TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Bridging Reagent: This is a di- or trifunctional epoxide or isocyanate of formula (I):C = oxiranyl or NCO;R1 = a 1-20C hydrocarbon group, especially (CH2)m, a group of formula (CH2)mO(CH2)l or (CH2)mO(CH2)lO(CH2)k, or CH2-Q-CH2;m, l, k = 1-6;Q = a trimethylolpropane monoglycidyl ether, bisphenol A or 3,3'5,5'-tetramethylbisphenol A residue.Preferred Polymer: The basic polymer is a polybenzimidazole, polyimidazole, polyvinylimidazole or polybenzodiimidazole, especially a polybenzimidazole of formula (II) or a polybenzodiimidazole of formula (III):R = 1-6C alkylene, 1-6C perfluoroalkylene, pyridine-3,5-diyl, pyridine-2,6-diyl, 1H-imidazole-4,5-diyl, m-phenylene, p-phenylene, 1,5-naphthylene, quinoline3,6-diyl, quinoline2,6-diyl, 2,6-naphthylene, carbonyl di-p-phenylene, 3,4'-oxydiphenyl or 3,6-naphthylene;x is not defined.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The basic catalyst is a Group Ia-IIIa metal oxide or hydroxide, an alkali metal hydride or an organolithium compound, especially potassium, lithium, sodium, rubidium, cesium, calcium, magnesium or barium hydroxide, lithium, sodium or potassium hydride, or methyl or butyl lithium.Preferred Acid: The strong acid is phosphoric or sulfuric acid. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The bridging reagent is trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether or 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether.    EXAMPLE - A 15% polybenzimidazole solution (150 g) containing potassium hydroxide (10 mg) was stirred at 60degreesC for 30 minutes, treated with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (5 mole%), stirred at 60degreesC for 1 hour, degassed and cast into a film. The film was dried by heating to 200degreesC over 15-30 minutes and then doped with 85% phosphoric acid for at least 72 hours. The resulting membrane had a tensile strength of 3.2 MPa and a breaking elongation of 99%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The spacer contains a porous film of a polyolefin. The thermal contraction rate of the spacer at 100 degrees C is 10% or less. The crosslinked polymer is an acrylic-type polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer having an acryloyl polymerize. The ratio of the monomers having an acryloyl to the total amount of monomers is 50 weight% or more. 0.1-80 weight% of crosslinked polymer is present in the electrolyte. The surface of the electrolyte layer in contact with the positive or negative electrode is larger than the surface area of the positive or negative electrode, preferably 120% or less of the area of the electrode(s). The battery storage component accommodating a battery component, is covered on both sides by a resin layer. The weight of packing case is 10% or less of the weight of battery storage component. The battery component is lithium secondary battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preparation: Preparation of the conductive resin composition comprises mixing diamine (7-25 pbw) and maleic acid (5-22 pbw), reacting the mixture at 40-100 degrees C for 20 minutes-3 hours, adding a conductive filler(100 pbw) and finally kneading at 100-140 degrees C; or mixing diamine (7-25 pbw) and maleic anhydride (5-22 pbw), reacting the mixture at 60 degrees C for 1 hours, adding a conductive filler(100 pbw) and finally kneading at 100-140 degrees C. EXAMPLE - 4,4'-Diaminodiphenylether(15 parts by weight(pbw)) and maleic acid(8.7 pbw) were mixed for 15 minutes and then mixed with graphite for 5 minutes. The mixture was kneaded at 120 degrees C for 60 minutes to give a conductive resin composition. The composition was molded at 170 degrees C at 100 kgf/cm2 for 10 minutes by press-molding and post-cured at 185 degrees C for 1 hour to give separator material. The material had volume intrinsic viscosity of 1.2 mOMEGA.cm and bending strength of 550 kgf/cm2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The electrical resistance of diaphragm in 1 mole/l of sulfuric acid aqueous solution is less than 0.2 OMEGA.cm2. The permeability coefficient of hydrogen gas of diaphragm at 50degreesC is less than 3x10-8 cm3 (STP) cm.cm-2.second-1.cmHg-1. EXAMPLE - (In weight parts) Styrene (60), divinyl benzene (40), tributylacetyl citrate (15) and t-butyl peroxy ethylhexanoate (5) were mixed to obtain monomer composition. 400 g of monomer composition was transferred to a glassware and polyvinyl alcohol was impregnated. A polytetrafluoroethylene porous membrane of thickness 30 microns was subjected to hydrophilization treatment using glutaraldehyde and the monomer composition was filled into the voids of porous membrane. After covering both sides of porous membrane, heat polymerization was performed under nitrogen pressure. The resulting membranous substance was immersed in 1:1 mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and chlorosulfonic acid to yield sulfonic acid type cation exchange resin film. The thickness of the film was 27 mum. The cation exchange capacity of the film was 1.6 mmol/g of dry film. The film had electrical resistance of 0.03 OMEGA.cm2 and moisture content of 30%. The hydrogen gas permeability of the film before contact with electrode was 1.8x10-8 cm3 (STP) cm.cm-2.second-1.cmHg-1 and after contact with electrode was 1.9x10-8 cm3 (STP) cm.cm-2.second-1.cmHg-1. The cation exchange resin film was mounted on fuel cell and output voltage of fuel cell was measured at a current density of 0.3 A/cm2 and was found to be 0.6 V. The heat resistance of the film after heating at 160degreesC for 30 minutes was determined in terms of contraction percentage and found to be 2.3%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred composition: The content of vinylene carbonate in the precursor of the positive electrode is at most7 weight% and the content of vinylene carbonate in the precursor of the negative electrode is at most10 weight%. The polymer which composes the solid electrolyte in the positive electrode and negative electrode, and the type of organic electrolyte liquid or composition of the organic electrolyte liquid are different. The solid electrolyte contains at least gamma-butyrolactone as an organic solvent. The negative electrode contains graphite as active material and the solid electrolyte of the negative electrode contains at least ethylene carbonate as organic solvent. EXAMPLE - LiCoO2 as positive electrode active material is mixed with 10 weight% acetylene black conductor and 10 weight% teflon resin powder binder and made into a slurry with a solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. This is coated on an aluminum foil and dried. The surface of the obtained positive electrode is covered with a nonwoven cloth of 20 micronmeters thickness, treated with a precursor solution obtained by mixing a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide into a solution in which LiPF6 is dissolved in ethylene carbonate (46.5 weight%), gamma-butyrolactone (46.5 weight%) and vinylene carbonate (7 weight%), adding polymerization initiators and polymerizing via UV irradiation. The negative electrode is prepared using graphite powder as negative electrode active material, and using a solvent based on ethylene carbonate (45 weight%), gamma-butyrolactone (45 weight%) and vinylene carbonate (10 weight%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: One or both of the first and second adhesives includes a fluorine-containing polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer or polyvinyl fluoride. The modifying material is ethylene, styrene, butadiene, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, methyl acrylate, methyl vinyl ketone, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, vinylidene chloride, methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate or isoprene.Preferred Properties: The thickness of the first and second adhesive layers is 0.5-30mum. A dispersant is included in the adhesive layers in an amount of 0.1-20 weight%. The conductive material is a carbon material of particle size 0.5-30mum and graphitization degree at least50%. The weight ratio of third adhesive and conductive material contained in the first and second adhesive layers is 13/87 - 50/50. EXAMPLE - Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) powder (50g) is used as the first and second adhesive and a 15 weight% acrylic acid aqueous solution is used as a modifying material. The PVdF powder is filled in a polyethylene pack and vacuum packed and irradiated with gamma-rays using Co-60 as a gamma-ray source. The irradiated powder is taken from the pack and moved to a nitrogen atmosphere. It is then supplied to a 15 weight% acrylic acid aqueous solution (260g), retained at 80degreesC and graft polymerized to give acrylic acid-grafted polyvinylidene fluoride which is used as the third adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The high-molecular compound consists of a polymer consisting of one or two or more ester compounds obtained by reacting all or part of a hydroxyl group of a polyol compound consisting of a polyether polyol, polyester polyol, polycarbonate polyol, and/or polyester carbonate polyol with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid.The metallic salt consists of lithium salt or magnesium salt.Preferred Products: A secondary battery contains the solid polymer electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Matrix Polymer: The matrix polymer is an unsaturated polyurethane compound which is given by reacting an unsaturated alcohol-(A) having at least one (metha)acryloyl and hydroxy group, a polyol compound-(B) of formula (3), a polyisocyanate compound-(C), and a chain-extending agent-(D).HO-((R6)h-(Y)i-(R7)j)q-OH (3)R6, R7 = 1-10C hydrocarbon group which can contain amino, nitro, carbonyl or ether groups;Y = -COO-, -OCOO-, -NR8CO-, -O-, or arylene group;R8 = hydrogen atom or 1-8C alkyl group;h, i, j = 1-10; andq = integer equal to or larger than 1.The matrix polymer has a (half) inter-penetrating network structure. The matrix polymer is a thermoplastic resin which contains the repeating unit of formula (4).r = 3-5; ands = integer at least 5. Preferred Definitions:    A = a polyoxyalkylene containing the repeating unit of -(OCH2CH2)- and/or -(OCH2CH2CH2)-; a polyfluoroxyalkylene containing the repeating unit of -(OCF2)-, -(OCF2CF2)-, -(OCF2CF(CF3))-, or -(OCF2CF2CF2)-; or an alkoxy group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The soluble polymer is selected from polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyalkylene oxide, polyphosphazene, polyvinyl ether, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl chloride, polyester or poly siloxane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thermal polymerization initiators have two 10 hour half-life temperatures and a activation energy of at most 20Kcal/mol. The thermal polymerization initiators are organic peroxides selected from those having 10 hour half-life times of 30-50degreesC and 50-80degreesC. The polyether polyol terminal (meth)acrylate contains trifunctional polyether polyol (meth)acrylate. The polymer electrolyte layer is a gel electrolyte layer including ethylene carbonate and gamma-butyrolactone. The carbon material includes amorphous carbon attached to the surface of graphite particles. . The metal oxide including lithium is LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMn2O4 or LiNi1-xMxO2 where M = a transition metal element. EXAMPLE - The negative electrode is produced by mixing 100 weight parts carbon material powder and polyvinylidene fluoride binder in a weight ratio of 100:9, adding excess N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent, kneading, applying to copper foil, drying, pressing and contacting to a Ni collector tab. A positive electrode paste is obtained by mixing LiCoO2 (100 weight parts), conductive acetylene black (5 weight parts) and PVDF binder (5 weight parts) and adding excess NMP solvent. This is applied to Al foil, dried and pressed and applied to an Al tab to form a positive electrode. An electrolyte liquid is obtained by dissolving LiBF4 in ethylene carbonate and gamma-butyrolactone in a weight ratio of 50:50 to give a concentration of 2 mol/l. To this electrolyte liquid (95 weight%), a trifunctional polyether polyol acrylate (3.5 weight%) of molecular weight 7500-9000 and a trifunctional polyether polyol acrylate (1.5 weight%) of molecular weight 220-300, are mixed and t-butyl-peroxy neodecanoate (50ppm) and t-butyl-peroxy pivalate (100ppm) are added to form a precursor solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred compounds: Unit-(A) is bonded to (metha)acryloyl or carbamate groups. Compound-(B) is (metha)acrylate. The composition comprises polyol and polyisocyanate. The new conductor contains a dopant. The conductor has an ionic conductivity of 10-5 to 10-2 Scm-1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Composition: The content of the electrolytic solution is 80-99 percent by weight. The ratio of the vinylidene fluoride polymer to the total weight of the vinylidene fluoride polymer and the crosslinking polymer is 10-90 percent by weight. The vinylidene fluoride polymer hs an inherent viscosity of 0.2-2.5 dl/g and has a functional group. The high-molecular gel electrolyte is obtained by applying crosslinking polymerization to the multifunctional monomers in the electrolytic solution having the dissolved vinylidene fluoride polymer. Products: A nonaqueous battery has the high-molecular gel electrolyte between a positive electrod and a negative electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred preparation - A fluoroalkanoyl peroxide of formula (2), 2-glucosyl oxyethyl (meth)acrylate of formula (3) and vinyl phosphonic acid are reacted to give a phosphonic acid polymer of formula (1). EXAMPLE - 3.41 g of vinyl phosphonic acid, and 18.5 g of 50 wt% aqueous solution containing 31.6 mmol of 2-glucosyl oxyethyl methacrylate were added to AK-255(RTM:mixture of Cl2CHCF2CF3 and CClF2CF2CHCl) and 50 g of AK-255 containing 4.2 g of peroxidated diperfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoyl was added thereto dropwise at room temperature under nitrogen stream, then it was heated to 45 degreesC and stirred for 5 hours. The resulting gel substance was added to 100 ml of methanol and unreacted monomers were removed. The gel was dried in vacuum to give 8.52 g of the fluoroalkyl group containing polymer of the present invention.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: Preparation of the crown ether derivative (I) comprises:(1) splitting reaction of benzo(1, 3)dioxol-5, 6-dicarboxylic acid ester of formula (II); and(2) ring-closing reaction of the resulted 4, 5-dihydroxyphthalic acid diester with a dihalogen compound.R5, R6 = 1-25C alkyl (optionally one or more -CH2- is substituted by -O-, -CO-, 1, 4-phenylene, -CH=CH-, -C (CH3)=CH-, -CC- or epoxy. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Specific Derivatives: 174 Crown ether derivatives are disclosed e.g. 4, 4', 5, 5'-tetraoctyloxycarbonyldibenzo-18-crown-6.    EXAMPLE - Benzo(1, 3)dioxol-5, 6-dicarboxylic acid octylester (3.17 g) in chloroform (15 ml) and N-chlorosuccinimide (1.95 g) were irradiated for 39 hours and then reacted at reflux for 3 hours to give 4, 5-dihydroxy-phthalic acid dioctylester (1.21 g, 39.1 % yield).    The 4, 5-dihydroxy-phthalic acid dioctylester (263 mg), bis (2-chloroethyl) ether (37.0 micro l), potassium carbonate (684 mg) and potassium iodide (10.3 mg) in acetonitrile (4.0 ml) were reacted at reflux for 5 hours. Acetonitrile (6.0 ml) and bis(2-chloroethyl) ether (37.0 microl) were added and reacted at reflux for 48 hours.    Work up produced 4, 4', 5, 5'-tetraoctyloxycarbonyldibenzo-18-crown-6 (0.015 mg, 4.8 % yield).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Panel: One of the faces of the heating panel is provided with an insulating material such as polystyrene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The solution is mineral acid solution of polybenzazole polymer. The precursor has an average pore diameter on the surface of 0.01-2 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred hot melt adhesive: The hot melt adhesive is EVA.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The material exhibits extended pi or mixed pi-lone pair configuration.Preferred Components: At least one of Ar1, Ar2 or Ar3 is a compound of formulae (i)-(xii). An ion-chelating group is used as a linking group in the para-position.R1, R2 = H, halo, alkyl, alkoxy, ether, amino alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, in which alkyl has 1-10C. Preferred Definition: In (I),    Ar1, Ar2 or Ar3 = 1-10C alkyl, alkoxy, ether, halo alkyl, amino alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; or Ar1, Ar2, or Ar3 is substituted in the ortho or para-position by an alkoxy group; preferably at least one of Ar1, Ar2 or Ar3 is substituted in the para-position by an alkoxy group.    The alkoxy group is 1-4C alkoxy.    EXAMPLE - To a solution of Pd(OAc)2 (13.5 mg) and NaOBu (780 mg) in toluene (10) cm3 was transferred a solution of 3-methyldiphenylamine (1.1 g) and the fluorene (1.4 g) in toluene (15 cm3). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes. A solution of P(t-Bu)3 (8 mg) in toluene (1 cm3) was injected to the mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen at 90degreesC for 4 hours. Insoluble parts were removed by filtration with filter paper. The solvent was reduced and the resulting residue was purified to yield 2,7-bis(3'-methyldiphenylamino)-9-bis(2'-(2'-(2'-(2'-methoxyethoxyl)ethoxy)ethoxy))ethylfluorene (1.4 g, 96%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The seal is a plastic or elastomer. The seal comprises nylon. The vent member is made of a nylon material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: Backbone of (A) is composed of (m)ethyl (meth)acrylate unit(s) 90-60 wt% and 12-13C alkyl (meth)acrylate units 10-40 wt%, the backbone is treated with unsaturated silane(s)(e.g. vinyltrimethoxysilane) to obtain (A). Preferred Process: (I) is prepared by blending (A) 100 parts by weight, (B)((B)/(I)= 0.01-10 wt%), (C)((C)/(I)= 0.01-15 wt%), (D) 0.1-300(preferably 1-200) parts by weight and optional additive(s)(e.g. antioxidant, plasticizer, colorant, thixotropic agent etc) and kneading the mixture.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Additives: Preferred (B) is dibutyltin dimethoxide, dibutyltin bis(acetylacetonate). (C) is gamma-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, gamma-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane etc.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Filler: (D) is one or more of calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate, calcium oxide, zinc oxide, magnesium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide. EXAMPLE - (A) was prepared by copolymerization of butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate and gamma-methacryloyloxypropyldimethoxysilane. Materials (1)-(4)(parts by weight) were blended, the mixture was degassed under reduced pressure to obtain (I): (1) (A) mentioned above(100), (2) gamma-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane(3), (3) dibutyltin dimethoxide(2), (4) calcium oxide(70).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anode and/or cathode comprises at least 1 oxide including at least 1 metal selected from Si, Ti, Al, Zr, Mg and Cr.The content of metal oxide in the anode and/or cathode is 1-10000 ppm.The catalyst ink is a non-Newtonic fluid of viscosity 10Pa.s when the shear speed is 0.1(1/sec) and 1Pa.s when the shear speed is 100(1/sec).The catalyst layer is formed by evaporating the dispersant at 40-100degreesC from the film formed by the catalyst ink.The weight ratio of catalyst particles, carbon particles and polymer electrolyte in the catalyst ink is 1:1:1. EXAMPLE - (In wt. pts). A water repellent ink is formed by mixing acetylene black (100), alkylene oxide surfactant (I) (10) and a PTFE aqueous dispersion of PTFR (20) by PTFE weight.    This is coated on the surface of a carbon paper support to form a gas diffusion layer after drying. To conductive carbon powder (100) of average particle size 30nm, platinum particles (50) of average particle size 30 Angstrom are supported, and mixed with an alcohol dispersion including hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte (9 wt.%) to produce a catalyst ink for the cathode side. To Ketchen black (100), 25 weight parts each of ruthenium and platinum are supported and these particles are mixed with an alcohol dispersion including hydrogen ion-conductive polymer electrolyte (9 wt.%) to produce a catalyst ink for the anode side.
EXAMPLE - A film (equivalent weight of 950, thickness of about 50 microns) of a polymer of (6) was cut to 3 cm x 3 cm and put in 20 ml of diethyl amine then heated under reflux in an oil bath at 70 degreesC, then the film was taken out and washed with water and subjected to infrared spectrophotometric analysis. The absorption peak attributable to -SO2F disappeared and the absorption peak attributable to diethyl amide appeared (complete conversion of -SO2F into SO2NEt2 was confirmed). (6)-p The produced amide film was immersed in 30 ml of 3N sulfuric acid and heated under reflux in an oil bath at 130 degreesC for 1.5 hours. Then the film was taken out and washed with water then subjected to infrared spectrophotometric analysis. The peak of diethyl amide disappeared and the spectrum was identical with that obtained from the sulfonic acid polymer film obtained by treating a SO2F type film with potassium hydroxide solution followed by treatment with an acid. The conversion of SO2NEt2 into SO3H was thereby confirmed.
EXAMPLE - An electrolyte containing lithium chlorate (1 mol/l) was prepared by mixing solution of ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate, in a volume ratio of 1:1. N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) solution of polymer of compound (I) having average molecular weight of 85000 was coated to anode. The electrolyte was vacuum impregnated on an artificial graphite at 80degreesC, dried under reduced pressure and cathode was formed. The electrode group laminated with anode/separator/cathode/separator/anode was produced. The electrode group was inserted into an aluminum lamination. An oligomer of compound (II), azobis isobutyronitrile and electrolyte containing lithium chlorate, were mixed at weight ratio of 25:0.125:100 to form a mixed solution. The solution was injected to the electrode group in the aluminum case and vacuum impregnation was performed. The opening was sealed and the battery was maintained for 1 hour at 80degreesC and a oligomer was cross-linked, and a polymer secondary battery was obtained. The battery had capacitance maintenance factor of 95% for 100 cycles. COMPOUNDS (I,II), PAGE 5
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Parameters: The molded body has characteristic properties bending strength of at least 40 MPa, gas permeability of at most 10x10 power -8 cc-cm/cm2-sec-atm, and at most 10x10 power -3 ohm-cm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The material of molded body comprises 10-24 wt.% resin content. EXAMPLE - A reaction container was loaded with graphite powder with average particle diameter of 45 microns, phenol, formaldehyde, reaction catalyst (hexamethylenetetramine or ammonia and caustic soda solution), and reaction solvent. The solution was stirred while heated at 80 degrees C for 1 hour. The content of the container was cooled to room temperature, a precipitated black granular substance was discharged out and washed with water. The resulting substance was filtered and dried to obtain a resin-coated graphite powder containing 21% resin. Then resin-coated graphite powder was filled in a molded die and pressure-molded at molding pressure of 200 kg/cm2 at 160 degrees C to produce a specimen having compressive strength of 94 MPa, bending strength of 53 MPa, contact resistance of 8x1010 power -3 ohm-cm2, intrinsic resistance of 6x10 power -3, and gas permeability of not more than 5x10 power -6 cc-cm/cm2-sec-atm.
EXAMPLE - Mixture of 500 g vinylidene fluoride, 40 g hexafluoropropene and 10 g alpha-trifluoromethyl acrylic acid was emulsion polymerized to prepare vinylidene fluoride copolymer with carboxyl group with improved adhesive property and film forming property.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: A low molecular weight compound which is polymerizable by heat, light and radiation polymerization initiator is dissolved in an electrolyte. The solution is polymerized to obtain the polymeric crosslinking component.Preferred Compound: The polymerizable low molecular weight compound is (meth)acrylate monomer(s), such as di(meth)acrylate ethylene.
Preferred Definition: In (1),    R1, R1' and R3 = dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 derivative;    R2 = dodecylperfluoroalkyl acid ester;    R4 = cyclopentanecarboxylic acid.    EXAMPLE - Dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide (4 g) and water (20 ml) were placed in a reactor, and ultrasonic wave was irradiated. Cyclohexano-3-vinyl-18-crown-6-6-heptadecane perfluoroalkyl acid ester (1.0 g) and water (120 ml) were added to it, and the mixture was left for 2 hours. To which, acrylic acid (3 ml), hexane (30 ml) and azobisisobutyronitrile (20 ml) were added, which was left at 60 degreesC for 1 hour to give a polymer. The polymer was dissolved in N, N-dimethylformamide (30 ml), to which LiN (CF2SO2)2 (3 wt. % of the polymer) was added to prepare an ion-conducting solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Coating Composition: The coating composition preferably further comprises a nitrogen-containing organic solvent and/or inorganic fine particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conductive Film: The conductive film preferably consists of indium tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent is ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate or methylpropyl carbonate, methylformate, ethylformate, methylacetate, ethylacetate, methylpropionate, ethylpropionate, methylbutyrate, ethylbutyrate, gamma-butyrolactone, dimethylether, dimethoxyethane, diethoxyethane, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylsulfite, diethylsulfite, propane sulfone, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile or acetone and their fluorinated derivatives.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of unsaturated nitriles, preferably acrylonitriles, vinylidenes, preferably vinylidene fluoride, acrylates, preferably methylacrylate, methacrylates, preferably methylmethacrylate, cyclic ethers, preferably tetrahydrofuran, alkylene oxides, preferably ethylene oxide, siloxanes, phosphazenes, alkoxysilanes or an organic modified ceramic or a mixture of at least two of the homopolymers or copolymers and the ceramic. The polymer is partially crosslinked.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer in the dried anode catalyst coat is 50 +/- 10 vol.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Method: The solution is agitated by sonication.Preferred Component: The spray is a pressurized air spray. It spray is generated by an ultrasonic nozzle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Composition: The thermoplastic polymer consists of a composition containing: (A) a block copolymer having a styrenic hydrocrbon block consisting of a styrenic monomer constituent and a conjugated diene-based hydrocarbon block; (B) a random copolymer using a styrenic monomer constituent as its major constituent and having a glass transition temperature of 40-90 degrees C; and/or (C)an impact-resistant polystyrne formed by dispersing conjugated diene-based hydrocarbon polymer particles in a styrenic monomer constituent. The content of the conjugated diene-based hydrocarbon block in the (A) block copolymer is 5-40 percent by weight for the entire composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The polymerization inhibitor consists of an acetylene compound. The ion conductive mixture has a viscosity at 25 degrees C of 30 mPa.s or less and a viscosity elevation 6 hours after preparing the ion conductive mixture of 300% or less.Preferred Products: A battery uses the ion conductive composition. An electro-chemical element uses the ion conductive composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Fabric: The textile fabric is formed from carbon fiber. Preferred Method: The resin adhering to one side of the textile fabric impregnated with the resin, is contacted with a detachment mold material. Manufacture of the textile prepreg is performed by applying pressure to the textile fabric and the detachment mold material. Pressure is applied from outer side of the detachment mold material. The resin adhering to one side of the fabric is contacted with detachment mold material (I), and the detachment mold material (II) is contacted with another side of the textile fabric.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: An insulator is provided around the circumference of the separator. A water-content penetration prevention portion prevents water encroaching between the separators. Thickness of the circumference of the spacer is enlarged by providing insulation. An insulated coating is further given to the outer surface of fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The resin comprises triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and an initiator, preferably 2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'-azodipropionitrile, 1,1'-azobis(1-cyclohexanecarbonitrile) and/or azobisisobutyronitrile. EXAMPLE - (In %). An expanded and partially recompressed graphite sheet with a thickness of 0.25 mm was impregnated with a resin comprising triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (99.2), 2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'-azodipropionitrile (0.3) and 1,1'-azobis(1-cyclohexanecarbonitrile) (0.5). The sheet was immersed in the resin for 1 hour, wiped dry, and cured at 100degreesC for 30 minutes. The product had an electrical resistance of 0.1 mOMEGA and a helium permeability of 0.01 mg/m2.sec, compared with 1.5 mg/m2.sec without impregnation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The binder is a polymer compound which does not have hydroxyl or amino groups. The polymer compound is a polymer compound including N-vinyl acetamide or acrylamide as monomer units. The polymer compound is a polymer compound including fluorine atoms. Specifically, the polymer compound is at least1 of poly-N-vinyl acetamide, polyacrylamide, N-vinyl acetamide-Na acrylate copolymer, acrylamide-Na acrylate copolymer and polytetrafluoroethylene. The metal oxide fine particles contain titanium oxide which are heat treated at at least 200degreesC in a powder state. The BET specific area of the titanium oxide is 10-100 (20-75) m2/g. The 90% accumulated weight particle distribution D90 of titanium oxide is at most2.2mum. The titanium oxide is produced by a vapor phase method by high temperature oxidation of titanium tetrachloride with an oxidative gas. EXAMPLE - Titanium oxide (100g), poly-N-vinyl-acetamide (0.5g) and water (400g) are dispersed using an emulsifier to give a metal oxide dispersion liquid. After coating on a glass with a fluorine-doped tin oxide film, a photoactive electrode is formed. A dye electrode is obtained by immersing this in an ethanol solution of a ruthenium complex dye (RuL2(NCS)2 for 3 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The internal mold release agent comprises a mixture of a fatty acid(s) and a polyolefin(s). The mixture comprises 0.5-1 wt.% of the composition. The bonding agent comprises an organic resin, which forms a liquid phase upon reaching a temperature at which the compression molding is carried out. The mold release agent vaporizes at a temperature less than a melting temperature of the bonding agent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Parameter: The pressing of the mixture is performed at 350-400degreesF. Preferred Component: The mold comprises a die plated with chrome, stainless, and/or aluminum. Preferred Method: The bipolar plate is soaked in warm water for removal of contaminants, which may be present in the bipolar plate. EXAMPLE - A mixture of (wt.%) graphite (85), an organic resin (9.5), carbon (5), and an internal mold release agent (0.5), was formed and introduced into a mold. The mixture was pressed at 350-400degreesF at 3700 psi for 2-10 minutes to produce the bipolar plate. The flexural strength of the produced plates was improved compared to the plates produced conventionally.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The semiconductor is selected from a group consisting of cadmium telluride, cadmium sulfide or preferred target material is a metal from the group consisting of indium-tin oxide, copper and silver.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred substrate is plastic from the group consisting of tedlar, tefzel, mylar and teflon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salts: The salt is an alkali metal, preferably potassium (K) or especially lithium (Li) salt.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Plasticizers: The plasticizer is or contains an organic liquid with a dielectric constant greater than 3 and boiling point of over 150degreesC. Preferred plasticizers are ketones, alkylpyrrolidones, alkylene carbonates, lactones, dimethylalkylamides, nitro-aliphatics and -aromatics, aliphatic nitriles, dicarboxylic esters, phosphoric esters, carboxylic esters and/or alkyl ethers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The film contains 20-70 (20-45) wt.% plasticizer, which contains 0.01-5 mole/l dissolved salt. Preferred Production: The film is produced by (a) extrusion, preferably after adding a solution of the salt in the plasticizer; (b) placing a non-ion-conducting polyvinylbutyral film in a solution of salt in plasticizer(s); or (c) casting a solution of the constituents in a readily volatile solvent (mixture) on a support, then removing the solvent(s). SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Specific examples of the salt are lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4), lithium trifluoromethyl sulfonate (LiCF3SO3) and lithium bis(trifluoro sulfonyl)amide (LiN(SO2CF3)2).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The difference of the properties of the carbon fibres is at least1 of fibre density, pore volume, graphitization degree, graphitization orientation, microstructure of fibres and hydrophilic group concentration. The hydrophilicity of the fibres composing the lower surface of the gas passage is smaller than that of the fibres composing the side wall. The difference of graphitization degree, graphitization orientation or microstructure of the fibres originates in the difference of mutually different carbon fibre materials selected from carbon fibre materials comprising polyacrylonitrile-type, pitch-type, cellulose-type and phenol-type. EXAMPLE - A continuous fabric is produced using mesophase-type pitch carbon fibres. Platinum is supported on ketchen black in a 1:1 weight ratio, and water (35g) and an alcohol dispersion (59g) of a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte are mixed into this catalyst powder (10g) and dispersed to form a catalyst layer ink. This is applied on a polypropylene film to form a catalyst layer. It is then transferred to both surfaces of a polymer electrolyte film. PTFE powder and acetylene black are mixed to form an ink which is coated on one surface of a water-repellent electrode to form a water-repellent layer. A pair of electrodes on which these water-repellent layers are formed are bonded to the electrolyte film on which the catalyst layers are adhered to form an electrolyte film-electrode assembly.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The capacitor electrode (16) further comprises a binder material in the form of a flexible sheet of less than 0.03 inch thick. The edge planes are protected by boron or phosphorus. They are located in a branch, a dendrite, a fork, a jagged edge, a fractal edge, a point, a spine, and/or a protrusion in the conductive material. The electrochemical device further comprises pores, a spacer layer (8) and a current collector. The device has a series resistance of less than 30 ohms/cm2 of spacer layer. The capacitor electrode is either integral with or in the same plane as the current collector.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conductive material is pyrolytic graphite or graphite particles of less than 10 microns in diameter and having a surface area of 20-300 m2/g material. It may also be nano fibers of less than 300 nm in diameter, nanotubes, or carbon fibers of less than 100 microns in diameter. The conductive material can be carbon black or carbon nanoparticles, activated carbon or carbon powder, or mechanically aligned graphite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The binder material is latex, phenolic resin, perfluorocarbon, or polymer fiber. It may be polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The surface of the gas flow channels are made hydrophobic by electroplating with a metal-polytetrafluoroethylene composite coating.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The noble metal used to coat the surface of passive metal is chosen from a group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium, copper and nickel. The passive state metal is chosen as either stainless steel containing chromium, pure titanium or titanium-based alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: Moulding materials (I) with a filler content of not more than 85 (preferably not more than 80) wt%.Preferred Production Methods: Compression moulding after pre-milling (I) to particles sizes of 1500-50 (preferably 800-15) microns, injection moulding with or without a compression unit, or extrusion-compression moulding.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fillers: Carbon black with a particle size (in the matrix) of 0.01-2 (preferably 0.05-0.15) microns; graphite with a slightly pronounced structure and an average particle size of 1-1100 (preferably 50-450) microns; metal powder with a bulk density (ISO 3923/1) of 1-4 g/ml and with 5% of the particles up to 45 microns in size. EXAMPLE - Moulding materials were obtained by compounding Vectra A 950 (RTM: liquid crystalline plastic) in a Ko-kneader with various amounts of Ketjenblack EC-600JD (RTM: carbon black; DBT number 480-510 m/100 g; 7% particles below 125 microns) and/or Thermocarb CF-300 (RTM: graphite). In materials containing 7.5 wt% carbon black and various amounts of graphite, specific resistance decreased from 11.77 to 0.19 ohm.cm as the total filler content increased from 14.89 to 75.46 wt%, while the density increased from 1.39 to 1.99 g/ml. In materials containing carbon black only, resistance decreased from 68.45 to 1.12 ohm.cm as the filler content increased from 4.76 to 13.04 wt%, while the density decreased from 1.33 to 1.21 g/ml. In materials containing graphite only, resistance decreased from 999.72 to 0.36 ohm.cm as the filler content increased from 33.33 to 75 wt%, while the density increased from 1.68 to 2.03 g/ml.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The inorganic of the sealing material is selected from the group comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate. Copolymer (EVA), an ethylene-methyl acetate copolymer (EMA), an ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer (EEA), an ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer (EMAGA), an ethylene-methacrylic-acid copolymer (EMAA) or ethylene-vinyl-acetate group of copolymers, ethylene-methyl acrylate group of copolymers, ethylene-ethylacrylate group of copolymers, and ethylene-methyl methacrylate group of copolymers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The organic resin compositions of the sealing inorganic material is specified to JIS K7210 standard.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Photoelectrode: The optical semiconductor is laminated at least on one surface with the porous polymer film e.g. porous polytetrafluoroethylene film. The thickness of the optical semiconductor composite film is 1-30 mum. The semiconductor is selected from oxides of titanium, niobium, tin and zinc. The optical semiconductor contains porous semiconductor particle and semiconductor powder. The optical semiconductor particle is obtained by grinding after baking the powder at 400-600degreesC with a surfactant or hydrophilic high molecular weight compound. The mass ratio of optical semiconductor powder and the particle is 1:9-5:5. The conductive layer in the photoelectrode contains a transparent polymeric substrate laminated at least on one side with an electroconductive substance layer e.g. indium stannate, fluorine doped tin oxide, antimony doped tin oxide and dopant containing zinc oxide. The optical semiconductor composite film is obtained by coating or impregnating optical semiconductor containing liquid on a porous polymer film, and baking at 200degreesC. A pigment is adhered to the optical semiconductor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolysis component consists of a halogen compound and a halogen molecule which makes two halogen ions as a pairing ion in the redox electrolyte. The halogen molecule is iodine and the halogen compound is a mineral or organic salt of iodine. The water-soluble polymer is polyvinyl alcohol. A cross-linking agent such as boric acid is added to the electrolysis component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A device for irradiating the electrode with blue color diode light is included. A device for conducting electric current to the electrode is included. The ion exchange membrane includes a perfluorocarbon ion exchange resin containing sulfonic acid groups.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal encapsulated fullerene includes platinum metal family consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, or ruthenium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The ion exchange resin is formed from NAPHION.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The photopolymerizable maleimide compound is a compound having a N-alkyl-maleimide structure or N-cycloalkyl-maleimide structure of formula (I) where m = an integer 1-6; n = an integer 0-5; the total of m and n = 1-6; R11-12 = linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group or alicyclic hydrocarbon group; G1-2 = a single bond, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group, alicyclic hydrocarbon group, ether group, ester group, urethane group and/or carbonate group; R2 = H, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group, alicyclic hydrocarbon group and/or polyoxyalkylene chain where the terminal is a OH group or an alkyl group when m + n = 1; R2 = H, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group, alicyclic hydrocarbon group and/or polyoxyalkylene chain when m + n at least 2; X = a polymerizable functional group. The photopolymerizable maleimide compound is a compound having a polyoxyalkylene chain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The membrane is made from a perfluoro sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a fluorinated sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a polymer based on polysulfones and/or polysulfone modifications, a polymer based on aromatic polyether ketones, a polymer based on trifuorostyrene or is a composite membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The membrane is made from a perfluoro sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a fluorinated sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a polymer based on polysulfones and/or polysulfone modifications, a polymer based on aromatic polyether ketones, a polymer based on trifuorostyrene, or is a composite membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The aromatic high-molecular compound (B) consists of a phenolic hydroxyl group-bearing aromatic polyamide resin. The compound (C) consists of an isocyanate compound or an epoxy compound, each having two or more functional groups. A polymer electrolytic sheet for a nonaqueous secondary battery consists of the polymer electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The composition further contains an electrolyte solution dissolving electrolytes in an organic solvent. The organic solvent is a carbonate compound. A method of producing a polymer gel electrolyte comprises adding a radical polymerization initiator to the composition; heating and gelling the mixture. EXAMPLE - A polymer gel electrolyte having an ion conductivity of 5.1x10power-5 S/cm at 20 degreesC was prepared from a monomer composition, an electrolyte solution dissolving tetraethylammonium fluoroborate in propylene carbonate, and bis-(4-t-butylcyclohexyl) peroxy dicarbonate. The monomer composition was prepared from a mixture of diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polyethyleneglycol monomethacrylate, methoxypolyethyleneglycol monomethacrylate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The composition further contains an electrolyte solution dissolving electrolytes in an organic solvent. The composition further contains a radical polymerization initiator. The (metha)acrylate (b) is polyethyleneglycoldi(metha)acrylate, glucerindi(metha)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(metha)acrylate and is contained in 1-50 mol% with respect to the total amount of the monomers. The mono(metha(acrylate (a1) is polyethyleneglycol mono(metha)acrylate having end hydroxyl groups, which is contained in at least 20 mol%. A polymer gel electrolyte is given by polymerizing and gelling the composition which contains an electrolyte solution. EXAMPLE - A polymer gel electrolyte having an ion conductivity of 9.2x10power-4 S/cm at 20 degreesC and good heat tolerance on 1000 hr heating test at 125 degreesC was prepared from a monomer composition, an electrolyte solution dissolving quaternary ammonium phthalate in ethyleneglycol, and t-butylperoxybenzoate. The monomer composition contained polyethyleneglycol monomethacrylate and polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred process: The high-molecular crosslinked structure is formed by a polymerization reaction to an electrolytic solution-mixed (meth)acrylate monomer containing dimethacrylic ethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Thinnest Part: The thinnest part preferably has a thickness of 0.2 mm or less. Preferred Amorphous Resin Composition: The amorphous resin composition is preferably a modified polyphenylene ether resin containing at least a polyphenylene ether constituent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The tube also contains 3-100 wt.% of block copolymer and/or graft copolymer which consists of styrene group hydrocarbon, and 3-25 wt.% of graft copolymer containing large amount of copolymer particle of butadiene and/or butadiene rubber and small amount of copolymerizable monomer chosen from methacrylate ester and aromatic vinyl, to 100 wt.% of olefinic polymer which consists of olefin hydrocarbon. EXAMPLE - A transparent high impact polystyrene copolymer (in weight%) (50) of styrene, methyl methacrylate (30) and butyl acrylate (50), in which polybutadiene particles (3) were dispersed, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer LV-440 (20), styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (10), and shock improvement agent (20), were mixed, and the resulting mixture was extruded to obtain a non-expanded tube with outer diameter of 10 mm and thickness of 0.2 mm. The tube was drawn to 1.2 times along length direction and 2.5 times along radial direction, at 110degreesC to obtain a drawn tube. The tube had shrinkage percentage along length and radial directions of 15% and 50%, respectively, coefficient of dynamic friction of 0.29, excellent organic solvent resistance, heat resistance, and dry cell insertion property.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Products: A lithium secondary battery has the polymer electrolyte, a positive electrode and a negative electrode adsorbing and releasing lithium.Production: The production of the lithium secondary battery comprises:(a) mixing the acid polymer with the basic compound, and the organic electrolytic solution to obtain electrolytic paste;(b) applying the electrolytic paste to the positive electrode and/or the negative electrode;(c) laying up the positive electrode or the negative electrode on the electrolytic paste to form a unit cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Compound: The compound has at least three ethylenic unsaturated bondings has formula (V).R4 = H or methyl group;EO = -(CH2CH2O)-;PO = -(CH2CH(CH3)O)-; and(m+n) = 0-200.The melamine compound has ethylenic unsaturated bondings of formula (VI).R5 - R10 = hydroxyl or methoxy group, or group of formula (VII);X = -O-(CH2)p- or -(OCH2CH2)q-;R11 = H or methyl group; andp, q = 0-20.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The surfactant has hydrophilic substituent, and the protein has polar substituent. The protein is water-soluble, and can be made water-insoluble by denaturation. The protein after denaturation has beta-sheet structure. EXAMPLE - Aqueous solution comprising sodium dodecyl sulfite and bovine serum albumin, was prepared. A separator molded from phenol resin, was immersed for 3 minutes in aqueous solution, removed and thermally processed at 150 degrees C for half an hour. The wettability of the hydrophilic coating film was determined based on the contact angle of water. The contact angle of water on separator with hydrophilic coating film was 13 degrees, and the contact angle of water on separator devoid of coating film, was 95 degrees. The hydrophilic coating film was also found to be very thin. The hydrophilic coating film was found to have stable beta-sheet structure after thermal processing. The separator having hydrophilic coat was also found to be durable for a long time. A solid polymer fuel cell was constructed using a separator having hydrophilic coat. The solid polymeric fuel cell was found to be durable for a long time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The sealing layer (42) comprises epoxy which is cured by an ultraviolet light, and glow discharge polymerized silicon containing hydrophobic films. The sealing layer having thickness of 0.1-5 microns, covers the entire thin film battery. The sealing layer is annealed at 260degreesC for 5 minutes. The thin film layers are annealed at 260degreesC for 6 minutes. The diamond and diamond-like-carbon dielectric materials are deposited using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Products: A proton-exchange membrane fuel cell has an anode, a cathode, and a polyelectrolytic film, consisting of the electrolytic material, disposed between the anode and the cathode, and has a film thickness of 5-70 micron meters.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The structural unit derived from conjugated diene contains 75-98 mol% of the 1,4-structural unit. Polymer (1) further comprises a structural unit derived from aromatic vinyl and another structural unit derived from ethylenic unsaturated carboxylate besides the conjugated diene derived unit. Polymer (1) is a mixture of a polymer (1a) and a polyconjugated diene-(1b). Polymer (2) contains the structural units derived from conjugated diene, aromatic vinyl, and ethylenic unsaturated carboxylate. An electrode slurry for lithium ion batteries comprises the binder composition and electrode active material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: Said polymer has a structure of formula (1).n = number of 0.4-1.0;m = integer of 1-4;B1 = bivalent aromatic group;A1,A2 = bivalent group of formula (2) or formula (3);X = O or S atom EXAMPLE - Terms: DAR = 4,6-diaminoresorcin 2HCl. STA = Na-2,5-dicarboxy benzene sulfonate. PPA = polyphosphoric acid, content of P2O5 = 84%). TPA = terephthalic acid.    Example 1: Mixture of DAR 8.813g, STA 11.093g, PPA 45.642g and P2O5 13.903g was heated in an oil bath at 70 degreesC for 30 min, 120 degreesC for 5 hours, 135 degreesC for 19 hours, 165 degreesC for 18 hours and 190 degreesC for 4 hours, thus obtaining a dark green, spinnable dope. The dope was washed in water until getting neutral. Logarithmic viscosity = 1.70 dl/g. Ionic group content = 3.2 meq/g. Weight loss by water = 3.1%. The polymer 0.150g was dissolved in methane sulfonic acid 7.75 ml by agitating at room temperature for one night. The solution was flown on a glass plate in 450 micron thickness, and dipped in water. By changing water from time to time, thus obtaining a film which supported itself alone. Dried film retained its shape after staying in a thermostat at 95% RH and 80 degreesC for a day. Comparative Example 1: 0.150g of sulfonated polyethersulfone was dissolved in DMF 5ml at room temperature for one night. This film swelled much and lost its shape in a day at 95% RH and 80 degreesC,
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Composition: The organic polymer consists of cellulose ester. Production: Comprises: (a) casting a composition containing the organic polymer and the reactive metal compound or its hydrolyzed polycondensate, and less than 5000 ppm of an alkaline metal; (b) drying the composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer preferably contains an oligo ether chain (preferably represented by -(CH2-CH2-O-)) as the ion conductive molecular chain.Preferred Products: The ion conductor preferably comprises an ion conductive polymer in which the ion conductive molecular chain is an oligo ether, and the ratio of the borosiloxane and the lithium ion of the electrolyte salt (the oxygen atom in the borosiloxane/the lithium ion of electrolyte salt) is 5 - 30/1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The ion conductive polymer further comprises an electrolyte salt which is selected from Li(CF3SO2)2N, LiCF3SO3, LiBF4, LiClO4, LiBr, LiCl, and LiPF6. EXAMPLE - 3.3 g of trimethoxy silane derivative having triethylene glycol monomethyl ether chain, 0.76 g of distilled water and 1.9 g of triisopropyl borate were mixed and 12 ml of 2-propanol and some drops of hydrobromic acid were added and heated at 45 degreesC for 24 hours. The reaction temperature was raised to 65 degreesC and further heated for 47 hours with stirring then refluxed for 1 hour. The by-product and water were removed by evaporation under reduced pressure at 100 degreesC for 24 hours to give the ion conductive polymer as a colorless and transparent hard polymer.
Preferred Definitions:    R1 = polymethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide;    R2 = a group of cuban, adamantine or basketane; and    R3 = morpholine, 1,3-dioxolane, epsilon-caprolactam, cyclohexene 1,2-epoxide or imidazole.    EXAMPLE - A polymer was prepared from a mixture of vinyl(polyethylene oxide), vinylcuban, acryloylmorpholine, N,N-dimethylformamide, and azobisisobutyronitrile. LiBF4 (3 wt.%) was dispersed in the polymer to obtain a polymer electrolyte.
EXAMPLE - (In g) 3,3',4,4'-tetra amino diphenyl sulfone (1.500), 3,5-dicarboxy benzene sulfonic acid mono sodium (0.954), terephthalic acid (0.304), polyphosphoric acid (20.48) and phosphorus pentoxide (16.41) were supplied to a polymerization container. Nitrogen was purged into the reactor. The temperature was raised to 100degreesC. The mixture was held at 100degreesC for 2 hours and then temperature was raised to 150degreesC and further to 200degreesC. The polymerization was performed for 4 hours. The mixture was cooled and water was added. The polymer was removed from the container and washed with water. The polymer was then dried under reduced pressure at 80degreesC overnight. The logarithmic viscosity of the polymer was 1.14. Polymer (400 mg) was dissolved in N-methyl pyrrolidone (4 ml) and heated to 170degreesC. The solution was spread on a glass plate and the solvent was evaporated. The film was removed from the glass plate and dried under reduced pressure. The ionic conductivity of the film at 80degreesC and 95% relative humidity was 0.0046 S/cm. The ionic conductivity of the film was maintained stably for longer duration.
EXAMPLE - 3,3',4,4'-tetra amino diphenyl sulfone (in grams) (1.83), 3,5-dicarboxy phenyl phosphonic acid (1.618), polyphosphoric acid (20.48), and phosphorus pentoxide (16.41) were polymerized, and a phosphonic acid-containing polymer was obtained. The polymer (300 mg) and methane sulfonic acid (2.5 ml) were stirred at room temperature and a homogeneous solution was obtained. The solution was spread on a glass plate to 220 mm thickness, and a film was formed. The film had 3 weight% reduction temperature of 491degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The polyazole structure is polyimidazole. EXAMPLE - 3,3',4,4'-tetra amino diphenyl sulfone (in g) (1.83), 3,5-dicarboxy phenyl phosphonic acid (1.084), polyphosphoric acid (20.48), terephthalic acid (0.359) and phosphorus pentoxide (16.41) were mixed in a polymerization container. Nitrogen was introduced and temperature was raised to 100degreesC. Stirring was performed slowly in an oil bath. The mixture was maintained for 1 hour at 100degreesC and the temperature was raised to 145degreesC. After 1 hour, the temperature was raised to 220degreesC and polymerization was performed for 5 hours. After completion of the reaction, cooling was performed. Water was added and the polymer was removed. Washing was performed using water and the obtained polymer was dried under reduced pressure at 80degreesC. The logarithmic viscosity of the polymer was 1.13. The obtained polymer (300 mg) was dissolved in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) (3 ml) at 170degreesC. The solution was spread on a glass plate, to obtain a film of thickness 225 mum. NMP was evaporated and the film was removed from the glass plate. Drying was performed under reduced pressure at 80degreesC. TGA measurement of the obtained film was performed and 3% weight reduction temperature was found to be 444degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The salt is composed of anyone of LiClO4, LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiBF4 and LiN(SO2CF3)2 and LiCF3SO3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: Mixed solvent is composed of an ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, an ethylmethyl carbonate, a diethoxy ethane, diethyl carbonate and dimethoxyethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electrolyte layer consists of an electrolyte chosen from LiClO4, LiBF4, LiPF6, LiAsF6, LiCF3SO3, LiAlCl4 or Li(CF3SO2)2N.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte consists of a compatible solvent chosen out of ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate, diethoxy ethane, diethyl carbonate or dimethoxyethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The slurry consists of isopropanol, ethylene, glycol and glycerol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The diffusion layer comprises a fluoropolymer from polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polytetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoromethyl vinylether, copolymers of ethylene and tetratrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, or amorphous fluoropolymers.Preferred Property: The diffusion layer is more than 5-less than 25 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The analyte comprises 30-37 wt.% (preferably 33 wt.%) potassium hydroxide. The negative electrode comprises 60-70 wt.% (preferably 65 wt.%) zinc and 6 wt.% zinc oxide. A potassium hydroxide solution (24) includes 30-45 wt.% of the potassium hydroxide in an electrolyte.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The negative electrode comprises 0.4-0.6 (preferably 0.525) wt.% gelling agent of cross-linked polyacrylic acid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The negative electrode is disposed in a container to form the alkaline electrochemical cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The polyoxazole is shown by formula (1-1).n = 0.85-1.0;m = 1-4;B1 = bivalent aromatic group;A1, A2 = bivalent group of formula (2-2) or (2-3);Less than 10 mol % of the sulfonic acid group may be alkali metal salts. EXAMPLE - 4,6-diamino resorcinol dihydrochloride (8.135 g), monosodium 2,5-dicarboxybenzenesulfonate (10.240 g), polyphosphoric acid (32.874 g) and phosphorous pentaoxide (14.660 g) were heated at 70 degreesC for 0.5 hours, at 120 degreesC for 5 hours, at 130 degreesC for 17 hours, at 155 degreesC for 17 hours and at 190 degreesC for 5 hours under N2. The resulting dope was washed with ion exchange water until it became neutral and dried. The logarithmic viscosity was 1.72 dl/g and the ionic conductivity was 0.78 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Coating: The coating is silicate with a formula of (I)-(V).X12((AlO2)12(SiO2)12).xH2O (I)X12(Al12Si12O24).xH2O (II)X43(Al43Si83O24).xH2O (III) X28(Al28Si68O96).xH2O (IV) Y6(AlO2)12(SiO2)12).xH2O (V)X = Li, Na, Rb or Cs;x = integer; andY = Be, Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba.The water is taken up in the pores of the coating which have sizes in the nanometer range. The coating comprises alkaline and alkaline earth aluminum silicates i.e. so-called zeolites. It is selected so that the relative humidity of the gases over the system temperature remains constant. Preferred Property: The relative humidity of the gases is ca. 50%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Coating: The coating may comprise polysiloxane or polymer which is provided with acid radicals or alkaline radicals having a chemical affinity for water. The polymer is a modified polyethylene glycol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The system has a hydrogen circuit. The passages and flow chambers are present at the anode side of the fuel cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The liquid crystalline polymer of liquid crystalline polymer layer(s) is a blend of two or more liquid crystalline polymers, preferably a copolymer of hydroxy benzoate/hydroxy napthoate. The porous, conductive layer is a stainless steel sintered pad.Preferred Composition: The porous, conductive layer contains sintered particles, a woven mat or a non woven mat.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The principal chain compound mainly contains poloxy Sasol structure. EXAMPLE - 3,3',4,4'-tetra amino diphenyl sulfone (in grams) (1.830), 3,5-dicarboxy phenyl phosphonic acid (1.618), poly phosphoric acid (20.48) and phosphorus pentoxide (16.41) were stirred at 100degreesC under nitrogen atmosphere. The temperature was further raised to 155degreesC after 1 hour and 210degreesC after 5 hours. After completion of polymerization, water was added and the polymer was removed. The obtained polymer was washed using water repeatedly and dried under reduced pressure at 80degreesC. The logarithmic viscosity of the polymer was 1.20. The polymer (300 mg) and methane sulfonic acid (2.5 ml) were made into a homogeneous solution and was spread on a glass plate to form a film of 180 mm thickness. The glass plate was soaked in water, cooled and removed. The obtained film was dried under reduced pressure at 80degreesC and a film for ionic conductivity measurement was produced. The electrical conductivity of the film was 0.030 (S/cm), at 80degreesC and 95 % relative humidity. The compound has a 3 % weight reduction temperature of 400degreesC or more, based on sample weight at 200degreesC by thermo gravimetric analysis measurement. The compound comprises repeating units which are bonded randomly and/or alternately, and has an average molecular weight of 1,000- 1,000,000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Composition: The polymeric composition contains the following components A, B, C with a total weight of the component A and the component B of 100 parts by weight: (a) Component A: an alicyclic-containing skeleton bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I), 70-99 parts by weight; (b) Component B: an alicyclic-containing skeleton mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II), 1-30 parts by weight; and (c) Component C: an at least bifunctional mercapto compound, 1-10 parts by weight.R1- R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q, r, s = 0, 1, or 2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Composition: The photo-setting resin contains the following components A, B, C with a total weight of the component A and the component B of 100 parts by weight: (a) Component A: an alicyclic-containing skeleton bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I), 70-99 parts by weight; (b) Component B: an alicyclic-containing skeleton mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II), 1-30 parts by weight; and (c) Component C: an at least bifunctional mercapto compound, 1-10 parts by weight.R1 - R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q, r, s = 0, 1, or 2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The new material is doped with phosphoric acid. A proton conductive material comprises the new proton conductive material and a polymer which is stable in an acidic condition. A membrane 10-500 micron thick comprises the proton conductive material. A fuel cell comprises the membrane which is sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an oxidizing agent electrode. EXAMPLE - A polysiloxane electrolyte was produced from a reaction mixture of 3-mercapto triethoxysilane, triisopropyl borate, n-hexyl trimethoxysilane, methanol, and hydrochloric acid aqueous solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The electroconductive microparticle is selected from tin oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, indium trioxide, strontium trioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The porous support element is selected from glass fiber, polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, vinylon, sulfide, polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The membrane has a thickness of 0.1-1 micron. The alkaline solution is pressurized. A potential difference is applied across the membrane. A membrane separating apparatus is used for the separation. The membrane separating apparatus is part of a hydrogen generating system. EXAMPLE - NaBH4 (8.6 wt.%) and NaBO2 (4.5 wt.%) were removed from a pH 12 NaOH solution with a polyamide, fluororesin, or polyvinylchloride microporous membrane using a back osmosis membrane apparatus at a pressure of 35 kg/cm2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers: The poly(meth)acrylate is the copolymer of polyglycol dimethylacrylate, alkyl methacrylate and hydroxyalkyl methacrylate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The stannic acid compound is tin oxide and the silicon oxide is silica.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The binder comprises polyimide resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polymer bag is made from group consisting of polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride and acrylate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Coating: The reflective coating on outer surface of polymer bag is aluminum paint, nickel paint or silver paint.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The siloxane compound has formula(2) or (3).Q1, Q2 = substituent capable of forming covalent bond by reacting with an electrophile;R11 - R16 = optionally substituted alkyl or aryl;L11, L12 = divalent bonding group;n = 1-1000;Q11, Q12 = atom group forming a 5- or 6-membered ring with N.The 5-membered ring is imidazole ring and the 6-membered ring is pyridine ring. An opto-electric conversion device comprises a conductive layer, a photosensitive layer, a charge transport layer containing the electrolyte composition and a counter electrode. The photosensitive layer contains semiconductor fine particles sensitized with a coloring matter. A photoelectric cell is prepared using the opto-electric conversion device. EXAMPLE - An acetonitrile solution containing 1-methyl-3-hexylimidazolium iodide (0.5mol/L) and I2 (0.05mol/L) was prepared and added with a siloxane compound of formula (13-1-4) (10wt.% based on 100wt.% of (solvent plus electrolyte plus siloxane compound)). The obtained solution was introduced in a gap between a coloring matter-sensitized TiO2 electrode (20mm multiplied by 20mm) and a metal-vapor deposited glass (same size) and the assembly was sealed with an epoxy sealant to give a photoelectric cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Compounds: The high-molecular compound consists of a rubber-modified thermoplastic resin.
SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The inorganic filler is silica, titanium oxide and alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The silicon compound consists of formula (1).(R1)a(R2)b(R3)cSi(X1)4-a-b-c (1)R1, R2, R3 = H or 1-16C monovalent organic group;one of R1, R2, R3 = fluorine-containing monovalent organic group;X1 = halo, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxy-substituted alkoxy, aminoxy, carbamoyl, or isocyanate;a, b, c = 0-3;a+b+c = greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The solvent-soluble fluorine-containing polymer consists of a resin having a fluorine-containing aliphatic cyclic structure. The manufacture of a macromolecular solid fuel cell comprises:(a) applying a fluid dispersion formed by dispersing the carbon black into the solution of the solvent-soluble fluorine-containing polymer on the surface of the base material consisting of the carbon paper or the carbon cloth;(b) removing a solvent to form the water repellent carbon layer; and(c) disposing the water repellent layer by adjoining each catalyst layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer in polymer matrix composite, is selected from the group of nylons, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polycarbonates, epoxies, polyimides, polyamides, fluorinated polymers, acrylics, polyacrylics, polyesters, cyanate esters and bismaleimides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Products: The new solid polymer electrolyte comprises an open-ring polymer of the oxetane compound of formula (2-2) or (3-3).m2, m3 = 1-6;n2, n3 = 1-20;r3 to R6 = 1-12C alkyl groupThe mole ratio of electrolyte salt/ether chain of the oxetane compound is 0.01-0.9. Preferred Process: A method of producing the solid polymer electrolyte comprises open-ring polymerization of the oxetane compound with a catalyst. In the open-ring polymerization, an organic solvent which contains the catalyst is heated at 30-150 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The composition further contains an electrolyte solution dissolving electrolytes in organic solvent. It further contains a radical polymerization initiator. The polyethyleneglycol (meth)acrylate is comprises 20-70 mol%. The mole ratio of alkylmono(meth)acrylate/polyethyleneglycol mono(meth)acrylate is 100/0 to 5/95. Preferred Process: Formation of a gel polymer electrolyte involves polymerizing and gelling the new composition. Preferred Properties: The polymer is cross-linkable with heating, UV-light or an electron beam. EXAMPLE - A composition was prepared from polyethyleneglycol monomethacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, gamma-butyrolactone, imidazolium phthalate, and t-butyl peroxybenzoate. A gel polymer electrolyte was formed by heating the composition at 100 degreesC for 1 hr. The resultant electrolyte had an ionic conductivity of 5.2x10-3 S/cm at 20 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - A catalyst for a fuel cell is platinum, Ir, Pd, or Rh. A silicon transition metal having reduction property is selected from polysilane, polycarbosilane, polysiloxane, and polysilazane. Polysilane is a catalyst represented by a formula of(R1m R2n Xp Si)qwherein R1 and R2 indicate a hydrogen atom or substitution or non-substitution univalent hydrocarbon group, X is R1, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a nitrogen atom. m is 0.1 at most m at most 1 andn is 0 at most n at most 1,p is 0 at most p at most 0.5. and is a number satisfying a formula of 0.1 at most m + n + p at most 2.q is an integer satisfying 4 at most q at most 100,000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Organic Medium: The organic medium consists of an organic solvent and/or an organic polymer. The organic polymer consists of a polyalkylene glycol forming a liquid at 60-200 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The charged voltage remained in the surface of plastics sheets or in the surface of the mold after discharging is up to plus/minus 1 kV. A polymerizing composition is put into the mold, cured, then separated from the mold while the surface charges are removed. The composition contains polymerizing monomers having at least two polymerizing functional groups. The composition contains 70-99 pts.wt. of an alicyclic ring containing bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I), 1-30 pts.wt. of an alicyclic ring containing mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II), and 1-10 pts.wt. of a mercapto compound at least bi-functional.R1, R2, R3 = hydrogen atom or methyl group;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q, r, s = 0, 1, or 2The plastics sheet is 0.05-3 mm thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The backside layer is of olefin-type resin comprising co-polymerized ethylene and vinyl monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The proton conductive polymer contains a fluoro-resin structure and sulfonic acid or carboxyl groups. The membrane is doped with acid. A fuel cell comprises an electrolyte membrane of the new proton conductive membrane sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an oxidizing agent electrode. EXAMPLE - A membrane was prepared as: a 190 micron thick Nafion 117 film was boiled in water for 1 hr, immersed in a 10 % nitric acid water solution over several hours, then washed with pure water, stored in pure water; the film was immersed in a methanol solution dissolving 1 % of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane for 1 min and dried at room temperature; the film was put in boiled water for 1 hr to obtain a proton conductive membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The raw material of the baking carbon is coal, volatile organic substance obtained from petroleum type pitch, melting soluble organic substance, infusible fibrous organic substance, phenol resin and furfural resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The porous material is a fluorine group. The fluorine group electrolyte is crosslinked with an amine compound. EXAMPLE - A perfluoro group porous film was immersed in an aqueous alcoholic solution of nafion. The film was then vacuum-dried at 80degreesC for 3 hours, such that the sulfonic acid group in the nafion is impregnated on the porous film as sulfonic acid chloride group. The porous film was then refluxed in phosphorus oxychloride for 5 hours and subsequently, the phosphorus oxychloride was distilled and removed. The resulting film was dried, and crosslinking reaction of sulfonic acid chloride group and ammonia was performed for 1 hour by immersing the film in freon solution containing ammonia (0.5M) and dioxin solution containing ammonia as crosslinking agent. Subsequently, the film was washed with acetone, and the sulfonic acid chloride group not consumed by the crosslinking reaction was hydrolyzed. The resulting film was refluxed for 2 hours in 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The film was washed with water and immersed in hydrochloric acid (6M) for 5 hours followed by refluxing in sulfuric acid (1M) for 1 hour. The film was again washed with water, vacuum dried at 80degreesC, and a composite formation crosslinking electrolyte film was obtained. A cell was assembled by piling a diffused layer on the electrolyte film at 135degreesC and providing a carbon platinum electrode with a separator. The composite crosslinking electrolyte had excellent chemical stability, and high temperature durability. The electrolyte did not produce reduction of ionic conductivity, leakage of reactive gas or reduction of output characteristics even at high temperature for long period of time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The mixture contains a solvent, preferably ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, methyl formate, methyl acetate,diethyl ether, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile and/or acetone. The mixture is prepared by heating at 20-90, preferably 40-60degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Mixture: The mixture comprises 60-99 wt.% salt (I) and 1-40 wt.% polymer. The polymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of acrylonitrile, vinylidenedifluoride, methylacrylate, methylmethacrylate, tetrahydrofuran, ethylene oxide, siloxane, phosphazene, alkoxy silanes and/or an organic modified ceramic. The polymer is at least partially cross-linked.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The cation (Mn+) is an alkali metal, preferably lithium or magnesium or aluminum or an organic cation, preferably a heteroaromatic cation of formula (III)-(X):R1-R6 = H, halogen, preferably F, 1-8C alkyl optionally substituted with F, Cl, N(CaF(2a+1-b)Hb)2, O(CaF(2a+1-b)Hb), SO2(CaF(2a+1-b)Hb) or CaF(2a+1-b)Hb;a = 1-6; andb = 0-2a+1.Preferred Process: The fluorination is carried out at -80 to 20degreesC, preferably -60 to 0degreesC. The fluorinating agent is chlorine fluoride and/or chlorine trifluoride. The solvent is hydrogen fluoride, iodine pentafluoride, dichloromethane and/or chloroform, preferably hydrogen fluoride. EXAMPLE - Equimolar quantities of potassium tetrakistrifluoromethyl borate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride were suspended in acetonitrile at 20-25degreesC and stirred for 10 hours. The mixture was cooled and vacuum filtered to remove potassium chloride.    The solvent was removed under vacuum and the resulting 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrakis trifluoromethyl borate product was dried under vacuum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The ion electroconductive polymer is a polymer containing at least one of sulfonic acid group and carboxy group, and a fluororesin structure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The compound containing nitrogen is at least one of guanidine, triazole, and/or their derivatives.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Product: The secondary battery contains the nonaqueous solution. EXAMPLE - No relevant example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Base Material: The porous base material consists of an inorganic material or a heat resistant polymer. The inorganic material is ceramic, glass, alumina or their composite material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The heat resistant polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene or polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The porous semiconductor layer consists of titanium oxide. The electrolyte consists of a three-dimensionally crosslinked high-molecular electrolyte. The high-molecular electrolyte consists a high-molecular compound containing a structural unit formed of a monomer of formula (I) or formula (II).R1 -R3 = H or methyl;A1 = n-valent residue bonded to ester by C;n = 1-4;A2 = bond, or divalent residue bonded to ester and methylene by corresponding C;m = 0-2.Production: At least two or more colors for forming the given patterns are adsorbed to the porous semiconductor layer to provide the photoreceiving surface with the indication function.
