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3,500 | 14,959,240 | 1,791 | A shaped, self-sustaining cereal product is formed from a mixture of cereal and a thickener, such as a milk. Aspects include forming the cereal product from a mixture that has been cooked, cooled, shaped, frozen, breaded, and then fried. Aspects also include forming a mixture that contains milk but with little or no water. | 1. A method, comprising:
forming a mixture comprising a cereal and a liquid thickener; cooking the mixture until al dente but slightly creamy; cooling the mixture; and forming the cooled mixture into a desired shaped foodstuff. 2. The method according to claim 1, comprising cooling the shaped foodstuff. 3. The method according to claim 2, comprising freezing the shaped foodstuff. 4. The method according to claim 2, comprising applying an outer coating to the frozen foodstuff to form a coated frozen foodstuff. 5. The method according to claim 4, comprising deep-frying the coated frozen foodstuff to form an edible food product. 6. The method according to claim 5, comprising freezing the edible food product for future consumption. 7. The product produced by the process of claim 6. 8. The method according to claim 1, comprising forming a mixture comprising a cereal and milk as the liquid thickener. 9. The method according to claim 8, comprising forming a mixture comprising a starchy cereal. 10. The method according to claim 9, comprising forming a mixture comprising a starchy cereal selected from the group consisting of oats, steel cut oats, grits, quinoa, and cream of wheat. 11. The method according to claim 10, comprising forming a mixture comprising steel cut oats as the starchy cereal. 12. The method according to claim 10, comprising adding a flavor enhancing ingredient to the mixture prior to cooling. 13. The method according to claim 12, comprising adding at least one cooked fresh fruit, at least one dried nut, and/or at least one spice ingredient to the mixture prior to cooling. 14. The method according to claim 12, comprising adding at least one member selected from the group consisting of blueberries, bananas, cranberries, apples, and nuts to the mixture prior to cooling. 15. The method according to claim 12, forming the cooled mixture into a cylinder, square, stick, or spherical shape. 16. The product produced by the method of claim 15. 17. The method according to claim 1, comprising forming the mixture with a non-aqueous thickener. 18. The method according to claim 1, comprising forming the mixture without water. 19. A shaped, self-sustaining cereal product comprising a mixture of cereal and milk that has been cooked, cooled, shaped, frozen, breaded then fried. 20. The cereal product according to claim 17, wherein the mixture was formed without water. | A shaped, self-sustaining cereal product is formed from a mixture of cereal and a thickener, such as a milk. Aspects include forming the cereal product from a mixture that has been cooked, cooled, shaped, frozen, breaded, and then fried. Aspects also include forming a mixture that contains milk but with little or no water.1. A method, comprising:
forming a mixture comprising a cereal and a liquid thickener; cooking the mixture until al dente but slightly creamy; cooling the mixture; and forming the cooled mixture into a desired shaped foodstuff. 2. The method according to claim 1, comprising cooling the shaped foodstuff. 3. The method according to claim 2, comprising freezing the shaped foodstuff. 4. The method according to claim 2, comprising applying an outer coating to the frozen foodstuff to form a coated frozen foodstuff. 5. The method according to claim 4, comprising deep-frying the coated frozen foodstuff to form an edible food product. 6. The method according to claim 5, comprising freezing the edible food product for future consumption. 7. The product produced by the process of claim 6. 8. The method according to claim 1, comprising forming a mixture comprising a cereal and milk as the liquid thickener. 9. The method according to claim 8, comprising forming a mixture comprising a starchy cereal. 10. The method according to claim 9, comprising forming a mixture comprising a starchy cereal selected from the group consisting of oats, steel cut oats, grits, quinoa, and cream of wheat. 11. The method according to claim 10, comprising forming a mixture comprising steel cut oats as the starchy cereal. 12. The method according to claim 10, comprising adding a flavor enhancing ingredient to the mixture prior to cooling. 13. The method according to claim 12, comprising adding at least one cooked fresh fruit, at least one dried nut, and/or at least one spice ingredient to the mixture prior to cooling. 14. The method according to claim 12, comprising adding at least one member selected from the group consisting of blueberries, bananas, cranberries, apples, and nuts to the mixture prior to cooling. 15. The method according to claim 12, forming the cooled mixture into a cylinder, square, stick, or spherical shape. 16. The product produced by the method of claim 15. 17. The method according to claim 1, comprising forming the mixture with a non-aqueous thickener. 18. The method according to claim 1, comprising forming the mixture without water. 19. A shaped, self-sustaining cereal product comprising a mixture of cereal and milk that has been cooked, cooled, shaped, frozen, breaded then fried. 20. The cereal product according to claim 17, wherein the mixture was formed without water. | 1,700 |
3,501 | 15,046,959 | 1,796 | A method for manufacturing an arrestor for an electrostatic chuck includes printing first layers of an arrestor for an electrostatic chuck using a 3-D printer and an electrically non-conductive material. The first layers of the arrestor at least partially define a first opening to a gas flow channel. The method includes printing intermediate layers of the arrestor using the 3-D printer and the electrically non-conductive material. The intermediate layers of the arrestor at least partially define the gas flow channel. The method includes printing second layers of the arrestor using the 3-D printer and the electrically non-conductive material. The second layers of the arrestor at least partially define a second opening of the gas flow channel. At least one of the first opening, the second opening and/or the gas flow channel of the arrestor is arranged to prevent a direct line of sight between the first opening and the second opening of the arrestor. | 1. A method for manufacturing an arrestor for an electrostatic chuck, comprising:
using a 3-D printer:
printing first layers of an arrestor for an electrostatic chuck using an electrically non-conductive material, wherein the first layers of the arrestor at least partially define a first opening to a gas flow channel;
printing intermediate layers of the arrestor using the electrically non-conductive material, wherein the intermediate layers of the arrestor at least partially define the gas flow channel; and
printing second layers of the arrestor using the electrically non-conductive material, wherein the second layers of the arrestor at least partially define a second opening of the gas flow channel, and wherein at least one of the first opening, the second opening and/or the gas flow channel of the arrestor is arranged to prevent a direct line of sight between the first opening and the second opening of the arrestor. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrestor is made of ceramic. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrestor is made of glass. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrestor is made of plastic. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrestor has a cylindrical outer shape. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the direct line of sight is a straight line defined between the first opening and the second opening and wherein the gas flow channel deviates relative to the direct line of sight. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the first opening and the second opening is arranged at a center of a first surface of the arrestor and the other of the first opening and the second opening is arranged on a second surface of the arrestor at an offset location relative to a center of the second surface of the arrestor. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises a gas inlet of the arrestor and the second opening comprises a gas outlet of the arrestor. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises a gas outlet of the arrestor and the second opening comprises a gas inlet of the arrestor. 10. An arrestor for an electrostatic chuck, comprising:
an arrestor body made of an electrically non-conductive, 3-D printed material; a gas inlet arranged on one surface of the arrestor; a gas outlet arranged on another surface of the arrestor; and a gas flow channel fluidly connecting the gas inlet to the gas outlet, wherein at least one of the gas flow channel, the gas inlet and/or the gas outlet is arranged to prevent a direct line of sight between the gas inlet and the gas outlet of the arrestor. 11. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the electrically non-conductive, 3-D printed material includes ceramic. 12. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the electrically non-conductive, 3-D printed material includes glass. 13. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the electrically non-conductive, 3-D printed material includes plastic. 14. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the arrestor has a cylindrical outer shape. 15. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the direct line of sight is defined between the gas inlet and the gas outlet and wherein the gas flow channel deviates laterally relative to the direct line of sight. 16. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein one of the gas inlet and the gas outlet is arranged at a center of a first surface of the arrestor and the other of the gas inlet and the gas outlet is arranged on a second surface of the arrestor at an offset location relative to a center of the second surface of the arrestor. | A method for manufacturing an arrestor for an electrostatic chuck includes printing first layers of an arrestor for an electrostatic chuck using a 3-D printer and an electrically non-conductive material. The first layers of the arrestor at least partially define a first opening to a gas flow channel. The method includes printing intermediate layers of the arrestor using the 3-D printer and the electrically non-conductive material. The intermediate layers of the arrestor at least partially define the gas flow channel. The method includes printing second layers of the arrestor using the 3-D printer and the electrically non-conductive material. The second layers of the arrestor at least partially define a second opening of the gas flow channel. At least one of the first opening, the second opening and/or the gas flow channel of the arrestor is arranged to prevent a direct line of sight between the first opening and the second opening of the arrestor.1. A method for manufacturing an arrestor for an electrostatic chuck, comprising:
using a 3-D printer:
printing first layers of an arrestor for an electrostatic chuck using an electrically non-conductive material, wherein the first layers of the arrestor at least partially define a first opening to a gas flow channel;
printing intermediate layers of the arrestor using the electrically non-conductive material, wherein the intermediate layers of the arrestor at least partially define the gas flow channel; and
printing second layers of the arrestor using the electrically non-conductive material, wherein the second layers of the arrestor at least partially define a second opening of the gas flow channel, and wherein at least one of the first opening, the second opening and/or the gas flow channel of the arrestor is arranged to prevent a direct line of sight between the first opening and the second opening of the arrestor. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrestor is made of ceramic. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrestor is made of glass. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrestor is made of plastic. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the arrestor has a cylindrical outer shape. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the direct line of sight is a straight line defined between the first opening and the second opening and wherein the gas flow channel deviates relative to the direct line of sight. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the first opening and the second opening is arranged at a center of a first surface of the arrestor and the other of the first opening and the second opening is arranged on a second surface of the arrestor at an offset location relative to a center of the second surface of the arrestor. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises a gas inlet of the arrestor and the second opening comprises a gas outlet of the arrestor. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises a gas outlet of the arrestor and the second opening comprises a gas inlet of the arrestor. 10. An arrestor for an electrostatic chuck, comprising:
an arrestor body made of an electrically non-conductive, 3-D printed material; a gas inlet arranged on one surface of the arrestor; a gas outlet arranged on another surface of the arrestor; and a gas flow channel fluidly connecting the gas inlet to the gas outlet, wherein at least one of the gas flow channel, the gas inlet and/or the gas outlet is arranged to prevent a direct line of sight between the gas inlet and the gas outlet of the arrestor. 11. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the electrically non-conductive, 3-D printed material includes ceramic. 12. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the electrically non-conductive, 3-D printed material includes glass. 13. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the electrically non-conductive, 3-D printed material includes plastic. 14. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the arrestor has a cylindrical outer shape. 15. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein the direct line of sight is defined between the gas inlet and the gas outlet and wherein the gas flow channel deviates laterally relative to the direct line of sight. 16. The arrestor of claim 10, wherein one of the gas inlet and the gas outlet is arranged at a center of a first surface of the arrestor and the other of the gas inlet and the gas outlet is arranged on a second surface of the arrestor at an offset location relative to a center of the second surface of the arrestor. | 1,700 |
3,502 | 14,627,386 | 1,721 | Methods for improving the performance and lifetime of irradiated photovoltaic cells are disclosed, whereby Group-V elements, and preferably nitrogen, are used to dope semiconductor GaAs-based subcell alloys. | 1. A photovoltaic cell comprising:
at least one GaAs-based subcell layer comprising As vacancies; and a group-V element-containing material,
wherein the group V element-containing material is (a) provided as a layer located proximate the GaAs-based subcell layer or (b) incorporated into the GaAs-based subcell layer. 2. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1, wherein the group V element-containing material is provided as a layer located proximate the GaAs-based subcell layer. 3. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the at least one GaAs-based subcell layer comprises GaAs, GaInAs, GaAsSb, GaAsBi, GaInAsP, AlGaAs, GaInAsSb, AlGaInAs, AlInAs, AlGaAsSb, AlGaInAsSb, or AlGaInAsP. 4. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the group-V element-containing material comprises nitrogen. 5. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a multi-junction cell. 6. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a single junction cell. 7. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a vehicle. 8. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a spacecraft. 9. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a laser. 10. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1, wherein the group V element-containing material is incorporated into the GaAs-based subcell layer. 11. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the group V element-containing material is disposed in the As vacancies. 12. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the at least one GaAs-based subcell layer comprises GaAs, GaInAs, GaAsSb, GaAsBi, GaInAsP, AlGaAs, GaInAsSb, AlGaInAs, AlInAs, AlGaAsSb, AlGaInAsSb, or AlGaInAsP. 13. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the group-V element-containing material comprises nitrogen. 14. The photovoltaic cell of claim 13, wherein the concentration of nitrogen in the GaAs-based subcell layer is from about 1×1013/cm3 to about 1×1018/cm3. 15. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a multi-junction cell. 16. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a single junction cell. 17. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a vehicle. 18. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a spacecraft. 19. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a laser. | Methods for improving the performance and lifetime of irradiated photovoltaic cells are disclosed, whereby Group-V elements, and preferably nitrogen, are used to dope semiconductor GaAs-based subcell alloys.1. A photovoltaic cell comprising:
at least one GaAs-based subcell layer comprising As vacancies; and a group-V element-containing material,
wherein the group V element-containing material is (a) provided as a layer located proximate the GaAs-based subcell layer or (b) incorporated into the GaAs-based subcell layer. 2. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1, wherein the group V element-containing material is provided as a layer located proximate the GaAs-based subcell layer. 3. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the at least one GaAs-based subcell layer comprises GaAs, GaInAs, GaAsSb, GaAsBi, GaInAsP, AlGaAs, GaInAsSb, AlGaInAs, AlInAs, AlGaAsSb, AlGaInAsSb, or AlGaInAsP. 4. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the group-V element-containing material comprises nitrogen. 5. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a multi-junction cell. 6. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a single junction cell. 7. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a vehicle. 8. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a spacecraft. 9. The photovoltaic cell of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a laser. 10. The photovoltaic cell of claim 1, wherein the group V element-containing material is incorporated into the GaAs-based subcell layer. 11. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the group V element-containing material is disposed in the As vacancies. 12. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the at least one GaAs-based subcell layer comprises GaAs, GaInAs, GaAsSb, GaAsBi, GaInAsP, AlGaAs, GaInAsSb, AlGaInAs, AlInAs, AlGaAsSb, AlGaInAsSb, or AlGaInAsP. 13. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the group-V element-containing material comprises nitrogen. 14. The photovoltaic cell of claim 13, wherein the concentration of nitrogen in the GaAs-based subcell layer is from about 1×1013/cm3 to about 1×1018/cm3. 15. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a multi-junction cell. 16. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell comprises a single junction cell. 17. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a vehicle. 18. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a spacecraft. 19. The photovoltaic cell of claim 10, wherein the photovoltaic cell is incorporated into a laser. | 1,700 |
3,503 | 14,597,949 | 1,734 | A method of repairing a microvia assembly comprising a pad disposed on and in electrical conductive contact with a microvia where at least a portion of the pad is missing from the assembly 10. Conductive material comprising nanocopper is provided on the microvia in at least a portion of a region where the missing portion of the pad was located. A prefabricated replacement pad may be provided on the microvia in a region where a missing pad of the microvia assembly 10 was located, and the replacement pad attached to the microvia by providing a conductive material between the microvia and the replacement pad. | 1. A method for repairing a microvia assembly 10 comprising a microvia and a pad disposed on and in electrical conductive contact with the microvia, at least a portion of the pad being missing from the assembly 10; the method including providing conductive material on the microvia in at least a portion of a region where the missing portion of the pad was located, the conductive material comprising nanocopper. 2. The method of claim 1 in which the step of providing conductive material includes sintering the conductive material onto the microvia. 3. The method of claim 2 in which:
the missing portion of the pad is the entire pad; and
the step of providing conductive material includes replacing the pad by forming a new pad on the microvia by sintering the conductive material onto the microvia. 4. The method of claim 1 in which:
the providing step includes providing the conductive material on a microvia of a microvia assembly 10 that is installed in a PCB; and
the method includes, before the providing step, the additional step of removing a PCB component that is carried by the PCB and is blocking access to the damaged microvia assembly 10. 5. The method of claim 4 in which the step of removing a PCB component includes heating the PCB before removing the PCB component. 6. The method of claim 4 in which the step of step of removing a PCB component includes heating the PCB component. 7. The method of claim 1, including the additional step of tinning the pad. 8. The method of claim 1, including the additional step of reinforcing the conductive material with an adhesive such that the adhesive provides structural support for the conductive material. 9. The method of claim 1 in which the providing step includes providing the conductive material in a cavity left in a masking layer of a PCB carrying the microvia assembly 10. the cavity having been left in the masking layer by the loss of the missing portion of the pad. 10. A method for repairing a microvia assembly 10, the method including the steps of:
providing a prefabricated replacement pad on the microvia in a region where a missing pad of the microvia assembly 10 was located; and attaching the replacement pad to the microvia by providing a conductive material between the microvia and the replacement pad, the conductive material comprising nanocopper. 11. A microvia assembly 10 comprising a microvia and a pad disposed in electrically conductive contact with the microvia along a microvia-pad interface, the pad comprising nanocopper. | A method of repairing a microvia assembly comprising a pad disposed on and in electrical conductive contact with a microvia where at least a portion of the pad is missing from the assembly 10. Conductive material comprising nanocopper is provided on the microvia in at least a portion of a region where the missing portion of the pad was located. A prefabricated replacement pad may be provided on the microvia in a region where a missing pad of the microvia assembly 10 was located, and the replacement pad attached to the microvia by providing a conductive material between the microvia and the replacement pad.1. A method for repairing a microvia assembly 10 comprising a microvia and a pad disposed on and in electrical conductive contact with the microvia, at least a portion of the pad being missing from the assembly 10; the method including providing conductive material on the microvia in at least a portion of a region where the missing portion of the pad was located, the conductive material comprising nanocopper. 2. The method of claim 1 in which the step of providing conductive material includes sintering the conductive material onto the microvia. 3. The method of claim 2 in which:
the missing portion of the pad is the entire pad; and
the step of providing conductive material includes replacing the pad by forming a new pad on the microvia by sintering the conductive material onto the microvia. 4. The method of claim 1 in which:
the providing step includes providing the conductive material on a microvia of a microvia assembly 10 that is installed in a PCB; and
the method includes, before the providing step, the additional step of removing a PCB component that is carried by the PCB and is blocking access to the damaged microvia assembly 10. 5. The method of claim 4 in which the step of removing a PCB component includes heating the PCB before removing the PCB component. 6. The method of claim 4 in which the step of step of removing a PCB component includes heating the PCB component. 7. The method of claim 1, including the additional step of tinning the pad. 8. The method of claim 1, including the additional step of reinforcing the conductive material with an adhesive such that the adhesive provides structural support for the conductive material. 9. The method of claim 1 in which the providing step includes providing the conductive material in a cavity left in a masking layer of a PCB carrying the microvia assembly 10. the cavity having been left in the masking layer by the loss of the missing portion of the pad. 10. A method for repairing a microvia assembly 10, the method including the steps of:
providing a prefabricated replacement pad on the microvia in a region where a missing pad of the microvia assembly 10 was located; and attaching the replacement pad to the microvia by providing a conductive material between the microvia and the replacement pad, the conductive material comprising nanocopper. 11. A microvia assembly 10 comprising a microvia and a pad disposed in electrically conductive contact with the microvia along a microvia-pad interface, the pad comprising nanocopper. | 1,700 |
3,504 | 14,251,691 | 1,734 | A method of braze repair for a superalloy material component. Following a brazing operation on the superalloy material, the component is subjected to an isostatic solution treatment, followed by a rapid cool down to ambient temperature under pressure The conditions of the isostatic solution treatment combined with the cool down at pressure function to both reduce porosity in the component and to solution treat the superalloy material, thereby optimizing superalloy properties without reintroducing porosity in the braze. | 1. A method comprising:
applying a braze material to a superalloy component at a brazing temperature; holding the component at a temperature below the brazing temperature at a pressure above ambient for a time effective to reduce porosity in the component and to place a target constituent of the superalloy material into solid solution, and rapidly cooling the component while maintaining the pressure above ambient. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Ti, balance Ni. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Zr; balance Ni. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr, 15-25% Hf; balance Ni 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the braze material consisting essentially of 35-25% Cr; 17-37% (Ti+Zr+Hf), balance Ni. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
applying a boron free braze material at a brazing temperature of 1,100-1,250° C. in vacuum; isostatic solution treating the component at below the brazing temperature for 2-4 hours at a pressure of 10-25 ksi; fast cooling the component at a minimum of 25° C./min to ambient while maintaining the pressure of 10-25 ksi; and releasing the pressure to ambient 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
primary age treating the component at 1,080° C. for 2 hours, then fast cooling the component to ambient at 30° C./min, and secondary age treating the component at 980° C. for 20 hours, then cooling to ambient 8. A method comprising:
forming a braze on a superalloy material component at a brazing temperature, isostatic solution treating the component at a pressure above ambient and at below the brazing temperature; and rapidly cooling the component to ambient before reducing the pressure to ambient. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the braze with a braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr, 15-25% Ti, balance Ni. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the braze with a braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Zr, balance Ni 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the braze with a braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr, 15-25% Hf, balance Ni. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the braze with a braze material consisting essentially of 35-25% Cr, 17-37% (Ti+Zr+Hf), balance Ni 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
applying a boron free braze material at a brazing temperature of 1,100-1,250° C. in vacuum; isostatic solution treating the component for 2-4 hours at a pressure of 10-25 ksi; rapidly cooling the component at a minimum of 25° C./min to ambient while maintaining a pressure of at least 10 ksi, and then releasing the pressure to ambient. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
primary age treating the component at 1,080° C. for 2 hours, then fast cooling the component to ambient; and secondary age treating the component at 980° C. for 20 hours, then cooling to ambient 15. In a method of applying braze material to a superalloy material, an improvement comprising:
performing a solution heat treatment and a hot isostatic pressing process simultaneously, then rapidly cooling to ambient temperature while maintaining a pressure above ambient, and returning the pressure to ambient pressure after returning to ambient temperature 16. In the method of claim 15, the braze material comprising 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Ti, balance Ni. 17. In the method of claim 15, the braze material comprising 15-25% Cr, 15-25% Zr, balance Ni 18. In the method of claim 15, the braze material comprising 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Hf; balance Ni 19. In the method of claim 15, the braze material comprising 35-25% Cr; 17-37% (Ti+Zr+Hf); balance Ni | A method of braze repair for a superalloy material component. Following a brazing operation on the superalloy material, the component is subjected to an isostatic solution treatment, followed by a rapid cool down to ambient temperature under pressure The conditions of the isostatic solution treatment combined with the cool down at pressure function to both reduce porosity in the component and to solution treat the superalloy material, thereby optimizing superalloy properties without reintroducing porosity in the braze.1. A method comprising:
applying a braze material to a superalloy component at a brazing temperature; holding the component at a temperature below the brazing temperature at a pressure above ambient for a time effective to reduce porosity in the component and to place a target constituent of the superalloy material into solid solution, and rapidly cooling the component while maintaining the pressure above ambient. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Ti, balance Ni. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Zr; balance Ni. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr, 15-25% Hf; balance Ni 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the braze material consisting essentially of 35-25% Cr; 17-37% (Ti+Zr+Hf), balance Ni. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
applying a boron free braze material at a brazing temperature of 1,100-1,250° C. in vacuum; isostatic solution treating the component at below the brazing temperature for 2-4 hours at a pressure of 10-25 ksi; fast cooling the component at a minimum of 25° C./min to ambient while maintaining the pressure of 10-25 ksi; and releasing the pressure to ambient 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
primary age treating the component at 1,080° C. for 2 hours, then fast cooling the component to ambient at 30° C./min, and secondary age treating the component at 980° C. for 20 hours, then cooling to ambient 8. A method comprising:
forming a braze on a superalloy material component at a brazing temperature, isostatic solution treating the component at a pressure above ambient and at below the brazing temperature; and rapidly cooling the component to ambient before reducing the pressure to ambient. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the braze with a braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr, 15-25% Ti, balance Ni. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the braze with a braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Zr, balance Ni 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the braze with a braze material consisting essentially of 15-25% Cr, 15-25% Hf, balance Ni. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising forming the braze with a braze material consisting essentially of 35-25% Cr, 17-37% (Ti+Zr+Hf), balance Ni 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
applying a boron free braze material at a brazing temperature of 1,100-1,250° C. in vacuum; isostatic solution treating the component for 2-4 hours at a pressure of 10-25 ksi; rapidly cooling the component at a minimum of 25° C./min to ambient while maintaining a pressure of at least 10 ksi, and then releasing the pressure to ambient. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
primary age treating the component at 1,080° C. for 2 hours, then fast cooling the component to ambient; and secondary age treating the component at 980° C. for 20 hours, then cooling to ambient 15. In a method of applying braze material to a superalloy material, an improvement comprising:
performing a solution heat treatment and a hot isostatic pressing process simultaneously, then rapidly cooling to ambient temperature while maintaining a pressure above ambient, and returning the pressure to ambient pressure after returning to ambient temperature 16. In the method of claim 15, the braze material comprising 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Ti, balance Ni. 17. In the method of claim 15, the braze material comprising 15-25% Cr, 15-25% Zr, balance Ni 18. In the method of claim 15, the braze material comprising 15-25% Cr; 15-25% Hf; balance Ni 19. In the method of claim 15, the braze material comprising 35-25% Cr; 17-37% (Ti+Zr+Hf); balance Ni | 1,700 |
3,505 | 15,297,569 | 1,761 | A composition including a lubricant based on polyol esters (POEs) or polyvinyl ether (PVE) and a refrigerant F including from 1 to 99% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and from 1 to 99% by weight of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze). Also, the use of the composition in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps. | 1. Composition comprising at least one lubricant comprising polyol esters or polyvinyl ether and a refrigerant F comprising from 1 to 99% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and from 1 to 99% by weight of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze). 2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant F comprises from 5 to 70% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and from 30 to 95% by weight of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze). 3. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant F comprises from 25 to 55% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and from 45 to 75% by weight of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze). 4. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyol esters are obtained from polyols having a neopentyl backbone. 5. Composition according to claim 4, characterized in that the polyol having a neopentyl backbone is selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol. 6. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyol esters are obtained from a linear or branched carboxylic acid containing from 2 to 15 carbon atoms. 7. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyol esters comprise between 10 and 50% by weight of the composition. | A composition including a lubricant based on polyol esters (POEs) or polyvinyl ether (PVE) and a refrigerant F including from 1 to 99% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and from 1 to 99% by weight of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze). Also, the use of the composition in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps.1. Composition comprising at least one lubricant comprising polyol esters or polyvinyl ether and a refrigerant F comprising from 1 to 99% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and from 1 to 99% by weight of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze). 2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant F comprises from 5 to 70% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and from 30 to 95% by weight of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze). 3. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant F comprises from 25 to 55% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) and from 45 to 75% by weight of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze). 4. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyol esters are obtained from polyols having a neopentyl backbone. 5. Composition according to claim 4, characterized in that the polyol having a neopentyl backbone is selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol. 6. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyol esters are obtained from a linear or branched carboxylic acid containing from 2 to 15 carbon atoms. 7. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the polyol esters comprise between 10 and 50% by weight of the composition. | 1,700 |
3,506 | 15,212,713 | 1,795 | Indium electroplating compositions electroplate substantially defect-free uniform layers which have a smooth surface morphology on metal layers. The indium electroplating compositions can be used to electroplate indium metal on metal layers of various substrates such as semiconductor wafers and as thermal interface materials. | 1: An indium electroplating composition comprising one or more sources of indium ions, wherein the one or more sources of indium ions are chosen from indium salts of alkane sulfonic acids, indium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, indium salts of sulfamic acid, sulfate salts of indium, nitrate salts of indium, hydroxide salts of indium, indium oxides, fluoroborate salts of indium, indium salts of carboxylic acids and indium salts of amino acids, one or more thiourea derivatives and citric acid, salts thereof or mixtures thereof, wherein the indium electroplating composition is free of alloying metals, and, wherein a pH of the indium electroplating composition is 1-4. 2: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, wherein the thiourea derivatives are chosen from guanylthiourea, 1-allyl-2-thiourea, 1-acetyl-2-thiourea, 1-benzoyl-2-thiourea, 1-benzyl-2-thiourea, 1-butyl-3-phenyl-2-thiourea, 1,1-dimethyl-2-thiourea, tetramethyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-dimethyl thiourea, 1-methyl thiourea, 1,3-diethyl thiourea, 1,1-diphenyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-diphenyl-2-thiourea, 1,1-dipropyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-dipropyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-diisopropyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-di(2-tolyl)-2-thiourea, 1-methyl-3-phenyl-2-thiourea, 1(1-naphthyl)-3-phenyl-2-thiourea, 1(1-naphthyl)-2-thiourea, 1(2-naphthyl)-2-thiourea, 1-phenyl-2-thiourea, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea and 1,1,3,3-tetraphenyl-2-thiourea. 3: The indium electroplating composition of claim 2, wherein the thiourea derivatives are chosen from guanylthiourea, 1-allyl-2-thiourea and tetramethyl-2-thiourea. 4: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more thiourea derivatives is included in the composition in amounts of 0.01 g/L to 50 g/L. 5: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more sources of chloride ions, wherein a molar ratio of the chloride ions to the indium ions is 2:1 or greater. 6: The indium electroplating composition of claim 5, wherein the molar ratio of chloride ions to indium ions is 2:1 to 7:1. 7: The indium electroplating composition of claim 6, wherein the molar ratio of chloride ions to indium ions is 4:1 to 6:1. 8: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more surfactants chosen from amine surfactants, ethoxylated naphthols, sulfonated naphthol polyethers, (alkyl) phenol ethoxylates, sulfonated alkylalkoxylates, alkylene glycol alkyl ethers and sulfopropylated polyalkoxylated beta-naphthol alkali salts. 9: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more copolymers of a reaction product of epihalohydrin and one or more nitrogen-containing organic compounds. 10: A method comprising:
a) providing a substrate comprising a metal layer; b) contacting the substrate with an indium electroplating composition comprising one or more sources of indium ions, wherein the one or more sources of indium ions are chosen from indium salts of alkane sulfonic acids, indium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, indium salts of sulfamic acid, sulfate salts of indium, nitrate salts of indium, hydroxide salts of indium, indium oxides, fluoroborate salts of indium, indium salts of carboxylic acids and indium salts of amino acids, one or more thiourea derivatives and citric acid, salt of citric acid or mixtures thereof, wherein the indium electroplating composition is free of alloying metals, and, wherein a pH of the indium electroplating composition is 1-4; and c) electroplating an indium metal layer on the metal layer of the substrate with the indium electroplating composition. 11: The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more thiourea derivatives is included in the indium electroplating composition in amounts of 0.01 g/L to 50 g/L. 12: The method of claim 10, wherein the indium electroplating composition further comprises one or more sources of chloride ions, wherein a molar ratio of the chloride ions to the indium ions is 2:1 or greater. 13: The method of claim 10, wherein the metal layer is nickel, copper, gold or tin. 14: The method of claim 13, wherein the metal layer is nickel. 15: The method of claim 10, wherein the metal layer is 10 nm to 100 μm thick. 16: The method of claim 10, wherein the indium metal layer is 10 nm to 100 μm thick. 17: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, wherein the pH is from 2-3. 18: The method of claim 10, wherein the pH of the indium electroplating composition is from 2-3. | Indium electroplating compositions electroplate substantially defect-free uniform layers which have a smooth surface morphology on metal layers. The indium electroplating compositions can be used to electroplate indium metal on metal layers of various substrates such as semiconductor wafers and as thermal interface materials.1: An indium electroplating composition comprising one or more sources of indium ions, wherein the one or more sources of indium ions are chosen from indium salts of alkane sulfonic acids, indium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, indium salts of sulfamic acid, sulfate salts of indium, nitrate salts of indium, hydroxide salts of indium, indium oxides, fluoroborate salts of indium, indium salts of carboxylic acids and indium salts of amino acids, one or more thiourea derivatives and citric acid, salts thereof or mixtures thereof, wherein the indium electroplating composition is free of alloying metals, and, wherein a pH of the indium electroplating composition is 1-4. 2: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, wherein the thiourea derivatives are chosen from guanylthiourea, 1-allyl-2-thiourea, 1-acetyl-2-thiourea, 1-benzoyl-2-thiourea, 1-benzyl-2-thiourea, 1-butyl-3-phenyl-2-thiourea, 1,1-dimethyl-2-thiourea, tetramethyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-dimethyl thiourea, 1-methyl thiourea, 1,3-diethyl thiourea, 1,1-diphenyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-diphenyl-2-thiourea, 1,1-dipropyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-dipropyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-diisopropyl-2-thiourea, 1,3-di(2-tolyl)-2-thiourea, 1-methyl-3-phenyl-2-thiourea, 1(1-naphthyl)-3-phenyl-2-thiourea, 1(1-naphthyl)-2-thiourea, 1(2-naphthyl)-2-thiourea, 1-phenyl-2-thiourea, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea and 1,1,3,3-tetraphenyl-2-thiourea. 3: The indium electroplating composition of claim 2, wherein the thiourea derivatives are chosen from guanylthiourea, 1-allyl-2-thiourea and tetramethyl-2-thiourea. 4: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more thiourea derivatives is included in the composition in amounts of 0.01 g/L to 50 g/L. 5: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more sources of chloride ions, wherein a molar ratio of the chloride ions to the indium ions is 2:1 or greater. 6: The indium electroplating composition of claim 5, wherein the molar ratio of chloride ions to indium ions is 2:1 to 7:1. 7: The indium electroplating composition of claim 6, wherein the molar ratio of chloride ions to indium ions is 4:1 to 6:1. 8: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more surfactants chosen from amine surfactants, ethoxylated naphthols, sulfonated naphthol polyethers, (alkyl) phenol ethoxylates, sulfonated alkylalkoxylates, alkylene glycol alkyl ethers and sulfopropylated polyalkoxylated beta-naphthol alkali salts. 9: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more copolymers of a reaction product of epihalohydrin and one or more nitrogen-containing organic compounds. 10: A method comprising:
a) providing a substrate comprising a metal layer; b) contacting the substrate with an indium electroplating composition comprising one or more sources of indium ions, wherein the one or more sources of indium ions are chosen from indium salts of alkane sulfonic acids, indium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, indium salts of sulfamic acid, sulfate salts of indium, nitrate salts of indium, hydroxide salts of indium, indium oxides, fluoroborate salts of indium, indium salts of carboxylic acids and indium salts of amino acids, one or more thiourea derivatives and citric acid, salt of citric acid or mixtures thereof, wherein the indium electroplating composition is free of alloying metals, and, wherein a pH of the indium electroplating composition is 1-4; and c) electroplating an indium metal layer on the metal layer of the substrate with the indium electroplating composition. 11: The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more thiourea derivatives is included in the indium electroplating composition in amounts of 0.01 g/L to 50 g/L. 12: The method of claim 10, wherein the indium electroplating composition further comprises one or more sources of chloride ions, wherein a molar ratio of the chloride ions to the indium ions is 2:1 or greater. 13: The method of claim 10, wherein the metal layer is nickel, copper, gold or tin. 14: The method of claim 13, wherein the metal layer is nickel. 15: The method of claim 10, wherein the metal layer is 10 nm to 100 μm thick. 16: The method of claim 10, wherein the indium metal layer is 10 nm to 100 μm thick. 17: The indium electroplating composition of claim 1, wherein the pH is from 2-3. 18: The method of claim 10, wherein the pH of the indium electroplating composition is from 2-3. | 1,700 |
3,507 | 14,237,929 | 1,735 | The present invention relates to a method for producing forged components of a TiAl alloy, in particular turbine blades, wherein the components are forged and undergo a two-stage heat treatment after the forging process, the first stage of the heat treatment comprising a recrystallization annealing process for 50 to 100 minutes at a temperature below the γ/α transition temperature, and the second stage of the heat treatment comprising a stabilization annealing process in the temperature range of from 800° C. to 950° C. for 5 to 7 hrs, and the cooling rate during the first heat treatment stage being greater than or equal to 3° C./sec, in the temperature range between 1300° C. to 900° C. | 1.-7. (canceled) 8. A method for producing a forged component of a TiAl alloy, wherein the method comprises forging the component and thereafter subjecting it to a two-stage heat treatment, and wherein (i) a first stage of the heat treatment comprises recrystallization annealing for 50 to 100 minutes at a temperature below a γ/α transition temperature, (ii) a second stage of the heat treatment comprises stabilization annealing in a temperature range of from 800° C. to 950° C. for 5 to 7 h, and (iii) a cooling rate during the first stage of the heat treatment is greater than or equal to 3° C./s in a temperature range of from 1300° C. to 900° C. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the component is a turbine blade. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein recrystallization annealing is carried out for 60 to 90 minutes. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein recrystallization annealing is carried out for 70 to 80 minutes. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein stabilization annealing is carried out in a temperature range of from 825° C. to 925° C. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein stabilization annealing is carried out in a temperature range of from 850° C. to 900° C. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein stabilization annealing is carried out for 345 to 375 minutes. 15. The method of claim 8, wherein a temperature during the heat treatment is set and held with an accuracy of a 5° C. to 10° C. upward or downward deviation from a desired temperature. 16. The method of claim 8, wherein the TiAl alloy further comprises niobium and molybdenum. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the TiAl alloy comprises from 42 to 45 atom % of aluminum, from 3 to 5 atom % of niobium and from 0.5 to 1.5 atom % of molybdenum. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the TiAl alloy comprises from 42.8 to 44.2 atom % of aluminum, from 3.7 to 4.3 atom % of niobium and from 0.8 to 1.2 atom % of molybdenum. 19. The method of claim 8, wherein the TiAl alloy further comprises from 0.05 to 0.15 atom % of boron. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the TiAl alloy further comprises from 0.07 to 0.13 atom % of boron. 21. The method of claim 8, wherein the component is produced by drop forging in an α-γ-β temperature range. 22. The method of claim 8, wherein cast or hot-isostatically pressed blanks are used as the starting materials for forging the component. 23. A method for producing a forged component of a TiAl alloy, wherein the method comprises forging the component and thereafter subjecting it to a two-stage heat treatment, and wherein (i) a first stage of the heat treatment comprises recrystallization annealing for 70 to 80 minutes at a temperature below a γ/α transition temperature, (ii) a second stage of the heat treatment comprises stabilization annealing in a temperature range of from 850° C. to 900° C. for 345 to 375 minutes, and (iii) a cooling rate during the first stage of the heat treatment is greater than or equal to 3° C./s in a temperature range of from 1300° C. to 900° C., a temperature during the heat treatment being set and held with an accuracy of a 5° C. to 10° C. upward or downward deviation from a desired temperature. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the TiAl alloy comprises from 42.8 to 44.2 atom % of aluminum, from 3.7 to 4.3 atom % of niobium and from 0.8 to 1.2 atom % of molybdenum. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the TiAl alloy further comprises from 0.07 to 0.13 atom % of boron. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the component is produced by drop forging in an α-γ-β temperature range. 27. A forged component of a TiAl alloy, wherein the component is obtainable by the method of claim 8. | The present invention relates to a method for producing forged components of a TiAl alloy, in particular turbine blades, wherein the components are forged and undergo a two-stage heat treatment after the forging process, the first stage of the heat treatment comprising a recrystallization annealing process for 50 to 100 minutes at a temperature below the γ/α transition temperature, and the second stage of the heat treatment comprising a stabilization annealing process in the temperature range of from 800° C. to 950° C. for 5 to 7 hrs, and the cooling rate during the first heat treatment stage being greater than or equal to 3° C./sec, in the temperature range between 1300° C. to 900° C.1.-7. (canceled) 8. A method for producing a forged component of a TiAl alloy, wherein the method comprises forging the component and thereafter subjecting it to a two-stage heat treatment, and wherein (i) a first stage of the heat treatment comprises recrystallization annealing for 50 to 100 minutes at a temperature below a γ/α transition temperature, (ii) a second stage of the heat treatment comprises stabilization annealing in a temperature range of from 800° C. to 950° C. for 5 to 7 h, and (iii) a cooling rate during the first stage of the heat treatment is greater than or equal to 3° C./s in a temperature range of from 1300° C. to 900° C. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the component is a turbine blade. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein recrystallization annealing is carried out for 60 to 90 minutes. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein recrystallization annealing is carried out for 70 to 80 minutes. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein stabilization annealing is carried out in a temperature range of from 825° C. to 925° C. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein stabilization annealing is carried out in a temperature range of from 850° C. to 900° C. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein stabilization annealing is carried out for 345 to 375 minutes. 15. The method of claim 8, wherein a temperature during the heat treatment is set and held with an accuracy of a 5° C. to 10° C. upward or downward deviation from a desired temperature. 16. The method of claim 8, wherein the TiAl alloy further comprises niobium and molybdenum. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the TiAl alloy comprises from 42 to 45 atom % of aluminum, from 3 to 5 atom % of niobium and from 0.5 to 1.5 atom % of molybdenum. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the TiAl alloy comprises from 42.8 to 44.2 atom % of aluminum, from 3.7 to 4.3 atom % of niobium and from 0.8 to 1.2 atom % of molybdenum. 19. The method of claim 8, wherein the TiAl alloy further comprises from 0.05 to 0.15 atom % of boron. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the TiAl alloy further comprises from 0.07 to 0.13 atom % of boron. 21. The method of claim 8, wherein the component is produced by drop forging in an α-γ-β temperature range. 22. The method of claim 8, wherein cast or hot-isostatically pressed blanks are used as the starting materials for forging the component. 23. A method for producing a forged component of a TiAl alloy, wherein the method comprises forging the component and thereafter subjecting it to a two-stage heat treatment, and wherein (i) a first stage of the heat treatment comprises recrystallization annealing for 70 to 80 minutes at a temperature below a γ/α transition temperature, (ii) a second stage of the heat treatment comprises stabilization annealing in a temperature range of from 850° C. to 900° C. for 345 to 375 minutes, and (iii) a cooling rate during the first stage of the heat treatment is greater than or equal to 3° C./s in a temperature range of from 1300° C. to 900° C., a temperature during the heat treatment being set and held with an accuracy of a 5° C. to 10° C. upward or downward deviation from a desired temperature. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the TiAl alloy comprises from 42.8 to 44.2 atom % of aluminum, from 3.7 to 4.3 atom % of niobium and from 0.8 to 1.2 atom % of molybdenum. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the TiAl alloy further comprises from 0.07 to 0.13 atom % of boron. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the component is produced by drop forging in an α-γ-β temperature range. 27. A forged component of a TiAl alloy, wherein the component is obtainable by the method of claim 8. | 1,700 |
3,508 | 14,347,568 | 1,781 | Disclosed are panels of medium density fibreboard (MDF). The panels comprise wood fibres, the largest dimension of which is 7 mm or below, pressed together with an adhesive. The panels are of a large and thin type, having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a surface area of at least 1 m 2 . Typical problems associated with such large and thin panels, e.g. warping behaviour, are addressed by employing wood fibres are made of acetylated wood. | 1. A panel of medium density fibreboard (MDF), comprising wood fibres the largest dimension of which is 7 mm or below, pressed together with an adhesive, the panel having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a surface area of at least 1 m2, wherein the wood fibres are made of acetylated wood. 2. A panel according to claim 1, possessing a Machine Direction. 3. A panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aspect ratio is higher than 122, preferably higher than 200. 4. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres have length of from 1 to 5 mm. 5. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres made of acetylated wood are obtainable by a process comprising the steps of (a) providing dried solid wood; (b) subjecting the solid wood to acetylation by contact with acetic anhydride; (c) chipping the acetylated wood and subjecting the chips to a size reduction so as to obtain fibres the largest dimension of which is 5 mm or below. 6. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of selected from the group consisting of phenol-formaldehyde resin, melamine urea-formaldehyde resin, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI). 7. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wood originates from trees in the genera of pinus, eucalyptus, or picea, preferably spruce or radiata pine. 8. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres made of acetylated wood are obtained by a process comprising the steps of (a) chipping solid wood; (b) acetylating the chips; and (c) refining the acetylated wood chips so as to form acetylated wood fibres. 9. A panel of medium density fibreboard obtainable by a process comprising the steps of providing wood fibres, adding adhesive and, preferably, wax to the fibres; casting the fibres onto a surface, so as to form a mat; cold pre-pressing, and hot pressing, wherein the surface on which the fibres are cast, is a moving belt, and wherein the fibres comprise acetylated wood. 10. A panel according to claim 9, wherein the pressing is conducted via a moving belt, e.g. via a double belt press or a calendar. 11. A panel according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, obtainable by a process as defined in claim 9 or 10. 12. The use of acetylated wood fibres in making medium density fibreboard panels, the panels having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a surface area of at least 1 m2. 13. The use of acetylated wood fibres in making medium density fibreboard panels, the panels having a length and width of at least 1 m, and an aspect ratio of at least 100, for the purpose of reducing warping of the panel as compared to a similar panel made of non-acetylated wood fibres. 14. The use of acetylated wood fibres in making medium density fibreboard panels, the panels having a length and width of at least 1 m, and an aspect ratio of at least 100, for the purpose of enabling the penetration of fixation means at a distance selected from the group consisting of less than 25 mm in both directions from a corner of the panel, less than 12 mm from an edge of the panel, and combinations thereof. | Disclosed are panels of medium density fibreboard (MDF). The panels comprise wood fibres, the largest dimension of which is 7 mm or below, pressed together with an adhesive. The panels are of a large and thin type, having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a surface area of at least 1 m 2 . Typical problems associated with such large and thin panels, e.g. warping behaviour, are addressed by employing wood fibres are made of acetylated wood.1. A panel of medium density fibreboard (MDF), comprising wood fibres the largest dimension of which is 7 mm or below, pressed together with an adhesive, the panel having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a surface area of at least 1 m2, wherein the wood fibres are made of acetylated wood. 2. A panel according to claim 1, possessing a Machine Direction. 3. A panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aspect ratio is higher than 122, preferably higher than 200. 4. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres have length of from 1 to 5 mm. 5. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres made of acetylated wood are obtainable by a process comprising the steps of (a) providing dried solid wood; (b) subjecting the solid wood to acetylation by contact with acetic anhydride; (c) chipping the acetylated wood and subjecting the chips to a size reduction so as to obtain fibres the largest dimension of which is 5 mm or below. 6. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of selected from the group consisting of phenol-formaldehyde resin, melamine urea-formaldehyde resin, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PMDI). 7. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wood originates from trees in the genera of pinus, eucalyptus, or picea, preferably spruce or radiata pine. 8. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres made of acetylated wood are obtained by a process comprising the steps of (a) chipping solid wood; (b) acetylating the chips; and (c) refining the acetylated wood chips so as to form acetylated wood fibres. 9. A panel of medium density fibreboard obtainable by a process comprising the steps of providing wood fibres, adding adhesive and, preferably, wax to the fibres; casting the fibres onto a surface, so as to form a mat; cold pre-pressing, and hot pressing, wherein the surface on which the fibres are cast, is a moving belt, and wherein the fibres comprise acetylated wood. 10. A panel according to claim 9, wherein the pressing is conducted via a moving belt, e.g. via a double belt press or a calendar. 11. A panel according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, obtainable by a process as defined in claim 9 or 10. 12. The use of acetylated wood fibres in making medium density fibreboard panels, the panels having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a surface area of at least 1 m2. 13. The use of acetylated wood fibres in making medium density fibreboard panels, the panels having a length and width of at least 1 m, and an aspect ratio of at least 100, for the purpose of reducing warping of the panel as compared to a similar panel made of non-acetylated wood fibres. 14. The use of acetylated wood fibres in making medium density fibreboard panels, the panels having a length and width of at least 1 m, and an aspect ratio of at least 100, for the purpose of enabling the penetration of fixation means at a distance selected from the group consisting of less than 25 mm in both directions from a corner of the panel, less than 12 mm from an edge of the panel, and combinations thereof. | 1,700 |
3,509 | 12,384,166 | 1,799 | Methods and systems for monitoring sterilization status are provided. | 1-29. (canceled) 30. A system comprising:
means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces; and means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with compliance of the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects with the one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces. 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with noncompliance of the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects with the one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces. 33. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces. 34. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces. 35. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to allow entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are within one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 36. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to disallow entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside of one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 37. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to allow exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are within one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 38. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to disallow exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside of one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 39. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with one or more alert units. 40. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to activate one or more alert units if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside of one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 41. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to activate one or more alert units if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are within one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 42. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with one or more recording units. 43. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with one or more sterilization units. 44. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to activate one or more sterilization units to sterilize the one or more objects if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside one or more ranges of the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 45. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with one or more control units. 46. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to instruct one or more control units to allow entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are within one or more ranges of the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 47. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to instruct one or more control units to disallow entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside of one or more ranges of the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 48. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces. 49. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces. 50. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with one or more alert units. 51. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with one or more recording units. 52. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with one or more sterilization units. 53. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with one or more control units. 54. A system comprising:
means for receiving one or more signals configured to regulate entry of one or more objects into one or more spaces or to regulate exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects to the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces; and means for regulating entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces or regulating exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces in response to the means for receiving one or more signals configured to regulate entry of one or more objects into one or more spaces or to regulate exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects to the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 55. A system comprising:
means for receiving one or more signals configured to regulate entry of one or more objects into one or more spaces or to regulate exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces and to activate one or more alert units in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects to the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces; and means for regulating entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces, regulating exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces, and activating the one or more alert units in response to the means for receiving one or more signals configured to regulate entry of one or more objects into one or more spaces or to regulate exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces and to activate one or more alert units in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects to the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. | Methods and systems for monitoring sterilization status are provided.1-29. (canceled) 30. A system comprising:
means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces; and means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with compliance of the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects with the one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces. 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with noncompliance of the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects with the one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces. 33. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces. 34. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces. 35. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to allow entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are within one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 36. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to disallow entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside of one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 37. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to allow exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are within one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 38. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to disallow exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside of one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 39. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with one or more alert units. 40. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to activate one or more alert units if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside of one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 41. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to activate one or more alert units if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are within one or more compliance ranges associated with the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 42. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with one or more recording units. 43. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with one or more sterilization units. 44. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to activate one or more sterilization units to sterilize the one or more objects if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside one or more ranges of the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 45. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals associated with one or more control units. 46. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to instruct one or more control units to allow entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are within one or more ranges of the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 47. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for receiving the one or more signals configured to instruct one or more control units to disallow entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces if the one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects are outside of one or more ranges of the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 48. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces. 49. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces. 50. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with one or more alert units. 51. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with one or more recording units. 52. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with one or more sterilization units. 53. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for responding to the means for receiving one or more signals generated in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with one or more objects to one or more sterilization levels associated with one or more spaces comprises:
means for generating one or more control signals associated with one or more control units. 54. A system comprising:
means for receiving one or more signals configured to regulate entry of one or more objects into one or more spaces or to regulate exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects to the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces; and means for regulating entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces or regulating exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces in response to the means for receiving one or more signals configured to regulate entry of one or more objects into one or more spaces or to regulate exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects to the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. 55. A system comprising:
means for receiving one or more signals configured to regulate entry of one or more objects into one or more spaces or to regulate exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces and to activate one or more alert units in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects to the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces; and means for regulating entry of the one or more objects into the one or more spaces, regulating exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces, and activating the one or more alert units in response to the means for receiving one or more signals configured to regulate entry of one or more objects into one or more spaces or to regulate exit of the one or more objects from the one or more spaces and to activate one or more alert units in response to comparing one or more sterilization statuses associated with the one or more objects to the one or more sterilization levels associated with the one or more spaces. | 1,700 |
3,510 | 14,860,797 | 1,742 | A method of additive manufacturing includes additively forming a workpiece. The workpiece defines an interior passage therethrough with a passage surface. Additively forming the workpiece includes additively forming a beam running through the interior passage spaced apart from the passage surface. The method also includes surface treating the passage surface using abrasive flow machining wherein an abrasive flow machining fluid is forced to flow between the beam and the passage surface. The beam can be removed from the workpiece after surface treating the passage surface. | 1. A method of additive manufacturing comprising:
additively forming a workpiece, wherein the workpiece defines an interior passage therethrough with a passage surface, wherein additively forming the workpiece includes additively forming a beam running through the interior passage spaced apart from the passage surface; and surface treating the passage surface using abrasive flow machining wherein an abrasive flow machining fluid is forced to flow between the beam and the passage surface. 2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising removing the beam from the workpiece after surface treating the passage surface. 3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein forming a beam running through the interior passage includes additively manufacturing the beam and workpiece with bridge structures suspending the beam in the interior passage. 4. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising releasing the beam from the workpiece after surface treating by removing the bridge structures for removal of the beam from the interior passage. 5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein forming the beam includes forming the beam in the interior passage with a gap between the beam and passage surface that varies within the interior passage to concentrate surface treatment on a predetermined portion of the passage surface. 6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the gap varies axially along the interior passage. 7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein forming the beam includes forming the beam with a bulge adjacent the predetermined portion of the passage surface. 8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interior passage is a flow passage for a fluid. 9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the interior passage is a flow passage for a liquid. 10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the workpiece includes at least a portion of a fuel injector, and wherein the interior passage is a liquid fuel passage of the fuel injector. 11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the workpiece includes at least a portion of a fuel injector, and wherein the interior passage is an air passage of the fuel injector. 12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the workpiece includes at least a portion of a fuel injector, and wherein the interior passage is a gaseous fuel passage of the fuel injector. | A method of additive manufacturing includes additively forming a workpiece. The workpiece defines an interior passage therethrough with a passage surface. Additively forming the workpiece includes additively forming a beam running through the interior passage spaced apart from the passage surface. The method also includes surface treating the passage surface using abrasive flow machining wherein an abrasive flow machining fluid is forced to flow between the beam and the passage surface. The beam can be removed from the workpiece after surface treating the passage surface.1. A method of additive manufacturing comprising:
additively forming a workpiece, wherein the workpiece defines an interior passage therethrough with a passage surface, wherein additively forming the workpiece includes additively forming a beam running through the interior passage spaced apart from the passage surface; and surface treating the passage surface using abrasive flow machining wherein an abrasive flow machining fluid is forced to flow between the beam and the passage surface. 2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising removing the beam from the workpiece after surface treating the passage surface. 3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein forming a beam running through the interior passage includes additively manufacturing the beam and workpiece with bridge structures suspending the beam in the interior passage. 4. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising releasing the beam from the workpiece after surface treating by removing the bridge structures for removal of the beam from the interior passage. 5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein forming the beam includes forming the beam in the interior passage with a gap between the beam and passage surface that varies within the interior passage to concentrate surface treatment on a predetermined portion of the passage surface. 6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the gap varies axially along the interior passage. 7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein forming the beam includes forming the beam with a bulge adjacent the predetermined portion of the passage surface. 8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the interior passage is a flow passage for a fluid. 9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the interior passage is a flow passage for a liquid. 10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the workpiece includes at least a portion of a fuel injector, and wherein the interior passage is a liquid fuel passage of the fuel injector. 11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the workpiece includes at least a portion of a fuel injector, and wherein the interior passage is an air passage of the fuel injector. 12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the workpiece includes at least a portion of a fuel injector, and wherein the interior passage is a gaseous fuel passage of the fuel injector. | 1,700 |
3,511 | 15,068,802 | 1,783 | A printed media display system includes a media mounting surface carrying discrete male touch fastening elements arranged in a field extending across the surface, and print media in the form of a flexible sheet having a fastening side and a print side, the fastening side featuring engageable fibers in a fibrous field extending across a length and width of the flexible sheet. The system exhibits particularly good wrinkle propagation and engaged alignment properties. | 1. A printed media display system, comprising
a media mounting surface carrying discrete male touch fastening elements arranged in a field extending across the surface, each male touch fastening element having a stem projecting outward and supporting a fiber-engageable head; and print media in the form of a flexible sheet having a fastening side and a print side, the fastening side featuring engageable fibers in a fibrous field extending across a length and width of the flexible sheet, such that the fastening side of the print media is releasably engageable with the media mounting surface so as to display the print side; wherein the media mounting surface and the fastening side of the print media together form a releasable fastening having a Peel Strength; and wherein the flexible sheet has a Bending Rigidity; the Peel Strength and Bending Rigidity related such that the print media display system has a Wrinkle Propagation Coefficient of between 10 and 30. 2. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print media exhibits a Small Deformation Shear Hysteresis of less than negative 40 grams force per centimeter. 3. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print media exhibits a Wrinkle Propagation Coefficient of between 12 and 25. 4. The printed media display system of claim 3, wherein the print media exhibits a Wrinkle Propagation Coefficient of between 15 and 25. 5. The printed media display system of claim 3, wherein the Bending Rigidity of the flexible sheet is between 3.5 and 6 Newtons. 6. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet comprises a non-woven web forming the fibrous field. 7. The printed media display system of claim 6, wherein the non-woven web is partially embedded in a coating. 8. The printed media display system of claim 7, wherein the coating forms an ink-receptive outer surface of the print media. 9. The printed media display system of claim 8, further comprising ink printed on the outer surface of the print media. 10. The printed media display system of claim 6, wherein the non-woven web has an overall basis weight of less than about 120 grams per square meter. 11. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the male touch fastening elements are arranged with a density of between 200 and 400 elements per square centimeter across the field. 12. The printed media display system of claim 11, wherein the male touch fastening elements each extends to an overall height of between 0.3 and 0.7 millimeters from a surface interconnecting the touch fastening elements. 13. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print media has an overall basis weight of less than about 600 grams per square meter. 14. The printed media display system of claim 13, wherein the print media has an overall basis weight of less than about 500 grams per square meter. 15. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print side of the print media has a surface roughness of less than 4.0 μm. 16. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print side of the print media has a surface roughness of less than 2.0 μm. 17. Print media in the form of a flexible sheet and comprising:
a textile fabric extending across a major dimension of the flexible sheet; and a continuous layer forming a coating on one side of the textile fabric, leaving fibers of an opposite side of the textile fabric exposed for releasable touch fastening engagement, the continuous layer underlying a printable surface of the print media on a side of the flexible sheet opposite the textile fabric; wherein the flexible sheet is constructed so as to provide a peel strength when tested in accordance with ASTM D 5170-98 using HTH-830 as a hook surface; and wherein the flexible sheet has a Bending Rigidity so related to the peel strength that the print media display system has a Wrinkle Propagation Coefficient of between 10 and 30. 18. A printed media display system, comprising
a media mounting surface carrying discrete male touch fastening elements arranged in a field extending across the surface, each male touch fastening element having a stem projecting outward and supporting a fiber-engageable head; and print media in the form of a flexible sheet having a fastening side and a print side, the fastening side featuring engageable fibers in a fibrous field extending across a length and width of the flexible sheet, such that the fastening side of the print media is releasably engageable with the media mounting surface so as to display the print side; wherein the media mounting surface and the fastening side of the print media together form a releasable fastening having a Shear Strength; and wherein the flexible sheet has a Torsional Rigidity; the Shear Strength and Bending Rigidity related such that the print media display system has a Torsional Alignment Coefficient of at least 5000. 19. The printed media display system of claim 18, wherein the print media display system has a Torsional Alignment Coefficient between 5000 and 15000. 20. The printed media display system of claim 19, wherein the print media display system has a Torsional Alignment Coefficient between 6000 and 12000. | A printed media display system includes a media mounting surface carrying discrete male touch fastening elements arranged in a field extending across the surface, and print media in the form of a flexible sheet having a fastening side and a print side, the fastening side featuring engageable fibers in a fibrous field extending across a length and width of the flexible sheet. The system exhibits particularly good wrinkle propagation and engaged alignment properties.1. A printed media display system, comprising
a media mounting surface carrying discrete male touch fastening elements arranged in a field extending across the surface, each male touch fastening element having a stem projecting outward and supporting a fiber-engageable head; and print media in the form of a flexible sheet having a fastening side and a print side, the fastening side featuring engageable fibers in a fibrous field extending across a length and width of the flexible sheet, such that the fastening side of the print media is releasably engageable with the media mounting surface so as to display the print side; wherein the media mounting surface and the fastening side of the print media together form a releasable fastening having a Peel Strength; and wherein the flexible sheet has a Bending Rigidity; the Peel Strength and Bending Rigidity related such that the print media display system has a Wrinkle Propagation Coefficient of between 10 and 30. 2. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print media exhibits a Small Deformation Shear Hysteresis of less than negative 40 grams force per centimeter. 3. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print media exhibits a Wrinkle Propagation Coefficient of between 12 and 25. 4. The printed media display system of claim 3, wherein the print media exhibits a Wrinkle Propagation Coefficient of between 15 and 25. 5. The printed media display system of claim 3, wherein the Bending Rigidity of the flexible sheet is between 3.5 and 6 Newtons. 6. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet comprises a non-woven web forming the fibrous field. 7. The printed media display system of claim 6, wherein the non-woven web is partially embedded in a coating. 8. The printed media display system of claim 7, wherein the coating forms an ink-receptive outer surface of the print media. 9. The printed media display system of claim 8, further comprising ink printed on the outer surface of the print media. 10. The printed media display system of claim 6, wherein the non-woven web has an overall basis weight of less than about 120 grams per square meter. 11. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the male touch fastening elements are arranged with a density of between 200 and 400 elements per square centimeter across the field. 12. The printed media display system of claim 11, wherein the male touch fastening elements each extends to an overall height of between 0.3 and 0.7 millimeters from a surface interconnecting the touch fastening elements. 13. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print media has an overall basis weight of less than about 600 grams per square meter. 14. The printed media display system of claim 13, wherein the print media has an overall basis weight of less than about 500 grams per square meter. 15. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print side of the print media has a surface roughness of less than 4.0 μm. 16. The printed media display system of claim 1, wherein the print side of the print media has a surface roughness of less than 2.0 μm. 17. Print media in the form of a flexible sheet and comprising:
a textile fabric extending across a major dimension of the flexible sheet; and a continuous layer forming a coating on one side of the textile fabric, leaving fibers of an opposite side of the textile fabric exposed for releasable touch fastening engagement, the continuous layer underlying a printable surface of the print media on a side of the flexible sheet opposite the textile fabric; wherein the flexible sheet is constructed so as to provide a peel strength when tested in accordance with ASTM D 5170-98 using HTH-830 as a hook surface; and wherein the flexible sheet has a Bending Rigidity so related to the peel strength that the print media display system has a Wrinkle Propagation Coefficient of between 10 and 30. 18. A printed media display system, comprising
a media mounting surface carrying discrete male touch fastening elements arranged in a field extending across the surface, each male touch fastening element having a stem projecting outward and supporting a fiber-engageable head; and print media in the form of a flexible sheet having a fastening side and a print side, the fastening side featuring engageable fibers in a fibrous field extending across a length and width of the flexible sheet, such that the fastening side of the print media is releasably engageable with the media mounting surface so as to display the print side; wherein the media mounting surface and the fastening side of the print media together form a releasable fastening having a Shear Strength; and wherein the flexible sheet has a Torsional Rigidity; the Shear Strength and Bending Rigidity related such that the print media display system has a Torsional Alignment Coefficient of at least 5000. 19. The printed media display system of claim 18, wherein the print media display system has a Torsional Alignment Coefficient between 5000 and 15000. 20. The printed media display system of claim 19, wherein the print media display system has a Torsional Alignment Coefficient between 6000 and 12000. | 1,700 |
3,512 | 13,433,097 | 1,777 | The present disclosure is directed to the use of rare earth-containing additives, particularly rare earth-containing additives comprising rare earths of plural oxidation states, to remove non-metal-containing oxyanions. | 1. A method, comprising:
receiving an oxyanion-containing water, the oxyanion is a non-metal-containing oxyanion comprising an element having atomic number of one of 16, 17, 35 or 53; and contacting the oxyanion-containing water with a rare earth-containing additive to remove at least some the oxyanions from the oxyanion-containing water. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanions, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a water soluble cerium (III) salt. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanion, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a cerium (IV)-containing composition. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanion. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is chlorate. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypochlorite. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypoborite. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is thiosulfate. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises cerium oxide, CeO2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion comprises one or more of hypophalous (XO−), hypochlorous (ClO−), hypobromous (BrO−), hypoidous (IO−), halites (OXO−), chlorite (OClO−), bromite (OBrO−), halate (XO3 −), chlorate (ClO3 −), (BrO3 −), iodate (IO3 −), perhalates (XO4 −), perchlorate (ClO4), perbromate (BrO4 −), periodate (IO4 −, IO6 4−, I2+nO10+4n (6+n)−, where n is positive integer greater than zero), sulfurous (SO3 2−), disulfurous (S2O5 2−), thiosulfate (S2O3 2−), dithionite (S2O4 2−, polythionate (SnO6 2−), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), poly, disulfate (S2O7 2−), trisulfate (S3O10 2−), tetrasulfate (S4O13 2−), and pentasulfate (S5O16 2−). 11. A method, comprising:
receiving an oxyanion-containing water, the oxyanion comprising a non-metal-containing oxyanion comprising an element having atomic number of one of 16, 17, 35 or 53; and contacting the oxyanion-containing water with a rare earth-containing additive comprising at least one of cerium (IV)-containing composition and a water soluble trivalent rare-earth containing composition to remove at least some of the oxyanions from the oxyanion-containing water. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion comprises one or more of hypophalous (XO−), hypochlorous (ClO−), hypobromous (BrO−), halites (OXO−), chlorite (OClO−), bromite (OBrO−), halate (XO3 −), chlorate (ClO3 −), bromate (BrO3 −), perhalates (XO4 −), perchlorate (ClO4), perbromate (BrO4 −), sulfurous (SO3 2−), disulfurous (S2O5 2−), thiosulfate (S2O3 2−), dithionite (S2O4 2−, polythionate (SnO6 2−), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), poly, disulfate (S2O7 2−), trisulfate (S3O10 2−), tetrasulfate (S4O13 2−), and pentasulfate (S5O16 2−), wherein the cerium (IV)-containing composition is water insoluble, wherein the trivalent rare earth-containing composition comprises primarily a cerium (III) salt, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive has a molar ratio of the water soluble trivalent rare earth-containing composition to the cerium (IV) containing composition of no more than about 1:0.5. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the cerium (IV)-containing composition comprises cerium oxide (CeO2). 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is chlorate. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypochlorite. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypoborite. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is thiosulfate. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises cerium oxide, CeO2. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the contacting step further comprises contacting a water soluble cerium (III)-containing additive with the water and wherein the cerium (IV)-containing composition is formed in the water by at least one of the following steps:
(i) contacting the cerium (III)-containing additive with ozone; (ii) contacting the cerium (III)-containing additive with ultraviolet radiation; (iii) electrolyzing the cerium (III)-containing additive; (iv) contacting the cerium (III)-containing additive with free oxygen and hydroxyl ions; (v) aerating the cerium (III)-containing additive with molecular oxygen; and (vi) contacting the cerium (III)-containing additive with an oxidant, the oxidant being one or more of chlorine, bromine, iodine, chloroamine, chlorine dioxide, trihalomethane, haloacetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, peroxygen compound, hypobromous acid, bromoamine, hypobromite, hypochlorous acid, isocyanurate, tricholoro-s-triazinetrione, hydantoin, bromochloro-dimethyldantoin, 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethyldantoin, 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethyldantoin, sulfur dioxide, bisulfate, and monopersulfate. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a water soluble trivalent rare earth-containing composition and a nitrogen-containing material. 21. A method, comprising:
receiving an oxyanion-containing stream derived from an electrolytic process, the oxyanion-containing stream comprising anions containing one or more elements having an atomic number of 16, 17, 35 and 53; and contacting the oxyanion-containing stream with a rare earth-containing additive to remove at least some of the oxyanions from the oxyanion-containing stream. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion comprises one of hypophalous (XO−), hypochlorous (ClO−), hypobromous (BrO−), halites (OXO−), chlorite (OClO−), bromite (OBrO−), halate (XO3 −), chlorate (ClO3), bromate (BrO3 −), perhalates (XO4 −), perchlorate (ClO4 −), perbromate (BrO4 −), sulfurous (SO3 2−), disulfurous (S2O5 2−), thiosulfate (S2O3 2−), dithionite (S2O4 2−, polythionate (SnO6 2−), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), poly, disulfate (S2O7 2−), trisulfate (S3O10 2−), tetrasulfate (S4O13 2−), and pentasulfate (S5O16 2−) or mixture thereof. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the electrolytic process is one of chloralkali electrolysis process, a salt splitting electrolytic process and a bipolar membrane electrodialysis process. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanion, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a water soluble cerium (III) salt. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal containing oxyanion, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a cerium (IV)-containing composition. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises cerium oxide, CeO2. 27. The method of claim 21, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanion. 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is chlorate. 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypochlorite. 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypoborite. 31. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is thiosulfate. 32. A system, comprising:
an input means for receiving, in a contact zone, an oxyanion-containing stream derived from an electrolytic process, the oxyanion-containing stream comprising anions containing one or more elements having an atomic number of 16, 17, 35 and 53; a contacting means for contacting, in the contact zone, the oxyanion-containing stream with a rare earth-containing additive to remove at least some of the oxyanions from the oxyanion-containing stream and form an electrolytic stream substantially depleted of non-metal-containing oxyanions; and an output means for exporting, from the contact zone, the electrolytic stream substantially depleted of non-metal-containing oxyanions. 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the electrolytic stream is derived from one of chloralkali electrolysis process, a salt splitting electrolytic process and a bipolar membrane electrodialysis process and wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is an oxyanion contains an element having an atomic number of 17. 34. The system of claim 32, wherein the contact zone is within one of the chloralkali electrolysis process, a salt splitting electrolytic process and a bipolar membrane electrodialysis process. 35. The system of claim 32, wherein the input means for receiving the oxyanion-containing stream comprises a side-stream of the electrolytic process. 36. The system of claim 32, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is chlorate. | The present disclosure is directed to the use of rare earth-containing additives, particularly rare earth-containing additives comprising rare earths of plural oxidation states, to remove non-metal-containing oxyanions.1. A method, comprising:
receiving an oxyanion-containing water, the oxyanion is a non-metal-containing oxyanion comprising an element having atomic number of one of 16, 17, 35 or 53; and contacting the oxyanion-containing water with a rare earth-containing additive to remove at least some the oxyanions from the oxyanion-containing water. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanions, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a water soluble cerium (III) salt. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanion, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a cerium (IV)-containing composition. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanion. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is chlorate. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypochlorite. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypoborite. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is thiosulfate. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises cerium oxide, CeO2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion comprises one or more of hypophalous (XO−), hypochlorous (ClO−), hypobromous (BrO−), hypoidous (IO−), halites (OXO−), chlorite (OClO−), bromite (OBrO−), halate (XO3 −), chlorate (ClO3 −), (BrO3 −), iodate (IO3 −), perhalates (XO4 −), perchlorate (ClO4), perbromate (BrO4 −), periodate (IO4 −, IO6 4−, I2+nO10+4n (6+n)−, where n is positive integer greater than zero), sulfurous (SO3 2−), disulfurous (S2O5 2−), thiosulfate (S2O3 2−), dithionite (S2O4 2−, polythionate (SnO6 2−), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), poly, disulfate (S2O7 2−), trisulfate (S3O10 2−), tetrasulfate (S4O13 2−), and pentasulfate (S5O16 2−). 11. A method, comprising:
receiving an oxyanion-containing water, the oxyanion comprising a non-metal-containing oxyanion comprising an element having atomic number of one of 16, 17, 35 or 53; and contacting the oxyanion-containing water with a rare earth-containing additive comprising at least one of cerium (IV)-containing composition and a water soluble trivalent rare-earth containing composition to remove at least some of the oxyanions from the oxyanion-containing water. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion comprises one or more of hypophalous (XO−), hypochlorous (ClO−), hypobromous (BrO−), halites (OXO−), chlorite (OClO−), bromite (OBrO−), halate (XO3 −), chlorate (ClO3 −), bromate (BrO3 −), perhalates (XO4 −), perchlorate (ClO4), perbromate (BrO4 −), sulfurous (SO3 2−), disulfurous (S2O5 2−), thiosulfate (S2O3 2−), dithionite (S2O4 2−, polythionate (SnO6 2−), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), poly, disulfate (S2O7 2−), trisulfate (S3O10 2−), tetrasulfate (S4O13 2−), and pentasulfate (S5O16 2−), wherein the cerium (IV)-containing composition is water insoluble, wherein the trivalent rare earth-containing composition comprises primarily a cerium (III) salt, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive has a molar ratio of the water soluble trivalent rare earth-containing composition to the cerium (IV) containing composition of no more than about 1:0.5. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the cerium (IV)-containing composition comprises cerium oxide (CeO2). 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is chlorate. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypochlorite. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypoborite. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is thiosulfate. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises cerium oxide, CeO2. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the contacting step further comprises contacting a water soluble cerium (III)-containing additive with the water and wherein the cerium (IV)-containing composition is formed in the water by at least one of the following steps:
(i) contacting the cerium (III)-containing additive with ozone; (ii) contacting the cerium (III)-containing additive with ultraviolet radiation; (iii) electrolyzing the cerium (III)-containing additive; (iv) contacting the cerium (III)-containing additive with free oxygen and hydroxyl ions; (v) aerating the cerium (III)-containing additive with molecular oxygen; and (vi) contacting the cerium (III)-containing additive with an oxidant, the oxidant being one or more of chlorine, bromine, iodine, chloroamine, chlorine dioxide, trihalomethane, haloacetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, peroxygen compound, hypobromous acid, bromoamine, hypobromite, hypochlorous acid, isocyanurate, tricholoro-s-triazinetrione, hydantoin, bromochloro-dimethyldantoin, 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethyldantoin, 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethyldantoin, sulfur dioxide, bisulfate, and monopersulfate. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a water soluble trivalent rare earth-containing composition and a nitrogen-containing material. 21. A method, comprising:
receiving an oxyanion-containing stream derived from an electrolytic process, the oxyanion-containing stream comprising anions containing one or more elements having an atomic number of 16, 17, 35 and 53; and contacting the oxyanion-containing stream with a rare earth-containing additive to remove at least some of the oxyanions from the oxyanion-containing stream. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion comprises one of hypophalous (XO−), hypochlorous (ClO−), hypobromous (BrO−), halites (OXO−), chlorite (OClO−), bromite (OBrO−), halate (XO3 −), chlorate (ClO3), bromate (BrO3 −), perhalates (XO4 −), perchlorate (ClO4 −), perbromate (BrO4 −), sulfurous (SO3 2−), disulfurous (S2O5 2−), thiosulfate (S2O3 2−), dithionite (S2O4 2−, polythionate (SnO6 2−), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), poly, disulfate (S2O7 2−), trisulfate (S3O10 2−), tetrasulfate (S4O13 2−), and pentasulfate (S5O16 2−) or mixture thereof. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the electrolytic process is one of chloralkali electrolysis process, a salt splitting electrolytic process and a bipolar membrane electrodialysis process. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanion, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a water soluble cerium (III) salt. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal containing oxyanion, and wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises a cerium (IV)-containing composition. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the rare earth-containing additive comprises cerium oxide, CeO2. 27. The method of claim 21, wherein the rare earth-containing additive removes at least most of the non-metal-containing oxyanion. 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is chlorate. 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypochlorite. 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is hypoborite. 31. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is thiosulfate. 32. A system, comprising:
an input means for receiving, in a contact zone, an oxyanion-containing stream derived from an electrolytic process, the oxyanion-containing stream comprising anions containing one or more elements having an atomic number of 16, 17, 35 and 53; a contacting means for contacting, in the contact zone, the oxyanion-containing stream with a rare earth-containing additive to remove at least some of the oxyanions from the oxyanion-containing stream and form an electrolytic stream substantially depleted of non-metal-containing oxyanions; and an output means for exporting, from the contact zone, the electrolytic stream substantially depleted of non-metal-containing oxyanions. 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the electrolytic stream is derived from one of chloralkali electrolysis process, a salt splitting electrolytic process and a bipolar membrane electrodialysis process and wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is an oxyanion contains an element having an atomic number of 17. 34. The system of claim 32, wherein the contact zone is within one of the chloralkali electrolysis process, a salt splitting electrolytic process and a bipolar membrane electrodialysis process. 35. The system of claim 32, wherein the input means for receiving the oxyanion-containing stream comprises a side-stream of the electrolytic process. 36. The system of claim 32, wherein the non-metal-containing oxyanion is chlorate. | 1,700 |
3,513 | 14,671,593 | 1,734 | Provided is a method for fabricating a component having a high temperature resistant surface. The method includes the steps of providing a metallic powder to a base material, heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the metallic powder to form an initial layer, sequentially forming additional layers over the initial layer by heating a distributed layer of the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the distributed layer of the metallic powder and join the formed additional layers to underlying layers, repeating the steps of sequentially forming the additional layers over a previously formed layer to form a formed portion of the component, and optionally removing the formed portion of the component and a portion of the base material. Also provided is a component having a high temperature resistant surface. | 1. A method for fabricating a component, comprising the steps of:
providing a metallic powder to a base material; heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the metallic powder to form an initial layer, sequentially forming additional layers over the initial layer by heating a distributed layer of the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the distributed layer of the metallic powder and join the formed additional layers to underlying layers, repeating the steps of sequentially forming the additional layers over a previously formed layer to form a formed portion of the component; and optionally removing the formed portion of the component and a portion of the base material; wherein the component is formed of the formed portion and the base material or the formed portion and the portion of the base material. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the high temperature base material is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, iron-based superalloy, and combinations thereof. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the high temperature base material is a nickel-based superalloy. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the high temperature base material is a non-metallic material. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein heating the metallic powder includes controllably directing a focused energy source toward the metallic powder. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition of the base material and the metallic powder are dissimilar. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the base material include an intermediate coating layer. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the intermediate coating layer is a nickel-based superalloy. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the intermediate coating layer and the metallic powder are dissimilar. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the component is a component selected from the group consisting of a nozzle, bucket, shroud, combustor, fuel swirler, micromixer, and cartridge tips. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing includes cutting the base material with wire electric discharge machining. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after the removing, applying a thermal barrier coating to the portion of the base material. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the base material includes flame contacting surface. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join the metallic powder to form an initial layer includes melting the metallic powder. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join the metallic powder to form an initial layer includes sintering the metallic powder. 16. The method of claim 1, further including the additional steps of, after forming the structure:
hot isostatically pressing the structure at an elevated temperature and elevated pressure sufficient to further consolidate the structure; and then solutionizing the structure at an elevated temperature and for a time sufficient for distributing segregated alloying elements within the structure. 17. A method for fabricating a component, comprising the steps of:
providing a metallic powder to a base material, the metallic powder being of a dissimilar material to the base material; heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to weld at least a portion of the metallic powder to form an initial layer, sequentially forming additional layers over the initial layer by heating a distributed layer of the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to weld at least a portion of the distributed layer of the metallic powder and weld the formed additional layers to underlying layers, repeating the steps of sequentially forming the additional layers over a previously formed layer to form a formed portion of the component; and optionally removing the formed portion of the component and a portion of the base material; wherein the component is formed of the formed portion and the base material or the formed portion and the portion of the base material; and wherein the high temperature base material is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, iron-based superalloy, and combinations thereof. 18. A component comprising:
a formed portion of the component and a portion of a base material having a high temperature resistant surface; wherein the formed portion includes sequentially joined layers of metallic powder and the base material includes a material selected from the group consisting of nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, iron-based superalloy, and combinations thereof. 19. The component of claim 18, further comprising an intermediate coating layer disposed intermediate the formed portion and the portion of the base material. 20. The component of claim 18, wherein the high temperature resistant surface is a flame contacting surface. | Provided is a method for fabricating a component having a high temperature resistant surface. The method includes the steps of providing a metallic powder to a base material, heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the metallic powder to form an initial layer, sequentially forming additional layers over the initial layer by heating a distributed layer of the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the distributed layer of the metallic powder and join the formed additional layers to underlying layers, repeating the steps of sequentially forming the additional layers over a previously formed layer to form a formed portion of the component, and optionally removing the formed portion of the component and a portion of the base material. Also provided is a component having a high temperature resistant surface.1. A method for fabricating a component, comprising the steps of:
providing a metallic powder to a base material; heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the metallic powder to form an initial layer, sequentially forming additional layers over the initial layer by heating a distributed layer of the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join at least a portion of the distributed layer of the metallic powder and join the formed additional layers to underlying layers, repeating the steps of sequentially forming the additional layers over a previously formed layer to form a formed portion of the component; and optionally removing the formed portion of the component and a portion of the base material; wherein the component is formed of the formed portion and the base material or the formed portion and the portion of the base material. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the high temperature base material is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, iron-based superalloy, and combinations thereof. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the high temperature base material is a nickel-based superalloy. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the high temperature base material is a non-metallic material. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein heating the metallic powder includes controllably directing a focused energy source toward the metallic powder. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition of the base material and the metallic powder are dissimilar. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the base material include an intermediate coating layer. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the intermediate coating layer is a nickel-based superalloy. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the intermediate coating layer and the metallic powder are dissimilar. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the component is a component selected from the group consisting of a nozzle, bucket, shroud, combustor, fuel swirler, micromixer, and cartridge tips. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing includes cutting the base material with wire electric discharge machining. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after the removing, applying a thermal barrier coating to the portion of the base material. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the base material includes flame contacting surface. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join the metallic powder to form an initial layer includes melting the metallic powder. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to join the metallic powder to form an initial layer includes sintering the metallic powder. 16. The method of claim 1, further including the additional steps of, after forming the structure:
hot isostatically pressing the structure at an elevated temperature and elevated pressure sufficient to further consolidate the structure; and then solutionizing the structure at an elevated temperature and for a time sufficient for distributing segregated alloying elements within the structure. 17. A method for fabricating a component, comprising the steps of:
providing a metallic powder to a base material, the metallic powder being of a dissimilar material to the base material; heating the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to weld at least a portion of the metallic powder to form an initial layer, sequentially forming additional layers over the initial layer by heating a distributed layer of the metallic powder to a temperature sufficient to weld at least a portion of the distributed layer of the metallic powder and weld the formed additional layers to underlying layers, repeating the steps of sequentially forming the additional layers over a previously formed layer to form a formed portion of the component; and optionally removing the formed portion of the component and a portion of the base material; wherein the component is formed of the formed portion and the base material or the formed portion and the portion of the base material; and wherein the high temperature base material is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, iron-based superalloy, and combinations thereof. 18. A component comprising:
a formed portion of the component and a portion of a base material having a high temperature resistant surface; wherein the formed portion includes sequentially joined layers of metallic powder and the base material includes a material selected from the group consisting of nickel-based superalloy, cobalt-based superalloy, iron-based superalloy, and combinations thereof. 19. The component of claim 18, further comprising an intermediate coating layer disposed intermediate the formed portion and the portion of the base material. 20. The component of claim 18, wherein the high temperature resistant surface is a flame contacting surface. | 1,700 |
3,514 | 15,148,583 | 1,721 | A method for adjusting an operating gas flow in a fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, a supply path for feeding operating gas to the fuel cell stack, an exhaust gas path for removing the operating gas from the fuel cell stack, as well as a recirculation line, including a conveyor unit, which connects the supply path and the exhaust gas path to each other. The method includes measuring a pressure p 1 and a temperature T 1 in the supply path upstream from a junction point between the recirculation line and the supply path; measuring a pressure p 2 and a temperature T 2 in the recirculation line upstream from the junction point; measuring a pressure p 3 and a temperature T 3 in the supply path downstream from the junction point; determining a recirculation ratio from the parameters T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , p 1 , p 2 and p 3 ; adjusting the operating gas flow through the recirculation line as a function of the recirculation ratio. | 1. A method for adjusting an operating gas flow in a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, a supply path for feeding operating gas to the fuel cell stack, an exhaust gas path for removing the operating gas from the fuel cell stack, as well as a recirculation line, including a conveyor for conveying flow of the operating gas, the recirculation line connecting the supply path and the exhaust gas path to each other, the method comprising the following steps:
measuring a pressure p1 and a temperature T1 in the supply path upstream from a junction point between the recirculation line and the supply path; measuring a pressure p2 and a temperature T2 in the recirculation line upstream from the junction point; measuring a pressure p3 and a temperature T3 in the supply path downstream from the junction point; determining a recirculation ratio as a function of parameters T1, T2, T3, p1, p2 and p3; and adjusting the operating gas flow through the recirculation line as a function of the recirculation ratio. 2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the recirculation ratio is determined as a function of the products (T1·p1), (T2·p2) and (T3·p3). 3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the recirculation ratio is determined according to
