Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a CIS or CIGS thin film, comprising: forming, on a substrate, a seed particle layer comprising copper-indium-compound seed particles comprising copper (Cu); indium (In); and at least one selected from the group consisting of gallium (Ga), sulfur (S) and selenium (Se),applying, on the seed particle layer, a water-soluble precursor solution comprising: a water-soluble copper (Cu) precursor;a water-soluble indium (In) precursor; andat least one selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble gallium (Ga) precursor, a water-soluble sulfur (S) precursor and a water-soluble selenium (Se) precursor, and forming a thin film at high temperature.

A method of producing a titanium dioxide pigment is provided. Also provided is a method of improving the processability of titanium dioxide particles without adversely affecting the rheological properties of the titanium dioxide particles.

A method of processing bundles of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Bundles of CNTs are put into a solution and unbundled using sonication and one or more surfactants that break apart and disperse at least some of the bundles into the solution such that it contains individual semiconducting CNTs, individual metallic CNTs, and remaining CNT bundles. The individual CNTs are separated from each other using agarose bead column separation using sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant. Remaining CNT bundles are then separated out by performing density-gradient ultracentrifugation.

A method of producing a surface-treated carbon black powder dispersion includes subjecting carbon black fine particles having a volume average particle size of 100 nm to 20 μm to wet granulation and drying by heating to obtain granulated carbon black having a hardness of 12 cN or less and a pH of less than 7, grinding the granulated carbon black to obtain a ground product having a volume average particle size of 20 nm to 20 μm, and subjecting the ground product to wet oxidization in an aqueous medium. The resulting surface-treated carbon black powder dispersion exhibits excellent print density, print quality, discharge stability, and storage stability when used as an inkjet printer aqueous black ink.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods to increase the output of a high quality product from the precipitation liquor crystallization process exemplified through the aluminum hydroxide recovery processes such as the Bayer process. The invention is a method of increasing the size of precipitates from a liquor. The invention in one embodiment relates to the use of a crystal growth modifier compositions added to the precipitation process to increase the particle size distribution of the precipitated alumina trihydrate.

A process for the production of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate out of trona, comprising crushing trona ore and dissolving it in a leaching tank containing a solution comprising sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, and an additive selected from the group consisting of: phosphates, phospholipids, carboxylates, carboxilic acids, and combinations thereof, saturated in sodium bicarbonate, in order to produce solid particles suspended in a production solution comprising sodium carbonate, the solid particles containing insoluble impurities and at least 65% by weight of sodium bicarbonate. The solid particles are separated from the production solution containing sodium carbonate. At least part of the production solution containing sodium carbonate is taken out of the leaching tank.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of articles of manufacture made of or based on sulphur, which comprises cooling of liquid sulphur in a volume of containment until the sulphur mass solidifies and forming of the product, characterized in that elastic pressure waves are applied to the cooling mass of liquid sulphur to produce a crystalline suspension of solid sulphur in liquid sulphur.

Process for the combined regeneration of at least two soluble salts contained in a residue of an industrial process comprising heavy metals, comprising: adding an amount of reactive aqueous solution needed to completely dissolve the salts which are desired to be regenerated to the residue; subjecting the resulting aqueous suspension to a separation to obtain an aqueous production solution on the one hand and insoluble impurities on the other hand, which are removed; successively subjected the aqueous production solution to at least two selective crystallization steps intended to crystallize, separately, the at least two soluble salts which are desired to be regenerated, which are washed, dried and regenerated separately; and adjusting the concentration of at least one of the soluble salts to be regenerated in the aqueous production solution, at the moment when such solution is subjected to the step of crystallization of this salt, to give rise to the selective crystallization of this salt, by addition of a controlled amount of this salt to the aqueous production solution upstream of the crystallization step.

