 183 electrically connect with the read/write elements.
The first insulation layer 154 is formed to cover the slider back surface 181 so as to form an electrical insulation layer between the lead layer 153 and the slider body 155. The first insulation layer 154 forms a plurality of openings 170 at positions corresponding to the slider pads 183 of the slider body 155. The lead layer 153 comprises a plurality of leads 171 electrically isolated from each other. One end of each lead 171 forms a first pads 163 corresponding to the slider pad 183, the other end of each lead 171 forms a second pad 156 adapted to electrically connect with the suspension (shown as numeral 111 of FIG. 1b). The lead layer 153 is formed on the first insulation layer 154 and insulated from the slider body 155. The slider pads 183, the openings 170 and the first pads 163 are positioned correspondingly, and the slider pads 183 and the corresponding first pads 163 could pass through the opening 170 and thus electrically connecting with each other.
The second insulation layer 152 is used to form an electrical insulation layer between the lead layer 153 and the suspension (not shown). The second insulation layer 152 forms a plurality of openings 162 at positions thereof corresponding to the second pads 156 of the lead layer 153. The second pads 156 could pass through the opening 162 and thus electrically connect with the corresponding electrical connection pads (not shown) of the suspension via the electrical connection ball.
Because of the existence of the two insulation layers, the read/write elements of the slider 103 could achieve electrical connection with the corresponding parts of the suspension via the slider pads 183 with the lead layer 153. However, in the slider-forming process, because the second insulation layer 152 is provided at the outermost surface of the slider 103, it is very easy for the second insulation layer 152 to rub with the outside surroundings, thus accumulating a large amount of electrostatic charges. Because of the electrostatic induction action, some electrostatic charges are also distributed in the lead layer 153, which makes the lead layer 153 present high potential accordingly. As the second insulation layer 152 has no proper grounding structure, the electrostatic charges are unable to be released before the slider 103 is assembled to the other components. For such reason, during the process of assembling the slider 103 to the other components, it is very easy for the lead layer 153 to contact with the low-potential outside surroundings (such as operators' hands, clamps, etc.), thus generating electrostatic discharge (ESD) which will cause the current flow through the slider read/write elements connected with the lead layer 153, thereby damaging the slider read/write elements.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved flexible mounting slider to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art.

Flexible mounting slider with anti-static structure, head gimbal assembly and magnetic disk drive with the same


Provided are a sulfonated polymer capable of high hot water resistance even if it has an increased amount of the sulfonic groups introduced therein, and a solid polymer electrolyte containing the sulfonated polymer that has high proton conductivity and excellent generating performance.

Recently, solid electrolytes are used more often than the conventional electrolyte (aqueous) solutions. This is because firstly those solid electrolytes have good processability in application in electric and electronic components, and secondly there are trends for overall size and weight reduction of such components and further for power saving.
Proton conductive materials, both inorganic and organic, are known in the art. However, inorganic proton conductive compounds, such as uranyl phosphate hydrate, come with many difficulties when superposed as a conductive layer onto a substrate or an electrode. For example, sufficient contact cannot be achieved in the interface between the conductive layer and the substrate or the like.
On the other hand, the organic proton conductive compounds include organic polymers that belong to the so-called cation exchange resins, for example sulfonated vinyl polymers such as polystyrene sulfonic acid; perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acid polymers and perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid polymers represented by Nafion® (DuPont); and polymers occurring by introducing sulfonic or phosphoric groups in heat resistant polymers such as polybenzimidazole and polyether ether ketone (Polymer Preprints, Japan, Vol. 42, No. 7, p. 2490–2492 (1993), Polymer Preprints, Japan, Vol. 43, No. 3, p. 735–736 (1994), Polymer Preprints, Japan, Vol. 42, No. 3, p. 730 (1993)).
These organic polymers are generally in the form of film when used as electrolytes. Their solvent solubility and thermoplasticity enable them to form a conductive membrane jointly on an electrode. However, many of the organic polymers are still insufficient in proton conductivity. In addition, they have poor service durability, reduce proton conductivity at high temperatures (100° C. or above), are embrittled by sulfonation to cause low mechanical strength, and have high moisture dependence. Moreover, the adhesion thereof with an electrode is not satisfactorily good. Further, because of the water-containing structure of these polymers, the conductive membranes are excessively swollen during operation, resulting in lowered strength and deformation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,675 discloses a solid polymer electrolyte comprising a sulfonated rigid-rod polyphenylene. This polymer mainly contains an aromatic compound composed of phenylene units and has been sulfonated by reaction with a sulfonating agent to introduce therein sulfonic groups. Although increasing the amount of the sulfonic groups introduced improves the proton conductivity, it also results in remarkably deteriorated hot water resistance and toughness.