x
=
T
3
P
3
1
-
γ
γ
-
T
1
P
1
1
-
γ
γ
T
2
P
2
1
-
γ
γ
-
T
1
P
1
1
-
γ
γ
. 4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor unit is situated in the recirculation line in the area of the junction point. 5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein T2 and p2 are measured upstream from the conveyor unit. 6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the operating gas is an anode gas. 7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein the anode gas is hydrogen. 8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the operating gas flow is adjusted with the aid of an actuator in the recirculation line and with the aid of a further actuator in the exhaust gas path or in the supply path. 9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the actuator is upstream of the conveyor. 10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the operating gas flow is adjusted by varying the pressure p1 in the supply path. 11. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell stack, a supply path for feeding operating gas to the fuel cell stack, an exhaust gas path for removing the operating gas from the fuel cell stack, as well as a recirculation line, including a conveyor for conveying flow of the operating gas, the recirculation line connecting the supply path and the exhaust gas path to each other, the fuel cell system configured to carry out the method as recited in claim 1. 12. The fuel cell system as recited in claim 11 wherein the fuel cell system includes a controller executing steps for calculating the recirculation ratio. | A method for adjusting an operating gas flow in a fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, a supply path for feeding operating gas to the fuel cell stack, an exhaust gas path for removing the operating gas from the fuel cell stack, as well as a recirculation line, including a conveyor unit, which connects the supply path and the exhaust gas path to each other. The method includes measuring a pressure p 1 and a temperature T 1 in the supply path upstream from a junction point between the recirculation line and the supply path; measuring a pressure p 2 and a temperature T 2 in the recirculation line upstream from the junction point; measuring a pressure p 3 and a temperature T 3 in the supply path downstream from the junction point; determining a recirculation ratio from the parameters T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , p 1 , p 2 and p 3 ; adjusting the operating gas flow through the recirculation line as a function of the recirculation ratio.1. A method for adjusting an operating gas flow in a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, a supply path for feeding operating gas to the fuel cell stack, an exhaust gas path for removing the operating gas from the fuel cell stack, as well as a recirculation line, including a conveyor for conveying flow of the operating gas, the recirculation line connecting the supply path and the exhaust gas path to each other, the method comprising the following steps:
measuring a pressure p1 and a temperature T1 in the supply path upstream from a junction point between the recirculation line and the supply path; measuring a pressure p2 and a temperature T2 in the recirculation line upstream from the junction point; measuring a pressure p3 and a temperature T3 in the supply path downstream from the junction point; determining a recirculation ratio as a function of parameters T1, T2, T3, p1, p2 and p3; and adjusting the operating gas flow through the recirculation line as a function of the recirculation ratio. 2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the recirculation ratio is determined as a function of the products (T1·p1), (T2·p2) and (T3·p3). 3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the recirculation ratio is determined according to
x
=
T
3
P
3
1
-
γ
γ
-
T
1
P
1
1
-
γ
γ
T
2
P
2
1
-
γ
γ
-
T
1
P
1
1
-
γ
γ
. 4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor unit is situated in the recirculation line in the area of the junction point. 5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein T2 and p2 are measured upstream from the conveyor unit. 6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the operating gas is an anode gas. 7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein the anode gas is hydrogen. 8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the operating gas flow is adjusted with the aid of an actuator in the recirculation line and with the aid of a further actuator in the exhaust gas path or in the supply path. 9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the actuator is upstream of the conveyor. 10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the operating gas flow is adjusted by varying the pressure p1 in the supply path. 11. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell stack, a supply path for feeding operating gas to the fuel cell stack, an exhaust gas path for removing the operating gas from the fuel cell stack, as well as a recirculation line, including a conveyor for conveying flow of the operating gas, the recirculation line connecting the supply path and the exhaust gas path to each other, the fuel cell system configured to carry out the method as recited in claim 1. 12. The fuel cell system as recited in claim 11 wherein the fuel cell system includes a controller executing steps for calculating the recirculation ratio. | 1,700 |
3,515 | 14,412,308 | 1,712 | Techniques include receiving a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design including specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, complex refractive indices of adjacent layers being different from each other, and a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design being related to a characteristic of a sample over an operational wavelength range; forming at least some of the layers of the ICE in accordance with the ICE design; optically monitoring, during the forming, optical properties of the formed layers using quasi-monochromatic probe-light having a probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICE; and adjusting the forming, at least in part, based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a fabrication system, a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design comprising specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, wherein complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and wherein a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample over an operational wavelength range; forming, by the fabrication system, at least some of the layers of the ICE in accordance with the ICE design; optically monitoring, during said forming, by a measurement system associated with the fabrication system, optical properties of the formed layers using quasi-monochromatic probe-light having a probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICE; and adjusting, by the fabrication system, said forming, at least in part, based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the centered probe wavelength is shorter than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said optically monitoring the optical properties of formed layers is performed using the quasi-monochromatic probe-light having the probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICE and at least one additional quasi-monochromatic probe-light having another different probe wavelength. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the other probe wavelength is shorter than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the other probe wavelength is longer than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the other probe wavelength is within the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe wavelength is longer than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said optically monitoring the optical properties of formed layers is performed using the quasi-monochromatic probe-light having the probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICE and at least one additional quasi-monochromatic probe-light having another different probe wavelength. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the other probe wavelength is longer than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the other probe wavelength is within the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein
the operational wavelength range of the ICE spans near-IR and IR spectral regions, and the probe wavelength is in the UV-visible spectral region. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein
the operational wavelength range of the ICE spans visible and near-IR spectral regions, and the probe wavelength is in the IR spectral region. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein
the operational wavelength range of the ICE spans the UV spectral region, and the probe wavelength is in the visible spectral region. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises updating a deposition rate used to form the layers remaining to be formed based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises modifying complex refractive indices of the layers remaining to be formed based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises modifying target thicknesses of the layers remaining to be formed based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises changing a total number of layers specified by the ICE design to a new total number of layers. 18. A system comprising:
a deposition chamber; one or more deposition sources associated with the deposition chamber to provide materials from which layers of one or more integrated computational elements (ICEs) are formed, wherein an ICE design associated with the ICEs specifies an operational wavelength range of the ICEs; one or more supports disposed inside the deposition chamber, at least partially, within a field of view of the one or more deposition sources to support the layers of the ICEs while the layers are formed; an optical monitor associated with the deposition chamber to monitor one or more characteristics of the layers while the layers are formed, wherein the optical monitor comprises one or more light sources to emit quasi-monochromatic probe-light having a probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICEs; and a computer system in communication with at least some of the one or more deposition sources, the one or more supports and the optical monitor, wherein the computer system comprises one or more hardware processors and non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions that, when executed by the one or more hardware processors, cause the system to form the layers of the ICEs by performing operations comprising:
receiving an ICE design comprising specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, wherein complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and wherein a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample over an operational wavelength range;
forming at least some of the layers of the ICEs in accordance with the ICE design;
optically monitoring, by the optical monitor during said forming, optical properties of the formed layers using quasi-monochromatic probe-light having a probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range; and
adjusting said forming, at least in part, based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more light source of the optical monitor to emit the quasi-monochromatic probe-light having the probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICEs and at least one additional quasi-monochromatic probe-light having another different probe wavelength. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the other probe wavelength is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICEs. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the other probe wavelength is within the operational wavelength range of the ICEs. | Techniques include receiving a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design including specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, complex refractive indices of adjacent layers being different from each other, and a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design being related to a characteristic of a sample over an operational wavelength range; forming at least some of the layers of the ICE in accordance with the ICE design; optically monitoring, during the forming, optical properties of the formed layers using quasi-monochromatic probe-light having a probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICE; and adjusting the forming, at least in part, based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE.1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a fabrication system, a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design comprising specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, wherein complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and wherein a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample over an operational wavelength range; forming, by the fabrication system, at least some of the layers of the ICE in accordance with the ICE design; optically monitoring, during said forming, by a measurement system associated with the fabrication system, optical properties of the formed layers using quasi-monochromatic probe-light having a probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICE; and adjusting, by the fabrication system, said forming, at least in part, based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the centered probe wavelength is shorter than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said optically monitoring the optical properties of formed layers is performed using the quasi-monochromatic probe-light having the probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICE and at least one additional quasi-monochromatic probe-light having another different probe wavelength. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the other probe wavelength is shorter than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the other probe wavelength is longer than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the other probe wavelength is within the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe wavelength is longer than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said optically monitoring the optical properties of formed layers is performed using the quasi-monochromatic probe-light having the probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICE and at least one additional quasi-monochromatic probe-light having another different probe wavelength. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the other probe wavelength is longer than wavelengths of the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the other probe wavelength is within the operational wavelength range of the ICE. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein
the operational wavelength range of the ICE spans near-IR and IR spectral regions, and the probe wavelength is in the UV-visible spectral region. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein
the operational wavelength range of the ICE spans visible and near-IR spectral regions, and the probe wavelength is in the IR spectral region. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein
the operational wavelength range of the ICE spans the UV spectral region, and the probe wavelength is in the visible spectral region. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises updating a deposition rate used to form the layers remaining to be formed based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises modifying complex refractive indices of the layers remaining to be formed based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises modifying target thicknesses of the layers remaining to be formed based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises changing a total number of layers specified by the ICE design to a new total number of layers. 18. A system comprising:
a deposition chamber; one or more deposition sources associated with the deposition chamber to provide materials from which layers of one or more integrated computational elements (ICEs) are formed, wherein an ICE design associated with the ICEs specifies an operational wavelength range of the ICEs; one or more supports disposed inside the deposition chamber, at least partially, within a field of view of the one or more deposition sources to support the layers of the ICEs while the layers are formed; an optical monitor associated with the deposition chamber to monitor one or more characteristics of the layers while the layers are formed, wherein the optical monitor comprises one or more light sources to emit quasi-monochromatic probe-light having a probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICEs; and a computer system in communication with at least some of the one or more deposition sources, the one or more supports and the optical monitor, wherein the computer system comprises one or more hardware processors and non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions that, when executed by the one or more hardware processors, cause the system to form the layers of the ICEs by performing operations comprising:
receiving an ICE design comprising specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, wherein complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and wherein a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample over an operational wavelength range;
forming at least some of the layers of the ICEs in accordance with the ICE design;
optically monitoring, by the optical monitor during said forming, optical properties of the formed layers using quasi-monochromatic probe-light having a probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range; and
adjusting said forming, at least in part, based on the optically monitored optical properties of the formed layers of the ICE. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more light source of the optical monitor to emit the quasi-monochromatic probe-light having the probe wavelength that is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICEs and at least one additional quasi-monochromatic probe-light having another different probe wavelength. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the other probe wavelength is outside of the operational wavelength range of the ICEs. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the other probe wavelength is within the operational wavelength range of the ICEs. | 1,700 |
3,516 | 14,434,465 | 1,795 | The invention relates to a vacuum chamber element obtained by machining and surface treatment of a plate of thickness at least equal to 10 mm of aluminum alloy, composed as follows (as a percentage by weight), Si: 0.4-0.7; Mg: 0.4-0.7; Ti 0.01-<0.15, Fe<0.25; Cu<0.04; Mn<0.4; Cr 0.01-<0.1; Zn<0.04; other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 in total, the rest aluminum. The invention also relates to a manufacturing method for a vacuum chamber element wherein successively a plate with a thickness of at least 10 mm of aluminum alloy of series 5XXX or series 6XXX is provided, said plate is machined to a vacuum chamber element, said element is degreased and/or pickled, it is anodized at a temperature of between 10 and 30° C. with a solution comprising 100 to 300 g/l of sulfuric acid and 10 to 30 g/l of oxalic acid and 5 to 30 g/l of at least one polyol, optionally the anodized product is hydrated in deionized water at a temperature of at least 98° C. preferably for a period of at least about 1 h. Products according to the invention have an improved property homogeneity and an advantageous resistance to corrosion. | 1. Vacuum chamber element obtained by machining and surface treatment of a plate of thickness at least equal to 10 mm of an aluminum alloy, composed as follows, in weight %, Si: 0.4-0.7; Mg: 0.4-0.7; Ti: 0.01-<0.15, Fe<0.25; Cu<0.04; Mn<0.4; Cr: 0.01-<0.1; Zn<0.04; other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 in total, the rest aluminum. 2. Element according to claim 1 wherein the manganese content is lower than 0.04% by weight and optionally lower than 0.02% by weight 3. Element according to claim 1 wherein the chrome content is from 0.01 to 0.04% by weight and optionally from 0.01 to 0.03% by weight. 4. Element according to claim 1 wherein the iron content is from 0.05 to 0.2% by weight and optionally from 0.1 to 0.2% by weight. 5. Element according to claim 1 wherein the silicon content is from 0.5 to 0.6% by weight. 6. Element according to claim 1 wherein the magnesium content is from 0.5 to 0.6% by weight. 7. Element according to claim 1 wherein the copper content is lower than 0.02% by weight and optionally lower than 0.01% by weight. 8. Element according to claim 1 wherein the zinc content is lower than 0.02% by weight and optionally lower than 0.001% by weight. 9. Element according to claim 1 wherein the titanium content is from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight and optionally from 0.01 to 0.05% by weight. 10. Element according to claim 1 wherein said plate is such that the variation in the thickness of the average linear intercept length in the plane L/ST, named l l(90°) according to standard ASTM E112, is less than 30% and optionally less than 20% and/or, at mid-thickness the anisotropy index AIl= l l (0°)/ l l(90°) measured according to standard ASTM E112 is less than 3. 11. Element according to claim 1 wherein said plate is such that a thickness thereof is between 10 and 60 mm and with a density of stored elastic energy Wtot of less than 0.04 kJ/m3. 12. Element according to claim 1 wherein said surface treatment includes anodizing at a temperature between 10 and 30° C. with a solution comprising 100 to 300 g/l of sulfuric acid and 10 to 30 g/l of oxalic acid and 5 to 30 g/l of at least one polyol. 13. Element according to claim 12 wherein said plate is such that a thickness thereof is between 10 and 60 mm and has at mid-thickness a time to hydrogen bubble appearance in a 5% hydrochloric acid solution greater than 1800 min, or wherein said plate is such that a thickness thereof is greater than 60 mm and has on the surface a time to hydrogen bubble appearance in a 5% hydrochloric acid solution of at least 180 min. 14. Method of manufacturing a vacuum chamber element wherein successively
a. a rolling slab made of an aluminum alloy according to claim 1 is cast, b. optionally, said rolling slab is homogenized, c. said rolling slab is rolled at a temperature above 450° C. to obtain a plate having a thickness at least equal to 10 mm, d. solution heat treatment of said plate is carried out, and it is quenched, e. after solution heat treatment and quenching, said plate is stress-relieved by controlled stretching with permanent elongation of 1 to 5%, f. the stretched plate then undergoes aging, g. the aged plate is machined into a vacuum chamber element, h. the vacuum chamber element so obtained undergoes surface treatment, optionally including anodizing at a temperature of between 10 and 30° C. with a solution comprising 100 to 300 g/l of sulfuric acid and 10 to 30 g/l of oxalic acid and 5 to 30 g/l of at least one polyol. 15. Manufacturing process for a vacuum chamber element wherein successively
a plate with a thickness of at least 10 mm of aluminum alloy of series 5XXX or series 6XXX is provided, said plate is machined to a vacuum chamber element, degreasing and/or pickling, anodizing at a temperature of between 10 and 30° C. with a solution comprising 100 to 300 g/l of sulfuric acid and 10 to 30 g/l of oxalic acid and 5 to 30 g/l of at least one polyol, optionally the anodized product is hydrated in deionized water at a temperature of at least 98° C. optionally for a period of at least about 1 h. 16. Method according to claim 15 wherein at least one polyol is selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or glycerol. 17. Method according to claim 15 wherein anodizing is carried out with a current density of between 1 and 5 A/dm2. 18. Method according to claim 15 wherein hydration is carried out in two steps, a first step of a duration of at least 10 min at a temperature of 20 to 70° C. and a second step of a duration of at least about 1 hour at a temperature of at least 98° C. 19. Method according to claim 15 wherein the anodic layer thickness obtained is between 20 and 80 μm. | The invention relates to a vacuum chamber element obtained by machining and surface treatment of a plate of thickness at least equal to 10 mm of aluminum alloy, composed as follows (as a percentage by weight), Si: 0.4-0.7; Mg: 0.4-0.7; Ti 0.01-<0.15, Fe<0.25; Cu<0.04; Mn<0.4; Cr 0.01-<0.1; Zn<0.04; other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 in total, the rest aluminum. The invention also relates to a manufacturing method for a vacuum chamber element wherein successively a plate with a thickness of at least 10 mm of aluminum alloy of series 5XXX or series 6XXX is provided, said plate is machined to a vacuum chamber element, said element is degreased and/or pickled, it is anodized at a temperature of between 10 and 30° C. with a solution comprising 100 to 300 g/l of sulfuric acid and 10 to 30 g/l of oxalic acid and 5 to 30 g/l of at least one polyol, optionally the anodized product is hydrated in deionized water at a temperature of at least 98° C. preferably for a period of at least about 1 h. Products according to the invention have an improved property homogeneity and an advantageous resistance to corrosion.1. Vacuum chamber element obtained by machining and surface treatment of a plate of thickness at least equal to 10 mm of an aluminum alloy, composed as follows, in weight %, Si: 0.4-0.7; Mg: 0.4-0.7; Ti: 0.01-<0.15, Fe<0.25; Cu<0.04; Mn<0.4; Cr: 0.01-<0.1; Zn<0.04; other elements <0.05 each and <0.15 in total, the rest aluminum. 2. Element according to claim 1 wherein the manganese content is lower than 0.04% by weight and optionally lower than 0.02% by weight 3. Element according to claim 1 wherein the chrome content is from 0.01 to 0.04% by weight and optionally from 0.01 to 0.03% by weight. 4. Element according to claim 1 wherein the iron content is from 0.05 to 0.2% by weight and optionally from 0.1 to 0.2% by weight. 5. Element according to claim 1 wherein the silicon content is from 0.5 to 0.6% by weight. 6. Element according to claim 1 wherein the magnesium content is from 0.5 to 0.6% by weight. 7. Element according to claim 1 wherein the copper content is lower than 0.02% by weight and optionally lower than 0.01% by weight. 8. Element according to claim 1 wherein the zinc content is lower than 0.02% by weight and optionally lower than 0.001% by weight. 9. Element according to claim 1 wherein the titanium content is from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight and optionally from 0.01 to 0.05% by weight. 10. Element according to claim 1 wherein said plate is such that the variation in the thickness of the average linear intercept length in the plane L/ST, named l l(90°) according to standard ASTM E112, is less than 30% and optionally less than 20% and/or, at mid-thickness the anisotropy index AIl= l l (0°)/ l l(90°) measured according to standard ASTM E112 is less than 3. 11. Element according to claim 1 wherein said plate is such that a thickness thereof is between 10 and 60 mm and with a density of stored elastic energy Wtot of less than 0.04 kJ/m3. 12. Element according to claim 1 wherein said surface treatment includes anodizing at a temperature between 10 and 30° C. with a solution comprising 100 to 300 g/l of sulfuric acid and 10 to 30 g/l of oxalic acid and 5 to 30 g/l of at least one polyol. 13. Element according to claim 12 wherein said plate is such that a thickness thereof is between 10 and 60 mm and has at mid-thickness a time to hydrogen bubble appearance in a 5% hydrochloric acid solution greater than 1800 min, or wherein said plate is such that a thickness thereof is greater than 60 mm and has on the surface a time to hydrogen bubble appearance in a 5% hydrochloric acid solution of at least 180 min. 14. Method of manufacturing a vacuum chamber element wherein successively
a. a rolling slab made of an aluminum alloy according to claim 1 is cast, b. optionally, said rolling slab is homogenized, c. said rolling slab is rolled at a temperature above 450° C. to obtain a plate having a thickness at least equal to 10 mm, d. solution heat treatment of said plate is carried out, and it is quenched, e. after solution heat treatment and quenching, said plate is stress-relieved by controlled stretching with permanent elongation of 1 to 5%, f. the stretched plate then undergoes aging, g. the aged plate is machined into a vacuum chamber element, h. the vacuum chamber element so obtained undergoes surface treatment, optionally including anodizing at a temperature of between 10 and 30° C. with a solution comprising 100 to 300 g/l of sulfuric acid and 10 to 30 g/l of oxalic acid and 5 to 30 g/l of at least one polyol. 15. Manufacturing process for a vacuum chamber element wherein successively
a plate with a thickness of at least 10 mm of aluminum alloy of series 5XXX or series 6XXX is provided, said plate is machined to a vacuum chamber element, degreasing and/or pickling, anodizing at a temperature of between 10 and 30° C. with a solution comprising 100 to 300 g/l of sulfuric acid and 10 to 30 g/l of oxalic acid and 5 to 30 g/l of at least one polyol, optionally the anodized product is hydrated in deionized water at a temperature of at least 98° C. optionally for a period of at least about 1 h. 16. Method according to claim 15 wherein at least one polyol is selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or glycerol. 17. Method according to claim 15 wherein anodizing is carried out with a current density of between 1 and 5 A/dm2. 18. Method according to claim 15 wherein hydration is carried out in two steps, a first step of a duration of at least 10 min at a temperature of 20 to 70° C. and a second step of a duration of at least about 1 hour at a temperature of at least 98° C. 19. Method according to claim 15 wherein the anodic layer thickness obtained is between 20 and 80 μm. | 1,700 |
3,517 | 15,356,756 | 1,792 | An apparatus and method for reducing the temperature of a product include a housing having a chamber therein, and an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber; a plurality of zones in the chamber between the inlet and the outlet and arranged in descending order of heat transfer rate atmospheres for the product from the inlet to the outlet; a conveyor assembly for transferring the product from the inlet through the plurality of zones to the outlet; and a controller in communication with the chamber, the plurality of zones, the heat transfer apparatus, the conveyor assembly and the heat transfer rate atmospheres, the controller having stored therein physical characteristics and a heat transfer profile of the product to adjust and control the heat transfer rate atmospheres for the product such that a heat transfer rate of the product will decrease as the product is transferred from the inlet through each one of the plurality of zones to the outlet. | 1. A method for reducing the temperature of a product, comprising:
identifying physical characteristics and a heat profile of the product prior to reducing the temperature of the product; exposing the product to a plurality of heat transfer rate atmospheres arranged in descending order of heat transfer rates, said exposing the product occurring first at a first one of the plurality of heat transfer rate atmospheres having a greatest heat transfer rate; sensing the temperature of the product during the exposing to the plurality of heat transfer rate atmospheres; and adjusting and controlling the heat transfer rates responsive to the temperature sensed and corresponding heat profile of the product. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical characteristics are selected from dimensions of the product, composition of the product, and moisture content of the product. 3. The method of the claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of heat transfer atmospheres comprises a cryogen. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cryogen is a substance selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and liquid air. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the exposing comprises circulating at least one of the plurality of heat transfer rate atmospheres with a fan apparatus. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting and controlling the heat transfer rates comprises reducing exposure of the product to the heat transfer rate atmospheres. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting comprises reducing the heat transfer rates. 8. A food product of the method of claim 1. | An apparatus and method for reducing the temperature of a product include a housing having a chamber therein, and an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber; a plurality of zones in the chamber between the inlet and the outlet and arranged in descending order of heat transfer rate atmospheres for the product from the inlet to the outlet; a conveyor assembly for transferring the product from the inlet through the plurality of zones to the outlet; and a controller in communication with the chamber, the plurality of zones, the heat transfer apparatus, the conveyor assembly and the heat transfer rate atmospheres, the controller having stored therein physical characteristics and a heat transfer profile of the product to adjust and control the heat transfer rate atmospheres for the product such that a heat transfer rate of the product will decrease as the product is transferred from the inlet through each one of the plurality of zones to the outlet.1. A method for reducing the temperature of a product, comprising:
identifying physical characteristics and a heat profile of the product prior to reducing the temperature of the product; exposing the product to a plurality of heat transfer rate atmospheres arranged in descending order of heat transfer rates, said exposing the product occurring first at a first one of the plurality of heat transfer rate atmospheres having a greatest heat transfer rate; sensing the temperature of the product during the exposing to the plurality of heat transfer rate atmospheres; and adjusting and controlling the heat transfer rates responsive to the temperature sensed and corresponding heat profile of the product. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said physical characteristics are selected from dimensions of the product, composition of the product, and moisture content of the product. 3. The method of the claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of heat transfer atmospheres comprises a cryogen. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cryogen is a substance selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and liquid air. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the exposing comprises circulating at least one of the plurality of heat transfer rate atmospheres with a fan apparatus. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting and controlling the heat transfer rates comprises reducing exposure of the product to the heat transfer rate atmospheres. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting comprises reducing the heat transfer rates. 8. A food product of the method of claim 1. | 1,700 |
3,518 | 15,625,106 | 1,711 | An exemplary washer fluid heating assembly includes an outer layer about an inner layer of a hose. The inner layer provides an outer boundary of a fluid flow path. A heating element is held by the inner layer. An exemplary washer fluid heating method includes conveying a fluid along a fluid flow path within a layer of a hose, and heating the fluid with a heating element held by the inner layer. The heating element provides a portion of an outer boundary of the fluid flow path. | 1. A washer fluid heating assembly, comprising:
an outer layer about an innermost layer of a hose, the innermost layer providing an outer boundary of a fluid flow path, the innermost layer having a material composition including a base material and an additive that is more thermally conductive than the base material; and at least one heating element held by the innermost layer. 2. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the innermost layer provides the outer boundary about an entire circumference of the fluid flow path. 3. (canceled) 4. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the material composition of the innermost layer is a first material composition and the outer layer has a second material composition different than the first material composition. 5. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the base material is a thermoplastic vulcanizate. 6. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 5, wherein the additive comprises graphite. 7. (canceled) 8. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element directly contacts a fluid within the fluid flow path such that the at least one heating element provides a portion of the outer boundary. 9. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element comprises a first heating element on a first side of the fluid flow path and a second heating element on an opposing, second side of the fluid flow path. 10. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element comprises a Nichrome resistance wire. 11. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner layer and the at least one heating element together provide an extruded component. 12. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the hose is a first hose, and further comprising an electrically conductive connector fluidly coupling the first hose to a second hose. 13. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive connector comprises a nylon blended with a metal or metal alloy. 14. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 12, further comprising a nozzle fluidly coupled to the connector, the nozzle configured to convey fluid from the fluid flow path to an area of a vehicle. 15. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, further comprising a washer fluid held within the fluid flow path, the washer fluid conveyed along the fluid flow path to remove contaminants from an area of a vehicle. 16. A washer fluid heating method, comprising:
conveying a washer fluid along a fluid flow path within an innermost layer of a hose; and heating the washer fluid with at least one heating element held by the innermost layer, the at least one heating element providing at least a portion of an outer boundary of the fluid flow path. 17. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting the heating in response to a temperature of the fluid. 18. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, wherein the innermost layer is positioned within an outer layer. 19. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, further comprising directly contacting the fluid with the at least one heating element. 20. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, wherein the at least one heating element and the layer together provide an extruded component. 21. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, wherein the innermost layer has a material composition that includes a base material and an additive that is more thermally conductive than the base material. 22. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, wherein the hose is a first hose, and further comprising fluidly coupling the first hose to a second hose using an electrically conductive connector, the electrically conductive connector comprising a nylon blended with a metal or metal alloy. | An exemplary washer fluid heating assembly includes an outer layer about an inner layer of a hose. The inner layer provides an outer boundary of a fluid flow path. A heating element is held by the inner layer. An exemplary washer fluid heating method includes conveying a fluid along a fluid flow path within a layer of a hose, and heating the fluid with a heating element held by the inner layer. The heating element provides a portion of an outer boundary of the fluid flow path.1. A washer fluid heating assembly, comprising:
an outer layer about an innermost layer of a hose, the innermost layer providing an outer boundary of a fluid flow path, the innermost layer having a material composition including a base material and an additive that is more thermally conductive than the base material; and at least one heating element held by the innermost layer. 2. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the innermost layer provides the outer boundary about an entire circumference of the fluid flow path. 3. (canceled) 4. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the material composition of the innermost layer is a first material composition and the outer layer has a second material composition different than the first material composition. 5. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the base material is a thermoplastic vulcanizate. 6. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 5, wherein the additive comprises graphite. 7. (canceled) 8. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element directly contacts a fluid within the fluid flow path such that the at least one heating element provides a portion of the outer boundary. 9. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element comprises a first heating element on a first side of the fluid flow path and a second heating element on an opposing, second side of the fluid flow path. 10. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating element comprises a Nichrome resistance wire. 11. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner layer and the at least one heating element together provide an extruded component. 12. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the hose is a first hose, and further comprising an electrically conductive connector fluidly coupling the first hose to a second hose. 13. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive connector comprises a nylon blended with a metal or metal alloy. 14. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 12, further comprising a nozzle fluidly coupled to the connector, the nozzle configured to convey fluid from the fluid flow path to an area of a vehicle. 15. The washer fluid heating assembly of claim 1, further comprising a washer fluid held within the fluid flow path, the washer fluid conveyed along the fluid flow path to remove contaminants from an area of a vehicle. 16. A washer fluid heating method, comprising:
conveying a washer fluid along a fluid flow path within an innermost layer of a hose; and heating the washer fluid with at least one heating element held by the innermost layer, the at least one heating element providing at least a portion of an outer boundary of the fluid flow path. 17. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting the heating in response to a temperature of the fluid. 18. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, wherein the innermost layer is positioned within an outer layer. 19. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, further comprising directly contacting the fluid with the at least one heating element. 20. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, wherein the at least one heating element and the layer together provide an extruded component. 21. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, wherein the innermost layer has a material composition that includes a base material and an additive that is more thermally conductive than the base material. 22. The washer fluid heating method of claim 16, wherein the hose is a first hose, and further comprising fluidly coupling the first hose to a second hose using an electrically conductive connector, the electrically conductive connector comprising a nylon blended with a metal or metal alloy. | 1,700 |
3,519 | 14,443,323 | 1,787 | The invention relates to an intermediate layer film for laminated glazing, constructed from at least one first and at least one second sub-film containing plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal each with different plasticiser content, wherein the first sub-film consists of plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal with a polyvinyl alcohol content from 17 to 22% by weight, and the second sub-film consists of plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal with a polyvinyl alcohol content from 11 to 14% by weight, and the intermediate layer film has a total plasticiser content of less than 28% by weight. The film can be used in particular for windscreens with use of glasses with a total thickness of less than 3.7 mm. | 1.-10. (canceled) 11. An intermediate layer film for laminated glazing, comprising at least one first sub-film and at least one second sub-film, both of plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal and each sub-film with different plasticiser content, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal of the first sub-film has a polyvinyl alcohol content from 17 to 22% by weight, and the second sub-film comprises a plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal with a polyvinyl alcohol content from 11 to 14% by weight, and the intermediate layer film has a total plasticiser content of less than 28% by weight. 12. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein a second sub-film is arranged between two first sub-films. 13. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal first sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 14. The intermediate layer film of claim 12, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal first sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 15. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal second sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 16. The intermediate layer film of claim 12, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal second sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 17. The intermediate layer film of claim 13, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal second sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 18. The intermediate layer film of claim 14, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal second sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 19. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein a laminate produced from an intermediate layer film with a thickness of 0.76 mm and two glass panels 2 mm thick has a penetration strength in the ball drop according to ECE43 of at least 5.0 m. 20. The intermediate layer film according to claim 11, wherein the first sub-film has a plasticiser content from 20 to 27% by weight and the second sub-film has a plasticiser content from 30 to 38% by weight. 21. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein the first and second sub-films have plasticiser contents differing by at most 5% by weight. 22. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein a second sub-film with a thickness of 100-200 μm is arranged between two first sub-films of a thickness from 320 to 375 μm. 23. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein the intermediate layer film is produced by coextrusion of the sub-films. 24. The intermediate layer film according to one of claim 11, wherein the intermediate layer film is produced by combining the sub-films. | The invention relates to an intermediate layer film for laminated glazing, constructed from at least one first and at least one second sub-film containing plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal each with different plasticiser content, wherein the first sub-film consists of plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal with a polyvinyl alcohol content from 17 to 22% by weight, and the second sub-film consists of plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal with a polyvinyl alcohol content from 11 to 14% by weight, and the intermediate layer film has a total plasticiser content of less than 28% by weight. The film can be used in particular for windscreens with use of glasses with a total thickness of less than 3.7 mm.1.-10. (canceled) 11. An intermediate layer film for laminated glazing, comprising at least one first sub-film and at least one second sub-film, both of plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal and each sub-film with different plasticiser content, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal of the first sub-film has a polyvinyl alcohol content from 17 to 22% by weight, and the second sub-film comprises a plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal with a polyvinyl alcohol content from 11 to 14% by weight, and the intermediate layer film has a total plasticiser content of less than 28% by weight. 12. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein a second sub-film is arranged between two first sub-films. 13. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal first sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 14. The intermediate layer film of claim 12, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal first sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 15. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal second sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 16. The intermediate layer film of claim 12, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal second sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 17. The intermediate layer film of claim 13, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal second sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 18. The intermediate layer film of claim 14, wherein the plasticiser-containing polyvinyl acetal second sub-film has a proportion of polyvinyl acetate groups of from 0.1 to 11 mol %. 19. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein a laminate produced from an intermediate layer film with a thickness of 0.76 mm and two glass panels 2 mm thick has a penetration strength in the ball drop according to ECE43 of at least 5.0 m. 20. The intermediate layer film according to claim 11, wherein the first sub-film has a plasticiser content from 20 to 27% by weight and the second sub-film has a plasticiser content from 30 to 38% by weight. 21. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein the first and second sub-films have plasticiser contents differing by at most 5% by weight. 22. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein a second sub-film with a thickness of 100-200 μm is arranged between two first sub-films of a thickness from 320 to 375 μm. 23. The intermediate layer film of claim 11, wherein the intermediate layer film is produced by coextrusion of the sub-films. 24. The intermediate layer film according to one of claim 11, wherein the intermediate layer film is produced by combining the sub-films. | 1,700 |
3,520 | 14,725,221 | 1,723 | In some examples of a method of forming a catheter, a structural support member is positioned over an inner liner. Prior to being positioned over the inner liner, the structural support member tapers in diameter along at least a portion of a length of the structural support member. | 1. A method of forming a catheter, the method comprising:
positioning an inner liner over a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion of a mandrel, the first portion having a first diameter, the second portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter, and the third portion having a tapering diameter that tapers from the first diameter to the second diameter, the third portion being located between the first and second portions; positioning a structural support member over the inner liner, wherein the structural support member, prior to being positioned over the inner liner, tapers in diameter along at least a portion of a length of the structural support member; and positioning an outer jacket over the structural support member. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the inner liner over the mandrel comprises stretching the inner liner over the mandrel so that the inner liner substantially conforms to the mandrel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the inner liner over the mandrel comprises heat shrinking the inner liner onto the mandrel. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes positioning only one inner liner over the mandrel. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the inner liner is seamless. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein after the inner liner is positioned over the mandrel, an inner diameter of the inner liner tapers from the first diameter to the second diameter. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural support member comprises a coil member, the method further comprising:
forming the coil member prior to positioning the coil member over the inner liner, wherein forming the coil member comprises:
winding a wire onto a second mandrel into a coil configuration; and
heat-setting the wire into the coil configuration, the heat-set wire defining the coil member. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural support member is a single coil member that changes in pitch along a length of the coil member. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the third portion of the mandrel has a length of about 2.5 centimeters to about 7.6 centimeters. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mandrel is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
applying a thermoset adhesive to an outer surface of the inner liner, wherein positioning the structural support member over the inner liner comprises positioning the structural support member over the outer surface of the inner liner after applying the thermoset adhesive to the outer surface; and curing the thermoset adhesive to adhere the structural support member to the inner liner, wherein positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member comprises positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member after curing the thermoset adhesive. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising heat shrinking the outer jacket over the structural support member and the inner liner, wherein the thermoset adhesive does not adhere the outer jacket to the structural support member after the outer jacket is heat shrunk over the structural support member and the inner liner. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the thermoset adhesive does not melt during the heat shrinking of the outer jacket over the structural support member and the inner liner. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the thermoset adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the structural support member is a single coil member, and wherein curing the thermoset adhesive adheres only the single coil member to the inner liner. 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a thermoset adhesive to an outer surface of an inner liner to define an adhesive layer having a first thickness less than or equal to a second thickness of the structural support member, wherein positioning the structural support member over the inner liner comprises positioning the coil member over the outer surface of the inner liner after applying the thermoset adhesive to the outer surface. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member comprises positioning a plurality of outer jacket segments having different durometers over the structural support member. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member comprises positioning a plurality of outer jacket segments formed from different materials over the structural support member. 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a marker band over the inner liner distal to a distal end of the structural support member. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising positioning a distal outer jacket segment over the inner liner distal to the marker band and the structural support member. 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising curing an assembly comprising the inner liner, the structural support member positioned over the inner liner, and the outer jacket. 22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
forming a catheter, wherein forming the catheter comprises positioning the inner liner over the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the mandrel, positioning the structural support member over the inner liner, and positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member; and connecting a hub to a proximal end of the catheter, the proximal end of the catheter having a greater diameter than the distal end of the catheter. | In some examples of a method of forming a catheter, a structural support member is positioned over an inner liner. Prior to being positioned over the inner liner, the structural support member tapers in diameter along at least a portion of a length of the structural support member.1. A method of forming a catheter, the method comprising:
positioning an inner liner over a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion of a mandrel, the first portion having a first diameter, the second portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter, and the third portion having a tapering diameter that tapers from the first diameter to the second diameter, the third portion being located between the first and second portions; positioning a structural support member over the inner liner, wherein the structural support member, prior to being positioned over the inner liner, tapers in diameter along at least a portion of a length of the structural support member; and positioning an outer jacket over the structural support member. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the inner liner over the mandrel comprises stretching the inner liner over the mandrel so that the inner liner substantially conforms to the mandrel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the inner liner over the mandrel comprises heat shrinking the inner liner onto the mandrel. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes positioning only one inner liner over the mandrel. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the inner liner is seamless. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein after the inner liner is positioned over the mandrel, an inner diameter of the inner liner tapers from the first diameter to the second diameter. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural support member comprises a coil member, the method further comprising:
forming the coil member prior to positioning the coil member over the inner liner, wherein forming the coil member comprises:
winding a wire onto a second mandrel into a coil configuration; and
heat-setting the wire into the coil configuration, the heat-set wire defining the coil member. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the structural support member is a single coil member that changes in pitch along a length of the coil member. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the third portion of the mandrel has a length of about 2.5 centimeters to about 7.6 centimeters. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mandrel is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
applying a thermoset adhesive to an outer surface of the inner liner, wherein positioning the structural support member over the inner liner comprises positioning the structural support member over the outer surface of the inner liner after applying the thermoset adhesive to the outer surface; and curing the thermoset adhesive to adhere the structural support member to the inner liner, wherein positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member comprises positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member after curing the thermoset adhesive. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising heat shrinking the outer jacket over the structural support member and the inner liner, wherein the thermoset adhesive does not adhere the outer jacket to the structural support member after the outer jacket is heat shrunk over the structural support member and the inner liner. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the thermoset adhesive does not melt during the heat shrinking of the outer jacket over the structural support member and the inner liner. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the thermoset adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the structural support member is a single coil member, and wherein curing the thermoset adhesive adheres only the single coil member to the inner liner. 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a thermoset adhesive to an outer surface of an inner liner to define an adhesive layer having a first thickness less than or equal to a second thickness of the structural support member, wherein positioning the structural support member over the inner liner comprises positioning the coil member over the outer surface of the inner liner after applying the thermoset adhesive to the outer surface. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member comprises positioning a plurality of outer jacket segments having different durometers over the structural support member. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member comprises positioning a plurality of outer jacket segments formed from different materials over the structural support member. 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a marker band over the inner liner distal to a distal end of the structural support member. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising positioning a distal outer jacket segment over the inner liner distal to the marker band and the structural support member. 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising curing an assembly comprising the inner liner, the structural support member positioned over the inner liner, and the outer jacket. 22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
forming a catheter, wherein forming the catheter comprises positioning the inner liner over the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the mandrel, positioning the structural support member over the inner liner, and positioning the outer jacket over the structural support member; and connecting a hub to a proximal end of the catheter, the proximal end of the catheter having a greater diameter than the distal end of the catheter. | 1,700 |
3,521 | 15,427,381 | 1,765 | A method of making a polybenzimidazole (PBI) includes the steps of: reacting, in a solution, an organic compound having at least 2 amino groups with an organic aldehyde adduct, the reactants comprise at least 8% by weight of the solution. A solvent of the solution may be selected from the group of: N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), tetramethylene sulfone, and combinations thereof. The organic aldehyde adduct may be an organic aldehyde bisulfite adduct. The organic aldehyde portion of the organic aldehyde adduct being aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, heterocyclic, or heteroaromatic aldehyde or mixtures thereof. The polybenzimidazole may have an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.40 dl/g. | 1. A method of making a polybenzimidazole comprising the steps of:
reacting, in a solution,
an organic compound having at least 4 amino groups with
an organic dialdehyde adduct, the reactants comprise at least 8% by weight of the solution. 2. The method of claim 1 where a solvent of the solution being selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), tetramethylene sulfone, and combinations thereof. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the organic dialdehyde adduct being an organic dialdehyde bis (bisulfite) adduct. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the bisulfite portion of the organic aldehyde bisulfite adduct being a bisulfite salt. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the organic aldehyde portion of the organic aldehyde adduct is aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, heterocyclic dialdehyde or mixtures thereof. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the organic aldehyde portion of the organic aldehyde adduct is terephthalaldehyde or isophthalaldehyde. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the organic compound being an organic tetraamine. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
extruding the polybenzimidazole to a fiber or a film from the solution. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein for fiber spinning, the polybenzimidazole having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.50 dl/g. 10. The method of claim 8 wherein for fiber spinning, the solution having a % solids of the solution of at least 15%. 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
isolating the polybenzimidazole from the solvent. 12. A method of making a polybenzimidazole comprising the steps of:
reacting, in a solution,
an organic compound having at least 4 amino groups with
an organic aldehyde adduct, the organic aldehyde adduct is a bisulfite salt. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the reactants comprise at least 8% by weight of the solution. 14. The method of claim 12 where a solvent of the solution being selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), tetramethylene sulfone, and combinations thereof. | A method of making a polybenzimidazole (PBI) includes the steps of: reacting, in a solution, an organic compound having at least 2 amino groups with an organic aldehyde adduct, the reactants comprise at least 8% by weight of the solution. A solvent of the solution may be selected from the group of: N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), tetramethylene sulfone, and combinations thereof. The organic aldehyde adduct may be an organic aldehyde bisulfite adduct. The organic aldehyde portion of the organic aldehyde adduct being aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, heterocyclic, or heteroaromatic aldehyde or mixtures thereof. The polybenzimidazole may have an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.40 dl/g.1. A method of making a polybenzimidazole comprising the steps of:
reacting, in a solution,
an organic compound having at least 4 amino groups with
an organic dialdehyde adduct, the reactants comprise at least 8% by weight of the solution. 2. The method of claim 1 where a solvent of the solution being selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), tetramethylene sulfone, and combinations thereof. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the organic dialdehyde adduct being an organic dialdehyde bis (bisulfite) adduct. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the bisulfite portion of the organic aldehyde bisulfite adduct being a bisulfite salt. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the organic aldehyde portion of the organic aldehyde adduct is aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, heterocyclic dialdehyde or mixtures thereof. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the organic aldehyde portion of the organic aldehyde adduct is terephthalaldehyde or isophthalaldehyde. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the organic compound being an organic tetraamine. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
extruding the polybenzimidazole to a fiber or a film from the solution. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein for fiber spinning, the polybenzimidazole having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.50 dl/g. 10. The method of claim 8 wherein for fiber spinning, the solution having a % solids of the solution of at least 15%. 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
isolating the polybenzimidazole from the solvent. 12. A method of making a polybenzimidazole comprising the steps of:
reacting, in a solution,
an organic compound having at least 4 amino groups with
an organic aldehyde adduct, the organic aldehyde adduct is a bisulfite salt. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the reactants comprise at least 8% by weight of the solution. 14. The method of claim 12 where a solvent of the solution being selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), tetramethylene sulfone, and combinations thereof. | 1,700 |
3,522 | 15,116,406 | 1,789 | Provided is a tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer which is less likely to form a lump, or is less likely to form a large lump even if a lump is formed, during the formation of an electric wire. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer has a melt flow rate measured at 372° C. of 35.0 to 45.0 g/10 minutes and a swell of −8.0% to 5.0%, the sum of the numbers of —CF 2 H groups and unstable end groups being 120 or less per 1×10 6 carbon atoms. | 1. A tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer having a melt flow rate measured at 372° C. of 35.0 to 45.0 g/10 minutes and a swell of −8.0% to 5.0%,
the sum of the numbers of —CF2H groups and unstable end groups being 120 or less per 1×106 carbon atoms. 2. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1,
wherein the sum of the numbers of —CF2H groups and unstable end groups is 50 or less per 1×106 carbon atoms. 3. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1,
wherein the swell is −6.0% to 4.9%. 4. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1,
wherein the sum of the numbers of —CF2H groups and unstable end groups is 20 or less per 1×106 carbon atoms. 5. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1, which has a heating weight loss of 0.1% by weight or less after heating at 372° C. for 30 minutes. 6. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1, which has a melting point of 245° C. to 280° C. 7. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1, comprising a polymerized unit derived from tetrafluoroethylene, a polymerized unit derived from hexafluoropropylene, and a polymerized unit derived from a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether). 8. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 7,
wherein the perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) is perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether). 9. An electric wire comprising:
a core wire; and a coating including the tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1. 10. The electric wire according to claim 9, which is a foamed electric wire. | Provided is a tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer which is less likely to form a lump, or is less likely to form a large lump even if a lump is formed, during the formation of an electric wire. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer has a melt flow rate measured at 372° C. of 35.0 to 45.0 g/10 minutes and a swell of −8.0% to 5.0%, the sum of the numbers of —CF 2 H groups and unstable end groups being 120 or less per 1×10 6 carbon atoms.1. A tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer having a melt flow rate measured at 372° C. of 35.0 to 45.0 g/10 minutes and a swell of −8.0% to 5.0%,
the sum of the numbers of —CF2H groups and unstable end groups being 120 or less per 1×106 carbon atoms. 2. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1,
wherein the sum of the numbers of —CF2H groups and unstable end groups is 50 or less per 1×106 carbon atoms. 3. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1,
wherein the swell is −6.0% to 4.9%. 4. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1,
wherein the sum of the numbers of —CF2H groups and unstable end groups is 20 or less per 1×106 carbon atoms. 5. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1, which has a heating weight loss of 0.1% by weight or less after heating at 372° C. for 30 minutes. 6. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1, which has a melting point of 245° C. to 280° C. 7. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1, comprising a polymerized unit derived from tetrafluoroethylene, a polymerized unit derived from hexafluoropropylene, and a polymerized unit derived from a perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether). 8. The tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 7,
wherein the perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) is perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether). 9. An electric wire comprising:
a core wire; and a coating including the tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer according to claim 1. 10. The electric wire according to claim 9, which is a foamed electric wire. | 1,700 |
3,523 | 14,575,484 | 1,742 | An example apparatus for producing a part from a powder using a powder sintering process can include a build chamber including one or more walls and a build piston configured to support the powder and the part. Additionally, the build chamber can enclose a build cylinder and a build surface, and the build piston can be arranged at least partially within the build cylinder. The apparatus can also include a plurality of heat sources distributed in the walls of the build chamber, the build cylinder and/or the build piston, an energy source arranged outside of the build chamber and configured to produce and direct an energy beam to the build surface, and a controller configured to control the heat sources. | 1. An apparatus for producing a part from a powder using a powder sintering process, comprising:
a build chamber including one or more walls, wherein the build chamber encloses a build cylinder and a build surface; a build piston configured to support the powder and the part, wherein the build piston is arranged at least partially within the build cylinder; a plurality of heat sources distributed in at least one of the walls of the build chamber, the build cylinder and the build piston; an energy source configured to produce and direct an energy beam to the build surface, wherein the energy source is arranged outside of the build chamber; and a controller configured to control the heat sources. 2. (canceled) 3. (canceled) 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the build cylinder and the build piston further comprises one or more inlet or outlet ports formed therein for accommodating a flow of build chamber gases. 5. (canceled) 6. (canceled) 7. (canceled) 8. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a multi-spectral imaging device configured to acquire images of at least two of the build surface, the powder, the part, the walls of the build chamber and the build cylinder, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the images acquired by the multi-spectral imaging device; estimate respective temperature distributions of the at least two of the build surface, the powder, the part, the walls of the build chamber and the build cylinder from the images acquired by the multi-spectral imaging device; and control at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the estimated respective temperature distributions. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to:
calculate one or more theoretical or computational models for respective temperature distributions for the at least two of the build surface, the build chamber, the part and the powder under similar build chamber conditions; compare the estimated respective temperature distributions with the theoretical or computational models; and control at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the comparison. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-spectral imaging device is an infrared imaging device. 11. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a non-optical imaging device configured to acquire images of the powder and the part, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the images acquired by the non-optical imaging device; determine a condition of the part from the images acquired by the non-optical imaging device; and control at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the condition of the part. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the non-optical imaging device is an acoustic or electro-magnetic imaging device. 13. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device configured to acquire images of an energy beam-powder interaction region on the build surface, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the images acquired by the bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device; estimate real-time properties of the energy beam-powder interaction region from the images acquired by the bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device; calculate one or more theoretical or computational models for an energy beam-powder interaction region for a similar powder material under similar build chamber conditions; compare the estimated real-time properties of the energy beam-powder interaction region with the theoretical or computational models; and control at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the comparison. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an energy beam power meter configured to measure a power of the energy beam, wherein the energy beam power meter is arranged near the build surface within the build chamber, and wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the power of the energy beam; and control the energy source based on the power of the energy beam measured within the build chamber. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a powder feed device arranged outside of the build chamber, wherein the powder feed device includes:
a powder feed bin configured to store the powder; a powder metering device configured to dispense a measured amount of the powder from the powder feed bin; and a powder drop chute configured to guide the measured amount of the powder into the build chamber, wherein the powder metering device is arranged between the powder feed bin and the powder drop chute. 16. (canceled) 17. (canceled) 18. (canceled) 19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a powder spreading device including:
a powder spreading roller arranged within the build chamber; a drive system configured to control at least one of translation and rotation of the powder spreading roller; and a thermal box including one or more thermal seals between the build chamber and components of the drive system, wherein the drive system and the thermal box are arranged outside of the build chamber. 20. (canceled) 21. (canceled) 22. A method for real-time control of a powder sintering process for producing a part from a powder, comprising:
providing a build chamber that encloses a build surface; acquiring, using a multi-spectral imaging device, images of at least two of the build surface, the build chamber, the part and the powder; estimating, using a controller, respective temperature distributions of the at least two of the build surface, the build chamber, the part and the powder from the images acquired by the multi-spectral imaging device; and controlling, using the controller, the powder sintering process based on the estimated respective temperature distributions. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
calculating, using the controller, one or more theoretical or computational models for respective temperature distributions for the at least two of the build surface, the build chamber, the part and the powder under similar build chamber conditions; comparing, using the controller, the estimated respective temperature distributions with the theoretical or computational models; and controlling, using the controller, at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the comparison. 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
acquiring, using a non-optical imaging device, images of the part and the powder; determining, using the controller, a condition of the part from the images acquired by the non-optical imaging device; and controlling, using the controller, the powder sintering process based on the condition of the part. 25. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing an energy source configured to produce and direct an energy beam to the build surface, wherein controlling the powder sintering process further comprises adjusting characteristics of the energy beam. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
acquiring, using a bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device, images of an energy beam-powder interaction region on the build surface; estimating, using the controller, real-time properties of the energy beam-powder interaction region from the images acquired by the bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device; calculating, using the controller, one or more theoretical or computational models for an energy beam-powder interaction region for a similar powder material under similar build chamber conditions; comparing, using the controller, the estimated real-time properties of the energy beam-powder interaction region with the theoretical or computational models; and controlling, using the controller, the powder sintering process based on the comparison. 27. The method of claim 22, wherein the build chamber includes a plurality of heat sources distributed therein, and wherein controlling the powder sintering process further comprises energizing or de-energizing one or more of the heat sources. 28. (canceled) 29. The method of claim 22, wherein:
the build chamber further encloses a build cylinder having a build piston arranged at least partially therein, the build piston is configured to support the powder and the part, at least one of the build cylinder and the build piston comprises one or more inlet or outlet ports formed therein, and controlling the powder sintering process further comprises controlling operation of the inlet or outlet ports to adjust at least one of a temperature or a chemical composition of build chamber gases. 30. (canceled) 31. (canceled) 32. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
providing a powder feed bin configured to store powder, wherein the powder feed bin is arranged outside of the build chamber; and dispensing a measured amount of the powder from the powder feed bin into the build chamber, wherein the measured amount of the powder undergoes rapid heat transfer as the powder enters the build chamber between an approximate temperature of the powder feed bin and a temperature that minimizes thermal mismatch and part curl when the powder is spread over the build surface. 33. (canceled) 34. A method for real-time control of a powder sintering process for producing a part from a powder, comprising:
providing a build chamber that encloses a build surface; acquiring, using a multi-spectral imaging device, images of the build surface, the build chamber, the part or the powder; estimating, using a controller, respective real-time temperature distributions of the build surface, the build chamber, the part or the powder from the images acquired by the multi-spectral imaging device; calculating, using the controller, a real-time physics-based model of the powder sintering process based on the respective real-time temperature distributions; and controlling, using the controller, the estimated powder sintering process based on the real-time physics-based model. | An example apparatus for producing a part from a powder using a powder sintering process can include a build chamber including one or more walls and a build piston configured to support the powder and the part. Additionally, the build chamber can enclose a build cylinder and a build surface, and the build piston can be arranged at least partially within the build cylinder. The apparatus can also include a plurality of heat sources distributed in the walls of the build chamber, the build cylinder and/or the build piston, an energy source arranged outside of the build chamber and configured to produce and direct an energy beam to the build surface, and a controller configured to control the heat sources.1. An apparatus for producing a part from a powder using a powder sintering process, comprising:
a build chamber including one or more walls, wherein the build chamber encloses a build cylinder and a build surface; a build piston configured to support the powder and the part, wherein the build piston is arranged at least partially within the build cylinder; a plurality of heat sources distributed in at least one of the walls of the build chamber, the build cylinder and the build piston; an energy source configured to produce and direct an energy beam to the build surface, wherein the energy source is arranged outside of the build chamber; and a controller configured to control the heat sources. 2. (canceled) 3. (canceled) 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the build cylinder and the build piston further comprises one or more inlet or outlet ports formed therein for accommodating a flow of build chamber gases. 5. (canceled) 6. (canceled) 7. (canceled) 8. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a multi-spectral imaging device configured to acquire images of at least two of the build surface, the powder, the part, the walls of the build chamber and the build cylinder, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the images acquired by the multi-spectral imaging device; estimate respective temperature distributions of the at least two of the build surface, the powder, the part, the walls of the build chamber and the build cylinder from the images acquired by the multi-spectral imaging device; and control at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the estimated respective temperature distributions. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to:
calculate one or more theoretical or computational models for respective temperature distributions for the at least two of the build surface, the build chamber, the part and the powder under similar build chamber conditions; compare the estimated respective temperature distributions with the theoretical or computational models; and control at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the comparison. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the multi-spectral imaging device is an infrared imaging device. 11. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a non-optical imaging device configured to acquire images of the powder and the part, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the images acquired by the non-optical imaging device; determine a condition of the part from the images acquired by the non-optical imaging device; and control at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the condition of the part. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the non-optical imaging device is an acoustic or electro-magnetic imaging device. 13. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device configured to acquire images of an energy beam-powder interaction region on the build surface, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the images acquired by the bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device; estimate real-time properties of the energy beam-powder interaction region from the images acquired by the bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device; calculate one or more theoretical or computational models for an energy beam-powder interaction region for a similar powder material under similar build chamber conditions; compare the estimated real-time properties of the energy beam-powder interaction region with the theoretical or computational models; and control at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the comparison. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an energy beam power meter configured to measure a power of the energy beam, wherein the energy beam power meter is arranged near the build surface within the build chamber, and wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the power of the energy beam; and control the energy source based on the power of the energy beam measured within the build chamber. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a powder feed device arranged outside of the build chamber, wherein the powder feed device includes:
a powder feed bin configured to store the powder; a powder metering device configured to dispense a measured amount of the powder from the powder feed bin; and a powder drop chute configured to guide the measured amount of the powder into the build chamber, wherein the powder metering device is arranged between the powder feed bin and the powder drop chute. 16. (canceled) 17. (canceled) 18. (canceled) 19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a powder spreading device including:
a powder spreading roller arranged within the build chamber; a drive system configured to control at least one of translation and rotation of the powder spreading roller; and a thermal box including one or more thermal seals between the build chamber and components of the drive system, wherein the drive system and the thermal box are arranged outside of the build chamber. 20. (canceled) 21. (canceled) 22. A method for real-time control of a powder sintering process for producing a part from a powder, comprising:
providing a build chamber that encloses a build surface; acquiring, using a multi-spectral imaging device, images of at least two of the build surface, the build chamber, the part and the powder; estimating, using a controller, respective temperature distributions of the at least two of the build surface, the build chamber, the part and the powder from the images acquired by the multi-spectral imaging device; and controlling, using the controller, the powder sintering process based on the estimated respective temperature distributions. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
calculating, using the controller, one or more theoretical or computational models for respective temperature distributions for the at least two of the build surface, the build chamber, the part and the powder under similar build chamber conditions; comparing, using the controller, the estimated respective temperature distributions with the theoretical or computational models; and controlling, using the controller, at least one of the energy source, the heat sources and the inlet or outlet ports based on the comparison. 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
acquiring, using a non-optical imaging device, images of the part and the powder; determining, using the controller, a condition of the part from the images acquired by the non-optical imaging device; and controlling, using the controller, the powder sintering process based on the condition of the part. 25. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing an energy source configured to produce and direct an energy beam to the build surface, wherein controlling the powder sintering process further comprises adjusting characteristics of the energy beam. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
acquiring, using a bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device, images of an energy beam-powder interaction region on the build surface; estimating, using the controller, real-time properties of the energy beam-powder interaction region from the images acquired by the bore-sighted multi-spectral imaging device; calculating, using the controller, one or more theoretical or computational models for an energy beam-powder interaction region for a similar powder material under similar build chamber conditions; comparing, using the controller, the estimated real-time properties of the energy beam-powder interaction region with the theoretical or computational models; and controlling, using the controller, the powder sintering process based on the comparison. 27. The method of claim 22, wherein the build chamber includes a plurality of heat sources distributed therein, and wherein controlling the powder sintering process further comprises energizing or de-energizing one or more of the heat sources. 28. (canceled) 29. The method of claim 22, wherein:
the build chamber further encloses a build cylinder having a build piston arranged at least partially therein, the build piston is configured to support the powder and the part, at least one of the build cylinder and the build piston comprises one or more inlet or outlet ports formed therein, and controlling the powder sintering process further comprises controlling operation of the inlet or outlet ports to adjust at least one of a temperature or a chemical composition of build chamber gases. 30. (canceled) 31. (canceled) 32. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
providing a powder feed bin configured to store powder, wherein the powder feed bin is arranged outside of the build chamber; and dispensing a measured amount of the powder from the powder feed bin into the build chamber, wherein the measured amount of the powder undergoes rapid heat transfer as the powder enters the build chamber between an approximate temperature of the powder feed bin and a temperature that minimizes thermal mismatch and part curl when the powder is spread over the build surface. 33. (canceled) 34. A method for real-time control of a powder sintering process for producing a part from a powder, comprising:
providing a build chamber that encloses a build surface; acquiring, using a multi-spectral imaging device, images of the build surface, the build chamber, the part or the powder; estimating, using a controller, respective real-time temperature distributions of the build surface, the build chamber, the part or the powder from the images acquired by the multi-spectral imaging device; calculating, using the controller, a real-time physics-based model of the powder sintering process based on the respective real-time temperature distributions; and controlling, using the controller, the estimated powder sintering process based on the real-time physics-based model. | 1,700 |
3,524 | 14,386,980 | 1,788 | Disclosed is a semi-hardened pressure sensitive adhesive film to be used in the semi-hardened state and having excellent printing step absorption properties. The adhesive film according to the present invention contains a radial polymer composition and a cationic polymer composition, and the radial polymer composition is primarily cross-linked to maintain the semi-hardened state. When applied onto a substrate through a printing step, the present invention has excellent step absorption properties and adhesion properties and excellent durability even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. | 1. An adhesive film comprising:
a radical polymerizable composition; and a cation polymerizable composition, wherein the adhesive film is maintained in a semi-cured state by primary crosslinking of the radical polymerizable composition. 2. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive film is completely cured by secondary crosslinking of the cation polymerizable composition. 3. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the radical polymerizable composition comprises a compound having at least one unsaturated double bond and a photopolymerization initiator. 4. The adhesive film according to claim 3, wherein the compound having at least one unsaturated double bond comprises at least one of acrylic monomers and acrylic prepolymers. 5. The adhesive film according to claim 3, wherein the photopolymerization initiator comprises at least one of acetophenone, benzophenone, Michler's ketone, benzoin, benzylmethylketal, benzoyl benzoate, α-acyloxime ester, and thioxanthone initiators. 6. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the cation polymerizable composition comprises a cation polymerizable compound and a cation polymerization initiator. 7. The adhesive film according to claim 6, wherein the cation polymerizable compound comprises at least one of epoxy resins and vinyl ether resins. 8. The adhesive film according to claim 6, wherein the cation polymerization initiator comprises at least one of aromatic sulfonium ions, aromatic oxosulfonium ions, aromatic iodonium salts, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, hexafluoroantimonate, and hexafluoroarsenate. 9. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the radical polymerizable composition is crosslinked by UV irradiation at an irradiance from 1 mW/cm2 to 10 mW/cm2. 10. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the cation polymerizable composition is crosslinked by UV irradiation at an irradiance from 50 mW/cm2 to 150 mW/cm2. 11. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive film has an adhesive strength of 100 g/in or more after primary crosslinking of the radical polymerizable composition. 12. An optical member comprising the adhesive film according to claim 1. | Disclosed is a semi-hardened pressure sensitive adhesive film to be used in the semi-hardened state and having excellent printing step absorption properties. The adhesive film according to the present invention contains a radial polymer composition and a cationic polymer composition, and the radial polymer composition is primarily cross-linked to maintain the semi-hardened state. When applied onto a substrate through a printing step, the present invention has excellent step absorption properties and adhesion properties and excellent durability even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.1. An adhesive film comprising:
a radical polymerizable composition; and a cation polymerizable composition, wherein the adhesive film is maintained in a semi-cured state by primary crosslinking of the radical polymerizable composition. 2. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive film is completely cured by secondary crosslinking of the cation polymerizable composition. 3. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the radical polymerizable composition comprises a compound having at least one unsaturated double bond and a photopolymerization initiator. 4. The adhesive film according to claim 3, wherein the compound having at least one unsaturated double bond comprises at least one of acrylic monomers and acrylic prepolymers. 5. The adhesive film according to claim 3, wherein the photopolymerization initiator comprises at least one of acetophenone, benzophenone, Michler's ketone, benzoin, benzylmethylketal, benzoyl benzoate, α-acyloxime ester, and thioxanthone initiators. 6. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the cation polymerizable composition comprises a cation polymerizable compound and a cation polymerization initiator. 7. The adhesive film according to claim 6, wherein the cation polymerizable compound comprises at least one of epoxy resins and vinyl ether resins. 8. The adhesive film according to claim 6, wherein the cation polymerization initiator comprises at least one of aromatic sulfonium ions, aromatic oxosulfonium ions, aromatic iodonium salts, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, hexafluoroantimonate, and hexafluoroarsenate. 9. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the radical polymerizable composition is crosslinked by UV irradiation at an irradiance from 1 mW/cm2 to 10 mW/cm2. 10. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the cation polymerizable composition is crosslinked by UV irradiation at an irradiance from 50 mW/cm2 to 150 mW/cm2. 11. The adhesive film according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive film has an adhesive strength of 100 g/in or more after primary crosslinking of the radical polymerizable composition. 12. An optical member comprising the adhesive film according to claim 1. | 1,700 |
3,525 | 13,985,457 | 1,743 | There are provided methods of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material. In one embodiment the method comprises: (a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. Also provided are components comprising a polymeric material and a bioactive material. | 1. A method of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material wherein the method comprises:
(a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bioactive material comprises hydroxyapatite (HA). 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK). 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material consists of polyetheretherketone (PEEK). 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component consists of PEEK and HA. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bioactive material (II) comprises a phosphate and/or a sulfate. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bioactive material (II) comprises a material selected from the group consisting of apatites, calcium phosphates and calcium sulfates. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises using a twin screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I). 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises producing discrete units of composite material. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing pellets of composite material in step (a) and making a part by moulding from the pellets in step (b). 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises injection moulding. 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises pelletizing the output from the extruder in step (a) and subsequently melting the pellets so formed to produce a component by injection moulding in step (b). 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component comprises a component for medical use. 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component comprises an implant adapted for bioactive fixation. 15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component is adapted to bond to hard and/or soft tissue. 16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component is a component which, when placed in a simulated body fluid (SBF) test for bioactivity, passes said test with the formation of new apatite (CaP) at the ratio close to the theoretical value for hydroxyapatite, which is 1.67. 17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing a component comprising a polymeric material-bioactive material composite having tensile strength and/or flexural strength which are at least 80% of the respective strength of the polymeric material. 18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing a component comprising a polymeric material-bioactive material composite having a tensile strength which is at least 85% of the respective strength of the polymeric material. 19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing a component comprising a polymeric material-bioactive material having an impact strength of at least 5 KJ m−2. 20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing a bioactive component comprising a polymeric material-bioactive material having an impact strength of no more than 10 KJ m−2. 21-53. (canceled) | There are provided methods of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material. In one embodiment the method comprises: (a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. Also provided are components comprising a polymeric material and a bioactive material.1. A method of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material wherein the method comprises:
(a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bioactive material comprises hydroxyapatite (HA). 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK). 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polymeric material consists of polyetheretherketone (PEEK). 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component consists of PEEK and HA. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bioactive material (II) comprises a phosphate and/or a sulfate. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bioactive material (II) comprises a material selected from the group consisting of apatites, calcium phosphates and calcium sulfates. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises using a twin screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I). 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises producing discrete units of composite material. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing pellets of composite material in step (a) and making a part by moulding from the pellets in step (b). 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises injection moulding. 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises pelletizing the output from the extruder in step (a) and subsequently melting the pellets so formed to produce a component by injection moulding in step (b). 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component comprises a component for medical use. 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component comprises an implant adapted for bioactive fixation. 15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component is adapted to bond to hard and/or soft tissue. 16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the component is a component which, when placed in a simulated body fluid (SBF) test for bioactivity, passes said test with the formation of new apatite (CaP) at the ratio close to the theoretical value for hydroxyapatite, which is 1.67. 17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing a component comprising a polymeric material-bioactive material composite having tensile strength and/or flexural strength which are at least 80% of the respective strength of the polymeric material. 18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing a component comprising a polymeric material-bioactive material composite having a tensile strength which is at least 85% of the respective strength of the polymeric material. 19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing a component comprising a polymeric material-bioactive material having an impact strength of at least 5 KJ m−2. 20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises producing a bioactive component comprising a polymeric material-bioactive material having an impact strength of no more than 10 KJ m−2. 21-53. (canceled) | 1,700 |
3,526 | 14,521,657 | 1,717 | A method of producing a graphene coating on a stainless steel surface, the method comprising the steps of electrochemically polishing of the stainless steel surface, and heating the polished stainless steel surface in contact with a carbon precursor. | 1. A method of producing a graphene coating on a stainless steel surface, the method comprising the steps of:
electrochemically polishing of the stainless steel surface, and heating the polished stainless steel surface in contact with a carbon precursor,
wherein said electrochemical polishing is carried out in an electrochemical cell comprising:
an electrolyte,
a cathode, and
the stainless steel surface as an anode,
the cathode and the anode being submerged in the electrolyte. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cathode is made of copper or stainless steel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is a mixture of a phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the stainless steel surface prior to electrochemical polishing. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the stainless steel surface after electrochemical polishing. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising keeping the polished stainless steel surface in the electrolyte up until the heating in contact with the carbon precursor is carried out. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein a solution of the carbon precursor has been cast on the stainless steel surface and allowed to dry before heating. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein, during heating, the carbon precursor is gasified and allowed to reach the stainless steel surface. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon precursor is an organic compound comprising carbon and hydrogen atoms, optionally oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms and/or halogen atoms, but free of metallic atoms. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the carbon precursor is an alkane, an alcohol or an acid. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the carbon precursor comprises one or more fused aromatic rings. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the carbon precursor is pentacene, anthracene, tetracene, naphthalene, and coronene. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the carbon precursor is coronene. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated at temperature of about 600° C. or more. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated at temperature of about 800° C. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated for about 30 minutes. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated in a vacuum. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated in a reducing atmosphere. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated in an atmosphere of the carbon precursor. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising quickly cooling the stainless steel surface. | A method of producing a graphene coating on a stainless steel surface, the method comprising the steps of electrochemically polishing of the stainless steel surface, and heating the polished stainless steel surface in contact with a carbon precursor.1. A method of producing a graphene coating on a stainless steel surface, the method comprising the steps of:
electrochemically polishing of the stainless steel surface, and heating the polished stainless steel surface in contact with a carbon precursor,
wherein said electrochemical polishing is carried out in an electrochemical cell comprising:
an electrolyte,
a cathode, and
the stainless steel surface as an anode,
the cathode and the anode being submerged in the electrolyte. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cathode is made of copper or stainless steel. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is a mixture of a phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the stainless steel surface prior to electrochemical polishing. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the stainless steel surface after electrochemical polishing. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising keeping the polished stainless steel surface in the electrolyte up until the heating in contact with the carbon precursor is carried out. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein a solution of the carbon precursor has been cast on the stainless steel surface and allowed to dry before heating. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein, during heating, the carbon precursor is gasified and allowed to reach the stainless steel surface. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon precursor is an organic compound comprising carbon and hydrogen atoms, optionally oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms and/or halogen atoms, but free of metallic atoms. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the carbon precursor is an alkane, an alcohol or an acid. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the carbon precursor comprises one or more fused aromatic rings. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the carbon precursor is pentacene, anthracene, tetracene, naphthalene, and coronene. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the carbon precursor is coronene. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated at temperature of about 600° C. or more. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated at temperature of about 800° C. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated for about 30 minutes. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated in a vacuum. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated in a reducing atmosphere. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the stainless steel surface is heated in an atmosphere of the carbon precursor. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising quickly cooling the stainless steel surface. | 1,700 |
3,527 | 13,897,782 | 1,797 | A package including a container and an anti-counterfeit indicator that can indicate whether or not a product dispensably disposed within the container is authentic or counterfeit when it is exposed to a sample of the product. The indicator may be configured to produce a response upon detecting a certain chemical compound in the product that is indicative of the authenticity of the product. | 1. A package that includes:
a container, a product dispensably disposed within said container, a closure for said container, and an indicator carried by said container, said closure, or both said container and said closure, wherein said indicators indicates whether or not said product within said container is authentic or counterfeit when said indicator is exposed to a sample of said product. 2. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a response when said indicator detects the presence of a predetermined chemical compound in said product. 3. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a response when said indicator detects the presence of a chemical compound in said product that is known to be associated with an authentic product. 4. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a response when it detects the presence of a chemical compound in said product that has not been added to said product for identification or authentication purposes. 5. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a response that can be observed or detected without using an instrument. 6. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a colorimetric response or a fluorescence response. 7. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a reagent that reacts with a chemical compound in said product to produce a response. 8. The package as set forth is claim 1 wherein said indicator is removably carried by said container, said closure, or both said container and said closure. 9. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator is carried by an external surface of said container. 10. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator is in the form of a sol-gel coating. 11. A method of authenticating a product dispensably disposed within a container that includes:
(a) identifying a chemical compound associated with an authentic product, (b) providing a sample of said product, (c) exposing an indicator to said sample of said product, (d) detecting said chemical compound in said sample, and (e) observing a response produced by said indicator. 12. The method as set forth in claim 11 that also includes:
after said step (e), comparing said response to a reference. 13. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (b) includes removing a sample of said product from said container. 14. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (c) includes wetting said indicator with said sample of said product. 15. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (d) includes reacting a reagent with said chemical compound in said sample. 16. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (e) includes observing a colorimetric response or fluorescence response by said indicator. 17. The method as set forth in claim 11 that also includes:
before said step (c), removing said indicator from said container. 18. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (c) further deludes inverting said container. 19. A method of determining whether a product dispensably disposed within a container is authentic or counterfeit that includes:
(a) removing a sample of said product from said container, (b) applying said sample to an indicator carried on an external surface of said container or on a closure of said container, and (c) detecting a chemical compound in said sample that is associated with an authentic product. 20. The method as set forth in claim 19 that also includes:
observing a response indicating the detection of said chemical compound in said step (c). | A package including a container and an anti-counterfeit indicator that can indicate whether or not a product dispensably disposed within the container is authentic or counterfeit when it is exposed to a sample of the product. The indicator may be configured to produce a response upon detecting a certain chemical compound in the product that is indicative of the authenticity of the product.1. A package that includes:
a container, a product dispensably disposed within said container, a closure for said container, and an indicator carried by said container, said closure, or both said container and said closure, wherein said indicators indicates whether or not said product within said container is authentic or counterfeit when said indicator is exposed to a sample of said product. 2. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a response when said indicator detects the presence of a predetermined chemical compound in said product. 3. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a response when said indicator detects the presence of a chemical compound in said product that is known to be associated with an authentic product. 4. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a response when it detects the presence of a chemical compound in said product that has not been added to said product for identification or authentication purposes. 5. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a response that can be observed or detected without using an instrument. 6. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator produces a colorimetric response or a fluorescence response. 7. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a reagent that reacts with a chemical compound in said product to produce a response. 8. The package as set forth is claim 1 wherein said indicator is removably carried by said container, said closure, or both said container and said closure. 9. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator is carried by an external surface of said container. 10. The package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator is in the form of a sol-gel coating. 11. A method of authenticating a product dispensably disposed within a container that includes:
(a) identifying a chemical compound associated with an authentic product, (b) providing a sample of said product, (c) exposing an indicator to said sample of said product, (d) detecting said chemical compound in said sample, and (e) observing a response produced by said indicator. 12. The method as set forth in claim 11 that also includes:
after said step (e), comparing said response to a reference. 13. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (b) includes removing a sample of said product from said container. 14. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (c) includes wetting said indicator with said sample of said product. 15. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (d) includes reacting a reagent with said chemical compound in said sample. 16. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (e) includes observing a colorimetric response or fluorescence response by said indicator. 17. The method as set forth in claim 11 that also includes:
before said step (c), removing said indicator from said container. 18. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein said step (c) further deludes inverting said container. 19. A method of determining whether a product dispensably disposed within a container is authentic or counterfeit that includes:
(a) removing a sample of said product from said container, (b) applying said sample to an indicator carried on an external surface of said container or on a closure of said container, and (c) detecting a chemical compound in said sample that is associated with an authentic product. 20. The method as set forth in claim 19 that also includes:
observing a response indicating the detection of said chemical compound in said step (c). | 1,700 |
3,528 | 14,776,797 | 1,735 | A casting equipment for producing a casting with a large cross-section for a very thick steel material includes: a casting part with a passage for a molten steel for casting the molten steel into a casting; a support part arranged separately from the casting part for receiving and supporting the casting in at least one of the sides of the casting; and a solidifying part arranged outside the casting provided with a first quality control device for solidifying the casting. A casting method includes: preparing a molten steel for casting; casting the molten steel in the casting part with the passage opened or closed into a casting; conveying the casting to the solidifying part; and conveying the solidified casting to a subsequent process so as to improve the quality of the casting, thus increasing substantially the yield rate of castings. | 1. A casting installation comprising:
a casting unit defining a passage through which molten steel passes and for casting the molten steel into a slab; and a solidification unit comprising:
a support unit disposed spaced apart from the casting unit and receiving the slab from the casting unit and disposed on at least any one place of sides of the slab to support the slab; and
a first quality controller provided on an outside of the slab to induce solidification of the slab. 2. The casting installation of claim 1, wherein the first quality controller comprises:
a first stirrer disposed in proximity to an outside of the slab and able to elevate in a longitudinal direction of the slab; a second stirrer provided spaced apart below the first stirrer and able to elevate in the longitudinal direction of the slab; and a first heater installed so as to be able to move forward and backward in a region directly above the slab and configured to heat an upper portion of the slab. 3. The casting installation of claim 2, wherein the first stirrer has coils wound around the slab and disposed in the form of a circle. 4. The casting installation of claim 1, wherein the casting unit comprises:
an accommodation unit having a space in which the molten steel is accommodated; a drawing machine drawing the slab from the accommodation unit to a lower portion; and a second quality controller provided on an outside of the passage. 5. The casting installation of claim 4, wherein the accommodation unit comprises a mold configured to form the passage through which the molten steel supplied to a tundish passes, and the mold is formed so that the slab has a thickness of 800 mm or less and a width of 2000 mm or less. 6. The casting installation of claim 4, wherein the second quality controller comprises:
a stirring unit comprising at least one stirrer disposed on an outside of the mold and configured to stir at least any one of the molten steel and unsolidified molten steel inside the slab; and a second heater installed so as to be able to move forward and backward in a region directly below the mold and configured to heat an upper portion of the slab. 7. The casting installation of claim 6, wherein the stirring unit comprises:
a third stirrer disposed in proximity to the mold and able to elevate in a drawing direction of the slab; and a fourth stirrer provided spaced apart below the third stirrer and able to elevate in the drawing direction of the slab. 8. The casting installation of claim 7, wherein the third stirrer has coils wound around the mold or the slab and disposed in the form of a circle. 9. The casting installation of claim 1, wherein a pusher for separating the slab from the drawing machine is provided to the casting unit and the pusher is installed so as to be able to reciprocally move forward and backward toward the solidification unit. 10. The casting installation of claim 1, wherein a transfer unit transferring the slab from the casting unit to the solidification unit or from the solidification unit to an outside of the solidification unit is provided. 11. A casting method comprising:
providing molten steel to prepare casting; casting the molten steel in a casting unit allowing a passage through which the molten steel passes to be opened or closed; transferring a slab produced through the casting to a solidification unit; and transferring the slab to a post-process after solidification of the slab is completed. 12. The casting method of claim 11, wherein the casting of the molten steel is repeated in the casting unit after the slab is transferred to the solidification unit. 13. The casting method of claim 12, wherein, when the casting of the molten steel is repeated, the transferring the slab to the solidification unit is performed while the molten steel is transferred to the casting unit so that preparing the casting is performed. 14. The casting method of claim 11, wherein when the casting of the molten steel is a single casting, that is one time casting, the solidification of the slab is completed in the casting unit or after the slab is transferred to the solidification unit. 15. The casting method of claim 11, wherein the molten steel is cast at a casting rate 0.3 m per minute or less. | A casting equipment for producing a casting with a large cross-section for a very thick steel material includes: a casting part with a passage for a molten steel for casting the molten steel into a casting; a support part arranged separately from the casting part for receiving and supporting the casting in at least one of the sides of the casting; and a solidifying part arranged outside the casting provided with a first quality control device for solidifying the casting. A casting method includes: preparing a molten steel for casting; casting the molten steel in the casting part with the passage opened or closed into a casting; conveying the casting to the solidifying part; and conveying the solidified casting to a subsequent process so as to improve the quality of the casting, thus increasing substantially the yield rate of castings.1. A casting installation comprising:
a casting unit defining a passage through which molten steel passes and for casting the molten steel into a slab; and a solidification unit comprising:
a support unit disposed spaced apart from the casting unit and receiving the slab from the casting unit and disposed on at least any one place of sides of the slab to support the slab; and
a first quality controller provided on an outside of the slab to induce solidification of the slab. 2. The casting installation of claim 1, wherein the first quality controller comprises:
a first stirrer disposed in proximity to an outside of the slab and able to elevate in a longitudinal direction of the slab; a second stirrer provided spaced apart below the first stirrer and able to elevate in the longitudinal direction of the slab; and a first heater installed so as to be able to move forward and backward in a region directly above the slab and configured to heat an upper portion of the slab. 3. The casting installation of claim 2, wherein the first stirrer has coils wound around the slab and disposed in the form of a circle. 4. The casting installation of claim 1, wherein the casting unit comprises:
an accommodation unit having a space in which the molten steel is accommodated; a drawing machine drawing the slab from the accommodation unit to a lower portion; and a second quality controller provided on an outside of the passage. 5. The casting installation of claim 4, wherein the accommodation unit comprises a mold configured to form the passage through which the molten steel supplied to a tundish passes, and the mold is formed so that the slab has a thickness of 800 mm or less and a width of 2000 mm or less. 6. The casting installation of claim 4, wherein the second quality controller comprises:
a stirring unit comprising at least one stirrer disposed on an outside of the mold and configured to stir at least any one of the molten steel and unsolidified molten steel inside the slab; and a second heater installed so as to be able to move forward and backward in a region directly below the mold and configured to heat an upper portion of the slab. 7. The casting installation of claim 6, wherein the stirring unit comprises:
a third stirrer disposed in proximity to the mold and able to elevate in a drawing direction of the slab; and a fourth stirrer provided spaced apart below the third stirrer and able to elevate in the drawing direction of the slab. 8. The casting installation of claim 7, wherein the third stirrer has coils wound around the mold or the slab and disposed in the form of a circle. 9. The casting installation of claim 1, wherein a pusher for separating the slab from the drawing machine is provided to the casting unit and the pusher is installed so as to be able to reciprocally move forward and backward toward the solidification unit. 10. The casting installation of claim 1, wherein a transfer unit transferring the slab from the casting unit to the solidification unit or from the solidification unit to an outside of the solidification unit is provided. 11. A casting method comprising:
providing molten steel to prepare casting; casting the molten steel in a casting unit allowing a passage through which the molten steel passes to be opened or closed; transferring a slab produced through the casting to a solidification unit; and transferring the slab to a post-process after solidification of the slab is completed. 12. The casting method of claim 11, wherein the casting of the molten steel is repeated in the casting unit after the slab is transferred to the solidification unit. 13. The casting method of claim 12, wherein, when the casting of the molten steel is repeated, the transferring the slab to the solidification unit is performed while the molten steel is transferred to the casting unit so that preparing the casting is performed. 14. The casting method of claim 11, wherein when the casting of the molten steel is a single casting, that is one time casting, the solidification of the slab is completed in the casting unit or after the slab is transferred to the solidification unit. 15. The casting method of claim 11, wherein the molten steel is cast at a casting rate 0.3 m per minute or less. | 1,700 |
3,529 | 14,838,647 | 1,797 | Apparatuses, systems and methods for using assay preparation plates comprising wells with two trenches are presented. More specifically, well plates are presented that comprising an array of wells configured to retain a plurality of beads suspended in a fluid during an assay procedure, each well in the array comprising a first trench and a second trench, wherein the working volume of each well is between about 25 uL and about 10 mL. | 1.-21. (canceled) 22. A method for collecting a sample of magnetic beads from a liquid, comprising:
obtaining a system comprising:
a well comprising:
a first trench;
a second trench; and
a ridge between the first trench and the second trench, wherein the first trench is parallel to the second trench, wherein:
the working volume of the well is between about 25 uL and about 10 mL; and
a magnet external to the well, wherein the magnet is adjacent to the first trench, where the magnet is configured to selectively exert a magnetic force on the first trench;
obtaining a first suspension comprising a plurality of magnetic beads suspended in a first liquid; introducing a volume of the first suspension into the well; exerting a magnetic force on the first trench; precipitating magnetic beads from the first suspension; forming a pellet of magnetic beads in the first trench; and aspirating a portion of the first liquid from the second trench. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising removing the magnetic field from the first trench. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:
obtaining a second liquid; introducing the second liquid into the first trench. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising agitating the magnetic beads in the first trench to form a second suspension comprising the magnetic beads suspended in the second liquid. 26. The method of claim 22, where the precipitating step further comprises:
agitating the first suspension while the magnetic force is exerted on the first trench. | Apparatuses, systems and methods for using assay preparation plates comprising wells with two trenches are presented. More specifically, well plates are presented that comprising an array of wells configured to retain a plurality of beads suspended in a fluid during an assay procedure, each well in the array comprising a first trench and a second trench, wherein the working volume of each well is between about 25 uL and about 10 mL.1.-21. (canceled) 22. A method for collecting a sample of magnetic beads from a liquid, comprising:
obtaining a system comprising:
a well comprising:
a first trench;
a second trench; and
a ridge between the first trench and the second trench, wherein the first trench is parallel to the second trench, wherein:
the working volume of the well is between about 25 uL and about 10 mL; and
a magnet external to the well, wherein the magnet is adjacent to the first trench, where the magnet is configured to selectively exert a magnetic force on the first trench;
obtaining a first suspension comprising a plurality of magnetic beads suspended in a first liquid; introducing a volume of the first suspension into the well; exerting a magnetic force on the first trench; precipitating magnetic beads from the first suspension; forming a pellet of magnetic beads in the first trench; and aspirating a portion of the first liquid from the second trench. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising removing the magnetic field from the first trench. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:
obtaining a second liquid; introducing the second liquid into the first trench. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising agitating the magnetic beads in the first trench to form a second suspension comprising the magnetic beads suspended in the second liquid. 26. The method of claim 22, where the precipitating step further comprises:
agitating the first suspension while the magnetic force is exerted on the first trench. | 1,700 |
3,530 | 14,802,064 | 1,743 | An additive manufacturing system for producing a carbon fiber epoxy product includes an additive manufacturing print head; a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to the additive manufacturing print head; a tapered nozzle in the additive manufacturing print head that receives the continuous carbon fiber, the tapered nozzle producing an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product; and a tailored resin feed operatively connected to the print head, wherein the continuous carbon fiber is dispersed in the epoxy resin. | 1. An apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product, comprising:
an additive manufacturing print head; a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head; a tapered nozzle in said additive manufacturing print head that receives said continuous carbon fiber, said tapered nozzle producing an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product; and a tailored resin feed operatively connected to said print head, wherein said continuous carbon fiber is dispersed in said epoxy resin. 2. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 wherein said tapered nozzle includes a tapered fiber shaper that receives said continuous carbon fiber producing an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product. 3. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 wherein said tapered nozzle and said tailored resin feed force said resin into said continuous carbon fiber producing an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product. 4. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 wherein said continuous carbon fiber comprises a single fiber. 5. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 wherein said continuous carbon fiber comprises a multiplicity of fibers. 6. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 further comprising a curing system operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head that directs curing energy onto said extruded material. 7. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 6 wherein said curing system is an ultra violet light curing system that directs ultra violet light energy onto said extruded material. 8. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 6 wherein said curing system is a heat curing system that directs heat energy onto said extruded material. 9. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 further comprising an inorganic filler that is added to said epoxy resin. 10. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 9 wherein said inorganic filler is silica. 11. A method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product, comprising the steps of:
providing an additive manufacturing print head; providing a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head; using a tapered nozzle in said additive manufacturing print head to receive said continuous carbon fiber and produce an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product; and providing a tailored resin feed operatively connected to said print head and said continuous carbon fiber to disperse said continuous carbon fiber in said epoxy resin. 12. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 wherein said step of using a tapered nozzle in said additive manufacturing print head to receive said continuous carbon fiber and produce an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product includes using a tapered fiber shaper to receive said continuous carbon fiber and produces said extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product. 13. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 wherein said step of providing a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head comprises a single fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head. 14. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 wherein said step of providing a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head comprises a multiplicity of fibers operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head. 15. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 further comprising the step of curing said extruded material by directing curing energy onto said extruded material. 16. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 15 wherein said step of directing curing energy onto said extruded material comprises directing ultra violet light energy onto said extruded material. 17. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 15 wherein said step of directing curing energy onto said extruded material comprises directing heat energy onto said extruded material. 18. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 wherein said step of providing a tailored resin feed operatively connected to said print head and said continuous carbon fiber to disperse said continuous carbon fiber in said epoxy resin includes adding an inorganic filler to said epoxy resin. 19. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 18 wherein said inorganic filler is silica. | An additive manufacturing system for producing a carbon fiber epoxy product includes an additive manufacturing print head; a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to the additive manufacturing print head; a tapered nozzle in the additive manufacturing print head that receives the continuous carbon fiber, the tapered nozzle producing an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product; and a tailored resin feed operatively connected to the print head, wherein the continuous carbon fiber is dispersed in the epoxy resin.1. An apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product, comprising:
an additive manufacturing print head; a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head; a tapered nozzle in said additive manufacturing print head that receives said continuous carbon fiber, said tapered nozzle producing an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product; and a tailored resin feed operatively connected to said print head, wherein said continuous carbon fiber is dispersed in said epoxy resin. 2. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 wherein said tapered nozzle includes a tapered fiber shaper that receives said continuous carbon fiber producing an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product. 3. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 wherein said tapered nozzle and said tailored resin feed force said resin into said continuous carbon fiber producing an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product. 4. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 wherein said continuous carbon fiber comprises a single fiber. 5. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 wherein said continuous carbon fiber comprises a multiplicity of fibers. 6. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 further comprising a curing system operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head that directs curing energy onto said extruded material. 7. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 6 wherein said curing system is an ultra violet light curing system that directs ultra violet light energy onto said extruded material. 8. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 6 wherein said curing system is a heat curing system that directs heat energy onto said extruded material. 9. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 1 further comprising an inorganic filler that is added to said epoxy resin. 10. The apparatus for additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 9 wherein said inorganic filler is silica. 11. A method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product, comprising the steps of:
providing an additive manufacturing print head; providing a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head; using a tapered nozzle in said additive manufacturing print head to receive said continuous carbon fiber and produce an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product; and providing a tailored resin feed operatively connected to said print head and said continuous carbon fiber to disperse said continuous carbon fiber in said epoxy resin. 12. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 wherein said step of using a tapered nozzle in said additive manufacturing print head to receive said continuous carbon fiber and produce an extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product includes using a tapered fiber shaper to receive said continuous carbon fiber and produces said extruded material that forms the carbon fiber epoxy product. 13. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 wherein said step of providing a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head comprises a single fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head. 14. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 wherein said step of providing a continuous carbon fiber operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head comprises a multiplicity of fibers operatively connected to said additive manufacturing print head. 15. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 further comprising the step of curing said extruded material by directing curing energy onto said extruded material. 16. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 15 wherein said step of directing curing energy onto said extruded material comprises directing ultra violet light energy onto said extruded material. 17. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 15 wherein said step of directing curing energy onto said extruded material comprises directing heat energy onto said extruded material. 18. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 11 wherein said step of providing a tailored resin feed operatively connected to said print head and said continuous carbon fiber to disperse said continuous carbon fiber in said epoxy resin includes adding an inorganic filler to said epoxy resin. 19. The method of additive manufacturing a carbon fiber epoxy product of claim 18 wherein said inorganic filler is silica. | 1,700 |
3,531 | 14,641,516 | 1,765 | A vinyl chloride plastisol composition contains a vinyl chloride resin and a plasticizer as main ingredients. A thermally expandable microcapsule is added in a range of 2 parts by weight to 12 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. A non-expandable hollow filler is added in a range of 10 parts by weight to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. The vinyl chloride resin is contained in the vinyl chloride plastisol composition in a range of 15% by weight to 50% by weight. | 1. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition comprising
a main ingredient composed of a vinyl chloride resin and a plasticizer, a thermally expandable microcapsule, and a non-expandable hollow filler. 2. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the thermally expandable microcapsule has an expansion start temperature in a range of 70 to 130 degrees centigrade. 3. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the thermally expandable microcapsule has a mixing ratio of 2 to 12 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. 4. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the non-expandable hollow filler has a median diameter in a range of 10 to 50 micrometers and an absolute specific gravity in a range of 0.1 to 0.5. 5. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the non-expandable hollow filler has a mixing ratio in a range of 10 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. 6. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the vinyl chloride resin is contained in a range of 15% by weight to 50% by weight in the vinyl chloride plastisol composition. 7. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which:
the thermally expandable microcapsule has a mixing ratio of 2 to 12 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin, and the non-expandable hollow filler has a mixing ratio in a range of 10 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. 8. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which:
the vinyl chloride resin is contained in a range of 15% by weight to 50% by weight in the vinyl chloride plastisol composition, the thermally expandable microcapsule has a mixing ratio of 2 to 12 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin, and the non-expandable hollow filler has a mixing ratio in a range of 10 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. | A vinyl chloride plastisol composition contains a vinyl chloride resin and a plasticizer as main ingredients. A thermally expandable microcapsule is added in a range of 2 parts by weight to 12 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. A non-expandable hollow filler is added in a range of 10 parts by weight to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. The vinyl chloride resin is contained in the vinyl chloride plastisol composition in a range of 15% by weight to 50% by weight.1. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition comprising
a main ingredient composed of a vinyl chloride resin and a plasticizer, a thermally expandable microcapsule, and a non-expandable hollow filler. 2. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the thermally expandable microcapsule has an expansion start temperature in a range of 70 to 130 degrees centigrade. 3. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the thermally expandable microcapsule has a mixing ratio of 2 to 12 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. 4. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the non-expandable hollow filler has a median diameter in a range of 10 to 50 micrometers and an absolute specific gravity in a range of 0.1 to 0.5. 5. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the non-expandable hollow filler has a mixing ratio in a range of 10 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. 6. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which the vinyl chloride resin is contained in a range of 15% by weight to 50% by weight in the vinyl chloride plastisol composition. 7. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which:
the thermally expandable microcapsule has a mixing ratio of 2 to 12 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin, and the non-expandable hollow filler has a mixing ratio in a range of 10 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. 8. A vinyl chloride plastisol composition according to claim 1, in which:
the vinyl chloride resin is contained in a range of 15% by weight to 50% by weight in the vinyl chloride plastisol composition, the thermally expandable microcapsule has a mixing ratio of 2 to 12 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin, and the non-expandable hollow filler has a mixing ratio in a range of 10 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the vinyl chloride resin. | 1,700 |
3,532 | 15,063,833 | 1,799 | Described embodiments include a culture incubator, method, and sensor circuit. A culture incubator includes an accessible incubation compartment configured to contain a culture item at a specified incubation temperature; a phase change material having a phase transition temperature over the specified incubation temperature; and a heat transfer element in thermal communication with the phase change material and configured to transfer heat to the phase change material. A sensor circuit is configured to acquire data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. A manager circuit is configured to determine a difference between the phase composition state and a target phase composition state for the phase change material. A controller circuit is configured to transfer heat to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. | 1. A culture incubator comprising:
an accessible incubation compartment configured to contain a culture item at a specified incubation temperature; a phase change material having a phase transition temperature over the specified incubation temperature and in thermal communication with the incubation compartment; a heat transfer element in thermal communication with the phase change material and configured to transfer heat to the phase change material; a sensor circuit configured to acquire data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material; a PCM manager circuit configured to determine in response to the data indicative of a phase composition state a difference between the phase composition state and a target phase composition state for the phase change material; and a controller circuit configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 2. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the accessible incubation compartment includes an accessible incubation compartment configured to contain a culture item at a specified incubation temperature and to allow insertion and removal of the culture item. 3. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the accessible incubation compartment includes a door or hatch providing access to the incubation compartment. 4. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the specified incubation temperature is selected from a temperature between approximately 30° C. and approximately 37° C. 5. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes a paraffin wax having a phase transition temperature over the specified incubation temperature. 6. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes a mixture of paraffin waxes having at least two different chain lengths and providing a continuous phase transition over a temperature range over the specified incubation temperature. 7. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes hydrated salts having a phase transition temperature over the specified incubation temperature. 8. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein a solid-liquid transition temperature of the phase change material straddles the specified incubation temperature. 9. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein a solid-liquid transition temperature of the phase change material includes the specified incubation temperature. 10. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes a sufficient amount of phase change material to maintain the incubation compartment at the specified incubation temperature for at least 12 hours if an ambient temperature of an environment of the culture incubator is within plus or minus 20 degrees Celsius of the specified incubation temperature. 11. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material surrounds at least fifty-percent of the exterior surface of the incubation compartment. 12. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element includes a heater configured to transfer heat to the phase change material. 13. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element includes a cooler configured to negatively transfer heat to the phase change material. 14. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes an ultrasound sensor circuit configured to acquire time of flight data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 15. The culture incubator of claim 14, wherein the ultrasound sensor circuit configured to acquire the time of flight data responsive to the phase composition state of the phase change material. 16. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes a volumetric-change sensor circuit configured to acquire volumetric change data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 17. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes an electrical conductivity sensor circuit configured to acquire electrical conductivity data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 18. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes a capacitive-based sensor circuit configured to acquire permittivity data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 19. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes an optical sensor circuit configured to acquire light transmission data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 20. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes a temperature probe configured to acquire temperature data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 21. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes an array of temperature probes configured to acquire temperature data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 22. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the target phase composition state is approximately equal parts solid and liquid. 23. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the PCM manager circuit is further configured to determine the target phase composition state in response to an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the culture incubator. 24. The culture incubator of claim 23, wherein the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the culture incubator includes a present ambient temperature. 25. The culture incubator of claim 23, wherein the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the culture incubator includes a historical ambient temperature. 26. The culture incubator of claim 23, wherein the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the culture incubator includes a forecasted ambient temperature. 27. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the PCM manager circuit is further configured to determine the target phase composition state in response to a forecasted event in the environment surrounding the culture incubator. 28. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the controller circuit includes a controller circuit configured to control a positive transfer of heat (+Q) from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 29. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the controller circuit includes a controller circuit configured to control a negative transfer of heat (−Q) from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 30. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the controller circuit includes a controller circuit configured to transfer heat (+Q or −Q) from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state while maintaining the specified incubation temperature. 31. The culture incubator of claim 1, further comprising:
thermal insulation configured to thermally separate the phase change material and the incubation compartment from an ambient environment. 32. A method for maintaining a specified incubation temperature in an accessible incubation compartment of a culture incubator, the method comprising:
acquiring data indicative of a phase composition state of a phase change material in thermal communication with the accessible incubation compartment; determining in response to the data indicative of a phase composition state a difference between the phase composition state and a target phase composition state; and transferring heat (+Q or −Q) from a heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes ultrasonically acquiring time of flight data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring volumetric change data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring electrical conductivity data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 36. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring permittivity data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 37. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring light transmission data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 38. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring temperature data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 39. The method of claim 32, wherein the determining includes determining the target phase composition state in response to an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the culture incubator. 40. The method of claim 32, wherein the determining includes determining the target phase composition state in response to a forecasted event in the environment surrounding the culture incubator. 41. The method of claim 32, wherein the transferring heat includes transferring heat from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state while maintaining the specified incubation temperature. 42. The method of claim 32, wherein the transferring heat includes a positive transferring of heat from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 43. The method of claim 32, wherein the transferring heat includes a negative transferring of heat from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 44. A sensor circuit for determining a phase composition state of a phase change material, the sensor circuit comprising:
an ultrasound transmitter configured to emit ultrasound waves into the phase change material; an ultrasound receiver configured to receive the ultrasound waves directed into the phase change material by the ultrasound transmitter; circuitry for measuring time of flight over a known distance through the phase change material by ultrasound waves emitted by the ultrasound transmitter and received by the ultrasound receiver; circuitry for correlating the time of flight with a particular phase composition state of the phase change material. 45. The sensor circuit of claim 44, further comprising:
an ultrasound transducer that includes the ultrasound transmitter and the ultrasound receiver; and an ultrasound reflector. | Described embodiments include a culture incubator, method, and sensor circuit. A culture incubator includes an accessible incubation compartment configured to contain a culture item at a specified incubation temperature; a phase change material having a phase transition temperature over the specified incubation temperature; and a heat transfer element in thermal communication with the phase change material and configured to transfer heat to the phase change material. A sensor circuit is configured to acquire data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. A manager circuit is configured to determine a difference between the phase composition state and a target phase composition state for the phase change material. A controller circuit is configured to transfer heat to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state.1. A culture incubator comprising:
an accessible incubation compartment configured to contain a culture item at a specified incubation temperature; a phase change material having a phase transition temperature over the specified incubation temperature and in thermal communication with the incubation compartment; a heat transfer element in thermal communication with the phase change material and configured to transfer heat to the phase change material; a sensor circuit configured to acquire data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material; a PCM manager circuit configured to determine in response to the data indicative of a phase composition state a difference between the phase composition state and a target phase composition state for the phase change material; and a controller circuit configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 2. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the accessible incubation compartment includes an accessible incubation compartment configured to contain a culture item at a specified incubation temperature and to allow insertion and removal of the culture item. 3. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the accessible incubation compartment includes a door or hatch providing access to the incubation compartment. 4. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the specified incubation temperature is selected from a temperature between approximately 30° C. and approximately 37° C. 5. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes a paraffin wax having a phase transition temperature over the specified incubation temperature. 6. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes a mixture of paraffin waxes having at least two different chain lengths and providing a continuous phase transition over a temperature range over the specified incubation temperature. 7. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes hydrated salts having a phase transition temperature over the specified incubation temperature. 8. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein a solid-liquid transition temperature of the phase change material straddles the specified incubation temperature. 9. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein a solid-liquid transition temperature of the phase change material includes the specified incubation temperature. 10. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material includes a sufficient amount of phase change material to maintain the incubation compartment at the specified incubation temperature for at least 12 hours if an ambient temperature of an environment of the culture incubator is within plus or minus 20 degrees Celsius of the specified incubation temperature. 11. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material surrounds at least fifty-percent of the exterior surface of the incubation compartment. 12. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element includes a heater configured to transfer heat to the phase change material. 13. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element includes a cooler configured to negatively transfer heat to the phase change material. 14. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes an ultrasound sensor circuit configured to acquire time of flight data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 15. The culture incubator of claim 14, wherein the ultrasound sensor circuit configured to acquire the time of flight data responsive to the phase composition state of the phase change material. 16. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes a volumetric-change sensor circuit configured to acquire volumetric change data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 17. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes an electrical conductivity sensor circuit configured to acquire electrical conductivity data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 18. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes a capacitive-based sensor circuit configured to acquire permittivity data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 19. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes an optical sensor circuit configured to acquire light transmission data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 20. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes a temperature probe configured to acquire temperature data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 21. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the sensor circuit includes an array of temperature probes configured to acquire temperature data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 22. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the target phase composition state is approximately equal parts solid and liquid. 23. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the PCM manager circuit is further configured to determine the target phase composition state in response to an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the culture incubator. 24. The culture incubator of claim 23, wherein the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the culture incubator includes a present ambient temperature. 25. The culture incubator of claim 23, wherein the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the culture incubator includes a historical ambient temperature. 26. The culture incubator of claim 23, wherein the ambient temperature of the environment surrounding the culture incubator includes a forecasted ambient temperature. 27. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the PCM manager circuit is further configured to determine the target phase composition state in response to a forecasted event in the environment surrounding the culture incubator. 28. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the controller circuit includes a controller circuit configured to control a positive transfer of heat (+Q) from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 29. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the controller circuit includes a controller circuit configured to control a negative transfer of heat (−Q) from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 30. The culture incubator of claim 1, wherein the controller circuit includes a controller circuit configured to transfer heat (+Q or −Q) from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state while maintaining the specified incubation temperature. 31. The culture incubator of claim 1, further comprising:
thermal insulation configured to thermally separate the phase change material and the incubation compartment from an ambient environment. 32. A method for maintaining a specified incubation temperature in an accessible incubation compartment of a culture incubator, the method comprising:
acquiring data indicative of a phase composition state of a phase change material in thermal communication with the accessible incubation compartment; determining in response to the data indicative of a phase composition state a difference between the phase composition state and a target phase composition state; and transferring heat (+Q or −Q) from a heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes ultrasonically acquiring time of flight data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring volumetric change data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring electrical conductivity data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 36. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring permittivity data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 37. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring light transmission data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 38. The method of claim 32, wherein the acquiring data includes acquiring temperature data indicative of a phase composition state of the phase change material. 39. The method of claim 32, wherein the determining includes determining the target phase composition state in response to an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the culture incubator. 40. The method of claim 32, wherein the determining includes determining the target phase composition state in response to a forecasted event in the environment surrounding the culture incubator. 41. The method of claim 32, wherein the transferring heat includes transferring heat from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state while maintaining the specified incubation temperature. 42. The method of claim 32, wherein the transferring heat includes a positive transferring of heat from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 43. The method of claim 32, wherein the transferring heat includes a negative transferring of heat from the heat transfer element to the phase change material in an amount estimated to change the phase composition state of the phase change material to the target phase composition state. 44. A sensor circuit for determining a phase composition state of a phase change material, the sensor circuit comprising:
an ultrasound transmitter configured to emit ultrasound waves into the phase change material; an ultrasound receiver configured to receive the ultrasound waves directed into the phase change material by the ultrasound transmitter; circuitry for measuring time of flight over a known distance through the phase change material by ultrasound waves emitted by the ultrasound transmitter and received by the ultrasound receiver; circuitry for correlating the time of flight with a particular phase composition state of the phase change material. 45. The sensor circuit of claim 44, further comprising:
an ultrasound transducer that includes the ultrasound transmitter and the ultrasound receiver; and an ultrasound reflector. | 1,700 |
3,533 | 15,832,112 | 1,712 | A composition and method of infiltrating an article of manufacture prepared by a laser sintering process is disclosed. The infiltration process maintains the dimensions and flexibility of the article, increases the strength of the article, and improves the physic& and esthetic properties of the article. | 1. A method of infiltrating a flexible article prepared by a laser sintering method, the method comprising:
(a) applying a liquid infiltrant to the article for a sufficient time to allow the liquid infiltrant to infiltrate the article, said liquid infiltrant comprising;
(i) an elastomeric material comprising a naturally occurring resin, a synthetic resin, or a mixture thereof;
(ii) a vehicle comprising a majority of water; and
(iii) an optional colorant;
(b) drying the infiltrated article; and (c) optionally, repeating (a) and (b) until the article is infiltrated to a desired degree, wherein the infiltrated article is flexible. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltrated article is formed from a particulate thermoplastic polymer, 3. The method of claim 1, wherein dimensions of the article after infiltration differ from the original dimensions by less than 1%. 4. The method or claim 1, wherein the method does not include crosslinking. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexibility of the article after infiltration is essentially identical to the flexibility of the article prior to infiltration. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material is present in the liquid infiltrant in an amount of 20% to 60% by weight of the liquid infiltrant. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a naturally occurring resin and the naturally occurring resin comprises a natural rubber latex. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the natural rubber latex is prevulcanized. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a synthetic resin and the synthetic resin comprises styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-diene) rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber, acrylonitrile-chloroprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, a silicone, a fluorocarbon elastomer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene), a polysulfide rubber, a polyurethane, acrylate-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, styrene-isoprene rubber, vinylpyridine-butadine, vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene, carboxylic-acrylonitrile-butadiene, carboxylic-styrenebutadiene, chlorobutyl rubber, bromobutyl rubber, a poly(propylene oxide), a polyesterurethane, a polyetherurethane, an acrylic elastomer, an ethylene-acrylic elastomer, a chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a polyether, or a mixture thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises a polar organic solvent. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the polar organic solvent comprises an alcohol, a ketone, a glycol, a glycol ether, or a mixture thereof. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltrant comprises a colorant and the colorant is present in the liquid infiltrant in an amount of 0.1% to 15%, by weight. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltrated article is dried at a temperature of 20° C. to 80° C. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltrated article is dried by applying a vacuum. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid infiltrant is applied to the article by dipping the article into the liquid infiltrant or by spraying the liquid infiltrant onto the article. 16. An infiltrated article prepared by the method of claim 1. 17. The infiltrated article of claim 16, wherein the article is substantially nonporous. 18. The infiltrated article of claim 16, wherein the article exhibits improved tear strength and elongation at break compared to the article prior to infiltration. 19. The infiltrated article of claim 16, wherein the article is infiltrated through the total volume of the article. 20. The infiltrated article of claim 16, wherein less than the total volume of the article is infiltrated. | A composition and method of infiltrating an article of manufacture prepared by a laser sintering process is disclosed. The infiltration process maintains the dimensions and flexibility of the article, increases the strength of the article, and improves the physic& and esthetic properties of the article.1. A method of infiltrating a flexible article prepared by a laser sintering method, the method comprising:
(a) applying a liquid infiltrant to the article for a sufficient time to allow the liquid infiltrant to infiltrate the article, said liquid infiltrant comprising;
(i) an elastomeric material comprising a naturally occurring resin, a synthetic resin, or a mixture thereof;
(ii) a vehicle comprising a majority of water; and
(iii) an optional colorant;
(b) drying the infiltrated article; and (c) optionally, repeating (a) and (b) until the article is infiltrated to a desired degree, wherein the infiltrated article is flexible. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltrated article is formed from a particulate thermoplastic polymer, 3. The method of claim 1, wherein dimensions of the article after infiltration differ from the original dimensions by less than 1%. 4. The method or claim 1, wherein the method does not include crosslinking. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexibility of the article after infiltration is essentially identical to the flexibility of the article prior to infiltration. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material is present in the liquid infiltrant in an amount of 20% to 60% by weight of the liquid infiltrant. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a naturally occurring resin and the naturally occurring resin comprises a natural rubber latex. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the natural rubber latex is prevulcanized. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a synthetic resin and the synthetic resin comprises styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-diene) rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber, acrylonitrile-chloroprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, a silicone, a fluorocarbon elastomer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene), a polysulfide rubber, a polyurethane, acrylate-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, styrene-isoprene rubber, vinylpyridine-butadine, vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene, carboxylic-acrylonitrile-butadiene, carboxylic-styrenebutadiene, chlorobutyl rubber, bromobutyl rubber, a poly(propylene oxide), a polyesterurethane, a polyetherurethane, an acrylic elastomer, an ethylene-acrylic elastomer, a chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a polyether, or a mixture thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises a polar organic solvent. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the polar organic solvent comprises an alcohol, a ketone, a glycol, a glycol ether, or a mixture thereof. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltrant comprises a colorant and the colorant is present in the liquid infiltrant in an amount of 0.1% to 15%, by weight. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltrated article is dried at a temperature of 20° C. to 80° C. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltrated article is dried by applying a vacuum. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid infiltrant is applied to the article by dipping the article into the liquid infiltrant or by spraying the liquid infiltrant onto the article. 16. An infiltrated article prepared by the method of claim 1. 17. The infiltrated article of claim 16, wherein the article is substantially nonporous. 18. The infiltrated article of claim 16, wherein the article exhibits improved tear strength and elongation at break compared to the article prior to infiltration. 19. The infiltrated article of claim 16, wherein the article is infiltrated through the total volume of the article. 20. The infiltrated article of claim 16, wherein less than the total volume of the article is infiltrated. | 1,700 |
3,534 | 15,050,079 | 1,793 | A food product includes at least one shell that contains one or more ingredients within the at least one shell. The at least one shell can be dissolved or melted into a heated liquid to release the one or more ingredients and form a heated beverage. As a particular example, multiple shells could be formed from chocolate and can contain ingredients for hot cocoa (such as cocoa mix and marshmallows). The multiple shells could be arranged in a particular pattern and decorated to form a character, such as a snowman. | 1. A food product comprising:
at least one shell that contains one or more ingredients within the at least one shell; wherein the at least one shell is configured to be dissolved or melted into a heated liquid to release the one or more ingredients and form a heated beverage. 2. The food product of claim 1, wherein:
the food product comprises multiple shells; and the multiple shells contain multiple ingredients. 3. The food product of claim 2, wherein:
the multiple shells are formed from chocolate; the multiple ingredients include cocoa mix and marshmallows; and the shells are configured to be dissolved or melted to form hot chocolate. 4. The food product of claim 3, wherein:
the cocoa mix is contained within a first of the shells; and the marshmallows are contained within a second of the shells. 5. The food product of claim 2, wherein the shells are spherical and arranged on a base. 6. The food product of claim 1, wherein the food product is configured to resemble a character. 7. The food product of claim 1, wherein the food product is configured to resemble a snowman. 8. The food product of claim 1, wherein the at least one shell is a single shell. 9. A method comprising:
forming at least one shell; and placing one or more ingredients within the at least one shell; wherein the at least one shell is configured to be dissolved or melted into a heated liquid to release the one or more ingredients and form a heated beverage. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein:
the food product comprises multiple shells; and the multiple shells contain multiple ingredients. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein:
the multiple shells are formed from chocolate; the multiple ingredients include cocoa mix and marshmallows; and the shells are configured to be dissolved or melted to form hot chocolate. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the cocoa mix is contained within a first of the shells; and the marshmallows are contained within a second of the shells. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the shells are spherical and arranged on a base. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the food product is configured to resemble a character. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the food product is configured to resemble a snowman. 16. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the at least one shell and placing the one or more ingredients within the at least one shell comprise:
forming separated portions of the at least one shell; placing the one or more ingredients within the separated portions of the at least one shell; and joining the separated portions of the at least one shell to form the at least one shell. 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one shell is a single shell. 18. A method comprising:
obtaining a food product comprising at least one shell that contains one or more ingredients within the at least one shell; and dissolving or melting the at least one shell into a heated liquid to release the one or more ingredients and form a heated beverage. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein:
the food product comprises multiple shells; and the multiple shells contain multiple ingredients. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein:
the multiple shells are formed from chocolate; the multiple ingredients include cocoa mix and marshmallows; and the heated beverage is hot chocolate. | A food product includes at least one shell that contains one or more ingredients within the at least one shell. The at least one shell can be dissolved or melted into a heated liquid to release the one or more ingredients and form a heated beverage. As a particular example, multiple shells could be formed from chocolate and can contain ingredients for hot cocoa (such as cocoa mix and marshmallows). The multiple shells could be arranged in a particular pattern and decorated to form a character, such as a snowman.1. A food product comprising:
at least one shell that contains one or more ingredients within the at least one shell; wherein the at least one shell is configured to be dissolved or melted into a heated liquid to release the one or more ingredients and form a heated beverage. 2. The food product of claim 1, wherein:
the food product comprises multiple shells; and the multiple shells contain multiple ingredients. 3. The food product of claim 2, wherein:
the multiple shells are formed from chocolate; the multiple ingredients include cocoa mix and marshmallows; and the shells are configured to be dissolved or melted to form hot chocolate. 4. The food product of claim 3, wherein:
the cocoa mix is contained within a first of the shells; and the marshmallows are contained within a second of the shells. 5. The food product of claim 2, wherein the shells are spherical and arranged on a base. 6. The food product of claim 1, wherein the food product is configured to resemble a character. 7. The food product of claim 1, wherein the food product is configured to resemble a snowman. 8. The food product of claim 1, wherein the at least one shell is a single shell. 9. A method comprising:
forming at least one shell; and placing one or more ingredients within the at least one shell; wherein the at least one shell is configured to be dissolved or melted into a heated liquid to release the one or more ingredients and form a heated beverage. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein:
the food product comprises multiple shells; and the multiple shells contain multiple ingredients. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein:
the multiple shells are formed from chocolate; the multiple ingredients include cocoa mix and marshmallows; and the shells are configured to be dissolved or melted to form hot chocolate. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the cocoa mix is contained within a first of the shells; and the marshmallows are contained within a second of the shells. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the shells are spherical and arranged on a base. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the food product is configured to resemble a character. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the food product is configured to resemble a snowman. 16. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the at least one shell and placing the one or more ingredients within the at least one shell comprise:
forming separated portions of the at least one shell; placing the one or more ingredients within the separated portions of the at least one shell; and joining the separated portions of the at least one shell to form the at least one shell. 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one shell is a single shell. 18. A method comprising:
obtaining a food product comprising at least one shell that contains one or more ingredients within the at least one shell; and dissolving or melting the at least one shell into a heated liquid to release the one or more ingredients and form a heated beverage. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein:
the food product comprises multiple shells; and the multiple shells contain multiple ingredients. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein:
the multiple shells are formed from chocolate; the multiple ingredients include cocoa mix and marshmallows; and the heated beverage is hot chocolate. | 1,700 |
3,535 | 14,552,985 | 1,733 | A cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet is provided. The strength of which is greater than 950 MPa, the product (strength (in MPa)×elongation at fracture (in %)) of which is greater than 45000 and the chemical composition of which includes, the contents being expressed by weight 0.5%≦C≦0.7%, 17%≦Mn≦24%, Si≦3%, Al≦0.050%, S≦0.030%, P≦0.080% and N≦0.1%. A remainder of the composition includes iron and inevitable impurities resulting from the smelting. A recrystallized fraction of the structure of the steel is greater than 75%, a surface fraction of precipitated carbides of the steel is less than 1.5% and a mean grain size of the steel is less than 6 microns. A reinforcing element is also provided. | 1. A cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet, the strength of which is greater than 950 MPa, the product (strength (in MPa)×elongation at fracture (in %)) of which is greater than 45000 and the chemical composition of which comprises, the contents being expressed by weight:
0.5%≦C≦0.7%;
17%≦Mn≦24%;
Si≦3%;
Al≦0.050%;
S≦0.030%;
P≦0.080%;
N≦0.1%;
a remainder of the composition comprising iron and inevitable impurities resulting from the smelting, a recrystallized fraction of the structure of the steel being greater than 75%, a surface fraction of precipitated carbides of the steel being less than 1.5% and a mean grain size of the steel being less than 6 microns. 2. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Cr≦1%. 3. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Mo≦0.40%. 4. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Ni≦1%. 5. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Cu≦5%. 6. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Ti≦0.50%. 7. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Nb≦0.50%. 8. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
V≦0.50%. 9. A reinforcing element comprising:
a cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet recited in claim 1. | A cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet is provided. The strength of which is greater than 950 MPa, the product (strength (in MPa)×elongation at fracture (in %)) of which is greater than 45000 and the chemical composition of which includes, the contents being expressed by weight 0.5%≦C≦0.7%, 17%≦Mn≦24%, Si≦3%, Al≦0.050%, S≦0.030%, P≦0.080% and N≦0.1%. A remainder of the composition includes iron and inevitable impurities resulting from the smelting. A recrystallized fraction of the structure of the steel is greater than 75%, a surface fraction of precipitated carbides of the steel is less than 1.5% and a mean grain size of the steel is less than 6 microns. A reinforcing element is also provided.1. A cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet, the strength of which is greater than 950 MPa, the product (strength (in MPa)×elongation at fracture (in %)) of which is greater than 45000 and the chemical composition of which comprises, the contents being expressed by weight:
0.5%≦C≦0.7%;
17%≦Mn≦24%;
Si≦3%;
Al≦0.050%;
S≦0.030%;
P≦0.080%;
N≦0.1%;
a remainder of the composition comprising iron and inevitable impurities resulting from the smelting, a recrystallized fraction of the structure of the steel being greater than 75%, a surface fraction of precipitated carbides of the steel being less than 1.5% and a mean grain size of the steel being less than 6 microns. 2. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Cr≦1%. 3. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Mo≦0.40%. 4. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Ni≦1%. 5. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Cu≦5%. 6. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Ti≦0.50%. 7. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
Nb≦0.50%. 8. The cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet as recited in claim 1 further comprising, the content being expressed by weight:
V≦0.50%. 9. A reinforcing element comprising:
a cold-rolled austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel sheet recited in claim 1. | 1,700 |
3,536 | 13,838,849 | 1,791 | Concentrated liquid flavorings and methods of preparing flavored beverages using the concentrated liquid flavorings are described herein. The concentrated liquid flavorings are shelf stable for prolonged storage times at ambient temperatures. Shelf stability is provided, at least in part, by acidic pH and/or reduced water activity. By one approach, the concentrated liquid flavorings are intended to provide flavor to a beverage, such as coffee, tea, milk, or other savory beverage. The concentrated liquid flavorings may be provided in a convenient portable and dosable format that can be easily used by a consumer to provide the desired flavor and amount of flavor to a beverage. | 1. A concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
about 10 to about 90 percent water; about 2 to about 40 percent flavor component, the flavor component comprising a flavor key in an amount effective to provide about 0.1 to about 10 percent flavor key by weight of the concentrated liquid flavoring, and an amount of sweetener effective to provide the flavoring with a sweetness of about 50 to about 65 degrees Brix, the concentrated liquid flavoring having a pH of about 5.0 to about 7.0. 2. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 1, wherein the amount of sweetener in the flavoring is effective to provide less than 2 degree Brix to a beverage when the concentrated liquid flavoring is diluted in a beverage at a ratio of about 1:40 to about 1:160. 3. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.76. 4. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 5. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 5.0 to about 5.2. 6. A concentrated liquid flavoring having reduced water activity, the concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
about 10 to about 45 percent water; about 3 to about 40 percent flavor component; and at least about 40 percent sweetener, wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.84. 7. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 6, wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.76. 8. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 6, wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 9. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 6, wherein the flavor component comprises one or more flavor keys and the total amount of flavor key in the concentrated liquid flavoring is about 0.1 to about 10 percent flavor key by weight of the flavoring. 10. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 6, wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 5.0 to about 5.5. 11. A concentrated acidic liquid flavoring having reduced pH, the concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
about 10 to about 45 percent water; about 3 to about 40 percent flavor component; and less than about 2.0 percent acidulant, the amount of acidulant effective to provide the concentrated liquid flavoring with a pH of about 3.8 to about 4.5. 12. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 13. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the flavor component comprises one or more flavor keys and the total amount of flavor key in the concentrated liquid flavoring is about 0.1 to about 10.0 percent flavor key by weight of the flavoring. 14. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 4.0 to about 4.5. 15. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 4.0 to about 4.2. 16. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the acidulant comprises sodium acid sulfate. 17. A method of preparing a flavored beverage using a concentrated acidic liquid flavoring without causing curdling in the flavored beverage, the method comprising:
dispensing a jet of concentrated acidic liquid flavoring according to claim 11 into a beverage from a container having a nozzle, the nozzle configured to provide a mass flow between 1.0 g/s and 5 g/s and, more preferably between 1.0 g/s and 1.5 g/s, to rapidly mix the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring with the beverage. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mixing the beverage and the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring with the jet includes mixing the beverage and the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring into a generally homogenous mixture having a delta pH of 0.3 between the bottom and the top of the beverage in a target container within 10 seconds of the impacting the beverage. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein mixing the beverage and the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring with the jet produces a Mixing Ability Value of less than 3. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein dispensing the jet of the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring from the container through the nozzle member has a mass flow between 1.0 g/s and 5 g/s and includes dispensing a dose of the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring within 0.3 seconds to 3.0 seconds. | Concentrated liquid flavorings and methods of preparing flavored beverages using the concentrated liquid flavorings are described herein. The concentrated liquid flavorings are shelf stable for prolonged storage times at ambient temperatures. Shelf stability is provided, at least in part, by acidic pH and/or reduced water activity. By one approach, the concentrated liquid flavorings are intended to provide flavor to a beverage, such as coffee, tea, milk, or other savory beverage. The concentrated liquid flavorings may be provided in a convenient portable and dosable format that can be easily used by a consumer to provide the desired flavor and amount of flavor to a beverage.1. A concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
about 10 to about 90 percent water; about 2 to about 40 percent flavor component, the flavor component comprising a flavor key in an amount effective to provide about 0.1 to about 10 percent flavor key by weight of the concentrated liquid flavoring, and an amount of sweetener effective to provide the flavoring with a sweetness of about 50 to about 65 degrees Brix, the concentrated liquid flavoring having a pH of about 5.0 to about 7.0. 2. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 1, wherein the amount of sweetener in the flavoring is effective to provide less than 2 degree Brix to a beverage when the concentrated liquid flavoring is diluted in a beverage at a ratio of about 1:40 to about 1:160. 3. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.76. 4. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 5. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 5.0 to about 5.2. 6. A concentrated liquid flavoring having reduced water activity, the concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
about 10 to about 45 percent water; about 3 to about 40 percent flavor component; and at least about 40 percent sweetener, wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.84. 7. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 6, wherein the flavoring has a water activity of less than about 0.76. 8. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 6, wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 9. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 6, wherein the flavor component comprises one or more flavor keys and the total amount of flavor key in the concentrated liquid flavoring is about 0.1 to about 10 percent flavor key by weight of the flavoring. 10. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 6, wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 5.0 to about 5.5. 11. A concentrated acidic liquid flavoring having reduced pH, the concentrated liquid flavoring comprising:
about 10 to about 45 percent water; about 3 to about 40 percent flavor component; and less than about 2.0 percent acidulant, the amount of acidulant effective to provide the concentrated liquid flavoring with a pH of about 3.8 to about 4.5. 12. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the flavoring further comprises less than about 30 percent non-aqueous liquid. 13. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the flavor component comprises one or more flavor keys and the total amount of flavor key in the concentrated liquid flavoring is about 0.1 to about 10.0 percent flavor key by weight of the flavoring. 14. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 4.0 to about 4.5. 15. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the flavoring has a pH of about 4.0 to about 4.2. 16. The concentrated liquid flavoring according to claim 11, wherein the acidulant comprises sodium acid sulfate. 17. A method of preparing a flavored beverage using a concentrated acidic liquid flavoring without causing curdling in the flavored beverage, the method comprising:
dispensing a jet of concentrated acidic liquid flavoring according to claim 11 into a beverage from a container having a nozzle, the nozzle configured to provide a mass flow between 1.0 g/s and 5 g/s and, more preferably between 1.0 g/s and 1.5 g/s, to rapidly mix the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring with the beverage. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mixing the beverage and the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring with the jet includes mixing the beverage and the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring into a generally homogenous mixture having a delta pH of 0.3 between the bottom and the top of the beverage in a target container within 10 seconds of the impacting the beverage. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein mixing the beverage and the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring with the jet produces a Mixing Ability Value of less than 3. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein dispensing the jet of the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring from the container through the nozzle member has a mass flow between 1.0 g/s and 5 g/s and includes dispensing a dose of the concentrated acidic liquid flavoring within 0.3 seconds to 3.0 seconds. | 1,700 |
3,537 | 14,356,681 | 1,767 | Described herein is an oligomer according to formula I: (I) wherein Y is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate, wherein each X 1 , X 2 , and X 3 are independently selected from F, Cl, H, and CF 3 ; R is a linking group; each Z 1 and Z 2 is independently selected from F and CF 3 ; m is at least 2; and R 1 and R 2 are end groups, wherein the oligomer comprises substantially no pendant functional groups, except those selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate. | 1. A composition comprising an oligomer of Formula I:
wherein Y is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate, wherein each X1, X2, and X3 are independently selected from F, Cl, H, and CF3; R is a linking group; each Z1 and Z2 is independently selected from F and CF3; m is at least 2; and R1 and R2 are end groups, wherein the oligomer comprises substantially no pendant functional groups, except those selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the oligomer comprises a segment according to Formula Ia:
wherein Y is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate; Rf is perfluorinated divalent linking group; and m is at least 2. 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the oligomer comprises a segment according to Formula Ib:
wherein Y is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate; Rf is perfluorinated divalent linking group; and m is at least 2. 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the anionic group is selected from —SO3M, —CO2M-SO2NR′CH2CO2M, —CH2OP(O)(OM)2, —CH2CH2OP(O)(OM)2, —CH2CH2OSO3M, —P(O)(OM)2, —SO2NR′CH2CH2OP(O)(OM)2, —CH2OSO3M, and —SO2NR′CH2CH2OSO3M, where M is a cation and R′ is a H or a C1 to C4 alkyl group. 5. The composition of claim 1, further comprises at least one repeating unit of Formula II:
wherein each X4, X5, and X6 are independently selected from F, Cl, H, or CF3; P is a covalent bond or an ether linkage; and Rf′ is a perfluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbons that may comprise a catenary heteroatom; and n is at least 1. 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein R is —(CH2)a—, —(CF2)a—, —O—(CF2)a—, —O(CF2)a—, —(CF2)a—O—(CF2)b—, —O(CF2)a—O—(CF2)b—, —(CF2CF(CF3)O)a—, —O(CF2CF(CF3)O)a—, —O(CF2CF(CF3)O)a—(CF2)b—, —(CF2)a—[O—(CF2)b]c—, —[(CF2)a—O]b—[(CF2)c—O]d—, —[(CF2)a—O—]b—[(CF2CF(CF3)O)c—]d—, —O—[CF2CF(CF3)O]a—(CF2)b—, and combinations thereof, wherein a, b, c, and d are independently at least 1. 7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the X1, X2, and X3 are all F, and —R—CZ1Z2—Y is —O—R3—Y wherein Rf3 is a perfluorinated alkylene. 8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the oligomer comprises —[CF2—CF(OC4F8SO3M)]m—[CF2—CF(OC3F7)]—, where M is a cation, m is at least 2 and n is at least 1. 9. A method of using the composition according to claim 1 as a surfactant, dispersant, leveling agent, emulsifier, or wetting agent. 10. A method for making an anionic fluorinated oligomer comprising i) the oligomerization of fluorinated olefinic monomer with a first functional group, wherein the first functional group can be converted into an anionic group; and ii) converting the first functional group into an anionic group, wherein the anionic group is selected from the group consisting of: sulfonate, sulfate, carboxylate, phosphonate, and phosphate. 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of K+, Na+, Li+, NH4 +, and combinations thereof. 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the R1 and R2 are perfluorinated. 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein R is a catenary heteratom. 14. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising:
wherein Q is derived from a monomer and p is at least 1. 15. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the monomer is selected from a non-fluorinated olefin, a partially fluorinated olefin, a perfluorinated olefin, and combinations thereof. 16. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the monomer is selected from the following formula: CX7X8═CX9(R1), wherein each of X7, X8, X9 is independently selected from H or F; and Rl is selected from I, Br, and Rf-U wherein U=I or Br, and Rf is a perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkylene group optionally containing O atoms. 17. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the monomer is selected from: ethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, propylene, hexafluoropropylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl fluoride, a fluoroalkyl substituted ethylene, vinylidene fluoride, allyl iodide, fluorinated alkyl vinyl ethers, fluorinated alkoxy vinyl ethers, bromotrifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, CF3CH═CH2, C4F9CH═CH2, CF3OCF═CF2, C3F7OCF═CF2, and CF2═CFOCF2CF2CF2OCF3. | Described herein is an oligomer according to formula I: (I) wherein Y is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate, wherein each X 1 , X 2 , and X 3 are independently selected from F, Cl, H, and CF 3 ; R is a linking group; each Z 1 and Z 2 is independently selected from F and CF 3 ; m is at least 2; and R 1 and R 2 are end groups, wherein the oligomer comprises substantially no pendant functional groups, except those selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate.1. A composition comprising an oligomer of Formula I:
wherein Y is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate, wherein each X1, X2, and X3 are independently selected from F, Cl, H, and CF3; R is a linking group; each Z1 and Z2 is independently selected from F and CF3; m is at least 2; and R1 and R2 are end groups, wherein the oligomer comprises substantially no pendant functional groups, except those selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the oligomer comprises a segment according to Formula Ia:
wherein Y is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate; Rf is perfluorinated divalent linking group; and m is at least 2. 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the oligomer comprises a segment according to Formula Ib:
wherein Y is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of: sulfates, carboxylates, phosphate, phosphonate, and sulfonate; Rf is perfluorinated divalent linking group; and m is at least 2. 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the anionic group is selected from —SO3M, —CO2M-SO2NR′CH2CO2M, —CH2OP(O)(OM)2, —CH2CH2OP(O)(OM)2, —CH2CH2OSO3M, —P(O)(OM)2, —SO2NR′CH2CH2OP(O)(OM)2, —CH2OSO3M, and —SO2NR′CH2CH2OSO3M, where M is a cation and R′ is a H or a C1 to C4 alkyl group. 5. The composition of claim 1, further comprises at least one repeating unit of Formula II:
wherein each X4, X5, and X6 are independently selected from F, Cl, H, or CF3; P is a covalent bond or an ether linkage; and Rf′ is a perfluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbons that may comprise a catenary heteroatom; and n is at least 1. 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein R is —(CH2)a—, —(CF2)a—, —O—(CF2)a—, —O(CF2)a—, —(CF2)a—O—(CF2)b—, —O(CF2)a—O—(CF2)b—, —(CF2CF(CF3)O)a—, —O(CF2CF(CF3)O)a—, —O(CF2CF(CF3)O)a—(CF2)b—, —(CF2)a—[O—(CF2)b]c—, —[(CF2)a—O]b—[(CF2)c—O]d—, —[(CF2)a—O—]b—[(CF2CF(CF3)O)c—]d—, —O—[CF2CF(CF3)O]a—(CF2)b—, and combinations thereof, wherein a, b, c, and d are independently at least 1. 7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the X1, X2, and X3 are all F, and —R—CZ1Z2—Y is —O—R3—Y wherein Rf3 is a perfluorinated alkylene. 8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the oligomer comprises —[CF2—CF(OC4F8SO3M)]m—[CF2—CF(OC3F7)]—, where M is a cation, m is at least 2 and n is at least 1. 9. A method of using the composition according to claim 1 as a surfactant, dispersant, leveling agent, emulsifier, or wetting agent. 10. A method for making an anionic fluorinated oligomer comprising i) the oligomerization of fluorinated olefinic monomer with a first functional group, wherein the first functional group can be converted into an anionic group; and ii) converting the first functional group into an anionic group, wherein the anionic group is selected from the group consisting of: sulfonate, sulfate, carboxylate, phosphonate, and phosphate. 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of K+, Na+, Li+, NH4 +, and combinations thereof. 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the R1 and R2 are perfluorinated. 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein R is a catenary heteratom. 14. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising:
wherein Q is derived from a monomer and p is at least 1. 15. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the monomer is selected from a non-fluorinated olefin, a partially fluorinated olefin, a perfluorinated olefin, and combinations thereof. 16. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the monomer is selected from the following formula: CX7X8═CX9(R1), wherein each of X7, X8, X9 is independently selected from H or F; and Rl is selected from I, Br, and Rf-U wherein U=I or Br, and Rf is a perfluorinated or partially fluorinated alkylene group optionally containing O atoms. 17. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the monomer is selected from: ethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, propylene, hexafluoropropylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl fluoride, a fluoroalkyl substituted ethylene, vinylidene fluoride, allyl iodide, fluorinated alkyl vinyl ethers, fluorinated alkoxy vinyl ethers, bromotrifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, CF3CH═CH2, C4F9CH═CH2, CF3OCF═CF2, C3F7OCF═CF2, and CF2═CFOCF2CF2CF2OCF3. | 1,700 |
3,538 | 14,303,553 | 1,793 | A method of rejuvenating aged food oils or compositions containing PUFAs or such oils by addition of ascorbyl palmitate; such rejuventated food oils and compositions as well as the use of ascorbyl palmitate in such a rejuvenating process. | 1. A method of rejuvenating an aged food oil or a composition containing PUFAs or such oil which method is characterized by the addition of ascorbyl palmitate to such oil or composition. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the food oil is a refined oil. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the food oil is a stabilized commercial food oil. 4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the ascorbyl palmitate is added in form of a solution. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the ascorbyl palmitate is added in form of an alkanolic or glycolic solution, especially ethanolic or propylene glycolic solution. 6. Rejuvenated aged PUFA containing food oils or compositions which have been rejuvenated by a method as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5. 7. The use of ascorbyl palmitate in a process of rejuvenating an aged food oil or a composition containing PUFA or such oil as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5. 8. Ascorbyl palmitate to be used for or whenever used as a means for rejuvenating an aged food oil or a composition containing PUFA or such oil. 9. Ascorbyl palmitate as claimed in claim 8 in the form of a solution. 10. Ascorbyl palmitate as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 in the form of an alkanolic or glycolic solution, especially ethanolic or propylene glycolic solution. | A method of rejuvenating aged food oils or compositions containing PUFAs or such oils by addition of ascorbyl palmitate; such rejuventated food oils and compositions as well as the use of ascorbyl palmitate in such a rejuvenating process.1. A method of rejuvenating an aged food oil or a composition containing PUFAs or such oil which method is characterized by the addition of ascorbyl palmitate to such oil or composition. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the food oil is a refined oil. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the food oil is a stabilized commercial food oil. 4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the ascorbyl palmitate is added in form of a solution. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the ascorbyl palmitate is added in form of an alkanolic or glycolic solution, especially ethanolic or propylene glycolic solution. 6. Rejuvenated aged PUFA containing food oils or compositions which have been rejuvenated by a method as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5. 7. The use of ascorbyl palmitate in a process of rejuvenating an aged food oil or a composition containing PUFA or such oil as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5. 8. Ascorbyl palmitate to be used for or whenever used as a means for rejuvenating an aged food oil or a composition containing PUFA or such oil. 9. Ascorbyl palmitate as claimed in claim 8 in the form of a solution. 10. Ascorbyl palmitate as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 in the form of an alkanolic or glycolic solution, especially ethanolic or propylene glycolic solution. | 1,700 |
3,539 | 15,503,780 | 1,714 | A system and method for fabricating a perovskite film is provided, the system including a housing for use as a CVD furnace having first and second sections coupled with first and second temperature control units, respectively. The first and second sections correspond substantially to the upstream and downstream of gases, respectively. One or more substrates are loaded in the second section and controlled by the second temperature control unit, and an evaporation unit containing an organic halide material is loaded in the first section and controlled by the first temperature control unit. Each of the substrates is pre-deposited with a metal halide material. The inside of the housing is pumped down to a low pressure. | 1-23. (canceled) 24. A system for fabricating a perovskite film, wherein source materials include: an organic halide compound AX and a metal halide compound BX2, wherein halogen X in the AX and halogen X in the BX2 are the same or different, the system comprising:
a housing for use as a furnace, the housing having a closed hollow structure elongated longitudinally, the housing comprising:
an inlet portion and an outlet portion for inputting and outputting gases, respectively, the inlet portion configured to be adjusted for inputting an inert gas into the housing;
a first section for use for loading an evaporation unit containing the AX for generating an AX gas, the first section corresponding substantially to an upstream section of the inert gas; and
a second section for use for loading one or more substrates, each of which is pre-deposited with the BX2, the second section corresponding substantially to a downstream section of the inert gas;
a first temperature control unit coupled to the first section of the housing for controlling a first temperature for the AX; and a second temperature control unit coupled to the second section of the housing for controlling a second temperature for the one or more substrates pre-deposited with the BX2. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein during deposition, the AX gas is carried by the inert gas inputted through the inlet portion, moves toward the one or more substrates, and reacts with the BX2 to form a perovskite film on each of the one or more substrates. 26. The system of claim 24, further comprising:
a pump unit coupled to the outlet portion of the housing for pumping down the inside of the housing to a low pressure, wherein the low pressure is in a range between 1 Pa and an atmospheric pressure. 27. The system of claim 24, wherein
the first temperature control unit includes a first heating element for evaporating the AX to generate the AX gas, wherein the first temperature is controlled to be in a range between 150° C. and 350° C. 28. The system of claim 24, wherein
the second temperature control unit includes a second heating element to heat the one or more substrates, wherein the second temperature is controlled to be in a range between a room temperature and 170° C. 29. The system of claim 24, further comprising:
a second evaporation unit for containing a dopant material and coupled to the inlet portion, wherein a third temperature associated with the second evaporation unit is controlled to generate a dopant gas, wherein the inlet portion is configured to be adjusted to input the inert gas and the dopant gas into the housing, and wherein the AX gas is carried by the inert gas and the clopant gas, and moves toward the one or more substrates, and the AX gas and the dopant gas react with the BX2 to form a doped perovskite film on each of the one or more substrates. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein
the second evaporation unit includes a valve to control a partial pressure of the dopant gas in the inert gas for adjusting the dopant gas flow. 31. A method for fabricating a perovskite film by using a system comprising a housing for use as a furnace, wherein the housing has a closed hollow structure longitudinally elongated and comprises: an inlet portion and an outlet portion for inputting and outputting gases, respectively, the inlet portion configured to be adjusted for inputting an inert gas into the housing; a first section corresponding substantially to an upstream section of the inert gas; and a second section corresponding substantially to a downstream section of the inert gas, and wherein source materials for the perovskite film include: an organic halide compound AX and a metal halide compound BX2, wherein halogen X in the AX and halogen X in the BX2 are the same or different, the method comprising:
loading one or more substrates in the second section, wherein each of the one or more substrates is pre-deposited with the BX2; loading an evaporation unit containing the AX in the first section for generating an AX gas; pumping down the inside of the housing to a low pressure; controlling a second temperature for the one or more substrates pre-deposited with the BX2; controlling a first temperature for the AX; and adjusting the inlet portion to input an inert gas into the housing, wherein during deposition, the AX gas is carried by the inert gas inputted through the inlet portion, moves toward the one or more substrates, and reacts with the BX2 to form a perovskite film on each of the one or more substrates. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein
the controlling the first temperature includes heating the AX for evaporating the AX to generate the AX gas for a predetermined duration of time, and turning off the heating to allow desorption of the AX from the perovskite film oversaturated with the AX, thereby promoting a reversing process of turning the perovskite film oversaturated with the AX to the perovskite film saturated with the AX. 33. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
controlling a third temperature associated with a second evaporation unit containing a dopant material for generating a dopant gas, the second evaporation unit coupled to the inlet portion; and adjusting the inlet portion to input the inert gas and the dopant gas into the housing; wherein the AX gas is carried by the inert gas and the dopant gas, and moves toward the one or more substrates, and the AX gas and the dopant gas react with the BX2 to form a doped perovskite film on each of the one or more substrates. 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:
adjusting a valve included in the second evaporation unit to control a partial pressure of the dopant gas in the inert gas for adjusting the dopant gas flow. 35. A perovskite film fabricated by using the method of claim 31. 36. A solar cell including a perovskite film of claim 31. 37. An LED including a perovskite film of claim 31. 38. The method of claim 31, wherein the A is an organic element selected from a group consisting of methylammonium (MA) and formamidinium (FA), the B is a metal element selected from a group consisting of Pb and Sn, and the X is a halogen element selected from a group consisting of Cl, I and Br. | A system and method for fabricating a perovskite film is provided, the system including a housing for use as a CVD furnace having first and second sections coupled with first and second temperature control units, respectively. The first and second sections correspond substantially to the upstream and downstream of gases, respectively. One or more substrates are loaded in the second section and controlled by the second temperature control unit, and an evaporation unit containing an organic halide material is loaded in the first section and controlled by the first temperature control unit. Each of the substrates is pre-deposited with a metal halide material. The inside of the housing is pumped down to a low pressure.1-23. (canceled) 24. A system for fabricating a perovskite film, wherein source materials include: an organic halide compound AX and a metal halide compound BX2, wherein halogen X in the AX and halogen X in the BX2 are the same or different, the system comprising:
a housing for use as a furnace, the housing having a closed hollow structure elongated longitudinally, the housing comprising:
an inlet portion and an outlet portion for inputting and outputting gases, respectively, the inlet portion configured to be adjusted for inputting an inert gas into the housing;
a first section for use for loading an evaporation unit containing the AX for generating an AX gas, the first section corresponding substantially to an upstream section of the inert gas; and
a second section for use for loading one or more substrates, each of which is pre-deposited with the BX2, the second section corresponding substantially to a downstream section of the inert gas;
a first temperature control unit coupled to the first section of the housing for controlling a first temperature for the AX; and a second temperature control unit coupled to the second section of the housing for controlling a second temperature for the one or more substrates pre-deposited with the BX2. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein during deposition, the AX gas is carried by the inert gas inputted through the inlet portion, moves toward the one or more substrates, and reacts with the BX2 to form a perovskite film on each of the one or more substrates. 26. The system of claim 24, further comprising:
a pump unit coupled to the outlet portion of the housing for pumping down the inside of the housing to a low pressure, wherein the low pressure is in a range between 1 Pa and an atmospheric pressure. 27. The system of claim 24, wherein
the first temperature control unit includes a first heating element for evaporating the AX to generate the AX gas, wherein the first temperature is controlled to be in a range between 150° C. and 350° C. 28. The system of claim 24, wherein
the second temperature control unit includes a second heating element to heat the one or more substrates, wherein the second temperature is controlled to be in a range between a room temperature and 170° C. 29. The system of claim 24, further comprising:
a second evaporation unit for containing a dopant material and coupled to the inlet portion, wherein a third temperature associated with the second evaporation unit is controlled to generate a dopant gas, wherein the inlet portion is configured to be adjusted to input the inert gas and the dopant gas into the housing, and wherein the AX gas is carried by the inert gas and the clopant gas, and moves toward the one or more substrates, and the AX gas and the dopant gas react with the BX2 to form a doped perovskite film on each of the one or more substrates. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein
the second evaporation unit includes a valve to control a partial pressure of the dopant gas in the inert gas for adjusting the dopant gas flow. 31. A method for fabricating a perovskite film by using a system comprising a housing for use as a furnace, wherein the housing has a closed hollow structure longitudinally elongated and comprises: an inlet portion and an outlet portion for inputting and outputting gases, respectively, the inlet portion configured to be adjusted for inputting an inert gas into the housing; a first section corresponding substantially to an upstream section of the inert gas; and a second section corresponding substantially to a downstream section of the inert gas, and wherein source materials for the perovskite film include: an organic halide compound AX and a metal halide compound BX2, wherein halogen X in the AX and halogen X in the BX2 are the same or different, the method comprising:
loading one or more substrates in the second section, wherein each of the one or more substrates is pre-deposited with the BX2; loading an evaporation unit containing the AX in the first section for generating an AX gas; pumping down the inside of the housing to a low pressure; controlling a second temperature for the one or more substrates pre-deposited with the BX2; controlling a first temperature for the AX; and adjusting the inlet portion to input an inert gas into the housing, wherein during deposition, the AX gas is carried by the inert gas inputted through the inlet portion, moves toward the one or more substrates, and reacts with the BX2 to form a perovskite film on each of the one or more substrates. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein
the controlling the first temperature includes heating the AX for evaporating the AX to generate the AX gas for a predetermined duration of time, and turning off the heating to allow desorption of the AX from the perovskite film oversaturated with the AX, thereby promoting a reversing process of turning the perovskite film oversaturated with the AX to the perovskite film saturated with the AX. 33. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
controlling a third temperature associated with a second evaporation unit containing a dopant material for generating a dopant gas, the second evaporation unit coupled to the inlet portion; and adjusting the inlet portion to input the inert gas and the dopant gas into the housing; wherein the AX gas is carried by the inert gas and the dopant gas, and moves toward the one or more substrates, and the AX gas and the dopant gas react with the BX2 to form a doped perovskite film on each of the one or more substrates. 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:
adjusting a valve included in the second evaporation unit to control a partial pressure of the dopant gas in the inert gas for adjusting the dopant gas flow. 35. A perovskite film fabricated by using the method of claim 31. 36. A solar cell including a perovskite film of claim 31. 37. An LED including a perovskite film of claim 31. 38. The method of claim 31, wherein the A is an organic element selected from a group consisting of methylammonium (MA) and formamidinium (FA), the B is a metal element selected from a group consisting of Pb and Sn, and the X is a halogen element selected from a group consisting of Cl, I and Br. | 1,700 |
3,540 | 14,359,854 | 1,791 | Feed ingredients that are otherwise susceptible to degradation by ruminal microorganisms are combined with mineral hydrates (or oxides) and water, and processed through a pin mixer, pellet mill, extruder, or other suitable device to produce agglomerated particles. The ruminant animal feed which is so produced effectively increases the proportion of dietary ingredients presented for digestion and absorption within the post-ruminal digestive tract of the animal by inhibiting premature digestion by microorganisms inhabiting the rumen. | 1-18. (canceled) 19. A ruminant animal feed composition, comprising:
ruminant animal feed ingredients which are subject to degradation by ruminal microorganisms combined with a binder composition and a blending aid selected from the group consisting of water, high moisture content ingredients containing water and non-aqueous solvents to thereby form a raw feed mixture, the raw feed mixture so formed being processed into a processed feed pellet comprised of agglomerated particles; wherein the binder composition is comprised of a dolomitic mineral hydrate, either alone or in combination with a companion composition selected from the group consisting of mineral carbonates, mineral oxides, and combinations thereof; wherein the binder composition is present in the ruminant animal feed composition in the range from 10 to 95 by weight, based upon the total weight of the animal feed composition; and wherein the so processed agglomerated particles are effective to increase the proportion of dietary ingredients present in the feed composition that are resistant to degradation by ruminal microorganisms. 20. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the binder composition is comprised of dolomitic mineral hydrate combined with a companion material selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, dolomite and mixtures thereof. 21. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 20, wherein the raw feed mixture and binder composition are combined with water as a blending aid prior to being further processed. 22. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 20, wherein the raw feed mixture is processed by means of a pin mixer, pellet mill, disc pelletizer or drum pelletizer to thereby produce an agglomerated pellet. 23. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 20, wherein the raw feed mixture and binder composition are combined with a high moisture content ingredient which contains water as an aid to blending prior to being further processed. 24. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles have a coating applied thereon after agglomeration. 25. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles include an amino acid as one ingredient. 26. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles also include choline and water soluble vitamins. 27. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles so produced provide for the protection of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated lipids which are extensively biohydrogenated by ruminal microorganisms to yield saturated lipids. 28. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles so produced provide for the protection of fat soluble vitamins, enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, carbohydrates, pharmaceuticals, essential oils and minerals. | Feed ingredients that are otherwise susceptible to degradation by ruminal microorganisms are combined with mineral hydrates (or oxides) and water, and processed through a pin mixer, pellet mill, extruder, or other suitable device to produce agglomerated particles. The ruminant animal feed which is so produced effectively increases the proportion of dietary ingredients presented for digestion and absorption within the post-ruminal digestive tract of the animal by inhibiting premature digestion by microorganisms inhabiting the rumen.1-18. (canceled) 19. A ruminant animal feed composition, comprising:
ruminant animal feed ingredients which are subject to degradation by ruminal microorganisms combined with a binder composition and a blending aid selected from the group consisting of water, high moisture content ingredients containing water and non-aqueous solvents to thereby form a raw feed mixture, the raw feed mixture so formed being processed into a processed feed pellet comprised of agglomerated particles; wherein the binder composition is comprised of a dolomitic mineral hydrate, either alone or in combination with a companion composition selected from the group consisting of mineral carbonates, mineral oxides, and combinations thereof; wherein the binder composition is present in the ruminant animal feed composition in the range from 10 to 95 by weight, based upon the total weight of the animal feed composition; and wherein the so processed agglomerated particles are effective to increase the proportion of dietary ingredients present in the feed composition that are resistant to degradation by ruminal microorganisms. 20. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the binder composition is comprised of dolomitic mineral hydrate combined with a companion material selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, dolomite and mixtures thereof. 21. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 20, wherein the raw feed mixture and binder composition are combined with water as a blending aid prior to being further processed. 22. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 20, wherein the raw feed mixture is processed by means of a pin mixer, pellet mill, disc pelletizer or drum pelletizer to thereby produce an agglomerated pellet. 23. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 20, wherein the raw feed mixture and binder composition are combined with a high moisture content ingredient which contains water as an aid to blending prior to being further processed. 24. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles have a coating applied thereon after agglomeration. 25. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles include an amino acid as one ingredient. 26. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles also include choline and water soluble vitamins. 27. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles so produced provide for the protection of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated lipids which are extensively biohydrogenated by ruminal microorganisms to yield saturated lipids. 28. The ruminant animal feed composition of claim 19, wherein the agglomerated particles so produced provide for the protection of fat soluble vitamins, enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, carbohydrates, pharmaceuticals, essential oils and minerals. | 1,700 |
3,541 | 15,520,345 | 1,785 | The present invention provides an inkjet ink comprising: 6-35% by weight of NVC; 5-60% by weight of PEA; 15-35% by weight of a C8.12 alkane diol di(meth)acrylate; a radical photoinitiator; and a colorant, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the ink. The present invention further provides an inkjet ink set wherein at least one of the inks in the set, preferably all of the inks in the set, is an inkjet ink as defined above. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of inkjet printing comprising inkjet printing the inkjet ink or inkjet ink set as defined above onto a substrate and curing the ink. | 1. An inkjet ink comprising: 6-35% by weight of NVC; 5-60% by weight of PEA; 15-35% by weight of a C8-12 alkane diol di(meth)acrylate; a radical photoinitiator; and a colorant, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the ink. 2. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the C8-12 alkane diol di(meth)acrylate is the sole difunctional monomer present in the ink. 3. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink is substantially free of multifunctional monomers. 4. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1 wherein the C8-12 alkane diol di(meth)acrylate is 1,10-decanediol diacrylate (DDDA). 5. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink comprises a second cyclic monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer 6. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second cyclic monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer is IBOA. 7. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ink contains 2-25% by weight of IBOA, based on the total weight of the ink. 8. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio by weight of NVC to PEA is 1:0.5-4.0. 9. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colorant is a dispersed pigment. 10. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink is substantially free of water and volatile organic solvents. 11. An inkjet ink set wherein at least one of the inks in the set, preferably all of the inks in the set, is an inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1. 12. A cartridge containing the inkjet ink or the inkjet ink set as claimed in claim 1. 13. A printed substrate having the ink or the inkjet ink set as claimed in claim 1 printed thereon. 14. A method of inkjet printing comprising inkjet printing the inkjet ink or inkjet ink set as claimed in claim 1 onto a substrate and curing the ink. 15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the substrate has a surface energy of 25-50 mN/m. | The present invention provides an inkjet ink comprising: 6-35% by weight of NVC; 5-60% by weight of PEA; 15-35% by weight of a C8.12 alkane diol di(meth)acrylate; a radical photoinitiator; and a colorant, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the ink. The present invention further provides an inkjet ink set wherein at least one of the inks in the set, preferably all of the inks in the set, is an inkjet ink as defined above. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of inkjet printing comprising inkjet printing the inkjet ink or inkjet ink set as defined above onto a substrate and curing the ink.1. An inkjet ink comprising: 6-35% by weight of NVC; 5-60% by weight of PEA; 15-35% by weight of a C8-12 alkane diol di(meth)acrylate; a radical photoinitiator; and a colorant, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the ink. 2. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the C8-12 alkane diol di(meth)acrylate is the sole difunctional monomer present in the ink. 3. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink is substantially free of multifunctional monomers. 4. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1 wherein the C8-12 alkane diol di(meth)acrylate is 1,10-decanediol diacrylate (DDDA). 5. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink comprises a second cyclic monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer 6. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second cyclic monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer is IBOA. 7. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ink contains 2-25% by weight of IBOA, based on the total weight of the ink. 8. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio by weight of NVC to PEA is 1:0.5-4.0. 9. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colorant is a dispersed pigment. 10. An inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ink is substantially free of water and volatile organic solvents. 11. An inkjet ink set wherein at least one of the inks in the set, preferably all of the inks in the set, is an inkjet ink as claimed in claim 1. 12. A cartridge containing the inkjet ink or the inkjet ink set as claimed in claim 1. 13. A printed substrate having the ink or the inkjet ink set as claimed in claim 1 printed thereon. 14. A method of inkjet printing comprising inkjet printing the inkjet ink or inkjet ink set as claimed in claim 1 onto a substrate and curing the ink. 15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the substrate has a surface energy of 25-50 mN/m. | 1,700 |
3,542 | 15,215,949 | 1,792 | A method to produce cheese chips, consisting in provides that cut cheese slices are frozen and then raised by means of rapid water evaporation due to the application of microwave and vacuum drying. The freezing step is preceded by drying and cooling, and the raised cheese chips containing cheese and flavourings are characterised in that their density does not exceed 0.46 g/cm 3 , the porosity does exceed 40%, and the crunchiness does exceed 4. | 1.-15. (canceled) 16. A method to produce cheese chips, comprising the steps of:
providing cheese slices; drying the cheese slices; cooling the cheese slices; freezing the cheese slices after the drying and cooling step; and raising the cheese slices by rapid water evaporation by application of microwave and vacuum drying; thereby providing cheese chips. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the drying step comprises drying the cheese slices are at a temperature from 20° C. to 90° C. for 30 minutes to 200 minutes until reaching the humidity level of 10% to 50%; and the cooling step follows the drying step and comprises cooling the cheese slices air having a temperature of about 15° C. 18. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the providing cheese slices step comprises:
checking the cheese with a metal detector; and
after checking the cheese with a metal detector, slicing the cheese with a slicer into slices 1 mm to 7 mm thick and 10-80 mm long;
the method further comprising checking the cheese slices for any foreign bodies; the freezing step comprising disposing the cheese slices in a cold air stream having a temperature below minus 20° C. for 5 to 40 minutes. 19. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the raising step is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 1 min to 20 mins at a pressure of 15 to 100 hPa. 20. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the cheese chips are dried to a humidity level below 9% thereby producing a crunchiness effect; and the dried cheese chips are screened on a sieve screen and an accepted fraction is bagged. 21. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the freezing step comprises freezing the cheese slices to a temperature of minus 5° C. to minus 50° C. in a cold air stream having a temperature of minus 20° C. to minus 150° C.; and the raising step comprises raising the cheese slices is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 1 min to 20 mins at a pressure of 15 to 100 hPa to a humidity of 0.2% to 9%. 22. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
mixing the raised cheese slices with a topping; and then finally drying the cheese slices at a temperature of 20° C. to 65° C. for 0.5 to 2 hours. 23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising
soaking the cheese slices a vinaigrette solution for 2 to 40 minutes. 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein:
the vinaigrette solution contains wine vinegar in an amount of 60%-93%, dried yeast extract in an amount of 0.1% to 20%, citric acid in an amount of 0.1% to 15%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1%-15% and dried garlic concentrate in an amount of 0.1%-15% that are dissolved in water at a temperature of 15-25° C. to a concentration of 1%-30%. 25. A method according to claim 16, wherein: further comprising:
soaking the cheese slices in a garlic solution for 5-30 minutes, wherein the garlic solution contains garlic extract in an amount of 35-55%, ground garlic in an amount of 0.1% to 25%, sea salt in an amount of 5%-32%, citric acid in an amount of 0.1% to 15% and parsley in an amount of 0.1% to 15% that are dissolved in water at a temperature of 15-25° C. to a concentration of 1-30%. 26. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
mixing the cheese slices with a pizza flavour topping in an amount of 2% to 30% by product weight, wherein the pizza flavour topping contains ground dried tomato in an amount of 40%-60%, dried paprika and/or paprika flavour in an amount of 2.25% to 27.6%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1%-15%, sea salt in an amount of 10%-30%, dried onion concentrate in an amount of 2%-22%, anhydrous citric acid in an amount of 0.1%-15%, ground oregano in an amount of 0.1%-20%, and fine basil in an amount of 0.1%-20%. 27. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
mixing the raised cheese slices with a paprika topping in an amount of 1%-30% by weight of the product, wherein the paprika topping contains dried paprika and/or paprika flavour in an amount of 50%-99.8%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1% to 25%, and ground oregano in an amount of 0.1% to 25%. 28. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
screening the cheese slices on a sieve screen with square mesh having a mesh size of 10 mm or 15 mm. 29. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the cheese chips have a density that does not exceed 0.46 g/cm3. 30. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the cheese chips have a porosity measured by analyzing a displacement of sea sand that is at least 40%. 31. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the cheese chips have a crunchiness at a level of at least 4 of microcracks in a process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. 32. Raised cheese chips comprising cheese or comprising cheese and one or more flavorings, the raised cheese chips having a density not exceeding 0.46 g/cm3. 33. The raised cheese chips according to claim 32, wherein the raised cheese chips have a porosity that is measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand, the porosity being at least 40%. 34. The raised cheese chips according to claim 32, wherein the raised cheese chips have a characteristic crunchiness, the characteristic crunchiness being obtained at a level at least 4 of microcracks in a process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. | A method to produce cheese chips, consisting in provides that cut cheese slices are frozen and then raised by means of rapid water evaporation due to the application of microwave and vacuum drying. The freezing step is preceded by drying and cooling, and the raised cheese chips containing cheese and flavourings are characterised in that their density does not exceed 0.46 g/cm 3 , the porosity does exceed 40%, and the crunchiness does exceed 4.1.-15. (canceled) 16. A method to produce cheese chips, comprising the steps of:
providing cheese slices; drying the cheese slices; cooling the cheese slices; freezing the cheese slices after the drying and cooling step; and raising the cheese slices by rapid water evaporation by application of microwave and vacuum drying; thereby providing cheese chips. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the drying step comprises drying the cheese slices are at a temperature from 20° C. to 90° C. for 30 minutes to 200 minutes until reaching the humidity level of 10% to 50%; and the cooling step follows the drying step and comprises cooling the cheese slices air having a temperature of about 15° C. 18. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the providing cheese slices step comprises:
checking the cheese with a metal detector; and