Titanium dioxide which includes particles having a large major-axis length in a large proportion and comprises columnar particles having a satisfactory particle size distribution. A titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are heated/fired in the presence of titanium dioxide nucleus crystals having an aspect ratio of 2 or higher to grow the titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Subsequently, a titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are further added and heated/fired in the presence of the grown titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Thus, titanium dioxide is produced which comprises columnar particles having a weight-average major-axis length of 7.0-15.0 μm and in which particles having a major-axis length of 10 μm or longer account for 15 wt. % or more of all the particles.

In one embodiment, a method for producing a naturally purified salt product such as magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, wherein the salt mixture is treated with a solution comprising magnesium chloride; the first slurry is separated to provide a second slurry, which is further separated to yield a first liquid stream; the first liquid stream is crystallized to provide the naturally purified salt product. In another embodiment, a high purity salt product is produced. In another embodiment, other products that are produced include naturally purified sodium chloride and magnesium chloride.

Provided is a method and an apparatus for purifying potassium nitrate from the solid waste produced by a chemical glass-strengthening process. In the method, the solid waste is melted into a liquid waste at first. Potassium nitrate of various purity grades can be obtained by batch processing the liquid waste through stepwise cooling processes of cooling the liquid waste to a first temperature facilitating the potassium nitrate contained in the liquid waste to be crystallized at a first rate and then cooling the liquid waste to a second temperature close to the freezing point of the potassium nitrate at a second rate that is slower than the first rate. The recovered potassium nitrate from the solid waste can be recycled and reused.

The invention provides a method of agglomeration (10) which has the steps of mixing a feedstock (12) of small particles which have an average particle size of 3 mm or less with a binder (14) which is in the form of a polyvinyl alcohol in the form of an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution in a first blender (16) to form a binder mixture (18), reacting a gelling agent (20) with the feedstock and the binder and processing the binder mixture to deliver an agglomerate (22).

A process is provided for preparing a salt product with reduced sodium content including the step of providing a concentrated brine, which is typically seawater, to which has been added potassium chloride. The mixture is transferred to a crystallizer unit where at least a portion of the mix is transferred to the crystallizer through a washing column. Liquid is evaporated from the crystallizer such that crystals form, crystals are passed from the crystallizer through said washing column to a separating unit such that in the passing through the washing column the crystals are rinsed with the brine portion being transferred as a counter current through the column. The inventive process is characterized by recycling of the brine from which the salt crystallizes, thus all main ingredients of the mixed input brine reach a steady equilibrium concentration in the mother liquor in the crystallizer. These will then precipitate as crystals, as more of the respective substances gets added to the mother liquor through inflow of mixed input brine. None of the liquor is purged out of the system as in conventional salt crystallizers. All the components in the feed are substantially contained in the product from the crystallizer either as crystalline material or soluble ingredients.

An application of carbon nanotubes on agglomerates of ore fines to increase the mechanical strength is provided. A process for the preparation of ore agglomerates having enhanced mechanical strength by the application of the carbon nanotubes is also provided.

The present invention provides a kiln for the combustion of agricultural waste. The kiln includes a central cylindrical combustion chamber. The central cylindrical combustion chamber includes a system for the control of combustion air to the combustion chamber. The kiln includes a second concentric cylinder surrounding the central cylindrical combustion chamber. The second concentric cylinder includes a system for the flow of cooling water through the first annulus between the central cylindrical combustion chamber and the second concentric cylinder. The kiln includes a system for the feeding of the agricultural waste into the central combustion chamber. The kiln includes a temperature sensing device to measure and display the temperature within the central combustion chamber during the combustion of the agricultural waste. The kiln includes a system for the recovery of ash from the kiln. In operation, the temperature of combustion is controlled to between 550° C. and 650° C. by a combination of increasing the supply of combustion air when the temperature in the central combustion chamber falls to near 550° C. and the introduction of cooling flowing water when the temperature in the central combustion chamber approaches 600° C.