Sulfonated polymer having nitrile-containing hydrophobic block and solid polymer electrolyte

Abstract: The sulfonated polymer has repeating units represented by the formula (1′):

Abstract: wherein B's are each independently an oxygen or a sulfur atom, R1 to R3 may be the same or different and are selected from a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a nitrile group and an alkyl group, n is an integer of 2 or greater, and Q is a structure represented by the formula (q):

Abstract: wherein A is independently a divalent atom or organic group or a direct bond, and R4 to R11 may be the same or different and are selected from a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an alkyl group and an aromatic group.


A display device which displays a plurality of objects on a screen has a group configuration storage section for storing association information indicating the association between each of the plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups, a group priority level storage section for storing group display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the objects associated with the other groups, an object priority level storage section for storing object display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the others, an object priority level changing section for changing the object display priority level while the association information is maintained, and a display section for displaying the plurality of objects according to the group display priority levels and the object display priority levels.

The present invention relates to a display device, a display method, a display program and a recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display device, a display method, a display program and a recording medium for displaying objects in an overlaid state.
A window display device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3054120 enables setting of each of window objects in a hierarchical rank which represents the ordinal position of the window objects as numbered in the backward direction.
However, there is a need to define hierarchical ranks of window objects on an object-by-object basis. Therefore, in a case where a plurality of window objects relating to each other exist, it is not possible to set them in the same hierarchical rank.

Displaying objects using group and object priority levels

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention is directed to a method for producing bicyclic guanidines comprising heating a cyclic urea to a temperature >200° C. to form the bicyclic guanidines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing bicyclic guanidines.
2. Background Information
It is well known that bicyclic guanidines, such as 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) is chemically active and, therefore, can be used to catalyze a variety of chemical reactions. An important consideration in the commercial exploitation of bicyclic guanidines as a catalyst (for any reaction) is that bicyclic guanidines be relatively inexpensive to purchase or easily produced. Published methods for synthesizing bicyclic guanidines, however, are often complicated, often involve the use of a multiple step synthesis process, and/or require the use of prohibitively expensive starting materials which may be hazardous in a variety of ways.
For example, some methods utilize carbon disulfide (CS2) in the production of bicyclic guanidines. However, there are regulatory and handling issues associated with the use of carbon disulfide. For instance, air transport of carbon disulfide is typically prohibited. Additionally, contact with carbon disulfide with air should be avoided because the combination of high volatility, wide flammability range, and low ignition temperature results in a readily combustible mixture.
Accordingly, there is a need for a process for producing bicyclic guanidines at relatively high yields while not using hazardous materials, such as carbon disulfide, as an ingredient to produce the bicyclic guanidines.

Method for producing bicyclic guanidines by use of a cyclic urea


A driving apparatus includes a rotating electrical machine; an inverter capable of supplying electric power to the rotating electrical machine; a containing case; a coolant circuit distributing coolant capable of cooling the inverter and the rotating electrical machine; a cooling mechanism, which is provided in the coolant circuit, is contained in the containing case, and is capable of cooling the rotating electrical machine and the inverter; and a supplying pipe capable of supplying the cooling mechanism with the coolant circulating in the cooling circuit.

Conventionally, there are proposed a wide variety of driving apparatuses each of which is provided in a vehicle, has a motor and an inverter integrated therein, and includes a cooling mechanism capable of cooling the motor and the inverter.
For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-20881 describes a driving apparatus having a cooling space provided in its portion at which a driving apparatus case containing a motor and a heat sink integrated in an inverter are opposite to each other.
The cooling space is divided by a separating wall into an inverter side cooling space that faces the heat sink, and a driving case side cooling space that faces the driving apparatus case. The driving apparatus includes flow-in amount adjusting means for adjusting a coolant flow-in ratio.
A coolant circulation path, which circulates cooling water as single coolant through the cooling space, includes a water pump, a radiator, and the like. The water pump has a discharge side flow path serving as a starting point of the coolant circulation path and connected to an entrance side port of the heat sink.
In the driving apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-20881, the port to which the discharge side flow path of the water pump is connected protrudes upward, so the discharge side flow path projects in a space above the driving apparatus. Hence, the conventional driving apparatus suffers from a drawback that when the driving apparatus is mounted in a vehicle and connected to a pipe path of a cooling circuit, the driving apparatus and the cooling circuit occupy a large space, resulting in difficulties in mounting.