after checking the cheese with a metal detector, slicing the cheese with a slicer into slices 1 mm to 7 mm thick and 10-80 mm long;
the method further comprising checking the cheese slices for any foreign bodies; the freezing step comprising disposing the cheese slices in a cold air stream having a temperature below minus 20° C. for 5 to 40 minutes. 19. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the raising step is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 1 min to 20 mins at a pressure of 15 to 100 hPa. 20. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the cheese chips are dried to a humidity level below 9% thereby producing a crunchiness effect; and the dried cheese chips are screened on a sieve screen and an accepted fraction is bagged. 21. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the freezing step comprises freezing the cheese slices to a temperature of minus 5° C. to minus 50° C. in a cold air stream having a temperature of minus 20° C. to minus 150° C.; and the raising step comprises raising the cheese slices is carried out in a microwave and vacuum drier for 1 min to 20 mins at a pressure of 15 to 100 hPa to a humidity of 0.2% to 9%. 22. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
mixing the raised cheese slices with a topping; and then finally drying the cheese slices at a temperature of 20° C. to 65° C. for 0.5 to 2 hours. 23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising
soaking the cheese slices a vinaigrette solution for 2 to 40 minutes. 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein:
the vinaigrette solution contains wine vinegar in an amount of 60%-93%, dried yeast extract in an amount of 0.1% to 20%, citric acid in an amount of 0.1% to 15%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1%-15% and dried garlic concentrate in an amount of 0.1%-15% that are dissolved in water at a temperature of 15-25° C. to a concentration of 1%-30%. 25. A method according to claim 16, wherein: further comprising:
soaking the cheese slices in a garlic solution for 5-30 minutes, wherein the garlic solution contains garlic extract in an amount of 35-55%, ground garlic in an amount of 0.1% to 25%, sea salt in an amount of 5%-32%, citric acid in an amount of 0.1% to 15% and parsley in an amount of 0.1% to 15% that are dissolved in water at a temperature of 15-25° C. to a concentration of 1-30%. 26. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
mixing the cheese slices with a pizza flavour topping in an amount of 2% to 30% by product weight, wherein the pizza flavour topping contains ground dried tomato in an amount of 40%-60%, dried paprika and/or paprika flavour in an amount of 2.25% to 27.6%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1%-15%, sea salt in an amount of 10%-30%, dried onion concentrate in an amount of 2%-22%, anhydrous citric acid in an amount of 0.1%-15%, ground oregano in an amount of 0.1%-20%, and fine basil in an amount of 0.1%-20%. 27. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
mixing the raised cheese slices with a paprika topping in an amount of 1%-30% by weight of the product, wherein the paprika topping contains dried paprika and/or paprika flavour in an amount of 50%-99.8%, pepper extract in an amount of 0.1% to 25%, and ground oregano in an amount of 0.1% to 25%. 28. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:
screening the cheese slices on a sieve screen with square mesh having a mesh size of 10 mm or 15 mm. 29. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the cheese chips have a density that does not exceed 0.46 g/cm3. 30. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the cheese chips have a porosity measured by analyzing a displacement of sea sand that is at least 40%. 31. A method according to claim 16, wherein:
the cheese chips have a crunchiness at a level of at least 4 of microcracks in a process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. 32. Raised cheese chips comprising cheese or comprising cheese and one or more flavorings, the raised cheese chips having a density not exceeding 0.46 g/cm3. 33. The raised cheese chips according to claim 32, wherein the raised cheese chips have a porosity that is measured by analyzing the displacement of sea sand, the porosity being at least 40%. 34. The raised cheese chips according to claim 32, wherein the raised cheese chips have a characteristic crunchiness, the characteristic crunchiness being obtained at a level at least 4 of microcracks in a process of destroying chip cheese as determined by penetrometer testing. | 1,700 |
3,543 | 15,484,630 | 1,724 | An exemplary support assembly includes a first housing that supports a first battery structure, a second housing that supports a second battery structure, a cover, and a common attachment that secures together the first housing, the second housing, and the cover. An exemplary support method includes securing together a first housing, a second housing, and a cover with a common attachment. The first housing supports a first battery structure that is enclosed by the second housing. The second housing supports a second battery structure that is enclosed by the cover. | 1. A support assembly, comprising:
a first housing that supports at least one first battery structure; a second housing that supports at least one second battery structure; a cover; and at least one common attachment that secures together the first housing, the second housing, and the cover. 2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover encloses at least one second battery structure within the second housing, and the second housing encloses the at least one first battery structure within the first housing. 3. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first battery structure and the second housing are at least partially disposed within an open area provided by the first housing. 4. The support assembly of claim 3, wherein the second housing nests within the first housing. 5. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing is a tub having providing an open area that receives the at least one first battery structure, and the at least one second battery structure is disposed outside the open area. 6. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing is a first tub with a first depth, and the second housing is a second tub with a second depth less than the first depth, the first and second tubs each have a floor and sidewalls extending transversely from the floor, the sidewalls of the first housing laterally spaced from the sidewalls of the second housing, the floor of the first housing vertically spaced from the floor of the second housing. 7. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the common attachment comprises the cover being secured to both a lip of the first housing and a lip of the second housing. 8. The support assembly of claim 7, wherein the lip of the second housing is sandwiched between the lip of the first housing and the cover. 9. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the common attachment comprises at least one mechanical fastener joining together a portion of the cover, a portion of the first housing, and a portion of the second housing. 10. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing is a first tray and the second housing is a second tray. 11. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein all portions of the at least one first battery structure are vertically misaligned with the at least one second battery structure. 12. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second battery structures are separate battery arrays of an electrified vehicle. 13. A support method, comprising:
securing together a first housing, a second housing, and a cover with at least one common attachment, the first housing supporting at least one first battery structure that is enclosed by the second housing, the second housing supporting at least one second battery structure that is enclosed by the cover. 14. The support method of claim 13, further comprising nesting the second housing at least partially within an open area of the first housing. 15. The support method of claim 13, further comprising attaching the cover to both a lip of the first housing and a lip of the second housing during the securing. 16. The support method of claim 15, further comprising sandwiching the lip of the second housing between the lip of the first housing and the cover during the securing. 17. The support method of claim 16, further comprising, during the securing, using at least one mechanical fastener to join together a portion of the cover, a portion of the first housing, and a portion of the second housing. 18. The support method of claim 13, wherein the at least one first battery structure is part of a first tier, and the at least one second battery is part of a second tier vertically displaced from the first tier. 19. The support method of claim 18, wherein the first tier is vertically below the second tier. 20. The support method of claim 13, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second battery structures are separate battery arrays of an electrified vehicle. | An exemplary support assembly includes a first housing that supports a first battery structure, a second housing that supports a second battery structure, a cover, and a common attachment that secures together the first housing, the second housing, and the cover. An exemplary support method includes securing together a first housing, a second housing, and a cover with a common attachment. The first housing supports a first battery structure that is enclosed by the second housing. The second housing supports a second battery structure that is enclosed by the cover.1. A support assembly, comprising:
a first housing that supports at least one first battery structure; a second housing that supports at least one second battery structure; a cover; and at least one common attachment that secures together the first housing, the second housing, and the cover. 2. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover encloses at least one second battery structure within the second housing, and the second housing encloses the at least one first battery structure within the first housing. 3. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first battery structure and the second housing are at least partially disposed within an open area provided by the first housing. 4. The support assembly of claim 3, wherein the second housing nests within the first housing. 5. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing is a tub having providing an open area that receives the at least one first battery structure, and the at least one second battery structure is disposed outside the open area. 6. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing is a first tub with a first depth, and the second housing is a second tub with a second depth less than the first depth, the first and second tubs each have a floor and sidewalls extending transversely from the floor, the sidewalls of the first housing laterally spaced from the sidewalls of the second housing, the floor of the first housing vertically spaced from the floor of the second housing. 7. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the common attachment comprises the cover being secured to both a lip of the first housing and a lip of the second housing. 8. The support assembly of claim 7, wherein the lip of the second housing is sandwiched between the lip of the first housing and the cover. 9. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the common attachment comprises at least one mechanical fastener joining together a portion of the cover, a portion of the first housing, and a portion of the second housing. 10. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing is a first tray and the second housing is a second tray. 11. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein all portions of the at least one first battery structure are vertically misaligned with the at least one second battery structure. 12. The support assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second battery structures are separate battery arrays of an electrified vehicle. 13. A support method, comprising:
securing together a first housing, a second housing, and a cover with at least one common attachment, the first housing supporting at least one first battery structure that is enclosed by the second housing, the second housing supporting at least one second battery structure that is enclosed by the cover. 14. The support method of claim 13, further comprising nesting the second housing at least partially within an open area of the first housing. 15. The support method of claim 13, further comprising attaching the cover to both a lip of the first housing and a lip of the second housing during the securing. 16. The support method of claim 15, further comprising sandwiching the lip of the second housing between the lip of the first housing and the cover during the securing. 17. The support method of claim 16, further comprising, during the securing, using at least one mechanical fastener to join together a portion of the cover, a portion of the first housing, and a portion of the second housing. 18. The support method of claim 13, wherein the at least one first battery structure is part of a first tier, and the at least one second battery is part of a second tier vertically displaced from the first tier. 19. The support method of claim 18, wherein the first tier is vertically below the second tier. 20. The support method of claim 13, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second battery structures are separate battery arrays of an electrified vehicle. | 1,700 |
3,544 | 15,424,558 | 1,796 | Provided herein are methods of making asymmetric membranes comprising a first layer and a second layer. The methods include preparing a polymeric solution comprising one or more polymers, casting the polymeric solution to form a polymeric film, contacting the polymeric film with a solvent comprising a crosslinker under conditions to form a first layer on the top of the film, wherein the first layer is dense and solvent resistant, and contacting the polymeric film having the dense, solvent-resistant first layer with a non-solvent solution under conditions that form a porous second layer on the bottom of the film. | 1. An asymmetric membrane having a first layer and a second layer, produced by the process comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a polymeric solution comprising one or more polymers, said preparing step includes a condensation reaction of monomers that react with one or more functional groups of the one or more polymers in a first solvent; (b) casting the polymeric solution to form a polymeric film; (c) contacting the polymeric film with a solvent comprising a crosslinker under conditions to form a first layer on a top side of the polymeric film, wherein the first layer is a dense, solvent-resistant first layer being predominantly composed of crosslinked polymeric chains, said contacting step includes immersing the polymeric film for an immersion time of more than 0.1 seconds in a second solvent comprising the crosslinker; and (d) contacting the polymeric film having the dense, solvent-resistant first layer with a non-solvent solution under conditions that form by precipitation a porous second layer on the bottom of the film being composed of predominantly uncrosslinked polymeric chains. 2. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the polymeric film is 10 microns to 500 microns in thickness. 3. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein said immersion time in step (c) does not extend more than 300 seconds. 4. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the non-solvent solution is water. 5. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the polymeric solution of step (a) further comprises a first solvent and wherein the second solvent of step (c) is the same as the first solvent. 6. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker is a bifunctional alkyl halide, a multifunctional alkyl halide, a bifunctional isocyanate, a multifunctional isocyanate a bifunctional acyl chloride, a multifunctional acyl chloride, or any combination thereof. 7. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is the same as Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 8. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is different than Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 9. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker is 1,4-dibromo-p-xylene (DBX), 2,3,6,7,14,15-hexakis (bromomethyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-[1′,2′] benzenoanthracene (Tr-X), or combinations thereof. 10. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the one or more polymers comprise one or more functional groups, wherein one or more of the functional groups crosslink within one minute or less in the presence of the solvent comprising the crosslinker to form the dense first layer. 11. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the one or more polymers comprise polythiosemicarbazide polymer (PTSC), polybenzimidazole polymer (PBI), or combinations thereof. 12. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Dimethylacetamide (DMAc), Dimethylformamide (DMF), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), or combinations thereof. 13. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the polymeric solution comprises 5-35% (weight/weight) of the polymer. 14. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker comprises 0.1-10% (weight/weight) of the solvent comprising the crosslinker. 15. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the solvent comprises DMSO. 16. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the contacting with the non-solvent solution comprises 30 minutes to 24 hours. 17. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the dense first layer is 10 nm to 10 μm in thickness. 18. A method of making a multi-layer asymmetric membrane comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a polymeric solution comprising one or more polymers, said preparing step includes a condensation reaction of monomers that react with one or more functional groups of the one or more polymers in a first solvent; (b) casting the polymeric solution to form a polymeric film; (c) contacting the polymeric film with a solvent comprising a crosslinker under conditions to form a first layer on a top side of the polymeric film, wherein the first layer is a dense, solvent-resistant first layer being predominantly composed of crosslinked polymeric chains, said contacting step includes immersing the polymeric film for an immersion time of more than 0.1 seconds in a second solvent comprising the crosslinker; and (d) contacting the polymeric film having the dense, solvent-resistant first layer with a non-solvent solution under conditions that form by precipitation a porous second layer on the bottom of the film being composed of predominantly uncrosslinked polymeric chains. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymeric film is 10 microns to 500 microns in thickness. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein said immersion time in step (c) does not extend more than 300 seconds. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the non-solvent solution is water. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymeric solution of step (a) further comprises a first solvent and wherein the second solvent of step (c) is the same as the first solvent. 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker is a bifunctional alkyl halide, a multifunctional alkyl halide, a bifunctional isocyanate, a multifunctional isocyanate a bifunctional acyl chloride, a multifunctional acyl chloride, or any combination thereof. 24. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is the same as Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 25. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is different than Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 26. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker is 1,4-dibromo-p-xylene (DBX), 2,3,6,7,14,15-hexakis (bromomethyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-[1′,2′] benzenoanthracene (Tr-X), or combinations thereof. 27. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more polymers comprise one or more functional groups, wherein one or more of the functional groups crosslink within one minute or less in the presence of the solvent comprising the crosslinker to form the dense first layer. 28. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more polymers comprise polythiosemicarbazide polymer (PTSC), polybenzimidazole polymer (PBI), or combinations thereof. 29. The method of claim 18, wherein the solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Dimethylacetamide (DMAc), Dimethylformamide (DMF), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), or combinations thereof. 30. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymeric solution comprises 5-35% (weight/weight) of the polymer. 31. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises 0.1-10% (weight/weight) of the solvent comprising the crosslinker. 32. The method of claim 18, wherein the solvent comprises DMSO. 33. The method of claim 18, wherein the contacting with the non-solvent solution comprises 30 minutes to 24 hours. 34. The method of claim 18, wherein the dense first layer is 10 nm to 10 μm in thickness. 35. A method of making a multi-layer asymmetric membrane comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a polymeric solution comprising one or more polymers, said preparing step includes a condensation reaction of monomers that react with one or more functional groups of the one or more polymers in a first solvent; (b) casting the polymeric solution to form a polymeric film being between 10 microns to 500 microns in thickness; (c) contacting the polymeric film with a solvent comprising a crosslinker under conditions to form a first layer on a top side of the polymeric film, wherein the first layer is a dense, solvent-resistant first layer being predominantly composed of crosslinked polymeric chains, said contacting step includes immersing the polymeric film for an immersion time of between 0.1 to 300 seconds in the first solvent comprising the crosslinker; and (d) contacting the polymeric film having the dense, solvent-resistant first layer with a non-solvent aqueous solution under conditions that form by precipitation a porous second layer on the bottom of the film being composed of predominantly uncrosslinked polymeric chains. 36. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker is a bifunctional alkyl halide, a multifunctional alkyl halide, a bifunctional isocyanate, a multifunctional isocyanate a bifunctional acyl chloride, a multifunctional acyl chloride, or any combination thereof. 37. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is the same as Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 38. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is different than Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 39. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker is 1,4-dibromo-p-xylene (DBX), 2,3,6,7,14,15-hexakis (bromomethyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-[1′,2′] benzenoanthracene (Tr-X), or combinations thereof. 40. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more polymers comprise one or more functional groups, wherein one or more of the functional groups crosslink within one minute or less in the presence of the solvent comprising the crosslinker to form the dense first layer. 41. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more polymers comprise polythiosemicarbazide polymer (PTSC), polybenzimidazole polymer (PBI), or combinations thereof. 42. The method of claim 18, wherein the first or second solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Dimethylacetamide (DMAc), Dimethylformamide (DMF), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), or combinations thereof. 43. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymeric solution comprises 5-35% (weight/weight) of the polymer. 44. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises 0.1-10% (weight/weight) of the solvent comprising the crosslinker. 45. The method of claim 18, wherein the first or second solvent comprises DMSO. 46. The method of claim 18, wherein the contacting with the non-solvent solution comprises 30 minutes to 24 hours. | Provided herein are methods of making asymmetric membranes comprising a first layer and a second layer. The methods include preparing a polymeric solution comprising one or more polymers, casting the polymeric solution to form a polymeric film, contacting the polymeric film with a solvent comprising a crosslinker under conditions to form a first layer on the top of the film, wherein the first layer is dense and solvent resistant, and contacting the polymeric film having the dense, solvent-resistant first layer with a non-solvent solution under conditions that form a porous second layer on the bottom of the film.1. An asymmetric membrane having a first layer and a second layer, produced by the process comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a polymeric solution comprising one or more polymers, said preparing step includes a condensation reaction of monomers that react with one or more functional groups of the one or more polymers in a first solvent; (b) casting the polymeric solution to form a polymeric film; (c) contacting the polymeric film with a solvent comprising a crosslinker under conditions to form a first layer on a top side of the polymeric film, wherein the first layer is a dense, solvent-resistant first layer being predominantly composed of crosslinked polymeric chains, said contacting step includes immersing the polymeric film for an immersion time of more than 0.1 seconds in a second solvent comprising the crosslinker; and (d) contacting the polymeric film having the dense, solvent-resistant first layer with a non-solvent solution under conditions that form by precipitation a porous second layer on the bottom of the film being composed of predominantly uncrosslinked polymeric chains. 2. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the polymeric film is 10 microns to 500 microns in thickness. 3. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein said immersion time in step (c) does not extend more than 300 seconds. 4. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the non-solvent solution is water. 5. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the polymeric solution of step (a) further comprises a first solvent and wherein the second solvent of step (c) is the same as the first solvent. 6. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker is a bifunctional alkyl halide, a multifunctional alkyl halide, a bifunctional isocyanate, a multifunctional isocyanate a bifunctional acyl chloride, a multifunctional acyl chloride, or any combination thereof. 7. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is the same as Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 8. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is different than Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 9. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker is 1,4-dibromo-p-xylene (DBX), 2,3,6,7,14,15-hexakis (bromomethyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-[1′,2′] benzenoanthracene (Tr-X), or combinations thereof. 10. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the one or more polymers comprise one or more functional groups, wherein one or more of the functional groups crosslink within one minute or less in the presence of the solvent comprising the crosslinker to form the dense first layer. 11. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the one or more polymers comprise polythiosemicarbazide polymer (PTSC), polybenzimidazole polymer (PBI), or combinations thereof. 12. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Dimethylacetamide (DMAc), Dimethylformamide (DMF), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), or combinations thereof. 13. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the polymeric solution comprises 5-35% (weight/weight) of the polymer. 14. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the crosslinker comprises 0.1-10% (weight/weight) of the solvent comprising the crosslinker. 15. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the solvent comprises DMSO. 16. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the contacting with the non-solvent solution comprises 30 minutes to 24 hours. 17. The product produced by the process of claim 1 wherein the dense first layer is 10 nm to 10 μm in thickness. 18. A method of making a multi-layer asymmetric membrane comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a polymeric solution comprising one or more polymers, said preparing step includes a condensation reaction of monomers that react with one or more functional groups of the one or more polymers in a first solvent; (b) casting the polymeric solution to form a polymeric film; (c) contacting the polymeric film with a solvent comprising a crosslinker under conditions to form a first layer on a top side of the polymeric film, wherein the first layer is a dense, solvent-resistant first layer being predominantly composed of crosslinked polymeric chains, said contacting step includes immersing the polymeric film for an immersion time of more than 0.1 seconds in a second solvent comprising the crosslinker; and (d) contacting the polymeric film having the dense, solvent-resistant first layer with a non-solvent solution under conditions that form by precipitation a porous second layer on the bottom of the film being composed of predominantly uncrosslinked polymeric chains. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymeric film is 10 microns to 500 microns in thickness. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein said immersion time in step (c) does not extend more than 300 seconds. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the non-solvent solution is water. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymeric solution of step (a) further comprises a first solvent and wherein the second solvent of step (c) is the same as the first solvent. 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker is a bifunctional alkyl halide, a multifunctional alkyl halide, a bifunctional isocyanate, a multifunctional isocyanate a bifunctional acyl chloride, a multifunctional acyl chloride, or any combination thereof. 24. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is the same as Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 25. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is different than Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 26. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker is 1,4-dibromo-p-xylene (DBX), 2,3,6,7,14,15-hexakis (bromomethyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-[1′,2′] benzenoanthracene (Tr-X), or combinations thereof. 27. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more polymers comprise one or more functional groups, wherein one or more of the functional groups crosslink within one minute or less in the presence of the solvent comprising the crosslinker to form the dense first layer. 28. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more polymers comprise polythiosemicarbazide polymer (PTSC), polybenzimidazole polymer (PBI), or combinations thereof. 29. The method of claim 18, wherein the solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Dimethylacetamide (DMAc), Dimethylformamide (DMF), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), or combinations thereof. 30. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymeric solution comprises 5-35% (weight/weight) of the polymer. 31. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises 0.1-10% (weight/weight) of the solvent comprising the crosslinker. 32. The method of claim 18, wherein the solvent comprises DMSO. 33. The method of claim 18, wherein the contacting with the non-solvent solution comprises 30 minutes to 24 hours. 34. The method of claim 18, wherein the dense first layer is 10 nm to 10 μm in thickness. 35. A method of making a multi-layer asymmetric membrane comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing a polymeric solution comprising one or more polymers, said preparing step includes a condensation reaction of monomers that react with one or more functional groups of the one or more polymers in a first solvent; (b) casting the polymeric solution to form a polymeric film being between 10 microns to 500 microns in thickness; (c) contacting the polymeric film with a solvent comprising a crosslinker under conditions to form a first layer on a top side of the polymeric film, wherein the first layer is a dense, solvent-resistant first layer being predominantly composed of crosslinked polymeric chains, said contacting step includes immersing the polymeric film for an immersion time of between 0.1 to 300 seconds in the first solvent comprising the crosslinker; and (d) contacting the polymeric film having the dense, solvent-resistant first layer with a non-solvent aqueous solution under conditions that form by precipitation a porous second layer on the bottom of the film being composed of predominantly uncrosslinked polymeric chains. 36. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker is a bifunctional alkyl halide, a multifunctional alkyl halide, a bifunctional isocyanate, a multifunctional isocyanate a bifunctional acyl chloride, a multifunctional acyl chloride, or any combination thereof. 37. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is the same as Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 38. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula X—R—Y, where X is different than Y, and wherein X or Y is I, Br, Cl, F, CN, COCl, C6H4SO3H, or an epoxy group, and wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety. 39. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker is 1,4-dibromo-p-xylene (DBX), 2,3,6,7,14,15-hexakis (bromomethyl)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-[1′,2′] benzenoanthracene (Tr-X), or combinations thereof. 40. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more polymers comprise one or more functional groups, wherein one or more of the functional groups crosslink within one minute or less in the presence of the solvent comprising the crosslinker to form the dense first layer. 41. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more polymers comprise polythiosemicarbazide polymer (PTSC), polybenzimidazole polymer (PBI), or combinations thereof. 42. The method of claim 18, wherein the first or second solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Dimethylacetamide (DMAc), Dimethylformamide (DMF), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), or combinations thereof. 43. The method of claim 18, wherein the polymeric solution comprises 5-35% (weight/weight) of the polymer. 44. The method of claim 18, wherein the crosslinker comprises 0.1-10% (weight/weight) of the solvent comprising the crosslinker. 45. The method of claim 18, wherein the first or second solvent comprises DMSO. 46. The method of claim 18, wherein the contacting with the non-solvent solution comprises 30 minutes to 24 hours. | 1,700 |
3,545 | 14,791,511 | 1,796 | Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to photovoltaic modules that include high contact angle coatings on one or more outermost major surfaces thereof, and/or associated methods. In certain example embodiments, the high contact angle coatings advantageously reduce the likelihood of electrical losses through parasitic leakage of the electrical current caused by moisture on surfaces of the photovoltaic modules, thereby potentially improving the efficiency of the photovoltaic devices. In certain example embodiments, the high contact angle coatings may be nitrides and/or oxides of or including Si, Ti, Ta, TaCr, NiCr, and/or Cr; hydrophobic DLC; and/or polymer-based coatings. The photovoltaic modules may be substrate-type modules or superstrate-type modules in different example embodiments. | 1-10. (canceled) 11. A method of making a photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
providing a first substrate with a hydrophobic coating disposed thereon; providing a second substrate, either the first substrate or the second substrate supporting a plurality of photovoltaic device layers, the photovoltaic device layers comprising a semiconductor layer sandwiched between first and second electrode layers; connecting the first and second substrates together in substantially parallel spaced apart orientation to one another such that the hydrophobic coating is on an exterior surface of the first substrate, and such that the photovoltaic device layers are located between the first and second substrates; wherein the hydrophobic coating has an initial contact angle of at least 30 degrees. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes is a sputter deposited layer comprising a nitride and/or oxide of or including Si, Ti, Ta, TaCr, NiCr, and/or Cr 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes a layer comprising non-conducting TaNx or TaOxNy. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes a layer comprising diamond-like carbon (DLC). 15. The method of claim 14, removing a protective coating at least initially provided over the DLC in the making of the photovoltaic module, or allowing a protective coating to be removed during subsequent high temperature processes used in the making of the photovoltaic module. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on an exterior surface of the back substrate and is opaque. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on an exterior surface of the front substrate and is transparent. 18. The module of claim 17, further comprising a multilayer antirefleetive (AR) coating comprising, in order moving away from the exterior surface of the front substrate, at least a high index and a low index layer, the hydrophobic coating being located within the multilayer AR coating at a position that corresponds to a refractive index thereof. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating has an initial contact angle of at least 50 degrees. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating has an initial contact angle of at least 70 degrees. 21. A coated article including a glass substrate, wherein:
the glass substrate supports a hydrophobic coating having an initial contact angle of at least 70 degrees on a first major surface thereof; and a second major surface of the substrate, opposite the first major surface, is adapted to support or be in direct or indirect contact with a plurality of thin film layers to be used as at least a part of a solar cell. 22. The coated article of claim 21, comprising means for reducing creep current between first and second electrode layers in order to improve efficiency of the solar cell, the means for reducing creep current including the hydrophobic coating. | Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to photovoltaic modules that include high contact angle coatings on one or more outermost major surfaces thereof, and/or associated methods. In certain example embodiments, the high contact angle coatings advantageously reduce the likelihood of electrical losses through parasitic leakage of the electrical current caused by moisture on surfaces of the photovoltaic modules, thereby potentially improving the efficiency of the photovoltaic devices. In certain example embodiments, the high contact angle coatings may be nitrides and/or oxides of or including Si, Ti, Ta, TaCr, NiCr, and/or Cr; hydrophobic DLC; and/or polymer-based coatings. The photovoltaic modules may be substrate-type modules or superstrate-type modules in different example embodiments.1-10. (canceled) 11. A method of making a photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
providing a first substrate with a hydrophobic coating disposed thereon; providing a second substrate, either the first substrate or the second substrate supporting a plurality of photovoltaic device layers, the photovoltaic device layers comprising a semiconductor layer sandwiched between first and second electrode layers; connecting the first and second substrates together in substantially parallel spaced apart orientation to one another such that the hydrophobic coating is on an exterior surface of the first substrate, and such that the photovoltaic device layers are located between the first and second substrates; wherein the hydrophobic coating has an initial contact angle of at least 30 degrees. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes is a sputter deposited layer comprising a nitride and/or oxide of or including Si, Ti, Ta, TaCr, NiCr, and/or Cr 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes a layer comprising non-conducting TaNx or TaOxNy. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the hydrophobic coating includes a layer comprising diamond-like carbon (DLC). 15. The method of claim 14, removing a protective coating at least initially provided over the DLC in the making of the photovoltaic module, or allowing a protective coating to be removed during subsequent high temperature processes used in the making of the photovoltaic module. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on an exterior surface of the back substrate and is opaque. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating is disposed on an exterior surface of the front substrate and is transparent. 18. The module of claim 17, further comprising a multilayer antirefleetive (AR) coating comprising, in order moving away from the exterior surface of the front substrate, at least a high index and a low index layer, the hydrophobic coating being located within the multilayer AR coating at a position that corresponds to a refractive index thereof. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating has an initial contact angle of at least 50 degrees. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the hydrophobic coating has an initial contact angle of at least 70 degrees. 21. A coated article including a glass substrate, wherein:
the glass substrate supports a hydrophobic coating having an initial contact angle of at least 70 degrees on a first major surface thereof; and a second major surface of the substrate, opposite the first major surface, is adapted to support or be in direct or indirect contact with a plurality of thin film layers to be used as at least a part of a solar cell. 22. The coated article of claim 21, comprising means for reducing creep current between first and second electrode layers in order to improve efficiency of the solar cell, the means for reducing creep current including the hydrophobic coating. | 1,700 |
3,546 | 15,549,878 | 1,735 | The invention discloses a nickel based brazing filler metal in form of an alloy containing or consisting of between 20 wt % and 35 wt % chromium, between 7 wt % and 15 wt % iron and between 2.5 wt % and 9 wt % silicon, between 0 wt % and 15 wt % molybdenum, unavoidable impurities and the balance being nickel. The solidus temperature of the brazing filler shall be between 1140° C. and 1240° C. The brazing filler metal is suitable for production of catalytic converters and heat exchangers.
The invention also discloses a brazing method. | 1. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Chromium (Cr):
20-35
wt %
Iron (Fe):
7-15
wt %
Silicon (Si):
2.5-9
wt %
Molybdenum (Mo):
0-15
wt %
Inevitable impurities
2
wt % max
Balanced with nickel (Ni). 2. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Chromium (Cr):
20-35
wt %
Iron (Fe):
7-15
wt %
Silicon (Si):
2.5-9
wt %
Molybdenum (Mo):
0-15
wt %
Inevitable impurities
2
wt % max, whereof C is below 0.05%
Balanced with nickel
(Ni). 3. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-35
wt %
Fe:
7-15
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
5-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max
Balanced with nickel (Ni). 4. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-35
wt %
Fe:
7-15
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
5-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max, whereof C is below 0.05%
Balanced with nickel
(Ni). 5. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-33
wt %
Fe:
8-12
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
7-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max
Balanced with nickel (Ni). 6. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-35
wt %
Fe:
7-15
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
6-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max
Balanced with nickel (Ni). 7. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-35
wt %
Fe:
7-15
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
6-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max, whereof C is below 0.05%
Balanced with nickel
(Ni). 8. A nickel based brazing filler metal according to claim 1, wherein the metal is present as a powder having mean particle size between 10-150 μm. 9. A brazing filler metal material containing a brazing filler metal according to claim 1, wherein brazing filler material is in form of powder, paste, strip or foil. 10. A method for brazing an article comprising at least two parts of stainless steel, comprising the steps of:
a) applying a brazing filler metal material according to claim 1 to at least one part of stainless steel or to a combination of parts of stainless steel and if applicable assembling parts of stainless steel to an article, b) heating the article to the brazing temperature, a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the brazing filler metal, at least above 1200° C., c) holding the part(s) at the brazing temperature until complete brazing is obtained, d) cooling the brazed parts to a temperature below solidus of the brazed joint, e) cooling the brazed parts from a temperature of at least 1050° C. to 600° C. or below at forced cooling with an inert cooling gas at a pressure of at least 10 bar, f) recovering the article. 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein forced cooling according to step e) is performed from a temperature of at least 1050° C. at a cooling rate of at least 2° C./second to 600° C. or below. 12. A method according to claim 10 wherein the at least one part of stainless steel is a super austenitic stainless steel. 13. Brazed product made according to claim 10. 14. Brazed product according to claim 13 being a heat exchanger. | The invention discloses a nickel based brazing filler metal in form of an alloy containing or consisting of between 20 wt % and 35 wt % chromium, between 7 wt % and 15 wt % iron and between 2.5 wt % and 9 wt % silicon, between 0 wt % and 15 wt % molybdenum, unavoidable impurities and the balance being nickel. The solidus temperature of the brazing filler shall be between 1140° C. and 1240° C. The brazing filler metal is suitable for production of catalytic converters and heat exchangers.
The invention also discloses a brazing method.1. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Chromium (Cr):
20-35
wt %
Iron (Fe):
7-15
wt %
Silicon (Si):
2.5-9
wt %
Molybdenum (Mo):
0-15
wt %
Inevitable impurities
2
wt % max
Balanced with nickel (Ni). 2. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Chromium (Cr):
20-35
wt %
Iron (Fe):
7-15
wt %
Silicon (Si):
2.5-9
wt %
Molybdenum (Mo):
0-15
wt %
Inevitable impurities
2
wt % max, whereof C is below 0.05%
Balanced with nickel
(Ni). 3. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-35
wt %
Fe:
7-15
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
5-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max
Balanced with nickel (Ni). 4. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-35
wt %
Fe:
7-15
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
5-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max, whereof C is below 0.05%
Balanced with nickel
(Ni). 5. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-33
wt %
Fe:
8-12
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
7-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max
Balanced with nickel (Ni). 6. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-35
wt %
Fe:
7-15
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
6-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max
Balanced with nickel (Ni). 7. A nickel based brazing filler metal comprising:
Cr:
25-35
wt %
Fe:
7-15
wt %
Si:
3-8
wt %
Mo:
6-10
wt %
Inevitable impurities
1
wt % max, whereof C is below 0.05%
Balanced with nickel
(Ni). 8. A nickel based brazing filler metal according to claim 1, wherein the metal is present as a powder having mean particle size between 10-150 μm. 9. A brazing filler metal material containing a brazing filler metal according to claim 1, wherein brazing filler material is in form of powder, paste, strip or foil. 10. A method for brazing an article comprising at least two parts of stainless steel, comprising the steps of:
a) applying a brazing filler metal material according to claim 1 to at least one part of stainless steel or to a combination of parts of stainless steel and if applicable assembling parts of stainless steel to an article, b) heating the article to the brazing temperature, a temperature above the liquidus temperature of the brazing filler metal, at least above 1200° C., c) holding the part(s) at the brazing temperature until complete brazing is obtained, d) cooling the brazed parts to a temperature below solidus of the brazed joint, e) cooling the brazed parts from a temperature of at least 1050° C. to 600° C. or below at forced cooling with an inert cooling gas at a pressure of at least 10 bar, f) recovering the article. 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein forced cooling according to step e) is performed from a temperature of at least 1050° C. at a cooling rate of at least 2° C./second to 600° C. or below. 12. A method according to claim 10 wherein the at least one part of stainless steel is a super austenitic stainless steel. 13. Brazed product made according to claim 10. 14. Brazed product according to claim 13 being a heat exchanger. | 1,700 |
3,547 | 15,585,817 | 1,712 | A scratch resistant alkali aluminoborosilicate glass. The glass is chemically strengthened and has a surface layer that is rich in silica with respect to the remainder of the glass article. The chemically strengthened glass is then treated with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid other than hydrofluoric acid, such as, for example, HCl, HNO 3 , H 2 SO 4 , or the like, to selective leach elements from the glass and leave behind a silica-rich surface layer. The silica-rich surface layer improves the Knoop scratch threshold of the ion exchanged glass compared to ion exchanged glass that are not treated with the acid solution as well as the post-scratch retained strength of the glass. | 1.-18. (canceled) 19. A method of improving the scratch resistance of a glass, the method comprising:
a. treating a surface of the glass with an acid at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time; b. removing non-silica components from the surface; and c. forming a porous silica-rich layer on the surface of the glass, wherein the silica-rich layer extends from the surface to a depth of up to about 600 nm into the glass. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising ion exchanging the glass prior to treating the surface with an acid. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the glass article has a compressive layer extending from the depth of the silica-rich layer to a depth of layer of at least about 20 μm, and wherein the compressive layer has a maximum compressive stress of at least about 300 MPa. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the glass article has a Knoop scratch initiation threshold of at least about 12 N. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the glass article has a Vickers crack initiation threshold of at least about 5 kgf. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the glass article comprises an alkali aluminosilicate glass. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the glass article comprises an alkali aluminoborosilicate glass. 26. The method of claim 19, wherein the glass comprises a borosilicate glass. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein forming the porous silica-rich layer comprises treating the surface with at least one mineral acid other than hydrofluoric acid. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one mineral acid comprises at least one of HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4. 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one mineral acid is present in a concentration of at least about 0.02 N. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one mineral acid is present in a concentration in a range from about 0.02N up to about 60 N. 31. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range from about 25° C. up to about 95° C. 32. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined time is in a range from about 1 hour up to about 24 hours. | A scratch resistant alkali aluminoborosilicate glass. The glass is chemically strengthened and has a surface layer that is rich in silica with respect to the remainder of the glass article. The chemically strengthened glass is then treated with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid other than hydrofluoric acid, such as, for example, HCl, HNO 3 , H 2 SO 4 , or the like, to selective leach elements from the glass and leave behind a silica-rich surface layer. The silica-rich surface layer improves the Knoop scratch threshold of the ion exchanged glass compared to ion exchanged glass that are not treated with the acid solution as well as the post-scratch retained strength of the glass.1.-18. (canceled) 19. A method of improving the scratch resistance of a glass, the method comprising:
a. treating a surface of the glass with an acid at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time; b. removing non-silica components from the surface; and c. forming a porous silica-rich layer on the surface of the glass, wherein the silica-rich layer extends from the surface to a depth of up to about 600 nm into the glass. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising ion exchanging the glass prior to treating the surface with an acid. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the glass article has a compressive layer extending from the depth of the silica-rich layer to a depth of layer of at least about 20 μm, and wherein the compressive layer has a maximum compressive stress of at least about 300 MPa. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the glass article has a Knoop scratch initiation threshold of at least about 12 N. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the glass article has a Vickers crack initiation threshold of at least about 5 kgf. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the glass article comprises an alkali aluminosilicate glass. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the glass article comprises an alkali aluminoborosilicate glass. 26. The method of claim 19, wherein the glass comprises a borosilicate glass. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein forming the porous silica-rich layer comprises treating the surface with at least one mineral acid other than hydrofluoric acid. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one mineral acid comprises at least one of HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4. 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one mineral acid is present in a concentration of at least about 0.02 N. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one mineral acid is present in a concentration in a range from about 0.02N up to about 60 N. 31. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range from about 25° C. up to about 95° C. 32. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined time is in a range from about 1 hour up to about 24 hours. | 1,700 |
3,548 | 14,452,681 | 1,783 | Device surfaces are rendered superhydrophobic and/or superoleophobic through microstructures and/or nanostructures that utilize the same base material(s) as the device itself without the need for coatings made from different materials or substances. A medical device includes a portion made from a base material having a surface adapted for contact with biological material, and wherein the surface is modified to become superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, or both, using only the base material, excluding non-material coatings. The surface may be modified using a subtractive process, an additive process, or a combination thereof. The product of the process may form part of an implantable device or a medical instrument, including a medical device or instrument associated with an intraocular procedure. The surface may be modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized pillars, posts, pits or cavitations; hierarchical structures having asperities; or posts/pillars with caps having dimensions greater than the diameters of the posts or pillars. | 1. A medical device, comprising:
a portion made from a base material having a surface adapted for contact with biological material; and wherein the surface is modified to become superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, or both, using only the base material, excluding non-material coatings. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the portion forms part of an implantable device. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the portion forms part of a medical instrument. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is adapted for contact with intraocular material. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized structures or patterns made from the base material. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized pillars, posts, pits or cavitations using only the base material. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized hierarchical structures having asperities. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein:
the surface is modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized posts or pillars having diameters; and including upper caps on the posts or pillars with dimensions greater than the diameters of the posts or pillars. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified using a subtractive process. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified using an additive process. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified using a combination of additive and subtractive processes. 12. A method of modifying a medical device having a surface adapted for contact with biological material, comprising the steps of:
modifying the surface to become superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, or both, using only the base material of the device itself, excluding non-material coatings. 13. The method of claim 12, including the step of modifying the surface to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized structures or patterns made from the base material. 14. The method of claim 12, including the step of modifying the surface to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized pillars, posts, pits or cavitations using only the base material. 15. The method of claim 12, including the step of modifying the surface to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized hierarchical structures having asperities. 16. The method of claim 12, including the steps of:
modifying the surface to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized posts or pillars having diameters; and forming upper caps on the posts or pillars with dimensions greater than the diameters of the posts or pillars. 17. The method of claim 12, including the step of using a subtractive process to modify the surface. 18. The method of claim 12, including the step of using a subtractive process to modify the surface. 19. The method of claim 12, including the step of using a combination of additive and subtractive processes to modify the surface. 20. A product made using the process of claim 12. | Device surfaces are rendered superhydrophobic and/or superoleophobic through microstructures and/or nanostructures that utilize the same base material(s) as the device itself without the need for coatings made from different materials or substances. A medical device includes a portion made from a base material having a surface adapted for contact with biological material, and wherein the surface is modified to become superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, or both, using only the base material, excluding non-material coatings. The surface may be modified using a subtractive process, an additive process, or a combination thereof. The product of the process may form part of an implantable device or a medical instrument, including a medical device or instrument associated with an intraocular procedure. The surface may be modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized pillars, posts, pits or cavitations; hierarchical structures having asperities; or posts/pillars with caps having dimensions greater than the diameters of the posts or pillars.1. A medical device, comprising:
a portion made from a base material having a surface adapted for contact with biological material; and wherein the surface is modified to become superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, or both, using only the base material, excluding non-material coatings. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the portion forms part of an implantable device. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the portion forms part of a medical instrument. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is adapted for contact with intraocular material. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized structures or patterns made from the base material. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized pillars, posts, pits or cavitations using only the base material. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized hierarchical structures having asperities. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein:
the surface is modified to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized posts or pillars having diameters; and including upper caps on the posts or pillars with dimensions greater than the diameters of the posts or pillars. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified using a subtractive process. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified using an additive process. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface is modified using a combination of additive and subtractive processes. 12. A method of modifying a medical device having a surface adapted for contact with biological material, comprising the steps of:
modifying the surface to become superhydrophobic, superoleophobic, or both, using only the base material of the device itself, excluding non-material coatings. 13. The method of claim 12, including the step of modifying the surface to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized structures or patterns made from the base material. 14. The method of claim 12, including the step of modifying the surface to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized pillars, posts, pits or cavitations using only the base material. 15. The method of claim 12, including the step of modifying the surface to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized hierarchical structures having asperities. 16. The method of claim 12, including the steps of:
modifying the surface to include micrometer- or nanometer-sized posts or pillars having diameters; and forming upper caps on the posts or pillars with dimensions greater than the diameters of the posts or pillars. 17. The method of claim 12, including the step of using a subtractive process to modify the surface. 18. The method of claim 12, including the step of using a subtractive process to modify the surface. 19. The method of claim 12, including the step of using a combination of additive and subtractive processes to modify the surface. 20. A product made using the process of claim 12. | 1,700 |
3,549 | 14,234,444 | 1,791 | Based on the idea of using preservatives to prevent putrefaction of by-products during storage and transport, without refrigeration, pressurized application of preservatives as well as pressurized air is used to achieve a nebulisation of the preservatives, as well as a homogeneous distribution thereof on the by-products. This is performed every time by-products are loaded into a hopper, being dosed and applied to the apex of the cone and/or surface of the by-product stored in the hopper, so configured by the stacking of by-products. Furthermore, the storage is performed without loss of leachates, using to this end a sealed airtight hopper. Thus, the efficacy of the preservatives is maximized. Optionally, the preservative may be incorporated during the loading of the by-products, such that when the storage occurs without fluid loss from the by-products, a container that may or may not be airtight may then be used. | 1. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, which, with the purpose of drastically reducing the putrefaction or degradation of such by-products—without applying cold, in particular by adding appropriate preservatives to them—is characterized in that simultaneously with each loading of the products into the collecting silo or container, without grinding, milling or disintegrating such by-products, the preservative is pressure incorporated in an appropriate amount and jointly with pressurized air, in order to obtain a nebulisation of the preservative, with a uniform distribution of the same on each layer of the by-product. 2. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the different loads of by-product into the hopper are performed from a single location or from several, such that the by-products as a whole take within the hopper a cone-like configuration, the nebulised preservative being applied onto the surface of the by-products stored in the holding hopper, in order to contribute to a uniform distribution of the preservative on the by-product. 3. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the loss of exudates is avoided by using airtight hoppers to prevent the loss of preservative being dragged with the exudates. 4. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading of the by-products into the relevant storage container is carried out in an airtight manner based on overflow outlets located in correspondence with the upper half of the height of the holding hopper. 5. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 6. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that during the loading of the by-products into the collecting silo or container, without grinding, milling or disintegration of such by-products, the appropriate amount the preservative is incorporated onto the surface of the by-product. 7. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the preservative dosing may be performed manually or even automatically. 8. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 2, characterized in that the loss of exudates is avoided by using airtight hoppers to prevent the loss of preservative being dragged with the exudates. 9. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 2, characterized in that the loading of the by-products into the relevant storage container is carried out in an airtight manner based on overflow outlets located in correspondence with the upper half of the height of the holding hopper. 10. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 3, characterized in that the loading of the by-products into the relevant storage container is carried out in an airtight manner based on overflow outlets located in correspondence with the upper half of the height of the holding hopper. 11. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 8, characterized in that the loading of the by-products into the relevant storage container is carried out in an airtight manner based on overflow outlets located in correspondence with the upper half of the height of the holding hopper. 12. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 2, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 13. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 3, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 14. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 4, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 15. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 8, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 16. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 9, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 17. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 10, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 18. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 11, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 19. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 2, characterized in that during the loading of the by-products into the collecting silo or container, without grinding, milling or disintegration of such by-products, the appropriate amount the preservative is incorporated onto the surface of the by-product. 20. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 3, characterized in that during the loading of the by-products into the collecting silo or container, without grinding, milling or disintegration of such by-products, the appropriate amount the preservative is incorporated onto the surface of the by-product. | Based on the idea of using preservatives to prevent putrefaction of by-products during storage and transport, without refrigeration, pressurized application of preservatives as well as pressurized air is used to achieve a nebulisation of the preservatives, as well as a homogeneous distribution thereof on the by-products. This is performed every time by-products are loaded into a hopper, being dosed and applied to the apex of the cone and/or surface of the by-product stored in the hopper, so configured by the stacking of by-products. Furthermore, the storage is performed without loss of leachates, using to this end a sealed airtight hopper. Thus, the efficacy of the preservatives is maximized. Optionally, the preservative may be incorporated during the loading of the by-products, such that when the storage occurs without fluid loss from the by-products, a container that may or may not be airtight may then be used.1. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, which, with the purpose of drastically reducing the putrefaction or degradation of such by-products—without applying cold, in particular by adding appropriate preservatives to them—is characterized in that simultaneously with each loading of the products into the collecting silo or container, without grinding, milling or disintegrating such by-products, the preservative is pressure incorporated in an appropriate amount and jointly with pressurized air, in order to obtain a nebulisation of the preservative, with a uniform distribution of the same on each layer of the by-product. 2. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the different loads of by-product into the hopper are performed from a single location or from several, such that the by-products as a whole take within the hopper a cone-like configuration, the nebulised preservative being applied onto the surface of the by-products stored in the holding hopper, in order to contribute to a uniform distribution of the preservative on the by-product. 3. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the loss of exudates is avoided by using airtight hoppers to prevent the loss of preservative being dragged with the exudates. 4. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading of the by-products into the relevant storage container is carried out in an airtight manner based on overflow outlets located in correspondence with the upper half of the height of the holding hopper. 5. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 6. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that during the loading of the by-products into the collecting silo or container, without grinding, milling or disintegration of such by-products, the appropriate amount the preservative is incorporated onto the surface of the by-product. 7. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 1, characterized in that the preservative dosing may be performed manually or even automatically. 8. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 2, characterized in that the loss of exudates is avoided by using airtight hoppers to prevent the loss of preservative being dragged with the exudates. 9. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 2, characterized in that the loading of the by-products into the relevant storage container is carried out in an airtight manner based on overflow outlets located in correspondence with the upper half of the height of the holding hopper. 10. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 3, characterized in that the loading of the by-products into the relevant storage container is carried out in an airtight manner based on overflow outlets located in correspondence with the upper half of the height of the holding hopper. 11. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 8, characterized in that the loading of the by-products into the relevant storage container is carried out in an airtight manner based on overflow outlets located in correspondence with the upper half of the height of the holding hopper. 12. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 2, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 13. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 3, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 14. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 4, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 15. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 8, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 16. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 9, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 17. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 10, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 18. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 11, characterized in that the dosing of the preservative is performed via a remote control system so that the ratio between by-products and preservatives remains within the pre-established limits. 19. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 2, characterized in that during the loading of the by-products into the collecting silo or container, without grinding, milling or disintegration of such by-products, the appropriate amount the preservative is incorporated onto the surface of the by-product. 20. Procedure for the preservation of by-products from the meat industry and other food industries, according to claim 3, characterized in that during the loading of the by-products into the collecting silo or container, without grinding, milling or disintegration of such by-products, the appropriate amount the preservative is incorporated onto the surface of the by-product. | 1,700 |
3,550 | 15,038,297 | 1,774 | A method and apparatus are disclosed for a mixing system with a recirculation pump and a sensor configured to measure a property of a fluid discharged from the recirculation pump, wherein the sensor may transmit the property to a control system to allow an operator to adjust the mixing system in response to changes in the measurement signal. | 1. A method, comprising:
providing a mixing system, comprising:
a recirculation tub;
a recirculation cement mixer fluidly connected to the recirculation tub, wherein the recirculation cement mixer has a recirculation fluid inlet, a water inlet, and a cement powder inlet;
a recirculation pump fluidly connected to the recirculation tub via a recirculation manifold, wherein the recirculation manifold directs fluid towards the recirculation pump;
a recirculation discharge manifold in fluid communication with the recirculation pump and the recirculation fluid inlet, wherein the recirculation pump directs fluid toward the recirculation inlet via the recirculation discharge manifold; and
a sensor attached to the recirculation discharge manifold, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a property of a fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold; and
recirculating the fluid from the recirculation tub to the recirculation fluid inlet through the recirculation pump; measuring the property of the fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold with the sensor; transmitting signal representing the property being measured from the sensor to a control system; and adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an air entrainment sensor, and wherein the property of the fluid being measured comprises an air entrainment measurement. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mixing system is adjusted in response to the measurement signal indicating that the air entrainment is above about 6% 4. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises removing air from the fluid. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises reducing the fluid mixing rate. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises adjusting the fluid agitation speed. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor, and wherein the property of the fluid comprises a pressure measurement. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the mixing system is adjusted in response to the measurement signal indicating that the pressure measurement is outside the range of about 25 psi to about 50 psi. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises removing air from the fluid. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises reducing the fluid mixing rate. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises adjusting the fluid agitation speed. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a cement slurry. 13. A mixing system, comprising:
a recirculation tub; a recirculation cement mixer fluidly connected to the recirculation tub, wherein the recirculation cement mixer has a recirculation fluid inlet, a water inlet, and a cement powder inlet; a recirculation pump fluidly connected to the recirculation tub via a recirculation manifold, wherein the recirculation manifold directs fluid towards the recirculation pump; a recirculation discharge manifold in fluid communication with the recirculation pump and the recirculation fluid inlet, wherein the recirculation pump directs fluid toward the recirculation inlet via the recirculation discharge manifold; a sensor attached to the recirculation discharge manifold, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a property of a fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold; and a control system configured to receive a measurement signal from the sensor 14. The mixing system of claim 13, wherein the sensor comprises an air entrainment sensor. 15. The mixing system of claim 13, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 16. The mixing system of claim 13, wherein the control system receives the measurement signal from the sensor in intervals of about 0.1 seconds and about 10 seconds. 17. A method, comprising:
providing a mixing system, comprising:
a recirculation tub;
a recirculation cement mixer fluidly connected to the recirculation tub, wherein the recirculation cement mixer has a recirculation fluid inlet, a water inlet, and a cement powder inlet;
a recirculation pump fluidly connected to the recirculation tub via a recirculation manifold, wherein the recirculation manifold directs fluid towards the recirculation pump;
a recirculation discharge manifold in fluid communication with the recirculation pump and the recirculation fluid inlet, wherein the recirculation pump directs fluid toward the recirculation inlet via the recirculation discharge manifold; and
a sensor attached to the recirculation discharge manifold, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a property of a fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold; and
recirculating the fluid from the recirculation tub to the recirculation fluid inlet through the recirculation pump; measuring the property of the fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold; transmitting a mixing problem indication signal from the sensor to a control system; and adjusting the mixing system in response to the mixing problem indication signal. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the mixing problem indication signal occurs if an air entrainment measurement of the fluid is above about 6%. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the mixing problem indication signal occurs if a pressure measurement of the fluid out of the range of about 25 psi to about 50 psi. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the mixing problem indication signal comprises removing air from the fluid. | A method and apparatus are disclosed for a mixing system with a recirculation pump and a sensor configured to measure a property of a fluid discharged from the recirculation pump, wherein the sensor may transmit the property to a control system to allow an operator to adjust the mixing system in response to changes in the measurement signal.1. A method, comprising:
providing a mixing system, comprising:
a recirculation tub;
a recirculation cement mixer fluidly connected to the recirculation tub, wherein the recirculation cement mixer has a recirculation fluid inlet, a water inlet, and a cement powder inlet;
a recirculation pump fluidly connected to the recirculation tub via a recirculation manifold, wherein the recirculation manifold directs fluid towards the recirculation pump;
a recirculation discharge manifold in fluid communication with the recirculation pump and the recirculation fluid inlet, wherein the recirculation pump directs fluid toward the recirculation inlet via the recirculation discharge manifold; and
a sensor attached to the recirculation discharge manifold, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a property of a fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold; and
recirculating the fluid from the recirculation tub to the recirculation fluid inlet through the recirculation pump; measuring the property of the fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold with the sensor; transmitting signal representing the property being measured from the sensor to a control system; and adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an air entrainment sensor, and wherein the property of the fluid being measured comprises an air entrainment measurement. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mixing system is adjusted in response to the measurement signal indicating that the air entrainment is above about 6% 4. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises removing air from the fluid. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises reducing the fluid mixing rate. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises adjusting the fluid agitation speed. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor, and wherein the property of the fluid comprises a pressure measurement. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the mixing system is adjusted in response to the measurement signal indicating that the pressure measurement is outside the range of about 25 psi to about 50 psi. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises removing air from the fluid. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises reducing the fluid mixing rate. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the measurement signal comprises adjusting the fluid agitation speed. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a cement slurry. 13. A mixing system, comprising:
a recirculation tub; a recirculation cement mixer fluidly connected to the recirculation tub, wherein the recirculation cement mixer has a recirculation fluid inlet, a water inlet, and a cement powder inlet; a recirculation pump fluidly connected to the recirculation tub via a recirculation manifold, wherein the recirculation manifold directs fluid towards the recirculation pump; a recirculation discharge manifold in fluid communication with the recirculation pump and the recirculation fluid inlet, wherein the recirculation pump directs fluid toward the recirculation inlet via the recirculation discharge manifold; a sensor attached to the recirculation discharge manifold, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a property of a fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold; and a control system configured to receive a measurement signal from the sensor 14. The mixing system of claim 13, wherein the sensor comprises an air entrainment sensor. 15. The mixing system of claim 13, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 16. The mixing system of claim 13, wherein the control system receives the measurement signal from the sensor in intervals of about 0.1 seconds and about 10 seconds. 17. A method, comprising:
providing a mixing system, comprising:
a recirculation tub;
a recirculation cement mixer fluidly connected to the recirculation tub, wherein the recirculation cement mixer has a recirculation fluid inlet, a water inlet, and a cement powder inlet;
a recirculation pump fluidly connected to the recirculation tub via a recirculation manifold, wherein the recirculation manifold directs fluid towards the recirculation pump;
a recirculation discharge manifold in fluid communication with the recirculation pump and the recirculation fluid inlet, wherein the recirculation pump directs fluid toward the recirculation inlet via the recirculation discharge manifold; and
a sensor attached to the recirculation discharge manifold, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a property of a fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold; and
recirculating the fluid from the recirculation tub to the recirculation fluid inlet through the recirculation pump; measuring the property of the fluid in the recirculation discharge manifold; transmitting a mixing problem indication signal from the sensor to a control system; and adjusting the mixing system in response to the mixing problem indication signal. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the mixing problem indication signal occurs if an air entrainment measurement of the fluid is above about 6%. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the mixing problem indication signal occurs if a pressure measurement of the fluid out of the range of about 25 psi to about 50 psi. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting the mixing system in response to the mixing problem indication signal comprises removing air from the fluid. | 1,700 |
3,551 | 14,944,364 | 1,792 | A baking device is provided. The baking device includes a housing enclosing a baking compartment and an air handling compartment, the air handling compartment and the baking compartment being separated by a pressure panel that defines a rear wall of the baking compartment, the pressure panel including an aperture allowing fluid communication between the baking and air handling compartments. A blower wheel is mounted in conjunction with the aperture, such that rotation of the blower wheel urges air movement from the baking compartment and into the air handling compartment. A secondary blower is arranged in fluid communication with the air handling compartment, wherein operation of the secondary blower urges ambient air into the air handling compartment. | 1-12. (canceled) 13. A method of baking a food product, comprising:
receiving an unrisen food product within a baking compartment of a baking device; allowing the unrisen food product to rest within the baking compartment for a time to allow the unrisen food product to rise; operating a secondary blower to inject ambient air into the baking compartment after the time to allow the unrisen food product to rise is complete; and heating the baking compartment to bake the food product. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of operating the secondary blower after the heating step is complete. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of operating the secondary blower until a measured temperature is within a range suitable for receiving another unrisen food product within the baking compartment and to allow the another unrisen food product to rest within the baking compartment for a time to allow the another unrisen food product to rise. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of operating the secondary blower for a predetermined time to allow ambient air urged into the baking compartment to cool the baking compartment such that a measured temperature within the baking compartment is within a range suitable for receiving another unrisen food product within the baking compartment and to allow the another unrisen food product to rest within the baking compartment for a time to allow the another unrisen food product to rise. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the baking device includes a blower wheel that is configured to selectively spray liquid when the blower wheel is rotating, and further comprising the step of spraying liquid from the blower wheel to increase a humidity within the baking compartment. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the baking device includes a blower wheel that is configured to selectively spray liquid when the blower wheel is rotating, and further comprising a step of spraying liquid from the blower wheel completing the step of operating the secondary blower after the heating step is complete. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of operating the blower wheel after the step of heating the baking compartment to bake the food product is complete and after a step of monitoring a removal of the food product from the baking compartment is complete. | A baking device is provided. The baking device includes a housing enclosing a baking compartment and an air handling compartment, the air handling compartment and the baking compartment being separated by a pressure panel that defines a rear wall of the baking compartment, the pressure panel including an aperture allowing fluid communication between the baking and air handling compartments. A blower wheel is mounted in conjunction with the aperture, such that rotation of the blower wheel urges air movement from the baking compartment and into the air handling compartment. A secondary blower is arranged in fluid communication with the air handling compartment, wherein operation of the secondary blower urges ambient air into the air handling compartment.1-12. (canceled) 13. A method of baking a food product, comprising:
receiving an unrisen food product within a baking compartment of a baking device; allowing the unrisen food product to rest within the baking compartment for a time to allow the unrisen food product to rise; operating a secondary blower to inject ambient air into the baking compartment after the time to allow the unrisen food product to rise is complete; and heating the baking compartment to bake the food product. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of operating the secondary blower after the heating step is complete. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of operating the secondary blower until a measured temperature is within a range suitable for receiving another unrisen food product within the baking compartment and to allow the another unrisen food product to rest within the baking compartment for a time to allow the another unrisen food product to rise. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of operating the secondary blower for a predetermined time to allow ambient air urged into the baking compartment to cool the baking compartment such that a measured temperature within the baking compartment is within a range suitable for receiving another unrisen food product within the baking compartment and to allow the another unrisen food product to rest within the baking compartment for a time to allow the another unrisen food product to rise. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the baking device includes a blower wheel that is configured to selectively spray liquid when the blower wheel is rotating, and further comprising the step of spraying liquid from the blower wheel to increase a humidity within the baking compartment. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the baking device includes a blower wheel that is configured to selectively spray liquid when the blower wheel is rotating, and further comprising a step of spraying liquid from the blower wheel completing the step of operating the secondary blower after the heating step is complete. 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of operating the blower wheel after the step of heating the baking compartment to bake the food product is complete and after a step of monitoring a removal of the food product from the baking compartment is complete. | 1,700 |
3,552 | 14,971,063 | 1,795 | An electrochemical half cell comprises:
a housing; a potential sensing element at least arranged on some segments inside the housing that is connected electro-conductively with an electrical contact point outside the housing; an electrolyte arranged inside the housing, wherein a plurality of hollow bodies is embedded in the electrolyte, especially distributed evenly inside the volume filled by the electrolyte. | 1. Electrochemical half cell, comprising:
a housing; a potential sensing element, which is at least partially arranged inside the housing that is connected electro-conductively with an electrical contact point outside the housing; an electrolyte arranged inside the housing, characterized in that a plurality of hollow bodies is embedded in the electrolyte, especially distributed evenly inside the volume filled by the electrolyte. 2. Half cell according to claim 1, wherein the volume taken up in total by the hollow bodies may be between 3 and 50%, preferably between 5 and 10% of the total volume taken up by the electrolyte and the hollow bodies embedded in it. 3. Half cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hollow bodies contained in the half cell feature a size distribution in such a way that the maximum outer diameter of all hollow bodies is in a range of ±5 to ±30% around an average value of the maximum outer diameter of all hollow bodies, especially in a range of ±5 to ±15% of the average value, and that the average value of the maximum outer diameter is a value between 10 nm and 1 mm. 4. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyte is a solution thickened or solidified by means of a thickening agent, especially a polymer, that comprises at least one electrolyte salt. 5. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyte comprises a given halide concentration and/or a pH buffer system. 6. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyte is produced by introducing an electrolyte solution containing monomers, especially thickened by an additive, as well as a plurality of hollow bodies into the housing and by polymerization of the monomers in the housing in order to create a viscous and/or gelled electrolyte. 7. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyte is a bridging electrolyte in contact with another electrolyte, especially a reference electrolyte comprising a given halide concentration. 8. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow bodies have a wall surrounding a gas-filled volume, with said wall being elastic and especially made of a polymer. 9. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises an electrochemical junction arranged in one housing wall, which allows the electrolyte to be in electrolytic contact with a medium found outside the housing. 10. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is closed by means of an adhesive layer or with a separation layer, especially designed as a pane, wherein the volume filled by the electrolyte preferably immediately borders on the adhesive layer or the separation layer. 11. Electrochemical sensor comprising a half cell according to one of claims 1 to 10. 12. Method for producing a half cell, comprising the steps:
provision of a housing; introduction of an electrolyte solution and a plurality of hollow bodies into the housing; and introduction of at least one section of a potential sensing element into the housing. 13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the electrolyte solution includes a thickening agent, especially a polymer and/or one or several polymerizable monomers and/or an interlinkable prepolymer. 14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising:
thickening or solidifying the electrolyte solution contained in the housing, especially by heating and/or irradiating the electrolyte solution, until a thickened, but fluid or a solidified electrolyte is formed of the electrolyte solution into which the hollow bodies are embedded. 15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises an interlinkable prepolymer, and the thickening or solidifying of the electrolyte solution occurs by interlinking the prepolymer, wherein the thickening or solidifying includes heating and/or irradiating the electrolyte solution and adding a crosslinker to the electrolyte solution. 16. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises one or several polymerizable monomers, and the thickening or solidifying of the electrolyte solution occurs by polymerization, wherein the thickening or solidifying includes heating and/or irradiating the electrolyte solution and adding an initiator to the electrolyte solution. 17. Method according to one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the viscosity and/or density of the electrolyte solution is adjusted by means of an additive in terms of mass and geometry, especially diameter, of the hollow bodies that the hollow bodies and the electrolyte solution may not or not significantly segregate during the thickening or solidifying of the electrolyte solution. | An electrochemical half cell comprises:
a housing; a potential sensing element at least arranged on some segments inside the housing that is connected electro-conductively with an electrical contact point outside the housing; an electrolyte arranged inside the housing, wherein a plurality of hollow bodies is embedded in the electrolyte, especially distributed evenly inside the volume filled by the electrolyte.1. Electrochemical half cell, comprising:
a housing; a potential sensing element, which is at least partially arranged inside the housing that is connected electro-conductively with an electrical contact point outside the housing; an electrolyte arranged inside the housing, characterized in that a plurality of hollow bodies is embedded in the electrolyte, especially distributed evenly inside the volume filled by the electrolyte. 2. Half cell according to claim 1, wherein the volume taken up in total by the hollow bodies may be between 3 and 50%, preferably between 5 and 10% of the total volume taken up by the electrolyte and the hollow bodies embedded in it. 3. Half cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hollow bodies contained in the half cell feature a size distribution in such a way that the maximum outer diameter of all hollow bodies is in a range of ±5 to ±30% around an average value of the maximum outer diameter of all hollow bodies, especially in a range of ±5 to ±15% of the average value, and that the average value of the maximum outer diameter is a value between 10 nm and 1 mm. 4. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyte is a solution thickened or solidified by means of a thickening agent, especially a polymer, that comprises at least one electrolyte salt. 5. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyte comprises a given halide concentration and/or a pH buffer system. 6. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyte is produced by introducing an electrolyte solution containing monomers, especially thickened by an additive, as well as a plurality of hollow bodies into the housing and by polymerization of the monomers in the housing in order to create a viscous and/or gelled electrolyte. 7. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyte is a bridging electrolyte in contact with another electrolyte, especially a reference electrolyte comprising a given halide concentration. 8. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow bodies have a wall surrounding a gas-filled volume, with said wall being elastic and especially made of a polymer. 9. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises an electrochemical junction arranged in one housing wall, which allows the electrolyte to be in electrolytic contact with a medium found outside the housing. 10. Half cell according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is closed by means of an adhesive layer or with a separation layer, especially designed as a pane, wherein the volume filled by the electrolyte preferably immediately borders on the adhesive layer or the separation layer. 11. Electrochemical sensor comprising a half cell according to one of claims 1 to 10. 12. Method for producing a half cell, comprising the steps:
provision of a housing; introduction of an electrolyte solution and a plurality of hollow bodies into the housing; and introduction of at least one section of a potential sensing element into the housing. 13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the electrolyte solution includes a thickening agent, especially a polymer and/or one or several polymerizable monomers and/or an interlinkable prepolymer. 14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising:
thickening or solidifying the electrolyte solution contained in the housing, especially by heating and/or irradiating the electrolyte solution, until a thickened, but fluid or a solidified electrolyte is formed of the electrolyte solution into which the hollow bodies are embedded. 15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises an interlinkable prepolymer, and the thickening or solidifying of the electrolyte solution occurs by interlinking the prepolymer, wherein the thickening or solidifying includes heating and/or irradiating the electrolyte solution and adding a crosslinker to the electrolyte solution. 16. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises one or several polymerizable monomers, and the thickening or solidifying of the electrolyte solution occurs by polymerization, wherein the thickening or solidifying includes heating and/or irradiating the electrolyte solution and adding an initiator to the electrolyte solution. 17. Method according to one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the viscosity and/or density of the electrolyte solution is adjusted by means of an additive in terms of mass and geometry, especially diameter, of the hollow bodies that the hollow bodies and the electrolyte solution may not or not significantly segregate during the thickening or solidifying of the electrolyte solution. | 1,700 |
3,553 | 14,048,163 | 1,795 | A wastewater treatment system and method for remediating wastewater and human waste that is self-contained and that has no connection to a municipal wastewater system and no connection to an electrical grid. The domestic toilet and wastewater treatment system can be powered by a photovoltaic panel as a source of electricity. The system includes an electrochemical cell that allows a waste stream to be disinfected in a few hours to a condition where no viable bacterial colonies can be cultured. The system produces a liquid stream that is suitable for system flushing or for uses in which non-potable water is acceptable. The system can generate hydrogen as a product that can be used to generate power. The system can generate nitrate, urea, ammonia and phosphate for use as fertilizer. The disinfected residual organic solids are also completely disinfected for potential use as an organic soil amendment for agriculture. | 1. A self-contained wastewater treatment system lacking a connection to a municipal wastewater treatment system, comprising:
an electrochemical cell having at least one anode and at least one cathode, said electrochemical cell having a liquid input port configured to receive input in liquid form, a liquid output port configured to deliver output in liquid form and a gas output port configured to deliver output in a gaseous form, said electrochemical cell having an anode electrical terminal and a cathode electrical terminal; a gas accumulation device configured to receive and to store gaseous output from said electrochemical cell; a liquid accumulation device configured to receive and to store liquid output from said electrochemical cell; an electrical power source lacking a connection to an electrical grid, said electrical power source configured to provide electrical power to said electrochemical cell by way of said anode electrical terminal and said cathode electrical terminal, said electrical power source having at least one input terminal configured to receive control signals; at least one input port configured to receive as an input stream manmade waste in the form of one or more of urine, feces, and wastewater; a holding tank having a controlled output connection to said liquid input port of said electrochemical cell, said holding tank configured to receive said input stream from said at least one input port, to hold material in said received input stream and to transfer a portion of the material so held for treatment in said electrochemical cell by way of said liquid input port; and a controller having at least one controller input port configured to receive input signals representing one or more of data and instructions, said controller having at least one controller output port configured to provide control signals as output, said controller in communication with and configured to control said electrochemical cell, said gas accumulation device, said liquid accumulation device, said electrical power source and said holding tank. 2. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical cell is an photoelectrochemical cell. 3. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said electrical power source comprises a photovoltaic panel. 4. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said electrical power source comprises a storage battery. 5. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said gas accumulation device is configured to store hydrogen gas. 6. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 5, further comprising a hydrogen-air fuel cell configured to receive hydrogen gas from said gas accumulation device and to supply electricity to said electrical power source. 7. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said controller is a general purpose programmable computer operating under a set of instructions recorded on a machine-readable medium. 8. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises measurement apparatus configured to measure operational parameters of said self-contained wastewater treatment system or of its components. 9. A wastewater treatment process, comprising the steps of:
providing a self-contained wastewater treatment system lacking a connection to a municipal wastewater treatment system, comprising:
an electrochemical cell having at least one anode and at least one cathode, said electrochemical cell having a liquid input port configured to receive input in liquid form, a liquid output port configured to deliver output in liquid form and a gas output port configured to deliver output in a gaseous form, said electrochemical cell having an anode electrical terminal and a cathode electrical terminal;
a gas accumulation device configured to receive and to store gaseous output from said electrochemical cell;
a liquid accumulation device configured to receive and to store liquid output from said electrochemical cell;
an electrical power source lacking a connection to an electrical grid, said electrical power source configured to provide electrical power to said electrochemical cell by way of said anode electrical terminal and said cathode electrical terminal, said electrical power source having at least one input terminal configured to receive control signals;
at least one input port configured to receive as an input stream manmade waste in the form of one or more of urine, feces, and wastewater;
a holding tank having a controlled output connection to said liquid input port of said electrochemical cell, said holding tank configured to receive said input stream from said at least one input port, to hold material in said received input stream and to transfer a portion of the material so held for treatment in said electrochemical cell by way of said liquid input port; and
a controller having at least one controller input port configured to receive input signals representing one or more of data and instructions, said controller having at least one controller output port configured to provide control signals as output, said controller in communication with and configured to control said electrochemical cell, said gas accumulation device, said liquid accumulation device, said electrical power source and said holding tank;
receiving manmade waste in the form of one or more of urine, feces, and wastewater; transferring a portion of said received manmade waste to said electrochemical cell; operating said electrochemical cell to electrochemically treat said manmade waste; and recovering from said electrochemically treated manmade waste at least one of a disinfected liquid waste, a gaseous product and an agricultural fertilizer product, thereby remediating said received manmade waste. 10. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein said wastewater comprises one or more of effluent from bathing and hygiene, food preparation, washing clothing, and washing other possessions. 11. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein a chlorine concentration is controlled in said received manmade waste in said electrochemical cell. 12. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein said electrochemical cell disinfects said received manmade waste by generating reactive chlorine species that reacts with said received manmade waste. 13. The wastewater treatment process of claim 12, wherein said reactive chlorine species is one or more of Cl2, HOCl, ClO−, chlorine radical Cl., and chlorine radical Cl2.. 14. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein said step of operating said electrochemical cell to electrochemically treat said manmade waste results in the generation of hydrogen gas. 15. The wastewater treatment process of claim 14, wherein said hydrogen gas is stored in said gas accumulation device. 16. The wastewater treatment process of claim 14, wherein said hydrogen gas is consumed in a hydrogen-air fuel cell configured to supply electricity to said electrical power source. 17. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein said electrochemical cell further comprises a reference electrode. 18. The wastewater treatment process of claim 17, wherein an operating voltage of said electrochemical cell is controlled. | A wastewater treatment system and method for remediating wastewater and human waste that is self-contained and that has no connection to a municipal wastewater system and no connection to an electrical grid. The domestic toilet and wastewater treatment system can be powered by a photovoltaic panel as a source of electricity. The system includes an electrochemical cell that allows a waste stream to be disinfected in a few hours to a condition where no viable bacterial colonies can be cultured. The system produces a liquid stream that is suitable for system flushing or for uses in which non-potable water is acceptable. The system can generate hydrogen as a product that can be used to generate power. The system can generate nitrate, urea, ammonia and phosphate for use as fertilizer. The disinfected residual organic solids are also completely disinfected for potential use as an organic soil amendment for agriculture.1. A self-contained wastewater treatment system lacking a connection to a municipal wastewater treatment system, comprising:
an electrochemical cell having at least one anode and at least one cathode, said electrochemical cell having a liquid input port configured to receive input in liquid form, a liquid output port configured to deliver output in liquid form and a gas output port configured to deliver output in a gaseous form, said electrochemical cell having an anode electrical terminal and a cathode electrical terminal; a gas accumulation device configured to receive and to store gaseous output from said electrochemical cell; a liquid accumulation device configured to receive and to store liquid output from said electrochemical cell; an electrical power source lacking a connection to an electrical grid, said electrical power source configured to provide electrical power to said electrochemical cell by way of said anode electrical terminal and said cathode electrical terminal, said electrical power source having at least one input terminal configured to receive control signals; at least one input port configured to receive as an input stream manmade waste in the form of one or more of urine, feces, and wastewater; a holding tank having a controlled output connection to said liquid input port of said electrochemical cell, said holding tank configured to receive said input stream from said at least one input port, to hold material in said received input stream and to transfer a portion of the material so held for treatment in said electrochemical cell by way of said liquid input port; and a controller having at least one controller input port configured to receive input signals representing one or more of data and instructions, said controller having at least one controller output port configured to provide control signals as output, said controller in communication with and configured to control said electrochemical cell, said gas accumulation device, said liquid accumulation device, said electrical power source and said holding tank. 2. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said electrochemical cell is an photoelectrochemical cell. 3. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said electrical power source comprises a photovoltaic panel. 4. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said electrical power source comprises a storage battery. 5. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said gas accumulation device is configured to store hydrogen gas. 6. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 5, further comprising a hydrogen-air fuel cell configured to receive hydrogen gas from said gas accumulation device and to supply electricity to said electrical power source. 7. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said controller is a general purpose programmable computer operating under a set of instructions recorded on a machine-readable medium. 8. The self-contained wastewater treatment system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises measurement apparatus configured to measure operational parameters of said self-contained wastewater treatment system or of its components. 9. A wastewater treatment process, comprising the steps of:
providing a self-contained wastewater treatment system lacking a connection to a municipal wastewater treatment system, comprising:
an electrochemical cell having at least one anode and at least one cathode, said electrochemical cell having a liquid input port configured to receive input in liquid form, a liquid output port configured to deliver output in liquid form and a gas output port configured to deliver output in a gaseous form, said electrochemical cell having an anode electrical terminal and a cathode electrical terminal;
a gas accumulation device configured to receive and to store gaseous output from said electrochemical cell;
a liquid accumulation device configured to receive and to store liquid output from said electrochemical cell;
an electrical power source lacking a connection to an electrical grid, said electrical power source configured to provide electrical power to said electrochemical cell by way of said anode electrical terminal and said cathode electrical terminal, said electrical power source having at least one input terminal configured to receive control signals;
at least one input port configured to receive as an input stream manmade waste in the form of one or more of urine, feces, and wastewater;
a holding tank having a controlled output connection to said liquid input port of said electrochemical cell, said holding tank configured to receive said input stream from said at least one input port, to hold material in said received input stream and to transfer a portion of the material so held for treatment in said electrochemical cell by way of said liquid input port; and
a controller having at least one controller input port configured to receive input signals representing one or more of data and instructions, said controller having at least one controller output port configured to provide control signals as output, said controller in communication with and configured to control said electrochemical cell, said gas accumulation device, said liquid accumulation device, said electrical power source and said holding tank;
receiving manmade waste in the form of one or more of urine, feces, and wastewater; transferring a portion of said received manmade waste to said electrochemical cell; operating said electrochemical cell to electrochemically treat said manmade waste; and recovering from said electrochemically treated manmade waste at least one of a disinfected liquid waste, a gaseous product and an agricultural fertilizer product, thereby remediating said received manmade waste. 10. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein said wastewater comprises one or more of effluent from bathing and hygiene, food preparation, washing clothing, and washing other possessions. 11. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein a chlorine concentration is controlled in said received manmade waste in said electrochemical cell. 12. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein said electrochemical cell disinfects said received manmade waste by generating reactive chlorine species that reacts with said received manmade waste. 13. The wastewater treatment process of claim 12, wherein said reactive chlorine species is one or more of Cl2, HOCl, ClO−, chlorine radical Cl., and chlorine radical Cl2.. 14. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein said step of operating said electrochemical cell to electrochemically treat said manmade waste results in the generation of hydrogen gas. 15. The wastewater treatment process of claim 14, wherein said hydrogen gas is stored in said gas accumulation device. 16. The wastewater treatment process of claim 14, wherein said hydrogen gas is consumed in a hydrogen-air fuel cell configured to supply electricity to said electrical power source. 17. The wastewater treatment process of claim 9, wherein said electrochemical cell further comprises a reference electrode. 18. The wastewater treatment process of claim 17, wherein an operating voltage of said electrochemical cell is controlled. | 1,700 |
3,554 | 15,509,468 | 1,745 | The present disclosure relates to a surface-modifiable injection-molded body comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix and second polymer material at least in parts, in which the polymer matrix and the second polymer material have different weight average molecular weights and polarities, and the second polymer material is an adhesive. The present disclosure also relates to a method for its production. | 1-11. (canceled) 12. A surface-modifiable injection-molded body, comprising:
a surface having a first surface tension; a thermoplastic polymer matrix having a first weight average molecular weight and a first polarity; and a second polymer material at least in regions of the injection-molded body, the second polymer material having a second weight average molecular weight that is lower than the first weight average molecular weight and a second polarity that is higher than the first polarity, wherein the second polymer material is configured to function as an adhesive; wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix and the second polymer material are configured to at least partly enter into a phase separation when exposed to heat, the second polymer material accumulating on the surface of the injection-molded body, the surface having a second surface tension greater than the first surface tension. 13. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), or mixtures thereof. 14. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix is one of fiber-reinforced or unreinforced. 15. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the second polymer material is a functionalized thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (POE), an olefin block copolymer (OBC), or a mixture thereof. 16. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the second polymer material is capable of being melted and re-solidified. 17. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to one of claim 1, wherein the injection-molded body contains a 5-40% proportion by mass of the second polymer material. 18. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the injection-molded body contains a 10-30% or 10-25% proportion by mass of the second polymer material. 19. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the second polymer material has an average molecular weight of 11,000 to 37,000 g/mol. 20. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the thermoplastic polymer matrix or the second polymer material comprises additives configured to being coupled by microwave treatment. 21. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 20, wherein the additives comprise at least one of carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, or graphene. 22. A method for the production of a surface-modified molded body, the method comprising:
providing a mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix and a second polymer material, the thermoplastic polymer matrix having a first weight average molecular weight and a first polarity and the second polymer material having a second weight average molecular weight that is lower than the first weight average molecular weight and a second polarity that is higher than the first polarity, wherein the second polymer material is configured to function as an adhesive; injection molding the mixture into an injection-molding tool to form an injection-molded body, the thermoplastic polymer matrix and the second polymer material being statistically distributed in the mixture; removing the molded body from the injection-molding tool; melting and re-solidifying the injection-molded body, the thermoplastic polymer matrix and the second polymer material at least partly entering into a phase separation such that the second polymer material accumulates on a surface of the injection-molded body; and adhering the injection-molded body to a first component, the second polymer material bonding the injection-molded body to the first component. 23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:
heating and cooling the injection-molded body at least in parts under gradient control to selectively accumulate the second polymer material on at least part of a predetermined surface of the injection-molded body. 24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:
heating and cooling the injection-molded body at least in parts under gradient control to selectively accumulate the second polymer material on a visible surface of the injection-molded body; and adhering the visible surface of the injection-molded body to a flat decor part. 25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), or mixtures thereof. 26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix is one of fiber-reinforced or unreinforced. 27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second polymer material is a functionalized thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (POE), an olefin block copolymer (OBC) or a mixture thereof. 28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the injection-molded body contains a 5-40% proportion by mass of the second polymer material. 29. The method according to claim 22, wherein the injection-molded body contains a 10-30% or 10-25% proportion by mass of the second polymer material. 30. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second polymer material has an average molecular weight of 11,000 to 37,000 g/mol. | The present disclosure relates to a surface-modifiable injection-molded body comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix and second polymer material at least in parts, in which the polymer matrix and the second polymer material have different weight average molecular weights and polarities, and the second polymer material is an adhesive. The present disclosure also relates to a method for its production.1-11. (canceled) 12. A surface-modifiable injection-molded body, comprising:
a surface having a first surface tension; a thermoplastic polymer matrix having a first weight average molecular weight and a first polarity; and a second polymer material at least in regions of the injection-molded body, the second polymer material having a second weight average molecular weight that is lower than the first weight average molecular weight and a second polarity that is higher than the first polarity, wherein the second polymer material is configured to function as an adhesive; wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix and the second polymer material are configured to at least partly enter into a phase separation when exposed to heat, the second polymer material accumulating on the surface of the injection-molded body, the surface having a second surface tension greater than the first surface tension. 13. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), or mixtures thereof. 14. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix is one of fiber-reinforced or unreinforced. 15. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the second polymer material is a functionalized thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (POE), an olefin block copolymer (OBC), or a mixture thereof. 16. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the second polymer material is capable of being melted and re-solidified. 17. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to one of claim 1, wherein the injection-molded body contains a 5-40% proportion by mass of the second polymer material. 18. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the injection-molded body contains a 10-30% or 10-25% proportion by mass of the second polymer material. 19. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein the second polymer material has an average molecular weight of 11,000 to 37,000 g/mol. 20. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the thermoplastic polymer matrix or the second polymer material comprises additives configured to being coupled by microwave treatment. 21. The surface-modifiable injection-molded body according to claim 20, wherein the additives comprise at least one of carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, or graphene. 22. A method for the production of a surface-modified molded body, the method comprising:
providing a mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix and a second polymer material, the thermoplastic polymer matrix having a first weight average molecular weight and a first polarity and the second polymer material having a second weight average molecular weight that is lower than the first weight average molecular weight and a second polarity that is higher than the first polarity, wherein the second polymer material is configured to function as an adhesive; injection molding the mixture into an injection-molding tool to form an injection-molded body, the thermoplastic polymer matrix and the second polymer material being statistically distributed in the mixture; removing the molded body from the injection-molding tool; melting and re-solidifying the injection-molded body, the thermoplastic polymer matrix and the second polymer material at least partly entering into a phase separation such that the second polymer material accumulates on a surface of the injection-molded body; and adhering the injection-molded body to a first component, the second polymer material bonding the injection-molded body to the first component. 23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:
heating and cooling the injection-molded body at least in parts under gradient control to selectively accumulate the second polymer material on at least part of a predetermined surface of the injection-molded body. 24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:
heating and cooling the injection-molded body at least in parts under gradient control to selectively accumulate the second polymer material on a visible surface of the injection-molded body; and adhering the visible surface of the injection-molded body to a flat decor part. 25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), or mixtures thereof. 26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the thermoplastic polymer matrix is one of fiber-reinforced or unreinforced. 27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second polymer material is a functionalized thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (POE), an olefin block copolymer (OBC) or a mixture thereof. 28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the injection-molded body contains a 5-40% proportion by mass of the second polymer material. 29. The method according to claim 22, wherein the injection-molded body contains a 10-30% or 10-25% proportion by mass of the second polymer material. 30. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second polymer material has an average molecular weight of 11,000 to 37,000 g/mol. | 1,700 |
3,555 | 13,812,359 | 1,787 | A thermoplastic polymer composition which is excellent in flexibility, mechanical properties, and moldability, capable of adhering to ceramics, metals, and synthetic resins without a treatment with a primer, and exhibits a high adhesion strength even when exposed to a high temperature environment, and a molded product obtained by using the thermoplastic polymer composition. The thermoplastic polymer composition includes 100 parts by mass of a thermoplastic elastomer (A), 1 to 100 parts by mass of a polyvinyl acetal resin (B), and 0.1 to 300 parts by mass a softener (C). The thermoplastic elastomer (A) is a block copolymer including a polymer block constituted by aromatic vinyl compound units and a polymer block constituted by conjugated diene units or a hydrogenated product of the block copolymer. The polyvinyl acetal resin (B) has a glass transition temperature of 80 to 130° C. | 1: A thermoplastic polymer composition, comprising:
100 parts by mass of a thermoplastic elastomer; from 1 to 100 parts by mass of a polyvinyl acetal resin having a glass transition temperature of from 80 to 130° C.; and from 0.1 to 300 parts by mass of a softener; wherein the thermoplastic elastomer (A) is a block copolymer comprising a polymer block comprising aromatic vinyl compound units and a polymer block comprising conjugated diene units or the thermoplastic elastomer is a hydrogenated product of the block copolymer. 2: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, further comprising from 0.1 to 20 parts by mass of a compatibilizer. 3: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 2, comprising;
100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic elastomer; from 10 to 70 parts by mass of the polyvinyl acetal resin; from 1 to 200 parts by mass of the softener; and from 0.1 to 17 parts by mass of the compatibilizer. 4: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin is obtained by a process comprising acetalizing a polyvinyl alcohol with an aldehyde having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. 5: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 4, wherein the acetalizing the polyvinyl alcohol further comprises combinedly acetalizing with an aldehyde having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms. 6: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 5, wherein the aldehyde having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms is acetaldehyde and the aldehyde having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms is n-butyl aldehyde. 7: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 5, wherein a molar ratio of the aldehyde having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms to the aldehyde having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms is from 40/60 to 80/20. 8: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin is obtained by a process comprising acetalizing a polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of from 100 to 4,000 to a degree of acetalization of from 55 to 88% by mole. 9: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 2,
wherein the compatibilizer is a random copolymer of a non-polar polymerizable monomer and a polar polymerizable monomer, a block copolymer comprising a non-polar polymer block and a polar polymer block, or a graft copolymer comprising a non-polar polymer block and a polar polymer block. 10: A molded product comprising the thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1. 11: The molded product of claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic polymer composition is adhered to at least one material selected from the group consisting of a ceramic, a metal, and a synthetic resin. 12: The molded product of claim 10, wherein at least two materials selected from the group consisting of a ceramic, a metal, and a synthetic resin are adhered to each other by the thermoplastic polymer composition. 13: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer block comprises aromatic vinyl compound units comprises styrene, α-methylstyrene, 2-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 4-propylstyrene, 4-cyclohexylstyrene, 4-dodecylstyrene, 2-ethyl-4-benzylstyrene, 4-(phenylbutyl)styrene, 1-vinylnaphthalene, or 2-vinylnaphthalene. 14: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer block comprises conjugated diene units 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, or 1,3-hexadiene. 15: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin has a glass transition temperature of from 80 to 110° C. 16: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 2, comprising from 1 to 15 parts by mass of a compatibilizer. 17: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 8, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin is obtained by a process comprising acetalizing the polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of from 250 to 2,500 to a degree of acetalization of from 55 to 88% by mole. 18: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 8, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin is obtained by a process comprising acetalizing the polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of from 100 to 4,000 to a degree of acetalization of from 72 to 85% by mole. | A thermoplastic polymer composition which is excellent in flexibility, mechanical properties, and moldability, capable of adhering to ceramics, metals, and synthetic resins without a treatment with a primer, and exhibits a high adhesion strength even when exposed to a high temperature environment, and a molded product obtained by using the thermoplastic polymer composition. The thermoplastic polymer composition includes 100 parts by mass of a thermoplastic elastomer (A), 1 to 100 parts by mass of a polyvinyl acetal resin (B), and 0.1 to 300 parts by mass a softener (C). The thermoplastic elastomer (A) is a block copolymer including a polymer block constituted by aromatic vinyl compound units and a polymer block constituted by conjugated diene units or a hydrogenated product of the block copolymer. The polyvinyl acetal resin (B) has a glass transition temperature of 80 to 130° C.1: A thermoplastic polymer composition, comprising:
100 parts by mass of a thermoplastic elastomer; from 1 to 100 parts by mass of a polyvinyl acetal resin having a glass transition temperature of from 80 to 130° C.; and from 0.1 to 300 parts by mass of a softener; wherein the thermoplastic elastomer (A) is a block copolymer comprising a polymer block comprising aromatic vinyl compound units and a polymer block comprising conjugated diene units or the thermoplastic elastomer is a hydrogenated product of the block copolymer. 2: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, further comprising from 0.1 to 20 parts by mass of a compatibilizer. 3: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 2, comprising;
100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic elastomer; from 10 to 70 parts by mass of the polyvinyl acetal resin; from 1 to 200 parts by mass of the softener; and from 0.1 to 17 parts by mass of the compatibilizer. 4: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin is obtained by a process comprising acetalizing a polyvinyl alcohol with an aldehyde having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. 5: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 4, wherein the acetalizing the polyvinyl alcohol further comprises combinedly acetalizing with an aldehyde having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms. 6: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 5, wherein the aldehyde having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms is acetaldehyde and the aldehyde having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms is n-butyl aldehyde. 7: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 5, wherein a molar ratio of the aldehyde having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms to the aldehyde having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms is from 40/60 to 80/20. 8: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin is obtained by a process comprising acetalizing a polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of from 100 to 4,000 to a degree of acetalization of from 55 to 88% by mole. 9: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 2,
wherein the compatibilizer is a random copolymer of a non-polar polymerizable monomer and a polar polymerizable monomer, a block copolymer comprising a non-polar polymer block and a polar polymer block, or a graft copolymer comprising a non-polar polymer block and a polar polymer block. 10: A molded product comprising the thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1. 11: The molded product of claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic polymer composition is adhered to at least one material selected from the group consisting of a ceramic, a metal, and a synthetic resin. 12: The molded product of claim 10, wherein at least two materials selected from the group consisting of a ceramic, a metal, and a synthetic resin are adhered to each other by the thermoplastic polymer composition. 13: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer block comprises aromatic vinyl compound units comprises styrene, α-methylstyrene, 2-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 4-propylstyrene, 4-cyclohexylstyrene, 4-dodecylstyrene, 2-ethyl-4-benzylstyrene, 4-(phenylbutyl)styrene, 1-vinylnaphthalene, or 2-vinylnaphthalene. 14: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer block comprises conjugated diene units 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, or 1,3-hexadiene. 15: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin has a glass transition temperature of from 80 to 110° C. 16: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 2, comprising from 1 to 15 parts by mass of a compatibilizer. 17: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 8, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin is obtained by a process comprising acetalizing the polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of from 250 to 2,500 to a degree of acetalization of from 55 to 88% by mole. 18: The thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 8, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin is obtained by a process comprising acetalizing the polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of from 100 to 4,000 to a degree of acetalization of from 72 to 85% by mole. | 1,700 |
3,556 | 14,649,444 | 1,793 | Process for continuous inoculation of a food product, in particular a dairy product, with ferments, wherein: frozen concentrated ferments are thawed by means of a microwave device or a water bath thawing device acting on a container containing frozen concentrated ferments, the thawed concentrated ferments are container continuously injected, from the container, into a flow of liquid to be inoculated. | 1. Process for continuous inoculation of a food product, in particular a dairy product, with ferments, characterized by the following steps:
frozen concentrated ferments are thawed by means of a microwave device or a water bath thawing device acting on a container containing frozen concentrated ferments (E05), the thawed concentrated ferments are continuously injected, from the container, into a flow of liquid to be inoculated (E07, E08). 2. Process for continuous inoculation of a food product with ferments according to claim 1, wherein the container containing the frozen concentrated ferments is stored at a temperature of from −20 to −70° C. prior to thawing thereof (E03). 3. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the container is continuously weighed in order to determine, during emptying, the remaining volume in the container weighed (E09, E10). 4. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the injection is carried out via means of connection, which are changed according to the ferments used. 5. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the container is placed in an inoculation chamber at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. 6. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein several containers are placed in parallel arrangement, one of them being emptied while at least one other is on standby. 7. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate of the ferments injected in liquid form is regulated. 8. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the thawing time of the frozen concentrated ferments using the water bath thawing device is from 15 to 300 minutes. 9. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the water bath temperature in the water bath thawing device is from 15° C. to 45° C. 10. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the thawing time of the frozen concentrated ferments using the microwave device is from 10 to 60 minutes. 11. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the frozen concentrated ferments are stirred during the thawing. 12. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the thawed liquid ferments are maintained at a temperature ranging from 2 to 12° C. 13. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the thawed liquid ferments are homogenized during emptying. 14. Process for inoculating according to claim 1, wherein the homogenization comprises blending. 15. Equipment (1) for continuous inoculation of ferments into a liquid to be inoculated, the ferments originating from frozen concentrated ferments, comprising a chamber (2, 20) for thawing a container comprising frozen concentrated ferments (Cfc), said chamber comprising a microwave device or a water bath thawing device, an inoculation chamber (3) provided with support means (4) for installing at least two containers of thawed ferments (Cfc1 and Cfc2) and with at least one weighing device (5) capable of continuously determining the remaining volume in the container being emptied, the equipment (1) also comprising an injection circuit (7) connecting the containers (Cfc1 and Cfc2) to a circuit (10) for continuous feeding of the liquid to be inoculated, the injection circuit (7) comprising a valve (8) enabling the switching from one container (Cfc1) to another container (Cfc2) and means (9) for regulating the flow rate of the ferments in liquid form. 16. Equipment according to claim 15, wherein said thawing chamber (2) comprises means for stirring the container (Cfc) that are capable of evenly distributing the heat during the thawing. 17. Equipment according to claim 15, wherein said inoculation chamber (3) comprises refrigeration means and means for maintaining the pressure above atmospheric pressure. 18. Equipment according to claim 15, wherein said inoculation chamber (3) comprises means (6) for homogenization of at least one container. | Process for continuous inoculation of a food product, in particular a dairy product, with ferments, wherein: frozen concentrated ferments are thawed by means of a microwave device or a water bath thawing device acting on a container containing frozen concentrated ferments, the thawed concentrated ferments are container continuously injected, from the container, into a flow of liquid to be inoculated.1. Process for continuous inoculation of a food product, in particular a dairy product, with ferments, characterized by the following steps:
frozen concentrated ferments are thawed by means of a microwave device or a water bath thawing device acting on a container containing frozen concentrated ferments (E05), the thawed concentrated ferments are continuously injected, from the container, into a flow of liquid to be inoculated (E07, E08). 2. Process for continuous inoculation of a food product with ferments according to claim 1, wherein the container containing the frozen concentrated ferments is stored at a temperature of from −20 to −70° C. prior to thawing thereof (E03). 3. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the container is continuously weighed in order to determine, during emptying, the remaining volume in the container weighed (E09, E10). 4. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the injection is carried out via means of connection, which are changed according to the ferments used. 5. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the container is placed in an inoculation chamber at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. 6. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein several containers are placed in parallel arrangement, one of them being emptied while at least one other is on standby. 7. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate of the ferments injected in liquid form is regulated. 8. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the thawing time of the frozen concentrated ferments using the water bath thawing device is from 15 to 300 minutes. 9. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the water bath temperature in the water bath thawing device is from 15° C. to 45° C. 10. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the thawing time of the frozen concentrated ferments using the microwave device is from 10 to 60 minutes. 11. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the frozen concentrated ferments are stirred during the thawing. 12. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the thawed liquid ferments are maintained at a temperature ranging from 2 to 12° C. 13. Process for inoculation according to claim 1, wherein the thawed liquid ferments are homogenized during emptying. 14. Process for inoculating according to claim 1, wherein the homogenization comprises blending. 15. Equipment (1) for continuous inoculation of ferments into a liquid to be inoculated, the ferments originating from frozen concentrated ferments, comprising a chamber (2, 20) for thawing a container comprising frozen concentrated ferments (Cfc), said chamber comprising a microwave device or a water bath thawing device, an inoculation chamber (3) provided with support means (4) for installing at least two containers of thawed ferments (Cfc1 and Cfc2) and with at least one weighing device (5) capable of continuously determining the remaining volume in the container being emptied, the equipment (1) also comprising an injection circuit (7) connecting the containers (Cfc1 and Cfc2) to a circuit (10) for continuous feeding of the liquid to be inoculated, the injection circuit (7) comprising a valve (8) enabling the switching from one container (Cfc1) to another container (Cfc2) and means (9) for regulating the flow rate of the ferments in liquid form. 16. Equipment according to claim 15, wherein said thawing chamber (2) comprises means for stirring the container (Cfc) that are capable of evenly distributing the heat during the thawing. 17. Equipment according to claim 15, wherein said inoculation chamber (3) comprises refrigeration means and means for maintaining the pressure above atmospheric pressure. 18. Equipment according to claim 15, wherein said inoculation chamber (3) comprises means (6) for homogenization of at least one container. | 1,700 |
3,557 | 14,427,338 | 1,711 | A flat mop cover for mop-cover holder, where the flat mop cover comprises an elongate basic body. The basic body has a first elongate surface and a second elongate surface, which lie opposite one another. At least one foam-material layer is disposed between the elongate surfaces, and the two elongate surfaces are each configured to be cleaning surfaces. The two elongate surfaces are disposed such that a plate-shaped carrying element of a mop-cover holder is configured to be disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the two surfaces. The basic body is configured to absorb in a reversible manner at least four times, and at most twenty times, its dry weight in liquid, and wherein the foam-material layer has no fibers. | 1. A flat mop cover for mop-cover holder, the flat mop cover comprising:
an elongate basic body, wherein the basic body has a first elongate surface and a second elongate surface, which lie opposite one another, wherein at least one foam-material layer is disposed between the elongate surfaces, and wherein the two elongate surfaces are each configured to be cleaning surfaces and disposed such that a plate-shaped carrying element of a mop-cover holder is configured to be disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the two surfaces, wherein the basic body is configured to absorb in a reversible manner at least four times, and at most twenty times, its dry weight in liquid, and wherein the foam-material layer has no fibers. 2. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the foam-material layer is continuous over the surface area of the foam-material layer. 3. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the basic body has at least one inner foam-material layer, wherein an outer side of the at least one inner foam-material layer is connected to at least one enveloping layer by stitch bonding. 4. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the basic body has at least one inner foam-material layer, wherein at least one enveloping layer is laminated on the outer side of the at least one inner foam-material layer. 5. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the basic body has at least one inner foam-material layer, wherein at least one enveloping layer is drawn onto the outer side of the least one inner foam material layer. 6. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the foam-material layer has a thickness in a range from 5 mm to 15 mm. 7. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein each elongate surface has in each case at least a part of the foam-material layer, directed at least one of towards the respective elongate surface or assigned to the respective elongate surface. 8. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the two elongate surfaces accommodate between them a pocket for accommodating a carrying element. 9. A mop-cover holder having a flat mop cover the flat mop cover comprising:
an elongated basic body, wherein the basic body has a first elongate surface and a second elongate surface, which lie opposite one another, wherein at least one foam-material layer is disposed between the elongate surfaces, and wherein the two elongate surfaces are each configured to be cleaning surfaces and disposed such that a plate-shaped carrying element of a mop-cover holder is configured to be disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the two surfaces, wherein the basic body is configured to absorb in a reversible manner at least four times, and at most twenty times, its dry weight in liquid and wherein the foam-material layer has no fibers. 10. A method of cleaning a clean room, the method comprising:
using a flat mop cover comprising:
an elongate basic body, wherein the basic body has a first elongate surface and a second elongate surface, which lie opposite one another, wherein at least one foam-material layer is disposed between the elongate surfaces, and wherein the two elongate surfaces are each configured to be cleaning surfaces and disposed such that a plate-shaped carrying element of a mop-cover holder is configured to be disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the two surfaces,
wherein the basic body is configured to absorb in a reversible manner at least four times, and at most twenty times, its dry weigh in liquid, and wherein the foam material layer has no fibers. | A flat mop cover for mop-cover holder, where the flat mop cover comprises an elongate basic body. The basic body has a first elongate surface and a second elongate surface, which lie opposite one another. At least one foam-material layer is disposed between the elongate surfaces, and the two elongate surfaces are each configured to be cleaning surfaces. The two elongate surfaces are disposed such that a plate-shaped carrying element of a mop-cover holder is configured to be disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the two surfaces. The basic body is configured to absorb in a reversible manner at least four times, and at most twenty times, its dry weight in liquid, and wherein the foam-material layer has no fibers.1. A flat mop cover for mop-cover holder, the flat mop cover comprising:
an elongate basic body, wherein the basic body has a first elongate surface and a second elongate surface, which lie opposite one another, wherein at least one foam-material layer is disposed between the elongate surfaces, and wherein the two elongate surfaces are each configured to be cleaning surfaces and disposed such that a plate-shaped carrying element of a mop-cover holder is configured to be disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the two surfaces, wherein the basic body is configured to absorb in a reversible manner at least four times, and at most twenty times, its dry weight in liquid, and wherein the foam-material layer has no fibers. 2. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the foam-material layer is continuous over the surface area of the foam-material layer. 3. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the basic body has at least one inner foam-material layer, wherein an outer side of the at least one inner foam-material layer is connected to at least one enveloping layer by stitch bonding. 4. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the basic body has at least one inner foam-material layer, wherein at least one enveloping layer is laminated on the outer side of the at least one inner foam-material layer. 5. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the basic body has at least one inner foam-material layer, wherein at least one enveloping layer is drawn onto the outer side of the least one inner foam material layer. 6. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the foam-material layer has a thickness in a range from 5 mm to 15 mm. 7. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein each elongate surface has in each case at least a part of the foam-material layer, directed at least one of towards the respective elongate surface or assigned to the respective elongate surface. 8. The flat mop cover according to claim 1, wherein the two elongate surfaces accommodate between them a pocket for accommodating a carrying element. 9. A mop-cover holder having a flat mop cover the flat mop cover comprising:
an elongated basic body, wherein the basic body has a first elongate surface and a second elongate surface, which lie opposite one another, wherein at least one foam-material layer is disposed between the elongate surfaces, and wherein the two elongate surfaces are each configured to be cleaning surfaces and disposed such that a plate-shaped carrying element of a mop-cover holder is configured to be disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the two surfaces, wherein the basic body is configured to absorb in a reversible manner at least four times, and at most twenty times, its dry weight in liquid and wherein the foam-material layer has no fibers. 10. A method of cleaning a clean room, the method comprising:
using a flat mop cover comprising:
an elongate basic body, wherein the basic body has a first elongate surface and a second elongate surface, which lie opposite one another, wherein at least one foam-material layer is disposed between the elongate surfaces, and wherein the two elongate surfaces are each configured to be cleaning surfaces and disposed such that a plate-shaped carrying element of a mop-cover holder is configured to be disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the two surfaces,
wherein the basic body is configured to absorb in a reversible manner at least four times, and at most twenty times, its dry weigh in liquid, and wherein the foam material layer has no fibers. | 1,700 |
3,558 | 13,666,781 | 1,773 | A capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals has a capsule body, including a surface layer and ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. An ion exchange media is created by encapsulating liquid ion exchange chemicals inside a polymer coat making small beads which behave as solids but have much higher exchange capacity. The improved capacity is up to twice that of existing media. | 1. A capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, comprising:
a capsule body, including a surface layer, and ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. 2. The capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 1 wherein said surface layer is made of a porous solid. 3. The capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 1 wherein said surface layer is made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon. 4. The capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 1 wherein said ion exchange chemicals are liquid. 5. A capsule apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, comprising:
capsule body means for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, surface layer means for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, and ion exchange chemical means encapsulated within said surface layer. 6. The capsule apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 5 wherein said surface layer means is a porous solid. 7. The capsule apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 5 wherein said surface layer means is made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon. 8. The capsule apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 5 wherein said ion exchange chemical means are liquid chemicals. 9. An apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, comprising:
microcapsules having a capsule body, each of said microcapsules having a surface layer, and ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. 10. The An apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 9 wherein said surface layer is made of a porous solid. 11. The An apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 9 wherein said surface layer is made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon. 12. The An apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 9 wherein said ion exchange chemicals are liquid. 13. A method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals, comprising the steps of:
providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer, and processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. 14. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon. 15. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with liquid ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. 16. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules comprises directing the fluid onto said capsules. 17. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules comprises directing said capsules onto the fluid. 18. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules comprises directing the fluid into a column containing said capsules. 19. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein the method is a method of water softening and wherein said step of providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with sequestration or chelating agents encapsulated within said surface layer; and wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with sequestration or chelating agents encapsulated within said surface layer for water softening. 20. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein the method is a method of softening of beet sugar juices before evaporation, colour removal from cane sugar syrups, chromatographic separation of glucose and fructose, demineralisation of whey, glucose and many other foodstuffs, recovery of polyphenols for use in the food industry, recovery of uranium from mines, recovery of gold from plating solutions, separation of metals in solution, catalysis of anti-knocking petrol additives, extraction of antibiotics and other compounds from fermentation broths, purification of organic acids, or providing powdered ion exchange resin for making tablets in the pharmaceutical industry and wherein said step of providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with ion exchange resins encapsulated within said surface layer; and wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with ion exchange resins encapsulated within said surface layer comprises processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with ion exchange resins encapsulated within said surface layer for softening of beet sugar juices before evaporation, colour removal from cane sugar syrups, chromatographic separation of glucose and fructose, demineralisation of whey, glucose and many other foodstuffs, recovery of polyphenols for use in the food industry, recovery of uranium from mines, recovery of gold from plating solutions, separation of metals in solution, catalysis of anti-knocking petrol additives, extraction of antibiotics and other compounds from fermentation broths, purification of organic acids, or providing powdered ion exchange resin for making tablets in the pharmaceutical industry. | A capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals has a capsule body, including a surface layer and ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. An ion exchange media is created by encapsulating liquid ion exchange chemicals inside a polymer coat making small beads which behave as solids but have much higher exchange capacity. The improved capacity is up to twice that of existing media.1. A capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, comprising:
a capsule body, including a surface layer, and ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. 2. The capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 1 wherein said surface layer is made of a porous solid. 3. The capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 1 wherein said surface layer is made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon. 4. The capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 1 wherein said ion exchange chemicals are liquid. 5. A capsule apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, comprising:
capsule body means for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, surface layer means for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, and ion exchange chemical means encapsulated within said surface layer. 6. The capsule apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 5 wherein said surface layer means is a porous solid. 7. The capsule apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 5 wherein said surface layer means is made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon. 8. The capsule apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 5 wherein said ion exchange chemical means are liquid chemicals. 9. An apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals, comprising:
microcapsules having a capsule body, each of said microcapsules having a surface layer, and ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. 10. The An apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 9 wherein said surface layer is made of a porous solid. 11. The An apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 9 wherein said surface layer is made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon. 12. The An apparatus for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals of claim 9 wherein said ion exchange chemicals are liquid. 13. A method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals, comprising the steps of:
providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer, and processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. 14. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer made of any of several families of polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, and nylon. 15. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with liquid ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. 16. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules comprises directing the fluid onto said capsules. 17. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules comprises directing said capsules onto the fluid. 18. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules comprises directing the fluid into a column containing said capsules. 19. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein the method is a method of water softening and wherein said step of providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with sequestration or chelating agents encapsulated within said surface layer; and wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with sequestration or chelating agents encapsulated within said surface layer for water softening. 20. The method of processing a fluid using ion exchange chemicals of claim 13 wherein the method is a method of softening of beet sugar juices before evaporation, colour removal from cane sugar syrups, chromatographic separation of glucose and fructose, demineralisation of whey, glucose and many other foodstuffs, recovery of polyphenols for use in the food industry, recovery of uranium from mines, recovery of gold from plating solutions, separation of metals in solution, catalysis of anti-knocking petrol additives, extraction of antibiotics and other compounds from fermentation broths, purification of organic acids, or providing powdered ion exchange resin for making tablets in the pharmaceutical industry and wherein said step of providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with the ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer comprises providing capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with ion exchange resins encapsulated within said surface layer; and wherein said step of processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with ion exchange resins encapsulated within said surface layer comprises processing the fluid by interacting the fluid and said capsules having a capsule body with a surface layer and with ion exchange resins encapsulated within said surface layer for softening of beet sugar juices before evaporation, colour removal from cane sugar syrups, chromatographic separation of glucose and fructose, demineralisation of whey, glucose and many other foodstuffs, recovery of polyphenols for use in the food industry, recovery of uranium from mines, recovery of gold from plating solutions, separation of metals in solution, catalysis of anti-knocking petrol additives, extraction of antibiotics and other compounds from fermentation broths, purification of organic acids, or providing powdered ion exchange resin for making tablets in the pharmaceutical industry. | 1,700 |
3,559 | 13,617,162 | 1,712 | A solventless system for fabricating electrodes includes a mechanism for feeding a substrate through the system, a first application region comprised of a first device for applying a first layer to the substrate, wherein the first layer is comprised of an active material mixture and a binder, and the binder includes at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material, and the system includes a first heater positioned to heat the first layer. | 1. A solventless system for fabricating electrodes comprising:
a mechanism for feeding a substrate through the system; a first application region comprised of a first device for applying a first layer to the substrate, wherein:
the first layer is comprised of an active material mixture and a binder; and
the binder includes at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material; and
a first heater positioned to heat the first layer. 2. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the first heater is positioned to heat a surface of the substrate that is opposite a surface of the substrate to which the first layer is applied. 3. The solventless system of claim 2 wherein the first heater is positioned to heat the surface of the substrate within the first application region and while the first device applies the first layer to the substrate. 4. The solventless system of claim 2 wherein the first heater is positioned to heat the surface of the substrate after the first layer is applied to the substrate. 5. The solventless system of claim 2 comprising a second heater positioned to heat the first layer after the first layer is applied to the substrate. 6. The solventless system of claim 5 wherein at least one of the first and second heaters is an infrared (IR) heater. 7. The solventless system of claim 1 comprising:
a second application region comprised of a second device for applying a second layer to the first layer, wherein the second layer is comprised of the active material mixture and the binder; and
a third heater positioned to heat the second layer. 8. The solventless system of claim 1 comprising a third device positioned within the first application region, the third device configured to apply a third layer to the surface of the substrate that is opposite the surface of the substrate to which the first layer is applied. 9. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the binder is comprised of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). 10. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the first layer is comprised of a conductive additive. 11. The solventless system of claim 10 wherein the conductive additive comprises carbon. 12. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the first layer ranges from 1-100% binder by weight. 13. The solventless system of claim 12 wherein the first layer ranges from 3-5% binder by weight. 14. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the active material mixture comprises one of lithium titanate oxide (LTO), cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, manganese oxide, nickel cobalt manganese oxide, iron phosphate, iron oxide, carbon, and silicon. 15. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the substrate is one of copper aluminum, and steel. 16. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the first device is an electrostatic spray gun. 17. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein at least one grounding wire is electrically coupled to the substrate when the first device applies the first layer to the substrate. 18. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism for feeding the substrate is a roller assembly that comprises at least one mandrel used to compress the substrate after the base layer and the electrode layer have been applied thereto. 19. A solvent-free method of manufacturing an electrode comprising:
feeding a substrate through a feed mechanism; applying a first layer comprised of an active material mixture and a binder to the substrate, wherein the binder includes at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material; and heating the first layer with a first heater. 20. The solvent-free method of claim 19 comprising:
heating the first layer with a second heater;
applying subsequent active material and binder to the first layer to form a second layer; and
heating the second layer with a third heater. 21. The solvent-free method of claim 20 wherein at least one of the steps of heating is infrared (IR) heating. 22. The solvent-free method of claim 19 wherein the binder is comprised of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). 23. The solvent-free method of claim 19 wherein the active material comprises one of lithium titanate oxide (LTO), cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, manganese oxide, nickel cobalt manganese oxide, iron phosphate, iron oxide, carbon, and silicon. 24. The solvent-free method of claim 19 comprising heating the substrate on a first side of the substrate with the first heater, and applying the first layer on a second side of the substrate that is opposite the first side, wherein the heating with the first heater and applying the first layer are done simultaneously. 25. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to:
cause a substrate to feed through an electrode fabrication system via a feed mechanism; apply heat to the substrate via a first heater; and cause a first layer to be applied onto the substrate, the first layer comprised of an active material mixture and a binder, and the binder includes at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material. 26. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the computer is further caused to:
apply heat to the first layer via a second heater;
cause a second layer to be applied onto the first layer, the second layer comprised of an active material and a binder; and
apply heat to the second layer via a third heater. 27. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the computer is further caused to apply heat to the substrate with the first heater simultaneous with applying the first layer onto the substrate. 28. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the computer is further caused to apply heat to the substrate via the first heater after applying the first layer onto the substrate. | A solventless system for fabricating electrodes includes a mechanism for feeding a substrate through the system, a first application region comprised of a first device for applying a first layer to the substrate, wherein the first layer is comprised of an active material mixture and a binder, and the binder includes at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material, and the system includes a first heater positioned to heat the first layer.1. A solventless system for fabricating electrodes comprising:
a mechanism for feeding a substrate through the system; a first application region comprised of a first device for applying a first layer to the substrate, wherein:
the first layer is comprised of an active material mixture and a binder; and
the binder includes at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material; and
a first heater positioned to heat the first layer. 2. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the first heater is positioned to heat a surface of the substrate that is opposite a surface of the substrate to which the first layer is applied. 3. The solventless system of claim 2 wherein the first heater is positioned to heat the surface of the substrate within the first application region and while the first device applies the first layer to the substrate. 4. The solventless system of claim 2 wherein the first heater is positioned to heat the surface of the substrate after the first layer is applied to the substrate. 5. The solventless system of claim 2 comprising a second heater positioned to heat the first layer after the first layer is applied to the substrate. 6. The solventless system of claim 5 wherein at least one of the first and second heaters is an infrared (IR) heater. 7. The solventless system of claim 1 comprising:
a second application region comprised of a second device for applying a second layer to the first layer, wherein the second layer is comprised of the active material mixture and the binder; and
a third heater positioned to heat the second layer. 8. The solventless system of claim 1 comprising a third device positioned within the first application region, the third device configured to apply a third layer to the surface of the substrate that is opposite the surface of the substrate to which the first layer is applied. 9. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the binder is comprised of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). 10. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the first layer is comprised of a conductive additive. 11. The solventless system of claim 10 wherein the conductive additive comprises carbon. 12. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the first layer ranges from 1-100% binder by weight. 13. The solventless system of claim 12 wherein the first layer ranges from 3-5% binder by weight. 14. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the active material mixture comprises one of lithium titanate oxide (LTO), cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, manganese oxide, nickel cobalt manganese oxide, iron phosphate, iron oxide, carbon, and silicon. 15. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the substrate is one of copper aluminum, and steel. 16. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the first device is an electrostatic spray gun. 17. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein at least one grounding wire is electrically coupled to the substrate when the first device applies the first layer to the substrate. 18. The solventless system of claim 1 wherein the mechanism for feeding the substrate is a roller assembly that comprises at least one mandrel used to compress the substrate after the base layer and the electrode layer have been applied thereto. 19. A solvent-free method of manufacturing an electrode comprising:
feeding a substrate through a feed mechanism; applying a first layer comprised of an active material mixture and a binder to the substrate, wherein the binder includes at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material; and heating the first layer with a first heater. 20. The solvent-free method of claim 19 comprising:
heating the first layer with a second heater;
applying subsequent active material and binder to the first layer to form a second layer; and
heating the second layer with a third heater. 21. The solvent-free method of claim 20 wherein at least one of the steps of heating is infrared (IR) heating. 22. The solvent-free method of claim 19 wherein the binder is comprised of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). 23. The solvent-free method of claim 19 wherein the active material comprises one of lithium titanate oxide (LTO), cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, manganese oxide, nickel cobalt manganese oxide, iron phosphate, iron oxide, carbon, and silicon. 24. The solvent-free method of claim 19 comprising heating the substrate on a first side of the substrate with the first heater, and applying the first layer on a second side of the substrate that is opposite the first side, wherein the heating with the first heater and applying the first layer are done simultaneously. 25. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to:
cause a substrate to feed through an electrode fabrication system via a feed mechanism; apply heat to the substrate via a first heater; and cause a first layer to be applied onto the substrate, the first layer comprised of an active material mixture and a binder, and the binder includes at least one of a thermoplastic material and a thermoset material. 26. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the computer is further caused to:
apply heat to the first layer via a second heater;
cause a second layer to be applied onto the first layer, the second layer comprised of an active material and a binder; and
apply heat to the second layer via a third heater. 27. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the computer is further caused to apply heat to the substrate with the first heater simultaneous with applying the first layer onto the substrate. 28. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the computer is further caused to apply heat to the substrate via the first heater after applying the first layer onto the substrate. | 1,700 |
3,560 | 14,438,447 | 1,765 | The present invention provides a heat curable silicone rubber composition capable of obtaining a cured product having a good transparency and antistatic property. A heat curable silicone rubber composition includes: (A) 100 parts by mass of an organopolysiloxane, (B) 10 to 400 parts by mass of a silicone resin, (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane in an amount such that the number of the hydrogen atoms bonded to a silicon atom per one alkenyl group bonded to a. silicon atom in the component (A) and the component (B) is 1.0 to 10.0, (D) a silicone rubber base polymer containing a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst, and (E) 30 to 3000 ppm of an ionic liquid serving as an antistatic agent, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) is one in which a difference of a refractive index from a refractive index of a cured product of the silicone rubber base polymer is within the range of ±0.04. | 1. A heat curable silicone rubber composition comprising:
(A) 100 parts by mass of an organopolysiloxane having an average polymerization degree of 50 to 10000 and containing at least two alkenyl groups bonded to a silicon atom in one molecule; (B) 10 to 400 parts by mass of a silicone resin which includes units selected from R3SiO1/2 unit (unit M), SiO4/2 unit (unit Q), R2SiO2/2 unit (unit D), and RSiO3/2 unit (unit T) (where R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and at least two in one molecule are alkenyl groups.) and in which a sum of the unit M, unit Q and unit T in the whole structural units is 80% by mole or more; (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to a silicon atom in one molecule, in an amount such that the number of the hydrogen atoms bonded to a silicon atom per one alkenyl group bonded to a silicon atom in the component (A) and the component (B) is 1.0 to 10.0; (D) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst, and (E) 30 to 3000 ppm of an ionic liquid serving as an antistatic agent, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) is one in which a difference of a refractive index from a refractive index of a cured product formed of a base silicone rubber mixture of the components (A), (B), (C) and (D) is within a range of ±0.04. 2. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) is a liquid at a normal temperature (23° C.). 3. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) has bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide or bis(fluoorosulfonyl)imide, as an anion component. 4. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) has an imidazolium-based cation, a pyrrolidinium-based cation, a pyridinium-based cation, or an ammonium-based cation, as a cation component. 5. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the component (E) is one selected from
1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium•bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium•bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, diallyldimethylammonium•bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium•bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-methyl-1-propylpyrrolidinium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, methyltrioctylammonium•bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and tributylmethylammonium•bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. 6. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein a total light transmittance at 600 nm of a sheet formed of a cured product of the composition and having a thickness of 12 mm is larger than 85%. 7. That heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein a total light transmittance at 600 nm of a sheet formed of a cured product of the composition and having a thickness of 2 mm is larger than 93%. 8. A cured product of the heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1. 9. The cured product according to claim 8, wherein a total light transmittance at 600 nm of a sheet having a thickness of 12 mm is larger than 85%. 10. The cured product according to claim 8, wherein a total light transmittance at 600 nm of a sheet having a thickness of 2 mm is larger than 93%. | The present invention provides a heat curable silicone rubber composition capable of obtaining a cured product having a good transparency and antistatic property. A heat curable silicone rubber composition includes: (A) 100 parts by mass of an organopolysiloxane, (B) 10 to 400 parts by mass of a silicone resin, (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane in an amount such that the number of the hydrogen atoms bonded to a silicon atom per one alkenyl group bonded to a. silicon atom in the component (A) and the component (B) is 1.0 to 10.0, (D) a silicone rubber base polymer containing a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst, and (E) 30 to 3000 ppm of an ionic liquid serving as an antistatic agent, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) is one in which a difference of a refractive index from a refractive index of a cured product of the silicone rubber base polymer is within the range of ±0.04.1. A heat curable silicone rubber composition comprising:
(A) 100 parts by mass of an organopolysiloxane having an average polymerization degree of 50 to 10000 and containing at least two alkenyl groups bonded to a silicon atom in one molecule; (B) 10 to 400 parts by mass of a silicone resin which includes units selected from R3SiO1/2 unit (unit M), SiO4/2 unit (unit Q), R2SiO2/2 unit (unit D), and RSiO3/2 unit (unit T) (where R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and at least two in one molecule are alkenyl groups.) and in which a sum of the unit M, unit Q and unit T in the whole structural units is 80% by mole or more; (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to a silicon atom in one molecule, in an amount such that the number of the hydrogen atoms bonded to a silicon atom per one alkenyl group bonded to a silicon atom in the component (A) and the component (B) is 1.0 to 10.0; (D) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst, and (E) 30 to 3000 ppm of an ionic liquid serving as an antistatic agent, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) is one in which a difference of a refractive index from a refractive index of a cured product formed of a base silicone rubber mixture of the components (A), (B), (C) and (D) is within a range of ±0.04. 2. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) is a liquid at a normal temperature (23° C.). 3. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) has bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide or bis(fluoorosulfonyl)imide, as an anion component. 4. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid of the component (E) has an imidazolium-based cation, a pyrrolidinium-based cation, a pyridinium-based cation, or an ammonium-based cation, as a cation component. 5. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the component (E) is one selected from
1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium•bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium•bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, diallyldimethylammonium•bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium•bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-methyl-1-propylpyrrolidinium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium•bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, methyltrioctylammonium•bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and tributylmethylammonium•bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. 6. The heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein a total light transmittance at 600 nm of a sheet formed of a cured product of the composition and having a thickness of 12 mm is larger than 85%. 7. That heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein a total light transmittance at 600 nm of a sheet formed of a cured product of the composition and having a thickness of 2 mm is larger than 93%. 8. A cured product of the heat curable silicone rubber composition according to claim 1. 9. The cured product according to claim 8, wherein a total light transmittance at 600 nm of a sheet having a thickness of 12 mm is larger than 85%. 10. The cured product according to claim 8, wherein a total light transmittance at 600 nm of a sheet having a thickness of 2 mm is larger than 93%. | 1,700 |
3,561 | 14,432,264 | 1,727 | In an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, having nanofiber unwoven cloth buried in an electrolyte resin, the nanofiber unwoven cloth is disposed being exposed only from one face of the electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell includes a MEA having an anode electrode disposed on one face of the electrolyte membrane and having a cathode electrode disposed on the other face thereof, and a pair of separators holding the MEA by sandwiching the MEA therebetween. Thereby, the electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, the manufacturing method of the electrolyte membrane, and the fuel cell are provided with which the electric power generation property and productivity are improved. | 1. An electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, comprising an electrolyte resin and a nanofiber unwoven cloth buried in the electrolyte resin, wherein
the nanofiber unwoven cloth is exposed only from a first face on which an anode electrode of the electrolyte membrane is disposed. 2. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein the nanofiber unwoven cloth has a proton conduction property. 3. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 2, wherein
the nanofiber unwoven cloth is disposed in the overall electrolyte membrane in a thickness direction of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode of the electrolyte membrane is disposed on a second face, and the second face of the electrolyte membrane is covered with the electrolyte resin so as to avoid any exposure of the nanofiber unwoven cloth from the second face. 4. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 3, wherein the nanofiber unwoven cloth is positioned at an inner position of the electrolyte resin at a length equal to or greater than 1 μm from the second face of the electrolyte membrane. 5. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein a void rate of the nanofiber unwoven cloth is equal to or higher than 75%. 6. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the nanofiber unwoven cloth is equal to or higher than 30% of a thickness of the electrolyte membrane. 7. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the nanofiber unwoven cloth is equal to or higher than 60% of a thickness of the electrolyte membrane. 8. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein a fiber diameter of nanofiber constituting the nanofiber unwoven cloth is equal to or smaller than 500 nm. 9. A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, wherein the anode electrode is disposed on the first face and the cathode electrode is disposed on the second face of the electrolyte membrane according to claim 1. 10. A fuel cell comprising:
a membrane electrode assembly having the anode electrode disposed on the first face of and having the cathode electrode disposed on the second face of the electrolyte membrane according to claim 1. 11. A manufacturing method of an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, comprising:
impregnating nanofiber unwoven cloth with an electrolyte solution by applying the electrolyte solution to the nanofiber unwoven cloth formed on a sheet-like base material such that the nanofiber unwoven cloth is buried in the electrolyte solution; drying the electrolyte solution to form an electrolyte resin to form an electrolyte membrane having the nanofiber unwoven cloth buried in the electrolyte resin; and thereafter, peeling off the base material from the electrolyte membrane thereby exposing the nanofiber unwoven cloth only from a first face of the electrolyte membrane, the first face being a face from which the base material is peeled off, and an anode electrode being disposed on the first face. | In an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, having nanofiber unwoven cloth buried in an electrolyte resin, the nanofiber unwoven cloth is disposed being exposed only from one face of the electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell includes a MEA having an anode electrode disposed on one face of the electrolyte membrane and having a cathode electrode disposed on the other face thereof, and a pair of separators holding the MEA by sandwiching the MEA therebetween. Thereby, the electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, the manufacturing method of the electrolyte membrane, and the fuel cell are provided with which the electric power generation property and productivity are improved.1. An electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, comprising an electrolyte resin and a nanofiber unwoven cloth buried in the electrolyte resin, wherein
the nanofiber unwoven cloth is exposed only from a first face on which an anode electrode of the electrolyte membrane is disposed. 2. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein the nanofiber unwoven cloth has a proton conduction property. 3. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 2, wherein
the nanofiber unwoven cloth is disposed in the overall electrolyte membrane in a thickness direction of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode of the electrolyte membrane is disposed on a second face, and the second face of the electrolyte membrane is covered with the electrolyte resin so as to avoid any exposure of the nanofiber unwoven cloth from the second face. 4. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 3, wherein the nanofiber unwoven cloth is positioned at an inner position of the electrolyte resin at a length equal to or greater than 1 μm from the second face of the electrolyte membrane. 5. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein a void rate of the nanofiber unwoven cloth is equal to or higher than 75%. 6. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the nanofiber unwoven cloth is equal to or higher than 30% of a thickness of the electrolyte membrane. 7. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the nanofiber unwoven cloth is equal to or higher than 60% of a thickness of the electrolyte membrane. 8. The electrolyte membrane according to claim 1, wherein a fiber diameter of nanofiber constituting the nanofiber unwoven cloth is equal to or smaller than 500 nm. 9. A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, wherein the anode electrode is disposed on the first face and the cathode electrode is disposed on the second face of the electrolyte membrane according to claim 1. 10. A fuel cell comprising:
a membrane electrode assembly having the anode electrode disposed on the first face of and having the cathode electrode disposed on the second face of the electrolyte membrane according to claim 1. 11. A manufacturing method of an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, comprising:
impregnating nanofiber unwoven cloth with an electrolyte solution by applying the electrolyte solution to the nanofiber unwoven cloth formed on a sheet-like base material such that the nanofiber unwoven cloth is buried in the electrolyte solution; drying the electrolyte solution to form an electrolyte resin to form an electrolyte membrane having the nanofiber unwoven cloth buried in the electrolyte resin; and thereafter, peeling off the base material from the electrolyte membrane thereby exposing the nanofiber unwoven cloth only from a first face of the electrolyte membrane, the first face being a face from which the base material is peeled off, and an anode electrode being disposed on the first face. | 1,700 |
3,562 | 14,542,108 | 1,787 | An object has a superhydrophic, self-cleaning, and icephohic coating includes a substrate and a layer disposed on the substrate, the layer resulting from coating with a formulation having an effective amount of microstructuring microparticles, liquid silane having one or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity. The microstructuring microparticles are dispersed in the liquid silane. Another effective amount of synthetic adhesive, selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface, is in solution with a solvent. Upon curing, the layer has a contact angle greater than 90″ and a sliding angle of less than 10° and less than 5% of an area of the layer is removed in a Tape test. | 1. An object having a superhydrophic, self-cleaning, and icephobic coating comprising:
a substrate; and a layer disposed on the substrate; the layer resulting from coating with a formulation comprising:
an effective amount of microstructuring microparticles;
liquid silane having One or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity; the microstructuring microparticles being dispersed in the liquid silane; and
another effective amount of synthetic adhesive selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface; the synthetic adhesive being in solution with a solvent;
wherein, upon curing, the layer has a contact angle greater than 150° and a sliding angle of less than 10° and less than 5% of an area of the layer is removed in a Tape test. 2. The object of claim 1 wherein said microstructuring microparticles comprise silica microparticies. 3. The object of claim 2 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 4. The object of claim 1 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 5. The object of claim 4 wherein the liquid silane comprises a fluoroalkyl silane. 6. The object of claim 5 wherein the liquid silane comprises tridecafluorooctyl-triethoxy silane. 7. The object of claim 5 wherein the synthetic adhesive is cyanoacrylate. 8. The object of claim 7 wherein the cyanoacrylate is ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. 9. The object of claim 7 wherein the solvent is acetone. 10. The object of claim 2 wherein the silica microparticles are hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. 11. The object of claim 2 wherein said effective amount is between 3% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane. 12. The object of claim 2 wherein the effective amount is between 3% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is between about 10% to about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent; and wherein said solvent is acetone. 13. The object of claim 2 wherein the effective amount is between greater than 2% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is between about 10% to about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent; and wherein said solvent is acetone. 14. The object of claim 1 wherein curing comprises heating for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature. 15. The object of claim 14 wherein the predetermined time is between 30 min and 75 min and wherein the predetermined temperature is between 80′ C. and 110° C. 16. The object of claim 15 wherein the predetermined temperature is between 90° C. and 110° C. 17. An icephobic coating formulation comprising:
an effective amount of microstructuring microparticles; liquid silane having one or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity; the microstructuring microparticles being dispersed in the liquid silane; and another effective amount of synthetic adhesive selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface; the synthetic adhesive being in solution with a solvent; wherein, upon mixing the effective amount of microstructuring microparticles suspended in the liquid silane with said another effective amount of synthetic adhesive dissolved in the solvent and coating on a substrate and curing, a layer that has a contact angle greater than 90° and a sliding angle of less than 10°, less than 5% of an area of the layer is removed in a Tape test is obtained. 18. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 17 wherein said microstructuring microparticles comprise silica microparticles. 19. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 20. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 17 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 21. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 20 wherein the liquid silane comprises a fluoroalkyl silane. 22. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 21 wherein the liquid silane comprises tridecafluorooctyl-triethoxy silane. 23. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 21 wherein the synthetic adhesive is cyanoacrylate. 24. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 23 wherein the cyanoacrylate is ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. 25. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 23 wherein the solvent is acetone. 26. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein the silica microparticles are hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. 27. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein said effective amount is between 0.5% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane. 28. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein the effective amount is between 2% weight and about 4% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent and said solvent is acetone. 29. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein the effective amount is between eater than 2% weight and about 4% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent and said solvent is acetone. 30. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 17 wherein curing comprises heating for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature. 31. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 14 wherein the predetermined time is between 30 min and 75 min and wherein the predetermined temperature is between 80° C. and 110° C. 32. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 15 wherein the predetermined temperature is between 90° C. and 110° C. 33. A method for obtaining an icephobic durable coating, the method comprising:
forming a first solution by suspending an effective amount of microstructuring microparticles in liquid silane; the liquid silane having one or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity; stirring the first solution for a first predetermined time, the first predetermined time selected such that the microstructuring microparticles react with the liquid silane; forming a second solution by dissolving another effective amount of synthetic adhesive in a solvent; the synthetic adhesive being selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives, radiation cured adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface; mixing the first solution with the second solution in predetermined proportions; resulting in a third solution; coating a substrate with the third solution; and allowing evaporation of excess solvent in the third solution coated on the substrate; and curing the third solution coated on the substrate by heating for a second predetermined time at a predetermined temperature. 34. The method of claim 33 wherein said microstructuring microparticles comprise silica microparticles. 35. The method of claim 34 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 36. The method of claim 33 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the liquid silane comprises a fluoroalkyl silane. 38. The method t of claim 37 wherein the liquid silane comprises tridecafluorooctyl-triethoxy silane. 39. The method of claim 37 wherein the synthetic adhesive is cyanoacrylate. 40. The method of claim 39 wherein the cyanoacrylate is ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. 41. The method of claim 39 wherein the solvent is acetone. 42. The method of claim 34 wherein the silica microparticles are hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. 43. The method of claim 34 wherein said effective amount is between 0.5% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane. 44. The method of claim 34 wherein the effective amount is between 2% weight and about 4% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent and said solvent is acetone. 45. The method of claim 34 wherein the effective amount is between greater than 2% weight and about 4% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent and said solvent is acetone. 46. The method of claim 33 wherein curing comprises heating for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature. 47. The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined time is between 30 min and 75 min and wherein the predetermined temperature is between 80° C. and 110° C. 48. The method of claim 47 wherein the predetermined temperature is between 90° C. and 110° C. 49. The method of claim 33 wherein the predetermined proportions comprises substantially equal parts of the first solution and the second solution. 50. A method for assembling an icephobic coating formulation, the method comprising:
forming a first solution by suspending an effective amount of inicrostructuring microparticles in liquid silane; the liquid silane having one or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity; stirring the first solution for a first predetermined time, the first predetermined time selected such that the microstructuring microparticles react with the liquid silane; forming a second solution by dissolving another effective amount of synthetic adhesive in a solvent; the synthetic adhesive being selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface; and mixing the first solution with the second solution in predetermined proportions. 51. The method of claim 50 wherein the icephobic coating formulation is assembled in an inert atmosphere. 52. The method of claim 50 wherein the mixing the first solution with the second solution in predetermined proportions occurs a predetermined time interval after the forming the first solution and the forming the second solution. 53. The method of claim 52 wherein the forming the first solution and the forming the second solution occur in an inert atmosphere. 54. A coating product comprising:
a sealable container; the sealable container comprising an icephobic coating formulation assembled by the method of claim 50; wherein the sealable container is sealed in the inert atmosphere. 55. A coating product comprising:
two sealable containers; one sealable container comprising the first solution assembled by the method of claim 53; and another sealable container comprising the second solution assembled by the method of claim 53; wherein the two sealable containers are sealed in the inert atmosphere. 56. The object of claim 5 wherein the synthetic adhesive is epoxy. 57. The object of claim 56 wherein the epoxy is Part A (60-100% Bisphenol A diglycidyl Ether resin) Part B (60-100% Trimethylhexane-1,6-diamine) at 20:5 ratio. 58. The object of claim 57 wherein the solvent is acetone. 59. The object of claim 5 wherein the synthetic adhesive is urethane acrylate. 60. The object of claim 59 wherein the urethane acrylate is between 50 to 65% Mercapto-ester. 61. The object of claim 59 wherein the solvent is acetone | An object has a superhydrophic, self-cleaning, and icephohic coating includes a substrate and a layer disposed on the substrate, the layer resulting from coating with a formulation having an effective amount of microstructuring microparticles, liquid silane having one or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity. The microstructuring microparticles are dispersed in the liquid silane. Another effective amount of synthetic adhesive, selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface, is in solution with a solvent. Upon curing, the layer has a contact angle greater than 90″ and a sliding angle of less than 10° and less than 5% of an area of the layer is removed in a Tape test.1. An object having a superhydrophic, self-cleaning, and icephobic coating comprising:
a substrate; and a layer disposed on the substrate; the layer resulting from coating with a formulation comprising:
an effective amount of microstructuring microparticles;
liquid silane having One or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity; the microstructuring microparticles being dispersed in the liquid silane; and
another effective amount of synthetic adhesive selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface; the synthetic adhesive being in solution with a solvent;
wherein, upon curing, the layer has a contact angle greater than 150° and a sliding angle of less than 10° and less than 5% of an area of the layer is removed in a Tape test. 2. The object of claim 1 wherein said microstructuring microparticles comprise silica microparticies. 3. The object of claim 2 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 4. The object of claim 1 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 5. The object of claim 4 wherein the liquid silane comprises a fluoroalkyl silane. 6. The object of claim 5 wherein the liquid silane comprises tridecafluorooctyl-triethoxy silane. 7. The object of claim 5 wherein the synthetic adhesive is cyanoacrylate. 8. The object of claim 7 wherein the cyanoacrylate is ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. 9. The object of claim 7 wherein the solvent is acetone. 10. The object of claim 2 wherein the silica microparticles are hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. 11. The object of claim 2 wherein said effective amount is between 3% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane. 12. The object of claim 2 wherein the effective amount is between 3% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is between about 10% to about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent; and wherein said solvent is acetone. 13. The object of claim 2 wherein the effective amount is between greater than 2% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is between about 10% to about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent; and wherein said solvent is acetone. 14. The object of claim 1 wherein curing comprises heating for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature. 15. The object of claim 14 wherein the predetermined time is between 30 min and 75 min and wherein the predetermined temperature is between 80′ C. and 110° C. 16. The object of claim 15 wherein the predetermined temperature is between 90° C. and 110° C. 17. An icephobic coating formulation comprising:
an effective amount of microstructuring microparticles; liquid silane having one or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity; the microstructuring microparticles being dispersed in the liquid silane; and another effective amount of synthetic adhesive selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface; the synthetic adhesive being in solution with a solvent; wherein, upon mixing the effective amount of microstructuring microparticles suspended in the liquid silane with said another effective amount of synthetic adhesive dissolved in the solvent and coating on a substrate and curing, a layer that has a contact angle greater than 90° and a sliding angle of less than 10°, less than 5% of an area of the layer is removed in a Tape test is obtained. 18. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 17 wherein said microstructuring microparticles comprise silica microparticles. 19. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 20. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 17 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 21. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 20 wherein the liquid silane comprises a fluoroalkyl silane. 22. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 21 wherein the liquid silane comprises tridecafluorooctyl-triethoxy silane. 23. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 21 wherein the synthetic adhesive is cyanoacrylate. 24. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 23 wherein the cyanoacrylate is ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. 25. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 23 wherein the solvent is acetone. 26. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein the silica microparticles are hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. 27. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein said effective amount is between 0.5% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane. 28. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein the effective amount is between 2% weight and about 4% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent and said solvent is acetone. 29. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 18 wherein the effective amount is between eater than 2% weight and about 4% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent and said solvent is acetone. 30. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 17 wherein curing comprises heating for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature. 31. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 14 wherein the predetermined time is between 30 min and 75 min and wherein the predetermined temperature is between 80° C. and 110° C. 32. The icephobic coating formulation of claim 15 wherein the predetermined temperature is between 90° C. and 110° C. 33. A method for obtaining an icephobic durable coating, the method comprising:
forming a first solution by suspending an effective amount of microstructuring microparticles in liquid silane; the liquid silane having one or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity; stirring the first solution for a first predetermined time, the first predetermined time selected such that the microstructuring microparticles react with the liquid silane; forming a second solution by dissolving another effective amount of synthetic adhesive in a solvent; the synthetic adhesive being selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives, radiation cured adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface; mixing the first solution with the second solution in predetermined proportions; resulting in a third solution; coating a substrate with the third solution; and allowing evaporation of excess solvent in the third solution coated on the substrate; and curing the third solution coated on the substrate by heating for a second predetermined time at a predetermined temperature. 34. The method of claim 33 wherein said microstructuring microparticles comprise silica microparticles. 35. The method of claim 34 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 36. The method of claim 33 wherein said one or more groups comprise one or more tri-ethoxy groups. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the liquid silane comprises a fluoroalkyl silane. 38. The method t of claim 37 wherein the liquid silane comprises tridecafluorooctyl-triethoxy silane. 39. The method of claim 37 wherein the synthetic adhesive is cyanoacrylate. 40. The method of claim 39 wherein the cyanoacrylate is ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. 41. The method of claim 39 wherein the solvent is acetone. 42. The method of claim 34 wherein the silica microparticles are hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. 43. The method of claim 34 wherein said effective amount is between 0.5% weight and about 5% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane. 44. The method of claim 34 wherein the effective amount is between 2% weight and about 4% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent and said solvent is acetone. 45. The method of claim 34 wherein the effective amount is between greater than 2% weight and about 4% weight when being dispersed in the liquid silane; and wherein said another effective amount is about 50% weight when in solution with the solvent and said solvent is acetone. 46. The method of claim 33 wherein curing comprises heating for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature. 47. The method of claim 46 wherein the predetermined time is between 30 min and 75 min and wherein the predetermined temperature is between 80° C. and 110° C. 48. The method of claim 47 wherein the predetermined temperature is between 90° C. and 110° C. 49. The method of claim 33 wherein the predetermined proportions comprises substantially equal parts of the first solution and the second solution. 50. A method for assembling an icephobic coating formulation, the method comprising:
forming a first solution by suspending an effective amount of inicrostructuring microparticles in liquid silane; the liquid silane having one or more groups configured to graft to a microstructuring microparticle and at least another group that results in hydrophobicity; stirring the first solution for a first predetermined time, the first predetermined time selected such that the microstructuring microparticles react with the liquid silane; forming a second solution by dissolving another effective amount of synthetic adhesive in a solvent; the synthetic adhesive being selected from thermosetting adhesives, moisture curing adhesives or polymers that form a strong interaction with a surface; and mixing the first solution with the second solution in predetermined proportions. 51. The method of claim 50 wherein the icephobic coating formulation is assembled in an inert atmosphere. 52. The method of claim 50 wherein the mixing the first solution with the second solution in predetermined proportions occurs a predetermined time interval after the forming the first solution and the forming the second solution. 53. The method of claim 52 wherein the forming the first solution and the forming the second solution occur in an inert atmosphere. 54. A coating product comprising:
a sealable container; the sealable container comprising an icephobic coating formulation assembled by the method of claim 50; wherein the sealable container is sealed in the inert atmosphere. 55. A coating product comprising:
two sealable containers; one sealable container comprising the first solution assembled by the method of claim 53; and another sealable container comprising the second solution assembled by the method of claim 53; wherein the two sealable containers are sealed in the inert atmosphere. 56. The object of claim 5 wherein the synthetic adhesive is epoxy. 57. The object of claim 56 wherein the epoxy is Part A (60-100% Bisphenol A diglycidyl Ether resin) Part B (60-100% Trimethylhexane-1,6-diamine) at 20:5 ratio. 58. The object of claim 57 wherein the solvent is acetone. 59. The object of claim 5 wherein the synthetic adhesive is urethane acrylate. 60. The object of claim 59 wherein the urethane acrylate is between 50 to 65% Mercapto-ester. 61. The object of claim 59 wherein the solvent is acetone | 1,700 |
3,563 | 12,017,031 | 1,791 | An improved protected graphics assembly according to the invention comprises the following sequential layers: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. The assembly is beneficially applied to a variety of articles and used in a variety of related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a race car comprises a protected graphics assembly that comprises: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer. | 1. A protected graphics assembly comprising sequential layers comprising:
optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. 2. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly consists essentially of an outwardly exposed polymer layer, a graphics layer underlying the polymer layer, and, optionally, one adhesive layer. 3. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 150 microns or less. 4. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 100 microns or less. 5. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 50 microns or less. 6. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 30 microns or less. 7. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the graphics layer comprises ink. 8. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the graphics layer is discontinuous. 9. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the graphics layer has a thickness of about 5 microns to about 8 microns. 10. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer is polyurethane-based. 11. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer has a thickness of about 10 microns to about 50 microns. 12. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer has a thickness of about 25 microns or less. 13. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 14. An article comprising at least one surface having on at least a portion thereof the protected graphics assembly of claim 1. 15. The article of claim 14, wherein the article comprises a motorized vehicle. 16. The article of claim 14, wherein the article comprises a race car. 17. The article of claim 16, wherein a portion of the protected graphics assembly applied to a front, exterior surface of the race car has a greater thickness than that applied elsewhere on the exterior surface. 18. A race car comprising a protected graphics assembly on at least one portion of at least one surface thereof, wherein the protected graphics assembly comprises:
optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer. 19. A method of providing protected graphics on a surface, the method comprising:
providing the protected graphics assembly of claim 1; and adhering the protected graphics assembly to at least a portion of a surface. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the surface comprises an exterior surface of a race car. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a first thickness and is adhered to a front surface of the race car as a first protected graphics assembly and further comprising:
providing a second protected graphics assembly having a second thickness greater than the first thickness; and adhering the second protected graphics assembly to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the race car other than the front surface. | An improved protected graphics assembly according to the invention comprises the following sequential layers: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. The assembly is beneficially applied to a variety of articles and used in a variety of related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a race car comprises a protected graphics assembly that comprises: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer.1. A protected graphics assembly comprising sequential layers comprising:
optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. 2. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly consists essentially of an outwardly exposed polymer layer, a graphics layer underlying the polymer layer, and, optionally, one adhesive layer. 3. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 150 microns or less. 4. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 100 microns or less. 5. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 50 microns or less. 6. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 30 microns or less. 7. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the graphics layer comprises ink. 8. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the graphics layer is discontinuous. 9. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the graphics layer has a thickness of about 5 microns to about 8 microns. 10. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer is polyurethane-based. 11. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer has a thickness of about 10 microns to about 50 microns. 12. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the polymer layer has a thickness of about 25 microns or less. 13. The protected graphics assembly of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 14. An article comprising at least one surface having on at least a portion thereof the protected graphics assembly of claim 1. 15. The article of claim 14, wherein the article comprises a motorized vehicle. 16. The article of claim 14, wherein the article comprises a race car. 17. The article of claim 16, wherein a portion of the protected graphics assembly applied to a front, exterior surface of the race car has a greater thickness than that applied elsewhere on the exterior surface. 18. A race car comprising a protected graphics assembly on at least one portion of at least one surface thereof, wherein the protected graphics assembly comprises:
optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer. 19. A method of providing protected graphics on a surface, the method comprising:
providing the protected graphics assembly of claim 1; and adhering the protected graphics assembly to at least a portion of a surface. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the surface comprises an exterior surface of a race car. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a first thickness and is adhered to a front surface of the race car as a first protected graphics assembly and further comprising:
providing a second protected graphics assembly having a second thickness greater than the first thickness; and adhering the second protected graphics assembly to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the race car other than the front surface. | 1,700 |
3,564 | 13,299,688 | 1,764 | The invention relates to copolymers which comprise, in copolymerized form,
a1) 30 to 90% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated C 3 -C 8 -carboxylic acid or of an anhydride or salt thereof, a2) 3 to 60% by weight of at least one monomer comprising sulfo groups, a3) 3 to 60% by weight of at least one nonionic monomer of the formula I
H 2 C═C(R 1 )(CH 2 ) x O[R 2 —O] 0 —R 3 (I)
in which R 1 is hydrogen or methyl, R 2 are identical or different, linear or branched C 2 -C 6 -alkylene radicals which may be arranged in blocks or randomly, and R 3 is hydrogen or a straight-chain or branched C 1 -C 4 -alkyl radical, x is 0, 1 or 2 and o is a natural number from 3 to 50, a4) 0 to 30% by weight of one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers which are polymerizable with a1), a2) and a3), where the sum of a1), a2), a3) and a4) adds up to 100% by weight. | 1-13. (canceled) 14. A copolymer which comprises, in copolymerized form,
a1) 30 to 90% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C8-carboxylic acid or of an anhydride or salt thereof, a2) 3 to 60% by weight of at least one monomer comprising sulfo groups, a3) 3 to 60% by weight of at least one nonionic monomer of the formula I
H2C═C(R1)(CH2)xO[R2—O]o—R3 (I)
in which R1 is hydrogen or methyl, R2 are identical or different, linear or branched C2-C6-alkylene radicals which may be arranged in blocks or randomly, and R3 is hydrogen or a straight-chain or branched C1-C4-alkyl radical, x is 0, 1 or 2 and o is a natural number from 3 to 50, a4) 0 to 30% by weight of one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers which are polymerizable with a1), a2) and a3), where the sum of a1), a2), a3) and a4) does not exceed 100% by weight. 15. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein o in formula (I) is >5. 16. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein x in formula (I) is 1. 17. The copolymer according to claim 16, wherein R1 in formula (I) is H. 18. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein x in formula (I) is 2. 19. The copolymer according to claim 18, wherein R1 in formula (I) is methyl. 20. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein the nonionic monomer of the formula (I) comprises ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide copolymerized in blocks and/or randomly. 21. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein the nonionic monomer of the formula (I) comprises an average of 8 to 40 alkylene oxide units in copolymerized form. 22. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein the monomer a2) comprising sulfo groups is allylsulfonic acid or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid. 23. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein the monomer a1) is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and salts thereof. 24. The copolymer according to claim 14, comprising 40 to 90% by weight of monomers a1), 4 to 40% by weight of monomers a2) and 4 to 40% by weight of monomers a3). 25. The copolymer according to claim 24, comprising 45 to 85% by weight of monomers a1), 6 to 35% by weight of monomers a2) and 6 to 35% by weight of monomers a3). 26. A detergent formulation for machine dishwashing, comprising, as components:
a) 1 to 20% by weight of at least one copolymer as defined in claims 14, b) 0 to 20% by weight of polycarboxylates other than component a), c) 0 to 50% by weight of complexing agents, d) 0 to 70% by weight of phosphates, e) 0 to 60% by weight of further builders and cobuilders, f) 0.1 to 20% by weight of nonionic surfactants, g) 0 to 30% by weight of bleaches and optionally bleach activators and bleach catalysts, h) 0 to 8% by weight of enzymes, i) 0 to 50% by weight of one or more further additives such as anionic or zwitterionic surfactants, alkali carriers, corrosion inhibitors, defoamers, dyes, fragrances, fillers, organic solvents, tabletting aids, disintegrants, thickeners, solubilizers and water, wherein the sum of components a) to i) does not exceed 100% by weight. | The invention relates to copolymers which comprise, in copolymerized form,
a1) 30 to 90% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated C 3 -C 8 -carboxylic acid or of an anhydride or salt thereof, a2) 3 to 60% by weight of at least one monomer comprising sulfo groups, a3) 3 to 60% by weight of at least one nonionic monomer of the formula I
H 2 C═C(R 1 )(CH 2 ) x O[R 2 —O] 0 —R 3 (I)
in which R 1 is hydrogen or methyl, R 2 are identical or different, linear or branched C 2 -C 6 -alkylene radicals which may be arranged in blocks or randomly, and R 3 is hydrogen or a straight-chain or branched C 1 -C 4 -alkyl radical, x is 0, 1 or 2 and o is a natural number from 3 to 50, a4) 0 to 30% by weight of one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers which are polymerizable with a1), a2) and a3), where the sum of a1), a2), a3) and a4) adds up to 100% by weight.1-13. (canceled) 14. A copolymer which comprises, in copolymerized form,
a1) 30 to 90% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C8-carboxylic acid or of an anhydride or salt thereof, a2) 3 to 60% by weight of at least one monomer comprising sulfo groups, a3) 3 to 60% by weight of at least one nonionic monomer of the formula I
H2C═C(R1)(CH2)xO[R2—O]o—R3 (I)
in which R1 is hydrogen or methyl, R2 are identical or different, linear or branched C2-C6-alkylene radicals which may be arranged in blocks or randomly, and R3 is hydrogen or a straight-chain or branched C1-C4-alkyl radical, x is 0, 1 or 2 and o is a natural number from 3 to 50, a4) 0 to 30% by weight of one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers which are polymerizable with a1), a2) and a3), where the sum of a1), a2), a3) and a4) does not exceed 100% by weight. 15. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein o in formula (I) is >5. 16. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein x in formula (I) is 1. 17. The copolymer according to claim 16, wherein R1 in formula (I) is H. 18. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein x in formula (I) is 2. 19. The copolymer according to claim 18, wherein R1 in formula (I) is methyl. 20. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein the nonionic monomer of the formula (I) comprises ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide copolymerized in blocks and/or randomly. 21. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein the nonionic monomer of the formula (I) comprises an average of 8 to 40 alkylene oxide units in copolymerized form. 22. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein the monomer a2) comprising sulfo groups is allylsulfonic acid or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid. 23. The copolymer according to claim 14, wherein the monomer a1) is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and salts thereof. 24. The copolymer according to claim 14, comprising 40 to 90% by weight of monomers a1), 4 to 40% by weight of monomers a2) and 4 to 40% by weight of monomers a3). 25. The copolymer according to claim 24, comprising 45 to 85% by weight of monomers a1), 6 to 35% by weight of monomers a2) and 6 to 35% by weight of monomers a3). 26. A detergent formulation for machine dishwashing, comprising, as components:
a) 1 to 20% by weight of at least one copolymer as defined in claims 14, b) 0 to 20% by weight of polycarboxylates other than component a), c) 0 to 50% by weight of complexing agents, d) 0 to 70% by weight of phosphates, e) 0 to 60% by weight of further builders and cobuilders, f) 0.1 to 20% by weight of nonionic surfactants, g) 0 to 30% by weight of bleaches and optionally bleach activators and bleach catalysts, h) 0 to 8% by weight of enzymes, i) 0 to 50% by weight of one or more further additives such as anionic or zwitterionic surfactants, alkali carriers, corrosion inhibitors, defoamers, dyes, fragrances, fillers, organic solvents, tabletting aids, disintegrants, thickeners, solubilizers and water, wherein the sum of components a) to i) does not exceed 100% by weight. | 1,700 |
3,565 | 13,608,812 | 1,791 | Antioxidant formulations containing new active molecules with tocopherols are disclosed. The best performing formulas contain extracts of green tea that are oil soluble, extracts of rosemary, extracts of spearmint and tocotrienols. Interestingly, the amount of tocopherols in formulas could be reduced by 50% in this diet when the other actives were increased accordingly. | 1. An improved antioxidant composition for animal feed and constituents of animal feed comprising lipid soluble tea catechins substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in an unimproved antioxidant composition. 2. A composition as defined in claim 1, wherein the unimproved antioxidant composition comprises tocopherols some or all of which are substituted with lipid soluble tea catechins. 3. A composition as defined in claim 1, wherein the unimproved antioxidant composition comprises a water soluble tea extract some or all of which are substituted with lipid soluble tea catechins. 4. A composition as defined in claim 1, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in an unimproved antioxidant composition. 5. A composition as defined in claim 4, wherein said Lamiaceae spp. plant is selected from the group consisting of basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and lavender. 6. An improved antioxidant composition for animal feed and constituents of animal feed comprising a rosmarinic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in an unimproved antioxidant composition. 7. A composition as defined in claim 6, wherein the unimproved antioxidant composition comprises tocopherols some or all of which are substituted with a rosmarinic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant. 8. A composition as defined in claim 6, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in the unimproved antioxidant composition. 9. A composition as defined in claim 8, wherein said Lamiaceae spp. plant is selected from the group consisting of basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and lavender. 10. A method of improving an antioxidant composition, comprising the step of substituting some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in the composition with lipid soluble tea catechins. 11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the antioxidant composition comprises tocopherols some or all of which are substituted with lipid soluble tea catechins. 12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the unimproved antioxidant composition comprises a water soluble tea extract some or all of which are substituted with lipid soluble tea catechins. 13. A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in an unimproved antioxidant composition. 14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein said Lamiaceae spp. plant is selected from the group consisting of basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and lavender. 15. A method for improving an antioxidant composition for animal feed and constituents of animal feed comprising the step of substituting a rosmarinic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in the antioxidant composition. 16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the antioxidant composition comprises tocopherols some or all of which are substituted with a rosmarinic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant. 17. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in the antioxidant composition. 18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein said Lamiaceae spp. plant is selected from the group consisting of basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and lavender. 19. A method for protecting animal fat from oxidation during rendering, comprising adding an antioxidant composition comprising lipid soluble tea catechins to the fat prior to or while being processed or held at temperatures above ambient. 20. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant. | Antioxidant formulations containing new active molecules with tocopherols are disclosed. The best performing formulas contain extracts of green tea that are oil soluble, extracts of rosemary, extracts of spearmint and tocotrienols. Interestingly, the amount of tocopherols in formulas could be reduced by 50% in this diet when the other actives were increased accordingly.1. An improved antioxidant composition for animal feed and constituents of animal feed comprising lipid soluble tea catechins substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in an unimproved antioxidant composition. 2. A composition as defined in claim 1, wherein the unimproved antioxidant composition comprises tocopherols some or all of which are substituted with lipid soluble tea catechins. 3. A composition as defined in claim 1, wherein the unimproved antioxidant composition comprises a water soluble tea extract some or all of which are substituted with lipid soluble tea catechins. 4. A composition as defined in claim 1, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in an unimproved antioxidant composition. 5. A composition as defined in claim 4, wherein said Lamiaceae spp. plant is selected from the group consisting of basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and lavender. 6. An improved antioxidant composition for animal feed and constituents of animal feed comprising a rosmarinic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in an unimproved antioxidant composition. 7. A composition as defined in claim 6, wherein the unimproved antioxidant composition comprises tocopherols some or all of which are substituted with a rosmarinic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant. 8. A composition as defined in claim 6, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in the unimproved antioxidant composition. 9. A composition as defined in claim 8, wherein said Lamiaceae spp. plant is selected from the group consisting of basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and lavender. 10. A method of improving an antioxidant composition, comprising the step of substituting some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in the composition with lipid soluble tea catechins. 11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the antioxidant composition comprises tocopherols some or all of which are substituted with lipid soluble tea catechins. 12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the unimproved antioxidant composition comprises a water soluble tea extract some or all of which are substituted with lipid soluble tea catechins. 13. A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in an unimproved antioxidant composition. 14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein said Lamiaceae spp. plant is selected from the group consisting of basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and lavender. 15. A method for improving an antioxidant composition for animal feed and constituents of animal feed comprising the step of substituting a rosmarinic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in the antioxidant composition. 16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the antioxidant composition comprises tocopherols some or all of which are substituted with a rosmarinic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant. 17. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant substituted for some or all of one or more antioxidant compounds in the antioxidant composition. 18. A method as defined in claim 17, wherein said Lamiaceae spp. plant is selected from the group consisting of basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme and lavender. 19. A method for protecting animal fat from oxidation during rendering, comprising adding an antioxidant composition comprising lipid soluble tea catechins to the fat prior to or while being processed or held at temperatures above ambient. 20. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising a carnosic acid-containing extract of a Lamiaceae spp. plant. | 1,700 |
3,566 | 13,863,623 | 1,724 | Disclosed are an electrode active material containing moisture in an amount less than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of lithium metal oxide or moisture in an amount less than 7,000 ppm per 1 cm 3 of the lithium metal oxide, and an electrode containing moisture in an amount less than 2,000 ppm per 1 cm 3 of an electrode mix. | 1. An electrode active material for secondary batteries enabling intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions and comprising lithium metal oxide, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount less than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide or moisture in an amount less than 7,000 ppm per 1 cm3 of the lithium metal oxide. 2. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide. 3. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 1,500 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide. 4. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 1,000 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide. 5. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount not lower than 350 ppm and lower than 7,000 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide. 6. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the lithium metal oxide is represented by the following Formula (1):
LiaM′bO4-cAc (1)
wherein M′ is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Sn, Cu, Pb, Sb, Zn, Fe, In, Al and Zr; a and b are determined according to an oxidation number of M′ within ranges of 0.1≦a≦4 and 0.2≦b≦4; c is determined according to an oxidation number within a range of 0≦c<0.2; and A is at least one negative univalent or bivalent anion. 7. The electrode active material according to claim 6, wherein the oxide of Formula (1) is represented by the following Formula (2):
LiaTibO4 (2)
wherein 0.5≦a≦3 and 1≦b≦2.5. 8. The electrode active material according to claim 7, wherein the lithium metal oxide is Li1.33Ti1.67O4 or LiTi2O4. 9. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the lithium metal oxide is provided as a secondary particle formed of agglomerated primary particles. 10. The electrode active material according to claim 9, wherein the secondary particle has a particle diameter of 200 nm to 30 μm. 11. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the lithium metal oxide is present in an amount not lower than 50% by weight and not higher than 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the anode active material. 12. An electrode having a moisture content lower than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of an electrode mix. 13. The electrode according to claim 12, wherein the electrode has a moisture content not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of the electrode mix. 14. The electrode according to claim 13, wherein the electrode has a moisture content not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 1,500 ppm per 1 g of the electrode mix. 15. The electrode according to claim 14, wherein the electrode has a moisture content not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 1,000 ppm per 1 g of the electrode mix. 16. A lithium secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly inserted into a battery case, wherein the electrode assembly comprises: an anode comprising the electrode active material according to claim 1; a cathode comprising lithium metal oxide having a spinel structure represented by the following Formula (3); and a polymer membrane, and has a structure in which the polymer membrane is interposed between the cathode and the anode:
LixMyMn2-yO4-zAz (3)
wherein 0.9≦x≦1.2, 0<y<2, 0≦z<0.2; M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, V, Ti, Cu, B, Ca, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sr, Sb, W, Ti and Bi; and A is at least one negative univalent or bivalent anion. 17. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein the oxide of Formula (3) is represented by the following Formula (4):
LixNiyMn2-yO4 (4)
wherein 0.9≦x≦1.2, and 0.4≦y≦0.5. 18. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 17, wherein the lithium metal oxide is LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 or LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4. 19. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein the lithium secondary battery is a lithium ion battery. 20. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein the lithium secondary battery is a lithium ion polymer battery. 21. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein the lithium secondary battery is a lithium polymer battery. 22. A method for preparing an electrode material comprising:
mixing lithium metal oxide with a solvent having a higher volatility than water; and drying the resulting mixture at a temperature lower than 300° C. 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the solvent having a higher volatility than water is at least one selected from the group consisting of diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, n-pentane, ethylene dichloride, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran (THF), n-hexane, chlorohexane, chloropentane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methylethylketone and 1,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME) and combinations thereof. 24. A method for producing an electrode comprising:
mixing an electrode mix comprising a lithium metal oxide and a binder with a solvent having a higher volatility than water; and drying the resulting mixture at a temperature lower than a melting point of the binder. 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the binder melting point is lower than 200° C. 26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the solvent having a higher volatility than water is at least one selected from the group consisting of diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, n-pentane, ethylene dichloride, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran (THF), n-hexane, chlorohexane, chloropentane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methylethylketone and 1,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME) and combinations thereof. 27. A method for producing an electrode assembly comprising a cathode and an anode in which an electrode mix slurry prepared by mixing an electrode mix comprising lithium metal oxide and a binder with a solvent is applied to a current collector, and a polymer membrane as a separator, and having a structure in which the polymer membrane is interposed between the cathode and the anode,
the method comprising: immersing the electrode assembly in a solvent having a higher volatility than water; and drying the electrode assembly at a temperature lower than a melting point of the separator. 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the melting point is lower than 100° C. 29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the solvent having a higher volatility than water is at least one selected from the group consisting of diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, n-pentane, ethylene dichloride, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran (THF), n-hexane, chlorohexane, chloropentane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methylethylketone and 1,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME) and combinations thereof. | Disclosed are an electrode active material containing moisture in an amount less than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of lithium metal oxide or moisture in an amount less than 7,000 ppm per 1 cm 3 of the lithium metal oxide, and an electrode containing moisture in an amount less than 2,000 ppm per 1 cm 3 of an electrode mix.1. An electrode active material for secondary batteries enabling intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions and comprising lithium metal oxide, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount less than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide or moisture in an amount less than 7,000 ppm per 1 cm3 of the lithium metal oxide. 2. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide. 3. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 1,500 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide. 4. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 1,000 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide. 5. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the electrode active material contains moisture in an amount not lower than 350 ppm and lower than 7,000 ppm per 1 g of the lithium metal oxide. 6. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the lithium metal oxide is represented by the following Formula (1):
LiaM′bO4-cAc (1)
wherein M′ is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Sn, Cu, Pb, Sb, Zn, Fe, In, Al and Zr; a and b are determined according to an oxidation number of M′ within ranges of 0.1≦a≦4 and 0.2≦b≦4; c is determined according to an oxidation number within a range of 0≦c<0.2; and A is at least one negative univalent or bivalent anion. 7. The electrode active material according to claim 6, wherein the oxide of Formula (1) is represented by the following Formula (2):
LiaTibO4 (2)
wherein 0.5≦a≦3 and 1≦b≦2.5. 8. The electrode active material according to claim 7, wherein the lithium metal oxide is Li1.33Ti1.67O4 or LiTi2O4. 9. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the lithium metal oxide is provided as a secondary particle formed of agglomerated primary particles. 10. The electrode active material according to claim 9, wherein the secondary particle has a particle diameter of 200 nm to 30 μm. 11. The electrode active material according to claim 1, wherein the lithium metal oxide is present in an amount not lower than 50% by weight and not higher than 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the anode active material. 12. An electrode having a moisture content lower than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of an electrode mix. 13. The electrode according to claim 12, wherein the electrode has a moisture content not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 2,000 ppm per 1 g of the electrode mix. 14. The electrode according to claim 13, wherein the electrode has a moisture content not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 1,500 ppm per 1 g of the electrode mix. 15. The electrode according to claim 14, wherein the electrode has a moisture content not lower than 100 ppm and lower than 1,000 ppm per 1 g of the electrode mix. 16. A lithium secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly inserted into a battery case, wherein the electrode assembly comprises: an anode comprising the electrode active material according to claim 1; a cathode comprising lithium metal oxide having a spinel structure represented by the following Formula (3); and a polymer membrane, and has a structure in which the polymer membrane is interposed between the cathode and the anode:
LixMyMn2-yO4-zAz (3)
wherein 0.9≦x≦1.2, 0<y<2, 0≦z<0.2; M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, V, Ti, Cu, B, Ca, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sr, Sb, W, Ti and Bi; and A is at least one negative univalent or bivalent anion. 17. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein the oxide of Formula (3) is represented by the following Formula (4):
LixNiyMn2-yO4 (4)
wherein 0.9≦x≦1.2, and 0.4≦y≦0.5. 18. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 17, wherein the lithium metal oxide is LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 or LiNi0.4Mn1.6O4. 19. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein the lithium secondary battery is a lithium ion battery. 20. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein the lithium secondary battery is a lithium ion polymer battery. 21. The lithium secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein the lithium secondary battery is a lithium polymer battery. 22. A method for preparing an electrode material comprising:
mixing lithium metal oxide with a solvent having a higher volatility than water; and drying the resulting mixture at a temperature lower than 300° C. 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the solvent having a higher volatility than water is at least one selected from the group consisting of diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, n-pentane, ethylene dichloride, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran (THF), n-hexane, chlorohexane, chloropentane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methylethylketone and 1,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME) and combinations thereof. 24. A method for producing an electrode comprising:
mixing an electrode mix comprising a lithium metal oxide and a binder with a solvent having a higher volatility than water; and drying the resulting mixture at a temperature lower than a melting point of the binder. 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the binder melting point is lower than 200° C. 26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the solvent having a higher volatility than water is at least one selected from the group consisting of diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, n-pentane, ethylene dichloride, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran (THF), n-hexane, chlorohexane, chloropentane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methylethylketone and 1,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME) and combinations thereof. 27. A method for producing an electrode assembly comprising a cathode and an anode in which an electrode mix slurry prepared by mixing an electrode mix comprising lithium metal oxide and a binder with a solvent is applied to a current collector, and a polymer membrane as a separator, and having a structure in which the polymer membrane is interposed between the cathode and the anode,
the method comprising: immersing the electrode assembly in a solvent having a higher volatility than water; and drying the electrode assembly at a temperature lower than a melting point of the separator. 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the melting point is lower than 100° C. 29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the solvent having a higher volatility than water is at least one selected from the group consisting of diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, n-pentane, ethylene dichloride, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran (THF), n-hexane, chlorohexane, chloropentane, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, methylethylketone and 1,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME) and combinations thereof. | 1,700 |
3,567 | 13,845,829 | 1,727 | The present invention relates to a pouch type case having trimming portions formed on both sides or four corners thereof and a battery pack including the same. The trimming portions are formed on the corners of the pouch type case such that the trimming portions are indented toward an electrode assembly accommodating part to reduce a unit area so as to increase pressure applied to unit cells when a battery pack is assembled, thereby facilitating assembling of the battery pack and increasing cell capacity per unit area. Furthermore, the unit cells can be fixed in the battery pack more stably. The pouch type case reduces the unit area so as to include a relatively large number of cells for pressure applied to the cells when the battery pack is assembled to thereby increase the cell capacity. | 1. A pouch type case comprising a space accommodating an electrode assembly comprising a positive plate, a negative plate and a separator interposed between the positive plate and the negative plate and a sealing part sealing up an upper case and a lower case,
wherein a portion of the space and sealing part, which corresponds to at least one of the left and right sides of an electrode lead projected to the outside of the case, includes a trimming portion intended toward the electrode assembly. 2. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the trimming portion is spaced apart from the electrode lead and the top end of the electrode assembly by a distance corresponding to the width of the sealing part. 3. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the trimming portion is spaced apart from the electrode lead by longer than 6 mm and shorter than the width of the electrode lead and spaced apart from the top end of the electrode assembly by longer than 3 mm and shorter than the length of the electrode lead. 4. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the trimming portion has one of circular, oval, straight-line, rectangular, triangular, parabola and V shapes. 5. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the pouch type case includes trimming portions respectively formed on the corners of the case and the trimming portions have the same shape or different shapes. 6. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly has an anode lead and a cathode lead projected in different directions. 7. The pouch type case of claim 6, wherein the anode lead and the cathode lead are projected from one of a shorter side and a longer side of the electrode assembly. 8. The pouch type case of claim 6, wherein portions of the space and the sealing part, which correspond to the left and right sides of the anode lead and the cathode lead, respectively include trimming portions indented toward the electrode assembly. 9. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly has an anode lead and a cathode lead projected in the same direction. 10. The pouch type case of claim 9, wherein the direction in which the anode lead and the cathode lead are projected corresponds to one of the shorter side and longer side of the electrode assembly. 11. The pouch type case of claim 9, wherein portions of the space and the sealing part and the space, which correspond to both corners of the side from which the anode lead and the cathode lead are projected, respectively include trimming portions intended toward the electrode assembly. 12. The pouch type case of claim 9, wherein a portion of the space and the sealing part between the anode lead and the cathode lead includes a trimming portion intended toward the electrode assembly. 13. The pouch type case of claim 12, wherein the trimming portion is spaced apart from the anode and cathode leads and the top end of the electrode assembly by a distance corresponding to the width of the sealing part. 14. The pouch type case of claim 13, wherein the trimming portion is formed in a parabola shape having a vertex corresponding to a point spaced apart from the top end of the electrode assembly by at least 3 mm. 15. The pouch type case of claim 13, wherein the trimming portion is formed in an inverted triangle having a vertex corresponding to a point spaced apart from the top end of the electrode assembly by at least 3 mm. 16. The pouch type case of claim 9, wherein portions of the space and the sealing part, which correspond to both corners of the side from which the anode and cathode leads are projected, and a portion of the space and the sealing part between the anode and cathode leads respectively include trimming portions indented toward the electrode assembly. 17. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the width of the sealing part including the trimming portion is maintained. 18. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein at least one side of the upper case and at least one side of the lower case are connected to each other 19. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the upper case and the lower case are separated from each other and respectively have spaces accommodating the electrode assembly. 20. A lithium secondary battery comprising the pouch type case and the electrode assembly according to claim 1. 21. The lithium secondary battery of claim 20, wherein the electrode assembly includes a trimming portion having the same shape as the trimming portion formed at the pouch type case at a portion corresponding to the trimming portion formed at the case. 22. The lithium secondary battery of claim 20, wherein the electrode assembly corresponds to one of a stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured in such a manner that a bi-cell and a full-cell are arranged on a long separating film in an intersecting manner and folded, a stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured in such a manner that only the bi-cell is placed on the separating film and folded, a stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured in such a manner that only the full-cell is placed on the separating film and folded, a Z-shaped stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured by folding the bi-cell or the full-cell using the separating film in a zigzag direction, a stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured by continuously folding the bi-cell or full-cell in the same direction, an electrode assembly manufactured in such a manner that an anode and a cathode are arranged on a long separating film in an intersecting manner and folded, a jelly-roll type electrode assembly manufactured by winding a positive plate, a separator and a negative plate, sequentially arranged, in one direction, and a stack-type electrode assembly. 23. The lithium secondary battery of claim 20, wherein trimming portions are previously formed at the upper case and the lower case of the pouch type case, and then the sealing part is sealed through thermal bonding. 24. A battery pack comprising the lithium secondary battery according to claim 20. 25. The battery pack of claim 24, wherein the battery pack includes a holder arranged on the trimming portions formed at the pouch type case of the lithium secondary battery. 26. The battery pack of claim 25, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the holder corresponds to the shape of the trimming portions formed at the pouch type case. 27. The battery pack of claim 24, wherein the battery pack is used as a power supply of a medium-and-large-size device. 28. The battery pack of claim 27, wherein the medium-and-large-size device corresponds to a power tool, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, an electric two-wheeled vehicle including E-bike and E-scooter, an electric golf cart, an electric truck, an electric commercial vehicle, or an electric power storage system. | The present invention relates to a pouch type case having trimming portions formed on both sides or four corners thereof and a battery pack including the same. The trimming portions are formed on the corners of the pouch type case such that the trimming portions are indented toward an electrode assembly accommodating part to reduce a unit area so as to increase pressure applied to unit cells when a battery pack is assembled, thereby facilitating assembling of the battery pack and increasing cell capacity per unit area. Furthermore, the unit cells can be fixed in the battery pack more stably. The pouch type case reduces the unit area so as to include a relatively large number of cells for pressure applied to the cells when the battery pack is assembled to thereby increase the cell capacity.1. A pouch type case comprising a space accommodating an electrode assembly comprising a positive plate, a negative plate and a separator interposed between the positive plate and the negative plate and a sealing part sealing up an upper case and a lower case,
wherein a portion of the space and sealing part, which corresponds to at least one of the left and right sides of an electrode lead projected to the outside of the case, includes a trimming portion intended toward the electrode assembly. 2. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the trimming portion is spaced apart from the electrode lead and the top end of the electrode assembly by a distance corresponding to the width of the sealing part. 3. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the trimming portion is spaced apart from the electrode lead by longer than 6 mm and shorter than the width of the electrode lead and spaced apart from the top end of the electrode assembly by longer than 3 mm and shorter than the length of the electrode lead. 4. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the trimming portion has one of circular, oval, straight-line, rectangular, triangular, parabola and V shapes. 5. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the pouch type case includes trimming portions respectively formed on the corners of the case and the trimming portions have the same shape or different shapes. 6. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly has an anode lead and a cathode lead projected in different directions. 7. The pouch type case of claim 6, wherein the anode lead and the cathode lead are projected from one of a shorter side and a longer side of the electrode assembly. 8. The pouch type case of claim 6, wherein portions of the space and the sealing part, which correspond to the left and right sides of the anode lead and the cathode lead, respectively include trimming portions indented toward the electrode assembly. 9. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly has an anode lead and a cathode lead projected in the same direction. 10. The pouch type case of claim 9, wherein the direction in which the anode lead and the cathode lead are projected corresponds to one of the shorter side and longer side of the electrode assembly. 11. The pouch type case of claim 9, wherein portions of the space and the sealing part and the space, which correspond to both corners of the side from which the anode lead and the cathode lead are projected, respectively include trimming portions intended toward the electrode assembly. 12. The pouch type case of claim 9, wherein a portion of the space and the sealing part between the anode lead and the cathode lead includes a trimming portion intended toward the electrode assembly. 13. The pouch type case of claim 12, wherein the trimming portion is spaced apart from the anode and cathode leads and the top end of the electrode assembly by a distance corresponding to the width of the sealing part. 14. The pouch type case of claim 13, wherein the trimming portion is formed in a parabola shape having a vertex corresponding to a point spaced apart from the top end of the electrode assembly by at least 3 mm. 15. The pouch type case of claim 13, wherein the trimming portion is formed in an inverted triangle having a vertex corresponding to a point spaced apart from the top end of the electrode assembly by at least 3 mm. 16. The pouch type case of claim 9, wherein portions of the space and the sealing part, which correspond to both corners of the side from which the anode and cathode leads are projected, and a portion of the space and the sealing part between the anode and cathode leads respectively include trimming portions indented toward the electrode assembly. 17. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the width of the sealing part including the trimming portion is maintained. 18. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein at least one side of the upper case and at least one side of the lower case are connected to each other 19. The pouch type case of claim 1, wherein the upper case and the lower case are separated from each other and respectively have spaces accommodating the electrode assembly. 20. A lithium secondary battery comprising the pouch type case and the electrode assembly according to claim 1. 21. The lithium secondary battery of claim 20, wherein the electrode assembly includes a trimming portion having the same shape as the trimming portion formed at the pouch type case at a portion corresponding to the trimming portion formed at the case. 22. The lithium secondary battery of claim 20, wherein the electrode assembly corresponds to one of a stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured in such a manner that a bi-cell and a full-cell are arranged on a long separating film in an intersecting manner and folded, a stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured in such a manner that only the bi-cell is placed on the separating film and folded, a stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured in such a manner that only the full-cell is placed on the separating film and folded, a Z-shaped stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured by folding the bi-cell or the full-cell using the separating film in a zigzag direction, a stack & folding electrode assembly manufactured by continuously folding the bi-cell or full-cell in the same direction, an electrode assembly manufactured in such a manner that an anode and a cathode are arranged on a long separating film in an intersecting manner and folded, a jelly-roll type electrode assembly manufactured by winding a positive plate, a separator and a negative plate, sequentially arranged, in one direction, and a stack-type electrode assembly. 23. The lithium secondary battery of claim 20, wherein trimming portions are previously formed at the upper case and the lower case of the pouch type case, and then the sealing part is sealed through thermal bonding. 24. A battery pack comprising the lithium secondary battery according to claim 20. 25. The battery pack of claim 24, wherein the battery pack includes a holder arranged on the trimming portions formed at the pouch type case of the lithium secondary battery. 26. The battery pack of claim 25, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the holder corresponds to the shape of the trimming portions formed at the pouch type case. 27. The battery pack of claim 24, wherein the battery pack is used as a power supply of a medium-and-large-size device. 28. The battery pack of claim 27, wherein the medium-and-large-size device corresponds to a power tool, an electric vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, an electric two-wheeled vehicle including E-bike and E-scooter, an electric golf cart, an electric truck, an electric commercial vehicle, or an electric power storage system. | 1,700 |
3,568 | 15,312,992 | 1,729 | An oxygen reduction catalyst, an ink including the catalyst, a catalyst layer including the catalyst, an electrode having the catalyst layer, a membrane electrode assembly having the catalyst layer, and a fuel cell having the membrane electrode assembly. The oxygen reduction catalyst includes titanium dioxide particles, a carbon material and a catalyst component, wherein a surface of the titanium dioxide particles is covered with zinc oxide, and the titanium dioxide particles and the carbon material each support the catalyst component. | 1. An oxygen reduction catalyst comprising titanium dioxide particles, a carbon material and a catalyst component, wherein at least part of a surface of the titanium dioxide particles is covered with zinc oxide, and the titanium dioxide particles and the carbon material each support the catalyst component. 2. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1, which has a structure in which the titanium dioxide particles are dispersed in the oxygen reduction catalyst. 3. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the part of a surface of the titanium dioxide particles is further covered with zinc hydroxide. 4. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the carbon material is at least one carbon material selected from carbon black, graphitized carbon black, graphite, carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber, porous carbon and activated carbon. 5. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst component is a noble metal or a noble metal alloy. 6. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 5, wherein the noble metal and a noble metal in the noble metal alloy comprise at least one kind selected from Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh and Ru. 7. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 5, wherein the noble metal alloy comprises a noble metal and at least one kind of metal selected from Fe, Ni, Co, Ti, Cu and Mn. 8. An ink comprising the oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1. 9. A catalyst layer comprising the oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1. 10. An electrode comprising the catalyst layer according to claim 9. 11. A membrane electrode assembly which comprises the catalyst layer according to claim 9 as a cathode catalyst layer and/or as an anode catalyst layer, wherein a polymer electrolyte membrane is present between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. 12. A fuel cell comprising the membrane electrode assembly according to claim 11. | An oxygen reduction catalyst, an ink including the catalyst, a catalyst layer including the catalyst, an electrode having the catalyst layer, a membrane electrode assembly having the catalyst layer, and a fuel cell having the membrane electrode assembly. The oxygen reduction catalyst includes titanium dioxide particles, a carbon material and a catalyst component, wherein a surface of the titanium dioxide particles is covered with zinc oxide, and the titanium dioxide particles and the carbon material each support the catalyst component.1. An oxygen reduction catalyst comprising titanium dioxide particles, a carbon material and a catalyst component, wherein at least part of a surface of the titanium dioxide particles is covered with zinc oxide, and the titanium dioxide particles and the carbon material each support the catalyst component. 2. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1, which has a structure in which the titanium dioxide particles are dispersed in the oxygen reduction catalyst. 3. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the part of a surface of the titanium dioxide particles is further covered with zinc hydroxide. 4. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the carbon material is at least one carbon material selected from carbon black, graphitized carbon black, graphite, carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber, porous carbon and activated carbon. 5. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst component is a noble metal or a noble metal alloy. 6. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 5, wherein the noble metal and a noble metal in the noble metal alloy comprise at least one kind selected from Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh and Ru. 7. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 5, wherein the noble metal alloy comprises a noble metal and at least one kind of metal selected from Fe, Ni, Co, Ti, Cu and Mn. 8. An ink comprising the oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1. 9. A catalyst layer comprising the oxygen reduction catalyst according to claim 1. 10. An electrode comprising the catalyst layer according to claim 9. 11. A membrane electrode assembly which comprises the catalyst layer according to claim 9 as a cathode catalyst layer and/or as an anode catalyst layer, wherein a polymer electrolyte membrane is present between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. 12. A fuel cell comprising the membrane electrode assembly according to claim 11. | 1,700 |
3,569 | 15,650,005 | 1,717 | A pretreatment assembly includes a product support assembly and a pretreatment device. The product support assembly includes a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly. The primary drive assembly is operatively coupled to the primary support assembly. The primary drive assembly imparts a generally constant motion to the primary support assembly. Each secondary support assembly is structured to support a number of work pieces. Each secondary support assembly is movably coupled to the primary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly is operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. The pretreatment device is disposed adjacent the product support assembly. | 1. A product support assembly for a pretreatment assembly, said coating pretreatment assembly structured to process a number of work pieces, said pretreatment assembly including a number of ion generating stations, said product support assembly comprising:
a primary support assembly; a primary drive assembly; said primary drive assembly operatively coupled to said primary support assembly; wherein said primary drive assembly imparts a constant motion to said primary support assembly; a number of secondary support assemblies; each secondary support assembly structured to support a number of work pieces; each secondary support assembly movably coupled to said primary support assembly; a secondary drive assembly; said secondary drive assembly operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly; and wherein said secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. 2. The product support assembly of claim 1 wherein:
said primary support assembly is a turret assembly;
said turret assembly including a body structured to support each secondary support assembly at a first radius;
said turret assembly body having an axis of rotation;
each secondary support assembly coupled to said turret assembly at said first radius; and
said primary drive assembly structured to rotate said turret assembly body so that said first radius moves at a one of a rapid speed, a very rapid speed, or an exceedingly rapid speed. 3. The product support assembly of claim 2 wherein:
each secondary support assembly is a mandrel assembly;
each mandrel assembly including an elongated body having a first end and a second end; and
wherein each mandrel assembly body is rotatably coupled to said turret assembly body. 4. The product support assembly of claim 3 wherein each ion generating station includes an ionization surface, each ionization surface having a width, each ionization surface disposed adjacent said turret assembly body first radius, each ionization surface extending generally parallel to a mandrel assembly body path of travel, and wherein:
each mandrel assembly body second end path of travel is disposed an effective distance from each ionization surface. 5. The product support assembly of claim 4 wherein each ionization surface is generally an inner conical surface and wherein each mandrel assembly body second end is tapered. 6. The product support assembly of claim 4 wherein:
said primary drive assembly has a first rotational speed; and
said secondary drive assembly is structured to rotate each mandrel assembly body substantially one full rotation as each mandrel assembly body moves adjacent each ionization surface. 7. The product support assembly of claim 4 wherein no mandrel assembly body dwells at any ion generating station. 8. The product support assembly of claim 3 wherein with each mandrel assembly body axis of rotation extends generally parallel to said turret assembly body axis of rotation. 9. The product support assembly of claim 1 wherein said primary drive assembly and said secondary drive assembly are independently operable. 10. The product support assembly of claim 1 wherein said no secondary support assembly dwells at any ion generating station. 11. A pretreatment assembly comprising:
a product support assembly; a number of ion generating stations; each ion generating station disposed adjacent said product support assembly; said product support assembly including a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly; said primary drive assembly operatively coupled to said primary support assembly; wherein said primary drive assembly imparts a constant motion to said primary support assembly; each secondary support assembly structured to support a number of work pieces; each secondary support assembly movably coupled to said primary support assembly; said secondary drive assembly operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly; and wherein said secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. 12. The pretreatment assembly of claim 11 wherein:
said primary support assembly is a turret assembly;
said turret assembly including a body structured to support each secondary support assembly at a first radius;
said turret assembly body having an axis of rotation;
each secondary support assembly coupled to said turret assembly at said first radius; and
said primary drive assembly structured to rotate said turret assembly body so that said first radius moves at a one of a rapid speed, a very rapid speed, or an exceedingly rapid speed. 13. The pretreatment assembly of claim 12 wherein:
each secondary support assembly is a mandrel assembly;
each mandrel assembly including an elongated body having a first end and a second end; and
wherein each mandrel assembly body is rotatably coupled to said turret assembly body. 14. The pretreatment assembly of claim 13 wherein each ion generating station includes an ionization surface, each ionization surface having a width, each ionization surface disposed adjacent said turret assembly body first radius, each ionization surface extending generally parallel to a mandrel assembly body path of travel, and wherein:
each mandrel assembly body second end path of travel is disposed an effective distance from each ionization surface. 15. The pretreatment assembly of claim 14 wherein no mandrel assembly body dwells at any ion generating station. 16. The pretreatment assembly of claim 11 wherein said no secondary support assembly dwells at any ion generating station. 17. A pretreatment assembly comprising:
a product support assembly; a number of ion generating stations; each ion generating station disposed adjacent said product support assembly; said product support assembly including a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly; said primary drive assembly operatively coupled to said primary support assembly; wherein said primary drive assembly imparts a motion to said primary support assembly; each secondary support assembly structured to support a number of work pieces; each secondary support assembly movably coupled to said primary support assembly; said secondary drive assembly operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly; wherein said secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly; and wherein said product support assembly passes one of a large number of work pieces per minute, a very large number of work pieces per minute, or an exceedingly large number of work pieces per minute adjacent said ion generating stations at an effective distance. 18. A method of processing a number of work pieces comprising:
providing a pretreatment assembly including a product support assembly, a number of ion generating stations, each ion generating station disposed adjacent said product support assembly, said product support assembly including a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly, said primary drive assembly operatively coupled to said primary support assembly, wherein said primary drive assembly imparts a constant motion to said primary support assembly, each secondary support assembly structured to support a number of work pieces, each secondary support assembly movably coupled to said primary support assembly, said secondary drive assembly operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly, wherein said secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly; processing a number of work pieces including:
disposing a work piece on a secondary support assembly;
moving said primary support assembly at a generally constant speed; and
moving said each secondary support assembly adjacent said ion generating stations. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein moving the primary support assembly at a generally constant speed includes moving the primary support assembly so that a first radius on the primary support assembly moves at one of a rapid speed, a very rapid speed, or an exceedingly rapid speed. 20. The method of claim 18 wherein processing a number of work pieces includes processing one of a large number of work pieces per minute, a very large number of work pieces per minute, or an exceedingly large number of work pieces per minute. | A pretreatment assembly includes a product support assembly and a pretreatment device. The product support assembly includes a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly. The primary drive assembly is operatively coupled to the primary support assembly. The primary drive assembly imparts a generally constant motion to the primary support assembly. Each secondary support assembly is structured to support a number of work pieces. Each secondary support assembly is movably coupled to the primary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly is operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly. The secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. The pretreatment device is disposed adjacent the product support assembly.1. A product support assembly for a pretreatment assembly, said coating pretreatment assembly structured to process a number of work pieces, said pretreatment assembly including a number of ion generating stations, said product support assembly comprising:
a primary support assembly; a primary drive assembly; said primary drive assembly operatively coupled to said primary support assembly; wherein said primary drive assembly imparts a constant motion to said primary support assembly; a number of secondary support assemblies; each secondary support assembly structured to support a number of work pieces; each secondary support assembly movably coupled to said primary support assembly; a secondary drive assembly; said secondary drive assembly operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly; and wherein said secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. 2. The product support assembly of claim 1 wherein:
said primary support assembly is a turret assembly;
said turret assembly including a body structured to support each secondary support assembly at a first radius;
said turret assembly body having an axis of rotation;
each secondary support assembly coupled to said turret assembly at said first radius; and
said primary drive assembly structured to rotate said turret assembly body so that said first radius moves at a one of a rapid speed, a very rapid speed, or an exceedingly rapid speed. 3. The product support assembly of claim 2 wherein:
each secondary support assembly is a mandrel assembly;
each mandrel assembly including an elongated body having a first end and a second end; and
wherein each mandrel assembly body is rotatably coupled to said turret assembly body. 4. The product support assembly of claim 3 wherein each ion generating station includes an ionization surface, each ionization surface having a width, each ionization surface disposed adjacent said turret assembly body first radius, each ionization surface extending generally parallel to a mandrel assembly body path of travel, and wherein:
each mandrel assembly body second end path of travel is disposed an effective distance from each ionization surface. 5. The product support assembly of claim 4 wherein each ionization surface is generally an inner conical surface and wherein each mandrel assembly body second end is tapered. 6. The product support assembly of claim 4 wherein:
said primary drive assembly has a first rotational speed; and
said secondary drive assembly is structured to rotate each mandrel assembly body substantially one full rotation as each mandrel assembly body moves adjacent each ionization surface. 7. The product support assembly of claim 4 wherein no mandrel assembly body dwells at any ion generating station. 8. The product support assembly of claim 3 wherein with each mandrel assembly body axis of rotation extends generally parallel to said turret assembly body axis of rotation. 9. The product support assembly of claim 1 wherein said primary drive assembly and said secondary drive assembly are independently operable. 10. The product support assembly of claim 1 wherein said no secondary support assembly dwells at any ion generating station. 11. A pretreatment assembly comprising:
a product support assembly; a number of ion generating stations; each ion generating station disposed adjacent said product support assembly; said product support assembly including a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly; said primary drive assembly operatively coupled to said primary support assembly; wherein said primary drive assembly imparts a constant motion to said primary support assembly; each secondary support assembly structured to support a number of work pieces; each secondary support assembly movably coupled to said primary support assembly; said secondary drive assembly operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly; and wherein said secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly. 12. The pretreatment assembly of claim 11 wherein:
said primary support assembly is a turret assembly;
said turret assembly including a body structured to support each secondary support assembly at a first radius;
said turret assembly body having an axis of rotation;
each secondary support assembly coupled to said turret assembly at said first radius; and
said primary drive assembly structured to rotate said turret assembly body so that said first radius moves at a one of a rapid speed, a very rapid speed, or an exceedingly rapid speed. 13. The pretreatment assembly of claim 12 wherein:
each secondary support assembly is a mandrel assembly;
each mandrel assembly including an elongated body having a first end and a second end; and
wherein each mandrel assembly body is rotatably coupled to said turret assembly body. 14. The pretreatment assembly of claim 13 wherein each ion generating station includes an ionization surface, each ionization surface having a width, each ionization surface disposed adjacent said turret assembly body first radius, each ionization surface extending generally parallel to a mandrel assembly body path of travel, and wherein:
each mandrel assembly body second end path of travel is disposed an effective distance from each ionization surface. 15. The pretreatment assembly of claim 14 wherein no mandrel assembly body dwells at any ion generating station. 16. The pretreatment assembly of claim 11 wherein said no secondary support assembly dwells at any ion generating station. 17. A pretreatment assembly comprising:
a product support assembly; a number of ion generating stations; each ion generating station disposed adjacent said product support assembly; said product support assembly including a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly; said primary drive assembly operatively coupled to said primary support assembly; wherein said primary drive assembly imparts a motion to said primary support assembly; each secondary support assembly structured to support a number of work pieces; each secondary support assembly movably coupled to said primary support assembly; said secondary drive assembly operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly; wherein said secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly; and wherein said product support assembly passes one of a large number of work pieces per minute, a very large number of work pieces per minute, or an exceedingly large number of work pieces per minute adjacent said ion generating stations at an effective distance. 18. A method of processing a number of work pieces comprising:
providing a pretreatment assembly including a product support assembly, a number of ion generating stations, each ion generating station disposed adjacent said product support assembly, said product support assembly including a primary support assembly, a primary drive assembly, a number of secondary support assemblies, and a secondary drive assembly, said primary drive assembly operatively coupled to said primary support assembly, wherein said primary drive assembly imparts a constant motion to said primary support assembly, each secondary support assembly structured to support a number of work pieces, each secondary support assembly movably coupled to said primary support assembly, said secondary drive assembly operatively coupled to each secondary support assembly, wherein said secondary drive assembly selectively imparts a motion to each secondary support assembly; processing a number of work pieces including:
disposing a work piece on a secondary support assembly;
moving said primary support assembly at a generally constant speed; and
moving said each secondary support assembly adjacent said ion generating stations. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein moving the primary support assembly at a generally constant speed includes moving the primary support assembly so that a first radius on the primary support assembly moves at one of a rapid speed, a very rapid speed, or an exceedingly rapid speed. 20. The method of claim 18 wherein processing a number of work pieces includes processing one of a large number of work pieces per minute, a very large number of work pieces per minute, or an exceedingly large number of work pieces per minute. | 1,700 |
3,570 | 13,169,473 | 1,789 | The invention includes an absorbent mat including an absorbent layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the first surface of the absorbent layer. The opposing second surface is structured and arranged such that the adhesive layer is releasably adhereable with the second surface. | 1. An absorbent mat, comprising:
an absorbent layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the first surface of the absorbent layer, wherein the opposing second surface is structured and arranged such that the adhesive layer is releasably adhereable with the second surface. 2. The absorbent mat of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 3. The absorbent mat of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a peel value in the range of about 2 ounces per inch to about 35 ounces per inch. 4. The absorbent mat of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is a hot melt type pressure sensitive adhesive or a liquid carrier based type pressure sensitive adhesive. 5. The absorbent mat of claim 1, wherein the second surface includes a release coating applied to at least a portion thereof 6. The absorbent mat of claim 5, wherein the release coating is applied to the second surface opposite to the adhesive layer that is on at least a portion of the first surface. 7. The absorbent mat of claim 6, wherein the release coating is applied to a larger area than the area covered by the opposing adhesive layer. 8. The absorbent mat of claim 1, wherein the absorbent layer includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, synthetic fibers, pulp, cotton, cellulosic material, and combinations thereof 9. An absorbent mat, comprising:
an absorbent layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the first surface of the absorbent layer; and a reinforcing release layer on the second surface, wherein the reinforcing release layer is structured and arranged such that the adhesive layer is releasably adhereable with the reinforcing release layer. 10. The absorbent mat of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 11. The absorbent mat of claim 10, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a peel value in the range of about 2 ounces per inch to about 35 ounces per inch. 12. The absorbent mat of claim 10, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is a hot melt type pressure sensitive adhesive or a liquid carrier based type pressure sensitive adhesive. 13. The absorbent mat of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing release layer includes a release coating applied to at least a portion thereof 14. The absorbent mat of claim 13, wherein the release coating is applied to the reinforcing release layer opposite to the adhesive layer that is on at least a portion of the first surface. 15. The absorbent mat of claim 14, wherein the release coating is applied to a larger area than the area covered by the opposing adhesive layer. 16. The absorbent mat of claim 9, wherein the absorbent layer includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, synthetic fibers, pulp, cotton, cellulosic material, and combinations thereof 17. The absorbent mat of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing release layer includes nylon, polyethelyne, polypropylene, polyester nonwoven, woven synthetic textile or combinations thereof 18. An absorbent mat, comprising:
an absorbent layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a reinforcing backing layer on the first surface; and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the reinforcing backing layer, wherein the opposing second surface is structured and arranged such that the adhesive layer is releasably adhereable with the second surface. 19. The absorbent mat of claim 18, wherein the adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 20. The absorbent mat of claim 19, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a peel value in the range of about 2 ounces per inch to about 35 ounces per inch. 21. The absorbent mat of claim 19, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is a hot melt type pressure sensitive adhesive or a liquid carrier based type pressure sensitive adhesive. 22. The absorbent mat of claim 18, wherein the second surface includes a release coating applied to at least a portion thereof 23. The absorbent mat of claim 22, wherein the release coating is applied to the second surface opposite to the adhesive layer that is on at least a portion of the reinforcing backing layer. 24. The absorbent mat of claim 23, wherein the release coating is applied to a larger area than the area covered by the opposing adhesive layer. 25. The absorbent mat of claim 18, wherein the absorbent layer includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, synthetic fibers, pulp, cotton, cellulosic material, and combinations thereof 26. The absorbent mat of claim 18, wherein the reinforcing backing layer includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester nonwoven, woven synthetic textile, polymeric film or combinations thereof | The invention includes an absorbent mat including an absorbent layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the first surface of the absorbent layer. The opposing second surface is structured and arranged such that the adhesive layer is releasably adhereable with the second surface.1. An absorbent mat, comprising:
an absorbent layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the first surface of the absorbent layer, wherein the opposing second surface is structured and arranged such that the adhesive layer is releasably adhereable with the second surface. 2. The absorbent mat of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 3. The absorbent mat of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a peel value in the range of about 2 ounces per inch to about 35 ounces per inch. 4. The absorbent mat of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is a hot melt type pressure sensitive adhesive or a liquid carrier based type pressure sensitive adhesive. 5. The absorbent mat of claim 1, wherein the second surface includes a release coating applied to at least a portion thereof 6. The absorbent mat of claim 5, wherein the release coating is applied to the second surface opposite to the adhesive layer that is on at least a portion of the first surface. 7. The absorbent mat of claim 6, wherein the release coating is applied to a larger area than the area covered by the opposing adhesive layer. 8. The absorbent mat of claim 1, wherein the absorbent layer includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, synthetic fibers, pulp, cotton, cellulosic material, and combinations thereof 9. An absorbent mat, comprising:
an absorbent layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the first surface of the absorbent layer; and a reinforcing release layer on the second surface, wherein the reinforcing release layer is structured and arranged such that the adhesive layer is releasably adhereable with the reinforcing release layer. 10. The absorbent mat of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 11. The absorbent mat of claim 10, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a peel value in the range of about 2 ounces per inch to about 35 ounces per inch. 12. The absorbent mat of claim 10, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is a hot melt type pressure sensitive adhesive or a liquid carrier based type pressure sensitive adhesive. 13. The absorbent mat of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing release layer includes a release coating applied to at least a portion thereof 14. The absorbent mat of claim 13, wherein the release coating is applied to the reinforcing release layer opposite to the adhesive layer that is on at least a portion of the first surface. 15. The absorbent mat of claim 14, wherein the release coating is applied to a larger area than the area covered by the opposing adhesive layer. 16. The absorbent mat of claim 9, wherein the absorbent layer includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, synthetic fibers, pulp, cotton, cellulosic material, and combinations thereof 17. The absorbent mat of claim 9, wherein the reinforcing release layer includes nylon, polyethelyne, polypropylene, polyester nonwoven, woven synthetic textile or combinations thereof 18. An absorbent mat, comprising:
an absorbent layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a reinforcing backing layer on the first surface; and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of the reinforcing backing layer, wherein the opposing second surface is structured and arranged such that the adhesive layer is releasably adhereable with the second surface. 19. The absorbent mat of claim 18, wherein the adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 20. The absorbent mat of claim 19, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a peel value in the range of about 2 ounces per inch to about 35 ounces per inch. 21. The absorbent mat of claim 19, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is a hot melt type pressure sensitive adhesive or a liquid carrier based type pressure sensitive adhesive. 22. The absorbent mat of claim 18, wherein the second surface includes a release coating applied to at least a portion thereof 23. The absorbent mat of claim 22, wherein the release coating is applied to the second surface opposite to the adhesive layer that is on at least a portion of the reinforcing backing layer. 24. The absorbent mat of claim 23, wherein the release coating is applied to a larger area than the area covered by the opposing adhesive layer. 25. The absorbent mat of claim 18, wherein the absorbent layer includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, synthetic fibers, pulp, cotton, cellulosic material, and combinations thereof 26. The absorbent mat of claim 18, wherein the reinforcing backing layer includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester nonwoven, woven synthetic textile, polymeric film or combinations thereof | 1,700 |
3,571 | 15,334,005 | 1,776 | A fuel stabilization system for removing oxygen from fuel includes an accumulator disposed along a fuel line, the accumulator includes a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a heat source disposed in thermal communication with the fuel in or upstream of the fuel inlet of the accumulator to increase the temperature of the fuel within the accumulator. The accumulator is configured to allow oxygen deposits to form therein as a result of the temperature increase of the fuel. | 1. A fuel stabilization system for removing dissolved oxygen from fuel, comprising:
an accumulator disposed along a fuel line, the accumulator includes a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; and a heat source disposed in thermal communication with the fuel in or upstream of the fuel inlet of the accumulator to increase the temperature of the fuel within the accumulator, wherein the accumulator is configured to allow carbonaceous deposits to form therein as a result of the temperature increase of the fuel. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat source includes a heater. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat source includes an engine system. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a regenerative heat exchanger disposed in the fuel line such that it is both upstream and downstream of the accumulator such that the fuel upstream of the accumulator passes through the regenerative heat exchanger to receive heat from fuel downstream of the accumulator. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the heat source is disposed downstream of a heating side of the regenerative heat exchanger. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein a cooling side of the regenerative heat exchanger is downstream of and in fluid communication with the fuel outlet of the accumulator. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed immediately upstream of a branch leading to an actuator which drives a fuel metering valve. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of a fuel pump and/or a fuel valve is disposed downstream of the system. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the accumulator is removable from the system to allow replacement and/or refurbishment thereof. 10. A method for removing oxygen from fuel, comprising:
applying heat to fuel upstream of an accumulator to raise the temperature of the fuel to cause deposits to form on the accumulator. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein applying heat comprising using a heater. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein applying heat comprises routing heat from an engine system. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising reducing the temperature of the fuel downstream of the accumulator. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein applying heat to the fuel upstream of the accumulator includes extracting heat from the fuel downstream of the accumulator. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising removing the accumulator to clean or replace the accumulator after deposit buildup. 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising monitoring a temperature of the fuel upstream of and/or within and/or downstream of the accumulator, wherein applying heat includes applying heat as a function of the temperature of the fuel. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising monitoring a deposit buildup rate within the accumulator, wherein applying heat includes applying heat as a function of the deposit buildup rate. | A fuel stabilization system for removing oxygen from fuel includes an accumulator disposed along a fuel line, the accumulator includes a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and a heat source disposed in thermal communication with the fuel in or upstream of the fuel inlet of the accumulator to increase the temperature of the fuel within the accumulator. The accumulator is configured to allow oxygen deposits to form therein as a result of the temperature increase of the fuel.1. A fuel stabilization system for removing dissolved oxygen from fuel, comprising:
an accumulator disposed along a fuel line, the accumulator includes a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet; and a heat source disposed in thermal communication with the fuel in or upstream of the fuel inlet of the accumulator to increase the temperature of the fuel within the accumulator, wherein the accumulator is configured to allow carbonaceous deposits to form therein as a result of the temperature increase of the fuel. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat source includes a heater. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat source includes an engine system. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a regenerative heat exchanger disposed in the fuel line such that it is both upstream and downstream of the accumulator such that the fuel upstream of the accumulator passes through the regenerative heat exchanger to receive heat from fuel downstream of the accumulator. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the heat source is disposed downstream of a heating side of the regenerative heat exchanger. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein a cooling side of the regenerative heat exchanger is downstream of and in fluid communication with the fuel outlet of the accumulator. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is disposed immediately upstream of a branch leading to an actuator which drives a fuel metering valve. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of a fuel pump and/or a fuel valve is disposed downstream of the system. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the accumulator is removable from the system to allow replacement and/or refurbishment thereof. 10. A method for removing oxygen from fuel, comprising:
applying heat to fuel upstream of an accumulator to raise the temperature of the fuel to cause deposits to form on the accumulator. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein applying heat comprising using a heater. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein applying heat comprises routing heat from an engine system. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising reducing the temperature of the fuel downstream of the accumulator. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein applying heat to the fuel upstream of the accumulator includes extracting heat from the fuel downstream of the accumulator. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising removing the accumulator to clean or replace the accumulator after deposit buildup. 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising monitoring a temperature of the fuel upstream of and/or within and/or downstream of the accumulator, wherein applying heat includes applying heat as a function of the temperature of the fuel. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising monitoring a deposit buildup rate within the accumulator, wherein applying heat includes applying heat as a function of the deposit buildup rate. | 1,700 |
3,572 | 14,858,267 | 1,735 | An inertia welding method includes: mounting two workpieces in an inertia welding apparatus; rotating a least one of the workpieces, so as to produce relative rotation of the two workpieces at a predetermined RPM; forcing together the two workpieces with predetermined first weld load so as to cause frictional heating at an interface therebetween; maintaining the first weld load for a first interval; forcing together the two workpieces with a predetermined second weld load greater than the first weld load so as to cause material upset and bonding between the two workpieces, while the rotation brakes to a stop, terminating the weld process; wherein the first and second weld loads are selected so as a produce a specific temperature-distance profile in a selected one of the workpieces, at the termination of the weld process. | 1. An inertia welding method, comprising:
mounting two workpieces in an inertia welding apparatus; rotating at least one of the workpieces, so as to produce relative rotation of the two workpieces; in a first stage, forcing together the two workpieces with a first weld load so as to cause frictional heating at an interface therebetween; maintaining the first weld load for a first interval; in a subsequent stage, forcing together the two workpieces with a one or more subsequent weld loads, at least one of the subsequent weld loads being greater than the first weld load so as to cause material upset and bonding between the two workpieces; wherein the weld loads are selected so as a produce a specific temperature-distance profile in a selected one of the workpieces, at a termination of the weld process. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein one workpiece is stronger than the other workpiece. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the weld loads are selected so as to produce the specific temperature-distance profile in the stronger workpiece. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the workpieces are made from different alloys. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the relative rotation occurs at a different RPM during the different stages. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature-distance profile includes a specific peak temperature. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature-distance profile includes a specific slope. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to starting the relative rotation, the following steps:
using a computer, simulating an inertia weld process that includes:
mounting two workpieces in spaced-apart jaws of an inertia welding apparatus;
rotating at least one of the workpieces;
in a first stage, forcing together the two workpieces with a first weld load so as to cause frictional heating at an interface therebetween;
maintaining the first weld load for a first interval;
in a subsequent stage, forcing together the two workpieces with at least one subsequent weld load, wherein at least one of the subsequent weld loads is greater than the first weld load, so as to cause material upset and bonding between the two workpieces;
determining a temperature-distance profile present in the workpieces at the termination of the weld process; and
Selecting values for the weld loads so as to result in a specific temperature-distance profile present in the workpieces at a termination of the weld process. 9. A method of determining inertia weld control parameters, comprising:
using a computer, simulating an inertia weld process that includes:
mounting two workpieces in spaced-apart jaws of an inertia welding apparatus;
rotating at least one of the workpieces;
in a first stage, forcing together the two workpieces with a first weld load so as to cause frictional heating at an interface therebetween;
maintaining the first weld load for a first interval;
in a subsequent stage, forcing together the two workpieces with at least one subsequent weld load, wherein at least one of the subsequent weld loads is greater than the first weld load, so as to cause material upset and bonding between the two workpieces;
determining a temperature-distance profile present in the workpieces at the termination of the weld process; and Selecting values for the weld loads so as a result in a specific temperature-distance profile present in the workpieces at the termination of the weld process. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein one workpiece is stronger than the other workpiece. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the weld loads are selected so as to produce the specific temperature-distance profile in the stronger workpiece. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the workpieces are made from different alloys. 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the relative rotation occurs at a different RPM for each stage. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the temperature-distance profile includes a specific peak temperature. 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the temperature-distance profile includes a specific slope. 16. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the relative rotation occurs at a different RPM for each stage, the method further comprising selecting values for RPM and the weld loads for each stage so as to result in the specific temperature-distance profile. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the RPM varies during each stage. 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the weld load varies during each stage. | An inertia welding method includes: mounting two workpieces in an inertia welding apparatus; rotating a least one of the workpieces, so as to produce relative rotation of the two workpieces at a predetermined RPM; forcing together the two workpieces with predetermined first weld load so as to cause frictional heating at an interface therebetween; maintaining the first weld load for a first interval; forcing together the two workpieces with a predetermined second weld load greater than the first weld load so as to cause material upset and bonding between the two workpieces, while the rotation brakes to a stop, terminating the weld process; wherein the first and second weld loads are selected so as a produce a specific temperature-distance profile in a selected one of the workpieces, at the termination of the weld process.1. An inertia welding method, comprising:
mounting two workpieces in an inertia welding apparatus; rotating at least one of the workpieces, so as to produce relative rotation of the two workpieces; in a first stage, forcing together the two workpieces with a first weld load so as to cause frictional heating at an interface therebetween; maintaining the first weld load for a first interval; in a subsequent stage, forcing together the two workpieces with a one or more subsequent weld loads, at least one of the subsequent weld loads being greater than the first weld load so as to cause material upset and bonding between the two workpieces; wherein the weld loads are selected so as a produce a specific temperature-distance profile in a selected one of the workpieces, at a termination of the weld process. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein one workpiece is stronger than the other workpiece. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the weld loads are selected so as to produce the specific temperature-distance profile in the stronger workpiece. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the workpieces are made from different alloys. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the relative rotation occurs at a different RPM during the different stages. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature-distance profile includes a specific peak temperature. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature-distance profile includes a specific slope. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to starting the relative rotation, the following steps:
using a computer, simulating an inertia weld process that includes:
mounting two workpieces in spaced-apart jaws of an inertia welding apparatus;
rotating at least one of the workpieces;
in a first stage, forcing together the two workpieces with a first weld load so as to cause frictional heating at an interface therebetween;
maintaining the first weld load for a first interval;
in a subsequent stage, forcing together the two workpieces with at least one subsequent weld load, wherein at least one of the subsequent weld loads is greater than the first weld load, so as to cause material upset and bonding between the two workpieces;
determining a temperature-distance profile present in the workpieces at the termination of the weld process; and
Selecting values for the weld loads so as to result in a specific temperature-distance profile present in the workpieces at a termination of the weld process. 9. A method of determining inertia weld control parameters, comprising:
using a computer, simulating an inertia weld process that includes:
mounting two workpieces in spaced-apart jaws of an inertia welding apparatus;
rotating at least one of the workpieces;
in a first stage, forcing together the two workpieces with a first weld load so as to cause frictional heating at an interface therebetween;
maintaining the first weld load for a first interval;
in a subsequent stage, forcing together the two workpieces with at least one subsequent weld load, wherein at least one of the subsequent weld loads is greater than the first weld load, so as to cause material upset and bonding between the two workpieces;
determining a temperature-distance profile present in the workpieces at the termination of the weld process; and Selecting values for the weld loads so as a result in a specific temperature-distance profile present in the workpieces at the termination of the weld process. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein one workpiece is stronger than the other workpiece. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the weld loads are selected so as to produce the specific temperature-distance profile in the stronger workpiece. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the workpieces are made from different alloys. 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the relative rotation occurs at a different RPM for each stage. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the temperature-distance profile includes a specific peak temperature. 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the temperature-distance profile includes a specific slope. 16. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the relative rotation occurs at a different RPM for each stage, the method further comprising selecting values for RPM and the weld loads for each stage so as to result in the specific temperature-distance profile. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the RPM varies during each stage. 18. The method of claim 1 wherein the weld load varies during each stage. | 1,700 |
3,573 | 14,838,408 | 1,734 | Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a foreline having a first end configured to couple to an exhaust port of a vacuum processing chamber, and an injection port is formed in the foreline. The abatement system further includes a scrubber coupled to a second end of the foreline. There is no effluent burner or plasma source interfaced with the foreline between the first end and the scrubber. Low temperature steam is injected into the foreline through the injection port to abate the PFCs flowing out of the vacuum processing chamber. | 1. An abatement system, comprising:
a foreline having a first end configured to couple to an exhaust port of a vacuum processing chamber, wherein an injection port is formed in the foreline; and a scrubber coupled to a second end of the foreline, wherein there is no effluent burner or plasma source interfaced with the foreline between the first end and the scrubber. 2. The abatement system of claim 1 further comprising:
an abating agent delivery system coupled to the injection port. 3. The abatement system of claim 2, wherein the abating agent delivery system is a low pressure boiler. 4. The abatement system of claim 3, wherein the low pressure boiler is operable to produce steam in response to a reduction of pressure within the low pressure boiler caused by fluidly coupling an interior of the low pressure boiler to an environment of the foreline. 5. The abatement system of claim 2, further comprising one or more valves disposed between the abating agent delivery system and the injection port. 6. The abatement system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pump disposed between the injection port and the scrubber. 7. The abatement system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum processing chamber is a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition chamber. 8. A method, comprising:
maintaining a hydrogen containing compound in a low pressure boiler at a temperature that is less than a boiling point of the hydrogen containing compound at 760 Torr; reducing a pressure in the low pressure boiler to form a vapor of the hydrogen containing compound; flowing the vapor into a foreline via an injection port; and reacting the vapor with halogen containing compounds in the foreline, wherein the halogen containing compounds are not heated or flowed into a plasma source. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the hydrogen containing compound is liquid water. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the temperature of the low pressure boiler is maintained at less than about 100 degrees Celsius. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the vapor is water vapor. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the foreline has a first end and a second end, the first end is configured to couple to an exhaust port of a vacuum processing chamber, and the second end is configured to couple to a scrubber. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reducing the pressure in the low pressure boiler is achieved by a vacuum pump disposed between the injection port and the scrubber. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrogen containing compound is maintained at about 15 to 40 degrees Celsius. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pressure in the low pressure boiler is reduced to about 15 Torr to 40 Torr. 16. The method of claim 8, wherein the vapor is flowed into the foreline at a rate of about 1 to 10 standard liters per minute. 17. A method, comprising:
signaling a controller that a halogen containing gas is flowing into a vacuum processing chamber or a remote plasma source coupled upstream of the vacuum processing chamber by a chamber controller; signaling the controller that the remote plasma source is operating by the chamber controller; and opening one or more valves to inject an abating agent into a foreline via an injection port by the controller. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the halogen containing gas is a fluorine containing gas. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the abating agent is a hydrogen containing compound. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the abating agent is water vapor. | Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a foreline having a first end configured to couple to an exhaust port of a vacuum processing chamber, and an injection port is formed in the foreline. The abatement system further includes a scrubber coupled to a second end of the foreline. There is no effluent burner or plasma source interfaced with the foreline between the first end and the scrubber. Low temperature steam is injected into the foreline through the injection port to abate the PFCs flowing out of the vacuum processing chamber.1. An abatement system, comprising:
a foreline having a first end configured to couple to an exhaust port of a vacuum processing chamber, wherein an injection port is formed in the foreline; and a scrubber coupled to a second end of the foreline, wherein there is no effluent burner or plasma source interfaced with the foreline between the first end and the scrubber. 2. The abatement system of claim 1 further comprising:
an abating agent delivery system coupled to the injection port. 3. The abatement system of claim 2, wherein the abating agent delivery system is a low pressure boiler. 4. The abatement system of claim 3, wherein the low pressure boiler is operable to produce steam in response to a reduction of pressure within the low pressure boiler caused by fluidly coupling an interior of the low pressure boiler to an environment of the foreline. 5. The abatement system of claim 2, further comprising one or more valves disposed between the abating agent delivery system and the injection port. 6. The abatement system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pump disposed between the injection port and the scrubber. 7. The abatement system of claim 1, wherein the vacuum processing chamber is a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition chamber. 8. A method, comprising:
maintaining a hydrogen containing compound in a low pressure boiler at a temperature that is less than a boiling point of the hydrogen containing compound at 760 Torr; reducing a pressure in the low pressure boiler to form a vapor of the hydrogen containing compound; flowing the vapor into a foreline via an injection port; and reacting the vapor with halogen containing compounds in the foreline, wherein the halogen containing compounds are not heated or flowed into a plasma source. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the hydrogen containing compound is liquid water. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the temperature of the low pressure boiler is maintained at less than about 100 degrees Celsius. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the vapor is water vapor. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the foreline has a first end and a second end, the first end is configured to couple to an exhaust port of a vacuum processing chamber, and the second end is configured to couple to a scrubber. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reducing the pressure in the low pressure boiler is achieved by a vacuum pump disposed between the injection port and the scrubber. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrogen containing compound is maintained at about 15 to 40 degrees Celsius. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pressure in the low pressure boiler is reduced to about 15 Torr to 40 Torr. 16. The method of claim 8, wherein the vapor is flowed into the foreline at a rate of about 1 to 10 standard liters per minute. 17. A method, comprising:
signaling a controller that a halogen containing gas is flowing into a vacuum processing chamber or a remote plasma source coupled upstream of the vacuum processing chamber by a chamber controller; signaling the controller that the remote plasma source is operating by the chamber controller; and opening one or more valves to inject an abating agent into a foreline via an injection port by the controller. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the halogen containing gas is a fluorine containing gas. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the abating agent is a hydrogen containing compound. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the abating agent is water vapor. | 1,700 |
3,574 | 14,591,137 | 1,734 | An article includes a MAX phase solid and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase material. | 1. An article comprising:
a MAX phase solid having a formula Mn+1AXn, where n=1-3, M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, and X includes at least one of carbon and nitrogen; and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase solid. 2. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is a metal or an alloy having a base metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Y, Sc, Be, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof. 3. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material has a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) crystalline structure. 4. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is Ni or a Ni-based alloy. 5. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is Co or a Co-based alloy. 6. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is Fe or an Fe-based alloy. 7. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is Ti or a Ti-based alloy. 8. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the MAX phase solid is selected from the group consisting of Ti3SiC2, Ti2AlC, and combinations thereof. 9. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the MAX phase solid includes Ti2AlC. 10. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the MAX phase solid includes Ti3SiC2. 11. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the M in the formula Mn+1AXn is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and combinations thereof, and the A in the formula Mn+1AXn is selected from the group consisting of Cd, Al, Gd, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, P, As, S, and combinations thereof. 12. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein a ratio, in volume percent, of the high temperature melting point metallic material to the MAX phase solid is from 30:70 to 95:5. 13. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein a ratio, in volume percent, of the high temperature melting point metallic material to the MAX phase solid is from 30:70 to 70:30. 14. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material and the MAX phase solid define a porosity of 0 to 50 vol %. 15. A composite material comprising:
a MAX phase solid having a formula Mn+1AXn, where n=1-3, M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, and X includes at least one of carbon and nitrogen; and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase solid. 16. The composite material as recited in claim 15, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is a metal or an alloy having a base metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Y, Sc, Be, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof. 17. The composite material as recited in claim 15, wherein a ratio, in volume percent, of the high temperature melting point metallic material to the MAX phase solid is from 30:70 to 95:5. 18. The composite material as recited in claim 15, wherein a ratio, in volume percent, of the high temperature melting point metallic material to the MAX phase solid is from 30:70 to 70:30. 19. The composite material as recited in claim 15, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material and the MAX phase solid define a porosity of 0 to 50 vol %. 20. A method comprising:
identifying a vibration characteristic of an article; controlling a composition of a composite material of the article with respect to the vibration characteristic, the composition including a MAX phase solid having a formula Mn+1AXn, where n=1-3, M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, and X includes at least one of carbon and nitrogen, and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase solid. | An article includes a MAX phase solid and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase material.1. An article comprising:
a MAX phase solid having a formula Mn+1AXn, where n=1-3, M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, and X includes at least one of carbon and nitrogen; and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase solid. 2. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is a metal or an alloy having a base metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Y, Sc, Be, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof. 3. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material has a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) crystalline structure. 4. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is Ni or a Ni-based alloy. 5. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is Co or a Co-based alloy. 6. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is Fe or an Fe-based alloy. 7. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is Ti or a Ti-based alloy. 8. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the MAX phase solid is selected from the group consisting of Ti3SiC2, Ti2AlC, and combinations thereof. 9. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the MAX phase solid includes Ti2AlC. 10. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the MAX phase solid includes Ti3SiC2. 11. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the M in the formula Mn+1AXn is selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and combinations thereof, and the A in the formula Mn+1AXn is selected from the group consisting of Cd, Al, Gd, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, P, As, S, and combinations thereof. 12. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein a ratio, in volume percent, of the high temperature melting point metallic material to the MAX phase solid is from 30:70 to 95:5. 13. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein a ratio, in volume percent, of the high temperature melting point metallic material to the MAX phase solid is from 30:70 to 70:30. 14. The article as recited in claim 1, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material and the MAX phase solid define a porosity of 0 to 50 vol %. 15. A composite material comprising:
a MAX phase solid having a formula Mn+1AXn, where n=1-3, M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, and X includes at least one of carbon and nitrogen; and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase solid. 16. The composite material as recited in claim 15, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material is a metal or an alloy having a base metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Y, Sc, Be, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof. 17. The composite material as recited in claim 15, wherein a ratio, in volume percent, of the high temperature melting point metallic material to the MAX phase solid is from 30:70 to 95:5. 18. The composite material as recited in claim 15, wherein a ratio, in volume percent, of the high temperature melting point metallic material to the MAX phase solid is from 30:70 to 70:30. 19. The composite material as recited in claim 15, wherein the high temperature melting point metallic material and the MAX phase solid define a porosity of 0 to 50 vol %. 20. A method comprising:
identifying a vibration characteristic of an article; controlling a composition of a composite material of the article with respect to the vibration characteristic, the composition including a MAX phase solid having a formula Mn+1AXn, where n=1-3, M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element, and X includes at least one of carbon and nitrogen, and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase solid. | 1,700 |
3,575 | 14,145,987 | 1,726 | The present disclosure provides a spectrally selective panel that comprises a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range. The panel also comprises a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band. | 1. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged such that within a wavelengths range from approximately 600 nm to approximately 800 nm the transmittance decreases from at least 60% to less than 10%. 2. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the first reflective component is provided in the form an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged such that within a wavelengths range from approximately 600 nm to approximately 800 nm the transmittance decreases at least 80% to less than 5%. 3. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 4. The spectrally selective panel of claim 3 comprising at least one photovoltaic cell that is positioned at a side portion of the spectrally selective panel for receiving a portion of the light that is directed towards that side portion by the spectrally selective panel. 5. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the first reflective component is a multiple stack edge mirror. 6. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the first panel portion is provided in the form of a glass panel portion. 7. The spectrally selective component of claim 1 wherein the first panel portion is formed from a polymeric material. 8. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the spectrally selective panel comprises, or is provided in the form of, a windowpane. 9. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the first panel portion comprises two or more component panel portions that are coupled together. 10. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 comprising a luminescent material arranged to absorb at least a portion of incident and/or reflected light having a wavelength in the IR wavelength band and emit light by luminescence. 11. The spectrally selective panel of claim 10 wherein the luminescent material comprises visibly transparent luminophores that are arranged for absorption of IR light. 12. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 comprising a scattering material that is arranged to increase scattering of incident light. 13. The spectrally selective component of claim 12 comprising a luminescent material and wherein the first panel portion comprises component panel portions and the scattering material is sandwiched between adjacent ones of the component panel portions that are positioned in a face-to-face relationship and wherein the scattering material also comprises at least a portion of the luminescent material and functions as an adhesive that couples the component panel portions together in a face-to-face relationship. 14. The spectrally selective panel of claim 11 wherein the scattering material comprises at least one of a diffractive element, a phase masks and optical phase grating that result in scattering or directional deflection of incident and/or reflected light. 15. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 comprising a top layer on which light is incident prior to transmission through the first panel portion of the spectrally selective panel and wherein the top layer is a multi-layered structure that is largely transmissive for visible light and arranged for reflecting IR light that is emitted by the luminescent material. 16. The spectrally selective component of claim 1 wherein the spectrally selective component is arranged to reflect the transmission of more than 90% of the incident radiation within a wavelengths range of approximately 300 nm to approximately 410 nm. 17. The spectrally selective component of claim 1 wherein the spectrally selective component is arranged to reflect the transmission of more than 96% of the incident radiation at a wavelength a wavelengths range of approximately 300 to approximately 410 nm. 18. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged to reflect more than 90% of the incident radiation at a wavelengths range from approximately 300 nm to approximately 420 nm; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 19. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged such that within a wavelengths range from approximately 380 nm to approximately 420 nm the transmittance increases from less than 10% to more than 60%; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 20. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being arranged such that more than 80% of incident light is transmitted within a wavelengths range of approximately 400 nm to approximately 680 nm; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 21. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being arranged to reflect more than 90% of solar energy of the incident radiation at a wavelengths range of approximately 700 nm to approximately 1700 nm; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 22. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component comprising exclusively dielectric materials; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. | The present disclosure provides a spectrally selective panel that comprises a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range. The panel also comprises a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band.1. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged such that within a wavelengths range from approximately 600 nm to approximately 800 nm the transmittance decreases from at least 60% to less than 10%. 2. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the first reflective component is provided in the form an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged such that within a wavelengths range from approximately 600 nm to approximately 800 nm the transmittance decreases at least 80% to less than 5%. 3. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 4. The spectrally selective panel of claim 3 comprising at least one photovoltaic cell that is positioned at a side portion of the spectrally selective panel for receiving a portion of the light that is directed towards that side portion by the spectrally selective panel. 5. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the first reflective component is a multiple stack edge mirror. 6. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the first panel portion is provided in the form of a glass panel portion. 7. The spectrally selective component of claim 1 wherein the first panel portion is formed from a polymeric material. 8. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the spectrally selective panel comprises, or is provided in the form of, a windowpane. 9. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 wherein the first panel portion comprises two or more component panel portions that are coupled together. 10. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 comprising a luminescent material arranged to absorb at least a portion of incident and/or reflected light having a wavelength in the IR wavelength band and emit light by luminescence. 11. The spectrally selective panel of claim 10 wherein the luminescent material comprises visibly transparent luminophores that are arranged for absorption of IR light. 12. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 comprising a scattering material that is arranged to increase scattering of incident light. 13. The spectrally selective component of claim 12 comprising a luminescent material and wherein the first panel portion comprises component panel portions and the scattering material is sandwiched between adjacent ones of the component panel portions that are positioned in a face-to-face relationship and wherein the scattering material also comprises at least a portion of the luminescent material and functions as an adhesive that couples the component panel portions together in a face-to-face relationship. 14. The spectrally selective panel of claim 11 wherein the scattering material comprises at least one of a diffractive element, a phase masks and optical phase grating that result in scattering or directional deflection of incident and/or reflected light. 15. The spectrally selective panel of claim 1 comprising a top layer on which light is incident prior to transmission through the first panel portion of the spectrally selective panel and wherein the top layer is a multi-layered structure that is largely transmissive for visible light and arranged for reflecting IR light that is emitted by the luminescent material. 16. The spectrally selective component of claim 1 wherein the spectrally selective component is arranged to reflect the transmission of more than 90% of the incident radiation within a wavelengths range of approximately 300 nm to approximately 410 nm. 17. The spectrally selective component of claim 1 wherein the spectrally selective component is arranged to reflect the transmission of more than 96% of the incident radiation at a wavelength a wavelengths range of approximately 300 to approximately 410 nm. 18. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged to reflect more than 90% of the incident radiation at a wavelengths range from approximately 300 nm to approximately 420 nm; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 19. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged such that within a wavelengths range from approximately 380 nm to approximately 420 nm the transmittance increases from less than 10% to more than 60%; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 20. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being arranged such that more than 80% of incident light is transmitted within a wavelengths range of approximately 400 nm to approximately 680 nm; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 21. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component being provided in the form of an optical interference coating that comprises layers of dielectric materials that are arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component being arranged to reflect more than 90% of solar energy of the incident radiation at a wavelengths range of approximately 700 nm to approximately 1700 nm; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. 22. A spectrally selective panel comprising:
a first panel portion that is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and a first reflective component that is arranged to reflect incident light within an infrared (IR) wavelength band and within an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength band while being largely transmissive for at least the majority of light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength band, the first reflective component comprising exclusively dielectric materials; wherein the spectrally selective panel is arranged such that at least a portion of an energy associated with light incident from a transversal direction of the spectrally selective panel is reflected by the first reflective component and subsequently directed within the panel towards a side portion of the panel. | 1,700 |
3,576 | 14,892,586 | 1,723 | A method of in-situ electrolyte preparation in a flow battery includes providing a vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V 4+ to a first electrode and a second electrode of at least one cell of a flow battery. The vanadium V 4+ at the first electrode is converted to vanadium V 3+ and the vanadium V 4+ at the second electrode is converted to vanadium V 5+ by providing electrical energy to the electrodes. A reducing agent is then provided to the vanadium V 5+ at the second electrode to reduce the V 5+ to vanadium the V 4+ . The vanadium V 3+ at the first electrode is then converted to vanadium V 2+ and the vanadium V 4+ at the second electrode is then converted to vanadium V 5+ by providing electrical energy to the electrodes. A simple method to produce predominantly vanadium V 4+ electrolyte from a V 5+ source, such as V 2 O 5 , is also taught. | 1. A method of in-situ electrolyte preparation in a flow battery, the method comprising:
(a) providing a vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+ to a first electrode and a second electrode of at least one cell of a flow battery, the second electrode being spaced apart from the first electrode, with an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; (b) converting the vanadium V4+ in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the first electrode to vanadium V3+ and converting the vanadium V4+ in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the second electrode to vanadium V5+ by providing electrical energy through an electric circuit to the first electrode and the second electrode; (c) after said step (b), providing a reducing agent to the vanadium-based electrolyte solution of the second electrolyte to reduce the vanadium V5+ to vanadium V4+; and (d) after said step (c), converting the vanadium V3+ of said step (b) in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the first electrode to vanadium V2+ and converting the vanadium V4+ of said step (c) in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the second electrode to vanadium V5+ by providing electrical energy through the electric circuit to the first electrode and the second electrode. 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent includes an acid. 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent includes oxalic acid. 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent includes formic acid. 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent includes an alcohol. 6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the vanadium ions of said step (a) have a concentration of 90% or greater of the vanadium V4+. 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the vanadium ions of said step (a) have a concentration of 95% or greater of vanadium V4+. 8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the vanadium-based electrolyte solution includes sulfuric acid. 9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein equal parts of the vanadium-based electrolyte solution in said step (a) are provided to the first electrode and the second electrode. 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the concentration of the vanadium V2+ of said step (d) in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the first electrode is equal to the concentration of the vanadium V5+ of said step (d) in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the second electrode within +/−5%. 11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising preparing the vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+ of said step (a) by:
(i) providing a first solution and a second solution, at least one of the first solution and the second solution including vanadium V5+, at least one of the first solution and the second solution including a reducing agent, and a ratio of moles of the reducing agent to moles of vanadium V5+ is 2:1 or greater; and
(ii) combining the first solution and the second solution, the reducing agent reducing the vanadium V5+ to the vanadium V4+. 12. A method of preparing a vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly V4+, the method comprising:
(a) providing a first solution and a second solution, at least one of the first solution and the second solution including vanadium V5+, at least one of the first solution and the second solution including a reducing agent, and a ratio of moles of the reducing agent to moles of vanadium V5+ is 2:1 or greater; and (b) combining the first solution and the second solution, the reducing agent reducing the vanadium V5+ to vanadium V4+. 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the first solution includes the reducing agent and the second solution includes an acid. 14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the reducing agent includes oxalic acid and the acid of the second solution includes sulfuric acid. 15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the reducing agent includes formic acid and the acid of the second solution includes sulfuric acid. 16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the reducing agent includes an alcohol and the acid of the second solution includes sulfuric acid. 17. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the first solution of said step (a) includes the reducing agent and the vanadium V5+. 18. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising providing the at least one of the first solution and the second solution including vanadium V5+ using V2O5 powder. 19. A flow battery comprising:
at least one cell including a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; a supply/storage system external of the at least one cell, the supply/storage system including first and second vessels fluidly connected with the at least one cell; and first and second fluid electrolytes in, respectively, the first and second vessels, each of the first and second fluid electrolytes having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+, the first and second fluid electrolytes having substantially equivalent amounts of vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+. 20. The flow battery as recited in claim 19, wherein the battery is initially charged to a fully charged state by two separate electrochemical charging steps with the addition of a reducing fluid to one of the electrolytes in between the two charging steps. | A method of in-situ electrolyte preparation in a flow battery includes providing a vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V 4+ to a first electrode and a second electrode of at least one cell of a flow battery. The vanadium V 4+ at the first electrode is converted to vanadium V 3+ and the vanadium V 4+ at the second electrode is converted to vanadium V 5+ by providing electrical energy to the electrodes. A reducing agent is then provided to the vanadium V 5+ at the second electrode to reduce the V 5+ to vanadium the V 4+ . The vanadium V 3+ at the first electrode is then converted to vanadium V 2+ and the vanadium V 4+ at the second electrode is then converted to vanadium V 5+ by providing electrical energy to the electrodes. A simple method to produce predominantly vanadium V 4+ electrolyte from a V 5+ source, such as V 2 O 5 , is also taught.1. A method of in-situ electrolyte preparation in a flow battery, the method comprising:
(a) providing a vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+ to a first electrode and a second electrode of at least one cell of a flow battery, the second electrode being spaced apart from the first electrode, with an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; (b) converting the vanadium V4+ in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the first electrode to vanadium V3+ and converting the vanadium V4+ in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the second electrode to vanadium V5+ by providing electrical energy through an electric circuit to the first electrode and the second electrode; (c) after said step (b), providing a reducing agent to the vanadium-based electrolyte solution of the second electrolyte to reduce the vanadium V5+ to vanadium V4+; and (d) after said step (c), converting the vanadium V3+ of said step (b) in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the first electrode to vanadium V2+ and converting the vanadium V4+ of said step (c) in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the second electrode to vanadium V5+ by providing electrical energy through the electric circuit to the first electrode and the second electrode. 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent includes an acid. 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent includes oxalic acid. 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent includes formic acid. 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent includes an alcohol. 6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the vanadium ions of said step (a) have a concentration of 90% or greater of the vanadium V4+. 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the vanadium ions of said step (a) have a concentration of 95% or greater of vanadium V4+. 8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the vanadium-based electrolyte solution includes sulfuric acid. 9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein equal parts of the vanadium-based electrolyte solution in said step (a) are provided to the first electrode and the second electrode. 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the concentration of the vanadium V2+ of said step (d) in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the first electrode is equal to the concentration of the vanadium V5+ of said step (d) in the vanadium-based electrolyte solution at the second electrode within +/−5%. 11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising preparing the vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+ of said step (a) by:
(i) providing a first solution and a second solution, at least one of the first solution and the second solution including vanadium V5+, at least one of the first solution and the second solution including a reducing agent, and a ratio of moles of the reducing agent to moles of vanadium V5+ is 2:1 or greater; and
(ii) combining the first solution and the second solution, the reducing agent reducing the vanadium V5+ to the vanadium V4+. 12. A method of preparing a vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly V4+, the method comprising:
(a) providing a first solution and a second solution, at least one of the first solution and the second solution including vanadium V5+, at least one of the first solution and the second solution including a reducing agent, and a ratio of moles of the reducing agent to moles of vanadium V5+ is 2:1 or greater; and (b) combining the first solution and the second solution, the reducing agent reducing the vanadium V5+ to vanadium V4+. 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the first solution includes the reducing agent and the second solution includes an acid. 14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the reducing agent includes oxalic acid and the acid of the second solution includes sulfuric acid. 15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the reducing agent includes formic acid and the acid of the second solution includes sulfuric acid. 16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the reducing agent includes an alcohol and the acid of the second solution includes sulfuric acid. 17. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the first solution of said step (a) includes the reducing agent and the vanadium V5+. 18. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising providing the at least one of the first solution and the second solution including vanadium V5+ using V2O5 powder. 19. A flow battery comprising:
at least one cell including a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode; a supply/storage system external of the at least one cell, the supply/storage system including first and second vessels fluidly connected with the at least one cell; and first and second fluid electrolytes in, respectively, the first and second vessels, each of the first and second fluid electrolytes having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+, the first and second fluid electrolytes having substantially equivalent amounts of vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+. 20. The flow battery as recited in claim 19, wherein the battery is initially charged to a fully charged state by two separate electrochemical charging steps with the addition of a reducing fluid to one of the electrolytes in between the two charging steps. | 1,700 |
3,577 | 14,272,819 | 1,726 | A solar module having uniform light for assembling on the top of a building to act as a roof is revealed. It comprises a transparent substrate, at least one solar chip, a hot melt adhesive film, a transparent cover plate, and a diffusion film disposed between the transparent substrate and the solar chip. | 1. A solar module having uniform light, comprising:
a transparent substrate; at least one solar chip arranged on the transparent substrate for an opaque region by sheltering thereof and a light transmittable region surrounding the opaque region without sheltering thereof; a transparent cover plate covered on the at least one solar chip; a hot melt adhesive film for packaging the at least one solar chip and the transparent cover plate; and a diffusion film disposed between the transparent substrate and the at least one solar chip; characterized in that the light transmittable region has a transmittance ranging from 20% to 99% and a haze ranging from 10 Haze to 99 Haze, and the diffusion film scatters sunlight travelling through the light transmittable region to the opaque region sheltered by the solar chip to generate a uniform light. 2. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein a micro structure is disposed on the bottom of the diffusion film, on the top of the transparent substrate, on the bottom of the transparent substrate or inside the transparent substrate. 3. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light transmittable region accounts for 5% to 70% of the area of the solar module. 4. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one solar is selected from a group III-V solar chip, a monocrystalline silicon solar chip, a polycrystalline silicon solar chip or a CIGS solar chip. 5. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent cover plate is an ironless glass having a thickness less than 1 mm, and the transparent substrate is a transparent plastic film selected from a material of polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene resin or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene. 6. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diffusion film is made from a hot melt adhesive added with scattering particles, and the hot melt adhesive is selected from a material of polyethylene vinyl acetate resin, acrylic, polycarbonate or polyurea. 7. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solar module is utilized in a roof of a building, a shading hood or a solar power module. 8. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light transmittable region accounts for 5% to 70% of the area of the solar module. 9. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 2, wherein the diffusion film is made from a hot melt adhesive added with scattering particles, and the hot melt adhesive is selected from a material of polyethylene vinyl acetate resin, acrylic, polycarbonate or polyurea. 10. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 7, wherein the solar module is combined with a lightweight frame assembled on the roof of a building, and the lightweight frame is provided with a groove corresponding to the assembly of the solar module. 11. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 7, wherein the solar module connects in parallel with the supply mains and acts as an electric power source to provide objects in need of electric power. | A solar module having uniform light for assembling on the top of a building to act as a roof is revealed. It comprises a transparent substrate, at least one solar chip, a hot melt adhesive film, a transparent cover plate, and a diffusion film disposed between the transparent substrate and the solar chip.1. A solar module having uniform light, comprising:
a transparent substrate; at least one solar chip arranged on the transparent substrate for an opaque region by sheltering thereof and a light transmittable region surrounding the opaque region without sheltering thereof; a transparent cover plate covered on the at least one solar chip; a hot melt adhesive film for packaging the at least one solar chip and the transparent cover plate; and a diffusion film disposed between the transparent substrate and the at least one solar chip; characterized in that the light transmittable region has a transmittance ranging from 20% to 99% and a haze ranging from 10 Haze to 99 Haze, and the diffusion film scatters sunlight travelling through the light transmittable region to the opaque region sheltered by the solar chip to generate a uniform light. 2. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein a micro structure is disposed on the bottom of the diffusion film, on the top of the transparent substrate, on the bottom of the transparent substrate or inside the transparent substrate. 3. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light transmittable region accounts for 5% to 70% of the area of the solar module. 4. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one solar is selected from a group III-V solar chip, a monocrystalline silicon solar chip, a polycrystalline silicon solar chip or a CIGS solar chip. 5. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent cover plate is an ironless glass having a thickness less than 1 mm, and the transparent substrate is a transparent plastic film selected from a material of polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene resin or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene. 6. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diffusion film is made from a hot melt adhesive added with scattering particles, and the hot melt adhesive is selected from a material of polyethylene vinyl acetate resin, acrylic, polycarbonate or polyurea. 7. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solar module is utilized in a roof of a building, a shading hood or a solar power module. 8. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 2, wherein the light transmittable region accounts for 5% to 70% of the area of the solar module. 9. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 2, wherein the diffusion film is made from a hot melt adhesive added with scattering particles, and the hot melt adhesive is selected from a material of polyethylene vinyl acetate resin, acrylic, polycarbonate or polyurea. 10. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 7, wherein the solar module is combined with a lightweight frame assembled on the roof of a building, and the lightweight frame is provided with a groove corresponding to the assembly of the solar module. 11. The solar module having uniform light as claimed in claim 7, wherein the solar module connects in parallel with the supply mains and acts as an electric power source to provide objects in need of electric power. | 1,700 |