The present invention relates generally to processes for preparing agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstocks of a particle size suitable for reaction in certain gasification reactors and, in particular, for coal gasification. The present invention also relates to integrated coal gasification processes including preparing and utilizing such agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstocks.

An acoustic resonator and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. An acoustic resonator includes a resonating part disposed on a substrate, a cap accommodating the resonating part and bonded to the substrate, and a bonded part bonding the cap and the substrate to each other, the bonding part including at least one block disposed between a bonding surface of the cap and a bonding surface of the substrate to block a leakage of a bonding material that forms the bonded part during a bonding operation.

An acoustic resonator and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The acoustic resonator includes a resonating part including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer; and a plurality of seed layers disposed on one side of the resonating part.

A motorization apparatus for a motorized wheel comprises an axle secured to a frame of a vehicle. A rotor unit has poles of magnet material. A stator unit having slots and teeth secured to the axle is inward of said rotor to define a clearance gap therewith such that the rotor unit is rotatable about the stator core. An arrangement of coils is wound around the teeth of the stator unit, the coils adapted to be powered to induce a rotation of the rotor unit relative to the stator unit. A structure comprises hub portions rotatably mounted to the axle, the structure having lateral walls defining an inner volume for the rotor unit and the stator unit, the structure supporting the rotor unit. The structure comprises attachment members connected to spokes of the motorized wheel, located radially inward of the clearance gap between the rotor unit and the stator unit.

A system and method provides a piezoelectric stack arrangement for reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level for active piezoelectric materials. A stack arrangement of d36 shear mode single crystals of both air X-cut and Y-cut ±1:45° (±20°) arrangement are bonded with discrete conductive pillars to form a shear crystal stack. The bonding area between the neighboring crystal parts is minimized. The bonding pillars are positioned at less than a total surface are of the single crystal forming the stack. The stack fabrication is facilitated with a precision assembly system, where crystal parts are placed to desired locations on an assembly fixture for alignment following the preset operation steps. With the reduced clamping effect from bonding due to lower surface coverage of the discrete conductive pillars, such a piezoelectric d36 shear crystal stack exhibits a reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level and substantial and surprisingly improved performance.

An electric machine of a motor vehicle, in particular of an adjustment drive or of a radiator fan, has a rotor which is mounted so as to be rotatable about a machine axis. The rotor has a number of permanent magnets which are arranged in the radial direction. Each permanent magnet has one side with a strong magnetic flux and one side with a weak magnetic flux in the tangential direction. When the permanent magnets are adjacent in the tangential direction, different sides are directed towards one another.

Provided are a rotor, a manufacturing method of the rotor, and a DC motor including the rotor, the rotor including: a core around which a winding is wound, the core being rotatable integrally with a shaft; a commutator being fixed to the shaft and having a terminal to be connected to one end of the winding; and a conduction plate being externally fitted onto the shaft via an insulator part between the terminal of the commutator and the core, the conduction plate having a connection part to be connected to the other end of the winding, wherein an axial direction position of the connection part is set in an intermediate portion that is between a winding projection of the winding and the terminal.

An article of manufacture for stretchable night visibility bands for people and animals with a inner band consisting of a primarily stretchable material, an outer band consisting of a night visibility material, a way to attach the inner band to the outer band, a means to interchange said inner bands and said outer bands and a way to close the inner band around an object. A preferred embodiment includes further an outer band made of a night visibility material fabricated of least one of the following: a reflective, a florescent or a glow in the dark material and backed with a material such as VELCRO that attaches to the inner band, A preferred embodiment includes the element of inner band consisting of a stretchable material with a looped surface such as Velstretch™.

The invention relates to an item of clothing, in particular to be worn during sports such as jogging, skating, cycling or similar. Said item of clothing is made of at least one yarn (3) that comprises a heat-reflecting covering (5).

Wraps for swaddling babies are provided that include a body having a base side. The wrap can further include two arms that are attached to the base side of the body of the wrap. The arms can extend outward in an opposite direction to one another along the base side of the body of the wrap. Related methods of using the wrap are also provided.