EXAMPLE - After divinylbenzene-copolymerized butyl rubber (100 pts.), flat clay (50 pts.), carbon black (50 pts.), ZnO (3 pts.), and stearic acid (1 pt.) were kneaded, organic peroxide (2 pts.) was added to prepare a rubber composition. It was vulcanized to obtain a vulcanized rubber sheet. It had compression set of 13 % as opposed to 22 % obtained in the case where the flat clay was used in amount of 110 pts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: A lithium battery uses the gel electrolyte. A photoelectric converter uses the gel electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Fluororesin: The fluororesin is chlorotrifluoroethylene ethylene copolymer (ECTFE), tetrafluoro ethylene hexafluoropropylene perfluoro alkyl vinyl ether copolymer (EPE), tetrafluoroethylene ethylene copolymer (ETFE), tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polychlorotrifluoroethylene resin (PCTFE), tetrafluoro ethylene perfluoro alkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or polyvinyl fluoride (PVF).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Binder Resin: The heat-cured binder resin is fluororesin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thin plates (30) and the feed plates (20I, 20S) are made of phenolic resin loaded with graphite.The bipolar plate includes silicone inserts installed on the surfaces of the frame (11) around the fuel and oxidant collectors and at the periphery of the membrane of a membrane/electrodes assembly (1), to provide a hermetic seal between the two bipolar plates.Preferred Process: Manufacture of the bipolar plate involves:(A) Attaching the two plates (30) to each other via segments (32, 34, 35) using a conductive adhesive;(B) Forming with a water jet the circulation channels (21I, 21S) in the two feed plates (21I, 20S);(C) Applying a conductive adhesive around the flat central framework and the feed plates (20I, 20S); and(D) Injecting the dielectric thermoplastic frame (11) and injecting the silicone inserts (4, 5) on the surface of the frame (11).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The battery is filled by pouring, injecting or dispensing. The electrode plates and separators are rolled or stacked.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The solution is ethylene carbonate, and/or propylene carbonate. The organic solvent comprises diethyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, r-butyrolactone, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, or vinylene carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The solvent further comprises lithium salt of concentration of 0.5-3 M. The lithium salt is lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), or lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4). EXAMPLE - A solution containing 20 g ethylene carbonate and 20 g propylene carbonate was removed by a molecular sieve. 7 g LiPF6 solution were added and mixed to dissolve, and added with 6 g polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The mixture was heated to 120 degreesC to dissolve the PAN. The resultant solution was poured in vacuum into the prepared battery. Diethyl carbonate (DEC) solution with 1 M LiPF6 was added to the battery. After sealing the battery, the resistance at 1 KHz was tested. Results showed that the resistance of battery was 35 mohms and the adhesion of plates and separators was excellent. A second battery was poured with a solution containing the same components except the DEC. Test results showed that the second battery contained too much resistance (i.e., greater than 3 Mohms), failing the recharged test and the adhesion between plates and separators was insufficient.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: A lithium secondary battery consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and the nonaqueous electrolytic solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The substrate film consists of a fluorine-based resin film, cyclic polyolefin-based resin film, or polyester-based film. The metal evaporated film consists of an aluminum evaporated film. Preferred Solar Battery Module: The following are laminated on the bottom surface protective sheet by facing the opposite side surface against the weather resistant outermost layer of the bottom surface protective sheet to the following: a top surface protective sheet for a solar battery module, a filler layer, a solar battery element serving as a photoelectromotive force element, a filler. Vacuum aspiration is applied to resulting laminate to form an integrated molded article by heating contact bonding lamination.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The high molecular compound which has carboxyl group, is polyacrylic acid, alkyl cellulose or hydroxylated alkyl cellulose.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Alkoxide: The metal alkoxide is titanium alkoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Production: comprises: (a) applying a silicone-based coating material formed by blending the silicone-based resin using the Si-O bond of formula (I) as its major skeleton with the composite oxide pigment having a particle diameter of 1 micrometers or less, 10-60 percent by mass, to the metal substrate; (b) burning the silicone-based coating material at 300-600 degrees C for 30-200 seconds; (c) forming the insulating film on the surface of the metal substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Copolymer-(A) further contains the monomers of formula (V) and (VI), having the repeating units of formula (VII) and (VIII).R2 = ethylenic unsaturated group, reactive silicon-containing group, or group of formula (IX);R3 = reactive silicon-containing group;A = organic residue consisting of hydrogen, carbon , and oxygen atomsThe composition further contains a polymerizing compound-(C) which has at least one ethylenic unsaturated group. Polymer-(B) contains vinylidene fluoride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: R1 is an epoxy resin or a group having a C=C bond in a molecule.Preferred Products: A proton-conductive material comprises said polysiloxanes. EXAMPLE - Terms: TMSPM = 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane. GPTMS = 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxy silane. TMOS = tetramethoxy silane.    Example 1: Mixture of TMSPM 372.5 g (1.5 mol) and TMOS 152.2 g (1 mol) was added with concentrated sulfuric acid 1.23 g (0.0125 mol) and water 135 g (7.5 mol) and agitated for 2 hours to give a solution which was then flown on to a Petri dish, dried at 50 degrees C for a day, followed by heating at 150 degrees C for 5 hours. Product gel was a self supporting transparent film with 100 micron thickness without any crack. Test results: Proton conductivity (S/cm, 130 degrees C, RH = 0%) = 2x10(-4) at initial, and after 100 minutes to 400 minutes. .    Example 5: Mixture of GPTPM 472.7 g (2.0 mol) and TMOS 152.2 g (1 mol) in ethanol 10 mol was added with aqueous solution of phosphoric acid 64.7 g, water 162 and ethanol 230 g to give a solution which was then similarly treated. Proton conductivity at 60% RH at 130 degrees C = 1x10(-5) S/cm. Test results: Proton conductivity (S/cm, 130 degrees C, RH = 0%) = 2x10(-3) at initial, and after 100 minutes to 400 minutes.    Comparative Example 1: Using TMSPM alone as a silane compound, gave: No gel was preparable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Rubber: The liquid silicone rubber is formed by mixing liquid silicone rubber using a addition silicone formed by applying a crosslinking reaction to a solution A of formula (I) and a solution B of formula (II) as its major constituent with liquid fluorocarbon rubber, a solution C of formula (III).Preferred Material: The mixing weight ratio of the liquid silicone rubber to the liquid fluorocarbon rubber is 30/70-95.5.(m+n) = 50-2,000;(m'+n') = 8-98;m' = less than 1; andl' = 8-2,00.
EXAMPLE - A polycondensate was prepared from a mixture of dimethylterephthalate (4400), 1,4-butylene glycol (2500), tetrabutyltitanate (7), N, N'-bis-84-ethylcarboxyphenyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxy diimide (120), and 2,6-naphthalene dimethylcarboxylate (300) (all in pts.wt.). The polycondensate (1) was mixed with polyethylene terephthalate resin (4) and extruded into a 1200 micron thick sheet. The sheet had a light transmission of 0.0 % at 370 and 380 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The method comprises: (a) a former stage hardening process - passing the lower support sheet and/or the upper support sheet to irradiate the photopolymeric monomer composition with the active ray; (b) a latter stage hardening process - peeling both the sheets; irradiating the photopolymeric monomer composition with the active ray. Examples of the polymeric monomer include various acrylate compounds, including an epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, their oligomers, or a combination of one of them and other polymeric monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Examples of the polymeric monomer include various acrylate compounds, including an epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, their oligomers, or a combination of one of them and other polymeric monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The method comprises: (a) a former stage hardening process - passing the photo polymeric monomer composition through the lower support sheet and/or the upper support sheet to irradiate the photo polymeric monomer composition with the active ray; (b) a latter stage hardening process - peeling both the sheets; irradiating the photo polymeric monomer composition with the active ray. Examples of the polymeric monomer include various acrylate compounds, including an epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, their oligomers, or a combination of one of them and other polymeric monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The ear portions are cut with a laser cutter. Examples of the polymeric monomer include various acrylate compounds, including an epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, their oligomers, or a combination of one of them and other polymeric monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Antifouling Layer: The antifouling layer has a falling angle in distilled water or n-hexadecane of 30 degrees or less, and a coefficient of static friction and a coefficient of dynamic friction of 0.3 or less and consists of a perfluoropolyether group-containing silane coupling agent of formula (I).Preferred Module: The solar battery module is preferably a film shape.Rf-(OC3F8)n-O-(CF2)m-(CH2)l-O-(CH2)s-Si(OR3)3 (I)Rf = 1-16C straight chain or branched perfluoroalkyl;n = 1-50;m = 0-3;l = 0-3;s = 0-6;R = 1-10C alkyl; and(m+l) = less than or equal to 6 and greater than 0.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - A method of producing the polyphenyl azomethine derivative comprises dehydrating diamine and diketone or aminophenyl ketone in the presence of a protonic acid or Lewis acid. A protonic secondary battery comprises a positive electrode material of the new polyphenyl azomethine derivatives. EXAMPLE - Poly(alpha-phenyl) phenyl azomethine was prepared as: 1,4-dipenzoylbenzene (0.715 g), p-phenylenediamine (0.270 g), p-toluene sulphonic acid (0.05 g) were put in a flask; decahydronaphthalene (70 ml) was added in nitrogen gas atmosphere; the mixture was refluxed over 24 hrs at 200 degrees C; the resultant deposits were filtered off and extracted with a mixed solvent of ethanol and water to obtain a product of yellow powder; yield = 0.538 g, 60 %. The redox potential of the produce was minus 0.37 volt vs Ag/Ag+ electrode in an acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 M trifluoroacetic acid. A rechargeable battery having an open circuit voltage of 0.8 V was constructed by combining a positive electrode of the phenyl azomethine and a negative electrode of polyaniline.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The plastic film is made of polyamide, acrylonitrile styrene-butadiene rubber, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene terephthalate, etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polyelectrolyte further contains a plasticizer chosen from propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, methylethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate.The catalyst is chosen from benzoyl peroxide, azobis (isobutyronitrile) and dicumyl peroxide.The crosslinking agent is N,N-(1,4-phenylene) bismaleimide.The lithium salt is lithium perchlorate, lithium tetrafluoro borate, lithium hexafluoro phosphate, lithium trifluoro methane sulfonate, lithium bis trifluoro methane sulfonamide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The production comprises of:(a) applying a silicone-based coating material formed by blending the silicone-based resin using the Si-O bond as the principal chain skeleton with the glass frit powder, 5-40 percent by mass, to the metal substrate;(b) baking the metal substrate at 350-600 degrees C for 30-150 seconds to form the insulated coating on the surface of the metal substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: An adhesive sealing agent consists of an addition polymeric isobutylene resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fluoropolymer: The fluoropolymer is a perfluoro vinyl compound of formula CF2=CF-(OCF2CFX)m-Op-(CF2)n-SO3H, where m is 0-3, n is 1-12, p is 0 or 1 and X is fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polymer compounds have at least one polymerizing functional group and the parts of the polymer compounds have at least three polymerizing functional groups. The polymer compounds have a volume of 10-30 nm3, containing compounds having at least two polymerizing functional groups and the shortest distance between the functional groups is 1-3 nm. The polymer compounds have formula (1), (2), or (3).R1 - R12 = aliphatic groups containing (metha)acryloyl groupsThe polymer gel electrolyte is in a film form. The film-form polymer gel electrolyte comprises a film-form matrix polymer and an electrolyte solution which is held in the matrix polymer. A battery or an electrochemical device has the film-form polymer gel electrolyte between positive and negative electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The cross-linking material present in the binder is a glycidyl amine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The electroconductive paste comprises an electroconductive particle and polymeric resin. The polymeric resin is chosen from urethane, phenoxy, epoxy, butyral, phenol, polyimide, polyamide and polyamidoimide.
EXAMPLE - Mixture of N,N'-dimethyldiaminodecane and N,N'-dimethyldiamino dodecane (each 2.5 mmol) was co-condensed with 6-(2-methoxyethoxy)-2,4- dichloro-1,3,5- triazine.    Product gave following results: Yield = 54%. epsilon(inf) = 0.16 dL/g. Mw = 13,000. Mw/Mn = 1.8. Well soluble in NMP, DMF, THF, chloroform and toluene. Insoluble in acetone. Tg = -19degreesC and -20degreesC (1st and 2nd heating). Td = 363degreesC in air and 395degreesC in nitrogen.
EXAMPLE - Acrylic lithium salt is prepared such that a lithium source, such as a lithium hydroxide water solution, is added in an acrylic water solution. Viscosity of the acrylic water solution is increased by lithium chloride. Polyacrylic lithium salt used in this invention is 0.05-5 parts by weight, (preferably 0.05-2 pbw, more preferably 0.1-1.5 pbw) based on 100 pbw an active material. Viscosity of slurry is influenced by a use amount of polyacrylic lithium salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The compound having the acid anhydride structure consists of formula (I):R1, R2 = organic group; and may be divalent organic group by bonding together; andA, B = C=O, or S(=O)2.Preferred Products: A secondary battery contains the macromolecular solid electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The high molecular compound component is at least one of polyethylene oxide group polymer and polypropylene oxide group polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The coating precursor is an acrylate resin, an epoxy nitrile resin and/or an organo polysiloxane and includes an acrylated urethane oligomer, a photoinitiator and a multi-functional monomer such as isobornyl acrylate monomer or propoxylated glycerol triacrylate monomer. The photoinitiator is a mixture of benzophenone and 1-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propanone. The coating precursor further comprises an air-release agent such as polydimethyl siloxane and an adhesion promoter such as methacrylated polyol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The fluorine oil applied in the molecular structure of rubber valve is perfluoro polyether group oil containing carbon, fluorine and oxygen. The rubber valve contains ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The polyacrylonitride group thin film comprises 30-50 wt.% of an inorganic filler which is silicon dioxide powder or aluminum oxide powder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: A conductive layer (4) comprising nickel is formed by electrolysis plating, between active material layer and resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: Polyester having a structural unit of (1) and one or more structural units of (a) and (b), is produced by polycondensation of a substituted triazine dithiol compound of (1') and either or both polyethylene glycol compound of (a') or/and polypropylene glycol compound of (b').X1 = halogen or group of (8);p = 1 - 22.Polyester having a structural unit of (1) and a structural unit of (c), is produced by polycondensation of a substituted triazine dithiol compound of (1') and a diacrylate compound of (c').
EXAMPLE - A typical component (B) includes bisphenol A dialkyl ether, 2, 2'-dialkyl diallyl bisphenol A, dialkylamine, divinyl benzene, and dialkylmarate. A typical (C) component includes platinum vinyl polysiloxane, and Pt (COD)2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The amount of amino-free benzophenone derivative and benzophenone derivative having amino group in the photoinitiator, is 98 weight% or more and less than 2 weight%, respectively.The electrolyte is lithium chlorate (LiClO4), lithium boron tetrafluoride (LiBF4) and lithium phosphorus hexafluoride (LiPF6), or lithium nitride di(trifluoromethyl sulfone) (LiN(CF3SO2)2), as an electrolyte salt.The electrolyte contains ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, dimethyl carbonate, or diethyl carbonate, as liquid solvent.The electrolyte contains a polymerizable compound having 1 or more ethylenically unsaturated bond in the molecule, and a heat polymerization initiator.Preferred Property: The weight average molecular weight of the resin is 10000-3000000
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The isocyanate group-bearing compound consists of formula (1). The high-molecular compound consists of one or two or more polymers consisting of an ester compound obtained by reacting all or part of hydroxyl group of polyol compound of polyether polyol, polyester polyol, polycarbonate polyol, and/or polyester carbonate polyol with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Secondary battery contains solid macromolecular electrolyte.n+m = 6;n = greater than or equal to 1;R = H, halo, or 1-10C organic group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The crystalline polyolefin is selected from a polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene-ethylene copolymer, or ethylene-based or propylene-based copolymer. The polyolefinic copolymer is selected from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic ester polyphyletic copolymer, or ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid polyphyletic copolymer. A solar battery module has a photovoltic element between a covering material for a top surface and a covering material for a bottom surface. The photovoltic element is sealed between the covering material for the top surface and the covering material for the bottom surface by a sealing material consisting of the polymer blend or the polymer alloy consisting of at least one polyolefinic copolymer and at least one crystalline polyolefin. A building material-integrated solar battery module has a photovoltic element between a covering material for a top surface and a covering material for a bottom surface. The photovoltic element is sealed between the covering material for the top surface and the covering material for the bottom surface by a sealing material consisting of the polymer blend or the polymer alloy consisting of at least one polyolefinic copolymer and at least one crystalline polyolefin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fluorine-based non-ionic surface active agent consists of a compound of formula (I).m = 4-12;n = 5-30;R = lower alkyl.Preparation: Preparation comprises:(a) adding fluorine-based non-ionic surface active agent to system containing at least positive active material, binder, and organic solvent for mixing and dispersion to prepare positive electrode mix-containing paste;(b) applying paste to at least one surface of positive electrode collector; and(c) drying paste to form positive electrode mix layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Film: The polymer film is made of a liquid crystal resin composition comprising (A) a continuous phase of a liquid crystal polyester and (B) a dispersing phase of a copolymer which has functional groups reacting with the liquid crystal polyester.Preferred Polymer: The liquid crystal polymer comprises of polyester (A) (56.0-99.9 wt%) and copolymer (B) (44.0-0.1 wt.%). The functional groups of copolymer (B) are oxazolyl, epoxy, or amino groups. Copolymer (B) contains 0.1-30 wt.% of unsaturated carboxylic acid glycidyl ester and/or unsaturated glycidyl ether units. The liquid crystal polyester contains at least 30 mol.% of the repeating unit of -(O-Ph-CO)-. The liquid crystal polyester is given by reacting aromatic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic diol, and aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The proton dissociation property group is -OH, -SO3H, -COOH, -SO3H or -OPO(OH)3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The cyclic carbonate is ethylene carbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The Lewis acid or the compound generating the Lewis acid has a structure of formula (1).X = B or P;R1, R2, R3 = O-, N-, S-, Si-containing 1-12C hydrocarbon.Preferred Components: A monomer for constituting the high-molecular compound contains an ester compound obtained by reacting all or part of a hydroxyl group of a polyol compound of a polyether polyol, polyester polyol, polycarbonate polyol, and/or polyester carbonate polyol with an acrylic acid or a methacrylic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Group : The cation exchange group is carboxylic acid group or sulfone group, whose hydrogen ion is substituted by other cation.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Complex Oxide : The manganese containing complex oxide is lithium manganese complex oxide with spinel structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The positive electrode contains lithium containing transition metal oxide. The negative electrode contains carbon material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The separators consists of polyolefin film such as polypropylene or polyethylene, cloth such as glass fiber, polyimide fiber, polyamide fiber or cellulose, or non-woven fabric.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers: The cellulose-ether derivative is selected from methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, hydroxy methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and carboxyethyl cellulose.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polyester is a poly(trimethylene carbonate) (p(TMC)). The polar material is a lithium metal salt. The composition is a solid. The molar ratio, n, of monomer units per mole of added polar material is 1-100. The composition further comprises one or more plasticizer compounds.Preferred Method: The polyester monomers are polymerized in situ in the presence of the salt components. EXAMPLE - A p(TMC) was prepared by catalyzed bulk polymerization and by gel permeation chromatography. The polymer was dried for 7 days. A lithium triflate (95%) and a lithium perchlorate (99.99%) were dried for 7 days and stored in a dry argon-filled glovebox. Sample preparations, manipulations of salt and measurements were carried out under a dry argon atmosphere. Homogeneous solutions of p(TMC) and lithium triflate or lithium perchlorate in tetrahydrofuran were prepared by adding known weights of p(TMC) and the appropriate lithium salt to a convenient volume of solvent. The components were stirred within the glovebox. The resulting solutions were cast into glass rings on glass plates. The solvent was removed by locating molds in an isolated chamber within the glovebox. The atmosphere of the chamber was re-circulated through a column of molecular sieves to effect a slow evaporation and to form films of 150 mum thick. These films were dried for 3 days to remove residual solvent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The adhesive resin consists of an ethylene vinyl acetate resin. The expandable adhesive resin composition contains a pyrolytic foaming agent consisting of an azo compound, a nitroso compound, a hydrazine derivative, and/or bicarbonate.Preferred Component: The sealing film is provided between a transparent protective member at its top surface and a protective member at its bottom surface to seal a cell for the solar battery. At least one of the sealing film interposed between the cell and the protective member at the bottom surface or the sealing film interposed between the cell and the protective member at the top surface uses the sealing film described above.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polymer composition (100 parts by weight(pbw)) comprises alicyclic skeleton-containing bis(meth)acrylate of formula (1-I)(79-99 pbw), alicyclic skeleton-having mono(meth)acrylate of formula (2-II)(1-30 pbw) and bifunctional mercapto compound (1-10 pbw).R1, R2, R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q, r, s = 0, 1 or 2. EXAMPLE - Bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decane=dimethacrylate(94 parts by weight(pbw)), bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decane=monomethacrylate (6 pbw), pentaerythritol tetrakis(beta-thiopropionate)(6 pbw), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphineoxide(0.10 pbw) were mixed and degassed to give composition. The composition was poured in a glass mold and exposed to UV-rays of 160W/cm for 10 minutes apart from 20 cm, followed by heating at 190 degreesC for 1 hour to give a cured substance. The cured substance had light transmittance of 92 %, double refraction of 1 nm, thermoresistance of 190 degreesC and good dimensional stability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The heat-absorbing agent is chosen out of the group containing 2,3-dimethyl naphthalene, 2,6-dimethyl naphthalene, fluorene, hexmethylbenzene, polyfluoride vinyl and silver nitrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Manufacture: The catalyst consists of an electrolytic salt and/or a cation initiator. The ring-opening polymerization is done by heating an organic solvent containing the catalyst at 30-150 degrees C. The organic solvent consists of a polar solvent. The electrolytic salt contained in the solid macromolecular electrolyte consists of LiBr, LiCl, LiI, LiSCN, LiBF4, LiAsF6, LiClO4, CH3COOLi, CF3COOLi, LiCF3SO3, LiPF6, LiN(CF3SO2)2, LiC(CF3SO2)3, LiN(C2F5SO2)2, LiPF3(CF3)3, LiPF3(C2F5)3, LiPF4(C2F5)2, LiPF3(iso-C3F7)3, or LiPF5(iso-C3F7). The electrolytic salt for the catalyst consists of LiBF4, LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiN(CF3SO2)2, or LiN(C2F5SO2)2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte contains organic solvent, and polyether compound. Preferred Hydrogen Bond: The hydrogen bond is a bond of a hydrogen atom and a nitrogen atom.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metallic Salt: The metallic salt is an alkali metal salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The airflow path forming plate is chosen from the Hastelloy, stainless steel, nickel, molybdenum, copper, aluminum, iron, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum and titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The airflow path forming plate is also chosen from polycarbonate, acrylic resin and carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Features: The self adhesive layer consists of two adhesive systems. A third adhesive system is also present as an acrylic-foam adhesive strip.Preferred Materials: The adhesive systems are made of butyl rubber adhesive (2) and a foam (4) coated on both sides with acrylate adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The solid polymer electrolyte has a viscosity of at most 6 mPa-s at 25 degrees C. The polymerizable compound has a mass average molecular weight of 100-3000 and a viscosity of at most 5000 mPa-s at 25 degrees C, and is almost liquid at room temperature.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The solid polymer electrolyte further comprises an organic solvent(s) consisting of carbonates, aliphatic esters, ethers, lactones, sulfoxides, or amides.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte salt is an alkali metal salt, a quaternary ammonium salt, or a quaternary phosphonium salt. It is preferably lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithium hexafluoroarsenate, or LiN(A-SO2)2, (where A = 1-10C perfluoroalkyl). EXAMPLE - A polymerizable composition was prepared by mixing polymerizable compound of formula CH2=C(CH3)-C(O)O(CH2)2NH(C(O)OCH2CH2C(CH3)HCH2CH2O)y+1C(O)HN(CH2)2OC(O)C(CH3)=CH2 (1 g), diethyl carbonate (7 g), ethylene carbonate (2 g), LiPF6 (1 g), Nofmer MSD (2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene polymerization retarder) (40 mg), and Perhexyl PV (t-hexyl peroxypivalate thermopolymerization initiator) (50 mg). The composition had an initial viscosity of 5.8 mPa-s at 25 degrees C. The composition (1 g) was heated at 60 degrees C for 60 minutes in an argon atmosphere, and cured to obtain the solid polymer electrolyte. The solid polymer electrolyte had a residual double bond content lower than the detectable limit in the infrared spectrum, and an ionic conductivity of 4.7 mS/cm at 25 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The first electrode is formed of porous material so that it can be wet by the organic fuel. It includes an additive that increases wetting properties by decreasing interfacial tension of an interface between the liquid organic fuel and a catalyst on the first electrode.Preferred Method: The fuel cell is operated to transport protons from first electrode through the electrolyte to the second electrode, and to form a flow of electrons through the load.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The second component includes oxygen-containing gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The proton-conducting membrane comprise solid polymer material. It includes co-polymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinyl ether sulfonic acid. The additive and the membrane are made of the same material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic fuel is a combination of aqueous methanol derivative, which can be dimethoxymethane mixed with water to a concentration of 0.1-2 M. The methanol derivative includes a dimethoxymethane forming an electrochemical reaction of (CH3O)2CH2 + 4H2O to form CO2 + 16H+ + 16e-, (CH3O)3CH + 5H2O to form 4CO2 + 20H+ + 20e-, or (CH2O)3CH2 + 6H2O to form 3CO2 + 12H+ + 12e-.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The hydrogen electrode plate and hydrogen gas passage plate are made of a material chosen from Hastelloy, stainless steel, nickel, molybdenum, copper, aluminum, iron, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum and titanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer Components: Polymer (A) is homopolymer(s) of polymerizable amine(s), copolymer of polymerizable amine(s) and vinyl monomer(s), etc. Polymer (B) is polymer(s) of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, ethylene glycol diacrylate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, etc.Preferred Solvent: Solvent (C) is ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, etc.Preferred Electrolyte: The supporting electrolyte (D) is e.g. lithium perchlorate, lithium tetrafluoborate, etc. EXAMPLE - Acrylonitrile (106 g) and dimethylaminoethyl acrylate (14.3 g) were copolymerized to obtain (A) with Mw 200,000. (A) (10 g) and lithium tetrafluoroborate (7.2 g) were dissolved in ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate = 2/1(w/w) composition (82.8 g). Polyoxyethylene diacrylate (10 g) were dissolved into the ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate = 2/1(w/w) composition. This solution and the above (A) containing solution were blended, and the mixture was heated at 90 degreesC to obtain a composition (I) of the claim.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The ionomer resin is selected from the metal salt of an ethylene-unsaturated fatty acid copolymer, the metal salt of an ethylene-unsaturated fatty ester-unsaturated fatty acid ternary copolymer, or the metal salt of an ethylene-vinyl ester-unsaturated fatty acid ternary copolymer. The polyolefinic copolymer is selected from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic ester polyphyletic copolymer, or ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid polyphyletic copolymer. A solar battery module has a photovoltaic element between a covering material for a top surface and a covering material for a bottom surface through sealing materials. The photovoltaic element is sealed by at least two layers, a sealing material for the top surface and a sealing material for a bottom surface. The sealing material for the top surface consists of the polymer blend or the polymer alloy consisting of at least one polyolefinic copolymer and at least one ionomer resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - A secondary battery has at least a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and the polymer electrolyte as its constituents.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Operation: When membranes impregnated with phosphoric acid are used, the process is operated to prevent phosphoric acid or phosphoric acid-water mixtures coming into contact with the bipolar plate. Preferred Cell: The PEM fuel cell has an intermediate layer with a conductivity of not less than 0.5 S x cm. This preferably is made from hydrophobized carbon papers with different porosities and preferably has at least 2 layers, the layer nearest the bipolar plate being hydrophobic with fine pores. It is also possible to use a layer of carbon paper with a carbon/Teflon (RTM) mixture; a layer of carbon/Teflon (RTM) mixture on the bipolar plate; or a layer of hydrophobized film with carbon of predetermined porosity. The bipolar plate has spikes on which the hydrophobized film can be pressed.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Production: The intermediate layer is made from hydrophobized carbon paper; by coating a hydrophobized film with carbon; or by coating carbon paper or the bipolar plate with a carbon/Teflon (RTM) mixture, preferably by screen printing or spraying with a mixture of soluble amorphous Teflon (RTM) or a Teflon (RTM) dispersion and conductive carbon powder, then drying and heat treatment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component : The dye having an acrylic acid site is represented by general formula (1).A1, A2 = COOH, CN, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl group, NO2, cyclohydrocarbon residue, heterocyclic residue group, NH2, OH, H, halogen atom or alkyl group; preferably CN or COOH;X = aromatic hydrocarbon residue, heterocyclic residue or organometallic complex residue group ;n = integer between 1 and 6, preferably 1, 2 or 3.The A1 bonded to the C atom of the COOH group in the acrylic acid site is CN or COOH. The aromatic hydrocarbon residue group is an aromatic hydrocarbon residue group having a substituted amino group, and is a 6-16C aromatic hydrocarbon residue group. A typical aromatic hydrocarbon residue group is a phenyl group having mono- or di-(1-4C) alkyl substituted amino group. The heterocyclic residue group is a 5 - 6 member ring containing 1 - 3 hetero atoms or an 8-15C condensed 5-6 member ring containing 1-3 hetero atoms.Preferred Transducer: The photoelectric transducer further comprises at least one dye having an acrylic acid site and fine oxide semiconductor particles photosensitized with two or more sensitizing dyes ( preferably three or more sensitizing dyes ).Preferred Process: The fine oxide semiconductor particles contain TiO2 as an indispensable component. The photoelectric transducer is produced by using fine oxide semiconductor particles as a carrier for dyes. EXAMPLE - A photoelectric transducer was prepared by immersing a porous titanium dioxide semiconductor thin film electrode P25 (RTM) at RT for 3 - 24 hours in an EtOH solution containing 3 x 10 power-4 M of dye (2), washing with water and drying. The obtained transducer had a photoelectric transfer efficiency of 1.7 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Cation Polymer: The cation polymer is represented by formula (1).P1, P2 = repeating unit formed by polymerization;L1, L2 = linking group;A1, A2 = cation;(x+y) = 100;n, m, z = 0 or 1The cation is a group which has nitrogen atoms having plus charge, especially tetraalkylammonium, imidazolium, or pyridinium. P1 and P2 in formula (1-1) are ethylene groups. The dye is a ruthenium or methine dye. The dye has carboxyl, phosphonyl, or phosphoryl groups. EXAMPLE - A photo-sensitive layer 12 micron thick was prepared by coating titanium dioxide fine particles on a glass plate with a transparent doped tin oxide conductive coating and the coating was immersed in a dye solution. The layer was immersed in an ethanol-acetonitrile solution of cation polymer CP-1 of formula (4-CP-1) for 16 hours, washed with ethanol and acetonitrile, then dried.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: A slurry for an electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery contains the binder composition and an active material. The electrode is produced by using the slurry. The lithium ion secondary battery has the electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Monomer: The polymer compound is a polymer prepared from a monomer-(a) which contains acid anhydride structure and (meth)acrylate groups. The acid anhydride structure is a carboxylic acid anhydride one. Monomer-(a) has formula (1) or (2).R1 - R6 = hydrogen atom or organic group having one bonding hand;R7 = hydrogen atom or methyl group;n = 1-5.The polymer compound is a copolymer of monomer-(a) another monomer-(b) which contains (meth)acrylate groups and no acid anhydride structure. Monomer-(b) contains an ester compound which is given by reacting part or all of the hydroxyl groups of a polyol compound with (meth)acrylic acid. Preferred Polyol: The polyol compound is selected from polyether polyol, polyester polyol, polycarbonate polyol, or polyester carbonate polyol. The polyol compound has a weight average molecular weight of 200-100,000. The weight ratio monomer-(a)/monomer-(b) is 0.001-10. Preferred Composition: The polymer compound is a gel which contains non-aqueous solvent. The weight ratio of polymer compound/non-aqueous solvent is 0.02-10.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Salt: The Group 1A metal salt is a lithium salt, especially lithium hexafluoro phosphate (LiPF6).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: A rechargeable battery comprises the new solid polymer electrolyte, an anode active material of lithium, lithium alloys, lithium (de)doped carbon material, tin oxide, or titanium oxide, and a cathode active material of a double oxide consisting of lithium and transition metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The isobutylene-based polymer consists of formula (1-a).p = integer of 10-300;Ph = phenyl.
SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The poly(ethylene oxide) has a multi-branched structure having a main chain and branched chains. The multi-branched structure has the following formula (1).    m, n, p and q = figure of 0 or more.    In the formula (1), m = 81, n = 18 and q = 3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The adhesive is based on ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst is an alkali metal salt consisting of complexable low lattice energy salt (preferably low lattice energy sodium salt or low lattice energy lithium salt). The low lattice energy lithium salt is lithium hydroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The ceramic precursor consists of silicon alkoxides, titanium alkoxides, zirconium alkoxides, and/or aluminum alkoxides. It is preferably tetraethylorthosilicate, tetraisopropoxyorthotitanate, zirconium n-butoxide butanol complex, and/or aluminum tri-sec butoxide. The low lattice energy lithium salt can also be lithium ditrifluorimide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The polymer material is polyphosphazenes and/or polysiloxanes, polyether containing phosphazenes, polythioether containing phosphazenes, polyether containing polysiloxanes, or polythioether containing polysiloxanes, (preferably poly((methoxyethoxyethoxy)phosphazene) (MEEP)). EXAMPLE - MEEP (300 mg) was dissolved in a solvent (tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) and dry ethanol (5 ml)) containing lithium hydroxide (50 mul). The solution was added with tetraethylorthosilicate (360 mul), and mechanically agitated to ensure good mixing. The mixture was heated in an ultrasonic bath for 15 minutes at 50degreesC, tightly sealed, and stored at room temperature for 32 hours. The solution was then poured into Teflon mold to form thin membrane, which was subjected to conductivity test. The membrane had a conductivity of 113 muS/cm, an average thickness of 60 mum, and an area of 9 cm2. It was able to maintain its dimensional stability at greater than 500 g/cm2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The device is hermetically sealed within the pair of fluoropolymer laminates by passing the laminated device through the laminator apparatus for a second time. It is formed from electrically interconnected solar cells (11). A quantity of fluoropolymer material is provided intermediate the solar cells, prior to encapsulation. The forming step is carried out by removing the release layer from one side of the adhesive material; and positioning the fluoropolymer material on the one side of the adhesive material. The process includes forming an egg-crate type structure. The solar cells are positioned in void regions of the structure. The array of electrically connected solar cells are laminated with the fluoropolymer laminate. The laminating step is carried out in the laminator apparatus including laminating rollers having a selected temperature which is set at room temperature or 25 (preferably 40-60)degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The fluoropolymer material is ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene (E-CTFE, preferably), polyvinylfluoride (PVF), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (E-TFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or perfluoroalkoxy (PFA). The adhesive material is a pressure sensitive, anaerobic, contact, or film-supported and unsupported materials (preferably silicone). Preferred Property: The fluoropolymer and adhesive materials have a thickness of up to 5 mils. The E-CTFE has a thickness of 25 microns. The silicone adhesive has a thickness of 10-50 microns. The PVF has a thickness of 12.5 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Monomer: The polymer compound is a polymer prepared from a monomer-(a) which contains isocyanate groups and (meth)acrylate groups. The polymer compound is a copolymer of monomer-(a) another monomer-(b) which contains (meth)acrylate groups and no isocyanate groups. Monomer-(a) has formula (1) or (2).R = hydrogen atom or methyl group;A = organic group having two bonding hands;n = 1-5.Monomer-(b) contains an ester compound which is given by reacting part or all of the hydroxyl groups of a polyol compound with (meth)acrylic acid. Preferred Polyol: The polyol compound is selected from polyether polyol, polyester polyol, polycarbonate polyol, or polyester carbonate polyol. Preferred Composition: The polyol compound has a weight average molecular weight of 200-100,000. The weight ratio monomer-(a)/monomer-(b) is 0.001-10. The polymer compound is a gel which contains non-aqueous solvent. The weight ratio of polymer compound/non-aqueous solvent is 0.02-10.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Salt: The Group 1A metal salt is a lithium salt, especially lithium hexafluoro phosphate (LiPF6).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: A rechargeable battery comprises the new solid polymer electrolyte, an anode active material of lithium, lithium alloys, lithium (de)doped carbon material, tin oxide, or titanium oxide, and a cathode active material of a double oxide consisting of lithium and transition metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: Inorganic particles such as alumina and silica, is dispersed in electrolyte maintenance layer of the separator.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The electrolyte holding layer contains a mixture of glycol acrylate and ethylene glycol ethyl ether acrylate, or polyacrylonitrile group, polyalkylene oxide group or polyether group resin as maintenance agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The envelope is formed from polyfluoride 2-vinylidene resin.
EXAMPLE - An optical forbidden band width means an energy gap ranging from a valence electron band to a conduction band, which are estimated through optical measurement, and is called optical gap. The optical forbidden band width of an amorphous semiconductor is usually led out from the Tauc side. Namely, a sample is irradiated with light of a visible light area (400-800 eta m), a value of each wavelength of a photoabsorption factor is determined and by blotting (alpha h nu)power 1/ 2 from incident energy, an optical gap can be determined.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: Resin composition contains (A-2) copolymer containing an aliphatic chain and a (meth)acrylic group in a side chain instead of (A-1). The resin composition contains (A-3) copolymer containing an aliphatic chain and an isocyanate group in a side chain instead of (A-1). Resin composition further contains (B) a photopolymerization initiator which gives maximum mol extinction coefficient at wavelength range of 350-450nm is at least 50. The electrolyte (D) is at least one of alkali metal salt, quart-ammonium salt, quart-phosphonium salt and transition metal salt. EXAMPLE - Terms: BPO = benzoyl peroxide. Mw = weight average molecular weight. TPP = triphenylphosphine. PC = propylene carbonate. MHQ = methylhydroquinone. EC = ethylenecarbonate. PP = polypropylene. SP-170 = photo cation polymerization initiator, SP-170 of asahi Denka Kogyo KK. Synthesis Example 1: Synthesis of A-1: Mixture of i-butyl methacrylate (70 parts), glycidyl methacrylate (30 parts), propylene carbonate (100 parts) and BPO (3 parts) was reacted at 75degreesC for 5 hours to give a solution with 50% solid and Mw 20,000 Synthesis Example 2: Synthesis of A-2: Mixture of A-1 (300 parts), acrylic acid (22.8 parts), MHQ (0.16 parts), TPP (0.9 parts) and PC (22.8 parts) was reacted at 95degreesC for 32 hours to give a solution with 50% solid and Mw 23,000. Example 1: Mixture solution of A-1 (3.0g), EC (1.00g), PC (1.00g), LiClO4 (0.30g) and SP-170 (0.1g) was coated on Al-evaporated PET film in 30 micron thickness and irradiated with 200 mJ/cm2 of high voltage Hg-lamp, laminated with a PP film (30 micron thickness) and again irradiated with 300mJ/cm2 Hg-lamp, then stripping to obtain a transparent self-standing film of polymer electrolyte of 30 micron thickness. Ion conductivity at 25degreesC = 1x10-3 s/cm and at -20degreesC = 4x10-4 s/cm. Example 2: Using A-2, Ion conductivity at 25degreesC = 1x10-3 s/cm and at -20degreesC 3x10-4 s/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The metallic salt consists of an alkaline metallic salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The saturated hydrocarbon-based polymer consists of an isobutylene-based polymer. The sunlight electricity generation system is of a brick shape. The member consists of a plate and constitutes the major portion of the brick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - In (1), a ratio of (k+k')/m is 30:1-2:1 and (k+m+k'):n is 1000:1-10:1. The sulfonated compound (1) is prepared by sulfonating compound (1) in a mixed cyclohexane/tetrahydrofuran solvent containing hydrocarbon type cyclic paraffin. EXAMPLE - Synthesis of poly(styrene-b((p-hydroxystyrene-g-ethyleneoxide)-b-styrene) of formula (1): R1=R2 =H, R3 = methyl, R4 =R4'=H, M=M'= phenyl, k=k'=500, m=250, n=5, (k+k'):m = 4:1, k+k'+m = 1,250 and (k+m+k'):n =250:1): tetrahydrofuran(900 cc) was added to sec-butyl lithium(1 mmol). The solution was to added styrene monomer (52 g) diluted with tetrahydrofuran (100 cc) at minus 78 degreesC and stirred for 30 minutes. After adding tert-butoxystyrene monomer (44.1 g) diluted with tetrahydrofuran (100 cc), the reaction mixture was polymerized under stirring. After adding styrene monomer (52 g) diluted with tetrahydrofuran (100 cc), the reaction mixture was polymerized for 30 minutes under stirring. The solution was poured in methanol to give triblock compound as deposits. The deposits were dried to give triblock compound (190 g, yield 99 %). The triblock compound was dissolved in acetone and reacted with HCl under reflux for 10 hours to hydrolyze tert-butoxy group to give p(styrene-b-hydroxystyrene-b-styrene (160 g). The hydrolyzed triblock compound (100 g) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (4 L) and added tert-butoxypotassium (0.373 mol). The solution was stirred for 1 hour and added to ethyleneoxide monomer (41 g). The solution was stirred at 70 degreesC for 24 hours and methyl iodide was added to stop the reaction. The reaction products were poured in hexane to give polymer as deposits. The deposits were purified by washing with methanol and water and dried to give the objective compound, poly(styrene-b((p-hydroxystyrene-g-ethyleneoxide)-b-styrene)(yield, 99 %).
EXAMPLE - In a negative electrode, electric capacity of WO2 is approximately equals to electric capacity of a positive electrode and added natural graphite amounts to 20% of a positive electrode when converted into electric capacity. Fluorocarbon resin being a binder is added in the WO2 and natural graphite, which amount to 5 wt% of the binder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrode: The electrode comprises silver vanadium particles, electrically conductive particles, a solvent, and a binder selected from polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyacrylates, and/or ethylene/propylene/diene copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has cases in which a number of the lamps having the driver circuit and a number of the LED lamps having the control circuit are mounted at the same time. The driver circuit has driver elements related to the LED chips. The control circuit is mounted adjacent to the LED lamp having the driver circuit to be operated at the time of driving the driver and forces its LED chips to be delayed for a predetermined time thus representing the moving image and picture of characters and graphics.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The composition additionally contains carbon black, and/or metal chalcogenides. The graphite is natural graphite, synthetic graphite and/or graphite intercalation compounds.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The binder is a polymer obtained by polymerizing a radical alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monomer, polyurethane, cellulose derivative or epoxy resin. The polyurethane dispersion contains carboxylic acid groups, sulfonic acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, phosphoric acid groups and/or their alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts, amino groups, quaternary ammonium groups, or siloxane groups.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The polymeric ion exchange membrane has moisture content of 10-150 weight% and electric conductivity of 0.05-0.3 OMEGA-1.cm-1 at 25degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: The polystyrene graft side chain has one or more cross-linked structures. 1-25 weight% of alpha-methylstyrene and/or divinyl benzene are used as comonomer to styrene monomer in the presence of 1-15 weight% of triaryl cyanurate and/or triaryl isocyanurate, as cross-linking adjuvant, when a polystyrene graft side chain is introduced.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Radiation Beam: A heavy ion beam of helium, carbon ion, nitrogen ion, oxygen ion, neon ion or argon ion, is irradiated on the long-chain branched PTFE film instead of gamma-ray or electron beam, at an amount of 1x1010-1x1013/cm2 of the irradiated film surface, so that the beam penetrates sufficiently into the thickness of the long chain branched PTFE film. EXAMPLE - 10 cmx10 cm pieces of PTFE sheet with number average molecular weight of 1x107, was put in an irradiation container degassed to 10-3 Torr and substituted with argon gas. Temperature of PTFE sheet was maintained at 335-345degreesC using an electric heater and electron beam of 50 kGy, 1000 kGy, 300 kGy, 500 kGy and 1 MGy was irradiated. After irradiation, the container was cooled and high temperature PTFE sheet was taken out. Creep characteristics of the obtained sheet was measured based on ASTM-D621-64. The permanent deformation of the sheet was so small that the cross-linking density was high. The total distortion were found to be 22%, 21%, 27%, 34% and 55%, respectively for irradiation doses of 50 kGy, 100 kGy, 300 kGy, 500 kGy and 1 MGy at 200degreesC, 6.9 MPa for 24 hours. The plastic strain measured at room temperature for 24 hours was found to be 10%, 8%, 15%, 22% and 43% respectively for radiation doses of 50 kGy, 100 kGy, 300 kGy, 500 kGy and 1 MGy respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The amount of water and alcohol in the solvent is 10-20 weight% (wt.%), and 30-40 wt.%, respectively. Preferred Method: A etherified polysaccharide of vegetable adhesive is dispersed in the alcohol, and water is added to the mixture. The starch and binder substance, are then mixed in the dispersion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compositions: The added conductive polymer-forming monomers in the non-aqueous electrolyte are in ratio of 0.1-5 (preferably 0.25-2) vol.%.Preferred Components: The conductive polymer-forming monomers include derivatives of pyrrole or thiophene having 4-10C alkyl. The thiophene is 3-hexyl thiophene. The film forming agents is methyl difluorobenzoate, propane sulfone, 1,4-butane sulfone, vinyl carbonate, or preferably methyl perfluorooctanate. The organic solvent is a mixture of propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and hexaetoxy tricyclophosphazene, or preferably a mixture of propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The lithium transition metal composite oxide is lithium nickel composite oxide having basic composition of lithium-nickel oxide (LiNiO2) and layered rock salt structure, and lithium manganese composite oxide having a basic composition of lithium-manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) and spinel structure. EXAMPLE - A secondary battery was prepared by providing positive electrode material containing a mixture of lithium nickel composite oxide having layered rock-salt structure and lithium manganese composite oxide having spinel structure. This material was applied to both sides of the aluminum foil current collector and roll pressed. A negative electrode material comprising graphitized mesocarbone microbeads, was applied on both sides of copper foil current collector, then roll pressed. A separator was put between positive and negative electrodes. These electrodes were inserted in a cylindrical battery casing containing non-aqueous electrolyte comprising conductive polymer-forming monomer and film forming agent to obtain a cylindrical lithium secondary battery. Results on evaluation test showed that the safety of the obtained battery was improved when compared to a battery having no polymer-forming monomer or film-forming agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: The photocell contains the photoelectric conversion element. The solar battery module contains the photoelectric conversion element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The adhesive contains secondary particle having average particle diameter of less than 20 mum, as determined from volume distribution of carbon powder. The electroconductive adhesive has viscosity of 500 mPa.s at shear rate of 1000/second.Preferred Composition: The electroconductive adhesive further contains water-soluble thickener such as carboxy methyl cellulose or methyl cellulose. The resin in electroconductive adhesive is ionomer of polyolefin type resin, or emulsion-like resin. The resin is soluble in the adhesive paste.Preferred Process: The dispersion of resin and carbon powder, and their mixing are performed simultaneously. The resulting solution is then degassed. The paste is dried and moisture content is adjusted to improve metal adhesive property and electroconductivity of electroconductive resin. EXAMPLE - Ionomer of polyolefin resin was dispersed in water using colloid mill. Acetylene black was then dispersed in the water containing dispersed resin. The resulting solution was mixed by a mixer and degassed to form a paste. The paste was found to contain 30 weight% of acetylene black based on the total amount of acetylene black and resin. The adhesive was found to contain 85 weight% moisture. The adhesive was found to have viscosity of 30 mPa.s at shear rate of 100/second. The adhesive was found to have volume distribution mean particle size of 6 mum and 0.9 mum, respectively. The adhesive was found to have favorable resistance of 2x10-5 ohm.cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fibers: The electroconductive fiber is carbon fiber; or fiber made of metals or metal alloy such as stainless steel, titanium, chrome, nickel, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, tantalum, iridium or gold; and/or semimetals.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The lithium salt soluble organic solvent is a carbonic ester, preferably ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate mixed solvent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The non-aqueous electrolyte is gel-like solid polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Outer Cladding: The outer cladding is an aluminum laminate, and whose deformation by raise of battery internal pressure is reduced.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The aluminum oxide hydrate is boehmite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The outer cladding object has thermobonding resin layers of acid modified polyolefin resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Colloid: The noble metal colloid is platinum colloid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The polymer is polyolefin resin which has structural unit induced from silane compound, preferably polypropylene or polyethylene or polycarbodiimide. The aluminum oxide hydrate is boehmite. The outer cladding material has a thermobonding resin layer in electrochemical element side. The thermobonding resin layer is polyolefin resin layer.Preferred Element: The electrochemical element is a battery, preferably lithium ion secondary battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The seal is provided in grooves (28, 30) formed in the separator. Each separator has an opening (38a) for supplying or discharging fuel gas, oxidant gas, or coolant to or from the membrane electrode assembly. The seal closes the openings of the separators. The seal on one separator makes contact with the sealant on the other separator to seal the periphery of the opening. The grooves enclose the openings. The seal is provided in the grooves. The non-adhesive can be liquid or solid at the time of application. The diameter of the applied liquid sealant is at least0.9 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The mixture is extruded through die pathways to produce strands of extrudate. The strands are bonded together in a parallel relationship to form a shaped article with anisotropic properties. The article is subdivided along a plane transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A section is removed from the article by cutting the article at least twice along surfaces transverse to the longitudinal direction of the article.Preferred Component: The fiber is a vapor-grown carbon fiber. The mixture contains 1-50 wt.% fiber. The polymer is a molten thermoplastic or a thermosetting resin. The polymer contains liquid so that the mixture as a whole is extrudable. The liquid is a solvent or a monomer capable of polymerizing into the polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The shaped polymer article comprises a mixture of the polymer and the vapor-grown carbon fibers arranged in a parallel relationship. The section defines a thickness corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the article. The section comprises an electrically conductive body whose electrical conductivity is greater along its thickness than its length or width. The body is in the form of a plate or a sheet. Preferred Properties: The shaped polymer article has anisotropic electrical conductivity. The ratio is at least 50 (preferably at least 100) in-1. Each die pathway has a surface to volume ratio of at least 10-1. The fiber has a length of at most500 (preferably at most100) mum, a diameter of at most1 (preferably at most0.2) mum, and an aspect ratio of 10-750 (preferably 40-200). The die has a length to width ratio of at least 6. The length and width of the section are at least 10 times longer than its thickness. The thickness of the section is smaller than its length and width.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The porous polymer film is a porous polyethylene film or a porous polyethylene film with porous polypropylene film laminated on both sides.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Plasticizer: The plasticizer is ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethoxy ethane, dibutyl phthalate, dimethoxyethane, diethyl carbonate, and/or dipropyl carbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The crystalline thermoplastic resin is an olefin group resin with a melting point of 100-120 degreesC. The binder is a polyvinylidene fluoride resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The rate of swelling of the first polymer is 30% or less. The second polymer comprises polyethylene oxide (PEO), polypropylene oxide (PPO), copolymer polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP), polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and/or their derivatives. EXAMPLE - Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) powder (first polymer) and polyacrylonitrile powder (PAN) (second polymer) were mixed at volume ratio of two (first polymer/second polymer). The mixture was plasticized by heating to 200degreesC and shaped as a sheet to form the electrolyte precursor. The rate of swelling was 16%. A solvent containing ethylene carbonate and gamma-butyrolactone at volume ratio of 1:3 was used to dissolve lithium borofluoride and set to a concentration of 1 mol/liter. A non-aqueous electrolyte was formed. The gel precursor obtained was immersed in the non-aqueous electrolyte for 3 minutes at 100degreesC and the non-aqueous electrolyte was gelatinized. After cooling a gel electrolyte layer was obtained. The electrolyte was assembled in a non-aqueous secondary battery and the cycle life and rate characteristics were evaluated. The secondary battery had a high ionic conductivity in the gel electrolyte layer, excellent electrolyte maintaining capability and mechanical strength. The cycle characteristics after 50 cycles was almost equivalent to that of a solution type secondary battery (97%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The heat reversible crosslinking olefinic polymer composition contains: (a) a modified polyolefin formed by grafting at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride. An unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride group in the modified polyolefin has a component concentration of 0.1-20 percent by weight; (b) a polyhydric alcohol compound having at least two hydroxyl groups in a molecule; and (c) a reaction accelerator. The mol ratio of the unit of the hydroxyl group to a unit derived from the unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride is 0.01-10. The weight of the reaction accelerator is 0.001-20 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the modified polyolefin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The organic flexible substrate comprises polyethylenenaphthalate, polyether sulfone, polyimide, polyamide or polyimidoamide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The textile fiber arrangement is made of conducing polymers such as PATAC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Prefferred Features: The non-conductive plastic is coated with metal. The metal layers on both sides are electrically connected through the plastic by one or more metal contacts. The plastic layers on both surfaces, with the exception of the edge region, have metal coatings electrically connected by conductive connections. At the edges, at least one of the surfaces has an elastomeric seal. Alternatively a plastic edge geometry is molded-on for subsequent welding, adhesion or injection welding. The plastic may be injection molded to the required shape and coated with metal forming the metal contacts. The plates are stacked when making a fuel cell. The stack includes the following layers: bipolar plates, gas distribution, catalyst, polymer membrane, catalyst, gas distribution. In addition, current collectors and end plates, connections and seals are included.Preferred Materials: The plastic is selected from polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polyoxymethylene, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyetherketone, polypropylene, polyester, ethylene-polypropylene copolymer, unsaturated polyester resin or phenol formaldehyde resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The silicon micro-particle is firmly attached on the surface of the graphite particle. The silicon micro-particle(s) is 3-10 wt.% based on the total weight of the negative active material. The carbon film has an amorphous form. It is a reaction-preventing layer between the graphite particle and an electrolyte. The carbon film partially or totally coats the graphite particle, and firmly attaches the silicon micro-particle on the graphite particle. The carbon film is prepared by coating a polymer on the graphite particle, and calcining the resulting material.Preferred Parameter: The calcination step is performed at a temperature between the carbonization temperature of the polymer and 1400degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The polymer is a vinyl resin, cellulose resin, phenol resin, pitch resin, or tar resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: The polymer electrolyte is put on the cathode and/or anode surface, put in the holes of cathode and/or anode, or put between cathode and anode. EXAMPLE - A porous solid polymer electrolyte film was prepared as follows: polyethyleneglycol monomethylether, tetraethyleneglycol, and boron oxide were mixed in a mole ratio of 1.6:2.2:2; the mixture was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran to obtain a paste; the paste was coated on a polyethylene coated paper; the coating was put into water to obtain a film 25 micron thick with a porosity of 80%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Battery: The porous macromolecular solid electrolyte is provided on the surface of a positive electrode, in the holes of the positive electrode, on the surface of a negative electrode, in the holes of the negative electrode and/or between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Leveling Agent: The leveling agent is a substance having polyether group or organic sulfone group, and phosphorus compound or sulfur compound. Especially the leveling agent is 1,5-naphtha phosphorus-disulfonic acid sodium, 1,3,6-naphtha phosphorus tri sodium sulfonate, saccharin, aldehyde, gelatin, 2-butyne-1,4-diol, quinaldine, pyridinium compound, ethylene cyanohydran, azo dye, potassium thiocyanate and/or tetrapotassium pyrophosphate.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The bis (perfluoro alkane sulfonyl) imide anion is bis (trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide or bis (pentafluoroethane sulfonyl) imide.    EXAMPLE - Aqueous solution containing 0.1 mol/dm3 of aniline and 0.1 mol/dm3 of bis(pentafluoroethane sulfonyl) imide was prepared. Platinum electrode as working electrode, a counter electrode and silver-chloride electrode as reference electrode were immersed in the aqueous solution. The electrodes were connected to a potentiostat and sweeping polymerization was performed at a sweeping rate of 50 mVs-1 and potential sweeping range of -0.2 V to +0.7 V. The cycle sweeping was carried out 10 times. The electrochemical oxidation of aniline which usually occurs at 0.8 V, occurred at 0.5 V in this system containing bis(pentafluoroethane sulfonyl) imide. The cycle sweeping was repeated and two pairs of oxidation reduction peaks peculiar to polyaniline was observed at 0 volts and near 0.3 volts. The electric current value became large as sweeping was continued thereby showing that an electrolytically polymerized polyaniline film was formed on the working electrode. The working electrode after a potential sweeping was coated with a green skin layer which was confirmed to be polyaniline by infrared spectroscopic analysis. The polyaniline film had electric conductivity of 5x10-1 Scm-1 and solubility of 1 wt.% with respect to N-methyl pyrrolidinone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin Material: The resin material is a thermoplastic resin containing a reinforcement filler which is a glass fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Cell: The separator plate is based on the shape of manifold holes for fuel gas and manifold holes for cooling water, and it does not have point symmetry to the centre of the separator plate and does not have line symmetry to the centre line which pass the centre. The opening surface area of all the manifold holes is 60-300% of the total of the cell whole body of the cross-section area of the flow path of the fuel gas and the flow path of the cooling water. A gasket is arranged on the periphery of the anode and cathode and a groove is provided in the outside for connection to the manifold holes of the gas flow path in at least 1 conductive separator plate. The groove is formed without passing the gas flow path and the manifold holes. EXAMPLE - The cathode side catalyst is produced by supporting 50 weight% platinum particles of 30 Angstrom particle size to conductive carbon particles. The anode side catalyst is produced by supporting Pt and Ru particles on carbon black particles. The electrolyte is produced by using the material obtained by thin film-forming a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer compound is gel, keeping non-aqueous solvent in it. The polymer compound is a polymer of a N-containing (meth)acrylate monomer or a copolymer of a N-containing (meth)acrylate monomer and another (meth)acrylate monomer which contains no nitrogen atoms. The N-containing (meth)acrylate monomer is of formula (I).Preferred Monomers: The N-containing (meth)acrylate monomer is 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-(diethylamino) ethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-(di-n-propylamino) ethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-(di-I-propylamino) ethyl(meth)acrylate, 3-(dimethylamino) propyl(meth)acrylate, 1-piperidine ethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-N-morpholinoethyl(meth)acrylate, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-il(meth)acrylate, or 1-methyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-il(meth)acrylate. The (meth)acrylate monomer which contains no nitrogen atoms is a polyol compound selected from polyetherpolyol, polyesterpolyol, polycarbonatepolyol, or polyestercarbonatepolyol. The polyol compound has a weight average molecular weight of 200 to 100,000.Preferred Metal Salt: The Gp. Ia metal salt is LiClO4, LiBF4, LiPF6, LiAsF6, LiCF3SO3, LiN(CF3SO2), or LiC(CF3SO2)3.A = H or methyl;B = N-containing group of formula (II) or (III);D = organic group;R1, R2 = H, 1-10C hydrocarbon or -CH2CH2-O-CH2CH2-; andG = H or 1-4C alkyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The catalyst layer includes a coating of the same resin as an electrolyte as one of components of the catalyst layer. It includes pores having a pore size and a pore amount that are smaller at the upstream portion than at any other portion of the catalyst layer. It has a thickness that is greater at the upstream portion than at any other portion of the catalyst layer. The diffusion layer includes a fluororesin and carbon particles as components of the water repellant layer. A structure of the diffusion layer also may differ between at the upstream portion and at the downstream portion. The diffusion layer includes at least one of (1) a ratio in amount of the fluororesin to all of the components of the water repellant layer smaller at the downstream portion than at any other portion of the diffusion layer, (2) a hydrophilicity of carbon of the water repellant layer stronger at the downstream portion than at any other portion of the diffusion layer, and (3) the substrate layer of the diffusion layer having a hydrophilic procedure applied at the downstream portion, in order to weaken the hydrophobicity of the water repellant layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The catalyst disk can be replaced by a low impedance fuel cell which has combined internal and external impedance lower than 100 ohms. The fuel cell electrochemically oxidizes gases on the counter electrode side of the counter electrode. Further, a first and a second protection membrane (11, 15) are provided in front of the working and counter electrodes, respectively. The second protection membrane slows down the flux of gases onto the counter electrode. An electrolyte (13) and respective contacts (16) for the working and counter electrodes are also included in the sensor. The electrodes, the protection membranes, the electrolyte, and the contacts are all mounted in a main body (10).Preferred Dimension: The first and second protection membranes are 5-50 micronsm and 20-100 micronsm thick, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The catalyst disk can be made from the powders of 0.5-10% palladium and/or platinum on activated carbon or alumina. It can also be made from the powders of transition metal oxides, preferably from moleculite (a highly active mixture of copper oxide and manganese oxide).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The first protection membrane can be made of dense polymer membrane of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylene fluoride or polypropylene (PP). The second protection membrane can be made of dense polymer membrane of PTFE, polyethylene or PP.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The second protection membrane can also be made of ceramic dense membrane, i.e. perovskite phase of composition La1-xAxFe1-yCoyO3, where A is barium, calcium or strontium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The aryl vinyl monomer is vinyl toluene, alpha-methylstyrene or preferably styrene. The aromatic derivatives of aryl vinyl monomer comprise 20-80 mol.%, preferably 30-50 mol.%, and aromatic sulfonate, preferably styrene sulfonate. Preferred Concentration: The aryl vinyl monomer is present in the statistical copolymer in a concentration of 20-80 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The olefin monomer is propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, isoprene, or preferably ethylene or butadiene.