Driving apparatus and vehicle including driving apparatus


An access point operating in a wireless communication network includes a smart antenna for generating directional antenna beams. A method for operating the access point includes communicating with a client station using a selected directional antenna beam, with the client station initially being in a stationary position. Signal to noise ratios of signals received from the client station within a time interval are measured. At least one variation metric of a mean of the measured signal to noise ratios within the time interval is determined. This at least one determined variation metric is compared to a threshold for determining if the client station is moving.

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) are an alternative to or an extension of wired local area networks (LANs). An access point (AP) is a hardware device that acts as a communication hub for users of a wireless device to connect to a LAN. Access points are important for extending the physical range of services in which a wireless user has access to the LAN. Access points also affect the throughput of the networks.
Access points may operate with a subscriber based smart antenna. The smart antenna is also referred to as a switched beam antenna, and generates a plurality of antenna beams. The antenna beams generated by the smart antenna include directional antenna beams and an omni-directional antenna beam.
Wireless users are also known as client stations. Example client stations are personal computers operating with a wireless network card. The wireless network card may be compatible with the 802.11 standard, for example. An access point includes an antenna for sending forward link radio frequency signals to the client stations. The access point is also responsible for receiving reverse link radio frequency signals transmitted from each client station.
In one example, a client station is wirelessly connected to an access point within the user's house. The access point has already selected a preferred antenna beam for communicating with the client station. Because of the wireless connection, the user has the option to move from room to room within the house and still be connected to the access point. When this happens, the access point typically needs to scan the antenna beams in case a better antenna beam can be selected for communicating with the client station.
One approach to address this problem is to have two phases, a scan phase and a steady transmission phase. During the scan phase, the access point sends a "dummy" frame on each directional beam to the client station, collects received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements on the 802.11 ACK sent by client station, and selects the directional beam with the best RSSI.
During the steady transmission phase, the access point sends a data packet on the selected best beam, measures the ACK received on the direction beam, and measures on the uplink packets received on the omni-directional antenna beam. If the RSSI measured on the omni-directional antenna beam is better than the selected directional beam, then a scan is triggered. Alternatively, if the RSSI measured on the directional antenna beam drops, then a scan is also triggered. To check for RSSI variations, a long-term and a short-term average of RSSI values are computed.
User mobility is thus currently tracked using RSSI measurements, as well as determining when to select a new antenna beam. Computing long-term and short-term averages of the RSSI values by the access point allows determination of when the client station starts to move. It is difficult to track the client station's mobility based on an average measurement. It is also difficult to differentiate changes in the environment versus changes in the client station's position. Consequently, instead of using RSSI variations to determine when to trigger a scan due to movement of the client station, other approaches are desired.

Deviation based antenna control algorithm for an access point


A power system for dynamic positioning of a vessel. The power system reduces fuel consumption, carbon buildup deposits and the risk of cylinder bore glazing while in combustion engine driven generators and provides an adequate protection against blackouts. The power system includes first and second combustion engine driven generators, a battery unit, and a converter unit arranged to provide power to the vessel from the battery unit. A first operational state of the power system in which the first combustion engine driven generator is arranged to deliver power to the vessel, and a second operational state, in which the first generator is subject to a fault, the second combustion engine driven generator arranged to deliver power to the vessel, and the converter unit is arranged to deliver power to the vessel during transition between the states.

Dynamic positioning (DP) is a method of maintaining the position and heading of a vessel generally by means of the propulsion means of the vessel. Vessels which utilize dynamic positioning include semi-submersible rigs and drillships.
Safety related rules have been set for dynamic positioning ships. These rules define classes DP1, DP2 and DP3. Class rules for DP2 and DP3 vessels demand that position must be maintained following a single fault. In practice this means that blackouts must never be allowed to occur. To achieve this, DP vessels are normally run in a split bus configuration with open busties. For semi-submersible rigs this generally means a two-split configuration, while for drillships a three-split configuration is typical. These configurations are sufficient to prevent blackout and meet the class requirements for DP2 and DP3 operation under most environmental conditions.
Rigs are often operated with extra redundancy in addition to that provided by the split bus configuration. Some rig operators provide rigs with at least two running generators in each split during DP operations, to minimize the risk of partial blackout within each split. However, configurations with several running generators have several drawbacks.


An exhaust gas treatment method and system of a cement burning facility, wherein a chlorine concentration of the collected fine powder dust is set in a range of 5 to 20% in such a manner that when a part of exhaust gas is extracted as extracted gas from a lowermost part of a preheater, or a kiln inlet part of a cement kiln, a cement raw material is dispersed and the temperature of the extracted gas is held in a range of 950° to 1150° C. By adjusting the dispersion amount of the cement raw material, the extracted gas is cooled to a melting point or less of a chlorine compound, and a classification particle size in a solid-gas separator is then adjusted in a range of 12 μm to 30 μm, to separate for removal and collection fine powder dust.