This invention relates to a means of securing a lens member into a snow goggle frame member, wherein the goggle frame member includes first insertion apertures, with first locating blocks at front edge, the lens member has a lens secured thereon, the lens includes first troughs to receive a corresponding first block therein, a pair of first rails are formed at respective sides of the first trough, each first rail has a first notch which includes a pair of second notches thereat, retainers are secured to the goggle frame and lens frame respectively, one end of the first insertion aperture includes a first insertion post at one end and a first insertion section at the other end thereof to receive the first insertion post therein, the first insertion section is then inserted into the first notch. The goggle may be replaced with various lenses and secured firmly.

Drum pedal assemblies are disclosed which can include one or more adjustment features. Adjustment features which can be included in embodiments of the invention can include spring tension adjustment features, pedal incline adjustment features, lever length adjustment features, beater stem angle adjustment features, chain path adjustment features, operable chain length adjustment features, and chain connection point position adjustment features.

A first input section is used for inputting first tone data, and a first output section is connected to the first input section via a first path. A second input section is used for inputting second tone data, and a second output section is connected to the second input section via a second path. A tone processing module performs tone processing on the tone data, and a processor is configured to insert the tone processing module into the first and second paths in response to selection of first and second modes, respectively. The tone processing module performs the tone processing on the first tone data in the first mode, and performs the tone processing on the second tone data in the second mode. The above allows connection of the module to be set easily in response to the selected mode.

In the present invention, images of a keyboard can be efficiently input into a learner's brain by using a display device in which two kinds of parallel black keys on a keyboard instrument are diagrammed as marker figures which are a substantially n-shaped figure and a substantially m-shaped figure, and the positions of pressed keys are plotted onto the marker figures. The display device can be configured using, for example, printed matter (e.g., a sheet or a card), a font set, an electronic display, and a three-dimensional object, and is provided as a sheet for writing music, performance or practice sheet music, learning cards, or a three-dimensional mimic keyboard. Altogether, provided is a novel music education method based on the images of a keyboard.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a mounting system for pivotal coupling to an instrument, the mounting system including a tuner, a ball element outwardly extending from the tuner, and a socket element having a wall defining a socket in communication with a wall opening; whereby the socket is configured to pivotally receive at least a portion of the ball element via the wall opening to pivotally couple the ball element to the socket element.

A method for processing a music performance, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first media signal from a media source; analysing the first media signal to extract any media signal characteristics; creating a reference media signal by suppressing at-least a predominant sound source of the first media signal; reproducing the reference media signal while receiving a users media signal from an input device to generate a second media signal; analysing the second media signal to extract any media signal characteristics; processing the characteristics of the second media signal in isolation or in combination with the characteristics of the first media signal; and generating feedback for the music performance based upon the processed media signals.

An acoustic drum kit including a bass drum, a snare drum and a hi-hat stand, the base drum including two parts that are movable with respect to one another between a spaced-apart position, in which the snare drum is fixed removably to the bass drum and to the hi-hat stand such that the drum kit is in a playing configuration, and a compact position, in which the snare drum and the hi-hat stand are housed inside the bass drum, between the two parts thereof, such that the drum kit is in a storage and transport configuration.

A delay time counter in a DSP cyclically counts a sampling clock from zero to a delay time sampling count and issues a delay time interrupt to a CPU each time the sampling clock count reaches the delay time sampling count. The CPU measures a time difference between each time the DSP issues the delay time interrupt and each time sequence clock interrupts occur a number of times corresponding to the delay time. Then, in order to reduce this time difference, the CPU increases or decreases a maximum count that is set to the sequence clock counter. Therefore, in the next delay process, the shift between the time by which the automatic performance is advanced by the CPU (which is equal to the delay time) and the timing of the delay process executed by the DSP (which is also equal in length to the delay time) will be corrected.