EXAMPLE - A polythiophene derivative of 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) was synthesized by polymerizing 2,5-dibromo-3-hexylthiophene monomers with a catalyst of (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) nickel (II) chloride. P3HT was spin-coated in 1 micron thick on a ITO substrate; an aluminum electrode was vacuum-deposited on the film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: At least one of the positive and negative electrodes comprises a polymer, which constitutes the polymer electrolyte.Preferred Process: The laminating step includes laminating the positive and negative electrodes with a porous polymer film (50) which is different from the porous polymer electrolyte or with a separator having the porous polymer electrolyte interposed between the two electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polymer electrolyte comprises poly(vinylidene fluoride) and/or vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer. EXAMPLE - Positive and negative electrodes were laminated and wound with the interposed porous polymer film to form a spirally wound element which was then inserted into an aluminum case covered with resin, thus forming a battery. The battery was processed to fix the positive and negative electrodes and the porous polymer electrolyte film, and was tested. The battery exhibited an improved high rate discharge performance and an improved in safety for overcharge.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The photosensitive layer consists of two or more semiconductor microparticle-containing layers which differ in porosity. The semiconductor microparticle in the photosensitive layer is titanium dioxide microparticle. At least 1 volume% of the total void in the photosensitive layer is formed by thermolysis of polymer added to semiconductor microparticle dispersed material. 5-200 mass% of polymer particle are added to semiconductor microparticle. After forming void in the semiconductor microparticle-containing layer, part of the microparticle is removed by contact with a metal needle electrode of diameter 2 mm or less. The electric charge moving bed contains monovalent copper, preferably copper iodide, and further contains thiocyanate and fused salt electrolyte. The electric charge moving bed is pyridinium salt, imidazoline salt or alkyl ammonium salt. An undercoat (60) of oxide semiconductor is formed on the electroconductive support.Preferred Pigment: The pigment is ruthenium complex pigment or polymethine pigment.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: At least one part of the polymer is insoluble polymer particle with mean particle diameter of 30 nm or more. The polymer particle contains methyl methacrylate or styrene as structural unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte comprises 20-80 vol.% of first solvent, and 20-80 vol.% of second solvent. It further comprises 0.2-10 wt.% of additive that forms a solid electrolyte interface at a surface of the negative electrode during charging.Preferred Compounds: The first solvent is ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulforane, gamma-butyrolactone, acetonitrile, dimethyl formamide, methanol, hexamethyl phosphoramide, ethanol, and/or isopropanol.The second solvent is methylethyl ketone, pyridine, methyl formate, tetrahydrofurane, diglyme (2-methoxyethyl ether), 1,3-dioxolane, methyl acetate, 2-methyl tetrahydrofurane, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, ethyl propionate, methyl propionate, ethyl ether, diethyl carbonate, methylethyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, toluene, fluorotoluene, 1,2-dimethoxy ethane, benzene, fluorobenzene, p-dioxane, or cyclohexane. The additive is vinylene carbonate, vinylene trithiocarbonate, ethylene trithiocarbonate, ethylene sulfite, ethylene sulfide, or bismuth carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The electrolyte salt is lithium hexafluorophosphate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithium hexafluoroarsenate, lithium perchlorate, lithium trifluoromethane sulfonyl imide, or lithium trifluorosulfonate (LiSO3CF3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: (3a) consists of polystyrene, polyurethane, or phenolic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The light olefin is propylene and/or butene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: Polymerization of light olefin is performed using a catalyst consisting of aluminum chloride, boron trifluoride, an organic aluminum complex, zeolite, silica-alumina complex and/or a solid phosphorus acidic catalyst. Hydrogenation is performed using a catalyst containing palladium, ruthenium, platinum and/or nickel. Preferred Method: Hydrogen is obtained by steam reforming, auto-thermal reforming or partial oxidation of the fuel oil. EXAMPLE - 150 g of a mixture containing aluminum chloride catalyst (0.45g), isobutane (in weight%) (5.6), n-butane (19.5), 1-butene (8.4), isobutene (22.8) and 2-butene (43.7) was prepared, and polymerized for 20 minutes at 120degreesC. The obtained liquid was washed in water at normal temperature and pressure, followed by washing with an alkali. The oil layer was separated and a polymer was obtained by drying for 12 hours using anhydrous calcium chloride. Hydrogenation of the polymer was performed for 3 hours at 2.5 MPa and 230degreesC, using a palladium catalyst. The catalyst was separated and the reaction product was distilled, to obtain a fuel oil having a boiling range of 170-270degreesC. The fuel oil contained 99.5 volume% (vol.%) of saturated hydrocarbons, 0.5 vol.% of olefins, and less than 0.1 ppm of sulfur content. The fuel oil did not contain any aromatic compounds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrode material porous layers are produced of mixture containing (mass %) electrocatalyst (20-85), electroconductive inactive material (10-60), cation exchange fluorcopolymer identical to fluorcopolymer from which cation exchange membrane is produced, and polytetrafluoroethylene (3-15). The electrode material porous layers can also be produced from a mixture of electrocatalyst (65-95), and electroconducting inactive material cationic-exchange fluorcopolymer (1-35, preferably 1-9) identical to fluorcopolymer which cationic-exchange membrane is produced of.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fluor-containing cation exchange membrane can be ethylene, perfluor-2-methylen-4-methyl-1,3-dioxalan, or perfluoroalkyled vinyl ester with 1-3C alkyl. EXAMPLE - Electrocatalyst (platinum) (0.24 g) deposited on the surface of inactive electroconductive material (acetylene black) (0.58 g), were mixed with polytetrafluoroethylene (0.1 g) and fluorocopolymer (CPL-1) (0.08 g) as a 3% solution in the mixture of ethanol, freon-13, and methyl ethyl ketone. The obtained viscous compound was applied to a cation exchange membrane (CEM). The CEM was heated, cooled at room temperature. The produced MEA contained CEM of CPL-1 (170 microns thick) with the layers of an electrode material situated on both sides. The general porosity was 40%, with the porosity gradient 5%/1 microns. The produced MEA was tested at a fuel cell. The fuel cell was operating stable for 3000 hours, and the exfoliation of the electrode material layer was not observed by visual survey. When the MEA was returned into the fuel cell, its parameters did not change.
EXAMPLE - Acetylene black polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dispersion was mixed to obtain a water repellent ink layer containing 10-70 wt% PTFE. The ink was coated on a carbon paper and dried at 350 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substrate is a conducting material made of non-conducting fibers, a conducting plastic film, a metal foil or expanded metal. The metal or alloy is selected from Ni, Cu, Al, Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, NiPCo, NiPMn, NiP, FeNiCr, NiWo, NiPWo, NiSn, CoSn, NiMg or NiMo. The coating is provided with a further coating made of Al, Ag and Ti with a thickness of 10-100 nm or carbon. The lithium-containing spinel is LiMnO4, LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiTiS2 or LiVSe2. The non-conducting fibers are made of glass fibers, mineral fibers, ceramic fibers or artificial fibers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The plastic film is made of polyester, PTFE, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene imine, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, aramid fibers or perfluoroalkoxy fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The unsaturated prepolymer resin is epoxy vinyl resin, bisphenol fumarate resin, modified bisphenol fumarate polyester resin, unsaturated polyester resin, urethane modified vinyl ester resin, bisphenol-epoxy vinyl ester resin, elastomer-modified vinyl ester resin, epoxy novolac vinyl ester resin and/or unsaturated isocyanurate vinyl ester resin. Preferred Composition: The composition further comprises rheological modifiers such as group II oxides and hydroxides, carbodiamides, aziridines, polyisocyanates, polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoropolyether, polyethylene and/or fumed silica, to prevent phase separation between the resin and the conductive filler.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Filler: The conductive filler comprises crystalline graphite particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The chemically crosslinked product is formed by a crosslinking reaction by ultraviolet ray irradiation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layer: The charge-transporting polymer has the recurring unit of the formula (I). Preferable low molecular charge-transporter is triaryl amines. Other suitable ingredients in the layer include anti-oxidants and hindered phenols.R1, R2, R3 = H, alkyl, alkoxy, halo, amino or aryl;X = divalent group;T = 1-10C divalent hydrocarbon group; andk, m = 0 or 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Pigment: The coloring matter derivative consists of a quinacridone and/or diketopyrrolopyrrole derivative. A coloring composition is formed by dispersing the pigment into a transparent resin. A color filter has pixels formed using the coloring composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The transparent particulate material is glass, plastics or titanium oxide, in the form of granules, fibers or pellets. As negative plate active material, natural graphite or scale-like (flakes) graphite is used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Polymer: The flexible polymer film is a polyimide film. The polyimide film is made of a specific polyimide which has the structure of formula (I) in its molecule.R = organic group having two bonding hands selected from phenylene, naphthalene or biphenylene group. EXAMPLE - A 25 micron thick polyimide film was prepared by (i) mixing a polyamide acid solution, acetic anhydride, and isoquinoline; (ii) casting the mixture on a glass plate; (iii) drying the film at 100 degreesC for 5 minutes; (iv) peeling off the film; (v) fixing the film on a supporting frame; and (vi) heating it at 300, 400, and 500 degreesC for 30 minutes. The polyamide acid solution was prepared from 4,4'-diaminodiphenylether, p-phenylenediamine, pyromellitic anhydride, and DMF. A solar cell was fabricated by depositing an aluminum electrode on the polyimide film, depositing a 10 nm thick p-Si layer and then forming an ITO and tin oxide electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Method: A reinforcing structure is secured to the rigid interlayer, and a support (34) is secured to the reinforcing structure, simultaneously when the resin is cured. A resin is applied to a reinforcing member to form the reinforcing structure. Curing the resin is performed at a predetermined temperature that is greater than or equal to a maximum temperature at which the glass structure will be used. The glass is formed on a vacuum tool.Preferred Material: The reinforcing mechanism is a woven fiberglass. The glass is a mirror, which includes a glass panel, which is 0.001-0.4 inch thick.Preferred Component: A composite structure (32) includes the rigid interlayer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The rigid interlayer includes a cured resin, which can be unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, epoxy vinyl esters, or epoxies.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The rigid interlayer includes an inorganic filler. Preferred Material: The support is formed from a metallic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The building material further includes a release coating (42) covering the contact adhesive. The adhesive is a rubberized asphalt. The photo-voltaic device is affixed to substrate, by a body of contact adhesive. The substrate comprises a monolithic body of an elastomeric contact adhesive material. Further, the encapsulant material affixes the photo-voltaic device to substrate. A fire-break, comprising an L-shaped metal member disposed so that one leg is parallel to substrate and other leg projects from substrate, is disposed between two photo-voltaic devices.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The photo-voltaic device includes at least one layer of thin film semiconductor material such as silicon alloy materials, germanium alloy materials and silicon-germanium alloy materials. The substrate comprises sheet metal    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The substrate comprises polymeric membranes, fibrous material impregnated with organic polymer and/or a monolithic body of an elastomeric adhesive. The encapsulant material is fluoro-polymers and/or ethylene vinyl acetate, or comprises a polymeric material having glass fibers disposed on it. The weight of the photo-voltaic building material is not more than 2 pounds/square foot. The support for the power generating module comprises a polymeric material such as a polycarbonate polymer or a polypropylene core member, and comprises a polymeric sheet having a length of 8 feet and a width of 4 feet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The photo-voltaic power generating module further includes one or more ancillary members such as inverters, transformers, battery charge controllers, batteries, capacitors, illumination controllers, sources of light, electrical terminals and junction boxes. The ancillary devices are connected to the reverse side of the support.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred plastic: The plastic is preferably a polyolefine resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred ratio m : n: The ratio m : n of the composite ceramic powder is preferably 1 : 1 to 3 : 1.
EXAMPLE - Resin comprising 6g of azobis isobutyro lactone (radical initiator) and silane coupling agent which was CH2=CHSi(OCH3)3 was applied on a polypropylene sheet of thickness 1 mm, dried for 24 hours at room temperature. The dried sheet was provided between two lead alloy sheets, heated for 5 seconds at 240degreesC and at pressure of 100 KPa to form an adhered sample. The sample had initial stage T type peeling strength of 450 g/5 mm width. The sample was immersed in dilute sulfuric acid for 20 days at 60degreesC. The sample had T type peeling strength of 420 g/5 mm width.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Hydrophilic Macromolecule: The hydrophilic macromolecule consists of a polyethylene oxide homopolymer, a poly(ethylene oxide/epichlorohydrin) copolymer with a polymerization ratio of the ethylene oxide to the epichlorohydrin of 85:15-99:1, or an ethylene oxide/allyl glycidyl ether copolymer in which the polyethylene oxide terminal is substituted for a methoxy.Preferred Thermoplastic Resin: The thermoplastic resin consists of a polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, polyvinylidene difluoride resin, and/or silicone resin.Preferred Process: Film deposition comprises:(a) employing co-extrusion; extruding and laying up the hydrophilic macromolecular film and the covering layer in that order on the high peeling-treated surface of the high peeling-treated film base material to obtain the three layer-hydrophilic macromolecular film;(b) applying crosslinking treatment by means of heating, ultraviolet ray irradiation, or electron beam irradiation to the hydrophilic macromolecular film;(c) separating the film base material and the covering layer to obtain the crosslinking hydrophilic macromolecular film; and(d) using the crosslinking hydrophilic macromolecular film as a solid electrolytic layer for a lithium polymer battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The polymer compound is synthesized by polymerization at at most 95degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal is more noble than copper with respect to oxidation-reduction potential. It may be nickel or chromium. The negative electrode includes a carbonaceous material capable of occluding and releasing lithium. The positive electrode includes a lithium composite oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: Structure(s) of formula(e) (CH2C(=O)OR)n (I), (II), (R1OC(=O)CHCHC(=O)OR2)n (III), or (IV) is introduced into the copolymer. The copolymer is obtained by copolymerizing maleic acid, ester maleate and/or maleic anhydride with vinylidene fluoride to a ratio of 25/10000-30/1000. Further, hexafluoropropylene is polymerized with the copolymer.R, R1, R2 = H, CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9, or C5H11.Preferred Property: The molecular weight of the copolymer is 0.8-3.0 dl/g based on an intrinsic viscosity notation. EXAMPLE - A gel electrolyte was prepared by heating and agitating a mixture of polyvinylidene (PVdF) copolymer and dimethyl carbonate. The PVdF was obtained by mixing the copolymers obtained by copolymerizing hexafluoropropylene with vinylidene fluoride at a weight ratio of 7 %, and monomethyl maleate with vinylidene fluoride to a ratio of 250/10000.A non-aqueous solvent comprising a mixture of ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate was added with LiPF6 to produce electrolyte solution. Finally, the PVdF copolymer was mixed with the electrolyte solution in the weight ratio of 1:2. The resulting gel electrolyte had good compatibility and liquid retaining property, and higher cyclic characteristic (95%), low temperature characteristic (79%) and load characteristic (91%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The composition contains a solvent and a polymer obtained by addition reacting a compound of formula (HaSi(R8)3-a-R9-)n2-Z4 (F) to a linear polymer having 2 terminal ethylenic double bonds of (A) and (B) optionally in the presence of (A) and/or (B) where R8 = optionally substituted 1-18C alkyl or optionally substituted 6-20C aryl; R9 = optionally substituted 1-18C alkylene, optionally substituted 6-20C arylene, optionally substituted 7-21C arylalkylene group, 1-30C heteroatom-containing organic group with 1-6 heteroatoms or a direct bond; Z4 = as Z3; a = an integer 1-3; n2 = an integer 1-30. The content of solvent in the composition is 50-99 weight%. EXAMPLE - A linear block copolymer is prepared by mixing a compound (A-1) (793.4g), a compound (B-1) (206.6g), toluene (1000g) and 0.25% Pt catalyst (24.0g), reacting at 80degreesC under nitrogen and removing toluene. This copolymer (1.510g) is mixed with a compound (D-3) (0.090g), 0.25% Pt catalyst (0.80g), ethylene carbonate (4.89g), diethyl carbonate (9.92g) and LiPF6 (2.80g), and introduced into a reactor. The mixture is heated at 50degreesC for 1 hour to produce a gel-like ion conductive composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layer: The insulating layer is a synthetic resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The metal plate is made of aluminum (99.5% pure) or an aluminum alloy. The corrosion-resistant layer may be a dense anodized aluminum layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The separator (51) has a dense anodized aluminum layer (61) having a porosity of less than 5% and a thickness of 5-50 microns. A porous anodized aluminum layer having a porosity of at least 5% is provided on the dense anodized aluminum layer. A heat-resistant polymer layer is disposed on the anodized aluminum layer. A conductive film (71) is disposed on the contact face. A corner portion formed between surfaces of the flow channel (81) is in shape of a curved surface having a curvature radius of at least 0.3 (preferably 0.5) mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The corrosion-resistant layer may be a water repellent heat-resistant polymer layer. The polymer is vinyl resin, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, aromatic polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polystyrene, copolymer of styrene and another monomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, silicone resin, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, rayon, cupra, acetate resin, promix, vinylon, vinylidene resin or acrylic resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conductive film is made of platinum, gold, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium and/or silver. It may also be carbon or a conductive carbide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The electrode, separator and the counter electrode comprises a flexible polymer film material such as polyvinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-co-HFP). The seal comprises ethylene acrylic acid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The two counter collectors comprises a flexible metal foil material.The current collector (14) comprises aluminum foil.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each unit cell (20) is arranged such that all anode sides (14) are on the same side of the planar fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The gas comprises hydrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The hydrophobic portion comprises hydrophobic material comprising porous foam that fills at least a portion of the aperture (35), polytetrafluoroethylene, or coating on an aperture wall (24).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The passageway is three notches (25) in the circular raised portion or hole(s) in the second terminal. The notches comprise at most 50 pf the total length of the uppermost part of the raised portion including the notches. The second terminal includes a central trough and the holes are located in the central trough. The electrically insulated raised portion includes a coating to provide insulation. The cylindrical electrochemical cell is an alkaline cell. The second terminal is a negative terminal. Preferred Property: The coating has a thickness of 0.025-0.127, preferably 0.025-0.076 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The coating is 100% ultraviolet curing epoxy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The force is applied uniformly to the entire surface of the electrode. Laminating is performed at a sufficient force to produce an air electrode having an average peel strength greater than 100-90 g/inch between the active layer and the hydrophobic layer. A current collector screen (15) is embedded to the first side of the active layer. A separator is applied on the current collector screen after laminating. An air electrode disk is punched out from the laminated air electrode sheet after applying the separator. The air electrode is inserted to a cathode container. An anode half cell comprising an anode cup (3), an active material, and an electrolyte, is assembled. The cathode container is adjoined with the anode cup.Preferred Property: The membrane-laminated air electrode has an air-permeability of 7000-18000 seconds (preferably 9000-16000 seconds).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The active layer comprises carbon, and manganese oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The active layer also comprises tetrafluoroethylene. The hydrophobic layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene layer (19).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Precursor: The polymer precursor, 0.5-10 wt.% for the pregel solution, contains at least one of polyalkylene glycol diacrylate, and polyalkylene dimethacrylate.Preferred Battery: The power generating element is housed in a case formed by sticking a sheet to the case. The sheet consists of an aluminum-laminated film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: A polypropylene foam is used for the porous resin frame. The active material covering is a porous sheet of glass fiber cloth impregnated with phenol resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The ion conductive resin composition further comprises a plasticizer. The plasticizer consists of a compound of formula (II).Preferred Solid Electrolyte: The ionic compound consists of a lithium salt.m = natural number of 20 or below; n+5 or below of formula (I).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: A rough plating process is performed on the notches after the smooth plating process, by dropping microparticles on the sloping curved surface of the smooth film such that the microparticles are randomly arranged on the smooth film. After providing concavo-convex film on the permanent substrate, a thin film layer is transferred to the substrate such that rough surface of the film faces the substrate. Subsequently the concavo-convex film is removed and the reflecting film is formed on the rough surface on which the thin film layer is transferred.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The force in which the stack is pressed is 106-4x106 Pa. The temperature applied to the stack when the matrix is joined to the anode and cathode is at most200degreesC for 20-60 seconds.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The matrix comprises a basic polymer having a structural unit of a monomer of secondary amine, preferably polybenzimidazole. EXAMPLE - A matrix comprising a polybenzimidazole film was immersed in phosphoric acid to give an electrolyte layer comprising the matrix impregnated with phosphoric acid which was vacuum dried. An anode and a cathode, each having a thickness of 350mum, and a gas diffusion layer, were made. The anode and cathode were fitted in a frame. The anode, the electrolyte layer and the cathode were superimposed to provide a stack which was placed on the lower press plate of the press machine to apply pressure and heat treatment with the aid of the lower press plate and the upper press plate at 145degreesC for 30 seconds. An electrode assembly was obtained in which the anode and the cathode were integrally joined to both surfaces of the electrolyte layer where separators with gas flow passages were arranged. Collecting electrodes and end plates were arranged at the outside of the separators, which were connected to one another, to produce a power generating cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The ratio between an absolute pressure on the cathode and an absolute pressure on the anode is at most 2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The material used as the basic polymer has a structural unit of monomer of secondary amine, preferably polybenzimidazole.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The liquid electrolyte comprises phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid or methylsulfonic acid. EXAMPLE - A matrix comprising a polybenzimidazole film was immersed in phosphoric acid (85%) for at least 24 hours giving a matrix impregnated with phosphoric acid. The electrolyte layer was vacuum dried. The thickness of the matrix impregnated with phosphoric acid was 102 microns. An anode and a cathode, each having a thickness of 350 microns, were manufactured. The anode electrode in a frame was placed on the lower press plate of the press machine so that the electrode catalyst layer was directed upwardly. The electrolyte layer in a frame and the cathode also in a frame were placed on the anode so that the catalyst layer was directed downward. Pressurizing and heating treatments were applied to these components by the lower press plate and the upper press plate for 30 seconds. Separators on which gas flow passages were provided. Collecting electrodes and end plates were arranged at the outside of the separators which were connected to one another, giving a fuel cell stack.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The polymeric material in the coating layer is a copolymer consisting of at least two types of elements from (meth)acrylic acid ester, aromatic olefin, conjugated diene or olefin. It is styrene-methacrylic acid ester-acrylic acid ester copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, methacrylic acid methyl-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, or butadiene polymer.Preferred Composition: The coating layer is 0.1-5 wt.%, preferably 0.2-2 wt.%, of the total weight of the coating layer, hydrogen absorbing alloy powder and binding agent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The emulsion and latex is dried at 30-100degreesC, preferably 60-90degreesC. EXAMPLE - A hydrogen absorbing alloy powder having an average particle diameter of 40 mum, of a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode of formula MmNi3.2Co0.7Al0.3Mn0.6 was employed. 0.5 part by weight (pbw) of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl pyrrolidone as binding agent was mixed with 100 pbw hydrogen absorbing alloy powder, and water was added to the mixture to prepare a paste. A conductive substrate composed of punched metal nickel-plated was inserted into the paste, dried at 90degreesC for 30 minutes, and pressed to fabricate a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode. A solution of latex comprising 4 wt.% styrene-methacrylic acid ester-acrylic acid ester copolymer was applied to the surface of the alloy electrode, dried at 90degreesC for 30 minutes and pressed. The hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode had output characteristics of 1.165 V, charge/discharge cycle performance of 551 cycles, internal pressure performance of 0.7 MPa and bond strength of 20.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The loose material is a fine dry sand, which contains blackwash, such as carbon black.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The collector includes two glasses, between which there is a through space, while the glasses are at a distance of 2.5-7 mm from each other. The collector also comprises glass tubes, which are located in other tubes with vacuum, while the internal surface of the other tube is furnished with a reflex layer. The heat exchanger comprises a wire heat exchanger sand-water. A steam line connected with a turbine with electric generator is connected to the heat exchanger. The shut-off valve consists of a throttle valve. The throttle valve comprises a compressible spacer. The shut-off valve consists of pressure combs. The distribution of the heat-carrying substance consists of a glass piping, in which a transport mechanism in the form of a belt or worm conveyor is located.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The compressible spacer is made of high-temperature silicon rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The system also includes cooling cells installed at intervals of the power-generating cells. The cooling cells have a cooling medium passage provided in a direction of a surface of the cooling cell. The upper limit of a temperature on a side of a cooling medium inlet of the heat exchanger is set at 130 degreesC. The fuel cell stack is a phosphoric acid fuel cell stack. The heat exchanger is provided with a radiator (64) for an automobile of an internal combustion engine type, and the cooling medium is a cooling liquid for the automobile of an internal combustion engine type to be cooled by the radiation for the automobile of an internal combustion engine type. The heat exchanger is provided with a fan (66) arranged opposite to the radiator for the automobile of an internal combustion engine type.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The power-generating cell is provided with an electrolyte layer containing phosphoric acid held by polybenzimidazole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - (1) In (P1), (A) is SBS, SIS, SEBS, SEPS, or SEP. (2) In (P1), (B) is a titanate type coupling agent. (3) (P1) contains 0.5-20 parts weight of (B) to 100 parts weight of (A). (4) In (P2), (C) is a film or thin plate. (5) In (P2) claimed by (4), the film or thin plate is a thin metal plate or film or polyolefin type plastic film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is further provided to another surface of co-extrusion resin layer (5). The polyolefin group resin layer is a linear low density polyethylene group resin layer. The co-extrusion layer which comprises a polyethylene resin layer and cyclic polyolefin resin layer is laminated to the base film through an adhesive layer or a primer agent layer by dry lamination method. The co-extrusion resin layer is laminated to the base film through an anchor-coat agent layer or primer agent layer by melting extrusion lamination method.Preferred Base Film: The base film is fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin type resin film, polycarbonate group resin film, poly (meth) acrylic type resin film, polyamide group resin film or polyester group resin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is a multilayered film of one or two layers or two or more layers.Preferred Thickness: The vapor deposition film has thickness of 50-4000 Angstrom.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The resin is selected from polypropylene copolymers, high density polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyether etherketone, polycarbonates, polyphenylene oxide, polyester amide, epoxy, pitch and vinyl ester resins.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The switch is formed from shape memory alloy (A3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The conductive polymer has a band gap of 1.2-1.7 eV. EXAMPLE - Trans-1,2-di(2-thienyl)ethylene (87.5 g) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran, and a 2.6 M solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane (52.6 ml) was added in an inert atmosphere. The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes, and 2-thiophene aldehyde (16.4 g) was gradually added, and the mixture was stirred for a further 10 minutes. Water (15.3 g) was then added, and the mixture was left in the air for 10 minutes. After the obtained solution had been held at -15 degrees C for 1 hour, the solvent was removed at room temperature. The residue was washed with acetone and dried in the air at room temperature for 2 hours to give trans-1,2-bis(5-(2-thienyl)hydroxymethyl thiophene-2-yl)ethylene (2.94 g, yield = 10.4 %). The compound (2.81 g) was added to chloroform (90.5 g) containing dissolved iron (III) chloride (1.75 g). The mixture was stirred for 3 hours and then filtered. The filtrate was washed with methanol to give compound of formula (Ia) (2.18 g, yield = 85.0 %). The polymer had band gap of 1.55 eV.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Production: The production of the substrate comprises:(A) forming the polyimide film through:(a) reacting 4,4'-diamino benzanilide with an acid dianhydride, 95-99.9 percent by mol for the 4,4'-diamino benzanilide in an aprotic polar solvent to form a polyamic acid having an amine terminal;(b) providing a diamine and an acid dianhydride to the polyamic acid during the reaction to extend a molecular chain to uniformly extend the polyamic acid, obtaining a self-supporting gel film;(c) applying thermal or chemical dehydrating ring closure to the gel film with gel film fixing;(d) drawing the gel film to 1.05-2.0 times in the film transporting direction and the direction orthogonally intersecting the film transporting direction;(B) forming the metal electrode on the surface of the polyimide film;(C) forming the amorphous silicon layer on metal electrode; and(D) forming the transparent electrode on the amorphous silicon layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Graphite Article: The optically detectable portion of the graphite sheet comprises optically detectable particles which are transverse to the planar surfaces of the sheet. The graphite article has thickness of 1-0.003 inch and density of 5-125 pounds/cubic foot. Preferred Process: Ceramic fiber particles having length of 0.15-1.5 mum and which are stable at 2000degreesF, are admixed into the graphite sheet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Composite: The solid or semi-solid state matrix is formed from an ion conductive liquid which has been solidified by cooling and/or evaporation. The matrix contains at least one aprotic liquid and at least one salt. The non-woven net is plasma treated, preferably with oxygen plasma. It is then washed in deionized water and acetone, and dried.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The aprotic liquid contains an ester selected from ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate or diethyl carbonate. The salt is a lithium hexafluorophosphate salt or a lithium tetrafluoroborate salt. EXAMPLE - No relevant example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The non-aqueous electrolyte comprises copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoro pyrene (P(VDF-HFP)). The solvent for the non-aqueous electrolyte comprises diethyl carbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: M is titanium, niobium and/or zirconium.Preferred Cladding Component: The outer cladding component laminated with aluminum is deformed by raising internal pressure of the battery.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte is gel-like solid polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Bonding: The converter is bonded to an optical focusing part using silicone, epoxy or similar resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The graphite article has a thickness of 1-0.003 inch, and a density of 5-125 lbs/ft3. Preferred Components: The portion of unaligned particles is transverse to the opposed planar surfaces of the sheet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Components: Ceramic fiber particles are mixed into the graphite sheets. The ceramic fiber particles have a length of 0.15-1.5 mm and are stable at not more than 2000degreesF.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The apparatus further comprises a device for mechanically deforming a surface of the graphite sheet to provide a series of repeating patterns on the sheet. An oven receives the mat from the mechanically deforming device to cure the resin impregnated into the sheet. A wash vessel containing water is connected to the reactor vessel to receive reaction product in the form of intercalated graphite particles and partially remove acid from the surface of the intercalated particles. A drying chamber dries the washed intercalated graphite particles. A separator vessel is interposed downstream from the expansion chamber to collect heavy solid mineral impurity particles. A gas scrubber collects gases generated in the expansion chamber. A dryer is further provided to vaporize and remove solvent, without effecting cure of the resin system, prior to contacting the sheet with the mechanically deforming device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The electrolyte (I) and (II) are of same composition. The polymerizable compound is polyethylene oxide terminal acrylate modified type polymer or acrylate type polymer. The heat polymerization initiator is an organic peroxide such as t-butyl peroxy neodecanoate or t-hexyl peroxy pivalate.The porous electricity generating element comprises a gel-like polymer electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred layer: The joining portion and packaging portion consists of synthetic resin layer. Preferred Adhesive - The adhesive consists of hot melt adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Laminated Structure: The laminated structure covering contains a sealing member layer, an adhesive layer containing acid modified polyolefin resin, an aluminum layer which is surface-treated by epoxy melamine resin and a heat-resistant film, provided sequentially. An isocyanate resin curing agent is added to the adhesive layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conducting salt is a lithium salt selected from LiClO4, LiPF6 and LiCF3SO3. The intercalatable material in the anode layer is natural or synthetic graphite. The intercalatable transition metal oxide is LiCoO2, LiNiO2 or LiMn2O4.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent for the conducting salt solution is ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethylcarbonate, diethylcarbonate, N-methylpyrrolidone or gamma-butyrolactone or a binary or tertiary mixture of these.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polymer gel electrolyte contains 20-60 weight % polymer and 80-40 weight % conducting salt solution. The polymer is a polymer blend of 40-95 weight % poly(vinylidene difluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVF-HFP) and 60-5 weight % PMMA, especially 60-85 wt.% PVF-HFP and 40-15 weight % PMMA.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The anode (10) is a Group 1-A, II-A, or IIIA, preferably lithium and/or its alloy. The cathode (12) comprises CFx. The carbon pain includes a binder that is sodium silicate or potassium silicate. The silicate is an alkali metal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The cathode includes conductivity enhancer comprising acetylene black.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The cathode includes a fluoropolymer binder comprising T-30.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Composition: The primary carbon fibers constitute 10-90 wt.% of the total weight of fibers. The secondary carbon fibers constitute 10-90 wt.% of the total weight of fibers. The combined weight of the primary and secondary fibers and the binding agent constitutes 0.02-0.5 wt.% of the aqueous slurry.Preferred Properties: The sheet has a weight of 10-200 (preferably 50) g/m2. It has a Gurley air permeability of 8-50 seconds/300 cm3 and a through plane resistance of less than 150 (preferably less than 50) OMEGA/cm. It has a tensile strength of 0.7-1.3 kN/m. The primary carbon fibers have a cross-section of 4-12 (5-10) microns and a length of 3-8 (preferably 6) mm. The secondary fibers have a cross-section of 100-500 (preferably 100-250) nm. The sheet has a thickness of 0.1-2 (preferably 0.3) mm. It has a maximum pore size of less than 22 (preferably less than 12) microns.Preferred Process: The drying step is carried by hot air heating or vacuum technique. The method also includes a carbonizing step carried out at elevated temperature in an inert atmosphere. The fiber distribution and sheet forming are aided by the use of viscosity modifiers, and/or drainage aids.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The binding agent constitutes less than 10 (preferably less than 5) wt.% of the sheet material.Preferred Component: The binding agent is thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The binding agent is preferably a phenolic binder, or carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The ethylenic polymer is an ethylenic polymer containing 2-40 weight% glycidyl (meth)acrylate units, or an ethylene-glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymer and/or an ethylene-vinyl ester or unsaturated carboxylate-glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymer. The melt flow rate (190 degreesC, 2160g) before hardening is 0.1-200g/10min.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The liquid crystal compound is a discotic liquid crystal compound with at least a smectic phase. Preferably, it is polymerized by polymerization. The metallic salt is an alkali metal salt and the electrolyte contains an organic solvent. EXAMPLE - 1 ml of dry dichloromethane was added to 65.6 mg of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexa(2-hexyloxy ethyloxy) triphenylene. The mixture was stirred and dissolved completely. 2.4 mg of polyethylene oxide, 3.19 mg of lithium perchlorate and 1 ml of dry ethanol were added to the mixture and stirred for 2 hours. After complete dissolution, the solvent was distilled off. The mixture was dried under reduced pressure, to obtain an electrolyte. The electrolyte had a phase transition temperature given as: (i) In temperature rise process: Cry (less than -50 degrees C) X1 (22degreesC) X2 (29degreesC) Dh (88 degrees C) Iso; (ii) In cooling process: Iso (86 degrees C) Dh (10degreesC) X2 (less than -50 degrees C) X1 (less than -50 degrees C) Cry, where Cry is the crystal phase, X1, X2 are non-identified phase, Dh is discotic columnar phase and Iso is isotropic phase.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The support is a polymer film. The weight average molecular weight of the resin is 10000-3000000. The resin forms 5-95 weight% of the weight of the polyelectrolyte layer. A polymeric protective film (13) is further provided on the reverse side surface of the support.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: During manufacture of the battery, the laminate is heated at 10-250degreesC, using heating rolls or is pressed at 0.1-1 MPa using pressure rolls. The electrolyte contains a lithium salt. EXAMPLE - Propylene glycol monopropyl ether (in g) (1000) was stirred in presence of nitrogen gas, at 100degreesC. A liquid mixture of acrylonitrile (180), methylmethacrylate (30), n-butylacrylate (320) and azobisisobutyronitrile (10) was reacted with the ether. Azobis dimethyl valeronitrile (5) dissolved in ethylene glycol methyl ether (100) was reacted with the mixture. Methanol (3000) was added to the obtained resin solution. Resin solid content with weight average molecular weight 35000 was obtained.    The resin (18), BPE-200 (RTM: ethylene oxide-modified bisphenol-A diacrylate) (3), Kayacure BP (0.3), 4,4'-bis-diethylamino-benzophenone (0.01), gamma-butyrolactone solution of 1M lithium borofluoride (80) and aerosil 50 (2) were mixed and the obtained resin solution was applied on a polyethylene terephthalate film, to form a polyelectrolyte layer. A polyethylene film was further provided on the layer, to obtain a polyelectrolyte element. The element had a film thickness of +2 mum, no mixing of air bubbles, ion electric conductivity of 2x10-3 S/cm, initial stage discharge capacity of 2.8 mAh, and cycle characteristics of more than 500.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The base film (1) or (3) consists of fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin-type resin film, polycarbonate-type resin film, poly(meth)acrylic acid-type resin film, polyamide-type resin film or polyester-type resin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The shading film consists of shading property vapor-deposited aluminum film or colored shading property film.The film (4) is composite film or multi-layer film of one inorganic oxide film, or two or more different kinds of inorganic oxide.Preferred Property: The thickness of vapor deposited aluminum film is 100-4000 Angstrom, and the thickness of film (4) is 50-4000 Angstrom.Preferred Arrangement: Alternatively, the protective film is obtained by laminating base film (1) provided with shading film (2) and base film (3) provided with inorganic oxide film (4) such that the two base films form the top and bottom surfaces.The lamination is performed by dry laminate method through an adhesive layer, or a primer agent layer and an adhesive layer. Alternatively, the lamination is performed by melting extrusion lamination method through melting extrusion resin layer. The adhesive layer or melting extrusion resin layer contains ultraviolet absorber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The first end plate is made of graphite. The second end plate is made of zinc.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin beads are made of cross-linked styrene divinyl benzene and sulfonated in a hydrogen or lithium form.Preferred Property: The resin beads have a size ratio of up to 1:10.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The fixed temperature is 25-200degreesC. Pressing on the two hot plates at the fixed temperature is a one-step pressing, which is a two-step pressing, with the program-controlled, multi-step increase in temperature. Two-step pressing is pressing at least one of the laminated cell components at a first pressure and first temperature, after the temperature of the laminated cell components is the same as one of the hot plates, and pressing the laminated cell components at a second pressure and second temperature until all layers of the cell components completely stick together. The first pressure is 5-40 psi. The second pressure is 50-400 psi.Preferred Components: The laminated cell component includes cathode, anodes, separators, or current collector webs. The auxiliary layer includes a buffer, release turns, and a separating plate. At least two hot plates define the number of openings equal to the number minus one of the hot plates.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Coating: The silicone contains polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Preferred Components: The buffer is a layer of Kraft paper or plastic plate. The release film is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or non-sticky plastic film. The separating plate is a thermally conductive plate made of carbon-fiber reinforced polyimides, or graphite reinforced epoxy resins.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The separating plate is a thermally conductive plate, which is made of stainless steels, aluminum alloys, or copper alloys.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The conductive coils are wrapped around a first composite core. The composite rotor further comprises a second composite core outwardly located from the first composite core and strands of composite filaments wrapped around the composite cores. The composite rotor has a tear-drop shaped cross-section. The rotor has an outside diameter to inside diameter ratio of 2:1. Each set of permanent magnet arrays is configured into a Halbach Array.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The composite core comprises carbon fiber filaments bound in an epoxy matrix.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The assembly further comprises thermal control fin(s), and/or a fuel cell membrane and electrode assembly in which slots are cut or stamped or otherwise made in the membrane corresponding to the manifolds formed by the PGA. The gas flow channels in the carbon cloth flow-fields are interdigitated. The pieces of carbon cloth are attached to the fuel cell electrode with adhesive.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The adhesive is a silicone gasket material. The rigid gasket main body is a rigid polymer such as polycarbonate. The comers of the gasket are clipped at an angle to permit access for tie-rods.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The block copolymer consists of formula (I) or (II).R1- R4 = H or 1-4C alkyl; andx1 to x5, y1 to y5, z1, = integer 1-1000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: A secondary battery consists of the non-aqueous electrolytic solution, a positive and a negative electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The oxygen-containing aliphatic compound is of formula (1).R1, R3 = 1-8C alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl;R2 = 1-4C alkylene, alkenylene, or alkynylene;one of R1, R2, and R3 = alkynyl or alkynylene;X1, X2 = ether bond, ester bond, or carbonic ester bond; andn = 0 or 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Structure: The three-dimensional structure is a cross-linked organic polymer. The principal chain of the cross-linked organic polymer, has polyalkylene oxide structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polymeric mixture contains 10-75 weight% (wt.%) of the polymers of one or more type selected from 25-90 wt.% of polyvinylidene fluoride group polymer, polyacrylonitrile and polymethyl methacrylate. The polyvinylidene fluoride group polymer is a polymer which consists of a copolymer that sets polyvinylidene fluoride as a base. The content of hexa fluoro propane of the copolymer which sets the polyvinylidene fluoride as a base is 20-30 wt.% to the total amount of copolymer. The composition is preferably (i) 10-50 wt.% polymethyl methacrylate and 50-90 wt.% polyvinylidene fluoride, (ii) 25-50 wt.% polyvinylidene fluoride and 50-70 wt.% polyacrylonitrile, (iii) 10-50 wt.% polymethyl methacrylate and 50-90 wt.% polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer, (iv) 50-75 wt.% of polyacrylonitrile and polymethyl methacrylate and 25-50 wt.% polyvinylidene fluoride. Preferred Lithium Salt: The lithium salt is chosen from lithium per chlorate (LiClO4) of concentration 0.5-2M, trifluoro methane sulfonic acid lithium (LiCF3SO3), lithium boro fluoride (LiBF4), lithium hexafluoro phosphate (LiPF6) and hexa fluoride arsenic lithium (LiAsF6). Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte contains a solvent chosen from ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethylmethyl carbonate (EMC) and gamma-butyrolactone (gamma-BL). When the electrolyte is EC, the total amount of EC is 50 wt.% or less to the total amount of electrolyte. When the electrolyte contains EMC, DEC and DMC, the total content is 20-70 wt.% to the total amount of electrolyte. When the electrolyte contains PC and gamma-BL, the total content is 5-40 wt.% to the total amount of electrolyte. Preferred Method: The reaction material is heated at 25-100degreesC for 10 minutes to 3 hours in the primary heating process followed by secondary heating at 100-180degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polymeric composition contains at least one organic solvent selected from ester carbonates, aliphatic esters, ethers, lactones, sulfoxides, and amides. The electrochemical device is manufactured by the method described above. A battery and an electric double layer capacitor are obtained by the method described above.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: A liquid water stream is supplied to the ports in the fuel cell. It is heated to generate the gas stream. It is exhausted from another fuel and oxidant ports. The hydrating step is performed on a membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell prior to assembling the membrane electrode assembly into a fuel cell stack. The ports for the fuel and oxidant are sealed. The cell is operated to produce electrical power after hydrating step. Preferred Component: The fuel cell is a gas feed solid polymer fuel cell and the diffusion layers are gas diffusion layers. The gas stream contains neither fuel nor oxidant. Preferred Condition: The fuel cell is open circuit during the hydrating step. The hydrating step is carried out for less than 5 minutes. The rate at which water in the gas stream is supplied to the fuel and oxidant diffusion layers exceeds the rate at which water is generated inside the fuel cell from electrochemical reactions when the fuel cell is operating at the maximum normal current density. The fuel cell is at ambient temperature at the commencement of the hydrating step. The fuel cell is at above 100 degrees C at the commencement of the hydrating step. Preferred Property: The vapor pressure of water in the gas stream is greater than 31 kPa. The gas stream is at greater than 70 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The glare-resistant film contains at least one of organic material particles and inorganic material particles, and an organic material binder containing:(a) 100 parts by weight (pbw) of a first component containing at least one of an acryl-based resin and a fluorine-based resin; and(b) at least 1 pbw and less than 50 pbw of a second component comprising an organosilicate containing a hydrolyzing silyl group of formula (I) and/or its condensate.(R1O)4-a-Si-R2a (I)R1 = alkyl;R2 = alkyl or alkoxyl; anda = an integer of 0 or 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The continuous strands comprise tertiary carbon fibers embedded within the substrate. The carbon based filler/coating material comprises a mixture of a particulate carbon and polymer(s). It may also comprise a catalyst other than electrocatalyst, and a modifier material(s). Preferred Composition: Each carbon fiber is 10-90 wt.%. Preferred Dimension: The primary fibers have a cross-sectional dimension of at least 1 microns. They can be long and/or short fibers. The secondary fibers have a diameter of 10-500 nm and a length of 1-100 microns. EXAMPLE - A carbon based filler coating material was pressed into the non-woven carbon fiber sheet from one side of the sheet, and leveled using a metal edge. The sheet was dried at 200 degrees C for 1 minute. A thin layer of the particulate material was applied to the same side of the sheet. The structure was sandwiched between two sheets of filter paper and passed through rollers to compact the layer. The sheet was dried at 200 degrees C for 1 minute. This process was repeated for the second side of the sheet. Thin layers of the particulate materials were applied alternately to each side of the sheet, with compaction and drying, until a loading of 3.43 mg/cm3 of carbon based filler/coating material were achieved. The resulting gas diffusion substrate sheet was fired, in air, to 300 degrees C for 20 minutes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The purity of aluminum (Al) metal is not less than 99.5%.Preferred Components: The electrolyte further contains ammonium ion. The Al metal and the Al alloy contain transition metal element(s) from iron, nickel, or copper. The battery comprises positive electrode including a collector (4) and positive electrode mixture (3), where the collector contains conductive component(s) from tungsten, molybdenum, lead (Pb), titanium nitride, or carbonaceous material.Preferred Composition: The halogen ion in the electrolyte is 0.01-6 M/L, and the ion from sulfate or nitrate ion is 0.05-10, preferably 0.2-10 M/L. The content of each of the transition metal element in Al metal and in Al alloy is 0-500, preferably 0-100 ppm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The pH of the electrolyte is -2-3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The aluminum alloy contains Al and element(s) from manganese, chromium, tin, calcium, magnesium, lead, silicon, indium, or zinc.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin material contains resin(s) from polyolefin resin, acrylonitrile/styrene resin, acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene resin, or ethylene/propylene copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: (A) is acrylonitrile homopolymer and copolymer of acrylonitrile and one or more of styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, (meth)acrylic acid, methyl (meth)acrylate, (A) may be crosslinked optionally. (B) is lithium salt(s)(claimed): more concretely, one or more of lithium perchlorate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithium hexafluorophosphate, lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate etc. (C) is one or more of o-, m- or p-isomer(s).Preparation: (I) is prepared by blending (A) 100 parts by weight, (B) 1-500 parts by weight, (C) 1-1,000 parts by weight and optional additive(s)(e.g. ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone etc). EXAMPLE - Materials (1)-(3)(parts by weight) were dissolved in propylene carbonate to obtain (I) solution: (1) polyacrylonitrile resin(20), (2) lithium perchlorate(10), (3) N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(cyanoethyl)-1,3-xylydenediamine(1). The solution was casted on aluminium foil dish, propylene carbonate was removed under reduced pressure to obtain (I) containing propylene carbonate 2 parts by weight.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process - Reduction of the groups is omitted. Adjustment of pH before flocculation is done with washed products of the group. Purification comprises the precipitation of Fe with sodium phosphate, cementation of Cu, Hg and Pb with Zn after readjustment of pH, elimination of Ni by complexation and anodisation of Mn. The system includes a physico-chemical treatment unit in two parts, the first being used to effect an acid washing of the plastic fraction for its valorization as a fuel and the second for the valorization and recycling of high contents of Zn and Mn. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The element serving as a carrier of the absorber surface and/or as an insulating layer consists of a material such as an epoxy resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The water in the cell is greater than 5000 ppm, especially 20000 ppm. It may be greater than 106 moles/cm2 of the lithium surface in contact with the electrolyte. The electroactive sulfur-containing material comprises 50, especially 90 wt.% sulfur. The lithium salt(s) consists of lithium bromide, lithium iodide, LiSCN, LiBF4, LiPF6, LiAsF6, LiSO3CF3, LiN(SO2CF3)2, LiC(SO2CF3)3, (LiSx)zR, and Li2Sx; where x is 1-20, z is 1-3, R is an organic group.Preferred Component: The sulfur-containing material comprises sulfur. It has at least one polysulfide moiety, (Sm2-), in its oxidized state, where m is at least 3. It has a formula of (C(Sx))n, where x is greater than 2.5 to 50, and n is at least 2. It may also comprise at least one polysulfur moiety of formulae (I-VI), where m' is greater than 2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The non-aqueous solvents are ethers, cyclic ethers, polyethers, esters, sulfones, or sulfolanes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The cell is temporarily sealed after releasing gas. It is also stored prior to the first discharge-charge cycle of the cell. EXAMPLE - An anode, cathode and separator were wound and compressed, such that the electrolyte containing water of 5000 ppm by weight of an electrolyte, filled the void areas of the separator and cathode, thus forming prismatic cells with an electrode area of 840 cm2. The cell was sealed in a foil pouch for 48 hours and then the gas that had formed in the cell was vented. The cells were released and subjected to discharge-charge cycle. The discharge-charge cycling of the cells was continued at the same conditions, and was tested. After one cycle, the impedance was 0.048, and 0.74 at 160 cycles; and the cell thickness was 8.11 mm and 7.69 cm after 160 cycles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The AN group porous film contains 50 mol% or more of AN units and 15 mol% or less of vinyl acetate units. The AN group polymer is a mixture of AN group polymer having Mw of 500,000 or more and AN group polymer having Mw of 500,000 or less. The tensile strength of the porous film is 7 N/15 mm width or more. The concentration of AN group polymer in the electrolyte is 10 weight% or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The resin layer contains a cross-linking agent, and is bonded to glass non-woven fabric by melting below cross-linking temperature of EVA copolymer. The cross-linking agent is preferably an organic peroxide. The thickness of the resin layer is 5-50 micro . The thickness and density of non-woven fabric are 100-300 micro and 0.17-0.3 g/cm3, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The method may include laminating a separator to a cathode assembly. Extrusion is carried out at 20-300degreesC by ram or continuous extrusion. The extrudate is calendered by passing the extrudate between rollers, which are moving at a speed differential of 1.05-1.2:1. The tapered rollers are heated to 30-300degreesC. The extrudate is heated in vacuum at greater than 100degreesC. The extrudate can be connected to the current collector by pressing the current collector and the extrudate between rollers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst is noble metals, silver-based catalyst, permanganates, decomposition products of metal heterocycles or naphthenates, or preferably manganese compound e.g. manganese (III) oxide, manganese (II, III) oxide, or manganese (IV) oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The lubricant is aliphatic solvent, aromatic solvent, de-aromatized aliphatic solvent, alcohols, phthalates, ethers, esters, amides, ketones, or preferably iso-paraffinic solvent.Preferred Composition: The composition comprises 10-90 (preferably 40) wt.% iso-paraffinic solvent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The fibrillatable material is polytetrafluoroethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: A mold shut-off mechanism is provided on top or bottom surfaces of the plate member for preventing flow of injected plastic. The shut-off mechanism comprises bordering surfaces on the plate member, and shut-off surfaces (48a-d) on the mold core or mold cavity. It is for engaging respective bordering surfaces of the plate member. A frame engaging mechanism is formed on the plate member for engaging the injection molded plastic frame.Preferred Property: The bordering surfaces of the plate member and the shut-off surfaces of the mold cavity and mold core are beveled.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The 1-8C alkyl methacrylate is methyl methacrylate (MMA). The liquid saturated oligomer is a saturated dimer. The hydrocarbon initiator can be 3,4-dimethyl-3,4-diphenylhexane or 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane.Preferred Process: Before step (e), the process further includes fractionating to collect an oligomer of a 1-8C alkyl (meth)acrylate having a molecular weight of 160-220 g/mol. EXAMPLE - A saturated oligomer of MMA was synthesized by preparing a mixture of 1500 g MMA having less than 2 ppm MEHQ and 75 g 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diphenylbutane hydrocarbon initiator. Reaction was performed at 300 degreesC under 830 psi, and at flow rate 5.2-5.6 gram/minute. The reaction products prepared during the first hour were discarded while the reactor achieved a steady state. Over the next three hours, about 600 ml of a yellowish reactor effluent were collected. Rotary evaporation at room temperature at 200 microns pressure removed about 34% volatiles, resulting in 66% unsaturated MMA oligomer. The volatile-free oligomer was hydrogenated according to general procedures and dried over molecular sieves to remove water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Properties: The casing is a laminated casing. The porosity of the separator is 45-60% and the proportion of polymer component in the gel polymer is 5-30%. The oxidation potential of gel polymer is 4.8 V or more versus Li/Li+. EXAMPLE - An electrode assembly comprising positive electrode lead (7), negative electrode lead (8) and polyolefin-based resin film separator with porosity 50%, was enclosed in a tube-shaped aluminum laminated film enclosure. The current collector tabs of the leads were welded and sealed. A pregel comprising 70 mass percent of liquid electrolyte and 30 mass% of polyethylene glycol diacrylate was mixed with a solvent comprising 30 mass% of ethylene carbonate and 70 mass% of diethyl carbonate. The mixed gel was poured into the enclosure, cross-linked and polymerized by heating the laminated casing, to form a gel and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell.    Overcharging tests were conducted and the cell was evaluated to be 3/3 OK at 500 mA, 1000 mA and 1500 mA overcharging. The adhesive strength of the cell was 0.0335 N/10 mm and discharge characteristic at 1000 mA/100 mA was 20%. Cell defects caused by overcharging were not observed.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Preferred Monomer: The monomer having two (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule is a compound represented by formula (II) or (III).    Preferred Plasticizer: The plasticizer is a compound represented by formula (IV).    Preferred Solid Electrolyte: The ionic compound is a lithium salt.    R2, R3 = H, 1-10C alkyl or fluoroalkyl;    a, b, c and (a+b) = natural numbers up to 20; and    m = a natural number up to 20 and which is less than (n+5) in formula (I).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin: The base film is fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, poly (meth)acrylic resin film, polyamide resin film or polyester resin film. The polypropylene group resin film contain homopolymer of propylene or copolymer of propylene and other monomer.Preferred Layer: The inorganic oxide contains bipolar membrane, multi-layered film or vapor deposition film of a different inorganic oxide. The polypropylene group resin is a dry laminate connected with adhesive. The laminate is formed by extrusion molding.Preferred Condition: The film thickness of inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is 50-4,000 Angstrom.Preferred Agent: The whitening agent contains white colored pigment.Preferred Absorber: The ultraviolet absorber contains benzophenone, benzotriazole, acrylonitrile, metallic complex, hindered amine, titanium oxide of particle diameter 0.01-0.06 or zinc oxide of 0.01-0.4 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Treatment: The chemical conversion layer is treated with phosphoric acid chromate, and contains phenol resin, Mo, Ti or Zr metals or salts thereof. The chemical conversion layer is treated with triaminethiol. The external container contains a substrate, an adhesive layer, a barrier layer and a first chemical conversion layer. There is a second chemical conversion layer between the adhesive layer and a barrier layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The first gel polymer electrolyte is the same type as the second gel polymer electrolyte. The polymer precursor is either polyalkylene glycol diacrylate or polyalkylene glycol dimethacrylate. The porous membrane is polyolefin porous film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electrode unit is enclosed by an external casing made of at least one sheet member, preferably a laminated aluminum film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The interconnection pattern is formed by coating the substrate with a first non-electrically conductive epoxy and forming the interconnection pattern by thick film printing techniques. A second non-electrically conductive epoxy is disposed on the non-electrically conductive areas.Preferred Components: The first and second epoxies, which are thermally conductive, have similar thermal expansion characteristics with the solar cell array. The substrate is a printed circuit board.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The resin layer in the storage plastic and main plastic sheets, is formed by co-polymerizing terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol and 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The thermoplastic resin is polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl pyrrolidone. During heat processing of the mixture, the thermoplastic resin is melted.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The adhesion strength of ion-exchange membrane to base material, as determined by peeling test specified in JIS-K6829, at 180degreesC and tensile velocity of 50 cm/minute, is 0.005-0.1 kN/m.Preferred Resin: The ion exchange resin contains perfluoro carbon polymer having an ion exchange group.Preferred Process: The liquid containing ion-exchange resin and catalyst is coated to ion-exchange membrane fixed to base material at normal temperature and dried in a temperature range of normal temperature to 180degreesC after peeling the base material from ion exchange membrane. The ion-exchange membrane surface which is not coated with the liquid is removed and fixed to another base material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The number of acrylate and methacrylate groups in polymerizable monomer is 6 or less. Preferred Polymer: The polymerizable monomer is preferably selected from polyethylene glycol (meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate and their derivatives, preferably polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate and its derivatives. The ratio of peak strengths at 2939+/-10 cm-1 and 1720+/-10 cm-1 in infrared absorption spectrum of polymer matrix, is 0.1-5.0.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The organic silicon based compound is 1-30 wt.% of the resin and has the formula (I), (II), or (III), where (II) and (III) have a molecular weight of 1000-10,000. The resin further comprises 1-30 wt.% of inorganic fine grains (especially silica) with hydroxyl or methyl groups bonded to their surfaces.R = alkyl;R' = alkylene;m = 8-130; andn = 10-130.Preferred Applications: The painted film molded resin plate formed by the composition has a clear layer, a colored layer, and a backing material layer. It is formed by fused multi layer extrusion film molding or thermal lamination molding. The solar cell panel coating further comprises an adhesive and/or an elastic layer used to coat the clear resin layer onto the light-receiving surface of the solar cell. EXAMPLE - Methyl methacrylate and benzoyl peroxide were mixed in a ratio of 100/0.5 and heated to 90 degreesC. Polymerization was initiated by the addition of Cylaplane TM-0701 (RTM; single side double bond type organic silicon; 10 wt.%). After an hour, the polymer was precipitated using ethanol, dried and thermally pressed into a test piece. The sample was found to have good frictional resistance, Rockwell hardness of 100, Heiz value after scratch test of 0.3 and 92% transmittance. This compares with not good, 100, 0.5, and 93% respectively for a sample with no organic silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The connector material for fixing the absorber pipes to the absorber sheet is preferably a silicone caoutchouc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: One or more pairs of calender rolls is used for lamination. The module is also cured. Preferred Materials: The support consists of flexible material, preferably (laminated) plastics film, metal foil or steel tape; or rigid material, preferably glass. The encapsulation material has a weathering layer, a barrier layer of inorganic oxide and a support layer for the inorganic oxide layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The barrier layer consists of aluminum or silicon oxide and is 30-200 nm thick.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The support for the encapsulation material consists of a (laminated) film based on polyethylene naphthenate (PEN) or a co-extrudate of polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) and PEN. The sealing layer consists of hot-melt material, e.g. polyamide or thermoplastic elastomers and/or ionomers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The contact surface of combustion gas is provided with heat insulating member such as heat resistant tile.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The use of a styrene-based monomer for the monofunctional vinyl polymeric monomer provides the pyridinium group-bearing crosslinked polymer with enhanced durability to the vanadium solution. The polymeric composition consists of the pyridyl group-bearing vinyl polymeric monomer, 100 parts by weight, the crosslinking agent, 1-100 parts by weight, preferably, 2-15 parts by weight, and the styrene-based monomer, 10-100 parts by weight, preferably, 20-60 parts by weight, more preferably, 30-50 parts by weight.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The solar battery module uses the sealing material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The plasticizer is partially removed from the adhesive interface by evaporation or by solvent or supercritical-fluid extraction. Preferred Component: The matrix polymer is polymers or copolymers of vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile, methyl methacrylate, ethylene oxide, or vinylidene chloride, preferably (co)polymers of vinylidene fluoride. The primary plasticizer is dialkyl phthalates, dialkyl succinates, dialkyl adipates, dialkyl sebacates, trialkyl phosphates, and/or polyakylene glycol ethers, preferably alkylene carbonates, especially propylene carbonate. Preferred Composition: The polypropylene carbonate plasticizer is present at 60-300 weight % of the matrix polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The copolymer has a copolymer composition consisting of a vinylidene fluoride, 95-97 percent by mol, and a perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), 5-3 percent by mol.The gel electrolyte uses the vinylidene fluoride-perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) copolymer produced by a heterogeneous polymerization system or produced in the presence of a chain transfer agent.The lithium salt-dissolvable organic solvent consists of an ester carbonate.The gel electrolyte uses the vinylidene fluoride-perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether) copolymer, 100 parts by weight, and the lithium salt-dissolvable organic solvent, about 10-800 parts by weight.A lithium ion secondary battery has the gel electrolyte between a positive electrode and a negative electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The air penetrating ducts are formed in an air conducting layer (10) that is adjacent and in contact to the cathode layer. They comprise channels (11) formed in the cathode layer or in the air conductive layer and extending along the air flow path. The fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack that is parallelepiped with a rectangular traverse section where the air penetrating ducts of each single cell are directed parallel to the short edge of the rectangle. The fuel cell stack is close to a cylinder and has individual cells each comprising an active area in the form of a circular ring. The circular rings delimit a central tube (16) within the stack from which tube the air penetrating ducts spread and direct the air flow radially through the individual cells.The air flow is generated by at least two blowers at at least two endplates (19) of the fuel cell stack. Gas separator plates (5) are in between the single fuel cells. The single fuel cell at its cathode side comprises a diffusion structure where the air filter is contained. Preferred Condition: The stoichiometric rate is preferably at 45-90. The air flow direction within the fuel cell system is alternately reversed after certain time spans.Preferred Property: The material of the gas separator plates has a ratio heat conductivity parallel to the membrane to density of greater than 0.04 W-m2/kg-K.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The material of the gas separator plates is foil made of expanded graphite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The material of the air filter is a porous stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) foil filled with an electrically conductive material. The foil is compressed and impregnated with a PTFE detergent suspension.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers: The crosslinked compound contains repeat unit of formula (I):R1 and R2 = alkyl or aralkyl;R3 and R4 = H or alkyl; andn = natural number.The alicyclic compound containing epoxy group contains a 3-10C carbon ring in its skeletal structure (preferably cyclohexane). Preferably the alicyclic compound containing epoxy group is of formula (II):R5 and R6 = H or alkyl; andR7 = C, O, SO2, or CO.The alicyclic epoxy compound includes a cyclohexene oxide structure. Preferably the alicyclic epoxy compound is of formula (III):Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte comprises lithium salt containing LiBF4 and/or LiPF6 in non-aqueous solvent and the precursor further contains a catalyst containing triphenyl sulfonium(salt). The electrolyte contains a polymer of an onium salt, formed by the reaction of a halogen-containing compound and a N, P, or S-containing compound of formula (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), (VIII), (IX), or (X):R1 and R1' = halogen, halogen substituted organic group, or group having N, P, and/or S;R2, R5, R7, R9, R11, R12, R16, R17, R18, R19, R20, and R22 = divalent organic group (preferably oxide or methylene oxide);R3, R4, R10, R6, R8, and R21 = monovalent organic group (preferably isopropyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, nonyl, decyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, or eicodecyl);R14 and R15 = -(C=O)- or -CH-.Preferred composition: The non-aqueous solvent has a gamma-butryolactone of 50-90 % by volume.Preferred Embodiment: The gel electrolyte is present in at least part of the interface between the positive electrode and the separator and the interface between the negative electrode and the separator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The cell may be a primary (non-rechargeable) cell. It comprises a casing (20) having a closed end and an open end, into which the electrode assembly is inserted. The casing may comprise an electrically insulating disk abutting the inside surface of the closed end. The separator membrane, which may also cover at least one of the opposing side edges of the anode sheet, is positioned closer to the closed end of the casing than the open end of the casing.Preferred Method: Heat treatment is performed by applying a heated platen to an edge of the wound separator sheet, causing then the edge to mold into a continuous separator membrane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The separator sheet comprises polypropylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The semiconductor material comprises a metal oxide, an acid reagent and a surfactant. The metal oxide is chosen from oxides of tin, titanium, zinc, tungsten, lead, iron, bismuth, vanadium, and complex oxides of iron and titanium or strontium and titanium. The acid reagent is inorganic acid, preferably hydrochloric acid. The surfactant is water or aqueous solutions. Preferred Compositions: The weight ratio of semiconductor material and surfactant ranges between 100:1-10:1, preferably 60:1-40:1. Preferred Properties: The thickness of polymer enclosing material is 18 mils and that of polyester polymer is 0.5-3 mils. The temperature resistance of polyester polymer is -72 to 204degreesC. The converting efficiency and standard output power of photovoltaic module are 13% or more and 15 W or more, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The polymeric enclosing material is ethylene vinyl acetate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The fluorine containing polymer consists of 75-95 mol% of repeating units of vinylidene fluoride, 5-25 mole% of repeating units of tetrafluoro ethylene and 0-10 mol% of monomer copolymerized with VF and TFE. Preferred Property: The vinylidene group copolymer has melting point of 100degreesC or more, and degree of crystallinity of 30-50%. EXAMPLE - (In grams) Ammonium perfluoro octanoate (4.5) was charged in stainless steel autoclave containing 1500 ml of ion exchange water and emulsifier. Vacuum nitrogen substitution was repeated for 3 times at room temperature. Subsequently, ethyl acetate (3) as molecular weight modifier, was charged and temperature was raised to 70degreesC. A gaseous monomer mixture containing vinylidene fluoride (80 mol%) and tetrafluoroethylene (20 mol%), was added. Aqueous solution containing ion exchange water (10 ml) and ammonium persulfate (0.4), was charged after stabilizing pressure by 0.8 MPa. The polymerization was initiated and the pressure was reduced to 0.7 MPa. The monomer gas was charged again. The cycle was repeated and the polymerization was advanced. The stirring process was stopped after finishing of 100 cycles. The residual monomer was removed and the aqueous dispersion of polymer was obtained. The obtained polymer aqueous dispersion was coagulated by adding dilute sulfuric acid, washed by ion exchange water and dried. The polymer powder was obtained. The polymer powder had degree of crystallinity of 40, melting point of 130degreesC and molecular weight of 3.2x105.