In recent years, in order to solve the waste disposal problem, various wastes are used as a part of a cement raw material or a part of a heating fuel used in a cement kiln. However, when wastes, such as synthetic resin, are charged into the cement kiln as a part of the fuel, a chlorine component having volatility is generated during combustion. The chlorine component is sent to a preheater together with exhaust gas discharged out of the cement kiln. However, when the atmosphere temperature becomes below the melting point of the chlorine component as the exhaust gas is transferred to the upper stage side of the preheater, the chlorine component is condensed to adhere to the cement raw material, and is again sent to the inside of the cement kiln, so as to be evaporated again according to the increase in the atmosphere temperature.
In this way, the chlorine component taken into the system of the cement burning facility is circulated by repeating evaporation and condensation in the inside of the cement kiln and the preheater. Also, when a chlorine component generated from newly charged wastes is added to the circulating chlorine component, the concentration of the chlorine component is increased, so as to thereby result in clogging in the preheater due to coating, and the like. For this reason, there arise problems that stable operation of the facility is obstructed and that the quality of manufactured cement clinker is also affected.
Thus, in order to solve the above described problem, for example, in patent document 1 as will be described below, there is proposed a kiln exhaust gas treatment method based on the chlorine bypass, which method includes: a process of extracting a part of kiln exhaust gas from a kiln; a process of cooling the extracted exhaust gas to the melting point or lower of a chlorine compound; a process of separating dust in the exhaust gas into coarse powder and fine powder by a classifier; and a process of returning the separated coarse powder to the kiln and of discharging the fine powder to the downstream side of the classifier, and which method is characterized in that the ratio of extraction amount of the kiln exhaust gas is set to more than 0% to 5% or less, in that the separation particle size in the classifier is set to 5 μm to 7 μm, and in that the discharged amount of the fine powder is set to 0.1% or less of the production amount of the clinker.
According to the kiln exhaust gas treatment method having the above described configuration, it is possible to stably operate the rotary kiln in such a manner that the exhaust gas, which contains the fine powder dust separated in the classifier and having a high chlorine content, is sent to a dust collector, and that the fine powder dust having the high chlorine content is collected and discharged to the outside of the system. Further, it is possible to effectively remove the chlorine at a minimum heat loss and possible to reduce the extracted gas amount, and hence the scale of the treatment facility can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to obtain the effects that the space and cost of the facility can be reduced, and that the kiln can be economically and stably operated.
However, in the conventional kiln exhaust gas treatment method as described above, the particle diameter of the fine powder dust collected by the dust collector is set to a very fine particle diameter in the range of 7 μm down to 5 μm or less. For this reason, a general purpose type cannot be used as the classifier, and hence it is necessary to install a classifier having high performance, which needs to be finely controlled during the operation. This results in a problem of increase in the installation cost of the classifier.
In addition, the very fine powder dust is collected, so that the chlorine concentration in the collected fine powder dust is extremely increased. For this reason, in the case where the chlorine concentration in the fine powder dust exceeds 20%, the handling property of the collected fine powder dust is significantly deteriorated due to the deliquescence, or the like, of the chlorine compound adhering to the fine powder dust. This also leads to a problem that the fine powder dust adheres to the inner peripheral wall of a conveying pipe, a hopper, and the like (to cause the coating), so as to easily cause a trouble such as clogging of hopper and chute. As a result, there are problems that it is difficult to perform the stable operation and that the maintenance cost is also increased.
Patent document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3318714

Exhaust gas treatment method and system in cement burning facility


An instruction to write to a location in the Flash memory is received. It is determining if the Flash memory exposes a level placement setting associated with defining what voltage range corresponds to what level. In the event it is determined that the Flash memory exposes a level placement setting, an accurate coarse write is performed on the location, including by configuring the level placement setting to be a first value, and after the accurate coarse write is performed on the location, a fine write is performed on the location, including by configuring the level placement setting to be a second value, in response to receiving the instruction.

Multiple-pass write to Flash memory is a technique in which a write is divided into multiple passes or stages. The first pass is sometimes referred to as a coarse write, with later writes referred to as fine writes. Multiple-pass writes are popular because it mitigates interference at one write line caused by writing to an adjacent write line in Flash memory. It would be desirable if improved techniques could be developed for multiple-pass writes, for example which reduce bus usage and/or overhead memory associated with existing techniques (e.g., overhead in the Flash memory itself or in a separate random access memory (RAM)), and/or which permit recovery of the data in the event power is lost between a coarse write and a fine write.