A snare drum attachment is disclosed. A mounted body is mounted to the snare drum and houses a first magnet. A moveable body is coupled to the mounted body. The moveable body is configured to retain tensioned snares a set distance from a snare head of the snare drum. The moveable body houses a second magnet magnetically coupled to the first magnet so as to generate a magnetic force. A manual actuator is coupled to the first magnet. Actuation of the manual actuator alters the magnetic force so as to displace the moveable body relative to the mounted body. The displacement changes the set distance of the tensioned snares from the snare head.

A building panel, such as a flooring panel or wall panel and a method of assembling the same into a floor, wall cladding, etc. The panel is provided with a locking means in the form of groove (6) and tongue (7) forming a tongue/groove joint for assembling of the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the groove (6) and the tongue (7) are made of water resistant material and fanned with a snap-together joint.

An insulation element for thermal and/or acoustic insulation of a flat roof or a flat inclined roof comprises a first layer made of mineral fibers, and a second layer made of at least one fabric, whereby the second layer is fixed to a major surface of the first layer by an adhesive. To reduce the adhesive costs and the risk of blistering the roof membrane at the application stage, the second layer is impregnated with a filler. The second layer in combination with the filler has a permeability allowing hot air gases to pass through the second layer and closing the second layer for the penetration of a glue or adhesive in the direction to the first layer.

A seamless sheet installation system preferably includes a seamless sheet and a plurality of sheet retention devices. The seamless sheet is retained on a tube. A pair of rotating retention devices may be inserted into ends of the roll. Each rolling retention device includes a tube plug and a rotating handle. An end of the seamless sheet is secured to the top eave flange. The seamless sheet is held against a bottom of the eave purlin web with one of the plurality of sheet retention devices. The sheet retention device may have any suitable design. The seamless sheet is rolled out to successive purlins, wrapped over the top flange and anchored to a bottom of the vertical web with one of the plurality of sheet retention devices. The seamless sheet wrapping process is terminated at an opposing eave purlin or a ridge purlin. Insulation is then inserted between adjacent purlins.

An adjustable photovoltaic panel mounting system that allows for variations in roofs and roof elements, while still maintaining a rigid and secure assembly. The specific location for supporting feet and structural elements of the mounting system may be varied to allow for variations in roof features and different panel configurations. The mounting mechanisms are adjustable in both a North/South and a East/West direction to provide for maximum layout flexibility.

An improved building roof tile for a sloping roof including a polyurethane foam tile that includes outer coating layers that are made of a uniquely fire resistant or retardant layered system that includes a first outer fire resistant layer of 100% solid aliphatic polyurea material and a second inner layer of an 100% solid intumescent non-halogenated phosphate material, said inner layer forming a fire blocking partition and said outer layer offering UV protection, featherweight, category 5 hurricane proof, yields a high R-value, offer low thermal transference into attic space, will retrofit any sloped roof without structural build-up, can be molded into single or triple units, cannot break under foot or when extreme pressures are applied, can produce upgradable solar energy, is easy to transport and install and can molded to look like slate, wood, flat roll tile or most other historical tiles.

A corner block has spaced-apart front and rear sections interconnected by two spaced-apart side sections that jointly define an internal cavity. Upper protrusions are provided on the top face of the block, and inner protrusions are provided inside the cavity at the bottom of the block. The upper and inner protrusions are configured and arranged relative to one another so that when two corner blocks are stacked one atop another with one block rotated 90° relative to the other, the upper protrusions of the lower block interlock with the inner protrusions of the upper block to interlock the two blocks. The corner blocks are constructed in two variants, a corner block A and a corner block B, which are mirror images of each other. The corner blocks A and B are alternately stacked upon one another to construct a 90° corner of a segmental wall structure.