EXAMPLE - A typical non-conductive polymer includes a fluorine polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polytetrafluoro ethylene (PTFE), an olefin polymer, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and an ethylene propylene polymer, and a vinyl polymer, such as a methyl acrylate polymer, a styrene butadiene polymer, a methylmethacrylate butadiene polymer, polybutadiene, an acrylonitrile butadiene acrylic acid 2 - ethylhexyl polymer, a styrene butadiene methyl acrylate acrylic acid 2 - ethylhexyl polymer, a styrene butadiene methyl acrylate acrylic acid 2 - ethylhexyl acrylonitrile polymer, and a styrene isoprene polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The regenerative fuel cell comprises an array of repeating cell structures that are electrically connected. Preferred Property: The charge of the sulfide/polysulfide electrolyte is preferably 2.2-2.5 for at least a part of the charge/discharge cycle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Monomer: The R2 in the formula (Ia) is R3-(-Q1-Y2-Q2-)n2. The Ya is of formula -Y1-C(=O)-CR4(=CH2). The -Qa- is of formula (IV) or (V).R3 = alkyl or alkenyl;Y2 = divalent 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring substituent or its condensed ring substituent;Q-1, Q2 = divalent substituent or single bond;n2 = 1-3;R4 = H or alkyl;-Y1- = -O-, -N(R7)- or single bond;R7 = H or alkyl;R5 = substituent;n3 = either 0-4 for formula (IV) or 0-3 for formula (V).The polymerizable group is (meth)acryloyl group or styryl group. EXAMPLE - An electrolyte was obtained by heat polymerization of an ionic liquid crystal monomer of the invention and interposed between two sheets of indium tin oxide glass electrodes. This electrolyte had an ionic conductivity (S/cm) of 6.18x10-4 at 0degreesC, 7.54x10-4 at 10degreesC, 8.65x10-6 at 40degreesC, and 1.44x10-4 at 80degreesC. An electrolyte obtained from heat polymerization of a monomer having no liquid crystallinity had an ionic conductivity of 7.80x10-7 at 0degreesC, 3.20x10-6 at 10degreesC, 4.18x10-6 at 40degreesC, and 3.40x10-4 at 80degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conditions: The solvent is heated to at least 100degreesC, preferably 100-250degreesC, and exposed to a pressure of 1 atmosphere.Preferred Process: One portion of mixture of water and optionally substituted polythiophene, is added to at least two portions, preferably 5-10000000 portions of heated solvent per minute as a flow stream and/or aerosol. Addition of mixture is continuous or discontinuous. The mixture is added to the solvent as a discontinuous flow stream or as drops. The mixture is dispersed along the surface of a heated solvent, such that contact between mixture and heated solvent is increased. The mixture is added below the surface of the heated solvent. The solvent is water-soluble, or partially or fully insoluble in water. Water vapor removed from the mixture is a condensate or distillate, and less than 100% (w/v), preferably 50-100% (w/v) of water is removed from the mixture.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polythiophene: The polythiophene is of formula (II).R3 and R4 = hydrogen or 1-6C alkyl group, or together form an optionally substituted 1-6C radical or cyclohexylene-1,2 radical; andn1 = more than 1.The polythiophene is preferably poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The solvent is dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, ethylene glycol, glycerin or dimethyl sulfoxide.    EXAMPLE - 10504 ml of N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) was heated, and contacted with 3000 ml of Baytron P until desired portion of water was removed as vapor, and NMP exchanged triton AO resistant conductive polymer composition was prepared. A conductive polymer composition was spin coated onto a glass substrate to form a conductive coating. The conductive coating had better light transmission and lower surface resistance than Baytron P coating.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Bridging Reagent: This is a di- or trifunctional epoxide or isocyanate of formula (I):C = oxiranyl or NCO;R1 = a 1-20C hydrocarbon group, especially (CH2)m, a group of formula (CH2)mO(CH2)l or (CH2)mO(CH2)lO(CH2)k, or CH2-Q-CH2;m, l, k = 1-6;Q = a trimethylolpropane monoglycidyl ether, bisphenol A or 3,3'5,5'-tetramethylbisphenol A residue.Preferred Polymer: The basic polymer is a polybenzimidazole, polyimidazole, polyvinylimidazole or polybenzodiimidazole, especially a polybenzimidazole of formula (II) or a polybenzodiimidazole of formula (III):R = 1-6C alkylene, 1-6C perfluoroalkylene, pyridine-3,5-diyl, pyridine-2,6-diyl, 1H-imidazole-4,5-diyl, m-phenylene, p-phenylene, 1,5-naphthylene, quinoline3,6-diyl, quinoline2,6-diyl, 2,6-naphthylene, carbonyl di-p-phenylene, 3,4'-oxydiphenyl or 3,6-naphthylene;x is not defined.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The basic catalyst is a Group Ia-IIIa metal oxide or hydroxide, an alkali metal hydride or an organolithium compound, especially potassium, lithium, sodium, rubidium, cesium, calcium, magnesium or barium hydroxide, lithium, sodium or potassium hydride, or methyl or butyl lithium.Preferred Acid: The strong acid is phosphoric or sulfuric acid. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The bridging reagent is trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether or 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether.    EXAMPLE - A 15% polybenzimidazole solution (150 g) containing potassium hydroxide (10 mg) was stirred at 60degreesC for 30 minutes, treated with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (5 mole%), stirred at 60degreesC for 1 hour, degassed and cast into a film. The film was dried by heating to 200degreesC over 15-30 minutes and then doped with 85% phosphoric acid for at least 72 hours. The resulting membrane had a tensile strength of 3.2 MPa and a breaking elongation of 99%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The interior volume contains an inner wall (30) and an outer wall (35) and at least two septa, preferably at least four septa extending from the inner wall to the outer wall to form at least two chambers, preferably at least four chambers. At least one of the septa, preferably at least three septa have an opening for effecting fluid connection between adjacent of the two chambers. The reactant stream is directed from the inlet through a chamber (I) in a direction (I), chamber (II) in a direction (II), chamber (III) in a direction (I), chamber (IV) in a direction (II) and then through the outlet. The direction (II) is the reverse of the direction (I). Each of the chambers comprises a catalyst bed and the catalyst beds of each chambers contain a different catalyst. The reactant stream comprises a hydrocarbon. The catalytic reactor further comprises a burner (10) for generating a combustion gas stream external to the reactor tube within the reaction vessel. The catalytic reaction further comprises an inner and outer burner gas sleeves (25) adjacent to the inner and outer walls, respectively, for directing the combustion gas stream in proximity to the inner and outer walls. The reaction chamber (I) is a catalytic steam reformer and the reaction chamber (II) is a catalytic water gas shift reactor. The catalytic reactor further comprises a reactant supply for supplying the reactant stream to the reaction chamber (I) via the inlet. The reactor further comprises an oxidant supply for supplying an oxidant to at least one of the reaction chambers (I,II). The fuel cell(s) is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Stream: The reactant stream comprises a fuel chosen from gasoline, diesel, natural gas, ethane, butane, light distillates, dimethyl ether methanol, ethanol, propane, naphtha and/or kerosene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metallic oxide film comprises TiO2, ZnO, Nb2O5, SnO2 or SrTiO3. The metallic oxide film also includes microparticles of Pt, Pt alloy, Pd or Pd alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst layer contains several layers. The catalyst layer (I) by the upstream side in which reformed gas flows, comprises low-temperature active catalyst containing a catalyst which supported ruthenium and platinum to the outer surface of a porous carrier. The weight ratio of ruthenium with respect to platinum in the low-temperature active catalyst is 0.7-9.5. The temperature of the catalyst layer is measured and the apparatus contains a component to supply reformed gas to another catalyst layer, without passing through the catalyst layer (I), when the temperature exceeds predetermined temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system has a hydrogen storage apparatus which stores high concentration of hydrogen, and supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell during high load. The fuel cell system is equipped with an air supply apparatus, a driving unit which drives the air supply apparatus and a compressor which compresses a portion of reformed gas. Hydrogen is stored in a cylinder used as hydrogen storage apparatus. A carbon monoxide removal apparatus reduces the carbon monoxide concentration in air to an acceptable level. Preferred Property: The stoichiometric ratio of reformed gas in fuel cell and mixed gas of hydrogen is smaller than the condition where only reformed gas is used, depending upon a mixing rate of hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The crystalline thin film of the compound semiconductors is formed from Group III-V elements using metal organic chemical vapor deposition system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The nano-powder material further contains particles of copper-gallium-indium (CuGaIn) solid solution and particles of selenium (Se), sulfur (S) or tellurium (Te). The atmosphere contains selenium, sulfur or tellurium. The solid solution is CuGa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The ionic liquid is stable in the presence of water, and the conjugated polymer is stable in the presence of the ionic liquid. The ionic liquid is stable for voltages applied between the conjugates polymer electrode and the second electrode at -3-+3V relative to a standard hydrogen electrode.Preferred Component: The electrochemical device includes an electronic power supply (20) for applying a voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The anion is fluoride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, N(CN)2-, RSO3- (R = optionally substituted alkyl, or Ph), (CF3)2PF4-, (CF3)3PF3-, (CF3)4PF2-, (CF3)5PF-, (CF3)6P-, (CF2SO3-)2, (CF2CF2SO3-)2, (CF3SO2)2N-, CF3CF2(CF3)2CO-, (CF3SO2)2CH-, (SF5)3C-, (CF3SO2)3C-, (O(CF3)2C2(CF3)2O)2PO-, or CF3(CF2)7SO3-.The cation can be pyridinium ions, pyridazinium ions, pyrimidinium ions, pyrazinium ions, imidazolium ions, pyrazolium ions, thiazolium ions, oxazolium ions, triazolium ions, ammonium ions, pyrrolidinium ions, pyrrolinium ions, pyrrolium ions, or piperidinium ions.The counter electrode comprises a metal electrode that is lithium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The conjugated polymer is polyphenylene, polyphenylenevinylene, polyphenylenesulfide, polyfluorene, poly(p-pyridine), poly(p-pyridalvinylene), polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiopene, polythiophenevinylene, polyfuran, polyacetylene, or their derivatives, or phenylene, phenylenevinylene, phenylenesulfide, fluorene, p-pyridine, p-pyridalvinylene, pyrrole, aniline, thiophene, thiophenevinylene, furan, acetylene, or their derivatives.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The ionic liquid further comprises an organic cosolvent which can be cyclic ethers, esters, carbonates, lactones, nitriles, amides, sulfones, or sulfolanes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The substrate contains silicon or quartz glass.
EXAMPLE - Synthesis Example 1: Poly ((methyl-16-crown- 5-methyl silane)- co- (methyl silane)) (abbreviated as X) was synthesized by: (1) Na-dispersion was prepared by heat refluxing a metal sodium 1.41g and toluene 37 ml under vigorous agitation. (2) Solution mixture of dichloro methylphenyl silane 5.29g and dichloromethyl- 16-crown-5- methyl silane 1.0g in toluene 9ml was dropwise added to above dispersion. During said addition, the dispersion changed color from colorless to dark violet.(3) After heat refluxing the dispersion for 3 hours, 9ml of 2-propanol was dropwise added to deactivate the polymer terminal and unreacted sodium. By various after-treatments, white solid product X 0.93g was obtained. Yield = 22.3%. Product gave: Mw = 23,000. Mw/Mn = 1.96. Ratio of methyl-16- crown 5 versus methylphenyl was 1:21. By exciting the polymer with 300 nm light, emission was observed at 354nm. Half band width = 29nm. By irradiation of 355nm excited light, broad emission (114nm half band width) was observed at 427nm. Enveloping of Eu3+ by an ether crown of the polysilane derivative gave emission uique of Eu3+.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The oxidation catalyst is a noble-metal catalyst of palladium or platinum, or an oxidation catalyst containing hexa aluminate compound. A mantle is provided in the modifier. The raw material mixed gas is preheated using the mantle by circulating between pipes. The modified gas from the modification-reaction tube is circulated between the outer and inner pipe. A fin is provided in the inner wall of the inner pipe.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The disaccharide is saccharose (C12H22O11). Before heating the disaccharide, the burnt ash is ground to 80-100 mesh. The cereal hulls are burnt at 500-600degreesC. The solid body is introduced into a crucible, electrodes are inserted into the crucible and onto the solid body, a voltage is applied to the electrodes and a discharge space is formed in the crucible. The cereal hulls are rice hulls.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Condition: The single-wall carbon nanotubes are grown at 670-700degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The supported iron-containing catalyst is aluminum oxide/iron/molybdenum/cobalt (Al2O3/Fe/Mo/Co), Al2O3/Fe/Mo with a ratio of (10-20):1:0.33, Al2O3/Fe/Co, and/or Al2O3/Fe.Preferred Materials: The methane gas is methane or a mixture of methane and carrier gas in a volume ratio of 1:1 - 1:10.The carrier gas is argon, nitrogen and/or helium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred method: The polymerization is carried out in the presence of a dispersant and a dispersion stabilizer.Preferred materials: The water has at most 20 ppb TOC and/or at most 0.1 muS/cm electrical conductivity. EXAMPLE - 740 g paraffin wax (containing 10 ppm oxidation inhibitor), 60 l ultrapure water (TOC = 15 ppb; electrical conductivity = 0.08 muS/cm) and 190 g ammonium perfluorooctanate were put in to a polymerization tank, degassed, heated to 70degreesC, TFE supplied at 1.86 MPa, a solution of 7.5 g disuccinic acid peroxide in 1 l water added under stirring, polymerized 30 min, a solution of 300 g ammonium perfluorooctanate in 1 l water added, polymerized 30 min, heated to 80degreesC, when 25 kg TFE had been added the supply and stirring were stopped (total time = 122 min), to gave an aq. dispersion of TFE polymer. This was agglomerated, and the polymer separated and dried at 160degreesC, to give a fine powder with 2.162 standard specific gravity, compared to 2.171 for a comparative example prepared using water with 540 ppm TOC and 3.1 muS/cm electrical conductivity (polymerization time = 247 min).
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT the process is controlled by (a) using valves on some or all of the channels; or (b) adding addition amounts of reactants or starting materials. The apparatus is contained in a single block a few centimeters in size which can be heated or cooled. It may be connected to downstream block for oxidation of carbon monoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The coolant is an aqueous solution of 1-100 (preferably 55-85) vol.% of 1,3-propanediol.The coolant has a freezing point of -40degreesC. EXAMPLE - A coolant solution of 1,3-propanediol (50 vol.%) and water (50 vol.%) were tested for corrosion of an aluminum for 10, 20, and 30 days, respectively, at an elevated temperature of 149degreesC. Initially, weight loss and conductivity were 0, and pH was 6.55. The results after 10, 20, and 30 days showed a pH 5.34, 4.6, 4.99; and conductivity of 9, 9, and 14, respectively. No weight loss was observed and there was also no damage to the specimen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The protector is deposited by spray process, or a screen-printing process. The protector is deposited on more than 90% of an entire area of the surface.Preferred Component: The protector is formed of an organic or inorganic material which is not reactive with etching solution, and can be deposited and removed, and endure an annealing process. The protector comprises a photoresist.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The semiconductor wafer is a silicon wafer. The protector is silicon oxide, titanium (IV) oxide, or sodium nitrite.Preferred Component: The isotropic etching solution is an acid-based solution which can be hydrogen fluoride (CF) and/or nitric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid and water, or acetic acid and water. EXAMPLE - A single crystalline silicon wafer was prepared and a photoresist solution was sprayed on the wafer surface in which the photoresist was randomly deposited on the wafer in the form of islands. The wafer deposited with the photoresist was dipped into an isotropic etching solution, which is a mixture solution of HF and HNO (sic) having the volume ratio of 1:40, for 10 minutes to etch portions of the wafer surface win which the photoresist is not deposited.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The manganese alkoxide is manganese (II) isopropoxide. The alcohol is methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and isopropanol. The activated carbon is PWA carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred compounds: Unit-(A) is bonded to (metha)acryloyl or carbamate groups. Compound-(B) is (metha)acrylate. The composition comprises polyol and polyisocyanate. The new conductor contains a dopant. The conductor has an ionic conductivity of 10-5 to 10-2 Scm-1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The metal(s) of platinum group is selected from platinum, iridium and palladium.Preferred Catalyst: The platinum group metal(s) and rhodium sulfide are supported on active carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The metal is platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold or silver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxide Layer: The metal oxide layer comprise of one of titanium, aluminum, chromium, magnesium, zirconium, hafnium and neodymium.Preferred Silicide layer: The silicide layer comprises one of titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, niobium, zirconium, molybdenum, rubidium, rhodium, palladium, hafnium, tungsten, iridium, platinum, tantalum and osmium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The hydrogen occlusion and releasing material contains benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthrenes, and their alkyl substitution products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The hydrogen storage and supply apparatus further contains a control unit (106) for controlling injection conditions, and a filter (76).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The organic compound is benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthracene or their alkyl substituted products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The electrochemical reduction of bromine is effected by recirculating the fraction of electrolyte 2 through the negative chamber of the auxiliary cell until all of the bromine has been reduced. The electrochemical reduction of bromine occurs within the negative chamber of a second auxiliary cell. The second auxiliary cell comprises a positive chamber containing an inert positive electrode and a negative chamber containing an inert negative electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Components: At least part of edges of the hexagonal carbon layers is exposed at the small ring ends. The coaxial stacking morphology of the truncated conical tubular graphene layers has a shape of a hollow core with no bridge. An outer surface of the carbon fiber is formed of the large ring ends stacked in the axial direction. Exposed part of the edges of the hexagonal carbon layers has an area at least2% of an area of the outer surface.The outer surface includes a smooth surface formed of the large ring ends positioned regularly. The catalytic metal is supported on the smooth surface. Positions of the large ring ends forming the outer surface may be irregular. The outer surface has minute irregularity at the level of atoms. The catalytic metal may be supported on the irregular outer surface. Grooves may be formed in the outer surface and the catalytic metal is supported in the grooves.An inner surface of the carbon fiber is formed of the small ring ends stacked in the axial direction. The inner surface includes a smooth surface formed of the small ring ends positioned regularly and the catalytic metal is supported on the smooth surface.Positions of the small ring ends forming the inner surface may be irregular. The inner surface has minute irregularity at the level of atoms and the catalytic metal is supported on the irregular inner surface. Grooves may be formed in the inner surface and the catalytic metal is supported in the grooves.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The catalytic metal is platinum and/or platinum alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred hot melt adhesive: The hot melt adhesive is EVA.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The second substrate has an insulating layer on the surface.Preferred Method: The method further includes depositing an insulating layer before bonding, polishing the surface of one of the deposited layers, polishing the surface of the first substrate before bonding and polishing the surface of the released of the material layers before depositing the second material layers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The added metal is at least1 of a metal of Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 and Group 13. Specific metal are Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, Al and/or Ga. A heater can be provided in the cassette.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cells are solid oxide fuel cells. The system further comprises at least one separation device (115) for dividing the lower molecular weight gases into at least one gas stream prior to the electrochemical oxidation step. The separator device consists of carbon fiber composite molecular sieves (CFCMS) or inorganic membranes. It further comprises a nuclear reactor for generating heat. Preferred Method: The method may comprise providing a synthesis gas having chemical components; dividing the synthesis gas into at least two gas streams; and supplying at least one of the gas streams to at least one fuel cell to produce electricity. The step of providing a synthesis gas comprises reforming a hydrocarbon containing gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hydrocarbon containing gas is methane or natural gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The carbon dioxide produced in steps (b) and (c) can be recycled for use in step (a). Step (c) can be replaced with a step comprising reacting B2O3 with methane and X2 to obtain BX3, CO2 and H2. Steps (d)-(h) can be replaced by steps (d2), which involve reacting the BX3 with H2 to obtain B2H6 and HX, and (e2) reacting B2H6 with the Y2O to obtain YBH4 and YBO2. The HX produced in step (g) may be further reacted with O2 and copper-containing compound (CuX) to produce X2 and water. The obtained X2 can be recycled for use in step (c). The BX3 of step (g) maybe hydrogenated with an aldehyde consisting of formaldehyde, benzaldehyde and/or acetaldehyde. The BX3 and YHCO3 can also be obtained by reacting a borate ore of formula Y2B2O4 with CO2 and H2O to obtain YHCO3 and boron hydroxide B(OH)3; and reacting the B(OH)3 with HX to obtain BX3 and H2O. The B2O3 and YHCO3 can also be obtained by reacting a borate ore of formula Y2B2O4 with CO2 and water. Preferred Definitions:    Y = H, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, NH4+, TI or alkaline earth metal;    X = F, Cl, Br, I, At, -OH, 1-4C alkoxide, O, S, Se, Te, Po, -SR, -SeR or -TeR.    When Y is an alkaline earth metal, the YBO2, YHCO3, Y2O, YH, YHBX3 and YBH4 are replaced with Y(BO2)2, Y(HCO3)2, YO, YH2, Y(HBX3)2 and Y(BH4)2, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus contains a CO removal unit filled with a CO removal catalyst. The reforming tubes can be freely removed and replaced. A reformer housing encases the reforming tube. Inlet ports disposed on the side surface of the reforming tube has flow-control mechanism, and supplies gas mixture to the reforming rooms. The gas feed apparatus has a hollow penetration tube for passage of gas mixture through the interior of the reforming room(s). The penetration tube has inlet ports to supply gas mixture individually to each of the reforming rooms.Preferred Catalyst: The same catalyst that catalysis both partial oxidation and reforming reactions is used as the catalyst (8a,8b).Preferred Method: A high temperature heating gas is introduced into a space between the reforming tubes and the housing. The high temperature gas is supplied directly to one end of the reforming rooms and discharged from the other end. The gas mixture is supplied to the reforming rooms, after the catalysts (8a,8b) are heated from the outside of the reforming rooms.
EXAMPLE - A glass had the composition 62.1 wt.% SiO2, 4.0 wt.% B2O3, 17.4 wt.% Al2O3, 10.0 wt.% MgO, 5.1 wt.% CaO, 1.0 wt.% SrO and 0.4 wt.% SnO2. It had a coefficient of thermal expansion alpha 20/300 of 3.6 . 10-6/K; transformation temperature Tg of 745 degreesC; density rho of 2.52 g/cm3; E modulus of 88 GPa; hydrochloric acid (HCl) resistance of 0.09 mg/cm2; NaOH resistance of 1.0 mg/cm2; and buffered hydrofluoric acid resistance of 0.93 mg/cm2. The temperature (T 4) at which its viscosity was 104 dPas was 1,227 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The catalyst has a surface area of preferably at least 50 m2/g. Preferred Volume Ratio: The gaseous mixture has a volume ratio of carbon dioxide to methane of 1-10 to 10-1. Preferred Process: Formation of hydrogen from the gaseous mixture is performed at 700-900degreesC. A carbon containing gas is contacted with the catalyst to partially deactivate the catalyst. The catalyst is reactivated by introducing a carburizing gas into the reaction vessel in contact with the catalyst to reactivate the catalyst. EXAMPLE - A gas containing hydrogen (49%), carbon monoxide (CO) (6), carbon dioxide (CO2) (15) and water vapor (30) was contacted with a passivated molybdenum carbide powder (5 g) with a specific surface area of 54 m2/g as a catalyst. Infrared was used for the inlet and outlet gas composition analysis and the magnitude of CO loss or CO2 gain after the water gas shift (WGS) reaction was used to measure the WGS catalytic activity of the catalyst. At 250degreesC, the maximum CO loss was 0.3 mumol/g.sec and the corresponding CO2 gain was 0.75 mumol/g.sec. As a comparison, a commercial copper-zinc catalyst gave 6.11 mumol/g.sec CO loss and 5.67 mumol/g.sec corresponding CO2 gain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell stack comprises solid oxide fuel cells. It also comprises proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The reformer is a steam reformer and/or a partial oxidation reformer. The fuel cell system further comprises a reservoir in fluid communication with the air conditioning system and the reformer.Preferred Process: The process further comprises collecting the condensate in the reservoir. The condensate is purified in the reservoir. The air conditioning system is controlled to optimize production of condensate. A flow of air into the air conditioning system is adjusted. A speed of a blower in the air conditioning system is adjusted.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The substrate film has thickness of 1-15 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: A mixed gas of at most80degreesC is introduced. The dew point of the mixed gas is at most60degreesC at the process pressure. The maximum temperature of the catalyst layer is 150-180degreesC. The mixed gas is a reformed gas obtained by reforming hydrocarbons and alcohols. The carbon monoxide removal catalyst is ruthenium. A part or all of the inner wall surface of the catalyst storage part and the mixed gas flow path is formed by a non-ferrous material such as ceramics or glass e.g. alumina, silica and/or titania, or a synthetic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The concentration of fuel in the mixture of fuel and reaction products is lower than the soot formation unit. The second stage fuel cell (2) is operated in plug flow mode to increase fuel utilization. The oxidant is first passed over the cathode of the second stage fuel cell and then passed over the cathode of the fuel cell in the reactor. The electrolyte layer and the lanthanum chromite interconnect layer of the cell join at the cell outer perimeter and at the inner perimeter of each of the fuel inlet and fuel outlet holes, such that the oxidant gas is confined within the hollow cathodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The steam/carbon molar ratio is 0.25-3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Hydride: The liquid metal hydride is a complex metal-hydride solution which dissolved an alkaline-water solution and the complex metal-hydride solution is neutralized with an acid as a hydrogen generator promoter to generate hydrogen. The metal hydride is solid and is a particle, crushed substance, or solid which can be crushed mechanically. The covering substances which covers the metal hydride is crushed mechanically and is made to melt by supplying heat. Preferred Compound: The hydrogen generation promoter is fluid, preferably liquid and the hydrogen generating promoter is water, water-soluble substance, or an alcohol containing liquid. The hydrogen generating promoter is stored by using a covering substances, such as capsule or a film. Preferred Components: The ischesis portion separates metal hydride, hydrogen generating promoter and produced hydrogen. The contact portion having the hydrogen generating promoter is provided on outside of the storage container. A flow regulator is provided between the contact portions of the storage portion of liquid metal hydride and hydrogen generation promoter, along a longitudinal path. The solid metal hydride is conveyed by solid feed driving unit such as feeder and hydrogen generation amount is adjusted based on the conveyance amount. A unit for breaking the covering substances is provided in the storage circles of the hydrogen generation promoter, or in the path on the upstream side.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The reformer comprises a burner within the vessel. The catalyst bed is located within reformer tubes within the vessel. The oxidant supply is located upstream of the steam reformer. A hydrogen separation unit comprising hydrogen separation membranes is downstream of the reformer. A pressure swing adsorption unit is located downstream of the steam reformer. A shift reactor comprising a shift catalyst bed is downstream of the steam reformer. A selective oxidizer is downstream of the shift reactor. A sulfur removal apparatus is upstream of the steam reformer. The sulfur removal apparatus is hydrodesulfurizer (HDS), metal oxide bed, zeolite adsorbent bed, or hot carbonate scrubber. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack is downstream of the steam reformer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst composition comprises a noble metal compound. It is also sulfur-tolerant.Preferred Material: The metal oxide bed comprises zinc oxide (ZnO).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The MOCVD method further comprises growing the In-Ga-As-N using trimethyl indium as an indium precursor, triethyl gallium (TEGa) as a gallium precursor or arsine (AsH3) as an arsenic precursor. The nitrogen precursor has a tert-butyl group, and a lower carbon incorporation tendency than dimethyl hydrazine.Preferred Semiconductor Alloy: The semiconductor alloy is alternately, InxGa1-xAs1-yNy.Preferred Device: The solar cell is a multiple-junction indium-gallium-phosphorus (In-Ga-P)/gallium-arsenic (Ga-As)/indium-gallium-arsenic-nitrogen (In-Ga-As-N)/germanium solar cell. The VCSEL device comprises indium-gallium-arsenic-nitrogen/gallium-arsenic quantum well.The hetero-junction bipolar transistor is an In-Ga-P/In-Ga-As-N/Ga-As transistor. The high electron mobility transistor is an aluminum-gallium-arsenic (Al-Ga-As)/In-Ga-As-N transistor. EXAMPLE - An indium-gallium-arsenic-nitrogen sample was grown at 584degreesC using tertiarybutyl hydrazine (TBHy) as nitrogen source. The resulting cell size was 1 cm2, and the cell had no anti-reflection coating. The sample grown with TBHy had higher open circuit voltage (Voc) of 690 mV, short circuit current (Isc) of 11.25 mA/cm2, fill factor (FF) of 73.6% and efficiency of 4.2%. The sample had carbon concentration of 2.0E+17 cm-3, in undoped indium-gallium-arsenic-nitrogen grown with TBHy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The amount of TAIC and cross-linking adjuvant added to 100 mass parts of EVA copolymer are 10 mass parts or less and 5 mass parts or less, respectively. EXAMPLE - 100 parts of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer having vinyl acetate content of 26 weight percent (wt.%), 2 parts of 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane and 1 part of gamma-methacryloxy propyltrimethoxy silane, were mixed to form an EVA resin composition. The composition was made into a sheet of 1 mm thickness by pressing at 150degreesC. The sheet was pinched on both sides of an electrode and a voltage is impressed. The volume resistivity was found to be 6.6x1014 OMEGA.cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Several reducing furnaces which share the distillation column are worked baed on pattern, so that the duplication of the reaction initial stage is eluded, and silicon tetrachloride concentration in the chlorosilane liquid is maintained to 30% or more. The silicon tetrachloride concentration in the chlorosilane liquid is measured continuously or intermittently. When the measured concentration of silicon tetrachloride reduces to 30% or less, the silicon tetrachloride removed from the side portion of the distillation column is added to the chloro-silane liquid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Tetrahydronaphthalene and/or decahydronaphthalene is generated in the regeneration tank and supplied to the storage tank.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst comprises a carbon supported platinum catalyst, a carbon supported platinum-iridium bimetallic catalyst, a carbon supported platinum rhenium bimetallic catalyst and/or a carbon supported platinum tungsten bimetallic catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The paraffin wax is washed with water after recovering, by stirring the recovered paraffin wax in 10-80 parts, preferably 3-60 parts of water, based on 100 parts of paraffin wax, at 70-85degreesC. The ratio of recovered paraffin wax to fresh paraffin wax is at most 40/60. Preferred Property: The melting point of paraffin wax is 40-65degreesC, preferably, 50-65degreesC. Preferred Emulsifier: The emulsifier is perfluorocarbon anionic surfactant. EXAMPLE - A fresh Nisseki 125degrees paraffin wax ((740 g), ultra pure water (60 l) and ammonium perfluorooctoate (190 g) were charged into a polymerization vessel. The vessel was degassed, purged with nitrogen and then heated to 70degreesC. Tetrafluoroethylene was supplied at a pressure of 1.86 MPa. Disuccinic acid peroxide (7.5 g) dissolved in water (1 l) was added to initiate polymerization. Ammonium perfluorooctoate (300 g) dissolved in water (1 l) was added. The temperature of the vessel was increased at the rate of 20degreesC per hour. After supplying tetrafluoroethylene (25 kg), the polymerization vessel was purged with nitrogen and polytetrafluoroethylene aqueous dispersion was obtained. After cooling, solid paraffin wax and polytetrafluoroethylene aqueous dispersion were separated. The dispersion was coagulated to separate the wet polytetrafluoroethylene which was then dried to obtain fine polytetrafluoroethylene powder. The polytetrafluoroethylene had standard specific gravity of 2.171 and required an extrusion pressure of 20.6 MPa. The separated paraffin wax was solidified and aqueous dispersion polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene was similarly performed using the recovered paraffin wax. Polytetrafluoroethylene powder with standard specific gravity of 2.16 was obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The compound having the partial structure (I) is a compound comprising the partial structure (I) and 3-40C hydrocarbon residual groups which are optionally substituted or comprises N or O atoms in the structure.This residual group is bonded at the 5 position of the partial structure (I) by an unsaturated double bond and has unsaturated double bonds between carbon atoms.The compound is preferably of formula (II).A1 - A3 = optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon residual groups, optionally substituted amino groups, OH groups, H atoms, halogen atoms, cyano groups or optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon residual groups;A1 - A3 = may form a ring;Y = optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon residual group from which a structure represented by a salicylic acid and a dihydroxybenzene derivative are removed, optionally substituted organometallic complex residual group or optionally substituted amino group; andn = 0-5.The compound is preferably of formula (III)X1 - X6 = O, S or Se atom; andZ = H atom, metal atom or a group which forms an onium salt with X6.The oxide semiconductor fine particles titanium dioxide. EXAMPLE - Barbituric acid (1 part) and 4-diethylaminobenzaldehyde (1.5 parts) were dissolved in ethanol (10 parts) and piperazine anhydride (0.3 parts) was added dropwise. After reacting for 2 hours under reflux, the solid obtained by cooling is filtered, washed, and dried.    After recrystallizing with ethanol, a compound of formula (4) was produced by filtering, washing and drying. This dye is dissolved in ethanol and impregnated into a Ti oxide semiconductor film electrode to produce a photoelectric conversion element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The oxidizing condition is obtained by adding water vapor to the fuel containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, flowing water vapor into the cathodic side of at least one membrane electrolysis cell integrated into the filter-press structure of stack, mixing the fuel with the oxygen produced in the anodic side of electrolysis cell, and feeding the resulting gaseous mixture containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and oxygen to each anode of the fuel cells.The oxidizing condition may be obtained by adding air to the fuel containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by permeation through hydrophobic micro-porous area of bipolar plates or through membranes of anode/proton conducting membrane/cathode assemblies of the fuel cell.The microporous area is positioned in the upper portion of bipolar plates. The flow of air permeating through the porous area or membrane is controlled by regulating pressure differential between air fed to the cathodes and fuel fed to the anodes.The pressure differential is adjusted to produce 0.8-1.2 mole% oxygen in the exhaust fuel.The method may include providing the stack with 95-105 fuel cells for each electrolysis cell so that the oxygen mixed to fuel containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide and added with water vapor is present at 0.38-0.42 mole%. The oxidizing condition may be obtained by sequentially short-circuiting fuel cell packages provided with contacts connected to an external control unit.Preferred Components: The proton conducting membranes are high gas-diffusion rate membranes containing particles of chemically-stable microporous material (preferably silica, valve metal oxide, or hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene powder).Preferred Properties: Each high gas-diffusion rate membrane has an air diffusion rate of 1 ml/h-cm2 at 70-90 degreesC and 0.3-1 bar.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The solid particles comprising iron are dispersed in the molten metal mixture. The method also includes the step of extracting water from the hydrogen-containing gas stream, the step of contacting the iron oxide with a reductant to reduce the iron oxide back to iron, and the step of adding a flux to the molten metal mixture to promote the formation of a slag layer (406) over the molten metal mixture. The steam contacting step comprises injecting steam into the molten metal mixture using a top-submerged lance (408).Preferred Condition: The molten metal mixture is at 895-1134, lower than 1538, not more than 1400, 1134-1300 or 1200-1300degrees C during the steam contacting step.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The molten metal mixture may also comprise a second reactive or diluent metal. The first diluent metal is tin (preferred), copper, or nickel. The hydrogen-containing gas comprises at least 30 vol.% hydrogen gas.The flux comprises silicon dioxide, iron (II) oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium oxide, and/or potassium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer in the dried anode catalyst coat is 50 +/- 10 vol.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Method: The solution is agitated by sonication.Preferred Component: The spray is a pressurized air spray. It spray is generated by an ultrasonic nozzle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The carbon particles comprise pyrolysis products of pure hydrocarbons, pure petroleum coke, pure petroleum oil, petroleum distillates or petroleum cracking products.Preferred Property: The carbon particles have X-ray diffraction d(002) line greater than 0.34 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The semiconductor microparticle is a metallic oxide microparticle of titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, niobium oxide, tungsten oxide, vanadium oxide and/or ruthenium oxide.Preferred Method: The deposited semiconductor microparticle surface is made to absorb a sensitive dye.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The inorganic acid salt solution containing water-soluble pigment forms porous semiconductor layer having water-soluble pigment on the electroconductive surface of substrate. The semiconductor layer is formed by applying an electrolytic potential of -0.7 to -1.3 V (vs. SCE) between the electroconductive surface and zinc electrode at 0-100 degreesC.Preferred Materials: The metal inorganic acid salt solution is zinc nitrate solution. The porous semiconductor layer is a layer of zinc oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Substrate: The substrate is a transparent flexible plastic substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: Inert process gas including water vapor (x volume%) and hydrogen (y volume%) such that (x+y) is greater than 3, is blown into a silicon molten metal (10) in a treatment tank at flow rate (A l/min). An inactive dilution gas is simultaneously blown into the silicon molten metal surface at a flow rate (B l/min) and the silicon molten metal purification is performed. The amount of water vapor and hydrogen in inert gas (x,y) and gas flow rates (A,B) satisfy a relation: (x+y)A/(A+B) less than 3. The processed gas diluted by a dilution gas at the ceiling portion of the treatment tank, is passed through a discharge pipe and then ejected. Preferred Inert Gas: The inert gas consists of argon, nitrogen and/or helium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: Dechlorination of the polyolefin group plastic is performed between pretreatment process and thermal decomposition process to remove chlorine. Primary catalyst decomposition is performed by supplying a primary catalyst (21) to the thermal decomposition process. The high boiling point component separated is returned to thermal decomposition process. The gaseous phase is separated at the vapor liquid separation process by low temperature processing and the liquid phase is separated at the vapor liquid separation process by distillation.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The recycle apparatus further has a dechlorination apparatus provided between preprocessor and thermal decomposition tank, gas separator (24) to separate the gaseous phase into 2-4C olefin gas and hydrogen, and distillation column (18) to separate the liquid phase into benzene, toluene and xylene. The dechlorination apparatus heats the polyolefin group plastic and removes chlorine. The thermal decomposition gas is supplied to the catalyst decomposition portions (I,II) arranged in parallel, through a distribution controlling valve.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Support: The front stage and post stage of the modification catalyst are supported by the same metal base material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The resin comprises triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and an initiator, preferably 2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'-azodipropionitrile, 1,1'-azobis(1-cyclohexanecarbonitrile) and/or azobisisobutyronitrile. EXAMPLE - (In %). An expanded and partially recompressed graphite sheet with a thickness of 0.25 mm was impregnated with a resin comprising triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (99.2), 2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'-azodipropionitrile (0.3) and 1,1'-azobis(1-cyclohexanecarbonitrile) (0.5). The sheet was immersed in the resin for 1 hour, wiped dry, and cured at 100degreesC for 30 minutes. The product had an electrical resistance of 0.1 mOMEGA and a helium permeability of 0.01 mg/m2.sec, compared with 1.5 mg/m2.sec without impregnation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The binder is a polymer compound which does not have hydroxyl or amino groups. The polymer compound is a polymer compound including N-vinyl acetamide or acrylamide as monomer units. The polymer compound is a polymer compound including fluorine atoms. Specifically, the polymer compound is at least1 of poly-N-vinyl acetamide, polyacrylamide, N-vinyl acetamide-Na acrylate copolymer, acrylamide-Na acrylate copolymer and polytetrafluoroethylene. The metal oxide fine particles contain titanium oxide which are heat treated at at least 200degreesC in a powder state. The BET specific area of the titanium oxide is 10-100 (20-75) m2/g. The 90% accumulated weight particle distribution D90 of titanium oxide is at most2.2mum. The titanium oxide is produced by a vapor phase method by high temperature oxidation of titanium tetrachloride with an oxidative gas. EXAMPLE - Titanium oxide (100g), poly-N-vinyl-acetamide (0.5g) and water (400g) are dispersed using an emulsifier to give a metal oxide dispersion liquid. After coating on a glass with a fluorine-doped tin oxide film, a photoactive electrode is formed. A dye electrode is obtained by immersing this in an ethanol solution of a ruthenium complex dye (RuL2(NCS)2 for 3 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Components: The buffer layer is made of material selected from nickel, chromium, cobalt and titanium and the metal layer is selected from a titanium single layer, a palladium single layer and a titanium and palladium double layer. The front and rear contact electrodes are formed of material selected from copper and silver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition may further contain alcohol or ether.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The amount of praseodymium manganese oxide in a strontium dope is 15-25 mol %. The grain size of the praseodymium manganese oxide is 1-3 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The separation membrane consists of polymer film containing polyimide as main component, or inorganic film containing ceramics such as zeolite as main component.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Air, oxygen-enriched air or oxygen is added to the gas which passed through CO selective oxidation process and separation membrane, and the gas is subsequently passed through noble metal catalyst containing ruthenium. The catalyst is heated to 300 degreesC from normal temperature.Preferred Material: The hydrogen storage material consists of carbon, and has a three-dimensional structure. The hydrogen storage material is a hydrogen occlusion alloy in which hydrogen is occluded by cooling. The impurities other than hydrogen are diffused from the hydrogen storage material layer, before hydrogen is released by heating. The occlusion and release of hydrogen in the hydrogen storage material, are carried out continuously by alternately changing the hydrogen occlusion and release process. An absorbent layer which absorbs water content from the gas is also provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: Moulding materials (I) with a filler content of not more than 85 (preferably not more than 80) wt%.Preferred Production Methods: Compression moulding after pre-milling (I) to particles sizes of 1500-50 (preferably 800-15) microns, injection moulding with or without a compression unit, or extrusion-compression moulding.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fillers: Carbon black with a particle size (in the matrix) of 0.01-2 (preferably 0.05-0.15) microns; graphite with a slightly pronounced structure and an average particle size of 1-1100 (preferably 50-450) microns; metal powder with a bulk density (ISO 3923/1) of 1-4 g/ml and with 5% of the particles up to 45 microns in size. EXAMPLE - Moulding materials were obtained by compounding Vectra A 950 (RTM: liquid crystalline plastic) in a Ko-kneader with various amounts of Ketjenblack EC-600JD (RTM: carbon black; DBT number 480-510 m/100 g; 7% particles below 125 microns) and/or Thermocarb CF-300 (RTM: graphite). In materials containing 7.5 wt% carbon black and various amounts of graphite, specific resistance decreased from 11.77 to 0.19 ohm.cm as the total filler content increased from 14.89 to 75.46 wt%, while the density increased from 1.39 to 1.99 g/ml. In materials containing carbon black only, resistance decreased from 68.45 to 1.12 ohm.cm as the filler content increased from 4.76 to 13.04 wt%, while the density decreased from 1.33 to 1.21 g/ml. In materials containing graphite only, resistance decreased from 999.72 to 0.36 ohm.cm as the filler content increased from 33.33 to 75 wt%, while the density increased from 1.68 to 2.03 g/ml.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The temperatures at which pre-reforming and methanation takes place are adjusted to achieve the desired conversion.The higher carbon hydrocarbon fuel is pre-reformed by partial oxidation, or by using an autothermal reformer.Fuel pre-reforming and methanation are carried out in a single reactor having a first heating zone (12) for fuel pre-reforming, and a second zone (14) for methanation.Waste heat from the fuel cell is recycled to the pre-reformer and/or methanator. Pre-reforming results in at least 97.5% conversion of C2+ hydrocarbons.Preferred Parameter: The methanation takes place at 250-450 degrees C.Partial oxidation takes place at at least 400 degrees C.The autothermal reformer is operated at at least 400 degrees C.The fuel cell is operated at at least 650 degreesC.Preferred Component: The fuel stream comprises not more than 0.5 vol.% C2+ hydrocarbons, and at least 40 vol.% methane resulting from methanation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The precursor fibers are made of partially cross-linked phenol resin fibers, polyester and/or polypropylene fibers. The pre-oxidized fibers are made of homo-, co- and/or ter-polymers of polyacrylonitrile fibers, cellulose fibers and/or phenol resin fibers. The water soluble fibers are made of polyvinyl alcohol fibers. The non-woven fabric is made hydrophobic by applying a hydrophobing agent such as PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Gasket Material: The gaskets comprise fluoroelastomer material, fluorocarbon, fluorosilicone material, or material selected from group of nitrile, buna-n, silicone, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The value of x is 0.55-0.85 and y is (x-0.25)-(x-0.35).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The inorganic of the sealing material is selected from the group comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate. Copolymer (EVA), an ethylene-methyl acetate copolymer (EMA), an ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer (EEA), an ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer (EMAGA), an ethylene-methacrylic-acid copolymer (EMAA) or ethylene-vinyl-acetate group of copolymers, ethylene-methyl acrylate group of copolymers, ethylene-ethylacrylate group of copolymers, and ethylene-methyl methacrylate group of copolymers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The organic resin compositions of the sealing inorganic material is specified to JIS K7210 standard.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process Producing hydrogen by partially oxidizing hydrocarbon fuels comprises partially oxidizing hydrocarbon fuel using an oxygen-rich gas flow, reacting the obtained carbon monoxide using water vapor and separating the hydrogen using a membrane. The pressure in the first reactor is 15 bar and the temperature rises to 600degreesC. The pressure in the second reactor is 2-15 bar. A third reactor ensures conversion of the CO of 70-99 wt.% and contains a catalyst of Cu and ZnO supported on alumina operating at 50-300degreesC. EXAMPLE - The yield of hydrogen using the reactor was 72% when the fuel was methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Solar Cell: The crystal nucleus density of the crystals perpendicularly grown in the first semiconductor layer is not more than 1 x 1010 cm-3. The shape of a region in which each crystal grown form a crystal nucleus is horizontally grown to contact neighboring crystals, in the first semiconductor layer, is a cone or pyramid with an apex angle of not less than 60degrees in a cross section parallel to the direction of the growth. The crystals grown in the second semiconductor layer up to the interface with the third semiconductor layer have an average grain diameter of not less than 100 nm in a direction parallel to the substrate. The interface formed between the crystals grown as the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer has an unevenness of not less than 20 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: Compounds of formula (V);Acc = simple and/or complex groups such as structures which, together with the linking carbon atom, may be regarded as derived from malonic acid and its cyclic ureides or thioureides, or nitrile groups, carboxylate ester groups and/or carboxamide groups, with the ester, amide or ureide residues optionally containing 1-10C alkyl and/or phenyl group(s).Preparation: Compounds (V) are obtained by condensation of salicylaldehydes with cyclic enamines (e.g. 1-dimethylaminocyclopentene) to give substituted benzo- 2H-pyrans, followed by conversion into the corresponding iminium salts (as described in J. prakt. Chem. 1998, 340, 34) and condensation of the iminium salts, e.g. with malonic acid derivatives. EXAMPLE - A substituted 2H-1-benzopyran (III/1) was obtained by reaction of cyclopentenone with dimethylamine to give the corresponding enamine followed by condensation with 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde, then compound (III/1) was converted into an iminium salt (IV/1) by reaction with phosphorus oxychloride followed by reaction with magnesium perchlorate in methanol and neutralisation with ammonia solution. A suspension of 0.01 mol (IV/1) and 0.01 mol malono-dinitrile in acetic anhydride was treated with 0.015 mol triethylamine and heated under reflux for a few minutes (until IV/1 was no longer detectable by TLC). The mixture was worked up by filtration and washing with ether to give the required merocyanin dye (V/1) in 63% yield (m.pt. 220degreesC; absorption max. 581 nm; fluorescence max. 670 nm). The product showed electroluminescence at 620, 655 and 668 nm in solutions of 0.1, 0.3 and 2% (V) respectively (in aluminum 8-hydroxyquinolinate).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Method: The fluid is partially solidified by inducing phase separation on the mold. The solidified product is released from the mold for further processing, including further phase separation. The mold is contacted with the fluid in continuous process, such as continuous sheet imprinting or extrusion with a spinneret having micro- to nano-sized structure. The separation process is vapor, liquid, or thermal induced phase separation process; or a colloid, pressure, or reaction induced phase separation process.Preferred Property: The molded product has at least one perforation with a diameter of less than 5-10 micronsm, preferably less than 0.45 micronsm. It is made of polymer, carbon, or ceramic. It is partly covered by a more dense skin layer. It entails at least one micro-sieve, micro-structured filtration membrane, preferably biocompatible or biodegradable.Preferred Product: The product, such as micro-sieve (106), has a micro- or nano-sized structure from a multi-well or micro-titration plate structure, a micro-array structure, preferably an anti-splattering mechanism, a micro-electrode structure, a microfluidic structure, photovoltaic structure, transparent conductive board structure, a shadow mask structure, an optical grating structure, a capillary membrane structure, an interconnection grid structure, an atomization structure, an electroplated structure, or a micro-needle structure (claimed).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The non-solvent is contained in an immersion liquid or vapor during phase separation process. The non-solvent in the liquid is larger than 5%, and in vapor is less than 25%. It may be dissolved in 2% fluid. The fluid contains at least two solvents comprising a lowest boiling solvent and highest boiling solvent, having a boiling point difference of at least ca. 50degreesC. The predominant lowest boiling point solvent is removed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The hydrogen-based fuel is hydrogen gas, hydrocarbons, hydrazine or alcohol. The oxidant is oxygen gas or air. The electron input is platinum conductor wire. The electrolyte is sulfuric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Primary Fuel: The primary fuel contains methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, ethylene glycol and/or glycerine.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Auxiliary Fuel: The auxiliary fuel contains lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, dimethyl aminoborane, sodium aluminum hydride, diborane, sodium cyanoborohydride, calcium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium hydride, potassium hydride and/or sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxo) dihydridaluminate.Preferred Fuel Cell: The cell also includes an electrolyte with a pH above 7 (preferably about 8) e.g. 6M KOH aqueous solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The vessel also includes removably attachable end plates (104). The fluid inlet is connectable to a cathode exhaust manifold of a fuel cell stack for supplying cathode exhaust to the vessel as a heat exchange fluid. The shell is disposed concentrically in the vessel. The second bed comprises a hydrodesulfurization catalyst bed. The shift catalyst bed comprises an upstream low-temperature catalyst bed and a downstream high-temperature catalyst bed.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The second bed comprises a metal oxide bed in fluid communication with the hydrodesulfurization catalyst bed, and a sulfur polisher bed in fluid communication with the metal oxide bed. The metal oxide bed is zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Acid: The organic acid consists of monocarboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, hydroxy carboxylic acid, and/or amino carboxylic acid. The solvent consists of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, acetone, and/or propylene glycol monopropyl ether.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Production: The coating solution is produced by filtering the composition.Preferred Thin Film: A thin film produced by using the coating solution has an X-ray diffraction patterns with a cycle of 0.5-50 nm and has a dielectric constant of 2,5 or less.Preferred Materials: The silica material uses one or two or more silicone alkoxides and their derivatives as its major constituent. The surface active agent contains one or two or more active agents substantially containing no halogen ion and no sodium ion. The catalyst consists of an acid substantially containing no halogen iron and no sodium ion. The acid consists of nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and/or an organic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The oxidized diamond carrier optionally supports rhodium, palladium, ruthenium, iridium or cobalt. Alternatively, the synthesis gas is produced by reaction of low saturated hydrocarbon and water vapor at 600-800degreesC in presence of the catalyst. The synthesis gas is produced without performing a hydrogen-reduction process. The low saturated hydrocarbon is methane. The synthesis gas is a mixed gas of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The carbon fiber bundle has tensile strength of 2000 MPa or more and a modulus of elongation of 390 GPa or more. EXAMPLE - Mesophase pitch with an optical anisotropy ratio of 100%, obtained from coal tar pitch, was introduced into a spinneret and continuous spinning was performed, to obtain a pitch fiber bundle with length of 100 m. The number of filaments in the obtained pitch fiber bundle was 12000. The softening initiation temperature of the pitch fiber was 190 degrees C. The temperature was raised to 380 degrees C at a rate of 60 degrees C/hour, and insolubilization was performed. The temperature was raised to 540 degrees C in a nitrogen atmosphere, and a primary carbonized fiber bundle was obtained. The temperature of the bundle was raised in steps to 1200 degrees C in a nitrogen atmosphere, and secondary carbonization was performed. Graphitization was continuously performed up to 2100 degrees C and the obtained carbon fiber bundle had a modulus of elongation of 440 GPa and a tensile strength of 2200 MPa. The carbon fiber bundle was cut so that the full length was set to 15 cm. A 5 cm length of the carbon fiber bundle was fixed on a stand and a 10 cm length of the bundle was made to overhang out of the stand. The bending volume of the tip of the overhung carbon fiber bundle was measured and found to be 0.2-0.6 cm. The handling property of the carbon fiber bundle was measured by releasing out from a bobbin. The bundle was found to have favorable handling property and fluff generation was not observed when the fiber bundle was rubbed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The ultraviolet rays shield film is made of Titanium, Cerium, Iron, Antimony, Zirconium, Zinc and other metal complex oxides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The system further comprises a reactor heater; and a combustion catalyst in contact with the interior side of the conduit wall. A gap space of 0.05-1.0 inch exists between the reaction catalyst coating and the membrane. The space comprises a laminar flow disruptor, preferably a packing, particulate, mesh wire, wool, granule, pellet or fluidized catalyst. A heat transfer fin is in thermal contact with the heat conduit and/or membrane. The fin is coated with a reaction catalyst. It may have a gas communication aperture. A combustion catalyst is on an exterior wall of a feed tube. The reactor has a flow disruptor, preferably dimple, protrusion, packing, mesh wire, wool, granulate, pellet catalyst, fluidized catalyst, baffle, or curved membrane. A sweep gas flows through the heater. A feed liquid compressor conveys the mixed gas flow through the portal into the reactor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst coating comprises a methanol reforming catalyst or an ammonia cracking catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A device for irradiating the electrode with blue color diode light is included. A device for conducting electric current to the electrode is included. The ion exchange membrane includes a perfluorocarbon ion exchange resin containing sulfonic acid groups.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal encapsulated fullerene includes platinum metal family consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, or ruthenium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The ion exchange resin is formed from NAPHION.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The membrane is made from a perfluoro sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a fluorinated sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a polymer based on polysulfones and/or polysulfone modifications, a polymer based on aromatic polyether ketones, a polymer based on trifuorostyrene or is a composite membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The membrane is made from a perfluoro sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a fluorinated sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a polymer based on polysulfones and/or polysulfone modifications, a polymer based on aromatic polyether ketones, a polymer based on trifuorostyrene, or is a composite membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A heat exchanger cools the connected fuel cell hydride storage reservoir during transfer of the stored hydrogen; and heats the connected fuel cell hydride storage reservoir during evacuation of the reservoir. A pump evacuates the fuel cell hydride storage reservoir. A vent on the electrolyzer vents oxygen produced to the surrounding environment. The accumulator further comprises a compressor. A charge meter measures the amount of hydrogen transferred to the fuel cell hydride storage reservoir.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: At least one of the first and second valves includes a reverse-flow preventing device that inhibits the hydrogen gas from flowing from the fuel cell toward the storage device. The pump is driven at a first speed for circulating the hydrogen gas and is driven at a second speed higher than the first speed for drawing the hydrogen gas out of the storage device. A pressure-reducing device between the outlet of the storage device and the first point in the first passage reduces pressure of the hydrogen gas discharged from the storage device. A fourth passage (409) extends from a particular point in the first passage between the pressure-reducing device and the inlet of the fuel cell toward an outside of the vehicle. A relief valve (416) in the fourth passage permits and inhibits flow of gas upon opening and closing, respectively. When a pressure of the hydrogen gas in a portion of the first passage between the pressure-reducing device and the fuel cell is higher than a reference pressure, the relief valve is opened to discharge hydrogen gas from the first passage to the outside of the vehicle through the fourth passage. A gas-liquid separator (406) in at least one of the first and second passages separates moisture contained in the hydrogen gas discharged from the fuel cell into a liquid component and a gaseous component and remove only the liquid component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Heating is carried out by direct heating or with a high temperature gas which is prepared by completely combusting a combustion gas in which at least the fuel and oxygen are mixed, or by means of electromagnetism. The reforming catalyst and the carbon dioxide absorbent are dispersed and mixed at a level of 30 nm or less. Preferred Composition: The fuel contains carbon monoxide. The reforming catalyst contains platinum and/or palladium, and ruthenium and/or rhodium. The carbon dioxide adsorbent contains alkali metals and/or alkaline-earth metals. Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a combustion gas supplying unit for supplying combustion gas to reactor bed and a switching unit for alternately switching the supplies from source gas supplying unit and combustion gas supplying unit. EXAMPLE - A honey-comb catalyst provided to the reactor bed in a reactor, was contacted with propylene and steam under condition of molar water/carbon ratio of 2.5. Air was supplied to heat reactor bed. While carrying out contacting and heating steps alternately, the hydrocarbon content at the outlet of the reactor was 200-400 degreesC. The fuel reforming reaction was observed at 450 degreesC. Steam reforming reaction and carbon monoxide shift reaction were proceeded. The generated carbon dioxide was quickly adsorbed by carbon dioxide. The resulting reformed fuel gas mostly contained hydrogen. A comparative hydrogen generation process was performed similarly without heating the reactor bed. The resulted reformed fuel contained methane and less amount of hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The hydrogen-containing inorganic compound is metal hydrides, hydrazine or hydrazine derivatives.Preferred Composition: The fuel composition comprises 2-16 weight% (wt.%) of primary fuel and 1 wt.% to saturation amount of auxiliary fuel. The fuel composition also comprises at least one additional compound, and an electrolyte with a pH of more than 7. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, preferably potassium hydroxide in a concentration of 3-12 M, preferably 6 M.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The surface-active compound is a compound with hydroxyl functional group. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The surface-active compound is methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, ethylene glycol or glycerine. The hydrogen-containing inorganic compound is lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, dimethylamino borane (CH3)2NHBH3, sodium aluminum hydride, diborane, sodium cyanoborane, calcium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium hydride, potassium hydride or sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxo) dihydridaluminate    EXAMPLE - No suitable example.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The hydrogen-powered device is a fuel cell or micro-turbine. The metallic material and reaction products are transported in a cartridge, preferably an airtight polymer shell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The metallic material comprises a transition metal (alloy), preferably iron, manganese, chromium or zinc. The solid acid can be sodium hydrogen sulfate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The solid acid can be dry citric acid or oxalic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: An electrical power generating device (1a) using the fuel cell which is a solid electrolyte type fuel cell, generates electricity by using methane (12) as fuel. The high temperature exhaust gas (21) ejected from the electrical power generating device is used for drying dewatered sludge (17) with the drier. At least one portion of the fuel is used for drying the digested sludge.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst comprises palladium or ruthenium on cerium-promoted zirconia or alumina. EXAMPLE - Cerium oxide (CeO) was impregnated on zirconium oxide (ZrO2) using cerium nitrate (Ce(NO3)3 hexahydrate. The cerium promoted zirconium oxide was dried and calcined. Palladium and ruthenium were co-impregnated on CeO-ZrO2. Palladium nitrate solution containing 20 wt.% palladium was mixed with 1.5 wt.% ruthenium (III) nitrosyl. The catalyst was coated on iron/chromium/aluminum/yttrium felt. Catalyst coating slurry was prepared by mixing powder catalyst with de-ionized water in the ratio of 1:6. The mixture was ball-milled for 24 hours. Before coating, the metal felt was pretreated at 900degreesC in air for 2 hours. The felt was dipped into the catalyst slurry. Between each coating, the felt was dried at 100degreesC for 1 hour. The catalyst was dried at 100degreesC and calcined at 2degreesC/min to 300-500degreesC. The felt was calcined at 300-500degreesC for 3 hours in air. The catalyst felt had superior specific activity performed better than catalyst lacking the cerium promoter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Reaction of (II) as above in electron-donor solvent(s). Compounds of formula (II) are described e.g. in J. Heterocyclic Chem. 1988, 25, 1063. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 0.1 mol 2-aminobenzophenone, 0.05 mol succinylosuccinic acid diethyl ester, 50 ml ethanol and 1 ml hydrochloric acid was refluxed for 5 hours and then cooled. The precipitated intermediate (yield, 70%) was heated with 25 ml 1-chloronaphthalene for 30 minutes under reflux, and the mixture was worked up by filtration and washing (200 ml methanol) to give the required diaza-perylene (II/1; m.pt. 405degreesC) in a yield of 70%. A solution of 10 g boric acid in 250 ml acetic anhydride was mixed with 0.05 mol (II/1), refluxed to give a clear solution and then worked up by filtration (hot) followed by precipitation, to give the required boron-diazaperylene complex with two acetate groups attached to each boron atom (yield, 95%; m.pt. 380degreesC). Solutions of the product in acetone showed an absorption peak at 567 nm and an emission peak at 613 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The reducing gas comprises hydrogen based fuel containing hydrogen and argon or nitrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The groove comprises first and second grooves separated by insulation walls (23a, 23b) made of an electrical insulation material (28). The anode and cathode current collectors (22, 27, 30, 36) further comprises connectors made of a conductor. A thin film solar cell is formed on the uppermost layer of the groove, for converting solar energy into an electrical energy to be charged into the thin film batteries (24-26, 32-34).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The insulation material is silicon dioxide, and/or silicon on glass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The insulation material can be tetraethylorthosilicate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The liquid fuel consists of ethanol and/or methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The reformer gas is produced from autothermal reforming and/or partial oxidation reforming. The ethanol containing dissolved carbon monoxide is recycled to form additional gas obtained from the fuel reformer. The carbon monoxide is dissolved within a solution containing cuprous chloride. The solution containing cuprous chloride and dissolved carbon monoxide is separated from carbon monoxide dissolved in the liquid. The hydrogen devoid of carbon monoxide is subjected to scrubbing within the medium for scrubbing impurities within gaseous hydrogen to provide a gas containing hydrogen separated from the medium. The medium containing impurities is subjected to heat to form a vapor containing volatile impurities and a medium for recycle.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The medium for scrubbing consists of silica gel and/or alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The method further comprises opening a first purge valve (14) located between the fuel cell and the hydrogen dilution device to move the reacted fuel gas into the hydrogen dilution device; closing the valve; and momentarily and repeatedly opening and closing a second valve located at the outlet of the hydrogen dilution device to release the reacted fuel gas into the atmosphere.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The hydrogen dilution device comprises a porous frit, a holding chamber, or a hydrogen absorption/desorption medium comprising palladium or palladium oxide. The second valve is automatically or manually opened and closed.