3,578 | 14,695,371 | 1,744 | A fabric processing method is provided to enhance the thermal performance of window treatments while maintaining their light and sheer decorating value and aesthetic appearance. The method uses heat and pressure to enhance the ability of the fabric to reduce thermal transfer therethrough while preserving overall hand, feel and appearance of the fabrics allowing even sheer fabric window treatments to provide enhanced energy efficiency. The fabric, preferably containing a polymeric component such as polyester or the like, is subjected to pressure and increased temperature to create a material fusion that resists thermal transfer as compared to the unprocessed fabric itself. | 1. A method for improving the thermal resistance of a fabric, comprising:
compressing a fabric using controlled heat and pressure to at least partially flatten fibers forming said fabric, wherein said flattened fibers reduce interstitial voids within the fabric thereby enhancing a thermal resistance of said fabric. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fabric is a sheer fabric. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said fabric is woven from polymeric thread. 4. method claim 1, wherein the fibers in said fabric are at least partially fused when compressed. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said fabric is compressed using at least two rollers at a pressure of between 40 and 60 tons. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said controlled heat is at or about 200 degrees Celsius. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said enhanced thermal resistance is the result of a reduced airflow through said fabric. | A fabric processing method is provided to enhance the thermal performance of window treatments while maintaining their light and sheer decorating value and aesthetic appearance. The method uses heat and pressure to enhance the ability of the fabric to reduce thermal transfer therethrough while preserving overall hand, feel and appearance of the fabrics allowing even sheer fabric window treatments to provide enhanced energy efficiency. The fabric, preferably containing a polymeric component such as polyester or the like, is subjected to pressure and increased temperature to create a material fusion that resists thermal transfer as compared to the unprocessed fabric itself.1. A method for improving the thermal resistance of a fabric, comprising:
compressing a fabric using controlled heat and pressure to at least partially flatten fibers forming said fabric, wherein said flattened fibers reduce interstitial voids within the fabric thereby enhancing a thermal resistance of said fabric. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said fabric is a sheer fabric. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said fabric is woven from polymeric thread. 4. method claim 1, wherein the fibers in said fabric are at least partially fused when compressed. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said fabric is compressed using at least two rollers at a pressure of between 40 and 60 tons. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said controlled heat is at or about 200 degrees Celsius. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said enhanced thermal resistance is the result of a reduced airflow through said fabric. | 1,700 |
3,579 | 14,693,212 | 1,722 | The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises at least one compound of the formula I,
in which
R 1 and R 1 * each, independently of one another, denote an alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1 to 15 C atoms, where, in addition, one or more CH 2 groups in these radicals may each be replaced, independently of one another, by —C≡C—, —CF 2 O—, —OCF 2 —, —CH═CH—,
—O—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogen,
L 1 and L 2 each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF 3 or CHF 2 , and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the VA, PSA, PA-VA, SS-VA, SA-VA, PS-VA, PALC, IPS, PS-IPS, FFS or PS-FFS effect. | 1. Liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, characterised in that it comprises at least one compound of the formula I,
in which
R1 and
R1* each, independently of one another, denote an alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1 to 15 C atoms, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may each be replaced, independently of one another, by —C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—,
—O—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogen,
L1 and L2 each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF3 or CHF2. 2. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises at least one compound of the formulae I-1 to I-10,
in which
alkyl and alkyl* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms,
alkenyl and alkenyl* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkenyl radical having 2-6 C atoms,
alkoxy and alkoxy* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkoxy radical having 1-6 C atoms, and
L1 and L2 each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF3 or CHF2. 3. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises at least one compound from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-2.1 to I-2.49 and I-6.1 to I-6.28,
in which L1 and L2 have the meanings indicated in claim 1. 4. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that L1 and L2 in the formula I each denote F. 5. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally comprises one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IIA, IIB and IIC,
in which
R2A, R2B and R2C each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF3 or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,
—C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another,
L1-4 each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF3 or CHF2,
Z2 and Z2′ each, independently of one another, denote a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C2F4—, —CF═CF—, —CH═CHCH2O—,
p denotes 0, 1 or 2,
q denotes 0 or 1, and
v denotes 1 to 6. 6. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formula III,
in which
R31 and R32 each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxy radical having up to 12 C atoms, and
Z3 denotes a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH2O —, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C2F4—, —C4H9—, —CF═CF—. 7. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formulae L-1 to L-11,
in which
R, R1 and R2 each, independently of one another,
denote H, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF3 or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,
—C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another and alkyl denotes an alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms, and
s denotes 1 or 2. 8. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more terphenyls of the formulae T-1 to T-21,
in which
R denotes a straight-chain alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1-7 C atoms, and
m denotes 1-6. 9. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formulae O-1 to O-18,
in which
R1 and R2 each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF3 or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,
—C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another. 10. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae O-6, O-7 and O-17,
in which
R1 denotes alkyl or alkenyl having 1-6 or 2-6 C atoms and R2 denotes alkenyl having 2-6 C atoms. 11. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more indane compounds of the formula In,
in which
R11, R12, R13 denote a straight-chain alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkenyl radical having 1-5 C atoms,
R12 and R13 additionally also denote halogen,
i denotes 0, 1 or 2. 12. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formulae BF-1 and BF-2,
in which
R1 and R2 each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF3 or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,
—C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another and
c denotes 0, 1 or 2. 13. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the proportion of compounds of the formula I in the mixture as a whole is 1-40% by weight. 14. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises at least one polymerisable compound. 15. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises one or more additives. 16. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the additive is selected from the group free-radical scavenger, antioxidant and/or UV stabiliser. 17. Process for the preparation of a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one compound of the formula I is mixed with at least one further liquid-crystalline compound, and optionally one or more additives and optionally at least one polymerisable compound are added. 18. Electro-optical display comprising a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1. 19. Electro-optical display having active-matrix addressing, characterised in that it contains, as dielectric, a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1. 20. Electro-optical display according to claim 19, characterised in that it is a VA, PSA, PA-VA, SS-VA, SA-VA, PS-VA, PALC, IPS, PS-IPS, FFS or PS-FFS display. | The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises at least one compound of the formula I,
in which
R 1 and R 1 * each, independently of one another, denote an alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1 to 15 C atoms, where, in addition, one or more CH 2 groups in these radicals may each be replaced, independently of one another, by —C≡C—, —CF 2 O—, —OCF 2 —, —CH═CH—,
—O—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogen,
L 1 and L 2 each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF 3 or CHF 2 , and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the VA, PSA, PA-VA, SS-VA, SA-VA, PS-VA, PALC, IPS, PS-IPS, FFS or PS-FFS effect.1. Liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, characterised in that it comprises at least one compound of the formula I,
in which
R1 and
R1* each, independently of one another, denote an alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1 to 15 C atoms, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may each be replaced, independently of one another, by —C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH═CH—,
—O—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, and in which, in addition, one or more H atoms may be replaced by halogen,
L1 and L2 each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF3 or CHF2. 2. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises at least one compound of the formulae I-1 to I-10,
in which
alkyl and alkyl* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms,
alkenyl and alkenyl* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkenyl radical having 2-6 C atoms,
alkoxy and alkoxy* each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkoxy radical having 1-6 C atoms, and
L1 and L2 each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF3 or CHF2. 3. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises at least one compound from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-2.1 to I-2.49 and I-6.1 to I-6.28,
in which L1 and L2 have the meanings indicated in claim 1. 4. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that L1 and L2 in the formula I each denote F. 5. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that it additionally comprises one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IIA, IIB and IIC,
in which
R2A, R2B and R2C each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF3 or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,
—C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another,
L1-4 each, independently of one another, denote F, Cl, CF3 or CHF2,
Z2 and Z2′ each, independently of one another, denote a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH2O—, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C2F4—, —CF═CF—, —CH═CHCH2O—,
p denotes 0, 1 or 2,
q denotes 0 or 1, and
v denotes 1 to 6. 6. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formula III,
in which
R31 and R32 each, independently of one another, denote a straight-chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxy radical having up to 12 C atoms, and
Z3 denotes a single bond, —CH2CH2—, —CH═CH—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —CH2O —, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —C2F4—, —C4H9—, —CF═CF—. 7. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formulae L-1 to L-11,
in which
R, R1 and R2 each, independently of one another,
denote H, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF3 or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,
—C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another and alkyl denotes an alkyl radical having 1-6 C atoms, and
s denotes 1 or 2. 8. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more terphenyls of the formulae T-1 to T-21,
in which
R denotes a straight-chain alkyl or alkoxy radical having 1-7 C atoms, and
m denotes 1-6. 9. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formulae O-1 to O-18,
in which
R1 and R2 each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF3 or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,
—C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another. 10. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae O-6, O-7 and O-17,
in which
R1 denotes alkyl or alkenyl having 1-6 or 2-6 C atoms and R2 denotes alkenyl having 2-6 C atoms. 11. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more indane compounds of the formula In,
in which
R11, R12, R13 denote a straight-chain alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl or alkenyl radical having 1-5 C atoms,
R12 and R13 additionally also denote halogen,
i denotes 0, 1 or 2. 12. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the formulae BF-1 and BF-2,
in which
R1 and R2 each, independently of one another, denote H, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having up to 15 C atoms which is unsubstituted, monosubstituted by CN or CF3 or at least monosubstituted by halogen, where, in addition, one or more CH2 groups in these radicals may be replaced by —O—, —S—,
—C≡C—, —CF2O—, —OCF2—, —OC—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another and
c denotes 0, 1 or 2. 13. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the proportion of compounds of the formula I in the mixture as a whole is 1-40% by weight. 14. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises at least one polymerisable compound. 15. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the medium comprises one or more additives. 16. Liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the additive is selected from the group free-radical scavenger, antioxidant and/or UV stabiliser. 17. Process for the preparation of a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one compound of the formula I is mixed with at least one further liquid-crystalline compound, and optionally one or more additives and optionally at least one polymerisable compound are added. 18. Electro-optical display comprising a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1. 19. Electro-optical display having active-matrix addressing, characterised in that it contains, as dielectric, a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1. 20. Electro-optical display according to claim 19, characterised in that it is a VA, PSA, PA-VA, SS-VA, SA-VA, PS-VA, PALC, IPS, PS-IPS, FFS or PS-FFS display. | 1,700 |
3,580 | 15,054,487 | 1,787 | Provided are wallboards in which gypsum core is adhered to a paper cover sheet with an adhesive. Wallboards with laminated paper cover sheets in which an inner water-absorbent cover sheet is adhered to the outer paper cover sheet are provided as well. Methods for making these wallboards are provided as well. | 1. A wallboard panel comprising a gypsum core sandwiched between two paper cover sheets, a facer paper cover sheet and a backer cover sheet, each paper cover sheet in contact with and covering the gypsum core,
wherein each paper cover sheet has a surface proximate to the gypsum core, the bond side of the paper cover sheet, and wherein the bond side of at least one paper cover sheet is coated with an adhesive selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate and borax, polyurethane, and any combination thereof. 2. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein the bond side of each of the two paper cover sheets is coated with the adhesive. 3. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein at least one paper cover sheet is multi-ply paper which comprises at least one liner ply and at least one filler ply. 4. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein the facer paper cover sheet is multi-ply paper in which at least one inner ply is sized. 5. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the facer paper cover sheet and the backer cover sheet comprises multi-ply paper which is water absorbent with the water absorption value in the range from 30 g/M2 to 200 g/M2 as measured by the Cobb test (TAPPI T 441). 6. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a polyacrylate selected from the group consisting of styrene acrylate, vinyl acrylate, styrene acetate acrylate, and any combination thereof. 7. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises polyvinyl acetate and borax. 8. A wallboard panel comprising a gypsum core and at least one laminated paper cover sheet in contact with and covering the gypsum core,
wherein the laminated paper cover sheet comprises an inner paper sheet, an adhesive layer, and outer paper sheet, the inner paper sheet being in contact with the gypsum core on one surface and the inner paper sheet being in contact with the adhesive layer on the other surface, wherein the outer paper sheet is applied over the adhesive layer, and wherein the second adhesive layer is sandwiched between the inner paper sheet and outer paper sheet, and wherein the adhesive layer binds the inner paper sheet and outer paper sheet together. 9. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate and borax, polyurethane, and any combination thereof. 10. The wallboard panel of claim 8, comprising a second adhesive layer positioned between the gypsum core and the inner paper sheet. 11. The wallboard panel of claim 10, wherein the second adhesive layer comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate and borax, polyurethane, and any combination thereof. 12. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the gypsum core is covered with the laminated paper cover sheet on both sides. 13. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the outer paper sheet in the laminated paper cover sheet is multi-ply paper. 14. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the inner paper sheet is water absorbent with the water absorption value in the range from 30 g/M2 to 200 g/M2 as measured by the Cobb test (TAPPI T 441). 15. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the inner paper sheet has the bond side Cobb value of at least 0.6 g/cm2. 16. A method of making a wallboard panel, the method comprising:
Applying a coating to the bond side of a first paper cover sheet, wherein the coating comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of an acrylic resin, PVA resin, PVA resin and borax, polyurethane resin and any mixture thereof; Depositing a gypsum slurry over the coated bond side of the paper cover sheet while the coating has not fully cured; Covering the gypsum slurry with a second paper cover sheet; and Allowing the gypsum slurry to set and the coating to cure. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprises a step of applying to the bond side of the second paper cover sheet a coating comprising an acrylic resin, PVA resin, PVA resin and borax, polyurethane resin or any mixture thereof, and
wherein the step of covering the gypsum slurry with the second paper cover sheet is performed before the coating on the bond side of the second paper cover sheet has fully cured. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein borax is applied to the bond side of at least one of the first paper cover and the second paper cover sheet prior to the application of the coating, after the application of the coating or borax is mixed with the gypsum slurry. 19. A method of making a laminated wallboard panel, the method comprising:
Binding water-absorbent paper with the water absorption value in the range from 30 g/M2 to 200 g/M2 as measured by the Cobb test (TAPPI T 441) with an adhesive selected from the group consisting of an acrylic resin, PVA resin, PVA resin and borax, polyurethane resin and any mixture thereof to a paper cover sheet and thereby creating a laminated paper cover sheet; Depositing a gypsum slurry over the water absorbent paper of the laminated paper cover sheet; and Applying a second paper cover sheet over the gypsum slurry. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second paper cover sheet is also a laminated paper cover sheet comprising water-absorbent paper with the water absorption value in the range from 30 g/M2 to 200 g/M2 as measured by the Cobb test (TAPPI T 441) to a paper cover sheet with an adhesive selected form the group consisting of an acrylic resin, PVA resin, PVA and borax, polyurethane resin or any mixture thereof. | Provided are wallboards in which gypsum core is adhered to a paper cover sheet with an adhesive. Wallboards with laminated paper cover sheets in which an inner water-absorbent cover sheet is adhered to the outer paper cover sheet are provided as well. Methods for making these wallboards are provided as well.1. A wallboard panel comprising a gypsum core sandwiched between two paper cover sheets, a facer paper cover sheet and a backer cover sheet, each paper cover sheet in contact with and covering the gypsum core,
wherein each paper cover sheet has a surface proximate to the gypsum core, the bond side of the paper cover sheet, and wherein the bond side of at least one paper cover sheet is coated with an adhesive selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate and borax, polyurethane, and any combination thereof. 2. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein the bond side of each of the two paper cover sheets is coated with the adhesive. 3. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein at least one paper cover sheet is multi-ply paper which comprises at least one liner ply and at least one filler ply. 4. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein the facer paper cover sheet is multi-ply paper in which at least one inner ply is sized. 5. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the facer paper cover sheet and the backer cover sheet comprises multi-ply paper which is water absorbent with the water absorption value in the range from 30 g/M2 to 200 g/M2 as measured by the Cobb test (TAPPI T 441). 6. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a polyacrylate selected from the group consisting of styrene acrylate, vinyl acrylate, styrene acetate acrylate, and any combination thereof. 7. The wallboard panel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises polyvinyl acetate and borax. 8. A wallboard panel comprising a gypsum core and at least one laminated paper cover sheet in contact with and covering the gypsum core,
wherein the laminated paper cover sheet comprises an inner paper sheet, an adhesive layer, and outer paper sheet, the inner paper sheet being in contact with the gypsum core on one surface and the inner paper sheet being in contact with the adhesive layer on the other surface, wherein the outer paper sheet is applied over the adhesive layer, and wherein the second adhesive layer is sandwiched between the inner paper sheet and outer paper sheet, and wherein the adhesive layer binds the inner paper sheet and outer paper sheet together. 9. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate and borax, polyurethane, and any combination thereof. 10. The wallboard panel of claim 8, comprising a second adhesive layer positioned between the gypsum core and the inner paper sheet. 11. The wallboard panel of claim 10, wherein the second adhesive layer comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate and borax, polyurethane, and any combination thereof. 12. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the gypsum core is covered with the laminated paper cover sheet on both sides. 13. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the outer paper sheet in the laminated paper cover sheet is multi-ply paper. 14. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the inner paper sheet is water absorbent with the water absorption value in the range from 30 g/M2 to 200 g/M2 as measured by the Cobb test (TAPPI T 441). 15. The wallboard panel of claim 8, wherein the inner paper sheet has the bond side Cobb value of at least 0.6 g/cm2. 16. A method of making a wallboard panel, the method comprising:
Applying a coating to the bond side of a first paper cover sheet, wherein the coating comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of an acrylic resin, PVA resin, PVA resin and borax, polyurethane resin and any mixture thereof; Depositing a gypsum slurry over the coated bond side of the paper cover sheet while the coating has not fully cured; Covering the gypsum slurry with a second paper cover sheet; and Allowing the gypsum slurry to set and the coating to cure. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprises a step of applying to the bond side of the second paper cover sheet a coating comprising an acrylic resin, PVA resin, PVA resin and borax, polyurethane resin or any mixture thereof, and
wherein the step of covering the gypsum slurry with the second paper cover sheet is performed before the coating on the bond side of the second paper cover sheet has fully cured. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein borax is applied to the bond side of at least one of the first paper cover and the second paper cover sheet prior to the application of the coating, after the application of the coating or borax is mixed with the gypsum slurry. 19. A method of making a laminated wallboard panel, the method comprising:
Binding water-absorbent paper with the water absorption value in the range from 30 g/M2 to 200 g/M2 as measured by the Cobb test (TAPPI T 441) with an adhesive selected from the group consisting of an acrylic resin, PVA resin, PVA resin and borax, polyurethane resin and any mixture thereof to a paper cover sheet and thereby creating a laminated paper cover sheet; Depositing a gypsum slurry over the water absorbent paper of the laminated paper cover sheet; and Applying a second paper cover sheet over the gypsum slurry. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second paper cover sheet is also a laminated paper cover sheet comprising water-absorbent paper with the water absorption value in the range from 30 g/M2 to 200 g/M2 as measured by the Cobb test (TAPPI T 441) to a paper cover sheet with an adhesive selected form the group consisting of an acrylic resin, PVA resin, PVA and borax, polyurethane resin or any mixture thereof. | 1,700 |
3,581 | 15,027,535 | 1,787 | A superabsorbent polymer which has excellent initial absorbency and keeps water from flowing out under pressure even after the passage of a long period of time, in which the superabsorbent polymer keeps water from flowing out under pressure even after the passage of a long period of time to exhibit excellent absorbency, and also has an anti-caking property under conditions of high temperature and high humidity to improve storage stability, is provided. The superabsorbent polymer composition of the present invention may be used to improve physical properties of a variety of diapers, potty training pants, incontinence pads, etc., thereby being applied to production of personal absorbent hygiene products having high absorbency and excellent storage stability under conditions of high temperature and high humidity. | 1. A superabsorbent polymer composition comprising a superabsorbent polymer and aluminum hydroxide, wherein the aluminum hydroxide is attached on the surface of the superabsorbent polymer. 2. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the aluminum hydroxide has an average particle size of 2 μm to 50 μm. 3. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, comprising the aluminum hydroxide in an amount of 0.5 to 5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the superabsorbent polymer. 4. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, comprising a crosslinked polymer which is obtained by surface crosslinking of a powdery base polymer using a diol or glycol-based compound having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein the powdery base polymer is prepared by polymerizing water-soluble ethylene-based unsaturated monomers having acidic groups which are at least partially neutralized. 5. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 4, wherein the water-soluble ethylene-based unsaturated monomer comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of an anionic monomer such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, 2-acryloylethane sulfonic acid, 2-methacryloylethane sulfonic acid, 2-(meth)acryloylpropane sulfonic acid, or 2-(meth)acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, and salts thereof; a nonionic hydrophilic monomer such as (meth)acrylamide, N-substituted (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, methoxy polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, or polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate; and an amino group-containing unsaturated monomer such as (N,N)-dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate or (N,N)-dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylate, and a quaternary compound thereof. 6. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein silica is additionally attached on the surface in an amount of 0.1 part by weight or less, based on 100 parts by weight of the superabsorbent polymer composition having aluminum hydroxide attached on the surface thereof. 7. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent polymer composition is in the form of particles. 8. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) in a physiological saline solution is 25 g/g or more. 9. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein absorbency under pressure (AUP) of 0.7 psi in a physiological saline solution is 10 g/g or more. 10. A personal absorbent hygiene product comprising |the superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1. 11. The personal absorbent hygiene product of claim 10, comprising the superabsorbent polymer composition, a liquid permeable top sheet, and a waterproof back sheet. | A superabsorbent polymer which has excellent initial absorbency and keeps water from flowing out under pressure even after the passage of a long period of time, in which the superabsorbent polymer keeps water from flowing out under pressure even after the passage of a long period of time to exhibit excellent absorbency, and also has an anti-caking property under conditions of high temperature and high humidity to improve storage stability, is provided. The superabsorbent polymer composition of the present invention may be used to improve physical properties of a variety of diapers, potty training pants, incontinence pads, etc., thereby being applied to production of personal absorbent hygiene products having high absorbency and excellent storage stability under conditions of high temperature and high humidity.1. A superabsorbent polymer composition comprising a superabsorbent polymer and aluminum hydroxide, wherein the aluminum hydroxide is attached on the surface of the superabsorbent polymer. 2. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the aluminum hydroxide has an average particle size of 2 μm to 50 μm. 3. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, comprising the aluminum hydroxide in an amount of 0.5 to 5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the superabsorbent polymer. 4. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, comprising a crosslinked polymer which is obtained by surface crosslinking of a powdery base polymer using a diol or glycol-based compound having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein the powdery base polymer is prepared by polymerizing water-soluble ethylene-based unsaturated monomers having acidic groups which are at least partially neutralized. 5. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 4, wherein the water-soluble ethylene-based unsaturated monomer comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of an anionic monomer such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, 2-acryloylethane sulfonic acid, 2-methacryloylethane sulfonic acid, 2-(meth)acryloylpropane sulfonic acid, or 2-(meth)acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, and salts thereof; a nonionic hydrophilic monomer such as (meth)acrylamide, N-substituted (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, methoxy polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, or polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate; and an amino group-containing unsaturated monomer such as (N,N)-dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate or (N,N)-dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylate, and a quaternary compound thereof. 6. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein silica is additionally attached on the surface in an amount of 0.1 part by weight or less, based on 100 parts by weight of the superabsorbent polymer composition having aluminum hydroxide attached on the surface thereof. 7. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent polymer composition is in the form of particles. 8. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) in a physiological saline solution is 25 g/g or more. 9. The superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1, wherein absorbency under pressure (AUP) of 0.7 psi in a physiological saline solution is 10 g/g or more. 10. A personal absorbent hygiene product comprising |the superabsorbent polymer composition of claim 1. 11. The personal absorbent hygiene product of claim 10, comprising the superabsorbent polymer composition, a liquid permeable top sheet, and a waterproof back sheet. | 1,700 |
3,582 | 13,738,257 | 1,733 | A high temperature oxidation resistant nickel-aluminide alloy composition and furnace rolls formed therefrom. The inventive nickel-aluminide alloy composition comprises 0.08-0.1 wt. % Zr, 2.5-3.0 wt. % Mo, 7.5-8.5 wt. % Al, 7.5-8.5 wt. % Cr, about 0.01 wt. % B and the balance being substantially nickel. | 1. A nickel-aluminide alloy comprising 0.15 wt % or less Zr. 2. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said Zr ranges from about 0.08 -0.1 wt %. 3. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 2.5 to 3.0 wt. % Mo. 4. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 4, wherein said alloy further comprises about 2.8 wt % Mo. 5. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 7.5 to 8.5 wt. % Al. 6. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 5, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 7.5 to 8.5 wt. % Cr. 7. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said alloy further comprises about 0.015 wt. % B or less. 8. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 7, wherein said alloy further comprises about 0.01 wt. % B. 9. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said alloy further comprises in wt. %:
C-0.05 max; Si-0.1 max; Fe-0.3 max; S-0.005 max; Mn-0.1 max; P-0.01 max; and Cu-0.3 max. 10. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 9, wherein said alloy contains no more than trace amounts of the other elements from group IVB, VB and VIB of the periodic table. 11. A furnace roll for a high temperature furnace comprising a cast roll of a nickel-aluminide alloy comprising 0.15 wt % or less Zr. 12. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said Zr ranges from about 0.08 -0.1 wt %. 13. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 2.5 to 3.0 wt. % Mo. 14. The furnace roll of claim 14, wherein said alloy further comprises about 2.8 wt % Mo. 15. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 7.5 to 8.5 wt. % Al. 16. The furnace roll of claim 15, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 7.5 to 8.5 wt. % Cr. 17. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 0.015 wt. % B or less. 18. The furnace roll of claim 17, wherein said alloy further comprises about 0.01 wt. % B. 19. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said alloy further comprises in wt. %: C-0.05 max; Si-0.1 max; Fe-0.3 max; S-0.005 max; Mn-0.1 max; P-0.01 max; and Cu-0.3 max. 20. The furnace roll of claim 19, wherein said alloy contains no more than trace amounts of the other elements from group IVB, VB and VIB of the periodic table. | A high temperature oxidation resistant nickel-aluminide alloy composition and furnace rolls formed therefrom. The inventive nickel-aluminide alloy composition comprises 0.08-0.1 wt. % Zr, 2.5-3.0 wt. % Mo, 7.5-8.5 wt. % Al, 7.5-8.5 wt. % Cr, about 0.01 wt. % B and the balance being substantially nickel.1. A nickel-aluminide alloy comprising 0.15 wt % or less Zr. 2. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said Zr ranges from about 0.08 -0.1 wt %. 3. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 2.5 to 3.0 wt. % Mo. 4. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 4, wherein said alloy further comprises about 2.8 wt % Mo. 5. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 7.5 to 8.5 wt. % Al. 6. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 5, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 7.5 to 8.5 wt. % Cr. 7. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said alloy further comprises about 0.015 wt. % B or less. 8. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 7, wherein said alloy further comprises about 0.01 wt. % B. 9. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 1, wherein said alloy further comprises in wt. %:
C-0.05 max; Si-0.1 max; Fe-0.3 max; S-0.005 max; Mn-0.1 max; P-0.01 max; and Cu-0.3 max. 10. The nickel-aluminide alloy of claim 9, wherein said alloy contains no more than trace amounts of the other elements from group IVB, VB and VIB of the periodic table. 11. A furnace roll for a high temperature furnace comprising a cast roll of a nickel-aluminide alloy comprising 0.15 wt % or less Zr. 12. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said Zr ranges from about 0.08 -0.1 wt %. 13. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 2.5 to 3.0 wt. % Mo. 14. The furnace roll of claim 14, wherein said alloy further comprises about 2.8 wt % Mo. 15. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 7.5 to 8.5 wt. % Al. 16. The furnace roll of claim 15, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 7.5 to 8.5 wt. % Cr. 17. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said alloy further comprises from about 0.015 wt. % B or less. 18. The furnace roll of claim 17, wherein said alloy further comprises about 0.01 wt. % B. 19. The furnace roll of claim 11, wherein said alloy further comprises in wt. %: C-0.05 max; Si-0.1 max; Fe-0.3 max; S-0.005 max; Mn-0.1 max; P-0.01 max; and Cu-0.3 max. 20. The furnace roll of claim 19, wherein said alloy contains no more than trace amounts of the other elements from group IVB, VB and VIB of the periodic table. | 1,700 |
3,583 | 14,804,469 | 1,712 | This invention is a flexible conductive ink composition comprising (A) a resin binder, (B) silver-plated core conductive particles, and (C) conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m 2 /g. | 1. A flexible conductive ink composition comprising (A) a resin binder, (B) silver-plated core conductive particles, and (C) conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g, characterized in that the flexibility of the composition is higher than the flexibility of the composition without (C) conductive particles. 2. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which the resin binder is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy resins, polyesters, thermoplastic urethanes, phenolic resins, acrylic polymers, acrylic block copolymers, acrylic polymers having tertiary-alkyl amide functionality, polysiloxane polymers, polystyrene copolymers, polyvinyl polymers, divinylbenzene copolymers, polyetheramides, polyvinyl acetals, polyvinyl butyrals, polyvinyl acetols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl chlorides, methylene polyvinyl ethers, cellulose acetates, styrene acrylonitriles, amorphous polyolefins, polyacrylonitriles, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate terpolymers, functional ethylene vinyl acetates, ethylene acrylate copolymers, ethylene acrylate terpolymers, ethylene butadiene copolymers and/or block copolymers, and styrene butadiene block copolymers. 3. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 2 in which the resin binder is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy resins, polyesters, and thermoplastic urethanes. 4. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 2 in which the resin binder is a phenoxy resin. 5. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which the core of the silver-plated core conductive particles is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, palladium, carbon black, carbon fiber, graphite, aluminum, indium tin oxide, glass, polymer, antimony doped tin oxide, silica, alumina, fiber, and clay. 6. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which the core of the silver-plated core conductive particles is copper. 7. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g are selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, palladium, platinum, carbon black, carbon fiber, graphite, indium tin oxide, silver-plated nickel, silver-plated copper, silver-plated graphite, silver-plated aluminum, silver-plated fiber, silver-plated glass, silver-plated polymer, and antimony-doped tin oxide. 8. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g are metal-coated core particles. 9. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 further comprising a solvent. 10. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 9 in which the solvent is selected from the group consisting of butyl glycol acetate, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, p-tert-butyl-phenyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether, glycerol diglycidyl ether, butyldiglycol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-ethylester, acetic acid, 2-butoxyethylester, butylglycol, 2-butoxyethanol, isophorone, 3,3,5 trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1-one, dimethylsuccinate, dimethylglutarate, dimethyladipate, acetic acid, dipropylene glycol (mono)methyl ether, propylacetate, glycidyl ether of alkyl phenol, and dimethyl esters of adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids. 11. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 9 in which the solvent has a flash point above 70° C. 12. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 11 in which the solvent is selected from the group consisting of butyl glycol acetate, carbitol acetate, glycol ether, the dimethyl esters of adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids, and ethyl glycol. 13. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 12 in which the solvent is selected from the group consisting of butyl glycol acetate and the dimethyl esters of adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids. 14. The flexible conductive ink composition of claim 1 in which
(i) resin binder (A) is present in an amount from 2 to 60 wt %,
(ii) silver-plated core conductive particles (B) are present in an amount from 1 to 97.9 wt %, and
(iii) conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g (C) are present in an amount from 0.1 to 70 wt %. 15. A method for increasing the flexibility of a conductive ink by adding to the ink conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g. 16. A process for making an electronic device with the conductive composition of claim 1 comprising applying the conductive composition onto a substrate to form conductive traces or electronic circuitry, and curing and/or drying said conductive composition at about 90° C. to 180° C. for 5 to 60 minutes. | This invention is a flexible conductive ink composition comprising (A) a resin binder, (B) silver-plated core conductive particles, and (C) conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m 2 /g.1. A flexible conductive ink composition comprising (A) a resin binder, (B) silver-plated core conductive particles, and (C) conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g, characterized in that the flexibility of the composition is higher than the flexibility of the composition without (C) conductive particles. 2. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which the resin binder is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy resins, polyesters, thermoplastic urethanes, phenolic resins, acrylic polymers, acrylic block copolymers, acrylic polymers having tertiary-alkyl amide functionality, polysiloxane polymers, polystyrene copolymers, polyvinyl polymers, divinylbenzene copolymers, polyetheramides, polyvinyl acetals, polyvinyl butyrals, polyvinyl acetols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl chlorides, methylene polyvinyl ethers, cellulose acetates, styrene acrylonitriles, amorphous polyolefins, polyacrylonitriles, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate terpolymers, functional ethylene vinyl acetates, ethylene acrylate copolymers, ethylene acrylate terpolymers, ethylene butadiene copolymers and/or block copolymers, and styrene butadiene block copolymers. 3. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 2 in which the resin binder is selected from the group consisting of phenoxy resins, polyesters, and thermoplastic urethanes. 4. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 2 in which the resin binder is a phenoxy resin. 5. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which the core of the silver-plated core conductive particles is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, palladium, carbon black, carbon fiber, graphite, aluminum, indium tin oxide, glass, polymer, antimony doped tin oxide, silica, alumina, fiber, and clay. 6. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which the core of the silver-plated core conductive particles is copper. 7. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g are selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, palladium, platinum, carbon black, carbon fiber, graphite, indium tin oxide, silver-plated nickel, silver-plated copper, silver-plated graphite, silver-plated aluminum, silver-plated fiber, silver-plated glass, silver-plated polymer, and antimony-doped tin oxide. 8. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 in which conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g are metal-coated core particles. 9. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 1 further comprising a solvent. 10. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 9 in which the solvent is selected from the group consisting of butyl glycol acetate, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, p-tert-butyl-phenyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether, glycerol diglycidyl ether, butyldiglycol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)-ethylester, acetic acid, 2-butoxyethylester, butylglycol, 2-butoxyethanol, isophorone, 3,3,5 trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1-one, dimethylsuccinate, dimethylglutarate, dimethyladipate, acetic acid, dipropylene glycol (mono)methyl ether, propylacetate, glycidyl ether of alkyl phenol, and dimethyl esters of adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids. 11. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 9 in which the solvent has a flash point above 70° C. 12. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 11 in which the solvent is selected from the group consisting of butyl glycol acetate, carbitol acetate, glycol ether, the dimethyl esters of adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids, and ethyl glycol. 13. The flexible conductive ink composition according to claim 12 in which the solvent is selected from the group consisting of butyl glycol acetate and the dimethyl esters of adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids. 14. The flexible conductive ink composition of claim 1 in which
(i) resin binder (A) is present in an amount from 2 to 60 wt %,
(ii) silver-plated core conductive particles (B) are present in an amount from 1 to 97.9 wt %, and
(iii) conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g (C) are present in an amount from 0.1 to 70 wt %. 15. A method for increasing the flexibility of a conductive ink by adding to the ink conductive particles having a surface area at least 1.0 m2/g. 16. A process for making an electronic device with the conductive composition of claim 1 comprising applying the conductive composition onto a substrate to form conductive traces or electronic circuitry, and curing and/or drying said conductive composition at about 90° C. to 180° C. for 5 to 60 minutes. | 1,700 |
3,584 | 12,664,577 | 1,792 | Methods of sterilizing a temperature sensitive material, such as an acidified or non-acidified food product, pharmaceutical product or cosmetic product, are disclosed. The methods comprise freezing the temperature sensitive material to an initial temperature of less than or equal to −2° C. and then either (i) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 3 minutes or (ii) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 90 seconds, releasing the first elevated pressure for a predetermined pause period of time and then pressurizing the temperature sensitive material to a second elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined second period of time of at least 90 seconds. | 1. A method for sterilizing a temperature sensitive material comprising:
(a) freezing the temperature sensitive material to an initial temperature of less than or equal to −2° C.; and (b) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 3 minutes. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensitive material is a food product. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the food product is an acidified food product comprising an acidulant in an amount effective to adjust the pH of the food product to 3.6 to 4.5. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the pH of the food product is from 3.9 to 4.5. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the pH of the food product is from 4.1 to 4.5. 6. The method of claim 3 wherein the acidulant comprises:
(a) at least 50% gluconic acid; and
(b) 10% or less of (i) one or more additional acids selected from the group consisting of acetic, adipic, citric, sorbic, lactic, malic, ascorbic, erythorbic, tartaric, phosphoric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids or (ii) one or more acid salts selected from the group consisting of sodium, calcium and potassium salts of phosphoric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the acidulant comprises:
(a) 90% to 95% gluconic acid; and
(b) 5% to 10% sodium acid sulfate or potassium acid sulfate. 8. The method of claim 2 wherein the pH of the food product is at least 4.6 and the food product is pasteurized. 9. The method of claim 2 wherein the food product comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, nisin, subtilin, prune juice concentrate, lysozyme, cranberry juice concentrate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, lactoferrin and sodium lactate. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensitive material is a pharmaceutical or cosmetic product. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the initial temperature is from −40° C. to −20° C. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the initial temperature is from −30° C. to −40° C. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the first elevated pressure is from 250 MPa to 350 MPa. 14. The method claim 13 wherein the first elevated pressure is from 325 MPa to 350 MPa. 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined first period of time is from 3 minutes to 10 minutes. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the predetermined first period of time is from 3 minutes to 6 minutes. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises refreezing the temperature sensitive material to a final temperature of less than or equal to 0° C. following the pressurizing step. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the final temperature is from −40° C. to −20° C. 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises cooling the temperature sensitive material to a final temperature of from 0° C. to 4.5° C. following the pressurizing step. 20. A method for sterilizing a temperature sensitive material comprising:
(a) freezing the temperature sensitive material to an initial temperature of less than or equal to −2° C.; (b) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 90 seconds; (c) releasing the first elevated pressure for a predetermined pause period of time; and (d) pressurizing the temperature sensitive material to a second elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined second period of time of at least 90 seconds. 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the temperature sensitive material is a food product. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the food product is an acidified food product comprising an acidulant in an amount effective to adjust the pH of the food product to 3.6 to 4.5. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the pH of the food product is from 3.9 to 4.5. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the pH of the food product is from 4.1 to 4.5. 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the acidulant comprises:
(a) at least 50% gluconic acid; and
(b) 10% or less of (i) one or more additional acids selected from the group consisting of acetic, adipic, citric, sorbic, lactic, malic, ascorbic, erythorbic, tartaric, phosphoric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids or (ii) one or more acid salts selected from the group consisting of sodium, calcium and potassium salts of phosphoric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the acidulant comprises:
(a) 90% to 95% gluconic acid; and
(b) 5% to 10% sodium acid sulfate or potassium acid sulfate. 27. The method of claim 21 wherein the pH of the food product is at least 4.6 and the food product is pasteurized. 28. The method of claim 21 wherein the food product comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, nisin, subtilin, prune juice concentrate, lysozyme, cranberry juice concentrate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, lactoferrin and sodium lactate. 29. The method of claim 20 wherein the temperature sensitive material is a pharmaceutical or cosmetic product. 30. The method of claim 20 wherein the initial temperature is from −40° C. to −20° C. 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the initial temperature is from −30° C. to −40° C. 32. The method of claim 20 wherein the first elevated pressure is from 250 MPa to 350 MPa. 33. The method claim 32 wherein the first elevated pressure is from 325 MPa to 350 MPa. 34. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined first period of time is from 90 seconds to 600 seconds. 35. The method of claim 34 wherein the predetermined first period of time is from 90 seconds to 360 seconds. 36. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined pause period of time is from 1 second to 120 seconds. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the predetermined pause period of time is from 1 second to 60 seconds. 38. The method of claim 20 wherein the second elevated pressure is from 250 MPa to 350 MPa. 39. The method claim 38 wherein the second elevated pressure is from 325 MPa to 350 MPa. 40. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined second period of time is from 90 seconds to 360 seconds. 41. The method of claim 40 wherein the predetermined second period of time is from 90 seconds to 180 seconds. 42. The method of claim 20 wherein the method further comprises refreezing the temperature sensitive material to a final temperature of less than or equal to 0° C. following the second pressurizing step. 43. The method of claim 42 wherein the final temperature is from −40° C. to −20° C. 44. The method of claim 20 wherein the method further comprises cooling the temperature sensitive material to a final temperature of from 0° C. to 4.5° C. following the second pressurizing step. | Methods of sterilizing a temperature sensitive material, such as an acidified or non-acidified food product, pharmaceutical product or cosmetic product, are disclosed. The methods comprise freezing the temperature sensitive material to an initial temperature of less than or equal to −2° C. and then either (i) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 3 minutes or (ii) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 90 seconds, releasing the first elevated pressure for a predetermined pause period of time and then pressurizing the temperature sensitive material to a second elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined second period of time of at least 90 seconds.1. A method for sterilizing a temperature sensitive material comprising:
(a) freezing the temperature sensitive material to an initial temperature of less than or equal to −2° C.; and (b) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 3 minutes. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensitive material is a food product. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the food product is an acidified food product comprising an acidulant in an amount effective to adjust the pH of the food product to 3.6 to 4.5. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the pH of the food product is from 3.9 to 4.5. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the pH of the food product is from 4.1 to 4.5. 6. The method of claim 3 wherein the acidulant comprises:
(a) at least 50% gluconic acid; and
(b) 10% or less of (i) one or more additional acids selected from the group consisting of acetic, adipic, citric, sorbic, lactic, malic, ascorbic, erythorbic, tartaric, phosphoric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids or (ii) one or more acid salts selected from the group consisting of sodium, calcium and potassium salts of phosphoric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the acidulant comprises:
(a) 90% to 95% gluconic acid; and
(b) 5% to 10% sodium acid sulfate or potassium acid sulfate. 8. The method of claim 2 wherein the pH of the food product is at least 4.6 and the food product is pasteurized. 9. The method of claim 2 wherein the food product comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, nisin, subtilin, prune juice concentrate, lysozyme, cranberry juice concentrate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, lactoferrin and sodium lactate. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensitive material is a pharmaceutical or cosmetic product. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the initial temperature is from −40° C. to −20° C. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the initial temperature is from −30° C. to −40° C. 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the first elevated pressure is from 250 MPa to 350 MPa. 14. The method claim 13 wherein the first elevated pressure is from 325 MPa to 350 MPa. 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined first period of time is from 3 minutes to 10 minutes. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the predetermined first period of time is from 3 minutes to 6 minutes. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises refreezing the temperature sensitive material to a final temperature of less than or equal to 0° C. following the pressurizing step. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the final temperature is from −40° C. to −20° C. 19. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises cooling the temperature sensitive material to a final temperature of from 0° C. to 4.5° C. following the pressurizing step. 20. A method for sterilizing a temperature sensitive material comprising:
(a) freezing the temperature sensitive material to an initial temperature of less than or equal to −2° C.; (b) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 90 seconds; (c) releasing the first elevated pressure for a predetermined pause period of time; and (d) pressurizing the temperature sensitive material to a second elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined second period of time of at least 90 seconds. 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the temperature sensitive material is a food product. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the food product is an acidified food product comprising an acidulant in an amount effective to adjust the pH of the food product to 3.6 to 4.5. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the pH of the food product is from 3.9 to 4.5. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the pH of the food product is from 4.1 to 4.5. 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the acidulant comprises:
(a) at least 50% gluconic acid; and
(b) 10% or less of (i) one or more additional acids selected from the group consisting of acetic, adipic, citric, sorbic, lactic, malic, ascorbic, erythorbic, tartaric, phosphoric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids or (ii) one or more acid salts selected from the group consisting of sodium, calcium and potassium salts of phosphoric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the acidulant comprises:
(a) 90% to 95% gluconic acid; and
(b) 5% to 10% sodium acid sulfate or potassium acid sulfate. 27. The method of claim 21 wherein the pH of the food product is at least 4.6 and the food product is pasteurized. 28. The method of claim 21 wherein the food product comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, nisin, subtilin, prune juice concentrate, lysozyme, cranberry juice concentrate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, lactoferrin and sodium lactate. 29. The method of claim 20 wherein the temperature sensitive material is a pharmaceutical or cosmetic product. 30. The method of claim 20 wherein the initial temperature is from −40° C. to −20° C. 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the initial temperature is from −30° C. to −40° C. 32. The method of claim 20 wherein the first elevated pressure is from 250 MPa to 350 MPa. 33. The method claim 32 wherein the first elevated pressure is from 325 MPa to 350 MPa. 34. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined first period of time is from 90 seconds to 600 seconds. 35. The method of claim 34 wherein the predetermined first period of time is from 90 seconds to 360 seconds. 36. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined pause period of time is from 1 second to 120 seconds. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the predetermined pause period of time is from 1 second to 60 seconds. 38. The method of claim 20 wherein the second elevated pressure is from 250 MPa to 350 MPa. 39. The method claim 38 wherein the second elevated pressure is from 325 MPa to 350 MPa. 40. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined second period of time is from 90 seconds to 360 seconds. 41. The method of claim 40 wherein the predetermined second period of time is from 90 seconds to 180 seconds. 42. The method of claim 20 wherein the method further comprises refreezing the temperature sensitive material to a final temperature of less than or equal to 0° C. following the second pressurizing step. 43. The method of claim 42 wherein the final temperature is from −40° C. to −20° C. 44. The method of claim 20 wherein the method further comprises cooling the temperature sensitive material to a final temperature of from 0° C. to 4.5° C. following the second pressurizing step. | 1,700 |
3,585 | 15,104,914 | 1,762 | The present invention relates to a polymer composition, which is a silanol condensation catalyst masterbatch, comprises a matrix, comprising a silane containing drying agent, and at least one silanol condensation catalyst, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.1% by weight, or lower, and is selected from:
i) a compound of formula I ArSO 3 H (I) or a precursor thereof, wherein Ar is an 1 to 4 alkyl groups substituted aryl, wherein the aryl is phenyl or naphthyl; and wherein each alkyl group, independently, is a linear or branched alkyl with 10 to 30 carbons, wherein total number of carbons in the alkyl groups is 20 to 80 carbons;
ii) a derivative of i) selected from the group consisting of an anhydride, an ester, an acetylate, an epoxy blocked ester and an amine salt thereof which is hydrolysable to the corresponding compound of formula I; and iii) a metal salt of i) wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, tin and zinc; an article, for example, a coating, a wire or a cable, comprising the polymer composition, and process for producing an article. | 1-11. (canceled) 12. A polymer composition, which is a silanol condensation catalyst masterbatch, comprising a matrix, a silane containing drying agent and at least one silanol condensation catalyst, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.1% by weight, or lower, and is selected from:
i) a compound of formula I
ArSO3H (I)
or a precursor thereof, wherein Ar is an 1 to 4 alkyl groups substituted aryl, wherein the aryl is phenyl or naphthyl, and wherein each alkyl group, independently, is a linear or branched alkyl with 10 to 30 carbons, wherein the total number of carbons in the alkyl groups is in the range of 20 to 80 carbons; ii) a derivative of i) selected from the group consisting of an anhydride, an ester, an acetylate, an epoxy blocked ester and an amine salt thereof which is hydrolysable to the corresponding compound of formula I; and iii) a metal salt of i) wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, tin and zinc. 13. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein the polymer composition comprises the silane containing drying agent in an amount that renders the water content of the polymer composition to be 100 ppm or less. 14. A polymer composition according to any of claims 12, wherein Ar is naphthyl. 15. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein each catalyst is selected from
a) C12-alkylated naphthyl sulfonic acids; b) a derivative of a) selected from the group consisting of an anhydride, an ester, an acetylate, an epoxy blocked ester and an amine salt thereof which is hydrolysable to the corresponding compound a); and/or c) a metal salt of a) wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, tin and zinc. 16. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein the polymer composition comprises the at least one silanol condensation catalyst in an amount of 0.0001 to 8 wt %. 17. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.08% by weight or lower. 18. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.06% by weight or lower. 19. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.05% by weight or lower. 20. An article, for example, a coating, a wire or a cable, comprising the polymer composition, according to claim 12. 21. A process for producing an article, wherein said process comprises use, for example, extrusion, of a polymer composition according to claim 12. | The present invention relates to a polymer composition, which is a silanol condensation catalyst masterbatch, comprises a matrix, comprising a silane containing drying agent, and at least one silanol condensation catalyst, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.1% by weight, or lower, and is selected from:
i) a compound of formula I ArSO 3 H (I) or a precursor thereof, wherein Ar is an 1 to 4 alkyl groups substituted aryl, wherein the aryl is phenyl or naphthyl; and wherein each alkyl group, independently, is a linear or branched alkyl with 10 to 30 carbons, wherein total number of carbons in the alkyl groups is 20 to 80 carbons;
ii) a derivative of i) selected from the group consisting of an anhydride, an ester, an acetylate, an epoxy blocked ester and an amine salt thereof which is hydrolysable to the corresponding compound of formula I; and iii) a metal salt of i) wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, tin and zinc; an article, for example, a coating, a wire or a cable, comprising the polymer composition, and process for producing an article.1-11. (canceled) 12. A polymer composition, which is a silanol condensation catalyst masterbatch, comprising a matrix, a silane containing drying agent and at least one silanol condensation catalyst, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.1% by weight, or lower, and is selected from:
i) a compound of formula I
ArSO3H (I)
or a precursor thereof, wherein Ar is an 1 to 4 alkyl groups substituted aryl, wherein the aryl is phenyl or naphthyl, and wherein each alkyl group, independently, is a linear or branched alkyl with 10 to 30 carbons, wherein the total number of carbons in the alkyl groups is in the range of 20 to 80 carbons; ii) a derivative of i) selected from the group consisting of an anhydride, an ester, an acetylate, an epoxy blocked ester and an amine salt thereof which is hydrolysable to the corresponding compound of formula I; and iii) a metal salt of i) wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, tin and zinc. 13. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein the polymer composition comprises the silane containing drying agent in an amount that renders the water content of the polymer composition to be 100 ppm or less. 14. A polymer composition according to any of claims 12, wherein Ar is naphthyl. 15. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein each catalyst is selected from
a) C12-alkylated naphthyl sulfonic acids; b) a derivative of a) selected from the group consisting of an anhydride, an ester, an acetylate, an epoxy blocked ester and an amine salt thereof which is hydrolysable to the corresponding compound a); and/or c) a metal salt of a) wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, tin and zinc. 16. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein the polymer composition comprises the at least one silanol condensation catalyst in an amount of 0.0001 to 8 wt %. 17. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.08% by weight or lower. 18. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.06% by weight or lower. 19. A polymer composition according to claim 12, wherein each catalyst has a water content which is 0.05% by weight or lower. 20. An article, for example, a coating, a wire or a cable, comprising the polymer composition, according to claim 12. 21. A process for producing an article, wherein said process comprises use, for example, extrusion, of a polymer composition according to claim 12. | 1,700 |
3,586 | 14,898,036 | 1,742 | A system and method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, including three-dimensional cellular structures, are provided. The system comprises at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising a sheath fluid and a hydrogel, the print head comprising an orifice for dispensing the materials, microfluidic channels for receiving and directing the materials, fluidic switches corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels; a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head. | 1. A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, the system comprising:
at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising at least one first material and at least one second material, the print head comprising:
an orifice for dispensing the materials;
microfluidic channels comprising one or more first channels for receiving and directing the first material and one or more respective second channels for receiving and directing the second material, the second channels intersecting at a first intersection point with the first channels, the second and first channels joining together at the first intersection point to form a dispensing channel which extends to the orifice; and
fluidic switches, each fluidic switch corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels of the print head when actuated;
a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space, the positioning unit operably coupled to the print head; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first material comprises a sheath fluid and the at least one second material comprises a hydrogel. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a programmable control processor for controlling the positioning unit and for controlling dispensing of the materials from the print head onto the receiving surface. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more first channels comprise at least two channels, the one or more first channels being configured to flank respective second channels at the first intersection point. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first material comprises a cross-linking agent for solidifying the at least one second material upon contact therewith at the intersection point and/or in the dispensing channel. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each second channel has a diameter less than that of the first channels and the dispensing channel, whereby flow from the first channels forms a coaxial sheath around the at least one second material in the dispensing channel. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second material comprises living cells. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid removal feature for removing excess first material dispensed from the print head. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the receiving surface comprises a porous membrane comprising pores sized to permit passage of the excess second material there through. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid removal feature comprises absorbent material or a vacuum for drawing the excess second material away from the receiving surface. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the absorbent material or vacuum is applied below a porous membrane. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the vacuum is applied above the receiving surface. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the vacuum is applied through one or more vacuum channels provided on the print head, the one or more vacuum channels having an orifice situated near the orifice of the print head. 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising reservoirs for containing the materials, the reservoirs being fluidly coupled respectively to the microfluidic channels in the print head. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the print head further comprises at least two inlets for receiving the materials from the reservoirs, each of the inlets being in fluid communication with respective microfluidic channels and the respective reservoirs. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing means comprises a pressure control unit. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluidic switches comprise valves. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the print head further comprises a hollow projection configured to extend from the orifice toward the receiving surface. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the print head comprises two second channels, each of the second channels being adapted to convey respective second materials, the two second channels intersecting at a second intersection and joining together at the second intersection to form a third channel which extends to the first intersection point. 20. A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, the system comprising:
at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising a first material and a second material, the print head comprising:
an orifice for dispensing the materials;
microfluidic channels for receiving and directing the materials to the orifice; and
fluidic switches, each fluidic switch corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels in the print head when actuated;
a receiving surface for receiving the materials dispensed from the orifice; a fluid removal feature for removing excess first material dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space, the positioning unit operably coupled to the print head; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first material comprises a sheath fluid and the second material comprises a hydrogel. 22. The system of claim 20, wherein the fluid removal feature comprises a vacuum for drawing the excess first material away from or through the receiving surface and/or from the second material dispensed on the receiving surface. 23. The system claim 22, wherein the receiving surface comprises a porous membrane comprising pores sized to permit passage of the excess first material there through. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the vacuum is applied below the porous membrane. 25. The system of claim 22, wherein the vacuum is applied above the receiving surface. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the vacuum is applied through one or more vacuum channels provided on the print head, the one or more vacuum channels having an orifice situated near the orifice of the print head. 27. The system of claim 20, wherein the fluid removal feature comprises an absorbent material for drawing away from the receiving surface the excess first material. 28. The system of claim 20, further comprising a programmable control processor for controlling the positioning unit and for controlling dispensing of the materials from the print head onto the receiving surface. 29. The system of claim 23, wherein the print head further comprises a hollow projection configured to extend from the orifice toward the receiving surface. 30. The system of claim 23, wherein the print head comprises one or more first channels for receiving and directing the first material and one or more respective second channels for receiving and directing the second material, the second channels intersecting at a first intersection point with the first channels, the second and first channels joining together at the first intersection point to form a dispensing channel which extends to the orifice. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the print head comprises two second channels, each of the second channels being adapted to convey respective second materials, the two second channels intersecting at a second intersection and joining together at the second intersection to form a third channel which extends to the first intersection point 32. A method of printing a three-dimensional (3D) structure, the method comprising:
providing a 3D printer, the printer comprising:
at least one print head comprising an orifice for dispensing materials;
a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice of the print head; and
a positioning unit operably coupled to the print head, the positioning unit for positioning the print head in three dimensional space;
providing the materials to be dispensed, the materials to be dispensed comprising a sheath fluid and one or more hydrogels;
encoding the printer with a 3D structure to be printed; dispensing from the print head orifice the materials to be dispensed, wherein the sheath fluid and the hydrogel are dispensed in a coaxial arrangement, and wherein the sheath fluid envelops the hydrogel; depositing a first layer of the dispensed materials on the receiving surface; repeating the depositing step by depositing subsequent dispensed material on the first and any subsequent layers of deposited material, thereby depositing layer upon layer of dispensed materials in a geometric arrangement according to the 3D structure; and removing excess sheath fluid dispensed by the print head orifice at one or more time point during or between depositing steps. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the sheath fluid comprises a cross-linking agent suitable for cross-linking and solidifying the hydrogel upon contact therewith, the contact creating a hydrogel fiber. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the depositing step and the removing step are carried out continuously, thereby continuously removing the excess sheath fluid as the layers of dispensed materials are deposited. 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the removing step is carried out intermittently between and/or at the same time as the depositing step, thereby intermittently removing the excess sheath fluid as the layers of dispensed materials are deposited. 36. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more hydrogels are adapted for supporting growth and/or proliferation of living cells dispersed therein. | A system and method for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, including three-dimensional cellular structures, are provided. The system comprises at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising a sheath fluid and a hydrogel, the print head comprising an orifice for dispensing the materials, microfluidic channels for receiving and directing the materials, fluidic switches corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels; a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head.1. A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, the system comprising:
at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising at least one first material and at least one second material, the print head comprising:
an orifice for dispensing the materials;
microfluidic channels comprising one or more first channels for receiving and directing the first material and one or more respective second channels for receiving and directing the second material, the second channels intersecting at a first intersection point with the first channels, the second and first channels joining together at the first intersection point to form a dispensing channel which extends to the orifice; and
fluidic switches, each fluidic switch corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels of the print head when actuated;
a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space, the positioning unit operably coupled to the print head; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first material comprises a sheath fluid and the at least one second material comprises a hydrogel. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a programmable control processor for controlling the positioning unit and for controlling dispensing of the materials from the print head onto the receiving surface. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more first channels comprise at least two channels, the one or more first channels being configured to flank respective second channels at the first intersection point. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first material comprises a cross-linking agent for solidifying the at least one second material upon contact therewith at the intersection point and/or in the dispensing channel. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each second channel has a diameter less than that of the first channels and the dispensing channel, whereby flow from the first channels forms a coaxial sheath around the at least one second material in the dispensing channel. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second material comprises living cells. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid removal feature for removing excess first material dispensed from the print head. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the receiving surface comprises a porous membrane comprising pores sized to permit passage of the excess second material there through. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid removal feature comprises absorbent material or a vacuum for drawing the excess second material away from the receiving surface. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the absorbent material or vacuum is applied below a porous membrane. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the vacuum is applied above the receiving surface. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the vacuum is applied through one or more vacuum channels provided on the print head, the one or more vacuum channels having an orifice situated near the orifice of the print head. 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising reservoirs for containing the materials, the reservoirs being fluidly coupled respectively to the microfluidic channels in the print head. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the print head further comprises at least two inlets for receiving the materials from the reservoirs, each of the inlets being in fluid communication with respective microfluidic channels and the respective reservoirs. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing means comprises a pressure control unit. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluidic switches comprise valves. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the print head further comprises a hollow projection configured to extend from the orifice toward the receiving surface. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the print head comprises two second channels, each of the second channels being adapted to convey respective second materials, the two second channels intersecting at a second intersection and joining together at the second intersection to form a third channel which extends to the first intersection point. 20. A system for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures, the system comprising:
at least one print head for receiving and dispensing materials, the materials comprising a first material and a second material, the print head comprising:
an orifice for dispensing the materials;
microfluidic channels for receiving and directing the materials to the orifice; and
fluidic switches, each fluidic switch corresponding to one of the microfluidic channels in the print head and configured to allow or disallow fluid flow in the microfluidic channels in the print head when actuated;
a receiving surface for receiving the materials dispensed from the orifice; a fluid removal feature for removing excess first material dispensed from the orifice; a positioning unit for positioning the orifice of the print head in three dimensional space, the positioning unit operably coupled to the print head; and a dispensing means for dispensing the materials from the orifice of the print head. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first material comprises a sheath fluid and the second material comprises a hydrogel. 22. The system of claim 20, wherein the fluid removal feature comprises a vacuum for drawing the excess first material away from or through the receiving surface and/or from the second material dispensed on the receiving surface. 23. The system claim 22, wherein the receiving surface comprises a porous membrane comprising pores sized to permit passage of the excess first material there through. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the vacuum is applied below the porous membrane. 25. The system of claim 22, wherein the vacuum is applied above the receiving surface. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the vacuum is applied through one or more vacuum channels provided on the print head, the one or more vacuum channels having an orifice situated near the orifice of the print head. 27. The system of claim 20, wherein the fluid removal feature comprises an absorbent material for drawing away from the receiving surface the excess first material. 28. The system of claim 20, further comprising a programmable control processor for controlling the positioning unit and for controlling dispensing of the materials from the print head onto the receiving surface. 29. The system of claim 23, wherein the print head further comprises a hollow projection configured to extend from the orifice toward the receiving surface. 30. The system of claim 23, wherein the print head comprises one or more first channels for receiving and directing the first material and one or more respective second channels for receiving and directing the second material, the second channels intersecting at a first intersection point with the first channels, the second and first channels joining together at the first intersection point to form a dispensing channel which extends to the orifice. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the print head comprises two second channels, each of the second channels being adapted to convey respective second materials, the two second channels intersecting at a second intersection and joining together at the second intersection to form a third channel which extends to the first intersection point 32. A method of printing a three-dimensional (3D) structure, the method comprising:
providing a 3D printer, the printer comprising:
at least one print head comprising an orifice for dispensing materials;
a receiving surface for receiving a first layer of the materials dispensed from the orifice of the print head; and
a positioning unit operably coupled to the print head, the positioning unit for positioning the print head in three dimensional space;
providing the materials to be dispensed, the materials to be dispensed comprising a sheath fluid and one or more hydrogels;
encoding the printer with a 3D structure to be printed; dispensing from the print head orifice the materials to be dispensed, wherein the sheath fluid and the hydrogel are dispensed in a coaxial arrangement, and wherein the sheath fluid envelops the hydrogel; depositing a first layer of the dispensed materials on the receiving surface; repeating the depositing step by depositing subsequent dispensed material on the first and any subsequent layers of deposited material, thereby depositing layer upon layer of dispensed materials in a geometric arrangement according to the 3D structure; and removing excess sheath fluid dispensed by the print head orifice at one or more time point during or between depositing steps. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the sheath fluid comprises a cross-linking agent suitable for cross-linking and solidifying the hydrogel upon contact therewith, the contact creating a hydrogel fiber. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the depositing step and the removing step are carried out continuously, thereby continuously removing the excess sheath fluid as the layers of dispensed materials are deposited. 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the removing step is carried out intermittently between and/or at the same time as the depositing step, thereby intermittently removing the excess sheath fluid as the layers of dispensed materials are deposited. 36. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more hydrogels are adapted for supporting growth and/or proliferation of living cells dispersed therein. | 1,700 |
3,587 | 15,304,682 | 1,795 | A method for making a metallic leading edge guard of the type haying a nose with first and second wings extending therefrom is disclosed. The method includes machining from a metallic blank a first half comprising a first portion of the nose and one of the wings, wherein the first portion of the nose includes an interface surface; and electroforming a second half comprising a second portion of the nose and the second wing, wherein the second half is joined to the first half at the interface surface. | 1. A method for making a metallic leading edge guard of the type having a nose with first and second wings extending therefrom, the method comprising:
machining from a metallic blank a first half comprising a first portion of the nose and one of the wings, wherein the first portion of the nose includes an interface surface; and electroforming a second half comprising a second portion of the nose and the second wing, wherein the second half is joined to the first half at the interface surface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the leading edge guard includes an interior surface collectively defined by the nose and the wings, and a portion of the interior surface defined by the first half is machined to final dimensions before the electroforming step. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first half is mounted to an electrically-conductive mandrel for the electroforming step. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the leading edge guard includes an exterior surface collectively defined by the nose and the wings, and wherein, during the electroforming step, a fixture is mounted over a portion of the exterior surface that is defined by the first half. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface surface is disposed such that a maximum thickness of metal to be deposited in the electroforming step is less than an axial length of the nose. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface surface is disposed such that the first and second portions of the nose are of substantially equal thickness. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface surface is disposed such that second portion of the nose is thinner than the first portion of the nose. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface is machined to final dimensions subsequent to the electroforming step. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second halves comprise a nickel-based alloy. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein an overall axial length of the leading edge guard is about 3 to 6 times an axial length of the nose. | A method for making a metallic leading edge guard of the type haying a nose with first and second wings extending therefrom is disclosed. The method includes machining from a metallic blank a first half comprising a first portion of the nose and one of the wings, wherein the first portion of the nose includes an interface surface; and electroforming a second half comprising a second portion of the nose and the second wing, wherein the second half is joined to the first half at the interface surface.1. A method for making a metallic leading edge guard of the type having a nose with first and second wings extending therefrom, the method comprising:
machining from a metallic blank a first half comprising a first portion of the nose and one of the wings, wherein the first portion of the nose includes an interface surface; and electroforming a second half comprising a second portion of the nose and the second wing, wherein the second half is joined to the first half at the interface surface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the leading edge guard includes an interior surface collectively defined by the nose and the wings, and a portion of the interior surface defined by the first half is machined to final dimensions before the electroforming step. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first half is mounted to an electrically-conductive mandrel for the electroforming step. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the leading edge guard includes an exterior surface collectively defined by the nose and the wings, and wherein, during the electroforming step, a fixture is mounted over a portion of the exterior surface that is defined by the first half. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface surface is disposed such that a maximum thickness of metal to be deposited in the electroforming step is less than an axial length of the nose. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface surface is disposed such that the first and second portions of the nose are of substantially equal thickness. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface surface is disposed such that second portion of the nose is thinner than the first portion of the nose. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the exterior surface is machined to final dimensions subsequent to the electroforming step. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second halves comprise a nickel-based alloy. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein an overall axial length of the leading edge guard is about 3 to 6 times an axial length of the nose. | 1,700 |
3,588 | 13,529,254 | 1,787 | A coated wood product, comprising a barrier layer and a photocatalytic layer and a method for producing such a coated wood product. | 1. A building panel comprising a surface of wood provided with a base coat, wherein the base coat is provided with a topcoat, the top coat comprising barrier particles and photocatalytic nanoparticles. 2. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic nanoparticles comprise TiO2. 3. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said topcoat is transparent. 4. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said barrier particles are adapted to protect the base coat from the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic nanoparticles. 5. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic nanoparticles are embedded and substantially homogenously distributed in said topcoat. 6. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the topcoat comprises a first barrier layer, comprising said barrier particles, and a second layer comprising said photocatalytic nanoparticles. 7. The building panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein between the first barrier layer and the second layer, an area of mixed barrier and photocatalytic nanoparticles is provided. 8. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base coat is at least one lacquer layer. 9. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the building panel comprises a second coat, provided above the base coat and under the topcoat. 10. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier particles comprise a silicium containing compound. 11. The building panel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the silicium containing compound is selected from SiO2, colloidal SiO2, functional nanoscaled SiO2, silicone resin, organofunctional silanes, and/or colloidal silicic acid silane and/or a combination of said compounds. 12. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the building panel is a floor panel. 13. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface of wood is of a solid wood product, of a panel for a parquet floor or engineered floor, of a plywood or of an HDF or MDF board provided with veneer or linoleum. 14. A method of manufacturing a photocatalytic lacquered wood product comprising transparent photocatalytic nanoparticles, wherein the method comprising the steps of:
applying a base coat by lacquering an underlying wood product to obtain at least one overlaying lacquer; coating said overlaying lacquer(s) with a barrier coating fluid, to obtain a transparent barrier layer; coating said transparent barrier layer with a photocatalytic coating fluid, to obtain a transparent photocatalytic layer; and curing said overlaying lacquer(s), barrier layer and/or photocatalytic layer. 15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises the step of curing or semi-curing said overlaying lacquer, prior to coating with the barrier coating fluid. 16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises the step of drying said barrier coating fluid, prior to coating with the photocatalytic coating fluid. 17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises the step of drying said photocatalytic coating fluid. 18. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the photocatalytic coating fluid comprises photocatalytic nanoparticles. 19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the photocatalytic nanoparticles comprise TiO2. 20. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the concentration of said nanoparticles are up to about 30 wt %. 21. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the thickness of said barrier layer is up to about 1 μm. 22. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the thickness of said photocatalytic layer is up to about 1 μm. 23. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the amount of said barrier and/or photocatalytic coating fluid(s) is (are) up to about 15 ml/m2. 24. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the barrier and/or photocatalytic coating fluid(s) is (are) waterborne fluids. 25. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the barrier and/or photocatalytic coating fluid(s) is (are) applied by spraying. 26. The method as claimed in any claim 25, wherein the size of the droplet of said barrier and/or photocatalytic coating fluids is (are) up to about 200 μm. 27. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the barrier particles comprise a silicium containing compounds. 28. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the silicium containing compound is selected from SiO2, colloidal SiO2, functional nanoscaled SiO2, silicone resin, organofunctional silanes, and/or colloidal silicic acid silane and/or a combination of said compounds. 29. A building panel produced according to the method in claim 14. | A coated wood product, comprising a barrier layer and a photocatalytic layer and a method for producing such a coated wood product.1. A building panel comprising a surface of wood provided with a base coat, wherein the base coat is provided with a topcoat, the top coat comprising barrier particles and photocatalytic nanoparticles. 2. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic nanoparticles comprise TiO2. 3. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said topcoat is transparent. 4. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said barrier particles are adapted to protect the base coat from the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic nanoparticles. 5. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photocatalytic nanoparticles are embedded and substantially homogenously distributed in said topcoat. 6. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the topcoat comprises a first barrier layer, comprising said barrier particles, and a second layer comprising said photocatalytic nanoparticles. 7. The building panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein between the first barrier layer and the second layer, an area of mixed barrier and photocatalytic nanoparticles is provided. 8. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base coat is at least one lacquer layer. 9. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the building panel comprises a second coat, provided above the base coat and under the topcoat. 10. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier particles comprise a silicium containing compound. 11. The building panel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the silicium containing compound is selected from SiO2, colloidal SiO2, functional nanoscaled SiO2, silicone resin, organofunctional silanes, and/or colloidal silicic acid silane and/or a combination of said compounds. 12. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the building panel is a floor panel. 13. The building panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface of wood is of a solid wood product, of a panel for a parquet floor or engineered floor, of a plywood or of an HDF or MDF board provided with veneer or linoleum. 14. A method of manufacturing a photocatalytic lacquered wood product comprising transparent photocatalytic nanoparticles, wherein the method comprising the steps of:
applying a base coat by lacquering an underlying wood product to obtain at least one overlaying lacquer; coating said overlaying lacquer(s) with a barrier coating fluid, to obtain a transparent barrier layer; coating said transparent barrier layer with a photocatalytic coating fluid, to obtain a transparent photocatalytic layer; and curing said overlaying lacquer(s), barrier layer and/or photocatalytic layer. 15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises the step of curing or semi-curing said overlaying lacquer, prior to coating with the barrier coating fluid. 16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises the step of drying said barrier coating fluid, prior to coating with the photocatalytic coating fluid. 17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the method comprises the step of drying said photocatalytic coating fluid. 18. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the photocatalytic coating fluid comprises photocatalytic nanoparticles. 19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the photocatalytic nanoparticles comprise TiO2. 20. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the concentration of said nanoparticles are up to about 30 wt %. 21. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the thickness of said barrier layer is up to about 1 μm. 22. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the thickness of said photocatalytic layer is up to about 1 μm. 23. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the amount of said barrier and/or photocatalytic coating fluid(s) is (are) up to about 15 ml/m2. 24. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the barrier and/or photocatalytic coating fluid(s) is (are) waterborne fluids. 25. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the barrier and/or photocatalytic coating fluid(s) is (are) applied by spraying. 26. The method as claimed in any claim 25, wherein the size of the droplet of said barrier and/or photocatalytic coating fluids is (are) up to about 200 μm. 27. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the barrier particles comprise a silicium containing compounds. 28. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the silicium containing compound is selected from SiO2, colloidal SiO2, functional nanoscaled SiO2, silicone resin, organofunctional silanes, and/or colloidal silicic acid silane and/or a combination of said compounds. 29. A building panel produced according to the method in claim 14. | 1,700 |
3,589 | 14,433,865 | 1,788 | A ceramic component includes a ceramic main body having at least one metallization on at least one exterior surface of the main body and at least one electric inlet lead in electrical contact with the metallization, and an inner protective layer and an outer protective layer that encapsulates the component, wherein the inner protective layer includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of phosphonates (SAMP), silanes, Parylenes and combinations thereof, and the inner protective layer a) contains at least first functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to at least the ceramic main body is effected and/or b) has been deposited by chemical vapor deposition. | 1-16. (canceled) 17. A ceramic component comprising:
a ceramic main body having at least one metalization on at least one exterior surface of the main body and at least one electric inlet lead in electrical contact with the metalization, and an inner protective layer and an outer protective layer that encapsulates the component, wherein the inner protective layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of phosphonates (SAMP), silanes, Parylenes and combinations thereof, and the inner protective layer
a) contains at least first functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to at least the ceramic main body is effected and/or
b) has been deposited by chemical vapor deposition. 18. The ceramic component according to claim 17, wherein the inner protective layer is arranged on the ceramic main body, and the metalization and at least the part of the electric inlet lead adjoin the metalization. 19. The ceramic component according to claim 17, wherein covalent chemical bonding to the metalization and the electric inlet lead is additionally effected via the first functional groups. 20. The ceramic component according to claim 17, further comprising having an intermediate layer arranged between the inner protective layer and the outer protective layer. 21. The ceramic component according to claim 17, wherein the inner protective layer additionally contains second functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to the outer protective layer and/or, if present, to the intermediate layer is effected. 22. The ceramic component according to claim 20, wherein the intermediate layer contains third functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to the outer protective layer is effected. 23. The ceramic component according to claim 17, wherein the outer protective layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, polyurethanes, silicone elastomers and combinations thereof. 24. The ceramic component according to claim 19, wherein the intermediate coating comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of Parylenes, silanes, phosphonates (SAMP) and combinations thereof. 25. The ceramic component according to claim 17, further comprising further protective layers arranged on the outer protective layer. 26. The ceramic component according to claim 17 configured as NTC resistor. 27. A method of producing a ceramic component according to claim 17, comprising:
A) providing the ceramic main body having the metalization on at least one exterior surface of the main body and the electric inlet lead in electrical contact with the metalization, B) producing the inner protective layer, and C) producing the outer protective layer on top of the inner protective layer. 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the intermediate layer is produced on top of the inner protective layer in a further step B2) after step B) and before step C). 29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the inner protective layer is produced by chemical vapor deposition in step B). 30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the intermediate layer is produced by chemical vapor deposition in step B2). 31. The method according to claim 27, further comprising carrying out a plasma treatment in a further step B3) before step C). 32. The ceramic component according to claim 18, wherein covalent chemical bonding to the metalization and the electric inlet lead is additionally effected via the first functional groups. 33. The ceramic component according to claim 21, wherein the intermediate layer contains third functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to the outer protective layer is effected. 34. The method according to claim 28, wherein the inner protective layer is produced by chemical vapor deposition in step B). 35. The method according to claim 29, wherein the intermediate layer is produced by chemical vapor deposition in step B2). | A ceramic component includes a ceramic main body having at least one metallization on at least one exterior surface of the main body and at least one electric inlet lead in electrical contact with the metallization, and an inner protective layer and an outer protective layer that encapsulates the component, wherein the inner protective layer includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of phosphonates (SAMP), silanes, Parylenes and combinations thereof, and the inner protective layer a) contains at least first functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to at least the ceramic main body is effected and/or b) has been deposited by chemical vapor deposition.1-16. (canceled) 17. A ceramic component comprising:
a ceramic main body having at least one metalization on at least one exterior surface of the main body and at least one electric inlet lead in electrical contact with the metalization, and an inner protective layer and an outer protective layer that encapsulates the component, wherein the inner protective layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of phosphonates (SAMP), silanes, Parylenes and combinations thereof, and the inner protective layer
a) contains at least first functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to at least the ceramic main body is effected and/or
b) has been deposited by chemical vapor deposition. 18. The ceramic component according to claim 17, wherein the inner protective layer is arranged on the ceramic main body, and the metalization and at least the part of the electric inlet lead adjoin the metalization. 19. The ceramic component according to claim 17, wherein covalent chemical bonding to the metalization and the electric inlet lead is additionally effected via the first functional groups. 20. The ceramic component according to claim 17, further comprising having an intermediate layer arranged between the inner protective layer and the outer protective layer. 21. The ceramic component according to claim 17, wherein the inner protective layer additionally contains second functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to the outer protective layer and/or, if present, to the intermediate layer is effected. 22. The ceramic component according to claim 20, wherein the intermediate layer contains third functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to the outer protective layer is effected. 23. The ceramic component according to claim 17, wherein the outer protective layer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, polyurethanes, silicone elastomers and combinations thereof. 24. The ceramic component according to claim 19, wherein the intermediate coating comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of Parylenes, silanes, phosphonates (SAMP) and combinations thereof. 25. The ceramic component according to claim 17, further comprising further protective layers arranged on the outer protective layer. 26. The ceramic component according to claim 17 configured as NTC resistor. 27. A method of producing a ceramic component according to claim 17, comprising:
A) providing the ceramic main body having the metalization on at least one exterior surface of the main body and the electric inlet lead in electrical contact with the metalization, B) producing the inner protective layer, and C) producing the outer protective layer on top of the inner protective layer. 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the intermediate layer is produced on top of the inner protective layer in a further step B2) after step B) and before step C). 29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the inner protective layer is produced by chemical vapor deposition in step B). 30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the intermediate layer is produced by chemical vapor deposition in step B2). 31. The method according to claim 27, further comprising carrying out a plasma treatment in a further step B3) before step C). 32. The ceramic component according to claim 18, wherein covalent chemical bonding to the metalization and the electric inlet lead is additionally effected via the first functional groups. 33. The ceramic component according to claim 21, wherein the intermediate layer contains third functional groups via which covalent chemical bonding to the outer protective layer is effected. 34. The method according to claim 28, wherein the inner protective layer is produced by chemical vapor deposition in step B). 35. The method according to claim 29, wherein the intermediate layer is produced by chemical vapor deposition in step B2). | 1,700 |
3,590 | 14,920,160 | 1,726 | The present invention discloses a conductive paste comprising a conductive metal or a derivative thereof, and a lead-free glass frit dispersed in an organic vehicle, wherein said lead-free glass frit comprises tellurium-bismuth-selenium-lithium-oxide. The conductive paste of the present invention can be used in the preparation of an electrode of a solar cell with excellent energy conversion efficiency. | 1. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-selenium-lithium-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b). 2. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein the conductive paste or the derivative comprise silver powder. 3. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein tellurium oxide is present in an amount of about 55 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, bismuth oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %, selenium oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % and lithium oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % in the lead-free glass frit. 4. The conductive paste according to claim 1, which further comprises one or more metal oxides selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), silver oxide (Ag2O), erbium oxide (Er2O3), tin oxide (SnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), sodium oxide (Na2O), potassium oxide (K2O), phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), molybdenum dioxide (MoO2), manganese dioxide (MnO2), nickel oxide (NiO), tungsten oxide (WO3), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), germanium dioxide (GeO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), gallium oxide (Ga2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3). 5. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein the lead-free glass frit further comprises one or more metals selected from the following group or the oxide thereof: phosphorus (P), barium (Ba), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), potassium (K), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), indium (In), manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), silver (Ag), silicon (Si), erbium (Er), germanium (Ge), titanium (Ti), gallium (Ga), cerium (Ce), niobium (Nb), samarium (Sm) and lanthanum (La) in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based on the lead-free glass frit. 6. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein the organic vehicle is a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent. 7. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein the organic vehicle further comprises one or more functional additives selected from the group consisting of a viscosity modifier, a dispersing agent, a thixotropic agent and a wetting agent. 8. An article comprising a semiconductor substrate and a conductive paste according to claim 1 applied onto the semiconductor substrate. 9. The article according to claim 8, which further comprises one or more antireflective coatings applied onto the semiconductor substrate; and
wherein the conductive paste contacts the antireflective coating(s) and has electrical contact with the semiconductor substrate. 10. The article according to claim 9, which is a semiconductor device. 11. The article according to claim 10, wherein the semiconductor device is a solar cell. | The present invention discloses a conductive paste comprising a conductive metal or a derivative thereof, and a lead-free glass frit dispersed in an organic vehicle, wherein said lead-free glass frit comprises tellurium-bismuth-selenium-lithium-oxide. The conductive paste of the present invention can be used in the preparation of an electrode of a solar cell with excellent energy conversion efficiency.1. A conductive paste comprising:
(a) about 85% to about 99.5% by weight of a conductive metal or the derivative thereof, based on the weight of solids; (b) about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a lead-free glass frit containing tellurium-bismuth-selenium-lithium-oxide, based on the weight of solids; and (c) an organic vehicle; wherein the weight of solids is the total weight of the conductive metal (a) and the lead-free glass frit (b). 2. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein the conductive paste or the derivative comprise silver powder. 3. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein tellurium oxide is present in an amount of about 55 wt. % to about 90 wt. %, bismuth oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %, selenium oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % and lithium oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. % in the lead-free glass frit. 4. The conductive paste according to claim 1, which further comprises one or more metal oxides selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide (ZrO2), vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), silver oxide (Ag2O), erbium oxide (Er2O3), tin oxide (SnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), neodymium oxide (Nd2O3), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), sodium oxide (Na2O), potassium oxide (K2O), phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), molybdenum dioxide (MoO2), manganese dioxide (MnO2), nickel oxide (NiO), tungsten oxide (WO3), samarium oxide (Sm2O3), germanium dioxide (GeO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), gallium oxide (Ga2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3). 5. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein the lead-free glass frit further comprises one or more metals selected from the following group or the oxide thereof: phosphorus (P), barium (Ba), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), potassium (K), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), indium (In), manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), silver (Ag), silicon (Si), erbium (Er), germanium (Ge), titanium (Ti), gallium (Ga), cerium (Ce), niobium (Nb), samarium (Sm) and lanthanum (La) in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % based on the lead-free glass frit. 6. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein the organic vehicle is a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent. 7. The conductive paste according to claim 1, wherein the organic vehicle further comprises one or more functional additives selected from the group consisting of a viscosity modifier, a dispersing agent, a thixotropic agent and a wetting agent. 8. An article comprising a semiconductor substrate and a conductive paste according to claim 1 applied onto the semiconductor substrate. 9. The article according to claim 8, which further comprises one or more antireflective coatings applied onto the semiconductor substrate; and