The invention concerns a half shell element (10) for the production of a hollow body with an identical further half shell element (10), with at least one guide (20 . . . 20'″) for the further element (10), which is constructed in the region of a first half periphery (11) of its encircling edge (12), so that the further element (10) can be pushed onto the half shell element (10) from the second half periphery (11') of the edge (12) lying opposite this first half periphery (11) and guided on the edge (12) and held in a final position. The hollow bodies which are thus produced can be both inserted into steel cages and also connected with each other via bars and built into concrete layers.

A retractable roof structure for crop protection includes pitched sections of roof defined by a retractable membrane. The membrane is moved by cables connected to a drive tube with a spring to regulate minimum tension of the cable. The drive system ensures that the membrane adjacent to the drive tube is able to travel the same distance as the second membrane from the drive tube. The rafter contains profiles to allow the stationary end of said membrane to be attached continuously to the rafters to provide a water tight connection. The rafter also contains clips which inhibit vertical, lateral and horizontal movement of the guide wires used to suspend the membrane. The guide wires are supported by flexible cables or nodes. A secondary clear membrane is installed below a white upper retractable membrane.

The present invention relates to the administration of warm humidified oxygen to patients suffering with breathing problems. The present invention more specifically relates to the high flow of warm humidified oxygen to patients suffering with breathing problems or suffering with asthma.

A system and method are presented that electrically stimulates the phrenic nerve whereby said stimulation results in muscle activation of the diaphragm as observed by a measurement of work or power of breathing associated with the inspiratory portion of a stimulated breath.

The present disclosure provides devices for preventing or absorbing fluid (e.g., sweat) and/or odors from the intergluteal cleft of a subject. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices for treating or preventing hemorrhoids and methods of using same.

A nasal mask has a flexible bottom edge portion and side portions. A delivery device includes a holding chamber coupled to the nasal mask. A method of delivering an inhalable substance includes positioning a nose of a user in a cavity of the nasal mask, inhaling through the nose, and orally soothing the user with a soothing device.

In certain example embodiments, a system and/or method of guiding transitions between therapy modes in connection with the treatment and/or diagnosis of a patient for a respiratory disorder is/are provided. Respiratory disorder treatment according to a first therapy mode is provided. Input indicating a second therapy mode to be transitioned to following provision of the first therapy mode is received, with the second therapy mode being different from the first therapy mode. At least one default treatment parameter suitable for the second therapy mode is assigned or calculated. Each default treatment parameter of the second therapy mode is presented, with each default treatment parameter being adjustable by an operator during the presenting. Transitioning from the first therapy mode to the second therapy mode is performed by providing respiratory disorder treatment in accordance with the second therapy mode and each default treatment parameter and any adjustments made thereto prior to the transitioning. Advantageously, the chances of a patient being disturbed by transitioning from mode-to-mode are reduced.

An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube assembly includes a thin, inner sheath (22) supported externally by a structural frame (23) having a longitudinal portion (25) and a plurality of ribs (26) extending circumferentially and spaced along the cannula. The inner cannula (20) is inserted within and is removable from an outer tracheostomy tube (1). The inner cannula (20) is made by coating a plastic layer on a core to form the sheath and then placing the sheath on a curved core. The structural frame (23) is then moulded about the sheath (22) in a mould 80.

Systems and methods for effecting posture of a subject who is to be positioned on a support surface having an inclinable portion such that the subject's thorax is inclinable relative to the subject's legs, are provided. An example system includes a detachedly coupleable thoracic harness having at least an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface being contoured to fit over shoulders of the subject. The outer surface having a fastening surface that releasable attaches to a corresponding fastening surface disposed on the inclinable portion of the support surface.

A device comprising: a substrate; a transmit antenna fabricated on the substrate and configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals; a receive antenna fabricated on the substrate and configured to receive RF signals; and circuitry, disposed on the substrate and differentially coupled to the transmit and receive antennas, and configured to provide to the transmit antenna RF signals to be transmitted by the transmit antenna and to process RF signals received by the receive antenna, wherein the substrate comprises material for reducing harmonic coupling between the transmit antenna and the receive antenna.