EXAMPLE - Molten alloy whose composition was (Ti54Cr45V0.1Ce0.52, oxygen concentration=500 ppm) was quenched by spraying at 3.92 MPa with the cooling rate of (10E6 degreesC)/second to form alloy powder whose hydrogen occluding capacity was 2.8 weight %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The graphite flakes of size 80x140 mesh form at least 50 weight % of the flakes. The flakes have a moisture content of not greater than 1%. Transverse fluid channels are formed in the compressed sheet by mechanically impacting the surface to displace graphite within the sheet, at preset locations. At least one groove is formed on the surface. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Hydride: The metal hydride is preferably sodium hydride, magnesium hydride, and/or calcium hydride.Preferred Reducing Atmosphere: The reducing atmosphere preferably contains at least 10 vol.% hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The hydrogen atmosphere is formed by release of hydrogen from degraded alloy. The water formed during reduction reaction is removed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst active ingredient comprises ruthenium, rhodium, iridium and/or nickel. The heat-resistant oxide comprises oxide of lanthanum, alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal. The co-catalyst component contains 1-50 weight% heat-resistant oxide and 0.1-20 wt.% of catalyst active ingredient. Preferred Process: The hydrocarbon modification reaction is performed along with partial oxidation. Heat balance is maintained using the heat energy produced by partial oxidation, as internal heat source.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The oxidant supply and reformate are reacted in a preferential oxidizer located between the reformer and the fuel cell. The oxidant supply is injected into the reformate at an inlet to the anode side of the fuel cell. A first portion of the oxidant supply is injected into a preferential oxidizer and second portion of the oxidant supply is injected into the reformate upstream of the fuel cell. The flow rate of oxidant supply is determined according to FOn = OFS - k(Pn-1/Pn)(OFS - FOn-1), in which: OFS is the oxidant flow determined from the inlet streams to the reformer; Pn is the pressure of the reformer at a time Tn; Pn-1 is the pressure of the reformer at an earlier time Tn-1; FOn-1 is the flow rate of oxidant supply at the earlier time; k is a lag filter coefficient; and FOn is the flow rate of oxidant supply. The determined carbon monoxide content is based upon reaction kinetics in the reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The composite materials are obtained by hydrolyzing an organic macromolecular compound bearing a metal-containing group capable of bonding the metal oxide by hydrolysis and chemically bonded with a stabilizer for macromolecular compounds and at least one metal-containing compound capable of forming metal oxide by hydrolysis.Preferred Components: The stabilizers for the macromolecular compounds are preferably antioxidants, UV absorbers and photostabilizers. EXAMPLE - A mixture of methyl methacrylate (11.4 g), 3- methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (1.41 g), RUVA- 93 (RTM; polymerizable UV absorber) (1.83 g) and 2,2'- azobisisobutyronitrile (0.205 g) was radically polymerized for 7 hours at 70degreesC to give an organic component. A mixture of tetraethoxysilane (60 g), ethanol (70 g), 1 mol/l HNO3 aqueous solution (0.35 ml) and water (40 g) was hydrolysis- polycondensed for 48 hours to give inorganic component solution A. A mixture of titanium tetraisopropoxide (60 g), ethanol (75 g), concentrated. HNO3 (0.8 g) and water (3.8 g) was hydrolysis-polycondensed for 4 hours to give inorganic component solution B. The organic component (2.0 g) was dissolved into methyl ethyl ketone (500 ml) and ethyl cellosolve (400 ml), inorganic component solution A (20 ml) and inorganic component solution B (80 ml) were added to the obtained solution to give an application solution. The solution was spray-coated to a polycarbonate board and the board was dried for 12 hours at 80degreesC to give a 0.07 micron organic-inorganic composite gradient material with relationships between the sputtering time and contents of Ti, Si, C and N in Figures 1a and 1b.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The metal component is accommodated in a cartridge container in a vacuum or inert atmosphere during hydrogen generation. Water vapor is sprayed on the metal fine component during hydrogen generation.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The metal fine component is a filament or a porous component, containing iron, aluminum or titanium.Preferred Process: The redox process is carried out using a rich fuel, in a reducing furnace of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The oxidized metal fine component is used as a catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch method. The hydrogen-energy generation system regenerates the metal fine components, by gas atomization method or melt quench method. The hydrogen generated from the system is used as gasification atmosphere of Hynol process method.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred compounds: The gas is hydrogen. The solid is a nanotube comprising carbon or boron nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell is solid oxide or molten carbonate fuel cell having anode and cathode portions. The gasifier is a coal gasifier, biomass gasifier, or gasifier for waste material. The gasifier receives required reactants for gasification reaction from the fuel cell. A heat exchanger is provided to recover heat from exhaust gas from the fuel-cell cathode portion. The system also includes a second fuel cell module for receiving portion of exhaust gas which is not recycled back to gasifier module, and an after-burner positioned downstream of the fuel cell module for combusting any fuel remaining in the exhaust gas. Preferred Method: The recycled exhaust gas is obtained from the anode portion of fuel cell. It also acts as heat carrier. A portion of gaseous fuel output from the gasifier module enters the heat exchanger so that heat is transferred from the fuel-cell cathode exhaust to the gaseous fuel. The gasifier operates on carbon dioxide, and the fuel cell operates on carbon monoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The derivative has the maximum absorption and light generation in the visible light area. The Tg of the derivative is 100-110 degreesC. The derivative is of formula (1) R1=hydrocarbon, R2-R5=H, or aliphatic hydrocarbonZ = thiazol ring.The derivative is prepared by reacting (II) and (III).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Electronic Device: The inner tube and outer tubular holder include generally radially extending stand-offs which maintain the coaxial spaced relationship. The elongated wick material is circular in cross-section and has a diameter so as to fit closely within the inner perforated tube. The porous outer holder is formed as an integral part of the case. The case is a two-piece case of rectangular shape with the electronic unit being a CPU located in a first piece of the case and the fuel cell and the display screen are located in a second piece of the case. The water transporter is formed as two separate units with one unit being located along each one of two parallel side edges of the second piece of the case. The case includes an air circulator in the first case piece and conduit connected to the circulator which supplies a stream of air under pressure centrally between two side-by-side fuel cells which have anodes and cathodes so that air flows through channels past the cathodes to provide oxygen to react at the fuel cells and then transversely through the coaxial tube arrangement and finally out the exit opening. The channels which extend past the cathodes are serpentine in shape, and supply hydrogen to anodes. The elongated wick material comprises an elongated body that includes a bundle of strands of hydrophilic fibrous material. Individual strands from the bundle branch from the elongated body and individually extend into the parallel air flow channels so as to guard against potential water droplet blockage of an individual flow channel.The device is powered by a PEM fuel cell in combination with an electrolyzer unit for recharging a hydrogen reservoir.An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a portable personal computer powered by a PEM fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Composition: The organic polymer consists of cellulose ester. Production: Comprises: (a) casting a composition containing the organic polymer and the reactive metal compound or its hydrolyzed polycondensate, and less than 5000 ppm of an alkaline metal; (b) drying the composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The inorganic gas barrier layer consists of silicon oxide and ratio of number of oxygen atoms with respect to silicon atomic number is 1.5-2.0. Thickness of the inorganic gas barrier layer is 5-200 nm.Preferred Impurity Content: Raw material with impurity ion content of 1 micro-g/g or less is used for forming each of the layers. The impurity ion content in the raw material for forming inorganic gas barrier layer is 1 micro-g/g or less. EXAMPLE - (In weight parts) NK oligo UN-01 (RTM) ultraviolet cured resin (100), Irgacure 184 (RTM) (3) and toluene (450) were mixed and hard coat layer resin-containing liquid was prepared. A raw material containing solid epoxy resin of formula (3) (90) with impurity ion content of 0.12 micro-g/g and liquid epoxy resin of formula (2) (100) with impurity ion content of 0.08 micro-g/g, hardener and curing agent, and epoxy resin-containing liquid was obtained. Hard coat layer resin-containing liquid was applied on a stainless steel belt, hardened by ultraviolet radiation, and hard coat layer of thickness 2 micro-m was formed. An epoxy resin-containing liquid was then applied on the hard coat layer and dried at 150 degrees C for 30 minutes, and epoxy resin layer of thickness 400 micro-m was formed. The laminate of hard coat layer and epoxy resin layer was peeled from the stainless steel belt and heat processed for 45 minutes at 180 degrees C. An inorganic gas barrier layer was formed on the epoxy resin layer by sputtering silicon oxide. The working condition of liquid crystal display device using the resin sheet for liquid crystal cell substrate, was favorable. The total impurity ion content of the resin sheet was 0.25 micro-g/g. The sheet contained 0.09 micro-g/g of sodium ions, and 0.16 micro-g/g of ammonium ions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The visible light region is an inorganic semiconductor compound selected chosen from metal sulfide, metal selenide and metal telluride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The integration system further comprises cracked distillate drum (32), oil recovery tower (55) connected to the drum through the connection line (51), flow regulating valves (50a-50e) for transduction, connection and branch lines, heating burner (37) which burns the fuel and connected to the oil recovery tower, and control apparatus (60).Preferred Process: The drum guides and stores the decomposition gas. A portion of light gas generated from the drum is introduced to the fuel cell through the transduction line (43). The flow regulating valves are controlled by the control apparatus depending upon the electricity generation load of the fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metals: The catalyst metal comprises noble metals containing platinum and/or ruthenium. The grain size of the catalyst metal is 2-5 microns. The high heat conduction material is silicon nitride or silicon carbide. The grain size of the high heat conduction material is 5-10 microns. The catalyst contains 30-80 vol.% of a high heat conduction material with an area ratio of 25-95%. EXAMPLE - Platinum supporting alumina was impregnated using platinum chloride aqueous solution, such that platinum was 1 mass% to the catalyst powder obtained. After drying and baking, platinum carrying alumina catalyst powder was obtained. Platinum carrying alumina catalyst powder, alumina sol, water and silicon nitride with a heat conductivity of 30 W.m-1.K-1 were placed in a magnetic ball mill pot. Mixing and running were performed for 2 hours and slurried. Addition of silicon nitride was made to 50 vol.% in the catalyst coat layer obtained. The grain size of platinum carrying alumina catalyst powder in the slurry obtained was 5 microns and the grain size of silicon nitride was 8 microns. Carbon monoxide (CO) concentration reduction catalyst was obtained by drying the slurry in a plate fin type heat exchanger. CO concentration reduction catalyst was evaluated by changing the coolant temperature, such that reaction temperature was 80-160 degrees C. The outlet CO concentration from the plate fin type heat exchanger in coolant temperature was evaluated as 80 ppm at 90 degrees C, 30 ppm at 120 degrees C and 150 ppm at 140 degrees C. The CO concentration reduction catalyst obtained showed improved CO concentration reduction effect.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalysts: The proton conductive material is a compound oxide, e.g. perovskite or pyrochlore type compound oxide containing alkaline earth or titanium group element, optionally a part of it is replaced by an element with a different atomic valency. EXAMPLE - A diffusion model experiment was conducted by using SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3 - delta as catalyst and a mixture of hydrogen and deuterium. To generate hydrogen, the catalyst was exposed to moisture or steam in the air and then the produced hydrogen gas was trapped for measurement.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The intermittent introduction of oxidizing agent gas to the CO selective oxidation device is carried out over a period of 10-200 ms.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The copper group fuel modification catalyst comprises at least one component chosen from platinum, ruthenium, rhodium and iridium, oxide of iron, chromium, zirconium, molybdenum, rhenium, gallium, germanium, magnesium, calcium, yttrium, and lanthanum, gold and silver, along with copper alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The semiconductor consists of any one of the material chosen from group Si, GaAs and Ge.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dopants: The main dopant is lithium, aluminum or gallium, or arsenic, antimony or bismuth. The supplementary dopant is bismuth, or lithium, aluminum, gallium or indium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Structure: The seal (11) forms a frame holding the plates (3, 5) apart. In particular, several cells, each with seal and 2 plates, are combined to give a fuel cell block stability.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The fluororubber is a fluoro-polymethylene rubber. It has a hardness of 60-85 Shore A.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The liquid crystalline polymer of liquid crystalline polymer layer(s) is a blend of two or more liquid crystalline polymers, preferably a copolymer of hydroxy benzoate/hydroxy napthoate. The porous, conductive layer is a stainless steel sintered pad.Preferred Composition: The porous, conductive layer contains sintered particles, a woven mat or a non woven mat.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The principal chain compound mainly contains poloxy Sasol structure. EXAMPLE - 3,3',4,4'-tetra amino diphenyl sulfone (in grams) (1.830), 3,5-dicarboxy phenyl phosphonic acid (1.618), poly phosphoric acid (20.48) and phosphorus pentoxide (16.41) were stirred at 100degreesC under nitrogen atmosphere. The temperature was further raised to 155degreesC after 1 hour and 210degreesC after 5 hours. After completion of polymerization, water was added and the polymer was removed. The obtained polymer was washed using water repeatedly and dried under reduced pressure at 80degreesC. The logarithmic viscosity of the polymer was 1.20. The polymer (300 mg) and methane sulfonic acid (2.5 ml) were made into a homogeneous solution and was spread on a glass plate to form a film of 180 mm thickness. The glass plate was soaked in water, cooled and removed. The obtained film was dried under reduced pressure at 80degreesC and a film for ionic conductivity measurement was produced. The electrical conductivity of the film was 0.030 (S/cm), at 80degreesC and 95 % relative humidity. The compound has a 3 % weight reduction temperature of 400degreesC or more, based on sample weight at 200degreesC by thermo gravimetric analysis measurement. The compound comprises repeating units which are bonded randomly and/or alternately, and has an average molecular weight of 1,000- 1,000,000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conditions: The lanthanum, chromium and titanium materials are sintered in air at 1650 degreesC or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Composition: The polymeric composition contains the following components A, B, C with a total weight of the component A and the component B of 100 parts by weight: (a) Component A: an alicyclic-containing skeleton bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I), 70-99 parts by weight; (b) Component B: an alicyclic-containing skeleton mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II), 1-30 parts by weight; and (c) Component C: an at least bifunctional mercapto compound, 1-10 parts by weight.R1- R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q, r, s = 0, 1, or 2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Composition: The photo-setting resin contains the following components A, B, C with a total weight of the component A and the component B of 100 parts by weight: (a) Component A: an alicyclic-containing skeleton bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I), 70-99 parts by weight; (b) Component B: an alicyclic-containing skeleton mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II), 1-30 parts by weight; and (c) Component C: an at least bifunctional mercapto compound, 1-10 parts by weight.R1 - R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q, r, s = 0, 1, or 2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst is nickel-based and contains nickel at 4% or more. The reaction gas from the catalyst regeneration phase is reused as a source of energy in the process. The two phases are performed, at least for a certain amount of time, parallel, in at least two retorts which operate alternatively generating hydrogen and regenerating the catalyst. The temperature of the cracking phase is 1000-1100degreesC. The retorts are filled or coated with catalyst supported on a ceramic material. The hydrogen obtained is cooled and stored or used in fuel cells. The reaction gas from the regeneration phase is used for generating steam and/or for heating the retorts. The hot chamber is provided with a heat exchanger connected to a steam generator. A heat exchanger is provided at the outlet of the retorts for cooling the gases produced.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The sulfur-absorbent material includes copper oxide (10-90%, preferably 20-60%), zinc oxide and chromium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The onion-like thin film has a diameter of at least 4 nm or more per 0.001 microm2.The proportion of the clusters each having an onion-like structure in a matrix is at least 50% by volume of more.Preferred Process: The film is sputter-formed by applying a positive bias voltage to the base material, using an unbalanced magnetron sputtering method. EXAMPLE - A silicon wafer as base material was placed in a chamber. Argon gas was introduced and high frequency power source was applied to generate argon plasma. Sputter etching of base material surface by argon ions was performed. A sputtering target of graphite was dispersed in front of wafer and unbalanced magnetron cathode was disposed on the periphery of wafer. A direct current power was applied and carbon film of thickness 300 nm was formed on wafer. The plasma space potential after film formation was evaluated and found to be -7 V. The transmission electron microscopic observation of the film showed 85% volume fraction of onion-like clusters. The number of onion-like cluster with diameter of 4 nm or more was found to be 42/0.001 microm2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The case has a multi-layer structure which contains at least a portion of metal layer, and a flange for supporting the hydrogen gas outlet and the raw material supply unit. The flange equips a surface with at least a resin and the case main portion equips a contact portion with the flange. The main portion of the case and the flange are subjected to thermocompression bonding. A cooling gas is formed in the chemical reaction portion, and the heat of the gaseous substances is used for heating. The thermal protection structure also isolates the cooling portion (35) thermally from the outside.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particle: The porous heat-resistant particles are ceramic granules and resin particles arranged in layers. The resin layer is between the case and the particle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: Between steps (b) and (d), an intermediate step (c) comprises further growth of the skeleton by electrodeposition of silver, zinc, cadmium, nickel, or preferably copper or lead. In step (d), the further growth complies with the condition 0.5at most(a+b)/(c+d)at most5 where a+b is the further growth in the thickness direction of the skeleton and c+d is the further growth in the plane of the skeleton. The thickness of the skeleton is 10-45 mum. The diameter of the openings in the screen material is 50-100 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: Compounds (I) have X = -CH-; Aryl1 and Aryl2 = phenyl, 1- or 2-naphthyl or 9-anthracenyl; Z = B; and Y5 and Y6 = H or Q group. Compounds (II) have 2, 3 or 4 of Y1-Y4 identical. Preparations are given for 2,7-di-t.-butyl-2',7'-bis-(dimesitylboryl)-9,9'-spirobifluorene and 2,7,2',7'-tetrakis-(dimesitylboryl)-9,9'-spirobifluorene. EXAMPLE - 2,7,2',7'-Tetrakis-(dimesitylboryl)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (Ia) of 99% purity was obtained in 70-85% yield by:    (i) dripping a 1.7 M solution (56.5 ml) of n-BuLi in n-hexane over 20 minutes into a stirred suspension of 2,7,2',7'-tetrabromo-9,9'-spirobifluorene (6.32 g) in absolute THF (200 ml) at -78 degrees C with the temperature not exceeding -65 degrees C, followed by stirring for 1 hour at -78 degrees C;    (ii) dripping a solution of fluoro-dimesitylborane (11.80 g) in absolute THF (100 ml) over 20 minutes into the suspension with the temperature not exceeding -65 degrees C; and then    (iii) stirring for 12 hours while warming to room temperature, followed by work-up by rotary evaporation and washing.    (Ia) was used as a 10 nm second top layer in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) along with the following (bottom to top) layers 20 nm poly-(3,4-ethylenedioxy)-2,5-thiophene; 20 nm tris-4,4',4''-(3-methylphenyl-phenylamino)triphenylamine; 20 nm 2,2,7,7'-tetrakis(diphenylamino)-spirobifluorene; 40 nm 4,4/-bis-(N-carbazolyl)biphenyl doped with 6% fac-tris-(2-phenylpyridyl)-iridium(III); 8 nm 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; and a 150 nm Yb cathode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carrier: The carrier component of the catalyst is chosen out of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), silicon oxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), metallosilicate and zeolite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The electroconductive microparticle is selected from tin oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, indium trioxide, strontium trioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The porous support element is selected from glass fiber, polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, vinylon, sulfide, polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The barrier contains powder of calcium aluminate, magnesium aluminate, alumina or calcium aluminate cement.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The positive electrode has surface opposite to negative electrode which contacts to water vapor or water vapor-containing atmosphere. Water formed at negative electrode is retained or stored in closed state. The negative electrode is in porous or mesh state. A catalyst layer between proton conductor and positive electrode and/or negative electrode is provided. A porous separator can also be provided between proton conductor and positive electrode and/or negative electrode. The water supplied in vapor or gaseous state is provided at pressure of 267Pa - 267kPa. The temperature during electrochemical decomposition is -50 to 300 degrees C. The proton liberating group is -XH.X = atom or atom group having divalent bonds such as -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H or -OPO(OH)2
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Zirconium Compound: The zirconium compound is zirconium sulfate.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The titanium dioxide precursor is titanium tetrachloride, titanium tetra-isopropoxide and/or titanium oxy acetylacetonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst in the EXR and ENR are different. A heat medium for heat removal is provided in the ENR, while a heat medium for heating is provided in the EXR. The endothermic reaction performed in the ENR is steam reforming of alcohol, hydrocarbon or dehydrogenation. The exothermic reaction is a water-based shift reaction of catalyzed combustion of hydrogen, hydrocarbon or alcohol, partial oxidation or selective oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The heating surface of the reactor comprises a corrugated fin, flat plate or tube. The reactor is a reformer for a plate fin-type fuel cell which has a combustion side route (CSR) and a modification side route (MSR), with a heat balance of heat generation and absorption. A noble metal group catalyst is supported near the reactor outlet of CSR and active low oxide group catalyst is supported near reactor inlet. The metal load of combustion catalyst in CSR is adjusted.
EXAMPLE - 15 (as weight parts) of NaBH4, 234 of NaBO2-4(H2O), and 100 of NaOH were dissolved into water up to 1000 of aqueous solution, which was cooled down to 0 degreesC. Molar ratio of NaBH4 has increased from 0.47 to 0.76.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The membrane has a thickness of 0.1-1 micron. The alkaline solution is pressurized. A potential difference is applied across the membrane. A membrane separating apparatus is used for the separation. The membrane separating apparatus is part of a hydrogen generating system. EXAMPLE - NaBH4 (8.6 wt.%) and NaBO2 (4.5 wt.%) were removed from a pH 12 NaOH solution with a polyamide, fluororesin, or polyvinylchloride microporous membrane using a back osmosis membrane apparatus at a pressure of 35 kg/cm2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is chosen from copper-zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium and/or ruthenium groups.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The rare earth metals are selected from group consisting of platinum, palladium, ruthenium and rhodium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Medium: The cooling medium in heat exchanger is water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The product stream is introduced to the fuel cell when the product stream has a low pollutant concentration, and the product stream is released to the surroundings when its pollutant concentration is high. CO concentration is measured as the pollutant concentration. The CO concentration is reduced by oxidizing with the supply of O2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The halogen atom is F, Cl or Br. The hydroxide is MOH and the sulfite is M2SO3 where M is an alkali metal. The hydroxyl group of the hydroxylated fullerene is converted to at least 1 of -OSO3H and -OPO(OH)2. A spherical carbon cluster molecule Cm is used as a fullerene molecule where m = 36, 60, 70, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84. The proton dissociatable group is -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H or -OPP(OH)2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Compounds: The high-molecular compound consists of a rubber-modified thermoplastic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Conditions: All of the corners of the sheet have a notched form or R-corner form and there is a relationship of equation (1) between the lengths of the edges (L1) and the dimension of the notched portion or R-corner in the edge directions, (K1, K2).(K1 + K2) = greater than or equal to L1/300 and smaller than or equal to L1/10 (1).The notched forms or R-corner forms are processed after molding of the plastic sheet. The thickness of the plastic sheet is 0.05-3 mm.Preferred Components: The polymerizing composition comprises alicyclic skeleton-containing bis(meth)acrylate of formula (1) (70-99 parts by weight(pbw)), alicyclic skeleton-containing mono(meth)acrylate of formula (2) (1-30 pbw) and at least bi-functional mercapto compound (1-10 pbw).R1, R2, R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1; andp, q, r, s = 0, 1 or 2. EXAMPLE - Bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decandimethacrylate (94 parts by weight(pbw)), bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decane=monomethacrylate (6 pbw), pentaerythritol tetrakis(beta-thiopropionate) (86 pbw), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphinoxide (0.1 pbw) and benzophenone (0.1 pbw) were mixed to give composition.    The composition was casted in a mold and exposed to UV-rays for 5 minutes, followed by heating at 160 degreesC for 1 hour. The obtained cured substance was cut into 300x300 mm by a carbon dioxide gas laser and each corner was formed into R-corner form. The plastic sheet had light transmittance of 92 % and double refraction of 0.5 nm. The sheet was protected from breaking on breaking test. The sheet had a relationship, (K1 + K2) = 0.033 L1, where L1 is the lengths of the edges and K1, K2 are the dimension of the R-corner in the edge directions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Products: A macromolecular solid electrolytic film consists of a film containing the macromolecular solid electrolyte. A solution for covering an electrode catalyst supports catalytic metal particles on the surface of a conductive material consisting of a carbon material by a binder. The binder contains the macromolecular solid electrolyte. A film/electrode bonded body for a solid oxide fuel cell is formed of a macromolecular electrolytic film and a gas electrode connected to the macromolecular electrolytic film. The macromolecular electrolytic film consists of the macromolecular solid electrolytic film. The gas electrode consists of an electrode supporting catalytic metal particles on the surface of a conductive material consisting of a carbon material by a binder. The binder contains the macromolecular solid electrolyte. A solid oxide fuel cell has:(a) a macromolecular electrolytic film;(b) a gas diffusion electrode consisting of a cathode electrode and an anode electrode and disposed at both sides of the macromolecular film;(c) a pair of gas impermeable separators interposed to sandwich the gas diffusion electrode; and(d) a pair of current collectors interposed between the macromolecular solid electrolytic film and the separator.The macromolecular electrolytic film consists of the macromolecular solid electrolytic film.
SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The inorganic filler is silica, titanium oxide and alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Conditions: The aromatic polyamide film after heating for 5 minutes at 300degreesC has 78 pieces or less surface defects on the magnetic layer formed surface. The aromatic polyamide film has 1.2 pieces or more of total crater-like defects and caldera-like big and rough protrusions. The magnetic layer in the magnetic recording medium has a thickness less than 0.3 mum. EXAMPLE - N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) dissolved 4,4'-diamino diphenyl ether (DPE) ( in mol %) (15) and 2-chloro para phenylene diamine (CPA) (85).Silica particles (0.05 weight%) of grain size 80 nm was added to polymer solution and filtered. 2-chloro terephthalic acid chloride (CTPC) (98.5) was added to solution and stirred for 2 hours at 30degreesC. Hydrogen chloride present in polymerization polymer was added with lithium carbonate (98.5), neutralized , decompressed and aromatic polyamide solution(APS) C containing polymer (10.8 wt.%) was obtained. CPA (85) and DPE (15) were dissolved in dehydrated NMP, filtered and transferred into polymerization tank. Filtered CTPC (98.5) was added to solution, and stirred at 30degreesC. Neutralization of solution was carried out after adding lithium carbonate (98.5).Silica (1.8 wt.%) of grain size 16 nm was added to solution, stirred, and APS B containing polymer (10.6 wt.%) was obtained. Solutions C and B were filtered and coated inside metal collet to form film of C and B of thickness 3 mum and 1 mum respectively. Magnetic layer was applied on surface of aromatic polyamide .Magnetic tape obtained had favorable electromagnetic transfer characteristics and drop out.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The silicon compound consists of formula (1).(R1)a(R2)b(R3)cSi(X1)4-a-b-c (1)R1, R2, R3 = H or 1-16C monovalent organic group;one of R1, R2, R3 = fluorine-containing monovalent organic group;X1 = halo, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxy-substituted alkoxy, aminoxy, carbamoyl, or isocyanate;a, b, c = 0-3;a+b+c = greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The laminate includes second and third plastic layers that sandwich the conductive layer. A third plastic layer is disposed intermediate of the conductive layer and the first layer. A fourth plastic layer is disposed between the first plastic layer and the third plastic layer. The insulator is a grommet that is integrally formed from the first and/or fourth layers. The common edge defines an opening (7) overlying the substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The first layer includes a low melting point polymer with adhesive properties, preferably Nucrel. The second and third layers include polyethylene terephthalate. The fourth layer includes polyethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The conductive layer includes aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: An area around the periphery of the wafer (3) is left uncut, forming a frame (5). The strips are temporarily held within the frame and cut. A laser, wet anisotropic etching of (110) oriented wafers, or dicing saw is used to form slots (2) in the wafer. At least one interconnecting portion is formed on or in the wafer. It connected the adjoining strips to maintain a constant gap between the strips. It is strip(s) of the semiconducting material formed at least partly across one or both its main surfaces. It is connected to each of the strips which are defined by the slots. It is perpendicular to the strips (1). The layer is applied to the surface by low pressure chemical vapor deposition. Preferred Property: The angle is 90 degrees.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The semiconductor material is silicon and the protective substance is silicon nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - A catalyst for a fuel cell is platinum, Ir, Pd, or Rh. A silicon transition metal having reduction property is selected from polysilane, polycarbosilane, polysiloxane, and polysilazane. Polysilane is a catalyst represented by a formula of(R1m R2n Xp Si)qwherein R1 and R2 indicate a hydrogen atom or substitution or non-substitution univalent hydrocarbon group, X is R1, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a nitrogen atom. m is 0.1 at most m at most 1 andn is 0 at most n at most 1,p is 0 at most p at most 0.5. and is a number satisfying a formula of 0.1 at most m + n + p at most 2.q is an integer satisfying 4 at most q at most 100,000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The system comprises a raw material supply portion for supplying mixture of metal hydride and strong alkali water as raw material to the reaction portion, a memory unit for storing the relationship of the quantity water or heat applied to the reaction portion, and the hydrogen gas required, and a pH control portion for controlling the pH of reaction portion. The pH of reaction portion is reduced when the hydrogen gas required is increased or the pH of reaction portion is increased when the hydrogen gas required is decreased. A pH desired value setting portion for setting the desired pH value of reaction portion, is comprised. The control portion controls the amount of raw material supplied to reaction portion based on the memory unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The charged voltage remained in the surface of plastics sheets or in the surface of the mold after discharging is up to plus/minus 1 kV. A polymerizing composition is put into the mold, cured, then separated from the mold while the surface charges are removed. The composition contains polymerizing monomers having at least two polymerizing functional groups. The composition contains 70-99 pts.wt. of an alicyclic ring containing bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I), 1-30 pts.wt. of an alicyclic ring containing mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II), and 1-10 pts.wt. of a mercapto compound at least bi-functional.R1, R2, R3 = hydrogen atom or methyl group;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q, r, s = 0, 1, or 2The plastics sheet is 0.05-3 mm thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The plastic sheet has glass transition point of 150 degreesC or more, a birefringence of 5 nm or less and a thickness of 0.05-3 mm. Preparation: The plastic sheet is prepared by polymerization-curing a polymerizing composition which contains polymerizing monomer having at least two polymerizing functional groups. The polymerizing composition comprises alicyclic skeleton-containing bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I)(70-99 parts by weight(pbw)) alicyclic skeleton-containing mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II)(1-30 pbw) and at least bifunctional mercapto compound (1-10 pbw).R1, R2, R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q = 0, 1 or 2;r, s = 0, 1 or 2. EXAMPLE - Bis(hydroxymethyl)tricyclo(5.2.1.02.6)decan=dimethacrylate(94 parts by weight(pbw)), bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decan=monomethacrylate(6 pbw), pentaerythritol tetrakis(beta-thiopropionate(6 pbw), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphinoxide(0.1 pbw) and benzophenone(0.1 pbw) were mixed and degassed to give composition. The composition was poured in a mold and exposed to UV-rays. After de-molding, the moldings were heated at 160 degreesC for 1 hour to give cured substance. The cured substance had a light transmittance of 92 % and birefringence of 1 nm and thermal resistance of 190 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The plastic sheet has in-plane thickness accuracy of within 5 %, glass transition point of 150 degreesC or more, a birefringence of 5 nm or less and a thickness of 0.05-3 mm. Preparation: The plastic sheet is prepared by polymerization-curing a polymerizing composition which contains polymerizing monomer having at least two polymerizing functional groups. The polymerizing composition comprises (parts by weight): alicyclic skeleton-containing bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I)(70-99) alicyclic skeleton-containing mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II)(1-30) and at least bifunctional mercapto compound (1-10).R1, R2, R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1; andp, q, r, s = 0, 1 or 2 . EXAMPLE - Bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decan=dimethacrylate(94 parts by weight(pbw)), bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decan=monomethacrylate(6 pbw), pentaerythritol tetrakis(beta-thiopropionate(6 pbw), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphinoxide(0.1 pbw) and benzophenone(0.1 pbw) were mixed and degassed to give composition. The composition was poured in a mold and exposed to UV-rays. After de-molding, the moldings were heated at 160 degreesC for 1 hour to give cured substance. The cured substance had an accuracy of plus or minus 4 %, light transmittance of 92 % and birefringence of 1 nm and thermal resistance of 195 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell includes a methanol feed part which feed methanol to the membranes. The methanol feed part is a wicking part that feed the methanol to edges of the membranes. The membranes are formed of a planar structure. The interconnects are also formed of planar structures of the same size as the membranes.Preferred Dimension: A ratio of the area of the interconnect/the area of the electrode is at least 0.2, preferably 0.2.Preferred Method: The interconnect paste is applied using a hypodermic syringe.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The paste includes graphite and a heat curing binder that is heated during the hot pressing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The electrical resistivity of the particles along the length of the particles is lower than the electrical resistivity transverse to the length of the particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst material is loaded onto the elongate electrically anisotropic particles of expanded graphite. It is supported on the particles of flexible graphite sheet at or near the location where the walls of the channels abut the ion exchange membrane.Preferred Dimension: The particles of expanded graphite are 2-50 micron length.Preferred Material: The catalyst material comprises a platinum group metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The ion electroconductive polymer is a polymer containing at least one of sulfonic acid group and carboxy group, and a fluororesin structure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The compound containing nitrogen is at least one of guanidine, triazole, and/or their derivatives.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hetero elements are boron, aluminum, gallium, indium and/or thallium preferably boron. The organic polymeric precursor is polyimide-film having high heat resistance.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The porous semiconductor layer consists of titanium oxide. The electrolyte consists of a three-dimensionally crosslinked high-molecular electrolyte. The high-molecular electrolyte consists a high-molecular compound containing a structural unit formed of a monomer of formula (I) or formula (II).R1 -R3 = H or methyl;A1 = n-valent residue bonded to ester by C;n = 1-4;A2 = bond, or divalent residue bonded to ester and methylene by corresponding C;m = 0-2.Production: At least two or more colors for forming the given patterns are adsorbed to the porous semiconductor layer to provide the photoreceiving surface with the indication function.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The barrier layer mainly contains titanium oxide and further contains metal alkoxide. The electron transport layer is mainly formed of titanium dioxide. The hole transport layer contains a metal halide compound with a metal iodide compound. Its crystal size coarse substance includes thiocyanic acid salt, ammonium halide and cyanoethylate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thin plates (30) and the feed plates (20I, 20S) are made of phenolic resin loaded with graphite.The bipolar plate includes silicone inserts installed on the surfaces of the frame (11) around the fuel and oxidant collectors and at the periphery of the membrane of a membrane/electrodes assembly (1), to provide a hermetic seal between the two bipolar plates.Preferred Process: Manufacture of the bipolar plate involves:(A) Attaching the two plates (30) to each other via segments (32, 34, 35) using a conductive adhesive;(B) Forming with a water jet the circulation channels (21I, 21S) in the two feed plates (21I, 20S);(C) Applying a conductive adhesive around the flat central framework and the feed plates (20I, 20S); and(D) Injecting the dielectric thermoplastic frame (11) and injecting the silicone inserts (4, 5) on the surface of the frame (11).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A reduction in the operating temperature of the reforming zone(s) by 20% takes at least 8 hours (especially at least 24 hours). The heat shield has a thermal conductivity of less than 35 (especially less than 5) W/mK, and preferably incorporates a vacuum and is combined with a heat accumulator (preferably of phase change material and preferably arranged within the heat shield). If the reformer has multiple zone, the heat shields for the different zones may have different conductivity. Specifically the reformer has first, second and third zones for partial oxidation, steam reforming and catalytic product purification respectively, and the heat shield of the third zone has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the second zone but lower than that of the first zone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The honeycomb structure is formed at least partly from metal sheets of thickness less than 0.06 (preferably less than 0.02) mm; contains more than 600 (preferably more than 1000) channels per square inch; and has a catalytically active surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: NHx-compounds, CO, CH3OH and/or H2 are also used as fuel, catalyst/activator and/or for mineralization in addition to the monosilane. The monosilane is obtained from a magnesium hydride/magnesium/hydrogen storage system. The oxidizing agent is air, O2 or N2, preferably air, and the microfibers are preferably of fabric.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The cathode comprises a metal or metal oxide and carbon black . The metal oxide is zinc oxide. The anode consists of platinum and carbon black.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The cathode comprises a sulfonic acid group-containing perfluorinated (co)polymer as binder. The anode also comprises a perfluorinated (co)polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The fuel cell is operated with a current density of 50-500 mA/cm2 and at 2-40 (preferably 2-15) bar. The oxygen and/or hydrogen is moistened with water vapor prior to entering the fuel cell. EXAMPLE - Membranes having a thickness of 170 and 180 microns were used to produce hydrogen peroxide having a concentration above 10 wt.%. Membranes having a thickness of 40-50 microns produced hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of only about 2 wt.%.
EXAMPLE - A (Ti40Cr50Mo10) alloy whose initial hydrogen occluding capacity was 2.38 weight %, was repeatedly made to occlude and discharge hydrogen (under 0-10 MPa) at 40 degreesC for 100 cycles hydrogen occluding capacity has decreased down to 2.11 weight %, which was thermally treated in the vacuum at 600 degreesC for 1 hour hydrogen occluding capacity increased up to 2.32 weight % (97 % of the initial value).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: After reaction of mixture of halogenated silane and organic halide in presence of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, halogenated alkoxylation or hydroxylation, or bromination is performed. The metal hydride is lithium aluminum hydride. EXAMPLE - A tetrachlorosilane (in mmol) (17.7) and n-propylbromide (17.7) were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran, and reacted for 1.5 hours in presence of magnesium. Lithium aluminum hydride (5.2) was added to the reaction solution, and reacted for 30 minutes. Ethyl acetate was added and excessive lithium aluminum hydride was reacted. Yield of organosilicon nanocluster (SiC2.85H6.84O0.1) obtained was 49%. The organosilicon nanocluster having high stability and low oxygen content was manufactured without column separation and hydrofluoric acid processing, in less number of steps.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The substrate film consists of a fluorine-based resin film, cyclic polyolefin-based resin film, or polyester-based film. The metal evaporated film consists of an aluminum evaporated film. Preferred Solar Battery Module: The following are laminated on the bottom surface protective sheet by facing the opposite side surface against the weather resistant outermost layer of the bottom surface protective sheet to the following: a top surface protective sheet for a solar battery module, a filler layer, a solar battery element serving as a photoelectromotive force element, a filler. Vacuum aspiration is applied to resulting laminate to form an integrated molded article by heating contact bonding lamination.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The polymeric material of the proton conductor is chosen out of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyfluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene oxide and polyphenylene oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The treatment is carried out at 300-950 degrees C with a gas containing 1-100 mol% water vapor.Preferred Materials: The metal is Cr, Mo, V, W, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Te, Ru, F, Ru, Os, Cu, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Ag, Ga, Au and/or Pt and the complex is a carbonyl, cyano or isonitrile, preferably Fe pentacarbonyl, NH4-tetracarbonyl ferrate, -tetracyano-palladate or platinate, or -hexacyano-ruthenate, platinate, cobaltate, chromate or ferrate. EXAMPLE - When a catalyst prepared from 340.22 g tetraethyl orthosilicate and 6.19 g ammonium hexacyanoferrate was used to convert benzene, the conversion was 20%, the selectivity was 98% and the activity was 10% after 48 hours.    In comparison, the conversion was 16%, 91% and 74% for a catalyst prepared from 340.22 g tetraethyl orthosilicate and 6.13 g Fe (II) citrate monohydrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A fuel amount control device is provided for controlling the supplied amount of the raw liquid fuel during the warm-up of the reformer to become larger than the supplied amount of raw liquid fuel during idle operation after completion of the warm-up. The ratio of the increased supplied amount of reformed air controlled by the reforming air amount control device is set larger than the ratio of the increased supplied amount of raw liquid fuel controlled by the fuel amount control device. The temperature corresponding to the warm-up state of the reformer is detected, and when this detected temperature has become higher than a predetermined temperature, the supplied amount of reforming air that is increased by the reforming air amount control device during the warm-up of the reformer is then decreased. The control for decreasing the supplied amount of the reforming air is decreased depending on the detected temperature. The detected temperature is the temperature of the catalyst in the reformer, the temperature of the reforming gas, or the temperature of the case of the reformer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reforming catalyst is a palladium-type precious metal catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The oxidizing material containing atmosphere is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, ozone, nitrous oxide and nitric oxide atmosphere.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - The gas distribution layer comprises a mesh formed by straight or looped metal wires, or it can comprise a porous material with low flow resistance and good conductivity, preferably stretched/expanded sheet metal with a mesh structure, sintered metal or metallized synthetic foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Equipment: The coating inhibition mechanism removes the coating by interaction of metal hydride and water, and has a retention mechanism which holds the metal hydride. The hydrogen gas formation equipment has a water injection mechanism which injects water by high pressure, on the surface of metal hydride. The reaction portion has a structure in which water for hydrolyzation is stored. The coating inhibition mechanism has a water wash mechanism which is a vibration system which is made to vibrate in water while maintaining the lump of metal hydride. The vibration system is vibrated using ultrasonic wave. A pulverization mechanism which pulverizes and supplies metal hydride to the reaction portion, is provided. A water supply mechanism is provided, which sprays water vapor to the metal hydride. Preferred Metal Hydride: The mean particle diameter of the pulverized metal hydride is 50 mum or less. The metal hydride is sodium borohydride (NaBH4).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: The complex metal hydride is thermally decomposed at 100-170degreesC in the presence of the catalyst. Preferred Metal: The metal in the complex metal hydride is noble metal microparticle having a mean particle diameter of 1000 nm or less. The catalyst contains a carrier which consists of the substance for supporting the noble metal microparticles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carrier: The carrier is chosen from alumina, titania, silica, zirconia, yttrium type zeolite, mordenite and beta-zeolite. Preferred Element: The element of active metal component is chosen from iridium, gold, rhodium, palladium, manganese, chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, iron and/or tin or their alloys.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Production: comprises: (a) applying a silicone-based coating material formed by blending the silicone-based resin using the Si-O bond of formula (I) as its major skeleton with the composite oxide pigment having a particle diameter of 1 micrometers or less, 10-60 percent by mass, to the metal substrate; (b) burning the silicone-based coating material at 300-600 degrees C for 30-200 seconds; (c) forming the insulating film on the surface of the metal substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: Dye molecule-(a1) is a ruthenium tris-bipyridyl or bis-bipyridyl complex. Molecule-(a2) is a compound which has triphenyl amine structure. Super molecule-(A) comprises of a compound of formula (I) bonded to a molecule of formula (II).X = transition metal including iron, ruthenium, or osmium; andR1 - R6 = H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy group, -OH, -COOH, -SO3H, -(CH2)nOH;n = 1-10;A = a divalent linking group; andR7-R9 = optionally substituted aryl.A photo-electric transducer comprises the new photo-semiconductor electrode. EXAMPLE - A titanium oxide colloidal solution prepared from tetra-isopropyl ortho-titanate was coated on an ITO glass plate and fired at 500 degreesC to obtain a 1.0 microns thick titanium oxide layer. The layer was dipped in a solution dissolving 100 mg of a super-molecule compound of formula (III) in ethanol (50 mL) at 70 degreesC for 12 hours. The layer was washed with ethanol and dried to obtain a photo-semiconductor electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: R1 is an epoxy resin or a group having a C=C bond in a molecule.Preferred Products: A proton-conductive material comprises said polysiloxanes. EXAMPLE - Terms: TMSPM = 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane. GPTMS = 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxy silane. TMOS = tetramethoxy silane.    Example 1: Mixture of TMSPM 372.5 g (1.5 mol) and TMOS 152.2 g (1 mol) was added with concentrated sulfuric acid 1.23 g (0.0125 mol) and water 135 g (7.5 mol) and agitated for 2 hours to give a solution which was then flown on to a Petri dish, dried at 50 degrees C for a day, followed by heating at 150 degrees C for 5 hours. Product gel was a self supporting transparent film with 100 micron thickness without any crack. Test results: Proton conductivity (S/cm, 130 degrees C, RH = 0%) = 2x10(-4) at initial, and after 100 minutes to 400 minutes. .    Example 5: Mixture of GPTPM 472.7 g (2.0 mol) and TMOS 152.2 g (1 mol) in ethanol 10 mol was added with aqueous solution of phosphoric acid 64.7 g, water 162 and ethanol 230 g to give a solution which was then similarly treated. Proton conductivity at 60% RH at 130 degrees C = 1x10(-5) S/cm. Test results: Proton conductivity (S/cm, 130 degrees C, RH = 0%) = 2x10(-3) at initial, and after 100 minutes to 400 minutes.    Comparative Example 1: Using TMSPM alone as a silane compound, gave: No gel was preparable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Rubber: The liquid silicone rubber is formed by mixing liquid silicone rubber using a addition silicone formed by applying a crosslinking reaction to a solution A of formula (I) and a solution B of formula (II) as its major constituent with liquid fluorocarbon rubber, a solution C of formula (III).Preferred Material: The mixing weight ratio of the liquid silicone rubber to the liquid fluorocarbon rubber is 30/70-95.5.(m+n) = 50-2,000;(m'+n') = 8-98;m' = less than 1; andl' = 8-2,00.