Flash multiple-pass write with accurate first-pass write


A fastener attaches a wire harness and an end of a floor carpet to a rocker panel of a vehicle and provides support for a rocker molding independently of the rocker panel. The wire harness includes a pair of arcuate arms pivotally mounted on a base of the fastener and having free ends that connect to one another to form a cylindrical wire harness holder that surrounds a wire harness. One of the arcuate arms is latched to the base and assists in retaining an end of the carpet on the base. Spaced rocker molding engagement portions on the base and on the one arcuate arm receive and retain respective legs of the rocker molding.

This invention relates to a fastener for attaching a floor carpet and a wire harness to a rocker panel of a vehicle, and more particularly, a fastener that is capable of attaching a rocker molding to the rocker panel, as well as a floor carpet and a wire harness.
Japanese Patent No. 3264583 discloses a floor carpet and wire harness fastener comprising a base having engagement means engageable with a rocker panel and a carpet engagement protrusion, a wire harness holder adapted to hold a wire harness and connected to the base in such a manner that it can be swingably moved close to and away from the base, and holder engagement means for fastening the wire harness holder to the base while sandwiching an end portion of the floor carpet between the base and the wire harness holder. In use of this fastener, a wire harness is temporarily fixed onto a rocker panel after attachment to a clampable holder of a harness clamp, and then a floor carpet is placed on a vehicle floor. Then, engagement means of the harness clamp is engageably inserted into an engagement hole formed in the end portion of the floor carpet, and the end portion of the floor carpet is pressed and fixed by a so-called scuff plate (rocker molding) and the clampable holder holding the wire harness. Thus, even after the completion of an operation of attaching a wire harness to a rocker panel, the floor carpet can be placed below the wire harness.
Generally, a rocker molding or scuff plate is attached to a rocker panel in such a manner that it covers a wire harness and an end portion of a floor carpet to protect them and provide enhanced appearance. In order to fix the rocker molding, the rocker panel is provided with a curved portion engageable with a support leg provided on the inner surface of the rocker molding, to hold the rocker molding. The aforementioned fastener includes an engagement portion engageable with another support leg provided on the inner surface of the rocker molding, to assist the fixing of the rocker molding.

Fastener for attaching floor carpet and wire harness to a rocker panel


A match design exhibiting burn preventative safety stem construction with a match head having an ignitable composition formed thereon. An elongate stem includes a first end and a second end with the match head being formed onto the first end. The elongate stem is subdivided into a first section extending a selected distance from the first end. A second section extends beyond the first section a further selected distance and terminates in the second end. The first section is impregnated with a scenting composition and the second section is impregnated with a flame resistant composition such that, upon striking and ignition of the match head, flame travel along the stem is limited to the first section to release the scenting composition.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to matchbook and wooden match constructions and, more particularly, to an improved match design with burn preventative safety stem construction and a selectively impregnable scenting composition means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is well documented with examples of matches and match book constructions. An example of a prior art match construction is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,694, issued to Krusche, which teaches a match having a scent compound incorporated into the igniting head of the match. A first layer of the match head includes an adsorbent, a scenting compound and/or deodorant and a binder. A second layer consisting of an igniting composition is applied over the first layer and the match head, upon being struck against an appropriate surface, ignites to release the underlying scenting composition.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,138,225 and 4,040,879, both issued to Nagatugi et al., disclose examples of match head constructions in which the sulfur component, normally associated with conventional match heads, is replaced with a cellulose nitrate solution. Nagano teaches that replacing a sulfur solution with a cellulose nitrate solution avoids the sulfur and pine resins previously used as combustion agents and likewise reduces the use of potassium chlorate as an ignition agent. The net effect of this is said to result in better combustion of match heads with cellulose nitrate construction and to reduce the amount of soot and smoke associated with lighting the match.

Match design with burn preventative safety stem construction and selectively impregnable scenting composition means


An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) defense system is described that forces premature detonation of IEDs by radiated sound energy signals. Embodiments of the invention provide for radiating sound energy signals from a stationary or mobile platform to a stationary or mobile area defining an “IED detonation zone.” IEDs within the IED detonation zone that are triggered by sound energy sources will receive the radiated sound energy signals, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs in the detonation zone.