wherein the conductive paste contacts the antireflective coating(s) and has electrical contact with the semiconductor substrate. 10. The article according to claim 9, which is a semiconductor device. 11. The article according to claim 10, wherein the semiconductor device is a solar cell. | 1,700 |
3,591 | 13,518,248 | 1,711 | An apparatus for cleaning industrial components which has a liquid container defining a liquid enclosure for containing a cleaning liquid and ultrasonic transducers having an operating frequency and a wavelength in the cleaning liquid and secured to at least a portion of the liquid container at a spacing of between 2 and 10 wavelengths. During operation, the transducers generate a larger power density in the component-receiving area of the liquid container than an average power density of the liquid container. | 1-49. (canceled) 50. An apparatus for cleaning industrial components, comprising:
a liquid container having a sidewall defining a liquid enclosure for containing a cleaning liquid, the liquid container having a component-receiving area spaced from the sidewall; and ultrasonic transducers having an operating frequency and a wavelength in the cleaning liquid and secured to at least a portion of the liquid container at a spacing of between 2 and 10 wavelengths, wherein in operation the ultrasonic transducers generate a power density in the component-receiving area of the liquid container that is greater than an average power density of the liquid container, the ultrasonic transducers are resonating rod transducers secured to an inner surface of the liquid container in a two dimensional plane. 51. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the transducers generate a frequency between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. 52. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein at least some of the transducers simultaneously generate different frequencies between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. 53. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein at least some of the transducers are out of phase. 54. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the transducers generate frequencies about the centre frequency of 25 kHz. 55. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the resonating rod transducers comprise one or two active ultrasonic heads. 56. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the container is a liquid tank having an open top. 57. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the container is a liquid tank with a removable or retractable top cover. 58. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the container is sufficiently large to receive a set of heat exchanger tubes. 59. The apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the set of heat exchanger tubes are between 2 feet and 150 feet in length and between 6 inches and 12 feet in diameter. 60. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises a sloped bottom surface. 61. The apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the bottom is flat, concave or “V” shaped. 62. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the transducers generate a power density within the liquid container when filled with liquid of between 10-60 Watts/gallon. 63. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the transducers are mounted vertically to the inner surface of the liquid container. 64. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the transducers are mounted using a compliant clamping at a top of the transducer, and a mount device that does not restrict motion along the axis of the resonant rod. 65. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the transducers are mounted horizontally or diagonally to the inner surface of the liquid container. 66. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container is an outer shell containing a set of exchanger tubes. 67. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous based degreasing surfactant solutions having a pH between 7-11. 68. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising at least one of solvent additives, an acid solution and an alkaline solution. 69. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an acid solution. 70. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an alkaline solution. 71. A method of cleaning industrial components, comprising the steps of:
securing resonating rod ultrasonic transducers to an inner surface of at least a portion of a liquid container in a plane at a spacing of between 2 and 10 wavelengths based on the operating frequency and wavelength of the ultrasonic transducers in a cleaning liquid; introducing the cleaning liquid into the liquid container; introducing an industrial component into the cleaning liquid and positioning the industrial component in a component-receiving area of the liquid container that is spaced from a sidewall of the liquid container; and operating the ultrasonic transducers to generate a larger power density in the component-receiving area of the liquid container than an average power density of the liquid container. 72. The method according to claim 71, wherein operating the ultrasonic transducers comprises operating the transducers at a frequency between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. 73. The method according to claim 71 wherein at least some of the transducers simultaneously generate different frequencies between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. 74. The method according to claim 71, wherein at least some of the transducers are out of phase. 75. The method according to claim 72, wherein the transducers generate frequencies about the centre frequency of 25 kHz. 76. The method according to claim 71, wherein the resonating rod transducers comprise one or two active ultrasonic heads. 77. The method according to claim 71, wherein the container is a liquid tank having an open top. 78. The apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the container is a liquid tank with a removable or retractable top cover. 79. The method according to claim 71, wherein the industrial component is a set of heat exchanger tubes. 80. The method according to claim 79, wherein the set of heat exchanger tubes are between 2 feet and 150 feet in length and between 6 inches and 12 feet in diameter. 81. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises a sloped bottom surface. 82. The method according to claim 81, wherein the bottom is flat, concave or “V” shaped. 83. The method according to claim 71, wherein the transducers generate a power density within the liquid container when filled with liquid of between 10-60 Watts/gallon. 84. The method according to claim 71, wherein the transducers are mounted vertically to the inner surface of the liquid container. 85. The method according to claim 84, wherein the transducers are mounted using a compliant clamping at a top of the transducer, and a mount device that does not restrict motion along the axis of the resonant rod. 86. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container is an outer shell containing a set of exchanger tubes. 87. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous based degreasing surfactant solutions having a pH between 7-11. 88. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising at least one of solvent additives, an acid solution and an alkaline solution. 89. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an acid solution. 90. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an alkaline solution. | An apparatus for cleaning industrial components which has a liquid container defining a liquid enclosure for containing a cleaning liquid and ultrasonic transducers having an operating frequency and a wavelength in the cleaning liquid and secured to at least a portion of the liquid container at a spacing of between 2 and 10 wavelengths. During operation, the transducers generate a larger power density in the component-receiving area of the liquid container than an average power density of the liquid container.1-49. (canceled) 50. An apparatus for cleaning industrial components, comprising:
a liquid container having a sidewall defining a liquid enclosure for containing a cleaning liquid, the liquid container having a component-receiving area spaced from the sidewall; and ultrasonic transducers having an operating frequency and a wavelength in the cleaning liquid and secured to at least a portion of the liquid container at a spacing of between 2 and 10 wavelengths, wherein in operation the ultrasonic transducers generate a power density in the component-receiving area of the liquid container that is greater than an average power density of the liquid container, the ultrasonic transducers are resonating rod transducers secured to an inner surface of the liquid container in a two dimensional plane. 51. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the transducers generate a frequency between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. 52. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein at least some of the transducers simultaneously generate different frequencies between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. 53. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein at least some of the transducers are out of phase. 54. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the transducers generate frequencies about the centre frequency of 25 kHz. 55. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the resonating rod transducers comprise one or two active ultrasonic heads. 56. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the container is a liquid tank having an open top. 57. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the container is a liquid tank with a removable or retractable top cover. 58. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the container is sufficiently large to receive a set of heat exchanger tubes. 59. The apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the set of heat exchanger tubes are between 2 feet and 150 feet in length and between 6 inches and 12 feet in diameter. 60. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises a sloped bottom surface. 61. The apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the bottom is flat, concave or “V” shaped. 62. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the transducers generate a power density within the liquid container when filled with liquid of between 10-60 Watts/gallon. 63. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the transducers are mounted vertically to the inner surface of the liquid container. 64. The apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the transducers are mounted using a compliant clamping at a top of the transducer, and a mount device that does not restrict motion along the axis of the resonant rod. 65. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the transducers are mounted horizontally or diagonally to the inner surface of the liquid container. 66. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container is an outer shell containing a set of exchanger tubes. 67. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous based degreasing surfactant solutions having a pH between 7-11. 68. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising at least one of solvent additives, an acid solution and an alkaline solution. 69. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an acid solution. 70. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an alkaline solution. 71. A method of cleaning industrial components, comprising the steps of:
securing resonating rod ultrasonic transducers to an inner surface of at least a portion of a liquid container in a plane at a spacing of between 2 and 10 wavelengths based on the operating frequency and wavelength of the ultrasonic transducers in a cleaning liquid; introducing the cleaning liquid into the liquid container; introducing an industrial component into the cleaning liquid and positioning the industrial component in a component-receiving area of the liquid container that is spaced from a sidewall of the liquid container; and operating the ultrasonic transducers to generate a larger power density in the component-receiving area of the liquid container than an average power density of the liquid container. 72. The method according to claim 71, wherein operating the ultrasonic transducers comprises operating the transducers at a frequency between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. 73. The method according to claim 71 wherein at least some of the transducers simultaneously generate different frequencies between 20 kHz and 30 kHz. 74. The method according to claim 71, wherein at least some of the transducers are out of phase. 75. The method according to claim 72, wherein the transducers generate frequencies about the centre frequency of 25 kHz. 76. The method according to claim 71, wherein the resonating rod transducers comprise one or two active ultrasonic heads. 77. The method according to claim 71, wherein the container is a liquid tank having an open top. 78. The apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the container is a liquid tank with a removable or retractable top cover. 79. The method according to claim 71, wherein the industrial component is a set of heat exchanger tubes. 80. The method according to claim 79, wherein the set of heat exchanger tubes are between 2 feet and 150 feet in length and between 6 inches and 12 feet in diameter. 81. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises a sloped bottom surface. 82. The method according to claim 81, wherein the bottom is flat, concave or “V” shaped. 83. The method according to claim 71, wherein the transducers generate a power density within the liquid container when filled with liquid of between 10-60 Watts/gallon. 84. The method according to claim 71, wherein the transducers are mounted vertically to the inner surface of the liquid container. 85. The method according to claim 84, wherein the transducers are mounted using a compliant clamping at a top of the transducer, and a mount device that does not restrict motion along the axis of the resonant rod. 86. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container is an outer shell containing a set of exchanger tubes. 87. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous based degreasing surfactant solutions having a pH between 7-11. 88. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising at least one of solvent additives, an acid solution and an alkaline solution. 89. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an acid solution. 90. The method according to claim 71, wherein the liquid container comprises an aqueous cleaning solution comprising an alkaline solution. | 1,700 |
3,592 | 15,313,990 | 1,716 | The present invention relates to a vacuum evacuation system used to evacuate a processing gas from one or more process chambers for use in, for example, a semiconductor-device manufacturing apparatus. The vacuum evacuation system is a vacuum apparatus for evacuating a gas from a plurality of process chambers ( 1 ). The vacuum evacuation system includes a plurality of first vacuum pumps ( 5 ) coupled to the plurality of process chambers ( 1 ) respectively, a collecting pipe ( 7 ) coupled to the plurality of first vacuum pumps ( 5 ), and a second vacuum pump ( 8 ) coupled to the collecting pipe ( 7 ). | 1. A vacuum evacuation system for evacuating a gas from a plurality of process chambers, comprising:
a plurality of first vacuum pumps which can be coupled to the plurality of process chambers, respectively; a collecting pipe coupled to the plurality of first vacuum pumps; and a second vacuum pump coupled to the collecting pipe. 2. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein the second vacuum pump is disposed near the plurality of first vacuum pumps. 3. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein:
the collecting pipe comprises a plurality of collecting pipes, and the second vacuum pump comprises a plurality of second vacuum pumps; all of the plurality of collecting pipes are coupled to the plurality of first vacuum pumps; and the plurality of second vacuum pumps are coupled to the plurality of collecting pipes, respectively. 4. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 3, further comprising:
a third vacuum pump coupled to the plurality of second vacuum pumps, wherein the plurality of second vacuum pumps comprise multi-stage positive-displacement vacuum pumps. 5. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 4, further comprising:
a second collecting pipe through which the plurality of second vacuum pumps are coupled to the third vacuum pump, wherein the plurality of collecting pipes comprise a plurality of first collecting pipes. 6. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 5, wherein the third vacuum pump comprises a plurality of third vacuum pumps which are arranged in parallel. 7. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 6, wherein the second collecting pipe has a plurality of branch pipes coupled to the plurality of third vacuum pumps, respectively, and a plurality of on-off valves are attached to the plurality of branch pipes, respectively. 8. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein:
the collecting pipe comprises a first collecting pipe; the vacuum evacuation system includes a plurality of evacuation units and a third vacuum pump which is disposed downstream of the second vacuum pump; the plurality of first vacuum pumps, the second vacuum pump, and the first collecting pipe constitute one of the plurality of evacuation units; and the vacuum evacuation system further comprises a second collecting pipe through which the plurality of second vacuum pumps, included in the plurality of evacuation units, are coupled to the third vacuum pump. 9. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 8, wherein the third vacuum pump comprises a plurality of third vacuum pumps, and the number of third vacuum pumps is smaller than the number of second vacuum pumps. 10. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 8, wherein:
the second collecting pipe comprises a plurality of second collecting pipes arranged in parallel; the third vacuum pump comprises a plurality of third vacuum pumps; and the plurality of third vacuum pumps are coupled to the plurality of second vacuum pumps through the plurality of second collecting pipes. 11. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of second collecting pipes includes:
a plurality of exhaust pipes coupled to the plurality of second vacuum pumps respectively; a communication pipe to which the plurality of exhaust pipes are coupled; and a main pipe coupled to the communication pipe, a plurality of on-off valves are attached to the plurality of exhaust pipes, respectively, a plurality of shutoff valves are attached to the communication pipe, and each of the plurality of shutoff valves is located between adjacent two of the plurality of evacuation units. 12. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein the second vacuum pump comprises a plurality of second vacuum pumps arranged in parallel, and the plurality of second vacuum pumps are coupled to the collecting pipe. 13. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 12, wherein the collecting pipe includes a plurality of branch pipes coupled to the plurality of second vacuum pumps, respectively, and a plurality of on-off valves are attached to the plurality of branch pipes, respectively. 14. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a cleaning-gas exhaust pipe coupled to the plurality of first vacuum pumps; and a cleaning-gas exhaust pump coupled to the cleaning-gas exhaust pipe, the cleaning-gas exhaust pipe and the collecting pipe being arranged in parallel. 15. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 14, further comprising:
a gas treatment device configured to treat a cleaning gas. 16. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, further comprising:
an atmospheric-air exhaust pipe coupled to the plurality of process chambers, the atmospheric-air exhaust pipe and the collecting pipe being arranged in parallel; and a roughing pump coupled to the atmospheric-air exhaust pipe, the roughing pump being configured to be able to operate under atmospheric pressure. 17. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 12, wherein an abatement unit is attached to the collecting pipe. 18. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a gas treatment device for rendering a gas, which is exhausted from the plurality of process chambers, harmless. 19. A vacuum evacuation system comprising:
a suction pipe; a branch pipe and a backup pipe branching off from the suction pipe; an on-off valve and a backup valve attached to the branch pipe and the backup pipe, respectively; a vacuum pump coupled to the branch pipe; a backup pump coupled to the backup pipe; and an operation controller configured to control opening and closing operations of the on-off valve and the backup valve, wherein the operation controller is configured to compare a rotational speed of the vacuum pump with a threshold value, and open the backup valve and close the on-off valve when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is lower than the threshold value, and the suction-side pressure when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is equal to the threshold value is lower than an pressure upper limit which indicates an extraordinary increase in the suction-side pressure. 20. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 19, wherein the vacuum pump is configured to transmit a speed drop signal to the operation controller when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump has reached a preset speed lower limit, and the threshold value is larger than the speed lower limit. 21. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 19, wherein the backup pump is operable at a first rotational speed when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is equal to or more than the threshold value, and the backup pump is operable at a second rotational speed when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is lower than the threshold value, the second rotational speed being higher than the first rotational speed. 22. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 19, wherein the operation controller compares the rotational speed of the vacuum pump with the threshold value again after the backup valve is opened and before the on-off valve is closed, and then closes the on-off valve if the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is lower than the threshold value. 23. A vacuum evacuation system comprising:
a suction pipe; a branch pipe and a backup pipe branching off from the suction pipe; an on-off valve and a backup valve attached to the branch pipe and the backup pipe, respectively; a vacuum pump coupled to the branch pipe; a backup pump coupled to the backup pipe; and an operation controller configured to control opening and closing operations of the on-off valve and the backup valve, wherein the operation controller is configured to open the backup valve and close the on-off valve when a suction-side pressure of the vacuum pump has reached a threshold value, the threshold value being lower than an pressure upper limit which indicates an extraordinary increase in the suction-side pressure. | The present invention relates to a vacuum evacuation system used to evacuate a processing gas from one or more process chambers for use in, for example, a semiconductor-device manufacturing apparatus. The vacuum evacuation system is a vacuum apparatus for evacuating a gas from a plurality of process chambers ( 1 ). The vacuum evacuation system includes a plurality of first vacuum pumps ( 5 ) coupled to the plurality of process chambers ( 1 ) respectively, a collecting pipe ( 7 ) coupled to the plurality of first vacuum pumps ( 5 ), and a second vacuum pump ( 8 ) coupled to the collecting pipe ( 7 ).1. A vacuum evacuation system for evacuating a gas from a plurality of process chambers, comprising:
a plurality of first vacuum pumps which can be coupled to the plurality of process chambers, respectively; a collecting pipe coupled to the plurality of first vacuum pumps; and a second vacuum pump coupled to the collecting pipe. 2. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein the second vacuum pump is disposed near the plurality of first vacuum pumps. 3. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein:
the collecting pipe comprises a plurality of collecting pipes, and the second vacuum pump comprises a plurality of second vacuum pumps; all of the plurality of collecting pipes are coupled to the plurality of first vacuum pumps; and the plurality of second vacuum pumps are coupled to the plurality of collecting pipes, respectively. 4. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 3, further comprising:
a third vacuum pump coupled to the plurality of second vacuum pumps, wherein the plurality of second vacuum pumps comprise multi-stage positive-displacement vacuum pumps. 5. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 4, further comprising:
a second collecting pipe through which the plurality of second vacuum pumps are coupled to the third vacuum pump, wherein the plurality of collecting pipes comprise a plurality of first collecting pipes. 6. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 5, wherein the third vacuum pump comprises a plurality of third vacuum pumps which are arranged in parallel. 7. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 6, wherein the second collecting pipe has a plurality of branch pipes coupled to the plurality of third vacuum pumps, respectively, and a plurality of on-off valves are attached to the plurality of branch pipes, respectively. 8. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein:
the collecting pipe comprises a first collecting pipe; the vacuum evacuation system includes a plurality of evacuation units and a third vacuum pump which is disposed downstream of the second vacuum pump; the plurality of first vacuum pumps, the second vacuum pump, and the first collecting pipe constitute one of the plurality of evacuation units; and the vacuum evacuation system further comprises a second collecting pipe through which the plurality of second vacuum pumps, included in the plurality of evacuation units, are coupled to the third vacuum pump. 9. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 8, wherein the third vacuum pump comprises a plurality of third vacuum pumps, and the number of third vacuum pumps is smaller than the number of second vacuum pumps. 10. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 8, wherein:
the second collecting pipe comprises a plurality of second collecting pipes arranged in parallel; the third vacuum pump comprises a plurality of third vacuum pumps; and the plurality of third vacuum pumps are coupled to the plurality of second vacuum pumps through the plurality of second collecting pipes. 11. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of second collecting pipes includes:
a plurality of exhaust pipes coupled to the plurality of second vacuum pumps respectively; a communication pipe to which the plurality of exhaust pipes are coupled; and a main pipe coupled to the communication pipe, a plurality of on-off valves are attached to the plurality of exhaust pipes, respectively, a plurality of shutoff valves are attached to the communication pipe, and each of the plurality of shutoff valves is located between adjacent two of the plurality of evacuation units. 12. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, wherein the second vacuum pump comprises a plurality of second vacuum pumps arranged in parallel, and the plurality of second vacuum pumps are coupled to the collecting pipe. 13. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 12, wherein the collecting pipe includes a plurality of branch pipes coupled to the plurality of second vacuum pumps, respectively, and a plurality of on-off valves are attached to the plurality of branch pipes, respectively. 14. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a cleaning-gas exhaust pipe coupled to the plurality of first vacuum pumps; and a cleaning-gas exhaust pump coupled to the cleaning-gas exhaust pipe, the cleaning-gas exhaust pipe and the collecting pipe being arranged in parallel. 15. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 14, further comprising:
a gas treatment device configured to treat a cleaning gas. 16. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, further comprising:
an atmospheric-air exhaust pipe coupled to the plurality of process chambers, the atmospheric-air exhaust pipe and the collecting pipe being arranged in parallel; and a roughing pump coupled to the atmospheric-air exhaust pipe, the roughing pump being configured to be able to operate under atmospheric pressure. 17. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 12, wherein an abatement unit is attached to the collecting pipe. 18. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a gas treatment device for rendering a gas, which is exhausted from the plurality of process chambers, harmless. 19. A vacuum evacuation system comprising:
a suction pipe; a branch pipe and a backup pipe branching off from the suction pipe; an on-off valve and a backup valve attached to the branch pipe and the backup pipe, respectively; a vacuum pump coupled to the branch pipe; a backup pump coupled to the backup pipe; and an operation controller configured to control opening and closing operations of the on-off valve and the backup valve, wherein the operation controller is configured to compare a rotational speed of the vacuum pump with a threshold value, and open the backup valve and close the on-off valve when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is lower than the threshold value, and the suction-side pressure when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is equal to the threshold value is lower than an pressure upper limit which indicates an extraordinary increase in the suction-side pressure. 20. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 19, wherein the vacuum pump is configured to transmit a speed drop signal to the operation controller when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump has reached a preset speed lower limit, and the threshold value is larger than the speed lower limit. 21. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 19, wherein the backup pump is operable at a first rotational speed when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is equal to or more than the threshold value, and the backup pump is operable at a second rotational speed when the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is lower than the threshold value, the second rotational speed being higher than the first rotational speed. 22. The vacuum evacuation system according to claim 19, wherein the operation controller compares the rotational speed of the vacuum pump with the threshold value again after the backup valve is opened and before the on-off valve is closed, and then closes the on-off valve if the rotational speed of the vacuum pump is lower than the threshold value. 23. A vacuum evacuation system comprising:
a suction pipe; a branch pipe and a backup pipe branching off from the suction pipe; an on-off valve and a backup valve attached to the branch pipe and the backup pipe, respectively; a vacuum pump coupled to the branch pipe; a backup pump coupled to the backup pipe; and an operation controller configured to control opening and closing operations of the on-off valve and the backup valve, wherein the operation controller is configured to open the backup valve and close the on-off valve when a suction-side pressure of the vacuum pump has reached a threshold value, the threshold value being lower than an pressure upper limit which indicates an extraordinary increase in the suction-side pressure. | 1,700 |
3,593 | 15,202,984 | 1,718 | A vapor deposition apparatus includes a chamber configured to operate at vacuum and at least one crucible in the chamber. The crucible is configured to receive an ingot, a feeder operable to move the ingot with respect to the at least one crucible, and a heater in the chamber and configured to heat a hot zone between the at least one crucible and the feeder. A method for vapor deposition is also disclosed. | 1. A vapor deposition apparatus, comprising:
a chamber configured to operate at vacuum; at least one crucible in the chamber, the at least one crucible configured to receive an ingot; a feeder operable to move the ingot with respect to the at least one crucible; and a heater in the chamber and configured to heat a hot zone between the at least one crucible and the feeder. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feeder includes a drive mechanism and a mechanical guide mechanism or guide rods. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the heater is between the mechanical guide mechanism or guide rods and the crucible. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is fixed to the crucible. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is an induction heater. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is a microwave heater. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is a resistance heater. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is selected from a group consisting of an induction heater, a microwave heater, and a resistance heater. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater circumscribes the hot zone. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is operable to heat the hot zone above the vaporization temperature of water across a typical range of thermal emission physical vapor deposition (TE-PVD) process pressures. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising heat shields defining the hot zone. 12. A method for vapor deposition, comprising:
driving off moisture from an ingot in a vapor deposition chamber prior to the ingot entering a crucible; and providing the ingot to the crucible for vapor deposition. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising feeding the ingot through a hot zone and into the crucible. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the hot zone is defined between an ingot feeder and the crucible. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the moisture is driven off as the ingot is fed through the hot zone. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein heat is retained by providing heat shields. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising heating the hot zone with a heater that is in the chamber. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the heater is selected from a group consisting of an induction heater, a microwave heater, and a resistance heater. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the ingot is heated to a temperature above the vaporization temperature of water. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the heater circumscribes the ingot. | A vapor deposition apparatus includes a chamber configured to operate at vacuum and at least one crucible in the chamber. The crucible is configured to receive an ingot, a feeder operable to move the ingot with respect to the at least one crucible, and a heater in the chamber and configured to heat a hot zone between the at least one crucible and the feeder. A method for vapor deposition is also disclosed.1. A vapor deposition apparatus, comprising:
a chamber configured to operate at vacuum; at least one crucible in the chamber, the at least one crucible configured to receive an ingot; a feeder operable to move the ingot with respect to the at least one crucible; and a heater in the chamber and configured to heat a hot zone between the at least one crucible and the feeder. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feeder includes a drive mechanism and a mechanical guide mechanism or guide rods. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the heater is between the mechanical guide mechanism or guide rods and the crucible. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is fixed to the crucible. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is an induction heater. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is a microwave heater. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is a resistance heater. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is selected from a group consisting of an induction heater, a microwave heater, and a resistance heater. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater circumscribes the hot zone. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is operable to heat the hot zone above the vaporization temperature of water across a typical range of thermal emission physical vapor deposition (TE-PVD) process pressures. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising heat shields defining the hot zone. 12. A method for vapor deposition, comprising:
driving off moisture from an ingot in a vapor deposition chamber prior to the ingot entering a crucible; and providing the ingot to the crucible for vapor deposition. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising feeding the ingot through a hot zone and into the crucible. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the hot zone is defined between an ingot feeder and the crucible. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the moisture is driven off as the ingot is fed through the hot zone. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein heat is retained by providing heat shields. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising heating the hot zone with a heater that is in the chamber. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the heater is selected from a group consisting of an induction heater, a microwave heater, and a resistance heater. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the ingot is heated to a temperature above the vaporization temperature of water. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the heater circumscribes the ingot. | 1,700 |
3,594 | 14,927,958 | 1,789 | Embodiments of a cushioning net structure comprise an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend arranged in a three-dimensional random loop orientation, wherein a plurality of random loops are bonded together, The ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises a homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer having a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 2.5 to about 4.5, wherein MWD is defined as Mw/Mn with Mw being a weight average molecular weight and Mn being a number average molecular weight, a melt index (I 2 ) of about 3.0 g/10 mins to about 25.0 g/10 mins when measured according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg load, and a density of about 0.895 to about 0.925 g/cm 3 . | 1. A cushioning net structure comprising an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend arranged in a three-dimensional random loop orientation, wherein a plurality of random loops are bonded together, wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises:
a homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer,
wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has:
a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 2.5 to about 4.5, wherein MWD is defined as Mw/Mn with Mw being a weight average molecular weight and Mn being a number average molecular weight;
a melt index (I2) of about 3.0 g/10 mins to about 25.0 g/10 mins when measured according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg load;
a density of about 0.895 to about 0.925 g/cm3. 2. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer is a random homogeneously branched linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymer or a random homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymer. 3. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein a Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) heat curve having at least two melting peaks. 4. The cushioning net structure of claim 3 wherein the highest temperature melting peak is in the range of from 120° C. to 125° C. 5. The cushioning net structure of claim 1, wherein the homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer has a density of about 0.875 to 0.905 g/cm3. 6. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises about 10 to about 90% by weight of the homogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer, and about 10 to about 90% by weight of the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer. 7. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises about 40 to about 60% by weight of the homogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer, and about 40 to about 60% by weight of the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer. 8. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein each random loop of the cushioning net structure has a diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm. 9. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the cushioning net structure has an apparent density in a range of about 0.016 g/cm3 to about 0.1 g/cm3. 10. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises a melt flow ratio (I10/I2) of about 5 to about 10, where I10 is the melt index when measured according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 10 kg load. 11. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the weight fraction of the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend in a temperature zone above 90° C. is above 8%, as determined by CEF. 12. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has an elastic recovery at 100% strain at 1 cycle of between 50 and 80%. 13. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend is characterized by a ratio of storage modulus at 25° C., G′ (25° C.) to storage modulus at 100° C., G′ (100° C.) of about 20 to about 60. 14. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has a weight average molecular weight of less than 75,000. 15. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 further comprising a heterogeneous linear low density polyethylene which is blended with the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend. 16. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has a percent crystallinity in weight % of about 25% to about 55%. 17. The cushioning net structure of claim 1, wherein the cushioning net structure has a height loss of less than 3% as measured in accordance with ASTM D 3574, Test B2. 18. A method of making a cushioning net structure arranged in a three-dimensional random loop orientation, wherein the method comprises:
providing an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend, the blend comprising a homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer,
wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has:
a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 2.5 to about 4.5, wherein MWD is defined as Mw/Mn with Mw being a weight average molecular weight and Mn being a number average molecular weight;
a melt index (I2) of about 3.0 g/10 mins to about 25.0 g/10 mins when measured according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg load; and
a density of about 0.895 to about 0.925 g/cm3; and
forming the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend into three-dimensional random loops which bond to form the cushioning net structure. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the cushioning net structure has a diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, and an apparent density in a range of about 0.016 g/cm3 to about 0.1 g/cm3. | Embodiments of a cushioning net structure comprise an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend arranged in a three-dimensional random loop orientation, wherein a plurality of random loops are bonded together, The ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises a homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer having a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 2.5 to about 4.5, wherein MWD is defined as Mw/Mn with Mw being a weight average molecular weight and Mn being a number average molecular weight, a melt index (I 2 ) of about 3.0 g/10 mins to about 25.0 g/10 mins when measured according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg load, and a density of about 0.895 to about 0.925 g/cm 3 .1. A cushioning net structure comprising an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend arranged in a three-dimensional random loop orientation, wherein a plurality of random loops are bonded together, wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises:
a homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer,
wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has:
a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 2.5 to about 4.5, wherein MWD is defined as Mw/Mn with Mw being a weight average molecular weight and Mn being a number average molecular weight;
a melt index (I2) of about 3.0 g/10 mins to about 25.0 g/10 mins when measured according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg load;
a density of about 0.895 to about 0.925 g/cm3. 2. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer is a random homogeneously branched linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymer or a random homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymer. 3. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein a Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) heat curve having at least two melting peaks. 4. The cushioning net structure of claim 3 wherein the highest temperature melting peak is in the range of from 120° C. to 125° C. 5. The cushioning net structure of claim 1, wherein the homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer has a density of about 0.875 to 0.905 g/cm3. 6. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises about 10 to about 90% by weight of the homogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer, and about 10 to about 90% by weight of the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer. 7. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises about 40 to about 60% by weight of the homogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer, and about 40 to about 60% by weight of the heterogeneously branched ethylene/α-olefin copolymer. 8. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein each random loop of the cushioning net structure has a diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm. 9. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the cushioning net structure has an apparent density in a range of about 0.016 g/cm3 to about 0.1 g/cm3. 10. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend comprises a melt flow ratio (I10/I2) of about 5 to about 10, where I10 is the melt index when measured according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 10 kg load. 11. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the weight fraction of the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend in a temperature zone above 90° C. is above 8%, as determined by CEF. 12. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has an elastic recovery at 100% strain at 1 cycle of between 50 and 80%. 13. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend is characterized by a ratio of storage modulus at 25° C., G′ (25° C.) to storage modulus at 100° C., G′ (100° C.) of about 20 to about 60. 14. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has a weight average molecular weight of less than 75,000. 15. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 further comprising a heterogeneous linear low density polyethylene which is blended with the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend. 16. The cushioning net structure of claim 1 wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has a percent crystallinity in weight % of about 25% to about 55%. 17. The cushioning net structure of claim 1, wherein the cushioning net structure has a height loss of less than 3% as measured in accordance with ASTM D 3574, Test B2. 18. A method of making a cushioning net structure arranged in a three-dimensional random loop orientation, wherein the method comprises:
providing an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend, the blend comprising a homogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneously branched random ethylene/α-olefin copolymer,
wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend has:
a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 2.5 to about 4.5, wherein MWD is defined as Mw/Mn with Mw being a weight average molecular weight and Mn being a number average molecular weight;
a melt index (I2) of about 3.0 g/10 mins to about 25.0 g/10 mins when measured according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg load; and
a density of about 0.895 to about 0.925 g/cm3; and
forming the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer blend into three-dimensional random loops which bond to form the cushioning net structure. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the cushioning net structure has a diameter of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, and an apparent density in a range of about 0.016 g/cm3 to about 0.1 g/cm3. | 1,700 |
3,595 | 15,253,640 | 1,737 | According to several embodiments, a composition of matter includes: a three-dimensional structure comprising photo polymerized molecules. At least some of the photo polymerized molecules further comprise one or more protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups; and at least portions of one or more surfaces of the three-dimensional structure are functionalized with one or more of the protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups. An additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter includes: a photo polymerizable compound; and a click-chemistry compatible compound. A method of forming an additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter includes: reacting a compound comprising a terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group with a protecting reagent to form a protected reactive diluent precursor, reacting the precursor with a compound to form a protected reactive diluent; and mixing the protected reactive diluent with a photo polymerizable compound. | 1. A composition of matter, comprising:
a three-dimensional structure comprising photo polymerized molecules; wherein at least some of the photo polymerized molecules further comprise one or more protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups; and wherein at least portions of one or more surfaces of the three-dimensional structure are functionalized with one or more of the protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups. 2. The composition of matter as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups are selected from a group consisting of: an alkyne coupled to a protecting group and an azide coupled to the protecting group; and
wherein the protecting group is selected from a group consisting of: a trimethylsilyl, a triethylsilyl, a t-butyl dimethylsilyl, a triisopropylsilyl, and a 2-(2-hydroxypropyl)alkyne. 3. The composition of matter as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more click-chemistry compatible functional groups are deprotected. 4. The composition of matter as recited in claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional structure is structurally characterized by features having a feature size on a scale of several hundred nanometers to several millimeters. 5. An additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter, the resin comprising:
a photo polymerizable compound; and a click-chemistry compatible compound. 6. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 5, the photo polymerizable compound comprising a functional group selected from a group consisting of: acrylates, epoxides, and thiol-enes. 7. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 5, the click-chemistry compatible compound comprising a functional group selected from a group consisting of: acrylates, epoxides, and thiol-enes. 8. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 5, the click-chemistry compatible compound comprising a terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group. 9. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 8, wherein the click-chemistry compatible compound comprises a protecting group functionalized to the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group; and
wherein the protecting group is selected from a group consisting of: a trimethylsilyl, a triethylsilyl, a t-butyl dimethylsilyl, a triisopropylsilyl, and a 2-(2-hydroxypropyl)alkyne. 10. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 5, wherein the click-chemistry compatible compound is a monomer. 11. A method of forming an additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter, the method comprising:
reacting a compound comprising a terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group with a protecting reagent to form a protected reactive diluent precursor, the precursor comprising the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group; reacting the precursor with a compound comprising a photo polymerizable group to form a protected reactive diluent; and mixing the protected reactive diluent with a photo polymerizable compound to form the additive manufacturing resin. 12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the photo polymerizable compound comprises a polyethylene-glycol backbone functionalized with at least one photo polymerizable moiety selected from a group consisting of: acrylates, epoxides, and thiol-enes. 13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the photo polymerizable compound comprises a hexanediol backbone functionalized with at least one photo polymerizable moiety selected from a group consisting of: acrylates, epoxides, and thiol-enes. 14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the protecting reagent comprises a protecting group selected from a group consisting of: a trimethylsilyl, a triethylsilyl, a t-butyl dimethylsilyl, a triisopropylsilyl, and a 2-(2-hydroxypropyl)alkyne. 15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein reacting the compound comprising the terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group with the protecting reagent attaches a protecting group to the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group. 16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein reacting the compound comprising the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group with the protecting reagent comprises:
reacting the compound comprising the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group with an organolithium reagent; and treating, with an acid, a product of reacting the compound comprising the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group with the organolithium reagent. 17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the organolithium reagent comprises n-butyllithium; and
wherein the acid comprises hydrochloric acid. 18. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the compound comprising the photo polymerizable group is an acryloyl halide reagent. 19. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the compound comprising the photo polymerizable group is selected from a group consisting of acryloyl chloride and 2-methyl-2-propenoyl chloride. 20. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein reacting the precursor with the compound comprising the photo polymerizable group is performed in the presence of a base. | According to several embodiments, a composition of matter includes: a three-dimensional structure comprising photo polymerized molecules. At least some of the photo polymerized molecules further comprise one or more protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups; and at least portions of one or more surfaces of the three-dimensional structure are functionalized with one or more of the protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups. An additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter includes: a photo polymerizable compound; and a click-chemistry compatible compound. A method of forming an additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter includes: reacting a compound comprising a terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group with a protecting reagent to form a protected reactive diluent precursor, reacting the precursor with a compound to form a protected reactive diluent; and mixing the protected reactive diluent with a photo polymerizable compound.1. A composition of matter, comprising:
a three-dimensional structure comprising photo polymerized molecules; wherein at least some of the photo polymerized molecules further comprise one or more protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups; and wherein at least portions of one or more surfaces of the three-dimensional structure are functionalized with one or more of the protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups. 2. The composition of matter as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more protected click-chemistry compatible functional groups are selected from a group consisting of: an alkyne coupled to a protecting group and an azide coupled to the protecting group; and
wherein the protecting group is selected from a group consisting of: a trimethylsilyl, a triethylsilyl, a t-butyl dimethylsilyl, a triisopropylsilyl, and a 2-(2-hydroxypropyl)alkyne. 3. The composition of matter as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more click-chemistry compatible functional groups are deprotected. 4. The composition of matter as recited in claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional structure is structurally characterized by features having a feature size on a scale of several hundred nanometers to several millimeters. 5. An additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter, the resin comprising:
a photo polymerizable compound; and a click-chemistry compatible compound. 6. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 5, the photo polymerizable compound comprising a functional group selected from a group consisting of: acrylates, epoxides, and thiol-enes. 7. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 5, the click-chemistry compatible compound comprising a functional group selected from a group consisting of: acrylates, epoxides, and thiol-enes. 8. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 5, the click-chemistry compatible compound comprising a terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group. 9. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 8, wherein the click-chemistry compatible compound comprises a protecting group functionalized to the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group; and
wherein the protecting group is selected from a group consisting of: a trimethylsilyl, a triethylsilyl, a t-butyl dimethylsilyl, a triisopropylsilyl, and a 2-(2-hydroxypropyl)alkyne. 10. The additive manufacturing resin as recited in claim 5, wherein the click-chemistry compatible compound is a monomer. 11. A method of forming an additive manufacturing resin suitable for fabricating a click-chemistry compatible composition of matter, the method comprising:
reacting a compound comprising a terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group with a protecting reagent to form a protected reactive diluent precursor, the precursor comprising the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group; reacting the precursor with a compound comprising a photo polymerizable group to form a protected reactive diluent; and mixing the protected reactive diluent with a photo polymerizable compound to form the additive manufacturing resin. 12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the photo polymerizable compound comprises a polyethylene-glycol backbone functionalized with at least one photo polymerizable moiety selected from a group consisting of: acrylates, epoxides, and thiol-enes. 13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the photo polymerizable compound comprises a hexanediol backbone functionalized with at least one photo polymerizable moiety selected from a group consisting of: acrylates, epoxides, and thiol-enes. 14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the protecting reagent comprises a protecting group selected from a group consisting of: a trimethylsilyl, a triethylsilyl, a t-butyl dimethylsilyl, a triisopropylsilyl, and a 2-(2-hydroxypropyl)alkyne. 15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein reacting the compound comprising the terminal alkyne group or a terminal azide group with the protecting reagent attaches a protecting group to the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group. 16. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein reacting the compound comprising the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group with the protecting reagent comprises:
reacting the compound comprising the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group with an organolithium reagent; and treating, with an acid, a product of reacting the compound comprising the terminal alkyne group or the terminal azide group with the organolithium reagent. 17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the organolithium reagent comprises n-butyllithium; and
wherein the acid comprises hydrochloric acid. 18. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the compound comprising the photo polymerizable group is an acryloyl halide reagent. 19. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the compound comprising the photo polymerizable group is selected from a group consisting of acryloyl chloride and 2-methyl-2-propenoyl chloride. 20. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein reacting the precursor with the compound comprising the photo polymerizable group is performed in the presence of a base. | 1,700 |
3,596 | 13,512,751 | 1,777 | The present invention is directed to a device and a method for performing size exclusion chromatography. Embodiments of the present invention feature devices and methods for size exclusion chromatography at normal high performance liquid chromatography or ultra performance liquid chromatography pressures and above using small particles. | 1. A device for performing size exclusion chromatography comprising:
a housing having at least one wall defining a chamber having an entrance and an exit; and a stationary phase material comprising a core and surface composition held in said chamber;
wherein said stationary phase material comprises particles or a monolith represented by Formula 1:
W-[X]-Q Formula 1
wherein:
X is core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, a metal oxide core material, an organic-inorganic hybrid core material or a group of block polymers thereof;
W is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and
Q is absent or is a functional group that minimizes electrostatic interactions, Van der Waals interactions, Hydrogen-bonding interactions or other interactions with an analyte. 2. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein W and Q occupy free valences of the core composition, X, or on the surface of said core composition 3. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein W and Q are selected to form a surface composition on the surface of said core composition, and X forms a block polymer or group of block polymers. 4. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the stationary phase comprises particles. 5. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 4, wherein the particles of the stationary phase material have diameters with a mean size distribution of 0.4-3.0 microns or of 1.0-3.0 microns. 6. (canceled) 7. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the stationary phase comprises a monolith. 8. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 7, wherein the monolith of the stationary phase material exhibits the chromatographic efficiency and permeability of a particle bed packed with particles having a mean size distribution of 0.4-3.0 microns or of 1.0-3.0 microns. 9. (canceled) 10. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the particles or the monolith of the stationary phase material have a pore volume of 0.8 to 1.7 cm3/g, of 1.0 to 1.5 cm3/g or of 1.1 to 1.5 cm3/g. 11. (canceled) 12. (canceled) 13. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is capable of performing size exclusion chromatography at a column inlet pressure greater than 1,000 psi, greater than 5,000 psi, greater than 7,000 psi or greater than 10,000 psi. 14-16. (canceled) 17. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein X is a silica core, a titanium oxide core, an aluminum oxide core, an organic-inorganic hybrid core, or an organic-inorganic hybrid core comprising an aliphatic bridged silane. 18. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 17, wherein X is an organic-inorganic hybrid core comprising an aliphatic bridged silane. 19. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 18, wherein the aliphatic group of the aliphatic bridged silane is ethylene. 20. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein Q is a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group, an aliphatic group or is absent. 21-23. (canceled) 24. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 20, wherein said aliphatic group is an aliphatic diol. 25. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein Q is represented by Formula 2
wherein
n1 an integer from 0-30;
n2 an integer from 0-30;
each occurrence of R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represents hydrogen, fluoro, lower alkyl, a protected or deprotected alcohol, a zwiterion, or a group Z;
Z represents:
a) a surface attachment group produced by formation of covalent or non-covalent bond between the surface of the stationary phase material with a moiety of Formula 3:
(B1)x(R5)y(R6)zSi— Formula 3:
wherein
x is an integer from 1-3,
y is an integer from 0-2,
z is an integer from 0-2,
and x+y+z=3
each occurrence of R5 and R6 independently represents methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, iso-propyl, thexyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, cyclic alkyl, branched alkyl, lower alkyl, a protected or deprotected alcohol, or a zwiterion group;
B1 represents —OR7, —NR7′R7″, —OSO2CF3, or —CI; where each of R7′ R7′ and R7″ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, iso-propyl, thexyl, phenyl, branched alkyl or lower alkyl;
b) a direct attachment to a surface hybrid group of X through a direct carbon-carbon bond formation or through a heteroatom, ester, ether, thioether, amine, amide, imide, urea, carbonate, carbamate, heterocycle, triazole, or urethane linkage; or
c) an adsorbed group that is not covalently attached to the surface of the stationary phase material;
d) a surface attachment group produced by formation of a covalent bond between the surface of the stationary phase material, when W is hydrogen, by reaction with a vinyl or alkynyl group;
Y represents a direct bond; a heteroatom linkage; an ester linkage; an ether linkage; a thioether linkage; an amine linkage; an amide linkage; an imide linkage; a urea linkage; a thiourea linkage; a carbonate linkage; a carbamate linkage; a heterocycle linkage; a triazole linkage; a urethane linkage; a diol linkage; a polyol linkage; an oligomer of styrene, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol; a polymer of styrene, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol; a carbohydrate group, a multi-antennary carbohydrates, a dendrimer or dendrigraphs, or a zwitterion group; and
A represents
i.) a hydrophilic terminal group;
ii.) hydrogen, fluoro, fluoroalkyl, lower alkyl, or group Z; or
iii.) a functionalizable group. 26. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25 wherein n1 an integer from 2-18 or an integer from 2-6. 27. (canceled) 28. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25 wherein n2 an integer from 0-18 or an integer from 0-6. 29-33. (canceled) 34. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25, wherein A represents i) a hydrophilic terminal group and said hydrophilic terminal group is a protected or deprotected forms of an alcohol, diol, glycidyl ether, epoxy, triol, polyol, pentaerythritol, pentaerythritol ethoxylate, 1,3-dioxane-5,5-dimethanol, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane polyglycol ether, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), a mono-valent, divalent, or polyvalent carbohydrate group, a multi-antennary carbohydrate, a dendrimer containing peripheral hydrophilic groups, a dendrigraph containing peripheral hydrophilic groups, or a zwitterion group. 35. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25, wherein A represents ii.) hydrogen, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, i-propyl, lower alkyl, fluoroalkyl, or group Z. 36. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25, wherein A represents iii.) a functionalizable group, and said functionalizable group is a protected or deprotected form of an amine, alcohol, silane, alkene, thiol, azide, or alkyne. 37. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 36, wherein said functionalizable group can give rise to a new surface group in a subsequent reaction step wherein said reaction step is coupling, metathesis, radical addition, hydrosilylation, condensation, click, or polymerization. 38. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the housing is equipped with one or more frits to contain the stationary phase material. 39. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the housing is equipped with one or more fittings capable of placing the device in fluid communication with a sample injection device, a detector or both. 40. A method of performing size exclusion chromatography comprising the steps of
A.) providing a housing having at least one wall defining a chamber having an entrance and an exit; and a stationary phase material comprising a core and surface composition held in said chamber;
wherein said stationary phase material comprises particles or a monolith represented by Formula 1:
W-[X]-Q Formula 1
wherein:
X is core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, a metal oxide core material, an organic-inorganic hybrid core material or a group of block polymers thereof;
W is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and
Q is absent or is a functional group that minimizes electrostatic interactions, Van der Waals interactions, Hydrogen-bonding interactions or other interactions with an analyte.
B.) loading a sample on said stationary material said chamber at a column inlet pressure of greater than 1,000 psi and flowing the sample through said stationary phase media; and
C.) separating the sample into one or more compositions by size. 41-53. (canceled) 54. A method of reducing the incidence of noise obtained by a light scattering detector during size exclusion chromatography exclusion chromatography comprising the steps of
A.) providing a housing having at least one wall defining a chamber having an entrance and an exit; and a stationary phase material comprising a core and surface composition held in said chamber;
wherein said stationary phase material comprises particles or a monolith represented by Formula 1:
W-[X]-Q Formula 1
wherein:
X is core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, a metal oxide core material, an organic-inorganic hybrid core material or a group of block polymers thereof;
W is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and
Q is absent or is a functional group that minimizes electrostatic interactions, Van der Waals interactions, Hydrogen-bonding interactions or other interactions with an analyte.
B.) loading a sample on said stationary material said chamber at a column inlet pressure of greater than 1,000 psi and flowing the sample through said stationary phase media;
C.) separating the sample into one or more compositions by size; and
D.) detecting the one or more compositions using a light scattering detector. 55. A method of reducing the incidence of ghost peaks obtained by a light scattering detector during size exclusion chromatography exclusion chromatography comprising the steps of
A.) providing a housing having at least one wall defining a chamber having an entrance and an exit; and a stationary phase material comprising a core and surface composition held in said chamber;
wherein said stationary phase material comprises particles or a monolith represented by Formula 1:
W-[X]-Q Formula 1
wherein:
X is core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, a metal oxide core material, an organic-inorganic hybrid core material or a group of block polymers thereof;
W is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and
Q is absent or is a functional group that minimizes electrostatic interactions, Van der Waals interactions, Hydrogen-bonding interactions or other interactions with an analyte
B.) loading a sample on said stationary material said chamber at a column inlet pressure of greater than 1,000 psi and flowing the sample through said stationary phase media;
C.) separating the sample into one or more compositions by size; and
D.) detecting the one or more compositions using a light scattering detector. | The present invention is directed to a device and a method for performing size exclusion chromatography. Embodiments of the present invention feature devices and methods for size exclusion chromatography at normal high performance liquid chromatography or ultra performance liquid chromatography pressures and above using small particles.1. A device for performing size exclusion chromatography comprising:
a housing having at least one wall defining a chamber having an entrance and an exit; and a stationary phase material comprising a core and surface composition held in said chamber;
wherein said stationary phase material comprises particles or a monolith represented by Formula 1:
W-[X]-Q Formula 1
wherein:
X is core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, a metal oxide core material, an organic-inorganic hybrid core material or a group of block polymers thereof;
W is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and
Q is absent or is a functional group that minimizes electrostatic interactions, Van der Waals interactions, Hydrogen-bonding interactions or other interactions with an analyte. 2. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein W and Q occupy free valences of the core composition, X, or on the surface of said core composition 3. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein W and Q are selected to form a surface composition on the surface of said core composition, and X forms a block polymer or group of block polymers. 4. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the stationary phase comprises particles. 5. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 4, wherein the particles of the stationary phase material have diameters with a mean size distribution of 0.4-3.0 microns or of 1.0-3.0 microns. 6. (canceled) 7. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the stationary phase comprises a monolith. 8. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 7, wherein the monolith of the stationary phase material exhibits the chromatographic efficiency and permeability of a particle bed packed with particles having a mean size distribution of 0.4-3.0 microns or of 1.0-3.0 microns. 9. (canceled) 10. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the particles or the monolith of the stationary phase material have a pore volume of 0.8 to 1.7 cm3/g, of 1.0 to 1.5 cm3/g or of 1.1 to 1.5 cm3/g. 11. (canceled) 12. (canceled) 13. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is capable of performing size exclusion chromatography at a column inlet pressure greater than 1,000 psi, greater than 5,000 psi, greater than 7,000 psi or greater than 10,000 psi. 14-16. (canceled) 17. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein X is a silica core, a titanium oxide core, an aluminum oxide core, an organic-inorganic hybrid core, or an organic-inorganic hybrid core comprising an aliphatic bridged silane. 18. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 17, wherein X is an organic-inorganic hybrid core comprising an aliphatic bridged silane. 19. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 18, wherein the aliphatic group of the aliphatic bridged silane is ethylene. 20. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein Q is a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group, an aliphatic group or is absent. 21-23. (canceled) 24. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 20, wherein said aliphatic group is an aliphatic diol. 25. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein Q is represented by Formula 2
wherein
n1 an integer from 0-30;
n2 an integer from 0-30;
each occurrence of R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represents hydrogen, fluoro, lower alkyl, a protected or deprotected alcohol, a zwiterion, or a group Z;
Z represents:
a) a surface attachment group produced by formation of covalent or non-covalent bond between the surface of the stationary phase material with a moiety of Formula 3:
(B1)x(R5)y(R6)zSi— Formula 3:
wherein
x is an integer from 1-3,
y is an integer from 0-2,
z is an integer from 0-2,
and x+y+z=3
each occurrence of R5 and R6 independently represents methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, iso-propyl, thexyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, cyclic alkyl, branched alkyl, lower alkyl, a protected or deprotected alcohol, or a zwiterion group;
B1 represents —OR7, —NR7′R7″, —OSO2CF3, or —CI; where each of R7′ R7′ and R7″ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, iso-propyl, thexyl, phenyl, branched alkyl or lower alkyl;
b) a direct attachment to a surface hybrid group of X through a direct carbon-carbon bond formation or through a heteroatom, ester, ether, thioether, amine, amide, imide, urea, carbonate, carbamate, heterocycle, triazole, or urethane linkage; or
c) an adsorbed group that is not covalently attached to the surface of the stationary phase material;
d) a surface attachment group produced by formation of a covalent bond between the surface of the stationary phase material, when W is hydrogen, by reaction with a vinyl or alkynyl group;
Y represents a direct bond; a heteroatom linkage; an ester linkage; an ether linkage; a thioether linkage; an amine linkage; an amide linkage; an imide linkage; a urea linkage; a thiourea linkage; a carbonate linkage; a carbamate linkage; a heterocycle linkage; a triazole linkage; a urethane linkage; a diol linkage; a polyol linkage; an oligomer of styrene, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol; a polymer of styrene, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol; a carbohydrate group, a multi-antennary carbohydrates, a dendrimer or dendrigraphs, or a zwitterion group; and
A represents
i.) a hydrophilic terminal group;
ii.) hydrogen, fluoro, fluoroalkyl, lower alkyl, or group Z; or
iii.) a functionalizable group. 26. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25 wherein n1 an integer from 2-18 or an integer from 2-6. 27. (canceled) 28. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25 wherein n2 an integer from 0-18 or an integer from 0-6. 29-33. (canceled) 34. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25, wherein A represents i) a hydrophilic terminal group and said hydrophilic terminal group is a protected or deprotected forms of an alcohol, diol, glycidyl ether, epoxy, triol, polyol, pentaerythritol, pentaerythritol ethoxylate, 1,3-dioxane-5,5-dimethanol, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane polyglycol ether, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene glycol), a mono-valent, divalent, or polyvalent carbohydrate group, a multi-antennary carbohydrate, a dendrimer containing peripheral hydrophilic groups, a dendrigraph containing peripheral hydrophilic groups, or a zwitterion group. 35. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25, wherein A represents ii.) hydrogen, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, i-propyl, lower alkyl, fluoroalkyl, or group Z. 36. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 25, wherein A represents iii.) a functionalizable group, and said functionalizable group is a protected or deprotected form of an amine, alcohol, silane, alkene, thiol, azide, or alkyne. 37. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 36, wherein said functionalizable group can give rise to a new surface group in a subsequent reaction step wherein said reaction step is coupling, metathesis, radical addition, hydrosilylation, condensation, click, or polymerization. 38. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the housing is equipped with one or more frits to contain the stationary phase material. 39. The device for performing size exclusion chromatography according to claim 1, wherein the housing is equipped with one or more fittings capable of placing the device in fluid communication with a sample injection device, a detector or both. 40. A method of performing size exclusion chromatography comprising the steps of
A.) providing a housing having at least one wall defining a chamber having an entrance and an exit; and a stationary phase material comprising a core and surface composition held in said chamber;
wherein said stationary phase material comprises particles or a monolith represented by Formula 1:
W-[X]-Q Formula 1
wherein:
X is core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, a metal oxide core material, an organic-inorganic hybrid core material or a group of block polymers thereof;
W is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and
Q is absent or is a functional group that minimizes electrostatic interactions, Van der Waals interactions, Hydrogen-bonding interactions or other interactions with an analyte.
B.) loading a sample on said stationary material said chamber at a column inlet pressure of greater than 1,000 psi and flowing the sample through said stationary phase media; and
C.) separating the sample into one or more compositions by size. 41-53. (canceled) 54. A method of reducing the incidence of noise obtained by a light scattering detector during size exclusion chromatography exclusion chromatography comprising the steps of
A.) providing a housing having at least one wall defining a chamber having an entrance and an exit; and a stationary phase material comprising a core and surface composition held in said chamber;
wherein said stationary phase material comprises particles or a monolith represented by Formula 1:
W-[X]-Q Formula 1
wherein:
X is core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, a metal oxide core material, an organic-inorganic hybrid core material or a group of block polymers thereof;
W is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and
Q is absent or is a functional group that minimizes electrostatic interactions, Van der Waals interactions, Hydrogen-bonding interactions or other interactions with an analyte.
B.) loading a sample on said stationary material said chamber at a column inlet pressure of greater than 1,000 psi and flowing the sample through said stationary phase media;
C.) separating the sample into one or more compositions by size; and
D.) detecting the one or more compositions using a light scattering detector. 55. A method of reducing the incidence of ghost peaks obtained by a light scattering detector during size exclusion chromatography exclusion chromatography comprising the steps of
A.) providing a housing having at least one wall defining a chamber having an entrance and an exit; and a stationary phase material comprising a core and surface composition held in said chamber;
wherein said stationary phase material comprises particles or a monolith represented by Formula 1:
W-[X]-Q Formula 1
wherein:
X is core composition having a surface comprising a silica core material, a metal oxide core material, an organic-inorganic hybrid core material or a group of block polymers thereof;
W is hydrogen or hydroxyl; and
Q is absent or is a functional group that minimizes electrostatic interactions, Van der Waals interactions, Hydrogen-bonding interactions or other interactions with an analyte
B.) loading a sample on said stationary material said chamber at a column inlet pressure of greater than 1,000 psi and flowing the sample through said stationary phase media;
C.) separating the sample into one or more compositions by size; and
D.) detecting the one or more compositions using a light scattering detector. | 1,700 |
3,597 | 14,390,646 | 1,712 | Technologies are described for controlling temperature of ICEs during ICE fabrication. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design including specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, where complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and where a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample; forming at least some of the plurality of layers of an ICE in accordance with the ICE design; and controlling, during the forming, a temperature of the formed layers of the ICE such that the ICE, when completed, relates to the characteristic of the sample. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a fabrication system, a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design comprising specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, wherein complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and wherein a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample; forming, by the fabrication system, at least some of the plurality of layers of an ICE in accordance with the ICE design; and controlling, by the fabrication system during said forming, a temperature of the formed layers of the ICE such that the ICE, when completed, relates to the characteristic of the sample. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein
the completed ICE relates to the characteristic of the sample when operated at temperatures within an operational temperature range, and said controlling comprises maintaining the temperature of the formed layers within a target fabrication temperature range. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said maintaining comprises
monitoring whether a current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE is within the target fabrication temperature range, and if not so adjusting the current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE to be within the target fabrication temperature range. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said adjusting the current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE comprises heating a substrate support on which the formed layers of the ICE are disposed with electrical conductive heating elements distributed on the substrate support. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein said adjusting the current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE comprises heating a substrate support on which the formed layers of the ICE are disposed with a radiative heat source that is remote from the substrate support. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the radiative heat source is a laser. 7. The method of claim 3, wherein said adjusting the current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE comprises heating a substrate support on which the formed layers of the ICE are disposed with an inductive heat source that is adjacent the substrate support. 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the operational temperature range is a temperature interval over which degradation from ICE's performance due to temperature dependence of the complex refractive indices of the ICE is at most equal to a maximum allowed degradation. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the operational temperature range at which the ICE will be operated comprises −40 to 400° C. 10. The method of claim 2, wherein
an upper bound of the target fabrication temperature range during said forming of the ICE layers is less than a lower bound of an annealing temperature range of the ICE, and the annealing temperature range of the ICE is a temperature interval bound by respective annealing temperatures of materials from which adjacent layers of the ICE are formed. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the target fabrication temperature range is included within the operational temperature range of the ICE. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein an upper bound of the target fabrication temperature range is larger than an upper bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE, and a lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range is larger than a lower bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range is larger than the upper bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein a lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range is smaller than a smaller bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE, and an upper bound of the target fabrication temperature range is smaller than an upper bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the upper bound of the target fabrication temperature range is smaller than the lower bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE. 16. The method of claim 11, 12 or 14 wherein a width of the target fabrication temperature range is about 30% of its center value. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the target fabrication temperature range includes the operational temperature range of the ICE. 18. The method of claim 2, wherein
a lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range during said forming of the ICE layers is larger than an upper bound of an annealing temperature range of the ICE, and the annealing temperature range of the ICE is a temperature interval bound by respective annealing temperatures of materials from which adjacent layers of the ICE are formed. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein a difference between the lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range during said forming of the ICE layers and the upper bound of the annealing temperature range is about 30% of a center value of the target fabrication temperature range. 20. The method of claim 2, further comprising
in-situ monitoring said forming of the ICE layers at the target fabrication temperature range; and determining, by the fabrication system, thicknesses of the formed layers of the ICE using results of said in-situ monitoring and complex refractive indices of the formed layers at the target fabrication temperature range obtained from predetermined temperature dependence of the complex refractive indices and rate of change of the complex refractive indices with the temperature. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said in-situ monitoring comprises performing in-situ ellipsometry to measure amplitude and phase components of probe-light that interacted with the formed layers of the ICE. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein said in-situ monitoring comprises performing in-situ optical monitoring to measure change of intensity of probe-light that interacted with the formed layers of the ICE. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein said in-situ monitoring comprises performing in-situ spectroscopy to measure a spectrum of probe-light that interacted with the formed layers of the ICE. 24. The method of claim 20, wherein said in-situ monitoring comprises performing in-situ physical monitoring. 25. The method of claim 20, wherein
complex refractive indices at the operational temperature range specified in the ICE design are obtained from the predetermined temperature dependence of the complex refractive indices and the rate of change of the complex refractive indices with the temperature, and the method further comprises adjusting, by the fabrication system, said forming, at least in part, based on the determined thicknesses and the complex refractive indices at the operational temperature range. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said adjusting of said forming comprises updating target thicknesses of the layers remaining to be formed. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein said adjusting comprises changing a total number of layers specified by the ICE design to a new total number of layers. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein said adjusting of said forming comprises updating a deposition rate and/or time used to form the layers remaining to be formed. 29. The method of claim 25, wherein said adjusting of said forming comprises modifying complex refractive indices corresponding to the layers remaining to be formed. 30. A system comprising:
a deposition chamber; one or more deposition sources associated with the deposition chamber to provide materials from which layers of one or more integrated computational elements (ICEs) are formed; one or more supports disposed inside the deposition chamber, at least partially, within a field of view of the one or more deposition sources to support the layers of the ICEs while the layers are formed; one or more heating sources thermally coupled with the one or more supports to heat the layers of the ICEs supported thereon while the layers are formed; a measurement system associated with the deposition chamber to measure one or more characteristics of the layers while the layers are formed; and a computer system in communication with at least some of the one or more deposition sources, the one or more supports, the one or more heating sources and the measurement system, wherein the computer system comprises one or more hardware processors and non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions that, when executed by the one or more hardware processors, cause the system to form the layers of the ICEs by performing operations comprising:
receiving a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design comprising specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, wherein complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and wherein a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample;
forming at least some of the plurality of layers of an ICE in accordance with the ICE design; and
controlling, during said forming, a temperature of the formed layers of the ICE such that the ICE, when completed, relates to the characteristic of the sample. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more heating sources comprise a plurality of electrical conductive heating elements distributed on the one or more supports. 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more heating sources comprise a radiative heat source that is disposed remotely from the one or more supports, such that at least one of the supports is at least partially within the field of view of the radiative heating source. 33. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more heating sources comprise an inductive heat source that is disposed adjacently at least one of the supports. 34. The system of claim 30, wherein the measurement system comprises an ellipsometer. 35. The system of claim 30, wherein the measurement system comprises an optical monitor. 36. The system of claim 30, wherein the measurement system comprises a spectrometer. 37. The system of claim 30, wherein the measurement system comprises a physical monitor. | Technologies are described for controlling temperature of ICEs during ICE fabrication. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design including specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, where complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and where a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample; forming at least some of the plurality of layers of an ICE in accordance with the ICE design; and controlling, during the forming, a temperature of the formed layers of the ICE such that the ICE, when completed, relates to the characteristic of the sample.1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a fabrication system, a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design comprising specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, wherein complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and wherein a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample; forming, by the fabrication system, at least some of the plurality of layers of an ICE in accordance with the ICE design; and controlling, by the fabrication system during said forming, a temperature of the formed layers of the ICE such that the ICE, when completed, relates to the characteristic of the sample. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein
the completed ICE relates to the characteristic of the sample when operated at temperatures within an operational temperature range, and said controlling comprises maintaining the temperature of the formed layers within a target fabrication temperature range. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said maintaining comprises
monitoring whether a current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE is within the target fabrication temperature range, and if not so adjusting the current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE to be within the target fabrication temperature range. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said adjusting the current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE comprises heating a substrate support on which the formed layers of the ICE are disposed with electrical conductive heating elements distributed on the substrate support. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein said adjusting the current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE comprises heating a substrate support on which the formed layers of the ICE are disposed with a radiative heat source that is remote from the substrate support. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the radiative heat source is a laser. 7. The method of claim 3, wherein said adjusting the current instance of the temperature of the formed layers of the ICE comprises heating a substrate support on which the formed layers of the ICE are disposed with an inductive heat source that is adjacent the substrate support. 8. The method of claim 2, wherein the operational temperature range is a temperature interval over which degradation from ICE's performance due to temperature dependence of the complex refractive indices of the ICE is at most equal to a maximum allowed degradation. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the operational temperature range at which the ICE will be operated comprises −40 to 400° C. 10. The method of claim 2, wherein
an upper bound of the target fabrication temperature range during said forming of the ICE layers is less than a lower bound of an annealing temperature range of the ICE, and the annealing temperature range of the ICE is a temperature interval bound by respective annealing temperatures of materials from which adjacent layers of the ICE are formed. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the target fabrication temperature range is included within the operational temperature range of the ICE. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein an upper bound of the target fabrication temperature range is larger than an upper bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE, and a lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range is larger than a lower bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range is larger than the upper bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein a lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range is smaller than a smaller bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE, and an upper bound of the target fabrication temperature range is smaller than an upper bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the upper bound of the target fabrication temperature range is smaller than the lower bound of the operational temperature range of the ICE. 16. The method of claim 11, 12 or 14 wherein a width of the target fabrication temperature range is about 30% of its center value. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the target fabrication temperature range includes the operational temperature range of the ICE. 18. The method of claim 2, wherein
a lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range during said forming of the ICE layers is larger than an upper bound of an annealing temperature range of the ICE, and the annealing temperature range of the ICE is a temperature interval bound by respective annealing temperatures of materials from which adjacent layers of the ICE are formed. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein a difference between the lower bound of the target fabrication temperature range during said forming of the ICE layers and the upper bound of the annealing temperature range is about 30% of a center value of the target fabrication temperature range. 20. The method of claim 2, further comprising
in-situ monitoring said forming of the ICE layers at the target fabrication temperature range; and determining, by the fabrication system, thicknesses of the formed layers of the ICE using results of said in-situ monitoring and complex refractive indices of the formed layers at the target fabrication temperature range obtained from predetermined temperature dependence of the complex refractive indices and rate of change of the complex refractive indices with the temperature. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said in-situ monitoring comprises performing in-situ ellipsometry to measure amplitude and phase components of probe-light that interacted with the formed layers of the ICE. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein said in-situ monitoring comprises performing in-situ optical monitoring to measure change of intensity of probe-light that interacted with the formed layers of the ICE. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein said in-situ monitoring comprises performing in-situ spectroscopy to measure a spectrum of probe-light that interacted with the formed layers of the ICE. 24. The method of claim 20, wherein said in-situ monitoring comprises performing in-situ physical monitoring. 25. The method of claim 20, wherein
complex refractive indices at the operational temperature range specified in the ICE design are obtained from the predetermined temperature dependence of the complex refractive indices and the rate of change of the complex refractive indices with the temperature, and the method further comprises adjusting, by the fabrication system, said forming, at least in part, based on the determined thicknesses and the complex refractive indices at the operational temperature range. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said adjusting of said forming comprises updating target thicknesses of the layers remaining to be formed. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein said adjusting comprises changing a total number of layers specified by the ICE design to a new total number of layers. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein said adjusting of said forming comprises updating a deposition rate and/or time used to form the layers remaining to be formed. 29. The method of claim 25, wherein said adjusting of said forming comprises modifying complex refractive indices corresponding to the layers remaining to be formed. 30. A system comprising:
a deposition chamber; one or more deposition sources associated with the deposition chamber to provide materials from which layers of one or more integrated computational elements (ICEs) are formed; one or more supports disposed inside the deposition chamber, at least partially, within a field of view of the one or more deposition sources to support the layers of the ICEs while the layers are formed; one or more heating sources thermally coupled with the one or more supports to heat the layers of the ICEs supported thereon while the layers are formed; a measurement system associated with the deposition chamber to measure one or more characteristics of the layers while the layers are formed; and a computer system in communication with at least some of the one or more deposition sources, the one or more supports, the one or more heating sources and the measurement system, wherein the computer system comprises one or more hardware processors and non-transitory computer-readable medium encoding instructions that, when executed by the one or more hardware processors, cause the system to form the layers of the ICEs by performing operations comprising:
receiving a design of an integrated computational element (ICE), the ICE design comprising specification of a substrate and a plurality of layers, their respective target thicknesses and complex refractive indices, wherein complex refractive indices of adjacent layers are different from each other, and wherein a notional ICE fabricated in accordance with the ICE design is related to a characteristic of a sample;
forming at least some of the plurality of layers of an ICE in accordance with the ICE design; and
controlling, during said forming, a temperature of the formed layers of the ICE such that the ICE, when completed, relates to the characteristic of the sample. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more heating sources comprise a plurality of electrical conductive heating elements distributed on the one or more supports. 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more heating sources comprise a radiative heat source that is disposed remotely from the one or more supports, such that at least one of the supports is at least partially within the field of view of the radiative heating source. 33. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more heating sources comprise an inductive heat source that is disposed adjacently at least one of the supports. 34. The system of claim 30, wherein the measurement system comprises an ellipsometer. 35. The system of claim 30, wherein the measurement system comprises an optical monitor. 36. The system of claim 30, wherein the measurement system comprises a spectrometer. 37. The system of claim 30, wherein the measurement system comprises a physical monitor. | 1,700 |
3,598 | 15,969,236 | 1,714 | A single-wafer substrate processing device is provided which does not spill a processing liquid and the vapors thereof to an exterior when directly supplying the process liquid to a surface of a substrate to process the substrate and which prevents the process liquid and the vapors, etc., thereof to adhere a ceiling, etc., of a housing. The device includes a housing 1, holding means 4 that holds, in the housing 1, a substrate 3 subjected to an eliminating process of adhering materials on a processing surface with a processing surface 3a being directed to the bottom 1b of the housing, supply means that supplies a process liquid to the processing surface 3a of the substrate 3 held by the holding means 4, an inlet 1a for taking in a gaseous body in the housing 1, and an outlet 1c for evacuating from the housing the vapors of the process liquid in the housing 1 together with the gaseous body taken in from the inlet 1a. | 1-8. (canceled) 9. A method for processing a substrate having a disk-shape with a single-wafer-type process device, the process device comprises
a housing that is formed with
a bottom wall positioned at a bottom of the housing,
side walls surrounding a periphery of the bottom wall and extending upward, and
a ceiling placed at top edges of the side walls and having a circular opening wherein an inner diameter of the opening is greater than an outer diameter of the substrate;
a heater (13) that is provided at a heating position in order to heat the substrate wherein the heating position is above the opening; a rotating table (2) that is located inside the housing and below the opening, is configured to rotate around a rotation axis which extends in a vertical direction at a center of the opening, and has a through-hole (2 a) penetrating the table in the vertical direction wherein a plurality of clampers (4) are separately arranged along a periphery of the table in order to hold the substrate such that the substrate is to be placed maintaining a predetermined distance from and in parallel to the upper surface of the table; a cylinder member (5) that has a hollow therein and is fixed to a lower surface of the table; a process liquid pipe (8) that is configured to supply process liquid, is arranged inside the cylinder member, and of which a leading opening is fixed in the vicinity of the through-hole such that the process liquid supplied through the process liquid pipe is discharged upward; a water pipe (9) that is configured to supply pure water, is arranged inside the cylinder member, and of which a leading opening is fixed in the vicinity of the through-hole such that the pure water supplied through the water pipe is discharged upward; two guide members (18 a-18 c) that are in a conic shape, and are arranged in the housing wherein
a tip portion of the conic shape is truncated such that a circular guide opening is formed at a truncated peripheral wherein the guide opening faces upward, a center of the guide opening is coaxial to the rotation axis and a diameter of the guide opening is greater than the outer diameter of the substrate,
a skirt portion of the conic shape corresponds to an inner shape of the side walls such that the skirt portion is fixed to the side walls wherein a boundary between the skirt portion and the side walls is sealed,
one of the guide members, which is positioned above the other of the guide members, being defined as a first guide member and the other of the guide members, which is positioned below the first guide member, being defined as a second guide member;
an outlet (1 d, 1 e) that links an inside of the housing to an outside of the housing, is arranged at a portion of the side walls wherein the portion is located between the skirts of the first and second guide members in the vertical direction; and a pump (12 a, 12 b) that is connected to the outlet and performs a suction of vapors existing inside the housing in order to evacuate the vapors through the outlet, the method, comprising: retrieving the heater from the heating position to a retrieving position that is farther to the substrate than at the heating position in order not to heat the substrate; placing the substrate over the table with the dampers wherein the substrate has a front surface on which either a resist or nitride file is formed for forming an electronic circuit and a back surface on which no electronic circuit is formed, and the front surface of the substrate is arranged downward in order to face the process liquid pipe and the water pipe, positioning the substrate at the same height as the guide opening of the first guide member such that a gap between the substrate and the guide opening is created, rotating the rotation table, activating the pump in order to generate an airflow that comes inside the housing from the opening of the ceiling, passing through the gap and reaching the outlet, supplying the process liquid to the front surface of the substrate while the pump is activated, returning the heater at the heating position in order to heat the substrate while the process liquid is supplied, supplying the pure water to the front surface of the substrate after stopping heating by the heater and supplying the process liquid. 10. The method for processing a substrate of claim 9, further comprising:
after supplying the process liquid and before supplying the pure water to the front surface of the substrate, moving the substrate to the same height as the guide opening of the second guide member such that another gap between the substrate and the guide opening is created. | A single-wafer substrate processing device is provided which does not spill a processing liquid and the vapors thereof to an exterior when directly supplying the process liquid to a surface of a substrate to process the substrate and which prevents the process liquid and the vapors, etc., thereof to adhere a ceiling, etc., of a housing. The device includes a housing 1, holding means 4 that holds, in the housing 1, a substrate 3 subjected to an eliminating process of adhering materials on a processing surface with a processing surface 3a being directed to the bottom 1b of the housing, supply means that supplies a process liquid to the processing surface 3a of the substrate 3 held by the holding means 4, an inlet 1a for taking in a gaseous body in the housing 1, and an outlet 1c for evacuating from the housing the vapors of the process liquid in the housing 1 together with the gaseous body taken in from the inlet 1a.1-8. (canceled) 9. A method for processing a substrate having a disk-shape with a single-wafer-type process device, the process device comprises
a housing that is formed with
a bottom wall positioned at a bottom of the housing,
side walls surrounding a periphery of the bottom wall and extending upward, and
a ceiling placed at top edges of the side walls and having a circular opening wherein an inner diameter of the opening is greater than an outer diameter of the substrate;
a heater (13) that is provided at a heating position in order to heat the substrate wherein the heating position is above the opening; a rotating table (2) that is located inside the housing and below the opening, is configured to rotate around a rotation axis which extends in a vertical direction at a center of the opening, and has a through-hole (2 a) penetrating the table in the vertical direction wherein a plurality of clampers (4) are separately arranged along a periphery of the table in order to hold the substrate such that the substrate is to be placed maintaining a predetermined distance from and in parallel to the upper surface of the table; a cylinder member (5) that has a hollow therein and is fixed to a lower surface of the table; a process liquid pipe (8) that is configured to supply process liquid, is arranged inside the cylinder member, and of which a leading opening is fixed in the vicinity of the through-hole such that the process liquid supplied through the process liquid pipe is discharged upward; a water pipe (9) that is configured to supply pure water, is arranged inside the cylinder member, and of which a leading opening is fixed in the vicinity of the through-hole such that the pure water supplied through the water pipe is discharged upward; two guide members (18 a-18 c) that are in a conic shape, and are arranged in the housing wherein
a tip portion of the conic shape is truncated such that a circular guide opening is formed at a truncated peripheral wherein the guide opening faces upward, a center of the guide opening is coaxial to the rotation axis and a diameter of the guide opening is greater than the outer diameter of the substrate,
a skirt portion of the conic shape corresponds to an inner shape of the side walls such that the skirt portion is fixed to the side walls wherein a boundary between the skirt portion and the side walls is sealed,
one of the guide members, which is positioned above the other of the guide members, being defined as a first guide member and the other of the guide members, which is positioned below the first guide member, being defined as a second guide member;
an outlet (1 d, 1 e) that links an inside of the housing to an outside of the housing, is arranged at a portion of the side walls wherein the portion is located between the skirts of the first and second guide members in the vertical direction; and a pump (12 a, 12 b) that is connected to the outlet and performs a suction of vapors existing inside the housing in order to evacuate the vapors through the outlet, the method, comprising: retrieving the heater from the heating position to a retrieving position that is farther to the substrate than at the heating position in order not to heat the substrate; placing the substrate over the table with the dampers wherein the substrate has a front surface on which either a resist or nitride file is formed for forming an electronic circuit and a back surface on which no electronic circuit is formed, and the front surface of the substrate is arranged downward in order to face the process liquid pipe and the water pipe, positioning the substrate at the same height as the guide opening of the first guide member such that a gap between the substrate and the guide opening is created, rotating the rotation table, activating the pump in order to generate an airflow that comes inside the housing from the opening of the ceiling, passing through the gap and reaching the outlet, supplying the process liquid to the front surface of the substrate while the pump is activated, returning the heater at the heating position in order to heat the substrate while the process liquid is supplied, supplying the pure water to the front surface of the substrate after stopping heating by the heater and supplying the process liquid. 10. The method for processing a substrate of claim 9, further comprising:
after supplying the process liquid and before supplying the pure water to the front surface of the substrate, moving the substrate to the same height as the guide opening of the second guide member such that another gap between the substrate and the guide opening is created. | 1,700 |
3,599 | 15,519,929 | 1,791 | A citrus-flavoured beverage comprising a beverage base, citrus flavour and a citrus flavour-enhancing proportion of a mega-fatty complex. The addition of mega-fatty complex gives a juicier, more natural flavour to the beverage. | 1. A citrus-flavoured beverage comprising a beverage base, citrus flavour and a citrus flavour-enhancing proportion of a mega-fatty complex. 2. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 1, in which the mega-fatty complex is present at a weight proportion of the citrus flavour of 0.005-0.02%. 3. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 2, in which the citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are present in the beverage at a weight proportion of 0.01-0.2% of the total beverage. 4. A method of preparing a citrus-flavoured beverage, comprising the addition to a beverage base of a citrus flavour and a citrus flavour-enhancing proportion of a mega-fatty complex. 5. The method according to claim 4, in which the mega-fatty complex is added at a weight proportion of the citrus flavour of 0.005-0.02%. 6. The method according to claim 5, in which citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are added to the beverage base at a weight proportion of 0.01-0.2% of the total beverage. 7. The method according to claim 5, in which citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are added to the beverage base at a weight proportion of 0.015-0.15% of the total beverage. 8. The method according to claim 4, in which the mega-fatty complex is added at a weight proportion of the citrus flavour of from 0.007-0.015%. 9. The method according to claim 8, in which citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are added to the beverage base at a weight proportion of 0.015-0.15% of the total beverage. 10. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 2, in which the citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are present in the beverage at a weight proportion of from 0.015-0.15% of the total beverage. 11. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 1, in which the mega-fatty complex is present at a weight proportion of the citrus flavour of from 0.007-0.015%. 12. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 11, in which the citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are present in the beverage at a weight proportion of from 0.015-0.15% of the total beverage. | A citrus-flavoured beverage comprising a beverage base, citrus flavour and a citrus flavour-enhancing proportion of a mega-fatty complex. The addition of mega-fatty complex gives a juicier, more natural flavour to the beverage.1. A citrus-flavoured beverage comprising a beverage base, citrus flavour and a citrus flavour-enhancing proportion of a mega-fatty complex. 2. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 1, in which the mega-fatty complex is present at a weight proportion of the citrus flavour of 0.005-0.02%. 3. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 2, in which the citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are present in the beverage at a weight proportion of 0.01-0.2% of the total beverage. 4. A method of preparing a citrus-flavoured beverage, comprising the addition to a beverage base of a citrus flavour and a citrus flavour-enhancing proportion of a mega-fatty complex. 5. The method according to claim 4, in which the mega-fatty complex is added at a weight proportion of the citrus flavour of 0.005-0.02%. 6. The method according to claim 5, in which citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are added to the beverage base at a weight proportion of 0.01-0.2% of the total beverage. 7. The method according to claim 5, in which citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are added to the beverage base at a weight proportion of 0.015-0.15% of the total beverage. 8. The method according to claim 4, in which the mega-fatty complex is added at a weight proportion of the citrus flavour of from 0.007-0.015%. 9. The method according to claim 8, in which citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are added to the beverage base at a weight proportion of 0.015-0.15% of the total beverage. 10. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 2, in which the citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are present in the beverage at a weight proportion of from 0.015-0.15% of the total beverage. 11. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 1, in which the mega-fatty complex is present at a weight proportion of the citrus flavour of from 0.007-0.015%. 12. The citrus-flavoured beverage according to claim 11, in which the citrus flavour+mega-fatty complex are present in the beverage at a weight proportion of from 0.015-0.15% of the total beverage. | 1,700 |
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