EXAMPLE - A polycondensate was prepared from a mixture of dimethylterephthalate (4400), 1,4-butylene glycol (2500), tetrabutyltitanate (7), N, N'-bis-84-ethylcarboxyphenyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxy diimide (120), and 2,6-naphthalene dimethylcarboxylate (300) (all in pts.wt.). The polycondensate (1) was mixed with polyethylene terephthalate resin (4) and extruded into a 1200 micron thick sheet. The sheet had a light transmission of 0.0 % at 370 and 380 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The method comprises: (a) a former stage hardening process - passing the lower support sheet and/or the upper support sheet to irradiate the photopolymeric monomer composition with the active ray; (b) a latter stage hardening process - peeling both the sheets; irradiating the photopolymeric monomer composition with the active ray. Examples of the polymeric monomer include various acrylate compounds, including an epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, their oligomers, or a combination of one of them and other polymeric monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Examples of the polymeric monomer include various acrylate compounds, including an epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, their oligomers, or a combination of one of them and other polymeric monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst System: The upstream part of the catalyst system is in the form of a metal catalyst carrier provided with a catalytically active material.The metal is a high-temperature resistant metal, preferably an alloy comprising iron, chromium and aluminum, more preferably a fecralloy-type alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The hydrocarbon fuel is selected from group consisting of natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, butane, liquefied petroleum gas, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, methanol, ethanol and propanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A flow control unit (V2-V4) is provided to control the flow amount of the warmed air and the air having different temperature. The flow control unit is controlled in accordance with a temperature required by the hydrogen occluding alloy. A hydrogen storage tank (19) is provided which contains hydrogen to be supplied to the hydrogen-using apparatus when the temperature of the warmed air is insufficient to release hydrogen from the hydrogen occlusion tank. The hydrogen in the hydrogen occlusion tank is supplied to the hydrogen storage tank when the hydrogen-using apparatus stops operating. The hydrogen-using apparatus maybe a fuel cell that generates electricity and heat by the chemical reaction of hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen. The warmed air maybe a water-containing air exhausted from the fuel cell. Compressed air, which is supplied to the fuel cell as a reaction gas, is used as the air having different temperature. The compressed air having a temperature higher than that of the warmed air is supplied to the hydrogen occlusion tank when the heat from the heating unit is insufficient to release hydrogen from the hydrogen occlusion tank. A coolant cools the heat generated by the fuel cell. The warmed air is feed by a fan, which cools the coolant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The generated hydrogen is collected in a collection vessel. The collected hydrogen is detected and analyzed. The generated hydrogen is fed to an energy producing device as a fuel to enable the device to produce energy and hence enable the device to be a power source. During the production of hydrogen organic acid is continuously fed into the reaction vessel to sustain reaction cycle for the continuous production of hydrogen. Preferred Catalyst: The metal catalyst is iron, aluminum, tin, copper or nickel, preferably iron, more preferably a solid such as wire, chips, shaving, filings, powder or mesh, and the solid is fixed to a surface within the reaction vessel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Acid: The organic acid is ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid or succinic acid. Preferred Composition: The organic acid is gluconic acid which is present in the concentration of 0.5-1.0 M. EXAMPLE - Iron powder (in g) (5) was reacted with 0.5 M degassed gluconic acid (1 l) at a pH of 7.4 and 80degreesC, to produce hydrogen. The reaction was conducted in a reaction vessel which was connected to a housing device. The housing device had an assembly of fuel cell, and was connected to a digital clock by wire. When the generated hydrogen was passed through the housing device, the digital clock was powdered for 32 consecutive days, after which the rate of hydrogen production decreased.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst material is selected from platinum, palladium, magnesium, titanium, manganese, lanthanum, vanadium, zirconium, nickel-lanthanum alloy, titanium-iron alloy, iridium, rhodium and gold. The carbonaceous material of the proton conduction material comprises fullerene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metallic oxide coating film is selected from silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide and tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Antifouling Layer: The antifouling layer has a falling angle in distilled water or n-hexadecane of 30 degrees or less, and a coefficient of static friction and a coefficient of dynamic friction of 0.3 or less and consists of a perfluoropolyether group-containing silane coupling agent of formula (I).Preferred Module: The solar battery module is preferably a film shape.Rf-(OC3F8)n-O-(CF2)m-(CH2)l-O-(CH2)s-Si(OR3)3 (I)Rf = 1-16C straight chain or branched perfluoroalkyl;n = 1-50;m = 0-3;l = 0-3;s = 0-6;R = 1-10C alkyl; and(m+l) = less than or equal to 6 and greater than 0.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Compound (1) is specifically claimed to be 1,2-dimethylimidazole (DM-Im), compound (2) is specifically claimed to be 1-iodopropane (Pr-I) and compound (3) is specifically claimed to be 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide.    EXAMPLE - In a mixture of DM-Im (144 g) and THF (750 ml), Pr-I (255 g) was added dropwise under N2 atmosphere and reacted at 66 degrees C for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled and the formed precipitates were collected by filtration and washed with THF (750 ml) and dried in vacuo at room temperature to give 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (399 g, yield 100%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The metallurgical silicon has an iron content of 0.5-10 wt.% or is premixed with a copper or iron catalyst. Step (a) is effected in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of 0.05-10% HCl by weight of SiCl4. The solids-containing chlorosilane suspension is filtered through a sintered metal filter and the separated solids are treated with alkali. The SiCl4 stream from step (b) is recycled to step (a) after removing low boilers. The HSiCl3 stream from step (b) is contacted with a basic solid to remove halides and hydrides. The pressure in step (c) is 1-10 bar. The column in step (c) has several intermediate condensers. The SiCl4 stream from step (c) is recycled to step (a). The SiH4 is purified by distillation and optionally diluted with up to 50 vol.% H2 before step (d), which is effected in a fluidized bed of high-purity silicon seed particles at 100-900 mbar. The H2 formed in step (d) is recycled to step (a). Silicon fines formed in step (d) are agglomerated by microwave heating to at least 300 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The conversion zone is a steam-reforming zone, and the fuel stream comprises steam. Regeneration of adsorption zones is accomplished by pressure swing adsorption, thermal swing adsorption, and/or vacuum swing adsorption. The process may include compressing air stream prior to passing in adsorption bed, compressing the adsorption effluent stream prior to the production of first and second oxygen-enriched streams, and mixing a portion of air stream with oxygen-depleted stream prior to combustion. In an alternative process, a steam stream is mixed with a feed stream containing hydrocarbon or oxygenate to provide a feed mixture. The feed mixture is passed to a pre-forming zone, which is indirectly heated with a flue-gas stream to recover a pre-formed stream containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water. The pre-formed stream is passed to the conversion zone as the fuel stream. The reformate comprises carbon monoxide, and the conversion zone comprises a water-gas shift reactor to convert portion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and hydrogen in the presence of water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metal Surface: The metal surface consists of silver, aluminum, copper, silver alloy, aluminum alloy or copper alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The electrical heating element is formed in a spiral design along one face of the catalyst bed. It may also be weaved through or wrapped around the catalyst bed. The desired temperature is the start-up temperature or the desired reaction temperature during transient operation.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst bed contains autothermal reforming catalysts, partial oxidation catalysts, steam forming catalysts, water gas shifts catalysts, preferential oxidation catalysts, anode tailgas oxidation catalysts, or sulfur absorbents. It consists of pellets, extrudates, spheres, and/or monoliths.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The particles are metal oxide particles. The solution containing one or more metal cations is a concentrated solution of metal cations. The metal cations are selected from groups 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A of the periodic table, transition metals, lanthanides and/or actinides. The grain size of the particles is 1-100 nm, preferably 2-10 nm, most preferably 2-8 nm. The particles are crystalline and contain only small or negligible amounts of amorphous material. The particles have a pore structure different from the pore structure of the surfactant-liquid mixture.Preferred Process: The solution is mixed with one or more surfactants under conditions such that micelles are formed. The mixture is treated to form a gel and the gel is heated to form the particles. The mixture is heated to a maximum applied temperature of 600 degrees C or less, preferably 450 degrees C or less, most preferably 300 degrees C or less. The heating step results in any ordered surfactant structure present in surfactant/liquid mixture being lost in the final pore structure of the particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Surfactant: The surfactant is non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants or zwitterionic surfactants. WIDER DISCLOSURE - Also disclosed is metal oxide particles having grain size of 1-100 nm.    EXAMPLE - A cerium nitrate solution containing 2.5 moles/l cerium nitrate was mixed with 16 g of Brij 56 surfactant and heated to 80 degrees C. The resulting micellar liquid was cooled to room temperature to form clear gel. The gel was heat treated initially at 83 degrees C for 3.5 hours, 150 degrees C for 10 minutes, 175 degrees C for 10 minutes and at 200 degrees C for 12 hours. The resulting cerium dioxide powder had surface area of around 253 m2/g and grain size of 2-8 nm. The powder contained aggregates of very fine grains when viewed by transmission electron microscope.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: (2) Is made of a (thermoplastic) elastomer or thermoplastic polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Materials: (3) Is uniformly dispersed throughout (2) and is present at 2-30, preferably 15-25, wt.% on total mass of (2). (Z) is 2-20 wt.% and (X) 1-10 wt.% of (3).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Contrast Agent: (X) Is a rare earth metal, especially gadolinium as an aqueous solution of 'gadopentetic acid'.Preferred Carrier: This is a molecular sieve, i.e. a hydrated metal-aluminum silicate, specifically of formula Na86((AlO2)86. (SiO2)106) .276H2O optionally partly, at least 20 and preferably 40-70% dehydrated, and the total loading of (X) and (Z) is smaller than the dehydration degree of the molecular sieve. Especially loading with (Z) is at least 50% and loading with (X) at least 10% of the dehydration degree. For medical use, (Z) is freely desorbable but (X) is fixed to the carrier.Preparation: The molecular sieve is partially dehydrated at 300-500, preferably 400-450 degrees C for many (particularly 2-6) hour, then loaded with (Z) and (X), especially in a ball mill, to form an adduct, which is then incorporated into the matrix. Dehydration and loading are done under inert gas, particularly nitrogen, at normal pressure. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The vitreous substrate comprises glass, and the metal substrate is chosen from steel, iron, aluminum, niobium, titanium, chromium, bismuth and antimony. The n-type conductor comprises cadmium sulfate. The amorphous silicon thin film is chosen from hydrogenated amorphous silicon, hydrogenated amorphous silicon germanium, and/or hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The production comprises of:(a) applying a silicone-based coating material formed by blending the silicone-based resin using the Si-O bond as the principal chain skeleton with the glass frit powder, 5-40 percent by mass, to the metal substrate;(b) baking the metal substrate at 350-600 degrees C for 30-150 seconds to form the insulated coating on the surface of the metal substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The reformer further comprises temperature detector to detect temperature of reformer, temperature feed back control unit to corrected amount of oxidizing agent flow rate based on deviation of temperature measured by temperature detector and target temperature, and judging unit for determining whether the target oxidizing agent flow rate is adjusted to predetermined value. The apparatus further comprises oxidizing agent flow rate detection unit to detect the flow rate of oxidizing agent, flow rate vertical limit calculation unit to calculate the most suitable flow rate of the oxidizing agent, based on the fuel flow rate supplied to the reformer, temperature vertical limit calculation unit to calculate the optimal temperature of oxidizing agent in the reformer based on the fuel flow rate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Dye: The organic dye has formula (I).R1 - R10 = H, 1-5C alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, sulfonic acid, carboxyl, phosphoric acid, halogen, isocyanate, or phenyl group.The organic dye is an ammonium salt of eosine Y or erythrosine B.Preferred Cell: The solar cell comprises the new transducer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The hydrogen storage unit contains hydrogen occlusion material chosen from fullerene, carbon nano fiber, carbon soot, carbon nano tube, nano capsule and carbon fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The hydrogen occlusion material stored in hydrogen storage container is selected from fullerene, carbon nano fiber, carbon nano tube, carbon soot, nano capsule and carbon fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The method further comprises forming a porous layer (2,3) on top of the first substrate (1), prior to contacting the substrates, the porous layer having a porosity profile and the two porous layers forming a bond between the two substrates. The porosity profile of the second semiconductor substrate is formed by a first layer (6) of high porosity adjacent to the second substrate's surface, followed by a second layer (7) of lower porosity and a third layer (8) of high porosity.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first substrate consists of silicon and the second substrate consists of germanium or gallium arsenide. Alternatively both substrates consist of silicon. The porous layers are formed by anodisation in a solution of hydrofluoric acid and acetic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The supply of air to the reformer is stopped after the catalyst layer temperature has reached a predetermined high temperature. Air and fuel may be supplied to the reformer intermittently when the system has stopped.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: A sensor is included to detect the catalyst layer temperature of the reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The amount of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon in the fuel composition is greater than 50, preferably greater than 90 vol.%. The composition has an olefin content of less than 10, preferably less than 1 vol.%, an aromatic content of less than 35, preferably 10 vol.%, an oxygenate(s) content of less than 5 vol.%, and a sulfur content of less than 10, preferably less than 0.1 ppm. The composition also comprises at least 2 vol.% 8-12C, preferably 8-12C triptane or an alkane, and at least 4 methyl and/or ethyl branches, preferably greater than 95 vol.%. The composition may also comprise 0-40, preferably 20 vol.% reformate and/or 0-30, preferably 15 vol.% Full Range Catalytically Cracked Spirit (FRCCS).Preferred Properties: The fuel composition has a final boiling point of less than 180, preferably 155-175 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The method further includes passing the fuel composition through a sulfur trap (24) positioned in the first and/or second conduit. The sulfur trap may also be located in a third conduit, through which the fuel composition is allowed to pass prior to entering the first and/or second conduits (18, 20). Additives for use in internal combustion engines are also provided to the fuel composition in the second conduit, but no to fuel composition in the first conduit. A device is included for preventing additive-containing fuel from contaminating the fuel composition in the reservoir or any fuel destined for fuel cell apparatus. The method may comprise blending 20-80, preferably 60 vol.% iso-paraffin (alkylate), 5-35, preferably 20 vol.% hydrocrackate and 10-50, preferably 30 vol.% isomerate together. EXAMPLE - A hydrocarbon fuel composition comprised 30 vol.% aromatics, 0.5 vol.% olefins, 0.52 vol.% benzene, 87.2 wt.% carbon, 13.2 wt.% hydrogen and 1.9 ppm sulfur. It has a final boiling point of 181 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The electrolyte comprises a combination of a bromine complex phase and an aqueous phase which is lean in bromine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The controller calculates an amount of carbon accumulated in the reformer, based on a history of an operating condition of the reformer, and executes the carbon removal process when the amount of the accumulated carbon exceeds a predetermined threshold value. It selects carbon removal modes that are prepared in advance, depending upon the amount of the accumulated carbon, and the carbon removal process is carried out in selected carbon removal mode. It varies at least one parameter depending upon the amount of carbon accumulated in the reformer, the parameter including at least the amount of the raw fuel supplied during the carbon removal process, the amount of the oxygen supplied during the carbon removal process, length of period for which the carbon removal process continues, or the number of execution of the carbon removal process. It executes the carbon removal process when a required output of the fuel cell is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, or upon a start of the fuel reforming apparatus.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The fine roughness is flattened by spraying a mixture (8) of abrasive grains (14) and a medium (15) on the side face of the silicon block or stack, shifting closer or contacting a polishing member (13) to or with the side face to be polished, and moving the silicon block or stack to the polishing member in the presence of the abrasive grains to mechanically and physically polished the side face of the silicon block or stack. The polishing is performed while spraying the mixture of the abrasive grains and/or the medium. A section of the silicon block or stack is constructed of four main lines.Preferred Dimension: The flattened side face of the silicon block or stack has a surface roughness of at most 6 microns. The lines form an angle of 90 degrees with adjacent lines, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The porous carrier is rare earth element and beta-alumina or lanthanum and beta-alumina, and is coated with monolysis structure which consists of ceramics, cordierite and/or mullite. The catalyst used in the fuel reformation method is a uniform mixture of hydrocarbon oxidation catalyst comprising porous carrier supporting noble metals and water vapor reformation catalyst comprising carrier made from ceramics supporting nickel, cobalt, iron, silver, copper, zinc, chromium and/or rare earth element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The methane modification catalyst is connected with heater for accelerating catalytic reaction. Preferred Process: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide extraction process are alternately performed for every fixed time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The heat absorption amount of coolant in heat exchanger is estimated. The temperature of the coolant flowed among the heat exchanger portion of carbon monoxide removal apparatus is calculated by coolant temperature arithmetic unit based on estimated heat absorption amount, and the temperature of coolant flowed into the heat exchanger is controlled such that temperature of the coolant in the carbon removal apparatus is set to predetermined value. The temperature of coolant (B) is set to more than the temperature of catalyst layer of carbon monoxide removal apparatus.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A heat exchanger common to circulation apparatuses (I,II) is provided. A flow rate adjustment unit adjust flow rate of coolant (A) flowed into the heat exchanger and a temperature detection unit detects temperature of reformed gas flowed into carbon monoxide removal apparatus. The flow rate of coolant (A) is adjusted by flow control unit such that the temperature of the reformed gas is set to predetermined value, based on the detected value of temperature detection unit. The circulation apparatus (I) circulates coolant (A) to the fuel cell stack. The circulation apparatus is equipped with by-pass flow path for supply of coolant to the heat exchanger.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gas for temperature raise is air.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: Water vapor is mixed with light hydrocarbon containing gas in the ratio of 0.0-1.0. The light hydrocarbon gas is natural gas containing methane, petroleum group synthetic natural gas, coal thermal decomposition gas, coke oven gas, added to gas containing methane and/or liquefied petroleum gas, naphtha, and pre-reformed gas of gasoline. Preferred Conditions: The temperature of air and light hydrocarbon gas is reused to 400-600degreesC by oxygen deficient air and methane partial oxidation gas. The ceramic film type reactor is operated at 800-950degreesC. The pressure of air and light hydrocarbon gas supplied as feed, is 1-2 atmospheric pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The hydrocarbon oxidation catalyst is Nix/CaySr1-yTiO3, where x = 0.1-0.3, y = 0.0-0.8, or Nix/BaTiO3, where x = 0.1-0.3, or a catalyst with respect to the catalysts weight made to carry 0.1-1000 weight ppm of rhodium, ruthenium or platinum. The catalyst is arranged in three dimensions at the downstream of a raw material gas stream and upstream of ceramic film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The fuel contains hydrocarbon (in vol%) saturated portion (70 or more), aromatic (30 or less), olefin (4 or less) and naphthene (35 or less). The fuel contains 80 mass ppm of sulfur. Preferred Properties: The fuel has a density of 0.83 g/cm3 or less, at 15degreesC, flash point at 0degreesC or more, smoke point of 18 mm or more for hydrocarbon compound, heat capacity at 1 atmospheric pressure and 15degreesC of 2.5 kJ/kgdegreesC or less and latent heat of 350 kJ/kg or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A coat layer comprising carrier and rutile type titania powder and noble metals supported by rutile type titania, is formed on a heat-resistant base material surface.Preferred Composition: 5-25 parts weight (pts. wt.) oxides of at least one kind chosen from titania, silica, and zirconia, are contained with respect to 100 pts. wt. of rutile type titania.The noble metals contains platinum as main component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salts: The fused salt comprises metallic salt of alkaline earth metals such as magnesium, calcium and strontium as anion and alkali metal salts such as lithium carbonate, potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate as cation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: A slurry composition for a fuel battery contains the catalyst-supporting carbon nanofiber and a protic conductive substance.Preferred Fuel Battery - A fuel battery cell is formed by laminating single cells through a fuel penetrating vaporization plate. Liquid fuel is introduced into the plate. The single cell has a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode facing the fuel electrode, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode. The fuel electrode contains the catalyst-supporting carbon nanofiber, and a protic conductive substance.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred waste: The waste may be seawater, waste water, exhaust gas, natural gas extraction or collection drain.Preferred apparatus: Hydrogen generated by (2) is used as an energy source for a fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Fuel Processor: Processor assembly (A) comprises:(a) an oxidation core vessel containing an oxidation catalyst,(b) a reforming vessel surrounding this and forming a first annular space filled with autothermal reforming catalyst,(c) a desulfurizing vessel surrounding this and forming a second annular space filled with desulfurization catalyst,(d) a shift vessel surrounding this and forming a third annular space filled with water gas shift catalyst and(e) a preferred oxidation vessel surrounding this and forming a fourth annular space filled with preferred oxidation catalyst.The oxidation core vessel oxidizes fuel cell anode tail gas to produce a hot exhaust gas which preheats the hydrocarbon fuel. An electric heater preheats the anode tail gas before it is introduced to the oxidation core vessel. A second desulfurizing vessel (e.g. a replaceable canister) may be located outside the processor assembly for desulfurizing the hydrocarbon fuel feed. The hydrocarbon fuel feed is sequentially introduced into the four annular spaces. Cooling coils may be provided to remove heat from each of the spaces. A circulating coolant (e.g. air, water or hydrocarbon fuel feed) flows through the coils. Each annular space may be surrounded by heat resisting refractory.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The surface hydrophobilizing agent (b) is hydrophobic F-containing liquid compound, preferably, fluoroolefine or its oligomer having surface tension of 30 mN/m or less, F-containing polyether or their mixture, or a hydrophobic silicon type liquid compound, preferably organosiloxane having surface tension of 30 mN/m or less or its condensate or their mixture. The elastomer (a) is fluorine type elastomer which provides cured substance having 100 % modulus of 1-10 MPa or silicon type elastomer which provides the cured substance of having 100 % modulus of 0.1-10 MPa. The elastomer (a) is soluble in organic solvent. The composition also contains a curing agent (d). EXAMPLE - Acetone type silicone elastomer(100 parts by weight(pbw), F-containing polyether (15 pbw) and toluene (5 wt.%) were mixed to give a solvent-free coating composition. The composition was applied on an undercoated aluminum plate in a dry thickness of 80 microm and cured at room temperature for 2 days. The coated film had contact angle to water of 112 degrees C and barnacle adhesion rate of 0.33 % and slight adhesion of diatoms in water tank. The barnacles adhered were washed out easily. When the coated film was subjected to a repeated test of practical running of a ship, barnacles were hardly allowed to be adhere and diatoms on the ship could be easily washed out.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metal tube comprises CuTe, CuZn, CuSnP, CuZnSn, CuZnAl, AlCu, AlCuMgMn, AlMnCu, Al, MgCr, AlMgSiCuCr, AlMgCuCr, AlSiMg, SiCuMg, AlSi, AlCu, AlSiCu, MgMnZn, MgZnREZr or MgAgThRE where RE represents rare earth metals.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hybrid: The chemical hydride is lithium hydride, sodium hydride, calcium hydride, lithium aluminum hydride, lithium boron hydride, sodium aluminum hydride or sodium boron hydride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The organic substance is silicone rubber, silicone grease, silicone oil, paraffin or paraffin oil.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The organic substance is polyethylene or epoxy resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The coating precursor is an acrylate resin, an epoxy nitrile resin and/or an organo polysiloxane and includes an acrylated urethane oligomer, a photoinitiator and a multi-functional monomer such as isobornyl acrylate monomer or propoxylated glycerol triacrylate monomer. The photoinitiator is a mixture of benzophenone and 1-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propanone. The coating precursor further comprises an air-release agent such as polydimethyl siloxane and an adhesion promoter such as methacrylated polyol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - The filter is made of metallic glass, ceramic or glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Products: The organic liquid hydrogen storage body consists of an aromatic compound polymer. The organic liquid hydrogen supply body consists of a hydrogen supply polymer consisting of the hydrogenated derivative of the aromatic compound polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: An electric heater in the heat source of the vaporizer heats the water-insoluble liquid fuel. The heat source in the vaporizer utilizes exhaust heat from a modifier (9). The heat source is equipped with the electric heater and an unit for utilizing exhaust heat from the modifier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The semiconductor material is silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The air-introducing device carries out the correction based on the deviation between the measured temperature of the raw fuel and the set temperature of the raw fuel to control the flow amount of the air used to be reformed, or based on the output from the fuel cell to control the flow amount of the air used to be reformed, in addition to the correction based on the deviation. It restricts the upper limit of the flow amount of the air used to be reformed based on the output from the fuel cell. The fuel cell system further comprises a carbon monoxide (CO) remover (3b) which removes CO utilizing the air from the first reactant gas having been reformed in the reformer, and the air-introducing device further introduces the air used for the removal of CO into the CO remover in such a manner that the flow amount is controlled based on the output from the fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell also includes current collectors disposed at both the anode and the cathode. Preferred Method: The reoxygenating of the oxygen comprises bubbling air through the oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the air, which is to be bubbled through the oxygen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fuel is molecular hydrogen. The oxygen containing liquid is an aqueous containing an inorganic salt. The inorganic salt comprises amphoteric salts, hydroxides and oxides, oxidizing salts or chelating agents. It can also comprise manganate ions, or chromate ions. The current collectors comprise a metal screen. The fuel cell includes a graphite diffusion layer disposed between the hydrogen inlet port and the anode. The anode and cathode electrocatalysts are an electrocatalyst dispersed in carbon paper.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component The oxygen containing liquid is an organic liquid comprising silicones, fluorocarbons, pefluorochemicals, quinones, or microcyclics.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The electrolyte comprises a matrix containing a liquid electrolyte or a solid polymer electrolyte. The matrix is an absorbent glass mat or organic fiber mat.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrocarbon Fuel: The hydrocarbon fuel is cyclohexane or paraffins such as butane or pentane.Preferred Hydrocarbon Compound: The hydrocarbon compound obtained after separation is an aromatic hydrocarbon e.g. benzene or olefin or butylene or a naphthalene hydrocarbon such as cyclopentane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Water vapor is supplied to a fluidized bed gasification furnace (11) and rotary melting furnace (12) by suction pump (19d).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: A burner is included for burning the combustion-exhaust gas, or a catalyst (41) may be included for promoting an oxidizing reaction. A temperature controller controls a temperature of the purifying device to be held within a selected range. A lower limit of the selected range is equal to or higher than a lowest temperature at which the catalyst is activated, and an upper limit is lower than a temperature at which nitrogen oxides are produced by the oxidizing reaction through the catalyst. The temperature controller includes a device that introduces a gas having a temperature within a selected range into the purifying device, or a reaction-promoting-gas introducing mechanism for promoting an oxidizing reaction through a catalyst within the purifying device. The reaction-promoting-gas introducing mechanism includes an off-gas introducing mechanism, and a reformed-fuel introducing mechanism. The off-gas is an anode-off gas discharged from an anode of the fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: The direction of flow of gas in modified layer and combustion layer is same. Preferred Arrangement: The modified layer and combustion layer are alternately laminated. Several compressed tubes (3) are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, in the container. The ends of each compressed tubes are fixed to end faces (H3, H4) of container. The container and the bellows are integrally expanded to longitudinal direction of compressed tubes. The bellows are formed at edge portion of container near the outlet side of combustion layer. A support for catalyst is provided in modified layer and combustion layer. Combustion layer inlet (11) is provided to the upstream of combustion layer. The combustion gas is separated into heating gas and oxygen containing gas. The separated hydrogen gas is introduced in combustion layer, through hydrogen gas inlet. The flow rate of heating gas is controlled by a control unit. A flame propagation prevention layer is provided outside the container of modifier. The flame propagation layer consists of double metal mesh, foam metal or sintered metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The acid is an organic acid. 2-98 weight% of organic acid is present in the solution. Hydrolysis of the alkaline earth metal hydride is performed in the presence of a catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The sealing material consists of olefin type resin. The layer with higher melting point consists of resin film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The photopolymerizing monomer composition is controlled at 100-150 degreesC at the pre-setting process and at 140-180 degreesC at the post-setting process. EXAMPLE - An under supporting sheet and upper supporting sheet were transferred in a speed of 1 m/minutes. A photopolymerizing monomer composition was fed on the under supporting sheet and molded into sheet form of 310 mm wide and 400 micron thick. On the prestage, the monomer composition on the under supporting sheet was exposed to active rays of 2J/cm2 by a metal halide lamp for 0.5 minutes at 130 degreesC. About 60 wt. % of the monomers was polymerized at the prestage. After the edge of the obtained resin plate was cut from both end, the plate was released from the supporting sheet. On the post stage, the monomer composition was exposed to rays of 25 J/cm2 at 160 degreesC for 5 minutes to give a transparent resin plate. When the process was continued over 50 minutes until about 50 m of transparent resin plate was obtained, any problems, such as cutting of sheet, did not occur. External waviness of the plate was 4mm. The photopolymerizing monomer composition comprised mixture (100 parts by weight (pbw)) of bis(oxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decane=diacrylate (95 wt. %) and pentaerythritol tetrakis(beta-thiopropionate (6 wt. %), benzophenone (0.05 pbw), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphineoxide (0.05 pbw) and thickener (3 pbw).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Amines : The odorant is an amine(s, preferably trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, n-butylamine, n-pentylamine, n-hexylamine, n-heptylamine, n-octylamine, n-decylamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane and 1,7-diaminoheptane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen storage bed contains a hydrogen storage alloy comprising magnesium (in weight%) (91), nickel (0.9), Misch metal (2), aluminum (5.6) and yttrium (0.5). The alloy further comprises carbon or boron. The Misch metal comprises predominantly cerium, lanthanum and praseodymium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The interconnect also includes first and second metal foils or paint layers disposed between the interconnect and first and second border pieces, respectively. The first and second metal foils or paint layers are of the same shape as the first and second border pieces to provide a seal between the interconnect foil and the border pieces.Preferred Dimensions: The holes are elliptical or circular. The metal gauze is in the form of bonded, woven, or interlocking wires (preferably mesh pattern or random pattern of interlocking wires).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal foils or paint layers comprise copper or nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Elements: The donor impurities present in the transparent electrically conductive film is aluminum, gallium, boron, indium, scandium or yttrium of III group elements or silicon, titanium, germanium, zirconium, or hafnium of IV group element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred elements : The donor impurities present in the transparent electrically conductive film is aluminum, gallium, boron, indium, scandium, or yttrium of III group elements or silicon, titanium, germanium, zirconium, or hafnium of IV group element,
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The crystalline polyolefin is selected from a polyethylene, polypropylene, propylene-ethylene copolymer, or ethylene-based or propylene-based copolymer. The polyolefinic copolymer is selected from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic ester polyphyletic copolymer, or ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid polyphyletic copolymer. A solar battery module has a photovoltic element between a covering material for a top surface and a covering material for a bottom surface. The photovoltic element is sealed between the covering material for the top surface and the covering material for the bottom surface by a sealing material consisting of the polymer blend or the polymer alloy consisting of at least one polyolefinic copolymer and at least one crystalline polyolefin. A building material-integrated solar battery module has a photovoltic element between a covering material for a top surface and a covering material for a bottom surface. The photovoltic element is sealed between the covering material for the top surface and the covering material for the bottom surface by a sealing material consisting of the polymer blend or the polymer alloy consisting of at least one polyolefinic copolymer and at least one crystalline polyolefin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Binder: The hydrophobic binder having surface energy of less than 35 dynes/cm, is polyvinylidene fluoride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The hydrophilic rendering compound is oxide, hydroxide oxyhydroxide, oxyhydroxide hydrate, or oxide hydrate of metals such as tin, titanium, aluminum, zirconium, gallium, indium, niobium, tantalum, ruthenium, zinc, and hafnium, preferably tin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The ejector is a pressure-exchange ejector. The fuel cell is proton exchange membrane fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, or solid oxide fuel cells. The compressor-expander is turbo-compressor-expanders, positive displacement compressor-expanders, wave-rotor compressor-expanders, or pressure-exchange compressor-expanders.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reactant rich secondary fluid is air or reformate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The sulfur content in the fuel is less than 500 mass ppm. Distillation initial boiling point is 130-250 degrees Celsius, 10 volume% distillation temperature is 140-290 degrees Celsius, 90 volume% distillation temperature is 240-390 degrees Celsius and 95 volume% distillation temperature is 250-400 degrees Celsius. The distillation end point is obtained at 260-410 degrees Celsius in distillation curve. The fuel has density of less than 0.89 g/cm3 at 150 degrees Celsius, flash point of 20 degrees Celsius or more, cetane index of 30 or more, preferably 20 or more, 10% bottom oil carbon residue of 1% or less, kinematic viscosity of 1.5-8 cst at 30 degrees Celsius, clogging point of less than +10 degrees Celsius, pour point of less than + 5 degrees Celsius, cloud point of less than +10 degrees Celsius, thermal capacity of less than 2.5 kJ/kg.degrees Celsius at 15 degrees Celsius and latent heat of vaporization of less than 350 kJ/kg.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The fuel comprises saturated portion (in volume%) (30 or less), aromatics (50 or less), mono-ring aromatics (50 or less), di-ring aromatic (15 or less), poly-ring aromatics (10 or less) and olefin (5 or less). The sulfur content of fuel is less than 500 mass ppm.Preferred Properties: The fuel has density of less than 0.89 g/cm3 at 15 degrees Celsius, flash point of 20 degrees Celsius or more, 10% bottom oil carbon residue of 1% or less, kinematic viscosity of 1.5-8 cst at 30 degrees Celsius, clogging point at less than 10 degrees Celsius, pour point at less than 10degreesC, cloud point at less than 10degreesC, thermal capacity of 2.5 J/kg.degrees Celsius at 15 degrees Celsius and 1 atmospheric pressure and latent heat of vaporization of less than 350 kJ/kg. The cetane index and cetane value of hydrocarbon oil are 30 or more and 20 or more, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Properties: The initial distillation boiling point, 10 volume% distillation temperature, 95 volume% distillation temperature and final distillation temperature of hydrocarbon compound in the distillation curve are 100-190 degrees Celsius, 120-210 degrees Celsius, 220-300 degrees Celsius and 230-320 degrees Celsius, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The fuel has flash point at degrees Celsius or more, density of less than 0.83 g/cm3 at 15 degrees Celsius, smoke point of 18 mm or more, thermal capacity of less than 2.5 kj/kg.degrees Celsius at 15 degrees Celsius and 1 atmospheric pressure, and latent heat of vaporization of less 350 kj/kg. Sulfur content of fuel is less than 80 mass ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Film: The polymer film is made of a liquid crystal resin composition comprising (A) a continuous phase of a liquid crystal polyester and (B) a dispersing phase of a copolymer which has functional groups reacting with the liquid crystal polyester.Preferred Polymer: The liquid crystal polymer comprises of polyester (A) (56.0-99.9 wt%) and copolymer (B) (44.0-0.1 wt.%). The functional groups of copolymer (B) are oxazolyl, epoxy, or amino groups. Copolymer (B) contains 0.1-30 wt.% of unsaturated carboxylic acid glycidyl ester and/or unsaturated glycidyl ether units. The liquid crystal polyester contains at least 30 mol.% of the repeating unit of -(O-Ph-CO)-. The liquid crystal polyester is given by reacting aromatic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic diol, and aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The platinum cationic complex is a platinum amine complex. The boron hydride compound is the compound of sodium borohydride, potassium borohydride and/or ammonium borohydride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Alloy: The preferred hydrogen occlusion alloy is body centered cubic structure alloy. Preferred Supplement Hydrogen Occlusion: The alloy is AB2 type alloy, where A is Zr or Ti and B is Cr, Ni and Mn.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen occlusion material comprises hydrogen occlusion alloy or carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is chosen from the group containing fullerene, carbon nano fiber, carbon nano tube, carbon soot, nano capsule and carbon fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: Polyethylene glycol or its derivatives have an average molecular weight of at least 3,000. Sulfonated polyarylene consists of the structural unit of formula (1).X = -CQQ' or fluorenyl group;Q, Q' = halogenated alkyl or alkyl group, H, halogen atom, or aryl group;R1 - R36 = H, halogen atom, or organic group;Y = -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -CONH-, or -SO2;p, q, r, s = 0-100 mol%;(p+q+r+s) = 100 mol%;t = 0 or 1A method of producing the new membrane comprises coating on a base material a composition which is given by dissolving polyethylene glycol or its derivatives and sulfonated polyarylene in a solvent; then heating the coating. The polyethylene glycol is a macromer having polymerizing functional groups. EXAMPLE - A membrane had a tensile strength of 56 MPa, an elasticity of 2.4 GPa, a water absorptivity of 65 %, and a proton conductivity of 0.08 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ratio: The ratio of iron to copper is 5:95-95:5, preferably 3:7-7:3. The ratio of carbon monoxide to hydrogen is 95:5-5:95, preferably 80:20-20:80. Preferred Property: The distance between the graphite sheets is 0.335-0.4 nm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: At least a portion of the edge regions of the nanofiber contains a functional group from basic groups, acidic groups, or oxygenated groups. EXAMPLE - Selected iron:copper catalysts were heated in the presence of carbon monoxide/hydrogen (4:1) mixture at 450-700degreesC. The optimum yield of carbon nanofibers was generated at 550-600degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The irregularities are made of a transparent conductive material containing zinc oxide. They are formed by etching the conductive material. The photo-electric conversion layer is made of at least one photo-electric conversion elements. An active layer of the photo-electric element is made of crystalline silicon or silicon alloy. Preferred Property: The irregularities partially have indentations in the form of a hemisphere or circular cone with a diameter of 200-2000 nm. The indentations are in the form of a hemisphere or circular cone with a diameter of 400-1200 nm. The root mean height is 25-600 nm and the tantheta is 0.07-0.2, preferably 0.07-0.15.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Semiconductor: The semiconductor is a metal oxide, preferably titanium oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dye: The dye is cyanine, oxazine, thiazine or acridine, preferably cyanine. The attachment function of dye comprises an alkyl linking chain which is connected to dye through an amine group or a ring nitrogen atom in a conjugated portion of dye. The alkyl linking chain comprises an aromatic functional group and is terminated in a carboxyl group, phosphonic acid group, or salicylic acid group. Preferred Material: The photoelectric material comprises two or more molecules of dye or a mixture of two or more dyes attached as aggregates to semiconductor through two or more attachment functions. EXAMPLE - 320 mg of N-(2-propanoic acid)benzoxazole bromide was added to 5 ml of acetonitrile with 120 mg of triethylorthoformate. 80 mg of triethylamine was added to resulting acetonitrile solution. An immediate yellow precipitate was formed. The solution was heated to reflux and held for 15 minutes. The solid was filtered and recrystallized out of ethanol. 2,2'-(dipropanoic) oxacarbocyanine bromide (I) with a yield of 180 mg was obtained. The nanocrystalline solar cell comprising dye was prepared, and short circuit photoelectric current and open circuit voltage of the solar cell were determined and were found to be 2.8-3.2 mA/cm2 and 525 mV, respectively. Sensitizing ability of the dye in the solar cell was function of the light harvesting ability and efficiency of electron transfer from the excited dye to the nanocrystalline solid. The dye was found to have sensitizing ability.
EXAMPLE - An alloy powder whose composition was (Ti0.30Cr0.30V0.25Mn0.07Fe0.07B.001), where (B) is at least one element of rare earth metals, was prepared by Ar gas atomizing method, which was sieved to remove particles whose diameter was greater than 100 micron and got 5-20 micron diameter powder particles, which were coated with Cu then further coated with Ni by mechanical alloying, thermally treated in Ar gas to form Ti-Ni compound layer on their surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: A photoelectric converter has the semiconductor on its conductive support. A solar battery has the photoelectric converter having a layer containing the semiconductor, a charge-transfer layer, and a counter electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The catalyst has the composition of copper/zinc (Cu,Zn) or Cu/Zn/M, where M is at least one of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), Gallium (Ga), Iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: A photoelectric converter has a photosensitive layer containing the semiconductor on a conductive support. A solar battery has the photoelectric converter, a charge transfer layer, and counter electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Gas phase reaction of a silicon and an alcohol is carried out to form trialkoxy silane. Oxide formed on the surface of silicon is removed. The silicon is heat processed with a copper compound. A metal reactor is used for manufacture of trialkoxy silane. The trialkoxy silane is formed in high pressure condition. The heat processing is carried out in presence of a catalyst which can be regenerated. The catalyst comprises alumina or zirconia, supported on potassium fluoride or hydrotalcite. Silane and/or tetra alkoxy silane are quickly separated from the reaction process. The conversion ratio from tetra alkoxy silane to trialkoxy silane is 5% or more. EXAMPLE - Metallic silicon having 98% purity was washed with ion exchange water. The metallic silicon (in g) (5) was added with hydrofluoric acid (50 ml) and stirred for 1 hour. The solution was filtered, washed with ion exchange water and dried to remove residual water content. The hydrofluorinated mixture formed (0.18) was mixed with a copper compound for 10 minutes and packed in a fixed bed reactor Pyrex. The reactor was heated to 240degreesC and supplied with helium gas. The catalyst concentration was 1-15 weight percent. After heat processing, the reactor was maintained at 240degreesC and supplied with methanol to form trimethoxy silane. The partial pressure of methanol was adjusted and the gas ejected from outlet of reactor was analyzed at every 2.5 minutes. The formation of methoxy silane compound was confirmed within 3 hours, after reaction initiation. The selectivity of trimethoxy silane and conversion of metallic silicon were 99.8% and 85%, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reformer: The deoxidation device is a catalyst combustor which removes oxygen contained in the original fuel by combustion, and hydrogen contained in the reformed gas.Preferred Catalyst: The desulfurization catalyst of the normal temperature desulfurizer is zeolitic catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Plastic Sheet: has a glass transition temperature of 150 degrees C or higher, a birefringence of 5 nm or less, and a thickness of 0.05-3 mm, and is obtained by polymerizing and hardening a polymeric composition containing a polymeric monomer having two or more polymeric functional groups in a molecule. Preferred Composition: The polymeric composition contains the following components, A, B, and C: (a) Component A - an alicyclic skeleton-containing bis(meth)acrylate of formula (I), 70-99 parts by weight.R1- R3 = H or methyl:m = 1 or 2:n = 0 or 1:p, q, r, s = 0, 1, or 2.(b) Component B - an alicyclic skeleton-containing mono(meth)acrylate of formula (II), 1-30 parts by weight.(c) Component C - at least a bifunctional mercapto compound, 1-10 parts by weight.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The adhesive resin consists of an ethylene vinyl acetate resin. The expandable adhesive resin composition contains a pyrolytic foaming agent consisting of an azo compound, a nitroso compound, a hydrazine derivative, and/or bicarbonate.Preferred Component: The sealing film is provided between a transparent protective member at its top surface and a protective member at its bottom surface to seal a cell for the solar battery. At least one of the sealing film interposed between the cell and the protective member at the bottom surface or the sealing film interposed between the cell and the protective member at the top surface uses the sealing film described above.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The bypass flow path is long or short depending upon the arrangement of the combustion catalyst in the catalyst combustion section. A fuel feed zone (32) adjoining the catalyst combustion section, supplies fuel through fuel supply holes (11). A liquid fuel heating section, CO oxidation section, combustion section, reformation section and the feed zone are piled up sequentially in the fuel reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polymer composition (100 parts by weight(pbw)) comprises alicyclic skeleton-containing bis(meth)acrylate of formula (1-I)(79-99 pbw), alicyclic skeleton-having mono(meth)acrylate of formula (2-II)(1-30 pbw) and bifunctional mercapto compound (1-10 pbw).R1, R2, R3 = H or methyl;m = 1 or 2;n = 0 or 1;p, q, r, s = 0, 1 or 2. EXAMPLE - Bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decane=dimethacrylate(94 parts by weight(pbw)), bis(hydroxymethyl)tricycle(5.2.1.02.6)decane=monomethacrylate (6 pbw), pentaerythritol tetrakis(beta-thiopropionate)(6 pbw), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphineoxide(0.10 pbw) were mixed and degassed to give composition. The composition was poured in a glass mold and exposed to UV-rays of 160W/cm for 10 minutes apart from 20 cm, followed by heating at 190 degreesC for 1 hour to give a cured substance. The cured substance had light transmittance of 92 %, double refraction of 1 nm, thermoresistance of 190 degreesC and good dimensional stability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The airflow path forming plate is chosen from the Hastelloy, stainless steel, nickel, molybdenum, copper, aluminum, iron, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum and titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The airflow path forming plate is also chosen from polycarbonate, acrylic resin and carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Features: The self adhesive layer consists of two adhesive systems. A third adhesive system is also present as an acrylic-foam adhesive strip.Preferred Materials: The adhesive systems are made of butyl rubber adhesive (2) and a foam (4) coated on both sides with acrylate adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The second semiconductor layer is formed by sputtering. A third semiconductor layer is disposed between the semiconductor layer and the layer A.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The second semiconductor layer is formed of an oxide containing zinc and magnesium, and is represented by formula Zn1-xMgxO, where x is greater than 0 and less than 0.5. The layer A may include cadmium and sulfur as main components, or may include zinc, oxygen and sulfur as main components. It is formed from a solution containing a salt of cadmium or zinc and sulfur-containing compound. It may also be formed of a compound containing selenium and at least one of zinc and indium. The first semiconductor layer comprises element(s) from Groups Ib, IIIb, or VIb. Group Ib is copper, Group IIIb is indium and/or gallium, and Group VIb is selenium and/or sulfur.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The silicon thin film is single crystal or polycrystal silicon up to 100 microns thick. The impurity in the intermediate layer is a group III element or its compound, or a group V element or its compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The solar cells have several quantum wells which are selected from semiconductor such as gallium arsenide, gallium phosphide, aluminum gallium indium phosphide, aluminum gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, indium gallium arsenide, indium gallium arsenide phosphide and indium gallium arsenide nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: Illuminating the solar cell cover glass comprises illuminating the solar cell cover glass with ultraviolet light at an illumination angle of 15-60 degrees and at a wavelength of 180-190 nm. Characterizing the propensity comprises characterizing the propensity of the solar cell cover glass to degradation as a function of the reflectance at a wavelength of 180-190 nm. If the reflectance between the specified wavelength is below 5 %, the solar cell cover glass is characterized as having the propensity to darken. At a wavelength of 185 nm, the reflectance of the solar cell cover glass is compared with the reflectance of a first baseline cover glass that has a propensity to darken abnormally and with the reflectance of a second baseline cover glass which is free of propensity to darken abnormally.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The hydrogen electrode plate and hydrogen gas passage plate are made of a material chosen from Hastelloy, stainless steel, nickel, molybdenum, copper, aluminum, iron, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum and titanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The ionomer resin is selected from the metal salt of an ethylene-unsaturated fatty acid copolymer, the metal salt of an ethylene-unsaturated fatty ester-unsaturated fatty acid ternary copolymer, or the metal salt of an ethylene-vinyl ester-unsaturated fatty acid ternary copolymer. The polyolefinic copolymer is selected from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic ester polyphyletic copolymer, or ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid polyphyletic copolymer. A solar battery module has a photovoltaic element between a covering material for a top surface and a covering material for a bottom surface through sealing materials. The photovoltaic element is sealed by at least two layers, a sealing material for the top surface and a sealing material for a bottom surface. The sealing material for the top surface consists of the polymer blend or the polymer alloy consisting of at least one polyolefinic copolymer and at least one ionomer resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: (I) is a hole transporting material. A layer comprising the compound is provided as a hole-injecting layer between the anode and light emitting layer. Preferably the layer comprising the compound is a light emitting layer. The layer further comprises an organic fluorescence dyestuff. Preferred Definitions:    X1-X6 = O;    R1-R6 = (un)substituted alkyl, R1 and R2 or R3 and R4 or R5 and R6 together with the bonded atom form (un)substituted mono-heterocyclic ring.    EXAMPLE - Compound (Ia) was vacuum deposited on a cleaned glass substrate with indium-tin oxide electrode, to obtain a hole-injecting layer. Aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinolinate) complex was vacuum deposited to form a light emitting layer and an electrode of magnesium/silver alloy was further formed. The obtained electroluminescence device had a light emission brightness of 120 cd/m2 at a direct current voltage of 5 V, maximum light emission brightness of 19000 cd/m2 and light emission efficiency of 2.1 lm/w.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The catalyst also contains (c) an alkaline earth metal component. The alumina support contains 5-40 weight% cerium oxide and 95-60 weight% alumina. Component (a) is supported in an amount of 0.1-8 weight% based on metal. Component (b) is supported in an amount of 0.1-20 weight% based on metal. Component (c) is supported in an amount of 1-20 weight% based on metal. EXAMPLE - Ce(NO3)3.6H2O (126g) is dissolved in pure water (200ml) and impregnated into an alumina support (200g). It is dried at 80degreesC for 3 hours and baked at 750degreesC for 3 hours to form a support containing cerium oxide. To this support (40g), ruthenium trichloride (4.3g) and Co(NO3)2.6H2O (9.1g) dissolved in water (30ml) are impregnated. It is dried at 80degreesC for 3 hours. The catalyst is impregnated in NaOH aqueous solution to dissolve the impregnated compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The infrared transparent conducting oxide optical film is a nickel-cobalt oxide (NiCo2O4) composition, or a palladium-nickel oxide (PdNi2O4) composition. The mixed transition metal oxide spinel compound is NiCO2O4 or PdNi2O4. The optical film and the precursor solution comprise up to 10 mol% lithium relative to the total number of moles of M1 and M2. The infrared transparent substrate is sapphire (preferably), silicon, zinc selenide or quartz (preferably).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reducing agent is malonic acid, or glycine. Preferred Definitions:    M1, M2 = Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, OS, Ir or Pt, preferably Pd, Co or Ni
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: (I) Exhibits fluorescence at an emission wavelength of greater than 500 nm. R1 contains a group Y, preferably a protected primary amine group. R2 is a group of formula (i)-(iii).X = O or S;R3 = a group containing Y;R4 = 1-4C alkyl;o = 1-30;n = 1-5;r = 0-5; andn+r = 1-5;provided that R2 contains at least 2 (preferably 4) Y groups.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is polystyrene, polymethacrylate, polyacrylate and/or silicon or an aliphatic polyester, preferably a polyactide, polycaprolactone and/or polypeptide. The polymer comprises water soluble polymer chains, preferably polypeptides or polyalkylene oxides. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 1,6,7,12-tetrachloroperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (10 g), 2,6-diisopropylaniline (16.67 g) and propionic acid (250 ml) was refluxed for 17 hours under argon followed by cooling to room temperature and filtering. The residue was washed with a 1:3 mixture of water and methanol (2 l) and dried under vacuum (75 degrees C) to yield N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,6,7,12-tetrachloro-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide (Ia) (13.61 g, 84.4 % yield).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component : The dye having an acrylic acid site is represented by general formula (1).A1, A2 = COOH, CN, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl group, NO2, cyclohydrocarbon residue, heterocyclic residue group, NH2, OH, H, halogen atom or alkyl group; preferably CN or COOH;X = aromatic hydrocarbon residue, heterocyclic residue or organometallic complex residue group ;n = integer between 1 and 6, preferably 1, 2 or 3.The A1 bonded to the C atom of the COOH group in the acrylic acid site is CN or COOH. The aromatic hydrocarbon residue group is an aromatic hydrocarbon residue group having a substituted amino group, and is a 6-16C aromatic hydrocarbon residue group. A typical aromatic hydrocarbon residue group is a phenyl group having mono- or di-(1-4C) alkyl substituted amino group. The heterocyclic residue group is a 5 - 6 member ring containing 1 - 3 hetero atoms or an 8-15C condensed 5-6 member ring containing 1-3 hetero atoms.Preferred Transducer: The photoelectric transducer further comprises at least one dye having an acrylic acid site and fine oxide semiconductor particles photosensitized with two or more sensitizing dyes ( preferably three or more sensitizing dyes ).Preferred Process: The fine oxide semiconductor particles contain TiO2 as an indispensable component. The photoelectric transducer is produced by using fine oxide semiconductor particles as a carrier for dyes. EXAMPLE - A photoelectric transducer was prepared by immersing a porous titanium dioxide semiconductor thin film electrode P25 (RTM) at RT for 3 - 24 hours in an EtOH solution containing 3 x 10 power-4 M of dye (2), washing with water and drying. The obtained transducer had a photoelectric transfer efficiency of 1.7 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The shift reaction catalyst has a catalyst layer. One portion or catalyst layer is provided with catalyst metal, and other portion is water vapor adsorbing portion containing water vapor adsorbing material. The water vapor adsorption portion is porous. The catalyst layer provided with catalyst metal is formed on predetermined support. The water vapor adsorption portion is formed between support and catalyst layer. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The water adsorbing material is zeolite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Materials: The raw materials filled in the film forming chamber is selected from silicon containing alloys such as fine crystal silicon carbide, silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride.Preferred Method: The electrode interval dimensions are preferably reduced. The film forming pressure is preferably reduced. The electrode interval dimensions and the high frequency electrode is set to d (mm). The film forming pressure is set to Pr (Pa) and is of formula, d at most 120 Pr0.46+/- 4 (I)Preferred Frequency: The frequencies are preferably 1MHZ - 1GHz. The high frequency electrode can remove an earthing shield.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The conductive film contains indium and stannic acid compound, fluorine doped tin oxide, antimony doped tin oxide and/or dopant containing zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials and Compositions:The organic metal compound is typically of formula (II). The multidentate ligand is typically of bidentate ligand of (III). (I) is preferably (I) withF = (IV).R2 = 1-10C alkyl;E = R3COCHCOR4;R3,R4R5,R6 = 1- 10C alkyl, 1-10C fluoroalkyl or 1-10C alkoxy;c = 0-3;Ar1- Ar4 = substituted aryl;Ar5 = substituted aryl or arylene;k = 0-1;1-4 of Ar1-Ar5 = bonding site capable of bonding to a linking group of -D- A. EXAMPLE - Amberlyst 15E (ion exchange resin) (0.2 weight part(pbw)) and distilled water (2.4 pbw) were added to a well blended mixture of (V) ((I) with F = (IV)) (2 pbw), bistrimethoxysilylhexane (3 pbw), isopropanol (2 pbw) and methanol (2 pbw), the obtained mixture was stirred for 10 hours at 25degreesC with disappearance of (V). It was filtered to remove the ion exchange resin and a small amount of precipitate and aluminum trisacetylacetonate (organic metal compound) (0.05 pbw) and acetylacetone (multidentate ligand) (0.01 pbw) were added to the filtrate to give a coating with a gel time at 30degreesC under sealed conditions of 10 days and showing transparent gel state without precipitation expected to give excellent thin films.    Me = methyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Mixing Process : The initial mixing step is effected in a mixer with rotating blades for 1-60 (especially 5-20) minutes at 100-400 (especially 130-350)degreesC in the presence of H2. Preferred Reaction : Reaction is at 1-40 bar absolute and 400-800degreesC (eg in a fixed or fluidized bed reactor), with a Cu or Fe (especially oxide) catalyst. EXAMPLE - None given in the specification.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The oxidized hydrocarbon (I) is methanol. The gases formed, i.e. hydrogen and carbon dioxide, are separated; and the carbon dioxide is recycled to the reformer or used to obtain synthesis gas. The reformer may be replaced by an electrolysis apparatus, including several hollow microfibers carrying separate catalytic anodes and catalytic cathodes on their solid electrolyte wall surfaces. Preferred Apparatus: The tubular catalyst (A) includes several hollow staple microfibers (preferably textile fibers), bonded in dimensionally stable manner at their ends. The catalyst may consist exclusively of metal oxides (or mixed oxides); or may consist of a tubular textile carrier coated with a catalytic mixed oxide layer. A direct ohmic charge is incorporated in the spaces and the hollow microfibers, such that isothermal heating is possible. EXAMPLE - None given in the source material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The carbon support is carbon black which is pretreated using a cationic surfactant such as cetylpyridinum chloride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The sparging gas comprises argon, oxygen, ammonia, nitrogen, chlorine, water vapor, hydrogen chloride, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, bromine or carbon monoxide. It also contains solid silica.Preferred Method: The sparging gas is fed through a tube (12) having a sparging gas exit end where the gas exits into the liquid bath. It moves in a direction which is non-vertical or vertically downward, or horizontal. The pressures inside the tube and container above the liquid bath are measured to determine a depth of the liquid bath.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The tube has a circular cross-section. It has a conduit defined by a structure having wall(s) of uniform or non-uniform thickness. The conduit may have a uniform cross-section. It projects into the liquid bath from the bottom or top surface. It is formed of a material (preferably quartz) which does not contaminate the liquid bath. It has a first material of quartz coated with a second material of devitrification promoters which is capable of maintaining its structural integrity at 1500degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The metal complex of the porphyrin compound consists of formula (II).R = H or acid substituent: X=ligand of alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, and/or halo:M = Mo, Cr, Nb, or W.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalysts: The methanol modification catalysts is preferably zinc oxide, platinum (0.5-10%) and/or palladium (0.5-10%). These form an alloy with heat processing.Preferred Acidic Compound: The acidic compound is preferably copper (10-60%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The oxide semiconductor used for the thin-film is selected from titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and/or tin oxide with mean particle diameter of 1-200 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Cation Polymer: The cation polymer is represented by formula (1).P1, P2 = repeating unit formed by polymerization;L1, L2 = linking group;A1, A2 = cation;(x+y) = 100;n, m, z = 0 or 1The cation is a group which has nitrogen atoms having plus charge, especially tetraalkylammonium, imidazolium, or pyridinium. P1 and P2 in formula (1-1) are ethylene groups. The dye is a ruthenium or methine dye. The dye has carboxyl, phosphonyl, or phosphoryl groups. EXAMPLE - A photo-sensitive layer 12 micron thick was prepared by coating titanium dioxide fine particles on a glass plate with a transparent doped tin oxide conductive coating and the coating was immersed in a dye solution. The layer was immersed in an ethanol-acetonitrile solution of cation polymer CP-1 of formula (4-CP-1) for 16 hours, washed with ethanol and acetonitrile, then dried.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The doping material used for forming P-layer is diborane (B2H6), boron trifluoride (BF3), boron oxide (B2O3), boron sulfide (B2S3), or boron iodide (BI3), boron trichloride (BCl3) and boron tribromide (BBr3). The doping material for forming N-layer are phosphine (PH3), phosphorus trifluoride (PF3), phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), Phosphorus (P), phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) and phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3). The transparent and electroconductive oxide film is a layer obtained by sputtering indium oxide (In2O3), tin oxide (SnO2), or zinc oxide (ZnO).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The oxide semiconductor is chosen from titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The adhesive is based on ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Enhancement Characteristic: The enhancement characteristic comprises the apertures being of a diameter less than the wavelength of incident light, preferably 1-5 microns, more preferably around 1 micron. The enhancement characteristic may also comprise a pattern of periodic surface topography on at least one of the illuminated and non-illuminated surfaces of the first metallic electrode (106). The periodic surface topography may comprise a periodic array of dimples or surface corrugations surrounding each of the apertures. Both the illuminated and non-illuminated surfaces may comprise the enhancement characteristics.Preferred Spheres: The first portion (110) of the spheres (102) is one of a III-V or II-VI semiconductor and the second portion (112) is the other of the III-V or II-VI semiconductor, with appropriate doping. Alternatively, the first portion (110) is one of n or p type silicon and the second portion (112) is the other of the n or p type silicon. Preferably, the first portion (110) is an outer portion and the second portion (112) is an inner portion of the spheres.Preferred Device: A substantially transparent overlayer (124) is provided on the illuminated surface of the first metallic electrode (106). A medium, preferably an electrically conductive adhesive, is disposed between the electrodes and surrounding the spheres, for fixing the spheres to the first metallic electrode (106) and for providing electrical contact between the outer portion of the spheres and the first metallic electrode (106) and between the spheres. An underlayer (116) is fixed to the second electrode and can include a pressure sensitive adhesive backing on a free surface for applying the device to another surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The substrate acts as a photoreceptive surface. The surface of the substrate is formed in an antireflective shape. The regions have edges having a comb-like shape to extend an adjacent length. The bypass function region continuously surrounds the periphery of regions of the solar cell. A surface electrode (7) is provided on the first region. The third region includes a short-circuit member for establishing a short circuit between the substrate and the second region. The bypass region includes a fourth region of a first conductive type having an impurity density higher than that of the substrate and the third region. A fifth region has defective crystals across a boundary between the substrate and the second region. It is formed by implant treatment using charged ions or protons by sandblast treatment using fine particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The device is hermetically sealed within the pair of fluoropolymer laminates by passing the laminated device through the laminator apparatus for a second time. It is formed from electrically interconnected solar cells (11). A quantity of fluoropolymer material is provided intermediate the solar cells, prior to encapsulation. The forming step is carried out by removing the release layer from one side of the adhesive material; and positioning the fluoropolymer material on the one side of the adhesive material. The process includes forming an egg-crate type structure. The solar cells are positioned in void regions of the structure. The array of electrically connected solar cells are laminated with the fluoropolymer laminate. The laminating step is carried out in the laminator apparatus including laminating rollers having a selected temperature which is set at room temperature or 25 (preferably 40-60)degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The fluoropolymer material is ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene (E-CTFE, preferably), polyvinylfluoride (PVF), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (E-TFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or perfluoroalkoxy (PFA). The adhesive material is a pressure sensitive, anaerobic, contact, or film-supported and unsupported materials (preferably silicone). Preferred Property: The fluoropolymer and adhesive materials have a thickness of up to 5 mils. The E-CTFE has a thickness of 25 microns. The silicone adhesive has a thickness of 10-50 microns. The PVF has a thickness of 12.5 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The target (I) is made of copper-gallium-selenium or copper-indium-selenium, using three selenium compounds as a target. The target (II) is made of copper-selenium. The target (III) is made of indium-selenium or gallium-selenium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inner surface material of the cylindrical container is chosen from rubber, resin, silicon oxide, silicon carbide and/or silicon.
EXAMPLE - An optical forbidden band width means an energy gap ranging from a valence electron band to a conduction band, which are estimated through optical measurement, and is called optical gap. The optical forbidden band width of an amorphous semiconductor is usually led out from the Tauc side. Namely, a sample is irradiated with light of a visible light area (400-800 eta m), a value of each wavelength of a photoabsorption factor is determined and by blotting (alpha h nu)power 1/ 2 from incident energy, an optical gap can be determined.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The saturated hydrocarbon-based polymer consists of an isobutylene-based polymer. The sunlight electricity generation system is of a brick shape. The member consists of a plate and constitutes the major portion of the brick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The decomposition in the fuel decomposition unit is performed by hydrolysis. The fuel decomposition unit operates so that an oxygen fed is used to partially oxidize the first hydrocarbon-based fuel, and heat evolved by the oxidation is used to pyrolyze the remaining fuel. It comprises a controller for regulating a rate of entire reaction occurring the in the decomposition unit in response to a feed rate of the fuel. It includes a catalyst for promoting decomposition reaction and a plasma-generating unit to generate low-temperature plasma. The first fuel is a higher hydrocarbon-based fuel with a carbon number of at least 4, preferably gasoline, naphtha, or light oil. The reactor includes a porous article or a honeycomb tube whose surface supports the reforming catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composite Molding: The cross-linked polymer is a polymer of an active energy-beam cross-linking polymerizable compound. The electroconductive chain polymer is a polyaniline group polymer or a photoconductive chain polymer which is a polyvinyl carbazole group polymer. The conductive resin composite molding is a film or coating film of thickness 100 mum which has a light transmittance of 60% or more. EXAMPLE - Poly-N-vinyl carbazole, diacrylate (dimethylol tri-cyclodecane) Kayarad R-684, an active energy-being cross linking polymerizable compound and Irgacure184 were dissolved in methylene chloride, to obtain a homogeneous mixed solution. The solution was applied on a glass plate and the solvent was removed by air drying and vacuum drying. Cloudiness of the obtained cast film was performed at room temperature. Heating was performed to 50degreesC or more, until the film was colorless and transparent. The cast film was mounted on a hot plate maintained at 80degreesC. UV rays were irradiated and the coating film was hardened. The phase structure of the coating film cross section was observed by TEM and the diameter of the mesh-like phase separation structure was found to be 0.4-0.8 mum. The network-like phase of the coating film contained a nuclear phase consisting of cross linked polymer and chain polymer. Tensile strength, breaking elongation, elasticity and photoconductivity of the film were evaluated and found to be 1.8 GPa, 42 MPa, 4.2% and 1.8x10-9 S/cm, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The amount of powder having grain size of less than 1 mum in the Cd-Te is 10% or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The dopant-containing ions are phosphate ions, from a solution of ammonium hydrogen phosphate. Dopant-containing ions are aluminate ions. Silicate ions are prepared by dissolving silicon powder in hot potassium hydroxide solution or in tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Production: Formation of a high-surface-area WC material comprises heating a tungsten precursor material to 500-800degreesC in an atmosphere containing a hydrocarbon gas and, optionally hydrogen gas for sufficient time to convert the W precursor to the WC material.Preferred Production: The WC material is cooled in an inert atmosphere and passivated in nitrogen after conversion.Preferred Precursor: W precursor comprises ammonium metatungstate, ammonium paratungstate, tungsten metal powder, tungsten oxide or tungsten halide, especially ammonium paratungstate decahydrate.Preferred Properties: Ratio of peak (b) to peak (c) is 0.65-0.80 (0.69-0.75). Composition of material is of formula WC1-x (x = 0-0.5). Material has a surface area of at least 6 (10-60) m2/g and a crystallite size of 15-30 Angstrom . Pattern is CuKalpha1 x-ray diffraction pattern comprising 2theta reflection angles of (a) 37.3-37.9degrees; (b) 61.7-62.3degrees; and (c) 74.5-75.1degrees, and ratio peak (b) to peak (c) is 0.65-0.80.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactant: Hydrocarbon gas comprises 1-12C, especially propane, ethane, natural gas, ethylene, and/or acetylene. EXAMPLE - A reagent/catalyst grade ammonium metatungstate (AMT; 5 g), (NH4)6H2W12O40.5 H2O, was heated in a ceramic boat in a hinged tube furnace (Lindberg/Blue M Model HTF55000; RTM) under inert atmosphere (0.5 slm argon gas) at 650degreesC. Gas flow was switched to propane (0.2 slm) and hydrogen (1 slm). After 2.5 hr, the gas flow was switched back to argon only (0.5 slm) and the furnace turned off. After allowing the material to cool in the furnace under the flowing argon, the material was passivated by passing flowing nitrogen gas (cryogenic grade, 99.998% from liquid nitrogen) through the tube at 1.0 slm for 6 hr. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of WC material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The n-side nitride semiconductor layer comprises an undoped layer (3) of AlbGa1-bN (b is 0-1 (preferably 0.001-0.1)) formed on the buffer layer and an n-type contact layer (4) containing an n-type impurity which is formed on the undoped layer. An n-side first multilayered film (5) is formed on the n-type contact layer. It comprises an undoped bottom layer, a middle layer doped with the n-type impurity which is formed on the undoped bottom layer and an undoped top layer formed on the middle layer doped with the n-type impurity. The n-type impurity is within the n-side first multilayered film. The semiconductor device has an active layer (7) formed of indium gallium nitride-containing compound (IncGa1-cN, where c is 0-1). The n-side nitride semiconductor layer has an n-side second multilayered film (6) formed on the n-side first multilayered film. The n-side first multilayered film is formed by laminating a first nitride layer of IndGa1-dN (where d is 0-1 and less than c) and a second nitride layer of IneGa1-eN (where e is 0-1 and less than d).Preferred Dimensions: The n-type contact layer of the device has a thickness of 6-20 microns larger than the middle layer doped with the n-type impurity. The undoped top layer has a thickness smaller than that of the undoped bottom layer in the n-side first multi-layered film.
EXAMPLE - A transparent electrode formed of ITO and tin oxide and a first electrode is formed of a metal electrode(a metal formed of Al, Ni, Cr, Pt, Ag, Au, Cu, Mg, Mo, Ti, and Ta or an alloy or a Cu-Mg alloy formed of the elements). An energy gap and OeV anatase type titania semiconductor are formed on a first power source. A second electrode is formed on an anatase type titania semiconductor. A second electrode consists of a transparent electrode formed of ITO and tin oxide or a film metal electrode (a metal or an alloy formed of Al, Ni, Cr, Pt, Ag, Au, Cu, Mg, Mo, Ti, and Ta, preferably a resistance metal, such as a Cu-Mg alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Complex: The metal complex has formula (I).M(La)m1(Lb)m2(X)m3.Cl (I)M = metal atom;La = formula (II);Z1 - Z3 = nitrogen cation containing group;L1-3 = bonding group;R1- R3 = alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, hetero ring, amino, alkoxy, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphoric acid, or silicic acid group;a1- a3 = 0 or 1;n1 - n3 = integer of 0-4;l1 = 0 or 1;Lb = formula (III);Za, Zb, Zc = non-metal atom group forming five or six membered rings;l2 = 0 or 1;CI = counter ion;m1 = integer of 1-3;m2 = integer of 0-2;m3 = integer of 0-4. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The semiconductor fine particles are titanium oxide.    EXAMPLE - A photoelectrochemical cell was fabricated as: a glass plate with a dye-sensitized TiO2 electrode and a platinum deposited glass plate were stacked; an electrolyte solution containing 3-methoxypropionitrile, 1-methyl-3-hexylimidazolium iodide, and iodine was put between the glass plates; the cell was sealed with epoxy resin. The cell with a dye of D-1 of Ru(La)(Lb)(X)m3 (La = La-1 of formula (9-La-1), Lb = Lb-1 of formula (11-Lb-1), (X)m3 = (NCS)2) provided an open circuit voltage of 0.90 volt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Elements: Metallic element (A) is chosen from titanium, iron, zinc, zirconium, niobium, tin and tungsten.The electric charge moving bed contains a fused electrolytic salt or an inorganic hole transportation agent.Metallic element (B) is alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, aluminum, silicon, transition metal element or strontium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film Material: The silicon steel plate is a (100) (001) or (110) (001) oriented silicon steel plate. 1 square mm or more, preferably 1 square cm or more of a single crystal region is provided in the steel plate. The mean dispersion angle of the crystal orientation of the silicon steel plate, is 5 degrees or less. The single crystal is a III-V group compound, preferably gallium arsenide compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: The semiconductor device is a light-emitting element, light-receiving element or an optoelectric transducer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The filter is made of glass fiber, polyolefin or polyester. The separator or non-woven fabric is made of polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, vinylon (copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate), polyimide or vinylon (acetylated polyvinyl alcohol).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metal fibers of the burner are manufactured from a Fecralloy steel containing iron, chromium, yttrium, silicone, manganese, copper and carbon. The burner operates simultaneously with more than one fuel, preferably with hydrocarbon such as liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, or diesel fuel as one fuel, and a mixture of gases containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen as the other fuel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen pressure of the demarcation point is 0.08-1MPa. The alloy temperature (T2) is at most 150 degrees C. The process which reduced at most 50% of hydrogen contained in the hydrogen storage alloy to an arbitrary amount is made the hydrogen desorption final process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The temperature T2 is at most 150 degreesC.The alloy has the formula TixCryMz, and contains oxygen and nitrogen included and spinodal decomposition phase in a minimum amount.M = at least one element of Group IIa, IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, VIII, IIIb, and IVb;x + y = 20-100;y/x = 0.5-2; andz = 0-80.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The device also contains a temperature detection means which detects the temperature of the conversion catalyst.The device can also contain a temperature adjusting means which adjusts the temperature of the hydrogen gas supplied to the conversion part from the reforming part.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Purification: A filter and a reverse osmosis water purifier purify the water supplied from the water source.Preferred Converter: The converter is oxide or steam electrolyzer, multiphotochemical device, multi-band gap photochemical cell or photoelectrolysis device.Preferred Storage Tank: A hydrogen storage device that stores the hydrogen generated by the converter, has a compressor and a storage tank. The storage tank is metal hydride tank, carbon nanotube tank, vacuum insulated composite tank or slush storage tank.Preferred Power Source: The power source is a solar power source, furnace steam source, wind power source, water drag power source, nuclear power source, human power source or on-shore power source. The power plant is a hydrogen consuming fuel cell. A hydrogen burning mechanical engine that converts the hydrogen into mechanical energy, is a hydrogen burning internal combustion engine, mixed hydrogen fossil fuel burning engine or mixed hydrogen/biodiesel fuel burning engine. A heat exchanger removes excess heat from fuel cell and converter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The conversion part has a cooling part for making the temperature of the downstream side 150-300 degrees C. The amount of noble metal per unit area of the conversion catalyst is made so that of the upstream side is smaller than the downstream side. The speed of flow of the hydrogen gas is made so that of the upstream side is larger than that of the downstream side. The vertical cross-section to the flow of hydrogen of the conversion catalyst is made so that of the upstream side is made larger than the downstream side.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The noble metal layer is all or partly Pt, Pd, Rh or Ru. The metal oxide is a complex oxide in which Zr and/or Al is complexed to Ce. The composition ratio of elements excluding oxygen in the complex oxide is Ce 5-90 atom.% and the rest Zr and/or Al.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The controller increases the raw material amount supplied from the raw material supply part by a fixed amount during operation of the hydrogen generator. The produced gas from the hydrogen generator is led to the burner and the air amount supplied to the burner is controlled based on signals from the raw material supply part and signals from the reforming temperature detector part.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Property: The thickness of the semiconductor layer including a crystalline semiconductor and an amorphous semiconductor in a mixed manner is 50-300 nm. The lower second conductivity-type semiconductor layer has a thickness of 20-100 nm and the upper second conductivity-type semiconductor layer has a thickness of 50-500 nm.The relation in weight between the insulator and the crystalline semiconductor particles is:V1 x rho1 at least V2 x rho2,where V1 = volume of crystalline semiconductor particle, V2 = volume of semiconductor particle in the part being buried in the insulator, rho1 = specific gravity of the crystalline semiconductor particles, and rho2 = specific gravity of the insulator.Preferred Dimension: The particle diameters of the crystalline semiconductor particles are 10-500 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The device further comprises a transparent conductive layer formed on the semiconductor layer including a crystalline semiconductor and an amorphous semiconductor in a mixed functions as an upper electrode. It further comprises a dielectric protective film formed on the semiconductor layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The first aluminum (Al)-iron (Fe) alloy is thinner than the second Al-Fe alloy.Preferred Property: The first Al-Fe alloy is not less than 2 microns nor more than 100 microns in thickness and the second Al-Fe alloy is not less than 2 microns nor more than 100 microns in thickness.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The insulator is made from silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), calcium oxide (CaO), boric oxide, magnesium oxide (MgO), phosphorus pentoxide or lithium oxide.Preferred Component: The insulator comprises filler(s) from SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO or titanium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: The photocell contains the photoelectric conversion element. The solar battery module contains the photoelectric conversion element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The inert gas is chosen from helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The sintering temperature of the paste is 150-500 degreesC. An oxygen defect site is formed on the titanium dioxide porous crystal film by optical or thermal unit, and a fluorine atom is introduced at the oxygen defect site by treatment with fluorine atom supply compound. The electrode containing titanium dioxide porous crystal film is treated with a pigment sensitizer. Preferred Compound: The fluorine atom supply compound is hexafluoro acetyl acetone, tetrafluoro titanate, polyvinylidene fluoride, hexafluoro isoproponal, and/or hexafluoro acetone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dopant: The dopant is a group (XIII) element such as boron, aluminum, indium, gallium or their oxide. Preferred Property: The deposited zinc oxide thin film has a thickness of 2000 Angstrom. The substrate is elongate and is rolled between rolls.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The solid electrolyte layer contains lanthanum-gallium oxide (LaGaO3), cerium oxide (CeO2) or zirconium oxide (ZrO2).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The semiconductor raw material is silicon. The crucible is made of pyrolytic graphite, diamond-like carbon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride or boron nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has cast filled with molten silicon, and cooling chamber comprising heater and cooler configured below cast. The cooler lowers internal atmospheric temperature of the cooling chamber and also cools the silicon in the cast. Sensor is thermometer or ultrasonic range-finder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: When the operating temperature of the steam reforming is reached introduction of the oxygen-containing gas is interrupted. The steam reformer is heated using a heating device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The seal is provided in grooves (28, 30) formed in the separator. Each separator has an opening (38a) for supplying or discharging fuel gas, oxidant gas, or coolant to or from the membrane electrode assembly. The seal closes the openings of the separators. The seal on one separator makes contact with the sealant on the other separator to seal the periphery of the opening. The grooves enclose the openings. The seal is provided in the grooves. The non-adhesive can be liquid or solid at the time of application. The diameter of the applied liquid sealant is at least0.9 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The raw material gas contains helium, 0.5-2 volume% of methane, 0.01-0.1 volume% of silane and 0.5-2 volume% of hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The silicon crystallization accelerating element is chosen out of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) or platinum (Pt).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The heat reversible crosslinking olefinic polymer composition contains: (a) a modified polyolefin formed by grafting at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride. An unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride group in the modified polyolefin has a component concentration of 0.1-20 percent by weight; (b) a polyhydric alcohol compound having at least two hydroxyl groups in a molecule; and (c) a reaction accelerator. The mol ratio of the unit of the hydroxyl group to a unit derived from the unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride is 0.01-10. The weight of the reaction accelerator is 0.001-20 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the modified polyolefin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The organic flexible substrate comprises polyethylenenaphthalate, polyether sulfone, polyimide, polyamide or polyimidoamide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The textile fiber arrangement is made of conducing polymers such as PATAC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The supply of H2 additive is derived from a container of H2 in the fuel processing section of the fuel cell power plant, from a recycled gas from fuel cell power plant selective oxidizer (28), from an electrolysis cell that converts water to hydrogen and oxygen gas, or from a hydride bed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrolyzing device further converts the aqueous solution into an oxygen gas. It comprises a separator for separating the oxygen gas from the hydrogen gas. The fuel cell further comprises a hydrogen storage tank for storing the hydrogen gas for use in generation of electrical power. The hydrogen storage tank comprises a hydrogen outlet for transferring the hydrogen gas to a remote location. The conveyor system comprises a conveyor drive (84) and a receptacle attached to the conveyor drive. The receptacle is bucket (82) (preferably a butterfly valve), or a vane. The vane is dimensioned to fold against the conveyor drive upon reaching an apex (86) and to unfold from the conveyor drive upon reaching a nadir (88).
EXAMPLE - Powdery CaNi5, Mg, and Ni were mixed in Ar gas with the mixing ratio of 1.5/2/9, their mixture was molded under 485 MPa and sintered at 900 in Ar gas for 1-50 hours to form sintered Ca1.5Mg2Ni9.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: A is calcium. EXAMPLE - The primary powder mixture was prepared (in Ar gas) by mixing CaNi5 powder and Mg powder with the mixing ratio of 1/2, which was molded under 485 MPa to form pellets which were sintered (in Ar gas) at 900 degreesC for 1 hour then sintered pellets were ground (in Ar gas) down to powder, which was mixed (in Ar gas) with Ni powder with the mixing ratio of 1/4 then their mixture was molded, pelletized, and sintered at 900 degreesC for 1 hour.
EXAMPLE - The alloy powder whose composition was Ti0.35Cr0.40Mo0.1Nb0.05A0.09M0.01, was prepared by Ar gas atomizing method, which was molten in Ar atmosphere by heating at 1000 degreesC to form alloy powder, which was mechanically alloyed with Cu then further mechanically alloyed with Ni using 1 micron metal powder.    A = at least one of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, V, Zn, Zr, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Al, Si, C, N, P, and B; and    M = at least one rare earth metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: The silicic acid compound containing layer consists of the compound of an alkali metal with silicic acid. The compound is silicate such as potassium silicate, lithium silicate and/or calcium silicate. The silicic acid compound containing layer further consists of metallic oxide such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, niobium oxide, alumina and/or zirconium oxide. Preferred Process: Alternatively DC voltage or magnetic force is applied between the silicic acid compound containing laminated sheets.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin Material: The resin material is a thermoplastic resin containing a reinforcement filler which is a glass fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The hydrogen source is man portable. The ignition control system comprises ignitor(s) which ignite the pellet(s) individually. The elements are thermally insulated with felt, ceramic, asbestos or rock wool layer(s) to reduce heat transfer. The source further comprises a regulator (integrated into the pressure vessel) to control the flow of hydrogen from the vessel and a filter (activated carbon, porous stainless steel or sintered metal) integrated into the vessel. The element(s) comprise a pellet holder with recesses, preferably made of a rigid porous material. The elements further comprise a gas handling layer (comprising a metallic layer contacting the inner surface of the vessel, conducting heat to the exterior) with channels which direct the flow of evolved hydrogen. The ignitors are heated resistance wires or pyrotechnic ignitors, placed in contact with the pellets. The ignitors are activated by a battery, an electrochemical cell, a fuel cell, a capacitor or a power supply. The ignition control system further comprises a pressure transducer to determine the hydrogen pressure in the vessel, this is used to trigger the decomposition of the pellets maintaining the hydrogen pressure at a preset level and prevent ignition if the pressure is above a safe limit. The control system further comprises a temperature probe which prevents ignition if the temperature in the vessel is above a safe limit. The pressure vessel is adapted to be rechargeable with replacement pellets. Preferred Pellet: The pellet comprises a layer of hydrogen generating mixture and a layer of heat generating mixture which is ignited. Preferred Equipment: The portable equipment is a fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Method: The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration is measured with a sensor placed in the gas stream, preferably after a cooling and pressure regulation unit in the fluid circulation. The calculation is based on 1 mole CO2 corresponds to 1 mole methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel is methanol. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - A specific example of the fuel is methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Heat-treatment is carried out in a spray-dryer or mixed-flow spray-dryer at not more than 500degreesC (preferably not more than 300degreesC) for not more than 100 (preferably not more than 30) seconds.Preferred Product: The electro-catalyst particles are composite particles comprising an active species phase dispersed on a support phase. They may be unsupported particles, e.g. unsupported metal or metal oxide particles. The electro-catalyst particles comprise proton-conducting phase and may be modified with a polymer.Preferred Properties: The electro-catalyst particles have a uni-, bi-, or tri-modal size distribution with a volume average particle size of 1-20 (preferably 1-10) micron; an internal porosity of at least 60%; and a spherical morphology.Preferred Materials: The active species phase is platinum or ruthenium metal phase, manganese-containing phase, cobalt-containing phase, or nickel-containing phase and has an average particle size of not more than 4 nm. The support phase comprises primary carbon particles having an average primary particle size of 10-100 nm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The polymer is proton-conducting polymer, fluorinated organic polymer having functional groups (e.g. sulfate or phosphate functional groups), hydrophobic polymer, hydrophilic polymer, fluorocarbon polymer, or perfluorohydrocarbon polymer.Preferred Composition: The liquid vehicle comprises solvent and carboxy methyl cellulose binder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Compounds: The ceramic fiber is made from alumina, zirconia, titania, magnesia or silica. The solid particle is non-sintered ceramic particle chosen from alumina, zirconia, titania, magnesia or silica; or glass particle.