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is an explosive device that is cobbled together (or "improvised") for example, from commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, military ordnance and/or ordnance components, typically by terrorists, guerrillas or commando forces for use in unconventional warfare. IEDs may be implemented for the purpose of causing death or injury to civilian or military personnel, to destroy or incapacitate structural targets or simply to harass or distract an opponent. IEDs may comprise conventional high-explosive charges alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological agents or nuclear material. IEDs may be physically placed at or near a pre-determined target or carried by person or vehicle toward a predetermined target or target of opportunity.
As will be appreciated, the design of construction of an IED and the manner and tactics for which a terrorist may employ an IED may vary depending on the available materials and sophistication of the designer. As such, a variety of different triggering mechanisms could be used to trigger detonation of IEDs. It is contemplated that certain IEDs, either by design or by nature of the triggering mechanism, may detonate responsive to exposure to radiated sound energy of a certain type or characteristic. For example and without limitation, high-intensity sounds or "noise prints" having a characteristic sound pattern could be used to trigger detonation of IEDs. It is a concern that these tactics can be used to trigger bombings against civilian and military targets throughout the world. Accordingly, there is a need for precautionary measures to respond to this threat.

Forced premature detonation of improvised explosive devices via noise print simulation


A seal section for location between a submersible rotary pump and motor has a primary mechanical seal and a secondary oil seal at the pump end of the seal section. The mechanical seal has rigid seal faces that slide in engagement with each other. The secondary seal has an inner portion that seals against the shaft of the seal section and an outer portion that seals against the housing. The seal section has a pressure equalizing device for equalizing pressure of motor lubricant with well bore pressure.

A typical submersible well pump assembly of the type concerned herein has an electrical motor that is connected to a centrifugal pump by a seal section. The motor is filled with a dielectric lubricant for lubricating bearings within. The seal section has a pressure equalizing device, which may be a bladder or a U-tube arrangement, for equalizing the pressure of the lubricant in the motor with the well bore fluid on the exterior.
The seal section has a shaft that couples to the motor shaft on one end and to the pump shaft on the other end. A mechanical seal between the housing of the seal section and the shaft reduces encroachment of well bore fluid into contact with the lubricant in the seal section and motor. The mechanical seal typically has rigid faces that are biased toward and rotated in sliding engagement with each other. The rotating component of the mechanical seal is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith. The stationary component is attached to the housing. The sliding seal faces are exposed to well bore fluid on one side and lubricant on the other side. Mechanical seal faces of this nature must remain wet in order to work, therefore they are designed to leak small amounts. Even though the leakage rate is very small, well fluid will ingress into the motor over time and may cause a failure.
One way to prolong well fluid entry into the motor is to provide multiple seal sections, each of which contains at least one mechanical seal. This arrangement adds cost and additional length to the equipment.

Seal section oil seal for submersible pump assembly


A device for extracting a nucleic acid from a sample liquid includes a heating element configured to be connected to an extraction nucleic acid. The extraction nucleic acid is at least partly complementary to the nucleic acid to be extracted from the sample liquid. The heating element is heatable to a temperature that is equal to or higher than a denaturing temperature of the nucleic acid bound to the extraction nucleic acid.

US2002/0127569A1 discloses a method for binding target polynucleotides in a sample by means of a solid support to which sample molecules are attached. Via capture probe molecules, the target polynucleotides can then be bound to the solid support together with the probe molecules. In this case, the solid support preferably consists of magnetic particles that can be removed from the solution by means of magnetic forces.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,592A discloses methods and devices for performing nucleic acid hybridization and amplification on a support. The hybridization conditions are preferably provided by a work station at which reagents or heating elements can be introduced, preferably through an opening.
WO91/14788 discloses methods and reagents for amplifying polynucleotides. In this case, the target sequence is purified and a PCR product detected. The target nucleic acid is bound to a solid support via other molecules. For the amplification, the solution is heated to a temperature between 90° C. and 100° C. for several minutes.
WO93/09250 discloses an assay and a method for amplifying and detecting target nucleic acids in patient samples. In this case, an amplification method is used in combination with primers that are immobilized on either a container or a dipstick.
Furthermore, EP1466018B1 discloses a method for purifying and amplifying a target nucleic acid, wherein the target nucleic acid is bound to magnetic glass particles.
EP0415978A1 discloses a method for analysing genes, wherein primers are bound to superparamagnetic particles. In this case, the temperature of the medium is altered by means of a metal block.
WO9010716A1 discloses a method for isolating and identifying a target nucleic acid in a sample, wherein the sample is bonded to a solid support to which a substrate is hybridized. The sample is heated by adding heated buffer solution.
The disadvantage of the methods known from the prior art is that extracting a nucleic acid to be copied is for the most part very complex and requires a considerable amount of time before the extracted nucleic acid can be amplified.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method and a device by means of which a nucleic acid can be extracted and optionally amplified in a short time and/or in a labour-saving manner.