EXAMPLE - A foamed (void ratio=90 %) Ni cube (100 mm) was covered with fluorinated alloy of Mg2Ni, which was bored with nine holes (diameter=16 mm and depth=60 mm) with 30 mm spacing and a SUS diffuser pipe was inserted into all of them to form one unit. The unit installed in a SUS reactor with two outlets (gas and liquid). An aqueous solution containing 10 weight % of NaOH and 5 weight % of NaBH4 was supplied to diffuser pipes with the rate of 3 liters/minute at room temperature, after 60 minutes hydrogen was generated with the rate of 5 liters/minute with high stability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The metallic oxide contains cerium, zirconium and/or zinc. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The noble metal is platinum or rhodium.    EXAMPLE - None given
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Modification Region: The modification region comprises:(1) a mixing zone which produces heating gas by combustion at high temperatures or oxidized gas, water vapor, and an organic carbon mix; and(2) a catalyst region which performs the water vapor modification reaction at high temperatures.The heat generation region comprises a thermo sensor. Gas of greater than 400degreesC is made to flow in.Preferred Heating Gas: The heating gas is made to oxidize as a flame by reaction with an oxidizing agent in the heat generation region. When oxidizing as a flame, the part of the flame with the highest temperature is covered with a heat-resistant material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Container comprises nickel group alloy or iron group alloy. The heat-resistant material is tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, vanadium, nickel, and/or its alloys and has airtight high heat resistance. Ceramic component comprises alumina, zirconia, titania, magnesia, thoria, beryllia, and/or yttria.Preferred Catalyst: Catalyst (region) comprises rare earth element e.g. rhodium, platinum, ruthenium, nickel and/or lanthanoids. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The catalyst disk can be replaced by a low impedance fuel cell which has combined internal and external impedance lower than 100 ohms. The fuel cell electrochemically oxidizes gases on the counter electrode side of the counter electrode. Further, a first and a second protection membrane (11, 15) are provided in front of the working and counter electrodes, respectively. The second protection membrane slows down the flux of gases onto the counter electrode. An electrolyte (13) and respective contacts (16) for the working and counter electrodes are also included in the sensor. The electrodes, the protection membranes, the electrolyte, and the contacts are all mounted in a main body (10).Preferred Dimension: The first and second protection membranes are 5-50 micronsm and 20-100 micronsm thick, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The catalyst disk can be made from the powders of 0.5-10% palladium and/or platinum on activated carbon or alumina. It can also be made from the powders of transition metal oxides, preferably from moleculite (a highly active mixture of copper oxide and manganese oxide).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The first protection membrane can be made of dense polymer membrane of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylene fluoride or polypropylene (PP). The second protection membrane can be made of dense polymer membrane of PTFE, polyethylene or PP.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The second protection membrane can also be made of ceramic dense membrane, i.e. perovskite phase of composition La1-xAxFe1-yCoyO3, where A is barium, calcium or strontium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The fuel processor further comprises a vaporization zone with this and the reaction zone including parallel channels and/or serpentine channel(s). The generator further comprises an integrated heat source, preferably an electrically driven resistive heater or a chemical heater with a catalyst which oxidizes fuel to produce heat. The chemical heater further includes an air inlet to provide oxygen with an opening for fuel. The integrated heater is coupled to the reaction zone by thermally conductive structures. The ceramic carrier is a monolithic three dimensional multilayer structure. The fuel processor is a fuel reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The aryl vinyl monomer is vinyl toluene, alpha-methylstyrene or preferably styrene. The aromatic derivatives of aryl vinyl monomer comprise 20-80 mol.%, preferably 30-50 mol.%, and aromatic sulfonate, preferably styrene sulfonate. Preferred Concentration: The aryl vinyl monomer is present in the statistical copolymer in a concentration of 20-80 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The olefin monomer is propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, isoprene, or preferably ethylene or butadiene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The thermally conductive pole of the carbon monoxide removal device, is a heat pipe whose cross-section is 1-62% of the cross-section of the reactor.The length of the heat pipe inserted in the catalyst is 50% or more of the length of the whole catalyst layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The photoelectric conversion layer consists of semiconductor material containing optical sensitizing dye. The semiconductor material is porous titanium oxide. The conduction layer is formed from intermolecular electron donor-acceptor complex. The complex contains organic donor, preferably carbazole group donor and organic acceptor, preferably quinone group acceptor. Preferred Property: The thickness of hole carrying layer is less than 0.5 mum. The hole carrying layer contains organic polymeric hole transportation material such as organic polysilane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The fuel cell further comprises a redox polymer disposed on the anode and cathode respectively, for transducing a current between anode and anode enzyme, and cathode and cathode enzyme.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Enzyme: The cathode is arranged for electroreducing oxygen in the presence of cathode enzyme. The cathode enzyme comprises a laccase, cytochrome C peroxidase or a peroxidase. The cathode comprises a microporous membrane having a hydrophobic surface in outer layer and an hydrophilic surface in inner layer. The cathode enzyme is disposed on the inner layer of the microporous membrane. The anode is configured for electro-oxidizing sugar, alcohol or carboxylic acids in a biological systems. The anode enzyme comprises an oxidase or dehydrogenase. The fuel cell further comprises an additional enzyme proximally disposed to the anode which is capable of breaking down starch or cellulose into sugar, alcohol or carboxylic acid. Anode enzyme is immobilized within an inorganic matrix which comprises redox functional groups to transduce current between anode and anode enzyme. The inorganic matrix comprises conductive particles distributed in the matrix. The anode enzyme is a thermostable enzyme.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Arrangement: The fuel cell is coupled to a storage device for storing electrical power generated by the fuel cell. The anode redox polymer has a redox potential of +0.1 volts positive of a redox potential of the anode enzyme. The cathode redox polymer has a redox potential of +0.1 volts positive of a redox potential of the cathode enzyme. A biological fluid such as venous or arterial blood, is pumped through the fuel cell by a heart of the animal. The fuel cell is configured for implantation in human or animal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The zirconic acid compound is supported on porous base, particulate base or thin film.Preferred Process: The crystal precipitated is matured under specific conditions and baked.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: A crystal growth prevention film (8) is further formed on the base of substrate, after groove formation. Preferred Composition: The substrate is indium-arsenide (InAs) single crystal substrate. Indium-gallium-arsenide (InxGa1-xAs) is grown on the substrate by liquid phase epitaxial method.
EXAMPLE - A polythiophene derivative of 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) was synthesized by polymerizing 2,5-dibromo-3-hexylthiophene monomers with a catalyst of (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) nickel (II) chloride. P3HT was spin-coated in 1 micron thick on a ITO substrate; an aluminum electrode was vacuum-deposited on the film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The oxide maybe aluminum oxide (Al2O3) or silicon dioxide (SiO2).Preferred Composition: The platinum is present at at least 0.1, preferably 3-20, wt.%. The oxide(s) is present at at most 15. The Al2O3 and SiO2 are preferably present at 0.1-10 wt.% and 1.5-11 wt.%, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The retainer member of the reactor maybe a container that houses the shift catalyst comprising pellets. It can also be a honeycomb monolith, and the shift catalyst is retained by a coating on a porous surface of the honeycomb monolith. EXAMPLE - Aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) gel was mixed with titanium hydroxide (Ti(OH)) gel, and baked to form a powder of TiO2 containing 4 wt.% Al (in terms of Al2O3). Aluminum sol (10 wt.% based on solid content) was added to the powder to form a slurry. A honeycomb monolith was coated with the slurry to form a porous body of TiO2, dried at 120degreesC for 24 hours and baked in air at 350degreesC for 2 hours. Using a dinitrodiamine platinum nitrate salt solution, the body was loaded with platinum at 12 g/L. The body was then dried and baked to obtain a shift catalyst (1). A comparative Pt/TiO2 catalyst (c1) was prepared in the same manner as the catalyst (1) but in the absence of Al2O3. Each of the catalysts was employed in a shift reaction under a test gas composition consisting of (%) nitrogen gas (34.7), H2 (46.8), CO (6.27) and CO2 (11.9); H2O/CO ratio of 6.3; and a space velocity of 3,700/h. The catalyst (1) exhibited higher CO reduction rate as compared to the catalyst (c1).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The semiconductor substrate is formed from a material selected from a group containing silicon, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, copper indium selenide and zinc oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The seed layer is formed from a material selected from the group containing Pd, Au, Ag, Co, Sn, Ni and other alloys. The metal contact forming material is made of Cu.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The solar cell portion is formed of a silicon or compound semiconductor. It includes crystal silicon type solar cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The solar battery module further comprises a terminal box for taking out current. Preferred Component: The solar cell portion is an integrated thin film cell portion having thin film cells divided by parallel grooves and electrically connected in series.Preferred Configuration: A light deflection layer is provided between the solar cell portion and the printed matter. The terminal box is positioned on the side surface of the solar battery module.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Net: The metal net is made of aluminum, nickel, platinum, chrome, gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium, tantalum and/or ruthenium. Preferred Film: The oxide semiconductor film is a titanium oxide or complex oxide of transparent conduction oxide (e.g. tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide or indium tin oxide) and oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metals: The electro-conductive mesh comprises aluminum, nickel, platinum, chromium, gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium, tantalum, ruthenium, and/or alloys.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The oxide semiconductor layer comprises titanium oxide, and is in the form of micro-particle aggregates, where the micro-particles contain transparent conductive oxides such as tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide and/or indium tin oxide (ITO).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The photosensitive layer consists of two or more semiconductor microparticle-containing layers which differ in porosity. The semiconductor microparticle in the photosensitive layer is titanium dioxide microparticle. At least 1 volume% of the total void in the photosensitive layer is formed by thermolysis of polymer added to semiconductor microparticle dispersed material. 5-200 mass% of polymer particle are added to semiconductor microparticle. After forming void in the semiconductor microparticle-containing layer, part of the microparticle is removed by contact with a metal needle electrode of diameter 2 mm or less. The electric charge moving bed contains monovalent copper, preferably copper iodide, and further contains thiocyanate and fused salt electrolyte. The electric charge moving bed is pyridinium salt, imidazoline salt or alkyl ammonium salt. An undercoat (60) of oxide semiconductor is formed on the electroconductive support.Preferred Pigment: The pigment is ruthenium complex pigment or polymethine pigment.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: At least one part of the polymer is insoluble polymer particle with mean particle diameter of 30 nm or more. The polymer particle contains methyl methacrylate or styrene as structural unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Form: The titanium dioxide has anatase type crystal form.Preferred Grain Size: The two maximum grain sizes (A,B) are 10 +/- 5 nm and 25 +/- 10 nm respectively. Grain size (A) is greater than grain size (B).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The fluorescent or luminescent material is an inorganic compound and emits light at 400-900 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The p-type semiconductor material of the cathode is chosen from the group consisting of copper oxide (Cu2O), copper iodide (CuI), gallium phosphide (GaP), gallium arsenide (GaAs), nickel oxide (NiO), cobalt oxide (CoO), iron oxide (FeO), chromium oxide (Cr2O3), tin sulfide (SnS), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), molybdenum oxide (MoO2), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge). The n-type semiconductor layer of anode consists of metallic oxide chosen from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (TiO2), titanium strontium oxide (TiSrO3), zinc oxide (ZnO), tungsten oxide (WO3) and niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electrically conductive powder and fiber are carbon, nickel, tungsten and/or F-doped tin oxide, preferably carbon. The electrically conductive powder has surface area of 5-100 m2/g. The electrically conductive fibers have length of at least 1 micron and thickness of more than 100 microns. The ratio of electrically conductive fibers to electrically conductive powder is 10-4 to 1. EXAMPLE - Carbon powder ink was mixed with carbon fibers of length 1 mm in ratio of 3:1, with continuous stirring for 5 minutes. The fiber containing ink was then used to form film on float glass substrate by screening-printing through nylon mesh of 150 holes/inch. The substrate was dried in an oven at 450degreesC for 16 minutes in air, and conductivity of the formed film was measured. The film of thickness 30-40 micron was found to have resistance of 0.47 kilo ohm across the longitudinal direction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The substrate is glass, amorphous glass, or soda-lime silica glass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The method further involves applying a molybdenum layer to the substrate by radio frequency sputtering, adjusting the semiconductor layer composition by adding indium by physical vapor deposition, depositing a negative-type cadmium sulfide semiconductor layer by electro-deposition to the semiconductor layer, depositing a first zinc oxide layer by radio frequency sputtering to the negative-type semiconductor layer, depositing an aluminum oxide doped zinc oxide layer by radio sputtering to the first zinc oxide layer, applying a nickel/aluminum electrical contact layer to the aluminum oxide doped zinc oxide layer, and depositing an anti-reflective coating composed of magnesium fluoride onto the electrical contact layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: The intermediate energy level layer is an impurity doped layer. It extends throughout most of the other side of the substrate, and includes impurities of the first and second conductive types. It is set electrically neutral by controlling the dose of each impurity. The device further comprises separating grooves for separating the intermediate energy level layer between the semiconductor regions of the first conductive type and the second conductive type. The grooves are recessed into the intermediate energy level layer from the other side of the semiconductor substrate. The junction of the semiconductor regions of the first and second conductive types is extended deeper than the intermediate energy level layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: At least one metal contact pad is deposited on the full metal layer by plasma spraying a third metal powder while the wafer is in the deposition station. The front side of the silicon wafer is pre-coated with anti-reflection layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The wafer is p-type doped silicon wafer, or n-type doped silicon. The first and third metal powders comprise silver, and the second metal powder comprises aluminum or nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The process, when used in forming gate electrode, involves:(a) providing a semiconductor substrate with gate dielectric layer (14) including a blanket gate electrode material layer (16) with a patterned photoresist layer (18);(b) etching exposed portions of the blanket gate electrode material layer while employing first plasma etch method to form a partially etched blanket gate electrode material layer (16'); and(c) etching the partially etched blanket gate electrode while using a second plasma etch method.The first plasma etch method uses a detector, which is optimized to measure a thickness of the blanket gate electrode. The first detector controls the etching to stop prior to reaching the gate dielectric layer. The second detector controls the etching to stop on the dielectric layer.Preferred Device: The first detector is interferometric detector, or plasma emission spectroscopic apparatus operated as interferometric detector. The second detector is plasma emission spectroscopic apparatus. The first and second spectroscopic apparatus operate in unequal wavelengths.Preferred Material: The substrate is formed from microelectronic conductor, semiconductor, or dielectric materials. The gate electrode is formed from gate electrode material such as metal, metal alloy, doped polysilicon or polycide.Preferred Dimension: The microelectronic layer is formed to a thickness of 1000-2500 Angstrom. It is 100-800 Angstrom above the dielectric layer. The blanket gate electrode material is formed to 1000-3500 Angstrom thick. The partially etched blanket gate electrode material layer is 100-800 Angstrom thick above the gate dielectric layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Module: The solar battery module also includes a laminate housing comprising two layers of fluoro plastic film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The patterned photoresist layer is stripped from the microelectronics fabrication simultaneously with etching the blanket second dielectric layer to form the aperture through the patterned second dielectric layer. The ion implanted portion of the blanket hard mask layer is susceptible to etching within the oxygen-containing plasma. The first and second plasma etch methods employ the oxygen-containing plasma. Boron difluoride ions, phosphorus ions or arsenic ions at a dose of 1 x 10 power 15 - 1 x 10 power 16 are implanted at 30-200 keV.Preferred Dimensions: The blanket hard mask layer is 500-2000 Angstrom thick and the patterned photoresist layer is 700-15000 Angstrom thick. The blanket second dielectric layer is 5000 Angstrom thick.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first dielectric material is silicon oxide dielectric material, silicon nitride dielectric material or silicon oxynitride dielectric material. The second plasma includes an oxygen-containing etchant gas, which is oxygen, ozone, nitrous oxide, or nitric oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The second dielectric material is an organic polymer spin-on-polymer dielectric material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Active Material: The negative plate active material is graphite. Preferred Electrolyte Salt: The electrolyte salt is lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The inactive gas is chosen from nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon.Preferred Material: The hydrogen occlusion material comprises carbonaceous material chosen from fullerene, carbon nano fiber, carbon nano tube, carbon soot, nano capsule, buckyonion and carbon fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The light olefin is propylene and/or butene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: Polymerization of light olefin is performed using a catalyst consisting of aluminum chloride, boron trifluoride, an organic aluminum complex, zeolite, silica-alumina complex and/or a solid phosphorus acidic catalyst. Hydrogenation is performed using a catalyst containing palladium, ruthenium, platinum and/or nickel. Preferred Method: Hydrogen is obtained by steam reforming, auto-thermal reforming or partial oxidation of the fuel oil. EXAMPLE - 150 g of a mixture containing aluminum chloride catalyst (0.45g), isobutane (in weight%) (5.6), n-butane (19.5), 1-butene (8.4), isobutene (22.8) and 2-butene (43.7) was prepared, and polymerized for 20 minutes at 120degreesC. The obtained liquid was washed in water at normal temperature and pressure, followed by washing with an alkali. The oil layer was separated and a polymer was obtained by drying for 12 hours using anhydrous calcium chloride. Hydrogenation of the polymer was performed for 3 hours at 2.5 MPa and 230degreesC, using a palladium catalyst. The catalyst was separated and the reaction product was distilled, to obtain a fuel oil having a boiling range of 170-270degreesC. The fuel oil contained 99.5 volume% (vol.%) of saturated hydrocarbons, 0.5 vol.% of olefins, and less than 0.1 ppm of sulfur content. The fuel oil did not contain any aromatic compounds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: The inductive coupling electrode is rod shaped or has a shape where it is folded back on its center.Preferred Process: The frequency of the hf power is adjusted to establish a standing wave between the feeding and grounding parts of the coupling electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substrate is a conducting material made of non-conducting fibers, a conducting plastic film, a metal foil or expanded metal. The metal or alloy is selected from Ni, Cu, Al, Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, NiPCo, NiPMn, NiP, FeNiCr, NiWo, NiPWo, NiSn, CoSn, NiMg or NiMo. The coating is provided with a further coating made of Al, Ag and Ti with a thickness of 10-100 nm or carbon. The lithium-containing spinel is LiMnO4, LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiTiS2 or LiVSe2. The non-conducting fibers are made of glass fibers, mineral fibers, ceramic fibers or artificial fibers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The plastic film is made of polyester, PTFE, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene imine, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, aramid fibers or perfluoroalkoxy fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The first seal parts comprise heat-cured silicone rubber, and two layers of room temperature curing liquid rubber. The first layer of liquid rubber has low shrinkage characteristics, self-leveling capability, or viscosity on 10000-20000 cps applied to the mutually uneven surfaces. The second layer is applied to the first layer to fill the larger voids and crevices of the stack surface and to provide the smooth surface facing the manifold. The second layer extends to end pieces from each bridge (14) to end of bridge. A precured rubber strip is disposed on the second layer in facing relationship with the second seal part.Preferred Parameters: The elastomer is a closed cell foam and sponge with compressibility of 2-20 psi at 25% deflection, compressive set of less than 35% at 25% deflection at 190 degrees F, and a thickness of 0.0625-0.1875 inch.Preferred Method: Before the installing step, a strip of pre-cured solid rubber is provided on bridges and end plates facing the elastomer. Before the curing, the strip of precured solid rubber is adhered to the bridges, and end plates, by silicon rubber adhesive used in forming the bridges.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The elastomer is a silicone rubber foam closed cell sponge, preferably ROGERS PORON BF-100 silicone or JA-BAR JB-0202 silicon sponge. The elastomer is molded silicone rubber gasket. The first layer of curing liquid rubber is GE RTV 118, and the second layer of curing liquid rubber is GE RTV 108.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The silicon chip maybe lightly doped n- relative to the peripheral region doping and the peripheral region is p or n doped. The silicon chip may also be lightly doped p- relative to the peripheral region doping and the peripheral region is n or p doped.Preferred Condition: The dopant concentration of the n+ and p+ regions is 1019 to less than 1021 atoms/cm3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The n-type dopant is phosphorus. The p-type dopant is aluminum or boron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The substrate comprises gallium arsenide (GaAs), or germanium (Ge).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The indium gallium arsenide nitride (InGaAsN) and GaAs layers are epitaxially grown on a semiconductor substrate. The substrate (16) is n-type or p-type doped. The InGaAsN layer is n-type doped with an n-type dopant from silicon, selenium, sulfur, Ge or tin. A first portion of the InGaAs layer is n-type doped to less than 1017 cm-3. A second portion of the InGaAsN layer is n-type doped to 1017 - 1018 cm-3. The GaAs layer is a p-type doped with a p-type dopant from beryllium, carbon, zinc, cadmium, or magnesium. Preferred Dimension: The InGaAsN layer has a thickness of 1-5 mum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The InGaAsN layer has a semiconductor alloy composition of InxGa1-xAs1-yNy, where x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 0.2, and y is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 0.04. It has the alloy composition to provide a bandgap energy of 0.95-1.2 electron Volts (eV). The semiconductor alloy composition is selected to provide a lattice constant of the InGaAsN layer that is equal to the lattice constant of the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A cusp comprises a composite shell that evidences lightweight, high stiffness, and high thermal conductivity properties. It contains flexible electronic circuitry strips on its outer surfaces that conform to the surfaces for permitting nesting of cusps. The mirrored surfaces are protected with dielectric coating(s) from silica and titania, coated with indium tin oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The mirrored surfaces comprise aluminum or silver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The heat transfer promotion structure comprises metal fiber including nickel, aluminum, copper, iron and stainless steel, and ceramic fiber including alumina, cordierite and zeolite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The mean particle diameter of the crystals of rutile-type titania is 20 nm or less. The rutile-type titania has a specific surface area of 60 m2/g or more.Preferred Metals: The noble metals are platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The negative electrode has a layered structure comprising a substrate plate as a core, and a cladding layer made from hydrogen absorbing alloy that is fluorinated in the surface layer. The cladding layer has a thickness of 50-300 microns. The fluorinated surface layer has a thickness of 0.01-1 microns. The permeable membrane is a cation exchange membrane, an anion exchange membrane, or an amphoteric ion exchange membrane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The hydrogen absorbing alloy is lanthanum nickel aluminum (LaNi4.7Al0.3), misch metal nickel manganese aluminum cobalt (MmNi0.35Mn0.4Al0.3Co0.75), misch metal nickel cobalt manganese aluminum (MmNi3.75Co0.75Mn0.20Al0.3), titanium zirconium manganese chromium nickel (Ti0.5Zr0.5Mn0.8Cr0.8Ni0.4), titanium zirconium manganese chromium nickel (Ti0.5Zr0.5Mn0.5Cr0.5Ni), titanium zirconium vanadium nickel (Ti0.5Zr0.5V0.5Ni1.5), titanium zirconium vanadium manganese cobalt nickel (Ti0.1Zr0.9V0.2Mn0.6Co0.1Ni1.1), or misch metal nickel cobalt manganese aluminum (MmNi3.87Co0.78Mn0.1Al0.38).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The substance capable of generating negative hydrogen ions is a metal-hydrogen complex compound of formula M1+(M23+(H-)4), present in an amount of 0.1-50 wt.%.M1 = alkali metal element;M2 = B, Al, or Ga.The substance capable of generating negative hydrogen ions is preferably potassium borohydride, sodium borohydride, or lithium aluminohydride. The alkaline compound is an alkali metal hydroxide present in an amount of 5-30 wt.%. The oxygen source is oxygen gas, air, or an aqueous solution of a water-soluble oxidizing compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: The treatment reduces the ratio of iron to chromium content within the surface region of the stainless steel compared with the iron to chromium ratio prevailing prior to such treatment. The current density to which the stainless steel surface is subjected during at least a major part of the treatment is constant.The treated surface of the stainless steel is coated with an electrically conductivity-enhancing material prior to incorporation in the electrochemical cell assembly. The treatment is carried out using a current density of 1-100 mA.cm-2 for 0.5-180 (preferably 3-7) minutes. Treatment is carried out while the stainless steel is in the form of a sheet.The sheet is divided to form a number of plates before the treatment is applied to the individual plates. Fluid flow channels are formed in the sheet before division into plates is effected.Preferred Materials: The stainless steel is austenitic steel, e.g., 316 or 316L stainless steel. The treated surface of the stainless steel is coated with titanium nitride, chromium nitride or an electrocatalytically active material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte is sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, chromic acid, oxalic acid, and/or phosphoric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The method further comprises forming resistors (14), capacitors (10-11), and interconnects (17-19) on the second substrate after the removal of the singulated part of the first substrate; and an interconnect pattern and dielectric isolation. The resistors and capacitors may be formed before the attachment of the sub-parts to the second substrate. The resistors, capacitors, and interconnects are formed according to a multi-chip module dielectric process flow. The first substrate is removed by tetrafluoromethane-oxygen plasma etch. An optical waveguide is formed in the apparatus.Preferred Product: The semiconductor device formed on the second substrate is a high electron mobility transistor. The tandem solar cell is an active microwave circuit.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substrate: The first substrate is germanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrodes are formed of an electrically conductive polymer. The membrane is a proton exchange membrane of polymer built in layers. The substrate of semiconductor material has holes through which fuel or oxidant flows perpendicular to a plane of the substrate. The holes supply fuel or oxidant to inside or outside of fuel cell. Electrically conductive material crosses under the membrane are provided for interconnection to the electrodes. The chip is provided with sensors and microcontrollers for parameters performance.Preferred Method: The membrane is cast into sacrificial mold made from standard materials used in integrated circuits or micro electrical mechanical systems processing. It may be thin or thick film membrane. It is etched to create the sides. It is applied using a spin on glass coating process and corrugated to increase surface area. Contacts (16A, 16B) to the electrodes are made using butted or buried contacts. The fuel cells are interconnected via switches, fuses, or metal links to form the chip.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The buried contacts are made using platinum silicide, tungsten silicide, titanium silicide, titanium:tungsten, titanium nitride. The butted contacts are made using aluminum, silver,copper, gold or a metal alloy. The contacts are made using polysilicon, silicided polysilicon, or the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A second and a third preferential oxidation reactor stage are provided on the reactor. The flow control element is an actuator-operated flow control valve. The actuator is cyclically driven between two predetermined positions by a mechanically linked feed-back system which throttles or opens the valve in inverse relationship to the pressure to that of the first-gas stream. The flow control element can be a feedback-loop based flow-control valve whose actuator is cyclically driven between two predetermined positions by incorporating a zero-dampening factor in its feed-back control system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carbonaceous Material: The carbonaceous material is chosen from fullerene, carbon nano-fiber, carbon nano-tube, carbon soot, carbon nano-capsule or carbon fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The upstream side catalyst layer further contains zirconium component and/or cobalt component, and at least one alkali metal component, alkaline earth metal component and rare earth element component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: (A) ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid 99/1-60/40 (w/w) copolymer with MFR 0.01-20 g/10 min or its ionomer. (B) Tinuvin 328 (RTM), Cyasorf UV5411 (RTM), Tinuvin 157 (RTM), Cyasorf UV1164 (RTM) etc. (C) Sanol LS770 (RTM), Tinuvin 144 (RTM), Adekastab LA-57 (RTM) etc. (D) Cyasorf UV3346 (RTM), Tinuvin 622LD (RTM) etc. (E) Irganox 1010 (RTM). (I) is prepared by blending (A) 100 parts, (B) preferably 0.1-3 parts, (C) preferably 0.1-3 parts, (D) preferably 0.1-3 parts, (E) preferably 0.05-3 parts and optional additive(s) (e.g. flame retardant, colorant) and kneading the mixture. EXAMPLE - Materials (1)-(5) (parts by weight) were blended and the mixture was kneaded to obtain (I). (1) ethylene/methacrylic acid 85/15 (w/w) copolymer (100), (2) SEESORB 706 (RTM) (0.75), (3) Sanol 770 (RTM) (0.3), (4) Cyasorf UV3346 (RTM) (0.3), (5) Irganox 1010 (RTM) (0.1). A sheet of (I) showed good weatherability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: Both (A) polyimide and (B) polyester carbonate are soluble in organic solvent and are compatible. The composition has glass transition point of 220 degrees C or higher. EXAMPLE - Isophorone diamine (21 g), pyromellitic anhydride (283 g) and benzylalcohol/toluene (2L/0.5L) solvent were reacted at 180 degrees C while the distilled water was removed out of the reaction system. The amount of the water distilled was 47 mL as calculated. The reaction mixture was held at 180 degrees C for 1 hour, cooled to 80 degrees C and put in water. The deposits were ground and washed with acetone to give polyimide. Polyester carbonate was prepared by melting 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid diphenylester (194 g), diphenylcarbonate (118 g), biphenol A (240 g) at 260 degrees C and then by polymerizing at 340 degrees C under vacuum. The polyimide and the polyester carbonate were mixed in a ratio of 5:5 and dissolved in dichloromethane to give 10 wt. % polymer solution. The solution was cast on a glass plate and dried at 150 degrees C to give a transparent homogeneous film. The film had glass transition point of 278 degrees C, transmittance of 50 % or more, and water absorption of 1.6 % after dipping in water at 23.5 degrees C for 24 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Polymer: The flexible polymer film is a polyimide film. The polyimide film is made of a specific polyimide which has the structure of formula (I) in its molecule.R = organic group having two bonding hands selected from phenylene, naphthalene or biphenylene group. EXAMPLE - A 25 micron thick polyimide film was prepared by (i) mixing a polyamide acid solution, acetic anhydride, and isoquinoline; (ii) casting the mixture on a glass plate; (iii) drying the film at 100 degreesC for 5 minutes; (iv) peeling off the film; (v) fixing the film on a supporting frame; and (vi) heating it at 300, 400, and 500 degreesC for 30 minutes. The polyamide acid solution was prepared from 4,4'-diaminodiphenylether, p-phenylenediamine, pyromellitic anhydride, and DMF. A solar cell was fabricated by depositing an aluminum electrode on the polyimide film, depositing a 10 nm thick p-Si layer and then forming an ITO and tin oxide electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The reactor also comprises a conduit for removal of effluent of the catalyst bed; a spiral mixing channel (9) for obtaining the gaseous mixture of reactants; and an inlet channel for supplying part of the mixture to the upstream surface of the catalyst bed. The spiral mixing channel has an inlet (10) for the reactants, and an outlet (11) which is in fluid communication with the inlet of the distribution chamber. The inlet channel also has an outlet which opens into the covering surface, and further contains an igniter. Further, the reactor comprises a catalytic reaction zone for water-gas shift conversion of the effluent of the catalyst bed. Optionally, it comprises a catalytic reaction zone for selective oxidation of carbon monoxide in the effluent of the catalytic reaction zone for water-gas shift conversion.Preferred Dimensions: At least part of the covering surface has a conical or a frusto-conical shape. Its cone half angle (8) is at least 45degrees, preferably at least 75degrees. The distance between the upstream surface and the covering surface is less than 1 mm, preferably zero. The ratio of the diameter of the upstream surface to the largest distance between the upstream surface and the covering surface is at least 6, preferably at least 15.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Transducer: The transducer comprises a semi-conductor film carrying an azo colorant (1).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The particles sensitized by other metal complex or other organic colorants are used. The particles contain TiO2 as the essential component. The colorant is carried on the particles in the presence of a container compound. Preferred Definition: In (1), Ar1 is substituted by at least two of those groups. At least two substituents are located at neighboring positions on the aromatic ring. Ar2 is substituted by at least two or those groups.    EXAMPLE - Azo dye of formula (4) was dissolved in EtOH to form a solution of 3 x 10-4-5 x 10-4M. A porous base plate was treated in the solution and coated on a glass electrode. The base plate ( obtained by dispersing and treating TiO2 in nitric acid, coating on an electrode having at a thickness of 50 mum, baked at 450degreesC for 30 minutes. ) was impregnated at room temperature for 3 hours to over night to carry the azo dye to produce a transducer. A solar battery had a short circuit currency of 3.89 mA/cm2, a release voltage of 0.58 V and a transformation efficiency of 1.07%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The data acquisition mechanism communicates the voltage measurements to a computer (25). The computer is programmed to receive data from the data acquisition mechanism, process the data, and display information related to catalyst(s). The electrolytic cell emulates an energy producing or consuming cell. The energy producing electrolytic cell emulates a fuel cell. The fuel cell emulates a proton exchange membrane fuel cell or phosphoric acid fuel cell. The energy consuming cell emulates an electrolyzer for synthesis of a chemical product. The catalyst support of the electrolytic cell comprises a current carrier (12) from an ion exchange membrane. The membrane electrode assembly of the electrolytic cell comprises at least a proton exchange membrane and the cathode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: At least the current carrier and discrete catalysts of the electrolytic cell is a solid polymer electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Device: The microcrystalline silicon germanium layer has a signal intensity of the germanium-to-germanium bond of 35-55% of the signal intensity of the silicon-to-silicon bond observed by the Raman spectroscopy. The germanium composition ratio of the microcrystalline silicon germanium layer is 20-40%. The photoactive layer has a crystal size of 5-300 (preferably 10-200)Angstrom.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: A slurry is formed by adding water to the obtained precipitate, and slurry is coated on a honeycomb carrier to form the catalyst. Alumina or zirconia sol as binder component is added during the formation of slurry. EXAMPLE - 125 ml of 7.7 wt.% of sodium carbonate aqueous solution and 150 ml of mixed aqueous solution containing copper formate and zinc formate were mixed, and a precipitate was formed. The precipitate was matured for 1 hour, stirred at 60degreesC, filtered and washed with water 4 times, followed by baking at 80degreesC for 2 hours and drying at 300degreesC for 10 hours. The catalyst having weight ratio of copper and zinc of 1:1 and BET specific surface area of 74 m2/g, was obtained. Press forming of catalyst powder was performed, and catalyst was cut to 2-3 mm. 1.5 ml of catalyst was used for treatment of a gas containing 10.9% carbondioxide, 7% carbon monoxide, 29.9% water vapor and 52.2% hydrogen, at 200degreesC. Carbon monoxide conversion ratio was measured and was found to be 93.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Materials: The aluminum powder occupies at least 80 wt.% of the conductive powder. The paste further comprises glass frit.Preferred Solar Cell: An aluminum-silicon alloy layer is formed at the interface between the silicon substrate and the back electrode. It covers 65-95% of the interface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Composition: The glass additionally contains (in weight %): 0-2 ZrO2, 0-2 TiO2, 0-2 ZrO2 + TiO2, 0-1.5 As2O3, 0-1.5 Sb2O3, 0-1.5 SnO2, 0-1.5 CeO2, 0-1.5 Cl-, 0-1.5 F-, 0-1.5 SO42- and not more than 1.5 As2O3 + Sb2O3 + SnO2 + CeO2 + Cl- + F- + SO4(2-).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The dye-sensitized semiconductor is a porous semiconductor, and the positive hole-transporting layer comprises a p-type semiconductor having a band gap of at least 2 eV and an ionization potential of 4.5-5.5 eV. The device comprises an undercoat (60) between the support and the photosensitive layer.Preferred Method: The positive hole-transporting layer is formed on the photosensitive layer by electrolysis while irradiating the dye-sensitized semiconductor with light from the side of the support. The light has a wavelength at which the dye of the semiconductor shows absorption. Preferably, the electrolysis is a constant current electrolysis or a controlled potential electrolysis.Preferred Parameters: The potential of the electrolysis is -2-15 V with reference to a silver/silver chloride reference electrode, and its current density is 0.1-500 mA/cm2.Preferred Dimension: The specific surface area of the dye-sensitized semiconductor is 1-150 m2/g, preferably 20-100 m2/g.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The p-type semiconductor is a compound semiconductor containing monovalent copper, preferably cuprous iodide and/or cuprous thiocyanate. The undercoat comprises an oxide semiconductor, preferably titanium dioxide. The dye-sensitized semiconductor is also titanium dioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The dye (22) is ruthenium complex dye or a methine dye.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The housing includes a heat sink in thermal communication with the first mass of hydrogen absorbent material. The hydrogen absorbent material is a metal hydride material.
EXAMPLE - An aromatic acid dianhydride of formula (1) was deposited at 280 degreesC and diamine of formula (5) was deposited at 220 degreesC under vacuum independently to a glass plate and polymerized under heating. The obtained film of polyimide was treated in nitrogen gas atmosphere at 300 degreesC for 60 minutes to give film. The film had a thickness of 2.9 micron, light transmittance of 85.5 % at 589 nm and starting temperature for heat-decomposition of 440 degreesC and good adhesion to the glass plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The inorganic compound is adhered in the pores of the carrier. A precise conductive layer is formed on one surface of the support. The conductive layer is contacted with a base layer which consists of a transparent film. The electroconductive film is a high polymer film of thickness 30 microns or less or a drawn porous polytetrafluoroethylene. The inorganic compound is a binder resin or indium-stannic acid compound, antimony doped tin oxide, fluorine doped tin oxide or zinc oxide. Preferred Method: After applying the coating liquid on the porous support, drying is performed at 300degreesC or baking is performed at 150-300degreesC. EXAMPLE - A coating liquid containing polyvinyl butyral of average degree of polymerization 2000 and indium-stannic acid compound dispersed in alcoholic solvent, was coated on a porous support of film thickness 2 mum. Porosity and maximum pore size of the carrier was 70% and 1.1 microns respectively. Drying was performed at 150degreesC for 20 minutes, to obtain an electroconductive film of film thickness 125 microns. Surface resistivity of the film was evaluated and found to be 1.1x101 OMEGA/unit2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The base material is made of a metal chosen from nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and titanium (Ti).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features : The additional separator wall (131) is an ion- and electron-conductive ITM ceramic or is an only ion-conductive ceramic (e.g. ZrO2/YO2) with gas-permeble electrodes (A,K) with positive and negative connections respectively. Means are provided for maintenance of an O2 partial pressure drop from one chamber (31) to the other chamber (32). There is also a device (especially a high temperature unit) with a fuel cell connected to a cell (30) and fed with synthesis gas and O2 from the cell (30) and chamber (32).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The solar cell material and photo responsive device comprise silicon.Preferred Method: The method further involves performing wet-chemical etching by exposing the surface to potassium hydroxide and nitric acid solution. n-type junction is formed by ion implantation of 31P+.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Property: The bottom sides on the discontinuous cleavage have the same or different length. The textures deviate in the cleavage by one half of the length of the bottom side. The substrate has rectangular shape and has a side that forms an angle with respect the cleavage. The substrate has P and N type diffusion layer, an oxide film layer and a front or back electrode or is on the light-receiving surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The nitrogen produced from ammonia, is occluded in the form of metal nitride, and the stored nitrogen is reacted with hydrogen to form ammonia which is used as raw material for hydrogen production.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The liquid anhydrous ammonia is vaporized to produce gaseous ammonia for gaseous ammonia stream. The hydrogen and nitrogen mixture is supplied to an alkaline fuel cell. Gaseous ammonia is used at a pressure of 2 bar or less, for production of hydrogen and nitrogen mixture. Dissociation of the gaseous ammonia stream is performed in the ammonia cracker with a short start up time and low specific weight per kW of hydrogen produced.Preferred Apparatus: The heating unit comprises a catalytic burner or a lean gas combustor to convert a portion of the off gas of hydrogen electrode into heat. A three-plate rectangular cracker having three plates positioned within the cracker is preferably used so as to control flow of ammonia within the cracker.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each unit cell (20) is arranged such that all anode sides (14) are on the same side of the planar fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The gas comprises hydrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The hydrophobic portion comprises hydrophobic material comprising porous foam that fills at least a portion of the aperture (35), polytetrafluoroethylene, or coating on an aperture wall (24).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials and devices: (I; EWG = halogen), having an acidic group such as carboxyl, sulfonic acid, OH, phosphoryl and phosphonyl, (I; R13-R15= all carboxyl).and (I; L11 = ligand consisting of cyanide ion, cyanic acid ion, thiocyanic acid ion or selenocyanic acid ion) are preferable.The photoelectric conversion device preferably has a photosensitive layer with a thickness of 10-20 micron. EXAMPLE - A photocell of Figure 1 using an electrode applied with titanium dioxide particles with an average particle diameter of 10 nm adsorbed with (III), (IV) (control) or (V) (control) had an IPCE (number of generated electrons/number of irradiated photons) at 850 nm of 11, 0 or 5% respectively.    (EWG)n31 = 3-Cl and 5-Cl;    R31 = H;    (Y)n32 = 0;    L31 = NCS.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substrate: The substrate is a semiconductor material, a dielectric material or a glass.Preferred Metal: The metal is chromium, gold, copper, aluminum, palladium and/or titanium.Preferred Etchant: The etchant is chlorine, bromine, fluorine, sulfur hexafluoride and/or oxygen. The etchant is potassium hydroxide, mixture of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid, mixture of nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid and acetic acid, and xenon fluoride vapor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The oxidation catalyst is cerium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: (I) with substituted bipyridine portion being (IV), especially 2,9-dimethylphenanthroline, and (I) with Dye being methine dye, especially cyanine dye, are preferred compounds.V3 = substituent on the phenanthroline backbone with when several V3's are present, they are optionally condensing mutually.Preparation: Dehydration condensation of an organic dye bearing a carboxyl group in the molecule and a bipyridine or phenanthroline derivative bearing an amino or hydroxyl group in the molecule gives (I).Dye,R,V = as described in (I);M = metal ion;L = ligand;n = 0 or positive integer;Dye1,Dye2 = organic dye;R1,R2 = divalent linking group;V1,V2 = substituent on bipyridine with when several V1's or V2's are present, they are optionally condensing mutually. EXAMPLE - 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.29 g) was added to solution of (16-I-3-f) (1.2 g) and (16-I-3-h) (0.43 g) in DNSO, the mixed solution was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (0.89 g) was added to the mixed solution, the resultant solution was stirred for 5 hours at room temperature and mixed with water to precipitate and the resulting crystals were separated by filtration and purified by alumina column chromatography to give (9-I-3) with a lambda maximum at 437.0 nm and an epsilon of 96,000 both in methanol (0.15 g = 8.5%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Configuration: The sheets have dot-like or linear protrusions in addition to the planar protrusions. The protrusions are coated with silicon carbide, boron nitride, silicon nitride and/or pyrolytic carbon. The space between the protrusions is in a V or U like shape. The pitch of the V or U groove is 0.05-5 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The cooling roller is covered on its surface with a silicon carbide film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The firstly formed doped layer is formed on a translucent substrate (11) stacked with a transparent conductive film (12). The light may pass on either of the firstly formed or thirdly formed doped layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The system also includes cooling cells installed at intervals of the power-generating cells. The cooling cells have a cooling medium passage provided in a direction of a surface of the cooling cell. The upper limit of a temperature on a side of a cooling medium inlet of the heat exchanger is set at 130 degreesC. The fuel cell stack is a phosphoric acid fuel cell stack. The heat exchanger is provided with a radiator (64) for an automobile of an internal combustion engine type, and the cooling medium is a cooling liquid for the automobile of an internal combustion engine type to be cooled by the radiation for the automobile of an internal combustion engine type. The heat exchanger is provided with a fan (66) arranged opposite to the radiator for the automobile of an internal combustion engine type.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The power-generating cell is provided with an electrolyte layer containing phosphoric acid held by polybenzimidazole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The tellurium-containing compound is heated to 500-650degreesC for 2-30 minutes. The film is treated with halogen at 350-500degreesC for 2-30 minutes. It is subjected to reducing atmosphere at 200-400degreesC for 10 seconds to 10 minutes. The copper is deposited by heating the tellurium layer. The copper telluride is heated to 50-300degreesC for 10-60 minutes in a vacuum. Preferred Dimension: The layer of tellurium has a thickness 5-300 Angstrom . The copper is deposited onto the tellurium layer to a thickness of 4-200 Angstrom .    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The halogen is contained in a compound comprising cadmium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, copper chloride, zinc chloride, and/or cadmium bromide. The reducing atmosphere comprises hydrogen having a partial pressure of 5-760 torr.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The zirconium compound is zirconium sulfate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition includes 5.0 weight% or less, preferably 1.0-5.0 weight% of silicon and/or 1.0 weight% or less, preferably 0.1-1.0 weight% of yttrium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: A platinum film formed by a platinum coagulated material has a film thickness of 300 nm or less. A pigment-sensitized solar battery comprises the platinum catalyst electrode as a counter electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is further provided to another surface of co-extrusion resin layer (5). The polyolefin group resin layer is a linear low density polyethylene group resin layer. The co-extrusion layer which comprises a polyethylene resin layer and cyclic polyolefin resin layer is laminated to the base film through an adhesive layer or a primer agent layer by dry lamination method. The co-extrusion resin layer is laminated to the base film through an anchor-coat agent layer or primer agent layer by melting extrusion lamination method.Preferred Base Film: The base film is fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin type resin film, polycarbonate group resin film, poly (meth) acrylic type resin film, polyamide group resin film or polyester group resin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is a multilayered film of one or two layers or two or more layers.Preferred Thickness: The vapor deposition film has thickness of 50-4000 Angstrom.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The filler layer is made of ultraviolet absorber content polyethylene resin, ultraviolet absorber content polypropylene resin, fluorine resin, cyclic polyolefin resin, polyacrylic type resin or silicon type resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Copolymer: The copolymer further comprises (c) a monomer having UB stable group (0.1-15 mass %).Preferred Component: The monomer (a) having a reactive silyl group further contains a hydrolyzable silyl group and is represented by formula (V)-(VII).R10 = H or methyl;R11, R13 = 1-6C hydrocarbon;R12 = 1-6C hydrocarbon or alkyloxyalkyl;a = integer 1-3; andb, c, d = 0 or 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: A container is filled with two or more layers of granular silicon. Infrared rays are irradiated to granular silicon of total area 1,000 microns and granular silicon is heated. Granular silicon in the lower layer of total area does not melt. Granular silicon which is not in contact with container, is melted. The granular silicon is filled and heated to a container under vacuum or an inert gas atmosphere.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The metal matrix particle has size D at least 3 microns and the added component particle has particle size d at most 500 nm.The ultrafine particles have particle size d0 at least 100 nm. The content (Gp) of ultrafine particle is 0.1 atom% at most Gp at most 5.0 atom%, preferably 0.3 atom% at most Gp at most 3.0 atom%.Preferred Particles: The ultrafine particle comprises several nickel and iron ultrafine particles. EXAMPLE - An aggregate of magnesium particles (as metal matrix particles) having a purity of 99.9% and a particle size (D) of 10 microns and aggregate of iron particles (as added component particles) having a purity of 99.9% and particle size of (d0) of 20 nm were prepared. The mixture powder was placed into a container having a volume of 80 ml of a ball mill together with 18 balls having a diameter of 10 mm and subjected to ball milling with the inside of the container maintained at a hydrogen gas atmosphere of 2.0 MPa under conditions of a container-rotational speed of 780 rpm and milling time of 15 minutes. The hydrogen absorbing alloy powder was recovered and dehydrogenated. The rate of hydrogen absorption was high and hydrogen storage capacity was large.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials : The polymer solutions are of perfluorosulfonic acid polymer concentration 1-300 (especially 50-180)g/l in dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N-Me-pyrrolidone (NMP) and/or acetonitrile, with NMP being especially preferred. The other polymers in solution with the perfluorosulfonic acid polymers are of high dipole moment and are especially fluoropolymers (especially polyvinylidenefluoride) or polysulfones (especially polyphenylether sulfones). Preferred Process : Production of the perfluorosulfonic acid polymer solutions is by (i) heating the polymer in the dry state at 200-300degreesC and then taking it up in an aprotic dipolar solvent; or (ii) heating in presence of solvent, especially at a bath temperature of 150-250degreesC and, in particular, by adding an aprotic dipolar solvent to an aqueous alcoholic solution of the polymer and then evaporating off the water and alcohol, the evaporation temperature especially being at the reflux temperature of the aprotic dipolar solvent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvents : Dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), N-Me-pyrrolidone (NMP) and/or acetonitrile, with NMP being especially preferred. EXAMPLE - A 5% solution in NMP of perfluorosulfonic acid polymer which could be used to make a membrane which had a permselectivity of 94.2% and a water uptake of 28% as opposed to corresponding values of 89% and 35% respectively for a control membrane made from a solution of the polymer in isopropanol was obtained by (i) boiling a commercially-available 5% colloidal solution in alcohol of Nafion (RTM) (acid form) for 1 hour under light reflux to slowly distil off the alcohol while at the same time adding an equal volume of NMP and (ii) continuing slow heating until all the alcohol was distilled off to yield a clear solution of the polymer in NMP at a bath temperature of 240degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Alloy: The alloy powder has a cycle life of at least 650 (preferably at least 1000) cycles without loss of either capacity or kinetics, a hydrogen storage capacity of at least 6.5 (preferably at least 6.9) wt.%, a particle size of 30-70 microns, and an absorption kinetics that allows the alloy powder to absorb 80% of its total capacity within 5 (preferably 1.5) minutes at 300 degreesC.Preferred Composition: The alloy powder also includes (wt.%) nickel (Ni, 0.5-2.5); Mischmetal (i.e. cerium, lanthanum and praseodymium, 1-4); and aluminum (Al, 3-7), yttrium (Y, 0.1-1.5), and/or silicon (Si, 0.3-1.5).The alloy may contain:(a) 91 wt.% magnesium (Mg), 0.9 wt.% Ni, 5.6 wt.% Al, 0.5 wt.% Y and 2 wt.% Mischmetal;(b) 95.6 wt.% Mg, 1.6 wt.% Ni, 0.8 wt.% Si and 2 wt.% Mischmetal; or(c) 95 wt.% Mg, 2 wt.% Ni and 3 wt.% Mischmetal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The hydrocarbon compound is at least 60 mol% saturated, at most 40 mol% olefin component, at least 0.5 mol% butadiene part and at most 0.1 mol% of isoparaffin in the at least 4C saturated component. The vapor pressure at 40degreesC is at most 1.55 MPa. The concentration of the hydrocarbon compound at 15 degreesC is 0.500-0.620 g/cm3. The copper plate corrosion degree at 40 degreesC for 1 hour is at most 1. The heat capacity at 15 degreesC is 1.7 kJ/kg.degreesC. The oxygen-containing compound is e.g. methanol, ethanol, dimethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, ethyl t-butyl ether, t-amyl methyl ether, t-amyl ethyl ether, etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The flow rate of gas fuel or vapor in the liquid fuel is corrected and supplied depending on the correction value of the ratio of the flow rate of gas fuel or liquid fuel to the flow rate of the gas containing the oxygen.Preferred Method: Before a liquid fuel is supplied, its required flow rate is determined according to a memorized fuel flow rate correction coefficient. After adjusting flow rate of the gas, the fuel flow rate correction coefficient is determined according to the determined first correction coefficient.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solution: The polishing solution is an aerosol diamond spray or solution of aluminum oxide and deionized water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The irregularities may also be formed by sandblasting the surface of the deposited first material. A strip of third material may be deposited on the substrate prior to the deposition of the first material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oil: The content of partly aromatic compounds is 16 volume% or less.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The modification catalyst is a ruthenium group catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The fuel oil contains preferably less than 10 weight ppm of alkyl dibenzothiophene. EXAMPLE - 50.9 g of nickel chloride was dissolved in 500 ml of water, and 0.6 g of alumina carrier and 20 ml of nitric acid aqueous solution of concentration 1 mole/litre were added to the resulting solution, and pH was adjusted to 1, to prepare a liquid (A). 33.1 g of sodium carbonate was dissolved in 500 ml of water, 11.7 g of water glass and silica were added to the resulting solution to prepare a liquid (B). Liquids (A,B) were heated to 80degreesC, and were mixed and stirred. The resulting mixture was filtered, and product obtained was washed with water, dried at 120degreesC for 12 hours, and baked at 300degreesC for 1 hour. A desulfurizing agent comprising 63 weight% (wt.%) of nickel supported on silica-alumina carrier, was obtained. 15 ml of the agent was filled in a reaction tube, and activated by maintaining at 380degreesC for 1 hour. The reaction tube was then maintained at 150degreesC, and JIS No.1 kerosene having sulfur concentration of 15 wt.%, and containing 5.16 weight ppm of alkyl dibenzothiophene, 82 volume% (vol%) of saturated portion, 16.8 vol% of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, 1.1 vol% of bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and 0.1 vol% or more of tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon was supplied to the reaction tube at liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) of 10 h-1, under a normal pressure. The sulfur concentration of kerosene was reduced to 0.2 wt.% or less. The kerosene was contacted with 30 ml of ruthenium group reforming catalyst containing 0.5 wt.% of ruthenium, and steam reforming was performed under atmospheric pressure, water vapor/carbon molar ratio of 2.5, and LHSV of 1 h-1. Conversion ratio of kerosene was measured, and was found to be 100%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The fuel oil comprises 0.2 vol.% or less of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds with three or more rings. EXAMPLE - 50.9 g of nickel chloride were dissolved in 500 ml of water. 0.6 g of alumina carrier and 20 ml of nitric acid aqueous solution of concentration 1 mole/liter were added, and pH was adjusted to 1 to prepare a liquid (A). 33.1 g of sodium carbonate were dissolved in 500 ml of water. 11.7 g of water glass and silica were added to prepare a liquid (B). Liquids (A, B) were heated to 80 degreesC, mixed and stirred. The mixture was filtered, and the product was washed with water, dried at 120 degreesC for 12 hours, and baked at 300 degreesC for 1 hour. A desulfurizing agent comprising 63 weight% (wt.%) of nickel supported on silica-alumina carrier was obtained.    15 ml of the agent were filled in a reaction tube, and activated by maintaining at 380 degreesC for 1 hour. The reaction tube was then maintained at 150 degreesC, and JIS No.1 kerosene having sulfur concentration of 15 wt.%, and containing 82 vol.% of saturated portion, 16.8 vol.% of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, 1.1 vol.% of bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and 0.1 vol.% or less of tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon was supplied to the reaction tube at liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) of 10 h-1, under normal pressure. The sulfur concentration of kerosene was reduced to 0.2 wt.% or less. The kerosene was contacted with 30 ml of ruthenium group reforming catalyst containing 0.5 wt.% of ruthenium. Steam reforming was performed under atmospheric pressure, water vapor/carbon molar ratio of 2.5, and LHSV of 1 h-1. Conversion ratio of kerosene was found to be 100%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The total content of normal paraffin and normal isoparaffin in the fuel oil is 55 vol% of more. The sulfur concentration in the fuel oil is less than 0.5 ppm, preferably less than 0.1 ppm. The fuel oil contains 5-100 ppm of amine group compound and phenol group compound.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst used for manufacturing fuel oil, contains nickel and tungsten on a support. The reformed catalyst used for manufacture of liquid raw material of fuel cell is ruthenium group catalyst. EXAMPLE - JIS No.1 kerosene containing 40 ppm of sulfur was contacted with nickel-tungsten-alumina catalyst at 20 MPa and 300 degreesC to form a fuel oil. The density of the oil at 15degreesC was 0.78 g/cm3. The sulfur concentration in the fuel oil was 0.05 ppm and carbon to hydrogen molar ratio was 0.48. The fuel oil contained 25.7 volume percent of normal paraffin, 35.0 vol% of isoparaffin and 39.3 vol% of naphthalene and was free of aromatic compounds. The ignition point (according to JIS K2265) and smoke point (according to JIS K2537) of the fuel oil were 48 degreesC and 40 degreesC, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Mold: The base material is a heat-shrinkable thin tube having an outer diameter of 1-10 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Production: The production of the substrate comprises:(A) forming the polyimide film through:(a) reacting 4,4'-diamino benzanilide with an acid dianhydride, 95-99.9 percent by mol for the 4,4'-diamino benzanilide in an aprotic polar solvent to form a polyamic acid having an amine terminal;(b) providing a diamine and an acid dianhydride to the polyamic acid during the reaction to extend a molecular chain to uniformly extend the polyamic acid, obtaining a self-supporting gel film;(c) applying thermal or chemical dehydrating ring closure to the gel film with gel film fixing;(d) drawing the gel film to 1.05-2.0 times in the film transporting direction and the direction orthogonally intersecting the film transporting direction;(B) forming the metal electrode on the surface of the polyimide film;(C) forming the amorphous silicon layer on metal electrode; and(D) forming the transparent electrode on the amorphous silicon layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preparation: Polyimide foam is obtained by heating polyimide comprising grafted porophore groups of tert.butyl carbonate type. The starting polyimide polymer has formula (I).Tb = tert.butyl carbonatePreferred Process: Polyimide foam is produced by heating (I) to above 250 degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Structure: In fuel cell, the layers of foam (Mc) are formed of carbon foam integral with frame (Cd) and are in contact with bipolar watertight plates (Pi, Pi + 1) which are preferably grooved to provide canals for gas. Electrodes comprise support and colloidal suspension comprising electrolyte, platinum-plated carbon and polymer binder of teflon (RTM) type. Support can be of carbon fabric, carbon felt of membrane type, the latter made of Nafion (RTM). The cell is preferably supplied with methanol or hydrogen. Fuel cell may also comprise stacks of bipolar plate, carbon foam, electrode, membrane, electrode and carbon foam; the stacks being comprised between two locking plates (P1, P2).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer base (I) contains function groups selected from formulas (Ia), (Ib), and (II). The .... (lithiierbare, sic) polymer is selected from polyethersulfone or polyphenylene ether. The membrane contains a second polymer base (II) with a primary, secondary, or tertiary amino-, pyridine-, imidazole-, triazole-, benzotriazole-, pyrazole-, and/or benzpyrazole group in the side or main chains. Base II is selected from polybenzimidazole and/or poly(4-vinylpyridine). The polymer acid is an aryl main chain polymer and is selected from polyethersulfone, polyetherketone, polyphenylene ether, polyphenyl sulfide, or is a copolymer containing at least one of these components. The polymer acid, polymer base I, and/or polymer base II are covalently crosslinked. EXAMPLE - Victrex (RTM; sulfonated poly(etheretherketone) (3 g) was dissolved in N-methylpyrrolidine, 0.5 ml of n-propylamine was added to neutralize the sulfonic acid groups, and a solution of 0.2 g of polymer Ia was added, which dissolved giving the solution a deep dark blue color. To this solution was then added polybenzimidazole (0.15 g) as a 10% solution in solvent. A film was the drawn from the solution onto a glass plate giving a 800 microns film, which was removed from the glass plate after drying, was placed in 10 wt.% HCl solution for 24 hours at 70 degrees C, and then for 24 hours at 70 degrees C in completely desalinated water, and was used in a direct methanol fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Fuel: The fuel contains 50 ppm or less of sulfur components, 5 mole% or less of hydrocarbons having a carbon number of two or less, 90 mole% or more 4-3C hydrocarbon and 5 mole% or more of hydrocarbons having five or more of carbon atoms. The fuel has a vapor pressure at 40 degreesC of 1.55 MPa or less, a density at 15 degreesC of 0.500 - 0.620 g/cm3, and a heat capacity at 15 degreesC of 1.7 kJ/kg.degreesC or less. The corrosion degree of the fuel at 40 degreesC for 1 hour is 1 or less. EXAMPLE - A fuel comprising mainly propane obtained from a naphtha fraction using an improved and modified distillation system generated 31140 KJ/kg energy initially and 31110 KJ/kg after 100 hours running. The fuel coefficient was 67 %. The CO2 generation was low.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a conduit for withdrawing a product gas stream from the radial product collection zone; a boiler vessel (100); an inert catalyst zone (12) between the oxidation zone and the reaction zone base; and a hollow cylinder.Preferred Component: The radially permeable reaction zones comprise a high-temperature shift zone, a low temperature gas shift zone and/or a preferential oxidation zone. The catalyst zones comprise catalyst monoliths.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The essentially isothermal fluid comprises boiling water, or steam and/or water at its boiling point.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Construction: The plastic frames (2, 12) are extruded or injection molded around each membrane electrode unit (1) and each bipolar plate (10), or the bipolar plates may be formed from plastic as an integral component. The bipolar plates have at least one cavity for a coolant and the plastic frames for these plates are provided with distributor (5) and collector (8) channels for the coolant, with connections to the cavity, especially side-branches. The bipolar plates are double-walled, filled with non-woven fabric (9) (especially fabric based on electrically conductive plastic) and/or provided with cooling channels. All the channels (3-8) are formed by injection molding, preferably with the distributor channels (3, 5, 6) and the collector channels (4, 7, 8) on diametrically opposite sides of the frames. The end plates have connections for gas supply, cooling and tapping electrical current.Preferred Materials: Electrically non-conducting plastics are used for the frames for membrane electrode units; conductive plastics are used for the frames for bipolar plates, for the end plates themselves and possibly for the fabric (9) between (10) and (1) (or this fabric (9) may be made of metal). The bipolar plates may be in the form of a honeycomb structure of metal or two conductive metal foils. Preferred non-conductive plastics comprise cis- or trans-polyacetylene, poly-p- or poly-m-phenylene, polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly-p-phenylene sulfide or poly-azasulfene. Preferred conductive plastics are doped polymers as listed above.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst in the electrode units (1) consists of precious metal, Raney nickel, tungsten carbide, molybdenum or tungsten sulfide, phthalocyanine complexes or other chelate complexes. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Condition: The reducing of the ruthenium (Ru) composition comprises contacting the composition with a reducing gas at 300-500 degrees C. An oxidation step is at less than 500, preferably less than 300 degrees C.Preferred Property: The alumina carrier comprises a bimodal pore size distribution. It comprises a pore distribution comprising peak(s) having an average pore diameter of 800-1500 Angstrom. It comprises an average bulk density of 0.3-0.7 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - A solution containing Ru (III) nitrosyl nitrate solution (247 g)containing 1.5% Ru (III) was diluted with 153 g of deionized water and added to an alumina support. The support and solution were kept at room temperature for 15 minutes. Steam was introduced for 4 hours. The impregnated catalyst was placed in a quartz tube surrounded by a ceramic-lines tube furnace and a flow of air was introduced to the tube at ambient temperature and 6L/min for 15 minutes. It was raised at 5 degrees C/min to 110 degrees C and held for 2 hours. The air flow was shut off and a nitrogen purge was commenced at a flow rate of 1 L/min at 110 degrees C for 30 minutes. The nitrogen flow was terminated and a hydrogen flow was introduced over the catalyst at 3 L/min. It was raised at 5 degrees C/min to 500 degrees C while continuing hydrogen flow. It was maintained at 500 degrees C for 1 hour. Hydrogen flow was stopped and nitrogen was introduced as the temperature was slowly brought down to room temperature.