Device for extracting a nucleic acid from a sample liquid


A fuse configuration for a semiconductor apparatus is described. The fuse configuration has a semiconductor material disposed underneath the fuse and is made porous by implantation and subsequent etching, so that it provides a thermal insulation. The thermal insulation protects the semiconductor body when the fuse is blown due to a decreased energy requirement for blowing the fuse.

The present invention relates to a fuse configuration for a semiconductor apparatus. The fuse configuration contains a semiconductor body, an insulation layer of which at least part is provided on a surface of the semiconductor body, and a metal layer in the form of a web which is disposed on the insulation layer and has a constriction, which forms a fuse, at at least one point.
One preferred field of application for the fuses (melting fuse links) is semiconductor memories. For example, in semiconductor memories, they can activate redundant memory cells when memory cells fail.
Fuses are also suitable for storing information since their state, namely xe2x80x9cburnt outxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cnot burnt outxe2x80x9d, is assessed as xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d, or vice versa.
When blowing a fuse, which is essential for it to operate, a high current is used which leads to a significant output and loss of energy. The heat produced in the process is dissipated into the semiconductor body via an insulating layer provided between the fuse and the semiconductor body, and can thus lead to the formation of cracks in the semiconductor body. These cracks can adversely affect the operation of adjacent components, or even destroy them.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a fuse configuration for a semiconductor apparatus which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices of this general type, which is configured such that it is virtually impossible for cracks to be produced when blowing a fuse.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a fuse configuration for a semiconductor apparatus. The fuse configuration contains a semiconductor body having a surface and a semiconductor area formed of a porous semiconductor material, an insulation layer, at least a part of the insulation layer is disposed on the surface of the semiconductor body, and a metal layer in a form of a web disposed on the insulation layer. The metal layer has a constriction forming and functioning as a fuse at at least one point. The semiconductor area in the semiconductor body formed of the porous semiconductor material is disposed underneath the constriction and functions as a thermal insulation.
In the case of the fuse configuration of the type mentioned initially, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the semiconductor area in the semiconductor body underneath the constriction provides thermal insulation. In this case, the semiconductor area is preferably formed by a porous semiconductor material. The porous semiconductor material can be formed by implantation and subsequent etching. Boron or some other suitable material (i.e. a p-type dopant) can be used for the implantation. A HF mixture can advantageously be used for etching.
The fuse configuration according to the invention thus preferably has the porous semiconductor material in the area where the fuse is burnt, the porous semiconductor material being produced by implantation and etching from the semiconductor material. The term semiconductor material in this case primarily refers to silicon. However, the invention is not limited to silicon as the semiconductor material. Other semiconductor materials can be used, such as AIII-BV semiconductor materials.
The porous semiconductor material is sufficiently robust for further technological processing which is necessary when producing a memory configuration. However, it provides thermal insulation, which results in a major advantage. Specifically, even a small current surge is sufficient to destroy the fuse, because the thermal insulation provided by the porous semiconductor material results in that only a small energy loss occurs.
xe2x80x9cBlowingxe2x80x9d of the fuse in this way requires much less energy than the conventional procedure, in which the fuse is disposed on an insulation layer provided on the semiconductor body. In addition, only the porous semiconductor material is destroyed, thus forming a xe2x80x9ccrumple zonexe2x80x9d. This results in that the semiconductor material in the rest of the semiconductor body remains completely intact. In particular, no dangerous cracks that could destroy adjacent components are formed there.
The conversion of the semiconductor material to a porous state also allows self-supporting links to be formed in particular in the insulation layer, over which the fuses are then located.
In the fuse configuration according to the invention, the advantageous interaction of the insulation layer with the crumple zone formed underneath it by the porous semiconductor material is particularly advantageous. The porous semiconductor material increases the thermal insulation underneath the insulation layer so that even a small current surge is sufficient to burn or blow the fuse. Furthermore, only the crumple zone formed by the porous material is adversely affected by this blowing or burning process, so that damage to the rest of the semiconductor body is reliably avoided.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a fuse configuration for a semiconductor apparatus, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fuse configuration for a semiconductor apparatus


The present invention provides a disc cartridge container case enabling to assure protection of a disc cartridge and easily insert and remove the disc cartridge, as well as to constitute with various designs at reasonable cost. The disc cartridge container case includes: a frame body 15 constituted as a unitary block by a first and a second frame 12 and 13 opposing to each other and a connection frame 14 connecting the first and the second frames 12 and 13; and a first cover plate 16 and a second cover plate 17 inserted between the first and the second frames 12 and 13. The frame body 15 is formed from a synthetic resin having a shock resistance greater than that of the first and the second cover plates. The first and the second cover plates 12 and 13 are formed from a light-transmitting synthetic resin.. The first and the second cover plates 12 and 13 have at their both sides, insert margins 18 and 19 which are inserted into first and second insert grooves 21 and 22 formed on the first and the second frames 12 and 13, and an engagement protrusion 35 is engaged relatively with an engagement hole 36, thus mounted on the frame body 15.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disc cartridge container case for containing a disc cartridge containing a disc used as a recording medium of an information signal such as an optical disc and a magnetic disc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A disc cartridge containing a disc used as a recording medium is contained in a disc cartridge containing apparatus during a storage period while not used on a disc recording and/or reproduction apparatus.
The disc cartridge containing a disc has an opening for exposing a part of a signal recording area of the disc outward for recording and/or reproduction. The disc cartridge has shutter for closing the opening so as to prevent deterioration of the disc due to foreign matters including dust intruding via the opening into the cartridge during a storage period.
If the shutter is unintentionally operated during a storage period of the disc cartridge so as to open the opening for recording and/or reproduction, it becomes impossible to prevent intrusion of foreign matters including dust.
To cope with this, as well as to prevent shock due to a falling object, the disc cartridge is normally contained in a container case.
Such a container case is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication A-5-42986 1 filed by the applicant of the present invention. The container case disclosed in this publication is made from a synthetic resin sheet material folded into a bag shape, which cannot guarantee a sufficient mechanical strength. If a strong shock is applied due to a falling object to the case, a disc cartridge inside may be deteriorated.
The container made from a sheet material folded has a problem that the sheet material cannot be bent with a high accuracy and the disc cartridge contained may be fallen from the case.
In order to solve these problems, the applicant of the present invention has suggested a disc cartridge container case disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication A-5-278772 2 for a sufficient protection of the disc cartridge inside. The case disclosed in this publication has case main body having a rectangular bottom plate with three sides provided with a rise wall and a top plate facing the bottom plate so as to define an opening for mounting/removing the disc cartridge.
The container case disclosed in publication 2 has the case main body and the top plate that can be made from a material which can guarantee a sufficient mechanical strength, so as to protect the disc cartridge contained. The container case disclosed in 2 is made from an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS) or high-impact polystyrene (Hi-PS) having a high shock resistance. These resins are usually not transparent. Accordingly, if the entire case is made from these resins, it becomes impossible to see the inside through the case so as to identify the type of the disc cartridge contained inside.
In order to solve these problems, there has been suggested a case that guarantees a high shock resistance and has a top plate made from a transparent resin such polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitirile styrene (AS).
However, if only the top plate is made from a transparent material, it is impossible to see both sides of the disc cartridge contained.
There has been suggested a container case having a case body made from a transparent PS resin or AS resin so that both sides of the disc cartridge contained can be seen. However, if the entire case is made from a transparent PS resin or AS resin, it becomes impossible to obtain a sufficient shock resistance and the case is easily broken when subjected to a shock such as a falling object. That is, it becomes impossible to protect the disc cartridge contained.
In order to guarantee the shock resistance as well as enable to see both sides of the disc cartridge contained, there has been suggested a case having a case main body and a top plate made from a transparent PC (polycarbonate) or a transparent ABS resin having a high shock resistance. However, these resins are expensive and the material cost is significantly increased, which in turn significantly increases the production cost.
The aforementioned disc cartridge container cases intend to sufficiently protect a disc cartridge contained as well as enable to see both sides of the disc cartridge contained by using a limited range of the material used. This limit in the material also restricts the design of the container case.


A method of identifying a paper-intensive process may include receiving quantitative processing data associated with a production environment, receiving qualitative processing data associated with the processing activities in the production environment, and generating a visual depiction of the processing activities. The visual depiction may include at least a portion of the received quantitative processing data and the received qualitative processing data, and the visual depiction may illustrate at least one paper-intensive process, one or more of a most common purpose associated with the paper-intensive process and a most common fate associated with the paper-intensive process. The method may include presenting the generated visual depiction to a user.

Business processes may have different degrees of paper intensiveness. Currently, capturing document usage within a process is performed manually. For example, an analyst can illustrate a process flow by preparing a flowchart. A wide range of processes are typically mapped and then reviewed to identify those that are paper-intensive. However, this process is inefficient and dependent on the skills and ability of the analyst.

Methods and systems for identifying paper-intensive processes