EXAMPLE - The method involves the utilizing step, and a step of periodically sequentially reversing the oxidant stream flow direction within each of the fuel cell stacks at staggered intervals.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Element: The support contains 0.1-20 weight percent of bromine and is porous.Preferred Method: The petroleum group hydrocarbon is contacted with de-sulfurizing agent at 40-100degreesC. After de-sulfurization, the treated hydrocarbon may be contacted with another de-sulfurizing agent containing chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, palladium, iridium and platinum. The water vapor modified catalyst used for manufacture of fuel cell water ingredient is ruthenium group catalyst. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The support is silica, alumina, silica-alumina, zeolite, titania, zirconia, magnesia, zinc oxide, clay, diatomaceous earth and activated carbon. The XVII group element is bromine.    EXAMPLE - In 50 ml of 0.1 mol/l of aqueous hydrogen bromide solution, 100 g of activated carbon was mixed, stirred for 1 hour at room temperature and dried at 70 degreesC to form de-sulfurizing agent. De-sulfurizing agent contained 1 weight% of bromine. 50 g of de-sulfurizing agent was added to 200 ml of kerosene and stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. A part of kerosene was separated and sulfur content was found to be 10 ppm. The treated kerosene was again treated using another de-sulfurizing agent containing diatomaceous earth support comprising nickel. The sulfur content in the processed kerosene was reduced to 0.4 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The inorganic material consists of silicon-zirconium-oxygen, and has pore size of mean diameter 0.3-1 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Structure: The vinyl house has an oxygen reservoir (22) which stores the oxygen generated by electrolysis of water, and then the stored oxygen is supplied for plant cultivation and fuel cell. The solar battery is combined with wind power apparatus (26) as source of natural energy. The control circuit uses electric power of main power supply (8) for electrolysis of water, and uses hydrogen of hydrogen reservoir for fuel cell in case of emergency.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metals: The alkali metal is potassium, cesium, rubidium, sodium or lithium. The alkaline earth metal is barium, calcium, magnesium or strontium. The rare earth metal is lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium or gadolinium.Preferred Support: The support is alumina, titania, silica or zirconia.Preferred Method: The selective oxidation reaction of CO is performed at 80-200 degreesC. The methanol residual concentration in methanol reformed gas is 10% or less. EXAMPLE - Alumina support was immersed in an aqueous solution of potassium acetate and dried at 150 degreesC to form K/Al2O3 which contained 1 wt.% of potassium. Into a mixed aqueous solution containing ruthenium nitrate and dinitro diammine platinum, K/Al2O3 was immersed and dried at 150 degreesC for 4 hours to form Pt-Ru/K/Al2O3. A mixed gas containing 50% of methanol, 17% of carbon dioxide and 1% of carbon monoxide was contacted with Pt-Ru/K/Al2O3. The concentration of carbon monoxide over a temperature range of 120-140 degreesC was reduced to 40 ppm or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The organic polymer (A) is typically polyisobutylene. The curative (B) is typically polyorganohydrogen polysiloxane bearing at least two hydrosilyl groups in the molecule. The compound (D) is typically of divinyltetramethyldisiloxane and tetramethyltetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane. EXAMPLE - PAO 5004 (RTM: plasticizer) (12 g) and MARKAO-50 (RTM: antioxidant) (0.4 g) were added to a mixture of EP400A (RTM: allyl-terminated polyisobutylene with a molecular weight of 10,000) (A) (40 g) and CR100 (RTM: alpha-methylstyrene-modified methylhydrogenpolysiloxane) (B) (2 g), Pt-vinylsiloxane complex catalyst (5x10 power-4 equivalent per mol number of alkenyl groups in (A)) and 1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3- tetramethyldisiloxane (100 equivalent per Pt) were added to the obtained mixture and the resulting mixture was blended to give a curable composition with a pot life at 23 degreesC of not less than 2 hours and a curing characteristic at 60 degreesC of not more than 1 hour respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The absorbent is glycol, especially diethylene glycol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Operation: The desorption process is carried out using air which is fed through the absorbent loaded with water. The desorbed water is fed to a reforming stage for hydrocarbons and/or alcohols which produce hydrogen as the fuel for the fuel cell system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Parameters: The pressure P is at least 50 mTorr. Preferred Conditions: The flow rate of the hydrogen in the source gas is not less than that of the silicon halide.Preferred Properties: The Raman scattering intensity resulting from a crystal component is at least three times the Raman scattering intensity resulting from an amorphous component. The diffraction intensity for (220) by X-ray or electron beam diffraction is at least 50% of total diffraction intensity.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The silicon halide contains fluorine and/or chlorine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The first chamber comprises a vertical orientation and a progressively increasing layer of insulation (74) from upper end to the lower end. The flue gas vent includes a flue gas damper (70). A fourth catalyst zone (76) is arranged in the boiler vessel and in fluid communication with the shift effluent conduit and a second effluent conduit (78) for withdrawing a hydrogen product gas stream. An igniter is in the center zone of the first chamber. A fluid level control device (82) is arranged in the boiler vessel to maintain a fluid level at least partially submerging the third chamber. It comprises a stand pipe in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and a height of the fluid level. Steam conduits terminate at a point at or above the upper insulation zone and below the fluid level.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The anode gas flow passage geometry comprises several small diameter, closely spaced contact points which are present at a density of 10-25 contact points per square centimeter. The contact points are round and have a diameter of 0.5-1 mm. The cathode gas flow passages comprise deep flow passages to promote oxidant mixing and a large surface area for optimum heat transfer to the cathode gas stream. They have a depth of 1 mm, a surface area of 2-4 times the projected area of the second face of the base sheet. The interconnect further comprises a conductive coating disposed on at least one face of the conductive base sheet. The conductive coating is selected to enhance electrical conductivity between the interconnect and mating fuel cell surfaces. A yielding layer is disposed on at least one face of the conductive base sheet and is selected to enhance conformity of the interconnect to mating fuel cell surfaces. Through passages are arranged along outer perimeters of the interconnects to form integral inlet and outlet manifolds when stacked. The fuel cell assembly further comprises gas supply manifolds comprising external stamped sheet metal manifolds secured to outer surfaces of the fuel cell stack assembly. Preferred Method: The anode and cathode gas flow passages are prepared by etching the conductive base sheet, preferably by photochemical etching, electrochemical etching, cutting, laser cutting, or their combinations.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The desulfurized naphtha is desulfurized light and/or heavy naphtha. The alcohol is methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The petroleum group hydrocarbon is kerosene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support: The support is porous, and consists of silica, alumina, silica-alumina, zeolite, titania, zirconia, magnesia, zinc oxide, clay, diatomaceous earth and/or activated carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The de-sulfurizing agent has a support such as silica, alumina, silica-alumina, titania, zirconia, zeolite, magnesia, diatomaceous earth, clay or zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: 0.01-10000 protrusions are present in an area 10 microns x 10 microns of a metallic oxide surface. The metallic oxide is a metallic oxide single crystal. The metallic oxide crystal which makes up a protrusion grows mutually in parallel, and in the same direction as the crystallographic axis. The weighed mean ratio of length of a protrusion w.r.t the diameter of a circle (along its cross-section) is less than 5, or 5 or more. The mean length of the protrusion is 1 microns or more. Only the leading end part of the protrusion comprises laminated metallic oxide layers. Several metallic oxide protrusions are grown from the boundary surface of the laminated metallic oxide structure. The height of the layers at the edge part of protrusion is 1.1 times or more than that of the thickness in the side part of the protrusion. An organic compound or inorganic material are fixed between the protrusions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The fluid stream passes along both sides of plate-type partition(s), so that at least one endothermic reaction occurs on one side and at least one exothermic reaction on the opposite side, and the partition comprises heat-conducting material. One or more reactants taking part in a later reaction are added to the fluid stream in the zone(s) where the flow reverses and/or along the partition. The kinetically preferred reaction takes plate in a first zone and other reactions in later zones. Both sides of the partition are completely coated with suitable catalysts.Preferred Reactor: The reactor has a pressure-tight housing and removable insert(s) comprising plates (partly) coated with catalysts. The plates are separated by spacers, shaped e.g. like horseshoes. The inlets and outlets for fluid streams pass through the spacer(s). The inlets and outlets preferably are near the middle of the length of the plates in the flow direction and the reversing zone is at each end of a plate. The plates, which consist (partly) of metal, are (partly) folded like a concertina in the flow direction of the fluid stream and/or are structurized, e.g. corrugated, ribbed, folded and/or embossed. The reactor has several (almost) parallel plates, each with a baffle at one end for turning the fluid stream from one side to the back of the plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Substrate: The combustion catalyst of the gas transferring device is based on an expanded metal of iron-chromium made stainless steel, as a substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Agent: The desulfurizing agent is a nickel group desulfurizing agent. Preferred Method: The washing process is performed for 1-10 hours at 120 degreesC in liquid phase solvent in the absence of air.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The organic solvent is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound such as benzene, toluene or xylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The molecular proportions of Cu, Zn and Al in the starting solution (Cu+Zn)/Al is 2-5. The oxygen/methanol molar ratio in the manufacture of hydrogen is 0.20-0.50. The reaction temperature for hydrogen gas formation is 200-245 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: A method of producing the new polyporphyrin compound comprises reacting 5,15-diaryl substituted Zn(II)-porphyrin compound of formula (II) with a silver salt. In formula (I), R is dioctyloxy group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The partially saturated metal solution is contacted to semiconductor raw material and the base material with coarse crystal plane is turned down to maintain in horizontal position. Subsequently, the super saturated metal solution is contacted with semiconductor raw material. The separator layer is formed by performing the anodization of portion(s) of first semiconductor layer. The separator layer is also formed by carrying out the ion implantation of hydrogen or noble gas. The first semiconductor layer on the crystal base material is separated. The partially saturated metal solution is contacted with the base material and liquid phase epitaxial growth is performed. A second semiconductor layer is formed on base material and several semiconductor layers differing in conductivity is formed. The third semiconductor layer is separated from the single crystal base material. The third layer serves as photoelectric conversion area. Preferred Properties: The surface mean roughness of the coarse crystal plane in the base material by liquid phase growth method is 0.5 microns or more. The junction portion of semiconductor member is p-n type junction portion. The first semiconductor layer has conductivity similar to base material and has resistance higher than the base material. The surface of single crystal base material after isolation process is wrapped.Preferred Base: The coarse crystal plane of the base material has a surface in which mirror surface polishing is not performed and porous area is exposed.Preferred Layer: An insulating surface is formed between the second semiconductor layer and second member side.Preferred Condition: The temperature of partially saturated metal solution formed on the semiconductor membrane is raised from 5-100 degreesC.Preferred Metal: The metal solution is obtained from indium, gallium, tin, aluminum, copper, zinc or their mixtures.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxide: The iron-family oxide comprises an oxide containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel. An opto-electric conversion element has the two semiconductor electrodes placed by facing the surface of each semiconductor electrode through an electrolytic layer coming into contact with the semiconductor electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The injector comprises a gas-water separating mechanism that separates a water fraction from a cathode-off gas from the fuel cell, and a water-supplying mechanism that supplies the reactor with the water separated by the gas-water separating mechanism. The gas-water separating mechanism comprises a water storage tank and a gas separating mechanism that supplies the cathode-off gas into the water storage tank. The injector can be a heat medium circulating mechanism comprising piping and pump that circulates a predetermined heat medium between the fuel cell and the reactor. The system further comprises water level sensors for maintaining water level above an opening portion of the gas supplying mechanism, a battery and a relay for electrifying the metal hydride, a steam generating mechanism, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the reactor. The reactor has a honeycomb monolith loaded with a catalyst that accelerates the hydrolysis. A cavity of the honeycomb monolith forms a passage of a mixed liquid of water and metal hydride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is a titania-based catalyst or a ruthenium-based catalyst. Preferred Material: The metal hydride is sodium borohydride or sodium aluminum hydride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The process power is not less than 50 kWs/g. A carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used. Only structures similar to wiring traces are graphitized. EXAMPLE - A carbonized sheet material, comprising a pre-oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber fleece with a mass/unit area of 60 g/m2, was graphitized with a carbon dioxide laser with a ray diameter of 14 mm and continuous power of about 1000 W at an advance of 6 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The molar ratio of platinum to ruthenium in the mixture of platinum halogen compound and ruthenium halogen compound is 1:0.2-1. The reduction reaction is performed at 0-70 degrees C for more than 15 minutes. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The platinum halogen compound is sodium chloroplatinate, potassium chloroplatinate, sodium chloroplatinite or potassium chloroplatinite. The ruthenium halogen compound is sodium chlororuthenate, potassium chlororuthenate, sodium chlororuthenite or potassium chlororuthenite. The reducing agent is hydrazine hydrate, sodium borohydride, hydrogen and/or formic acid.    EXAMPLE - Active carbon (0.05 g) was added into twice distilled water to form 1 l of suspension. The resulted suspension was stirred and heated to 50 degrees C. A chloroplatinic acid solution was added drop-wise, to obtain a solution in which the concentration of platinum was 5 g/l. The solution was allowed to stand for 1 hour for adsorption of the materials on active carbon. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 7.5 with aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide/ammonium hydroxide, and then the suspension was stirred for 30 minutes. Sodium borohydride (1 g) was added, and the temperature was kept at 20 degrees C until the active carbon phase precipitated and the solution phase turned to colorless. After the temperature was lowered to room temperature, the liquid was filtered-off and the active carbon supporting the reduced metal was washed with hot water for several times until no chlorine was detected. The product was dried at 60 degrees C in vacuum and a single component electrocatalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cell was obtained. The platinum particles in the catalyst were non-crystalline and had a particle size in the range of 4+/-0.5 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The cathode potential is maintained at at most 0.5, preferably at most 0.1 V for the second period of time.The operating procedures to reduce the cathode potential include the steps of stopping the flow of oxidant to the cell, disconnecting the primary electricity using device and replacing it with a battery in the external circuit, or providing a flow of hydrogen containing gas to the cathode.Preferred Component: The fuel cell system may also include an auxiliary resistive load, and the controller includes mechanism for connecting, for the second period of time, the auxiliary resistive load in the circuit in place of the disconnected electricity using device.The controller includes a mechanism for providing a flow of hydrogen containing fuel to the cathode electrode for the second period of time, in place of the interrupted flow of oxidant.The fuel system includes a power source, and the controller includes mechanism for connecting, for the second period of time, the power source in the circuit in place of the disconnected electricity using device. It includes a supply of inert gas, and the controller includes mechanism for providing, during the second period of time, a flow of inert gas to the cathode electrode in place of the interrupted flow of oxidant. It includes an auxiliary resistive load, and the controller includes mechanism for connecting, for the second period of time, the auxiliary resistive load is in the circuit in place of the disconnected electricity using device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: There are at least two sets of tangential openings spaced apart from each other axially along the mixing tube and operable to create clockwise and counter-clockwise swirling oxygen and fuel reactant mixture in the mixing tube bore. The clockwise and counter-clockwise swirls are operable to null each other out by the time the oxygen and fuel reactant mixture reaches the catalyst bed. The oxygen source includes air or steam. The hydrocarbon fuel stream includes a vaporized fuel with a higher molecular weight than ethane or methane. It includes steam.Preferred Property: The tangential opening enters the mixing tube bore at an included angle phi of 45-90 degrees, preferably 60-90 degrees.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The ethylenic polymer is an ethylenic polymer containing 2-40 weight% glycidyl (meth)acrylate units, or an ethylene-glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymer and/or an ethylene-vinyl ester or unsaturated carboxylate-glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymer. The melt flow rate (190 degreesC, 2160g) before hardening is 0.1-200g/10min.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The hydrogen gas containing carbon monoxide is manufactured by modification of an organic compound.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst for oxidizing the carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas uses a meso-pore molecular sieve and alumina as a support. The meso-pore molecular sieve contains aluminum and an organic carbon group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The fuel oil has caulking index of preferably 0.3 or less. Preferred Composition: The fuel oil contains 15 volume% (vol%) or less of aromatic compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The reforming catalyst is a ruthenium group catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substance: The powdery substance is obtained by cutting a substance by various processes. Preferred Composition: The powdery substance is isotropic graphite material or coke, carbon black obtained from tar pitch. Preferred Process: Heating is performed at 1000-1300degreesC. The powder is molded, baked at 2500-3000degreesC and machined to predetermined form. Preferred Property: The powder substance has a grain size of 0.1-250 mum. Preferred Material: The powdery substance contains a fixed ratio of scale-like natural or artificial graphite. Preferred Binder: The binder is a phenol resin, epoxy resin, melanin resin, diallyl halide resin, thermosetting resin, polyamide resin, polycarbonate resin or thermoplastic resin for polysulfone and is mixed with the powder in a fixed ratio.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Conditions: The reaction is preferably performed under the conditions of mathematical expression (ii).0.1 less than d/L less than 2.0 (ii)d = stirring blade diameter (m); andL = representative diameter of reaction chamber.Preferred Materials: The polymer comprises repeat units of formula (I). The solvent typically comprises halogenated hydrocarbons.A = phenylene, naphthylene, biphenylene, anthrylene or 4- phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene;X = -C(=O)-, -S(=O)2-, -S- or bond;a = 0-5;b = 1-3; andc = 0 or 1. EXAMPLE - A reactor filled with 1,2-dichloroethane, was fed with a 2.5 wt% solution of Udel P-1700-NT11 (RTM; polysulfone) in 2,5- dichloroethane at 75 g/minute and liquid SO3 at 0.85 g/minute. The additions were performed 40degreesC, 5000 rpm and a shear force of 4.38 N/cm2 with a blade diameter of 0.028 m, a d/L of 0.31 and a circulation number of 28.63/minute. The process resulted in a sulfonation yield of 90% and an inorganic substance content in the sulfonated polymer on solid basis of 14%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The superstructure material is made of stainless steel comprising 12-30 weight% (wt.%) of chromium, 7-35 wt.% of nickel, 1-4 wt.% of silicon and 2 wt.% or less of niobium.Preferred Process: The surface of superstructure material in the inlet side of raw material gas is subjected to pre-oxidation treatment or residual stress.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Thickness: The thickness of the surface layer part, is 550 mum or less. Preferred Process: Oxidation is performed by circulating oxygen containing gas with oxygen concentration equal to oxygen concentration of air, to aggregate maintained at 170degreesC or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conditions: The molecular ratio of Cu, Zn, Al, and Zr in the starting solution during the production of the CuZnAlZr oxide catalyst satisfies the condition (Cu + Zn)/(Al + Zr)= 2 to 4.In the production of hydrogen gas, the oxygen/methanol molar ratio employed is 0.1-0.5, the steam/methanol molar ratio is 0.8-2, and the reaction is carried out at 200-250 degrees C. EXAMPLE - Water/methanol mixture (molar ratio= 1.3) was introduced into a layer of CuZnAlZr oxide catalyst at 1.6-2.5 cm 3/h. The catalyst was prepared from CuZnAlZr layered double hydroxide (precursor catalyst) containing (atomic ratio) Cu (1.4), Zn (1.65), Al (0.45) and Zr (0.55). Air (oxygen= 20.2%) was introduced at 10-20 cm 3/min, and argon was introduced at 43 cm 3/min. The reaction product and unreacted matter were then analyzed by 2 gas chromatographs connected on line. A 2 m long separation column packed with Porapak Q Trade Mark was attached to 1 gas chromatograph and the water and methanol were analyzed. A 2 m long separation column packed with active charcoal was attached to second gas chromatograph, and hydrogen (H 2), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO 2) were analyzed.    Results showed that when the reaction temperature was 230 degrees C, 85.4 mol% methanol conversion rate, 1626 mmol/kg.s H 2 production rate, 1.1 mol% CO selectivity, and 99.2 mol% CO 2 selectivity were obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The catalyst additionally contains upto 40 wt.% of at least one oxide comprising boron oxide, bismuth oxide, gallium oxide, alkali metal oxide alkaline earth metal oxides and rare earth metal oxides. The catalyst contains 0.1-2 wt.% rhodium. The wt. ratio of rhodium to platinum is 20:1-2:1. The support material is aluminum oxide. The catalyst also contains cerium oxide and the support material is in the form of a monolithic honeycomb of ceramic or metal, an open celled ceramic or metallic foam, a metal sheet or non-uniformly formed component. The hydrocarbon is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon mixture, preferably petrol or diesel oil. The air index, gamma, of the reactant mixture and the pre-heating temperature is chosen such that the outlet temperature of the catalyst is 600-900 degrees C. The reactant mixture has an S/C ratio of 0.7-4. EXAMPLE - An iso-octane toluene (267 g/h) and air (908 Nl/h) were separately heated to 350 degrees C and then fed together to a catalyst comprising a ceramic honeycomb (62 pores/cm2, 35 ml) coated with rhodium/aluminum oxide (rhodium concentration of 1 g/l). Partial oxidation of the feed resulted in a temperature increase to 600 degrees C whereupon water vapor (526 g/h) was added. The product mixture was removed at 680-700 degrees C to yield (excluding water) 0 39 vol. % hydrogen, 12.2 vol.% carbon monoxide, 11.8 vol% carbon dioxide and 40 vol. % nitrogen. The catalyst had a hydrogen productivity of 39 Nm3/lh.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Aggregate: The membrane is a structural unit of the aggregate, preferably in the fuel supply, especially a reformer or fuel cell. In particular, the gas mixture is produced by a reformer, especially a methanol-steam reformer supplied with methanol. The membrane is in the reformer, which preferably is a component of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The membrane has pores with diameters in the nm range and especially such that hydrogen can permeate but not other gases or liquids. It is produced from poly furfuryl alcohol, especially by pyrolysis.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a film adjacent to the first electrode, formed of a protonically conductive electrolyte, and a second electrode in contact with the film. The film overlying the first electrode comprises a proton exchange type material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first and second electrodes comprise a material selected from platinum, palladium, gold, nickel, tungsten carbide, ruthenium, molybdenum and alloys of platinum, palladium, gold, nickel, tungsten carbide, molybdenum, and ruthenium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel-bearing fluid is comprised of a mixture of methanol and water, supplied by a separate methanol and a separate water source, and mixed in-situ.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Water produced in the reduction step is non-reactable.The hydrocarbon decomposition catalyst comprises Ni, Co or Fe supported on a support comprising silica, alumina or magnesia.The metal oxide is alumina, zinc oxide, magnesia, active carbon, silica, or titanium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The alloy comprises at least 90 wt.% magnesium, and also 0.5-2.5 wt.% nickel and 1-5.5 wt.% Misch metal. It also includes 3-7 wt.% aluminum, 0.1-1.5 wt.% yttrium, 0.1-3 wt.% boron, 0.1-3 wt.% carbon, and/or 0.3-1.5 wt.% silicon. It has a microstructure including at least two distinct regions a major hydrogen storage phase surrounded by an intergranular region. The intergranular region is enriched in Misch metal, silicon and nickel and reduced in magnesium as compared with the hydrogen storage phase. The Misch metal comprises cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium, and neodymium. Preferred Property: The alloy has a hydrogen storage capacity of at least 6 wt.%, absorption kinetics so that the alloy absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 5 minutes at 300degreesC, and a particle size of 30-70 mum. The intergranular phase has a higher melting point than the storage phase, thus inhibiting sintering of the alloy particles during hydride/dehydride cycling.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Alcohol: The alcohol has is of formula ROH.R = 1-6C alkyl preferably 1-4C alkyl.The alcohol is an aqueous alcohol or a mixture of alcohols.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Hydride: The metal hydride is a simple metal hydride of lithium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, zirconium and titanium or a complex metal hydride represented by formula M2vM3wHy.M2 = Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe or Zr;M3 = aluminum, boron, beryllium or titanium;v = 1-3;w = 1-3; andy = 4-8.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Generator: The flow unit has a control unit for controlled delivery of alcohol from one container (14) to the other container (12).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The heat exchanger is able to heat water by using heat generated when the fuel cell unit generates power. The condensed-water supply system has a heat exchanger for condensing steam from the hot water in the hot water storage tank by cooling that steam with auxiliary water to be supplied to the hot water storage tank and recovering the condensed water, and a condensed-water supply path (8) for supplying the condensed water recovered by the heat exchanger to the water storage tank. The hot water storage tank is provided inside with a partition for defining rooms in the hot water storage tank in such a way that the hot water heated by the heater is led into one of the rooms and steam from the hot water in that room is supplied to the condensed-water supply system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Properties: The solid electrolyte membrane has a thickness of 0.05-0.5 mm, and an ionic conductivity of greater than 1 /ohm-cm.Preferred Components: The anode includes an anode catalyst, a proton-conducting ionomer, and a hydrophobic additive. The cathode includes a cathode catalyst, a proton-conducting ionomer, and a hydrophobic additive. The DC power supply includes a solar cell. The electrolysis cell further comprises a hydrogen purification device connected to the cathode chamber to receive the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen purification device operates to remove liquid from the hydrogen gas. An electrically driven device, i.e. an electrical motor, is connected to the electrical power generating unit to receive the electrical power.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solid electrolyte membrane comprises a polymer material including a perflourinated proton-exchange membrane material (preferably a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid), a modified perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer or polyhydrocarbon sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, polystyrene sulfonic acid, or poly(vinylidene fluoride).Preferred Components: The proton-conducting ionomer includes poly-co-(tetrafluoroethylene)-(perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid), and the hydrocarbon additive includes polytetrafluoroethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The anode catalyst includes platinum, ruthenium, titanium dioxide, rhodium, iridium, osmium, tin, rhenium, palladium, tungsten, iron, cobalt, nickel, molybdenum oxide, niobium oxide, or zirconium oxide. The anode catalyst is applied with a loading of ca. 0.1-4 mg/cm2. The cathode catalyst includes platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: Alloy (I) has a hexagonal crystal structure and the phase with CaCu5-type crystal structure is removed. Alloy (II) mainly has a rhododendron structure. The alloys have a mean particle diameter within the limits of 15-80 microns.Preferred Composition: Alloy (II) further contains rare earth elements, nickel and/or cobalt and has a composition RalphaNi5-x-y-zCoxAlyMz, where: R = rare earth element(s); M = manganese, iron, chromium, tin, copper, boron, zirconium, calcium and/or yttrium; and alpha, x, y and z = atomic ratios satisfying the relationships 0.95 less than alpha less than 1.05, 0.2 less than x less than 1.0 and 0.18 at most y and 0 at most z less than 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: Cation (P1) comprises tetra-ammine platinum cation and cation (P2) comprises hexa-ammine ruthenium cation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The semiconductor electrode has porosity of 1-50%, and surface roughness (Ra) of 5 nm-10 mum. The electrode also contains an inorganic sensitizer such as chromium oxide and/or vanadium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The base film (1) or (3) consists of fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin-type resin film, polycarbonate-type resin film, poly(meth)acrylic acid-type resin film, polyamide-type resin film or polyester-type resin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The shading film consists of shading property vapor-deposited aluminum film or colored shading property film.The film (4) is composite film or multi-layer film of one inorganic oxide film, or two or more different kinds of inorganic oxide.Preferred Property: The thickness of vapor deposited aluminum film is 100-4000 Angstrom, and the thickness of film (4) is 50-4000 Angstrom.Preferred Arrangement: Alternatively, the protective film is obtained by laminating base film (1) provided with shading film (2) and base film (3) provided with inorganic oxide film (4) such that the two base films form the top and bottom surfaces.The lamination is performed by dry laminate method through an adhesive layer, or a primer agent layer and an adhesive layer. Alternatively, the lamination is performed by melting extrusion lamination method through melting extrusion resin layer. The adhesive layer or melting extrusion resin layer contains ultraviolet absorber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Cation: The metal cation is an alkaline metal ion or an alkaline earth metal ion (preferably lithium, sodium or magnesium ion).Preferred Composition: The electrolyte composition comprises 0.02-2 wt.% of the metal cation, a molten salt, an iodine salt and/or iodine (preferably pyridinium iodides, imidazolium iodides and triazolium iodides), and 10 wt.% or less of a solvent.Preferred Layer: The photosensitive layer contains semiconductor fine particles (21) sensitized by a dye (22). The semiconductor is composed of a metal chalcogenide (preferably titanium oxide). Preferred Dye: The dye is a metal complex dye and/or a polymethine dye. Preferred Definitions:    Rf = 1-10C perfluoroalkyl group    EXAMPLE - A 20 mm x 20 mm sized glass substrate containing a dye-sensitized titanium oxide (TiO2) electrode was placed on a platinum-vapor deposited glass of same size. Subsequently, an electrolyte composition containing (in weight%) iodine (2), N-(n)-butyl-N-methyl imidazolinium iodide salt (10)/trifluoro lithium acetate (5), bis(cyanoethyl) ether (BCE) solvent (83), metal cation (0.29) and anion (4.7), was permeated into a crevice between the glasses through capillarity and introduced into the TiO2 electrode, and a photo-electrochemical cell was obtained. The photo-electrochemical cell was irradiated with a simulated sunlight having 100 mW/cm2 intensity at 50degreesC, and the generated electricity was measured by a current-voltage tester Keithley SMU238 (RTM). The cell generated open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.62 V, short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 13.7 mA/cm2, fill factor (FF) of 0.67, photoelectric conversion efficiency (eta) of 5.7% and decrease of Jsc of 87%, after storage for 75 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Substrate: The substrate is a mixed crystal of Al2O3 and SiO2. It is alternatively a mixed crystal of Al2O3 and MgO.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Catalyst: The platinum content of the active material is between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Features: The bioreactor contains the strain carboxidothermus hydrogenformans DSM 6008 and is operated at 35-90 degrees Centigrade, a pH of 5.0-8.0 and at pressures of 1-10 bar. The fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell or a phosphoric acid fuel cell. The reformate is treated in an additional non-biological process step for converting the carbon monoxide before being fed to the bioreactor. The microorganism strain is cultivated on yeast extract, peptone or substrate containing other proteins.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The non-aqueous electrolyte is an acid or a base. It includes sulfuric acid. It also includes a mixture of a solvent combined with an acidic or basic solute. It has a Ka or Kb greater than 1 x 10(power-2), preferably greater than 1 x 10(power-4), at 25degreesC if the electrolyte is an acid or a base, respectively. It contains less than 5% water on a molar basis. It has a boiling point of at least 90degreesC, preferably 130degreesC, and more preferably 150degreesC. It has a melting point of less than 5degreesC, preferably less than 0degreesC.Preferred Solute: The acidic solute is hydrogen hexafluorophosphate, hydrogen tetraphynylborate, or perchloric acid. The basic solute is tetraalkylammonium hydroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The non-aqueous electrolyte includes an organic ionic liquid.Preferred Solvent: The solvent includes an organic ionic liquid. It is hydrocarbon, polyalcohol, polyether, organic ionic liquid, or organic liquid with a normal boiling point greater than 90degreesC. It is hexadecane, decane, kerosene, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, o-dichlorobenzene, or 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The fuel cell has an operating temperature of 0-300, preferably 15-200degreesC, 15-150degreesC, 0-100degreesC, above 100degreesC, 150-300degreesC, or above the boiling point of water at the operating conditions of the fuel cell.Preferred Components: The separation region includes at least one hydrogen-selective membrane. The hydrogen-producing region includes a reforming region containing a reforming catalyst. The fuel processor includes a polishing catalyst bed adapted to increase the purity of the pure hydrogen stream prior to delivery of the stream to the fuel cell stack.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The layer of material is columnar void layer deposited metal, dielectric or semiconductor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The assembly further comprises thermal control fin(s), and/or a fuel cell membrane and electrode assembly in which slots are cut or stamped or otherwise made in the membrane corresponding to the manifolds formed by the PGA. The gas flow channels in the carbon cloth flow-fields are interdigitated. The pieces of carbon cloth are attached to the fuel cell electrode with adhesive.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The adhesive is a silicone gasket material. The rigid gasket main body is a rigid polymer such as polycarbonate. The comers of the gasket are clipped at an angle to permit access for tie-rods.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The enclosure has openings covered by a plastic tape or closed by heat sealing. It is formed of a pair of film layers comprising barrier film layer, puncture resistant layer,or bubble wrap. A natural gas detector is further contained within the enclosure. The fuel cell utilizes a reactant comprising hydrogen and a coolant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The target rate for injecting the oxidant is determined by flowing a fuel gas including carbon monoxide (CO) through the preferential oxidizer stage and into the fuel cell stack. The rate of airflow into the preferential oxidizer stage is modulated to affect the oxidation of CO. A voltage output of the fuel cell stack is measured as a function of the rate of air flowing into the preferential oxidizer stage. An optimum rate of air flowing into the preferential oxidizer stage is determined by determining the maximum of the voltage output as a function of the rate of air flow. Injection of oxidant at a rate determined by the stored results includes cross-referencing the stored result to establish an optimum flow rate. The cross-referencing includes interpolating between different stored operating parameters. The stored result includes a series of parameters each relating a power output to an optimum flow rate. The process further comprises determining the status of an auxiliary battery supply. Preferred Components: The conditioning system includes a reformer, a shift reactor and a preferential oxidizing reactor. The fuel cell generator system further includes a monitoring system for sensing the output characteristics of the fuel cell stack.
EXAMPLE - A metal powder mixture of composition Ca(0.55)Mg(0.45)Ni3 (all the processes were carried out in Ar gas) was ground, pelletized, sintered by heating at 900 degrees C for 2 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst further contains cobalt and/or nickel components.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The block copolymer consists of formula (I) or (II).R1- R4 = H or 1-4C alkyl; andx1 to x5, y1 to y5, z1, = integer 1-1000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Clay: The clay mineral is bentonite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst Layer: The total amount of catalyst in the upstream side catalyst layer is 10-50 volume% (vol.%), and in the downstream side catalyst layer is 90-50 vol.l%. The upstream side catalyst layer supports alkali metal component, alkaline earth metal component and/or rare earth element component, and contains heat-resistant ceramics such as silica, alumina, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, molybdenum carbide, cordierite, zirconia and/or titania. The downstream side catalyst layer supports ruthenium component on an alumina support. The downstream side catalyst layer comprises zirconium component and/or cobalt component, and alkali metal component, alkaline earth metal component and/or rare earth element as a support component. The upstream catalyst layer is maintained at 600-800degreesC. The downstream side catalyst is maintained at 400-800degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The stainless steel plate comprises 18.5-23 wt.% of chromium and 12-20 wt.% of nickel, preferably 1.5-8 wt.% of molybdenum. The separator is formed from austenitic stainless steel plate containing less than 0.03 wt.% of carbon and 0.1-0.3 wt.% of nitrogen, or ferrite stainless steel plate containing 18.5-23 wt.% of chromium. The amount of each of carbon and nitrogen contained in the stainless steel plate is less than 0.015 wt.%. 0.05-0.2 wt.% of copper is added to the stainless steel plate. Titanium or niobium is added to the stainless steel plate such that X+Yat least8 (Z+W), where X,Y,Z,W is weight% of titanium, niobium, carbon and nitrogen, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substrate: The substrate has thickness of 2 mm or less. Preferred Alloy: The invar type alloy is iron-nickel alloy, iron-platinum alloy, iron-palladium alloy, iron-cobalt-chrome alloy, iron-nickel-chrome alloy, iron-nickel-manganese alloy, iron-cobalt-chrome alloy, chromium-iron-manganese alloy and/or amorphous alloy.
EXAMPLE - Mixture whose composition was formula (I) with x = 0.1 where Ln2O3 was the 1:1 mixture of gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) and yttrium oxide (Y2O3), was ground down to not greater than 2 micron (average diameter), dried and calcined at 1100 degreesC for 4 hours, ground down to not greater than 0.8 micron, molded under 2 ton/(square cm) then sintered at 1450 degreesC for 6 hours. Ion conductivity of the product at 600 and 700 degreesC were 0.08 S/cm and 0.04 S/cm respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The reaction surface is (i) an Al-Cr-Fe alloy wire netting or rolled-up sheet or (ii) a Si or SiC ceramic monolithic honeycomb, preferably a ceramic of porosity 20-80 (especially 40-70)% and specific resistivity 0.001 OMEGAcm-10 MOMEGAcm fitted with electrical contacts.The ceramic can take the form of a tube coated with Cu, Zn or a Group VIII metal to catalyze the endothermic reformation reaction. Such a tube can also be surrounded by a non-porous, gas-tight metal or ceramic tube which may be coated with a Cu or Group VIII metal to catalyze exothermic reaction between the anode off-gas and air or O2, the reactants for the synthesis gas either (a) flowing through the gap between the tubes and also inwardly through the porous, catalyst-coated and electrically-heated SiC matrix in the inner tube or (b) outwardly from the inner tube into the gap.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The reaction surface can be of a Si or SiC ceramic monolithic honeycomb, especially a ceramic of porosity 20-80 (especially 40-70)% and specific resistivity 0.001 OMEGAcm-10 MOMEGAcm fitted with electrical contacts, the ceramic especially being in tube-form.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials : The reaction surface can be an Al-Cr-Fe alloy wire netting or rolled-up sheet.
WIDER DISCLOSURE - A proton exchange membrane is used as the electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer is a fluorinated carbon polymer having side chains that comprise sulfonic, carboxylic, or phosphonic acid groups. At least 50% of the cations of the acid or acid salt groups located in the layer(s) of the membrane are substituted by onium ions. The thickness of the layer(s) in which the cations of the acid or acid salt groups are substituted by onium ions is at most 50% (preferably at most 1%) of the total membrane thickness.Preferred Method: The polymer having side chains that comprise acid or acid salt groups is prepared by alkaline hydrolysis of a polymer having side chains that comprise -SO2X, -COX, or -POX2. The side chains are prepared from at least 2 monomers. One of the monomers is a fluorinated vinyl monomer and the other is a fluorinated vinyl monomer comprising -SO2X, -COX, or -POX2 group. The polymer having side chains which comprise acid or acid salt groups is prepared by a graft polymerization step.X = F or Cl.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The onium cations can be NR4, PR4, AsR4, SbR4, BiR4, or SR3. The onium ions are tetraalkylammonium ions, in which the alkyl groups present in the tetra-alkylammonium ions are each branched or straight-chained 1-20C alkyl. The alkyl groups present in the tetra-alkylammonium ions are branched or straight-chained propyl, butyl, pentyl, or hexyl.R = 1-20C alkyl, 6-20C aryl, or 7-20C alkylaryl.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The salt that prevents swelling of the membrane is sodium bromide, and/or sodium chloride. It has a concentration of 1-10M (preferably 2-6M). The solution comprises 1-25% w/v onium ion(s). The concentration of salt is chosen so that the state of hydration of the membrane during the treatment process is substantially the same as the state of hydration of the membrane in the electrochemical process in which it is to be used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The glare-resistant film contains at least one of organic material particles and inorganic material particles, and an organic material binder containing:(a) 100 parts by weight (pbw) of a first component containing at least one of an acryl-based resin and a fluorine-based resin; and(b) at least 1 pbw and less than 50 pbw of a second component comprising an organosilicate containing a hydrolyzing silyl group of formula (I) and/or its condensate.(R1O)4-a-Si-R2a (I)R1 = alkyl;R2 = alkyl or alkoxyl; anda = an integer of 0 or 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system includes a system for supplying the reforming gas to the combustor and for burning the reforming gas. The reforming gas is surplus in the fuel cell portion. When the value obtained by subtracting the boiling point temperature from the vapor temperature becomes below the predetermined value, electric power taken out from the fuel cell portion is suppressed to increase an amount of heat generated in the combustor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The master controller is switched to the second state after it is maintained in the first state for a predetermined period. A temperature measuring unit measures a temperature of the first catalyst and sends an output to the master controller. The master controller is switched from the first state to the second state if the output from the temperature measuring unit is equal to a predetermined value.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The hydrocarbon is methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: Each catalyst is a copper-based catalyst or a palladium-based catalyst. The second catalyst may be an oxidation catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The decomposition catalyst contains a metal from groups IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, IB, or IIB of the periodic table of elements, preferably iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese, platinum, palladium or ruthenium.Preferred Process: The catalyst is supported on a support having the form of monoliths, fiber mats, or refractory particles and contains carbon and metal oxides.Preferred Apparatus: The reactor to which ammonia decomposition and hydrogen combustion take place is a thermal integration reactor, in which a hot effluent gas is produced which transfers heat to incoming feed composed of ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas.Preferred Materials: The oxygen-containing gas is air.The support is composed of alumina, silica, silica-alumina, titania, magnesia, or aluminum metasilicates.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The continuous strands comprise tertiary carbon fibers embedded within the substrate. The carbon based filler/coating material comprises a mixture of a particulate carbon and polymer(s). It may also comprise a catalyst other than electrocatalyst, and a modifier material(s). Preferred Composition: Each carbon fiber is 10-90 wt.%. Preferred Dimension: The primary fibers have a cross-sectional dimension of at least 1 microns. They can be long and/or short fibers. The secondary fibers have a diameter of 10-500 nm and a length of 1-100 microns. EXAMPLE - A carbon based filler coating material was pressed into the non-woven carbon fiber sheet from one side of the sheet, and leveled using a metal edge. The sheet was dried at 200 degrees C for 1 minute. A thin layer of the particulate material was applied to the same side of the sheet. The structure was sandwiched between two sheets of filter paper and passed through rollers to compact the layer. The sheet was dried at 200 degrees C for 1 minute. This process was repeated for the second side of the sheet. Thin layers of the particulate materials were applied alternately to each side of the sheet, with compaction and drying, until a loading of 3.43 mg/cm3 of carbon based filler/coating material were achieved. The resulting gas diffusion substrate sheet was fired, in air, to 300 degrees C for 20 minutes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The fuel cell also includes flow inlet and outlet connected by the flow channel. Preferred Method: The removal substance is passed into the flow inlet and exits through a flow outlet. If the fuel cell has channels, each comprising flow inlet and outlet, the method includes passing the removal substance through each inlet. If the fuel cell includes an oxygen delivery manifold, the method also includes passing the removal substance in an oxygen entrance. The method may include passing a wash solution into the inlet, analyzing the wash solution after it exits the outlet to identify the contaminant present in the cell, selecting a removal substance, passing a second wash solution after completion of removal substance passing step, and analyzing the second wash solution as it exits the outlet to determine if substance passing step removes the contaminant. The wash solution is analyzed using chromatography, mass spectrometry, or chemical analysis.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The contaminant is metallic ion, sulfur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), or organic molecule. The removal substance may be liquid or gas. The wash solution is water or water-acetone solution.Preferred Conditions: When the contaminant is metallic ion, the removal substance is acidic solution or chelating agent. When the contaminant is organic molecule, the removal substance is oxidant, e.g. organic solvent, peroxide, ozone, or ozonated water. When the contaminant is SOx, the removal substance is alkaline solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The upstream reaction state detectors are in multiple positions, with a detection signal switcher that operates the oxygen feed corrector. The detectors detect a temperature as a reaction state, or at a spot of the catalyst unit where the maximum temperature is generated, to operate the oxygen feed corrector based on the output of the maximum temperature selector.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The first dopant type is p+, and the second dopant type is n-. The substrate has melting point of less than 450degreesC. The layers define a solar cell device. Each of the second and third layers provides a transparent structure and has thickness of 1000 Angstrom . Preferred Method: The first layer is formed by annealing step. The second layer is annealed by applying thermal energy while maintaining the substrate at less than 450degreesC. The thermal energy may be applied by laser e.g., Excimer laser. A fifth layer of amorphous silicon, a sixth layer of amorphous silicon, and a seventh layer of conductive material are subsequently formed over the fourth layer. The second, third, fifth and sixth layers are converted by a rapid thermal anneal process using a laser.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The first layer is indium tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Unit: The fuel cell is heated using an electrical heater. Preferred Method: After supplying hydrogen and oxygen to the fuel cell, the fuel cell is heated using the heater. Subsequently, electricity is generated. During electricity generation, an electric power is supplied to the electrical heater from the fuel cell. The non-heated area of the fuel cell is heated using the heat generated by electricity, using the electrical heater.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Derivative: R is a 1-20C alkyl or alkoxy group or halogen atom. The polyaniline derivative is poly(2-methoxyaniline).Preferred Production: The production of the thin film comprises coating a solution dissolving the polyaniline derivative in a volatile organic solvent on a substrate by spinning or casting; evaporating the organic solvent in a vessel over at least two hours and vacuum-drying the coating at 50-80degreesC for at least 10 hours. The organic solvent is dichloromethane, chloroform or dimethylsulfoxide. EXAMPLE - Poly(2-methoxyaniline) was prepared by dissolving 2-methoxyaniline in a sulfuric acid aqueous solution. Platinum (Pt) working and Pt counter electrodes were placed in the solution and 2-methoxyaniline was electro-polymerized. The resultant polymer film was immersed in ammonia water for 6 hours for de-doping and was vacuum-dried at 60degreesC over 48 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The membrane is made from polyperfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The fuel is methanol. An anode liquid is fed through a membrane in the separating device. The methanol and the water are conveyed to the cathode, and a liquid enriched with carbon dioxide remains on the anode. The liquid enriched with carbon dioxide is separated into gas and water in a gas separator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The scrubber further comprises a packed bed of carbon pellets saturated with phosphoric acid, an alumina or zeolite molecular sieve, or a cation exchange resin. The electrolyte is a proton exchange membrane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: A process oxidant blower (36) is included to increase the pressure of the oxidant stream entering the fuel cell. The oxidant passes along a passage between the blower and the cell, and has an extension to the reformer. A fuel cell coolant loop directs cooling fluid through the cell and heat exchanger to maintain the temperature of the coolant at at least 74degreesC. The oxidant stream passes through the stripping bed from a cathode exhaust valve.Preferred Scrubber: The ammonia scrubber may comprise a cool water bed in communication with reformer, and reformate treatment heat exchanger. An ammonia stripping warm water bed contacts the heat exchanger, and ammonia is removed in a coolant loop passed between the warm and cool water beds, and the heat exchanger. The oxidant stream is directed through the stripping bed to remove ammonia from coolant. Alternatively, the scrubber may comprise two regenerable scrubbers using valves to direct the oxidant and fuel into one scrubber or other, and through heat exchanger such that oxidant stream is heated to 149-371degreesC, or a single regenerable scrubber, again with valves to direct either the fuel or oxidant stream to the scrubber.Preferred Details: The fuel cell includes a water transport plate (40) secured in fluid communication with the cathode to receive some of the water electrochemically generated by the fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: The superficial gas velocity of the mixture of hydrogen-rich gas stream and molecular oxygen-containing gas is at most 2 (preferably at most 1.5) m/s. The catalyst is coated on the monolithic structure. The monolithic structure is contained in a reactor and has thermal contact with a wall of the reactor.Preferred Property: The monolithic structure has a thermal conductivity of at least 80 (preferably at least 150) W/m-K, and a void fraction of 0.4-0.98 (preferably 0.6-0.95).Preferred Material: The monolithic structure is a silicon carbide. The catalyst in the form of particles comprises noble metal supported on a refractory oxide carrier material. The refractory oxide carrier material is alumina, preferably alpha-alumina. The noble metal is ruthenium and/or platinum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The monolithic structure can also be a metal, preferably an aluminum-containing alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The monolithic structure can also be a foam having a number of pores of 4-40 (preferably 8-25) per cm. EXAMPLE - A cylindrical piece of a foam of Duocel (aluminum alloy) was coated with a catalyst comprising platinum and ruthenium on alpha-alumina. The coated foam containing 62 g catalyst was placed in a reactor tube, and contacted with a stream of gas mixture comprising (vol.%) carbon monoxide (0.29), oxygen gas (0.58), hydrogen gas (39), water (14.6), carbon dioxide (14.6), and nitrogen gas (30.9). The superficial velocity of the gas mixture was 1.2 m/s, and the temperature of the gas mixture in the inlet of the foam was 120-140 degrees C. The concentration (in ppmv) of carbon monoxide at the outlet of the foam was determined and found to be 9, 12, and 14 at 120, 130, and 140 degrees C, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer in area (II) is a graft copolymer of hydrocarbon monomer and fluorocarbon monomer. The polymer in area (I) is obtained by polymerizing aromatic hydrocarbon. The hydrogen atoms of aromatic hydrocarbon is substituted by ion exchange group. The content of ion exchange group per unit area differs in each area.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Group: The ion exchange group is sulfonic acid group. Preferred Method: The ion exchange group is introduced to partial area of the film by masking or forming a covering member in partial area of the film, irradiating the film, performing radiation polymerization and introducing ion exchange group to side chain of the polymer which is not covered.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Fuel Cell: The fuel cell is formed by laminating a member containing solid polymer electrolyte film having ionic conductivity, and a member which forms a gas passage inside a fuel cell. The member which forms gas passage is equipped with a concave-shaped area, and convex-shaped surface which contacts the adjacent member. The solid polymer electrolyte film has a region corresponding to the convex-shaped surface so that the content of ion exchange groups per unit area is more compared to convex-shaped surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The channeling step comprises concurrently flowing the mixture through the reactors. The method further comprises discharging the mixture from the reactor. The discharging step comprises removing the carbon dioxide from the reactors. The regenerating step occurs continuously.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The bifunctional material comprises a support having a specific surface area of 20-300 m2/g.Preferred Materials: The support comprises alumina, titania, silica, zirconia, and/or ceria. The bifunctional material also comprises a monolith or a foam substrate constructed of cordierite, alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium.Preferred Compositions: The bifunctional material comprises a noble metal present at 0.2-15 wt.% of the combined weight of the noble metal and support materials. It may also comprise a transition metal present at 0.5-40 wt.% of the combined weight of the transition metal and support materials. It may also comprise bimetallic material having noble metals or transition metals.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The moisture content of the combustible target component is adjusted, such that gasification of the component is performed at 800degreesC or more for generating hydrogen. A fuel cell for generating electricity from pure gas containing hydrogen is included. The electrical power obtained from the electrical power generating device or the fuel cell is supplied to the melting furnace.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The internal combustion engine system further comprises a temperature sensor (32) to detect temperature in the reformer, and a pressure sensor (32) to detect pressure of reformed gas formed by the reformer. When the temperature in the reformer is less than a preset value, the amount of supply of fuel to the reformer is increased. When the temperature in the reformer is more than a preset value, the amount of supply of fuel to the reformer is decreased. During stoppage of engine, the amount of supply of fuel and water to the reformer is adjusted such that the temperature in the modifier and the pressure of reformed gas are high. The storage unit of reformed gas, comprises a reservoir (gas holder) (20) provided to the supply path of reformed gas between reformer and intake passage (2) of engine, and a gas valve (23) provided between reservoir and intake passage of engine. An air pump (13) to supply air for performing partial oxidation reaction, is connected to the reformer via an air valve (15). The air and gas valves are closed during stoppage of engine. The stored reformed gas is used for restarting the engine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Processes: (Ia/b) is added in amount 0.001-0.05 mol per g atom of Sn. The reaction is conducted at 100-300 degrees under 1-10 MPa pressure. EXAMPLE - A tin fine piece (1600 g), triphenylphosphine (35.4 g), methyl chloride (1900 g) and THF (720 ml) were stirred at 165 degrees C for 8 hours under 3.7 MPa. The product (2964.5 g) was dissolved in xylene (8.9 L), refluxed for 1.0 hour and hot filtered. The filtrate was cooled to room temperature and the crystal was filtered and dried to give dimethyltin dichloride (2799.2 g, purification yield 94.5%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The surface passivation layer comprises a phenoxy resin and/or a thermoset resin formed by its cross-link with a non-aromatic isocyanate or melamine resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The resin layer contains a cross-linking agent, and is bonded to glass non-woven fabric by melting below cross-linking temperature of EVA copolymer. The cross-linking agent is preferably an organic peroxide. The thickness of the resin layer is 5-50 micro . The thickness and density of non-woven fabric are 100-300 micro and 0.17-0.3 g/cm3, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Aggregate: The membrane is a structural unit of the aggregate, preferably in the fuel supply. In particular, the aggregate is a fuel cell and the membrane is in the suction system. The suction system has an ambient air supply pipe changing into an oxygen supply pipe and the membrane is at the transition between these.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The membrane has pores with diameters in the nm range and especially such that oxygen can permeate but not nitrogen. It is produced from polyfurfuryl alcohol, especially by pyrolysis.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The particles comprise a first group of particles which have an average particle diameter smaller than the second group of particles. The average particle diameters for the first and the second groups of particles are 13 +/- 3 nm and 23 +/- 4 nm respectively. The second and first groups of particles are mixed in a weight ratio of 2/3. The particles are anatase type TiO2 or rutile TiO2 used at 20 wt.% or less.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Semiconductor: The semiconductor layer further comprises a pigment sensitizer and/or binding agent. The binder is used at 1-99 wt.% based on the total weight of the particles. The sensitizer is of formula (I).R1-R3 = H, carboxyl or carboxylate ion,X = H or methyl, when one of R1-R3= carboxyl and others are H,Y = anion,R4 = optionally substituted and branched alkyl,R5 = H, carbonate, sulfonate, optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon, halogen, ether, carboxyl, carboxylate, aromatic hydrocarbon etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The filler layer of battery element contains ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The polyarylene copolymer has sulfonic acid groups.The aromatic compound units (A) are of formula (1).The aromatic compound units (B) are of formula (2), (3) or (4).Preferred Compositions: The polyarylene copolymer comprises 35-7 mol.% 4,4'-benzophenone and 65-93 mol% 4'-phenoxy-2,5-benzophenone, and has sulfonic acid groups in an amount of 2-3.5 meq/g of polymer. It may also comprises 40-3 mol% 4,4'-bis(benzoyl)diphenyl ether and 60-97 mol% 4'-phenoxy-2,5-benzophenone, and gas sulfonic acid groups in 1.5-3.5 meq/g of polymer.X, X' = -CO-, -CONH-, -(CF2)p-, -C(CF3)2-, -COO-, -SO-, or -SO2-;R1-R16 = H, halo, alkyl, halogenoalkyl, allyl, or aryl;n = 0-1;p = 1-10;R17-R24 = H, alkyl, halo, halogenoalkyl, aryl, or group of formula (5);X''' = electron-attracting divalent group;Y = electron-donating divalent group;R25- R33 = H, alkyl, halo, or halogenoalkyl EXAMPLE - 2,5-Dichloro-4'-phenoxybenzophenone (193.5 g), 3,4'-bis(4-chlorobenzoylamino)diphenyl ether (28.64 g), sodium iodide (11.7 g), bis(triphenylphosphine)nickel dichloride (11.8 g), triphenylphosphine (63.0 g), and zinc (94.1 g) were introduced into a flask. This was placed on a 70C oil bath and the atmosphere in the flask was replaced with nitrogen. Then, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (1000 ml) was added to the mixture under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture reacted for 20 hours and then diluted with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The resultant mixture was poured in a 1:10 mixture of hydrochloric acid and methanol to precipitate white polymer (173.3 g) having a weight-average molecular weight of 123000. The polymer was formed into a membrane and immersed in methanol, but no swelling was observed. After sulfonation, 2.47 meq/g equivalent weight for sulfonic acid was obtained, and having 2.67x10-3 S/cm proton conductivity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The washing of the solids is performed by solid-liquid separating into a solution and solids after mixing an acid with the solids and heating, and washing the solids with water.The solution collected in the solid-liquid separation is made acidic by mixing with the solids.The strong alkali component is a sodium compound and/or a calcium compound.After cooling the filtrate, the liquid part collected by the solid-liquid separation is made an aqueous solution which contains a strong alkali component in which the burned ash is mixed.The grain husks are unhulled rice husks.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The per-fluorinated HFNFP having glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 80degreesC, is preferably an amorphous polymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole or an amorphous copolymer of perfluoro-2-methylene-4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane and tetrafluoroethylene. The HFIEP is selected from ion-exchange polymers having sulfonate, carboxylate, phosphonate, imide, sulfonimide or sulfonamide as functional groups. Preferably the HFIEP is per-fluorinated and has sulfonamide functional groups.Preferred Properties: The HFIEP has ion-exchange ratio (IXR) of 9-14, preferably 10-13.Preferred Composition: The polymeric composition comprises 20-40 weight% (wt.%), preferably 10 wt.% of HFNFP. EXAMPLE - 4% Solid solution of per-fluorinated sulfonyl fluoride polymer (copolymer of tetrafluoro ethylene and perfluoro (3,6-dioxa-4-methyl-7-octene sulfonyl fluoride)) having equivalent weight of 939 and ion-exchange ratio of 11.9, was dissolved in FLUOROINERT FC-40 (RTM; solvent mixture of perfluoro(methyl-di-n-butyl)amine and perfluoro(tri-n-butylamine)), to obtain a liquid mixture-I. 6% solid solution of copolymer of perfluoro(1,3-dioxole), perfluoro(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole) (PDD) and TEFLON AF-2130 (RTM; chlorotrifluoroethylene), were dissolved in perfluorooctane, to obtain a liquid mixture-II. Liquid mixture-I (50 weight% (wt.%)) and liquid mixture-II (50 wt.%), were blended, warmed to avoid gelation and dried to obtain cast films. The cast films were very tacky and had excellent tensile modulus (700-1400 kPa). The films were hydrolyzed, acid exchanged, dried and when scanned through electron microscope showed interlocking continuous phase structure of blended liquid mixtures. A clear film containing blend of per-fluorinated sulfonyl fluoride polymer and copolymer of PDD and tetrafluoroethylene, sold under as TEFLON AF-2400, had glass transition temperature of 240degreesC and showed very strong film with non-tacky surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin: The base film is fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, poly (meth)acrylic resin film, polyamide resin film or polyester resin film. The polypropylene group resin film contain homopolymer of propylene or copolymer of propylene and other monomer.Preferred Layer: The inorganic oxide contains bipolar membrane, multi-layered film or vapor deposition film of a different inorganic oxide. The polypropylene group resin is a dry laminate connected with adhesive. The laminate is formed by extrusion molding.Preferred Condition: The film thickness of inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is 50-4,000 Angstrom.Preferred Agent: The whitening agent contains white colored pigment.Preferred Absorber: The ultraviolet absorber contains benzophenone, benzotriazole, acrylonitrile, metallic complex, hindered amine, titanium oxide of particle diameter 0.01-0.06 or zinc oxide of 0.01-0.4 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The membrane is made from a poly perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The waste gas oxidizer (WGO) assembly includes inner and outer walls defining an annular space (56) which forms a water flow path. The annular space has a water inlet near its lower end and a water/steam outlet near its upper end. The water flow path comprises a limpet coil about the WGO chamber or an internal heat-transfer coil within the WGO chamber. The WGO inlet comprises a first connector pipe for introducing anode off-gas from a fuel cell and a second connector pipe for introducing cathode off-gas from a fuel cell. The WGO assembly also includes a mixing chamber for mixing anode and cathode off-gases, an ignition mechanism (68) (e.g. spark plug, glow plug, or ignition source) for initiating combustion within the WGO assembly, and a surface radiator connected with a combustion flame holder for radiating heat within the WGO chamber. The autothermal reactor assembly (ATR) assembly comprises an inner chamber and an outer wall, both defining an annular space where process gases flow toward the catalyst bed. The annular space receives thermal energy from hot gases produced in the WGO chamber. The ATR catalyst bed comprises a partial oxidation catalyst (30) and two sequentially-arranged steam methane reformer catalysts (32, 34). The ATR assembly also includes separate air, fuel and water inlets which are converged into a single inlet having a heat exchanger where thermal energy from the WGO chamber is received. The reactor may include a shift reactor, carbon monoxide polishing assembly, a valve for directing reacted gases back to the WGO assembly or the fuel cell, and heat pipes or wedge-shaped conductors to facilitate spread of thermal energy within the ATR assembly.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and density of at most 0.78 g/cm3. The initial temperature of distillation is 24-50 degrees C, the 10 vol.% distillation temperature is 35-70 degrees C, the 90 vol.% distillation temperature is 100-180 degrees C and the final distillation temperature is 130-210 degrees C. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil has a sulfur content of 0.3 vol.%, C4 content of 1.6 vol.%, C5 content of 12.5 vol.%, C6 content of 19.7 vol.%, C7 content of 20.9 vol.%, C8 content of 24.3 vol.%, C9 content of 18.5 vol.% and at least C10 content of 2.5 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C is 45.2 vol.%. The composition has a saturation component of 92.8 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 6.6 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 85.5 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 44.4 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.1 vol.%, C4 content of 5.4 vol.%, C5 content of 42.2 vol.%, C6 content of 49.2 vol.%, C7 content of 3.1 vol.%, C8 content of 0.1 vol.%, C9 content of 0 vol.% and at least C10 content of 0 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C is 3.2 vol.%. The composition has a saturation component of 98.9 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 1.1 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 92.6 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 37.2 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.2 vol.%, C4 content of 0 vol.%, C5 content of 0.3 vol.%, C6 content of 7.2 vol.%, C7 content of 28.1 vol.%, C8 content of 33.1 vol.%, C9 content of 26.4 vol.% and at least C10 content of 4.9 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C was 61.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 91.7 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 8.3 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 79 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 48.6 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and density of at most 0.78 g/cm3. The initial temperature of distillation is 40-100 degrees C, the 10 vol.% distillation temperature is 50-120 degrees C, the 90 vol.% distillation temperature is 110-180 degrees C and the final distillation temperature is 130-210 degrees C. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.2 vol.%, C4 content of 0 vol.%, C5 content of 0.3 vol.%, C6 content of 7.2 vol.%, C7 content of 28.1 vol.%, C8 content of 33.1 vol.%, C9 content of 26.4 vol.% and at least C10 content of 4.9 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C was 61.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 91.7 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 8.3 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 79 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 48.6 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel contains at least 5 vol.% hydrocarbon oil based on fuel total weight. The initial temperature of distillation is 24-50 degrees C, the 10 vol.% distillation temperature is 25-50 degrees C, the 90 vol.% distillation temperature is 45-130 degrees C and the final distillation temperature is 55-150 degrees C. Fuel comprises at most 15 vol.% 4C hydrocarbon compound, at least 5 vol.% 5C hydrocarbon compound, and at least 10 vol.% 6C hydrocarbon compound. The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and density of at most 0.78 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.1 vol.%, C4 content of 5.4 vol.%, C5 content of 42.2 vol.%, C6 content of 49.2 vol.%, C7 content of 3.1 vol.%, C8 content of 0.1 vol.%, C9 content of 0 vol.% and at least C10 content of 0 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C was 3.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 98.9 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 1.1 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 92.6 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 37.2 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: Fuel for fuel cell system comprises at most 15 vol.% 4C hydrocarbon compound, at least 5 vol.% 5C hydrocarbon compound, at least 10 vol.% 6C hydrocarbon compound, at least 20 vol.% 7C and 8C hydrocarbon compound and at most 20 vol.% at least 10C hydrocarbon compound. The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and density of at most 0.78 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.3 vol.%, C4 content of 1.6 vol.%, C5 content of 12.5 vol.%, C6 content of 19.7 vol.%, C7 content of 20.9 vol.%, C8 content of 24.3 vol.%, C9 content of 18.5 vol.% and at least C10 content of 2.5 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C was 45.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 92.8 vol.%, olefin component of 0.6 vol.%, aromatic component of 6.6 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 85.5 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 44.4 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, and the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.1 vol.%, C4 content of 5.4 vol.%, C5 content of 42.2 vol.%, C6 content of 49.2 vol.%, C7 content of 3.1 vol.%, C8 content of 0.1 vol.%, C9 content of 0 vol.% and at least C10 content of 0 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 98.9 vol.%, unsaturated component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 1.1 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 92.6 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 37.2 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The content of 7C + 8C hydrocarbon compounds is at least 20 vol.% and the content of at least 10C hydrocarbon compounds is at most 20 vol.%. The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and the density is 0.78 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.2 vol.%, C4 content of 0 vol.%, C5 content of 0.3 vol.%, C6 content of 7.2 vol.%, C7 content of 28.1 vol.%, C8 content of 33.1 vol.%, C9 content of 26.4 vol.% and at least C10 content of 4.9 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 91.7 vol.%, unsaturated component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 8.3 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 79 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 48.6 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.3 vol.%, C4 content of 1.6 vol.%, C5 content of 12.5 vol.%, C6 content of 19.7 vol.%, C7 content of 20.9 vol.%, C8 content of 24.3 vol.%, C9 content of 18.5 vol.% and at least C10 content of 2.5 vol.%. The total of C7 + C8 was 45.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 92.8 vol.%, unsaturated component of 0.6 vol.%, aromatic component of 6.6 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 85.5 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 44.4 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.3 vol.%, C4 content of 1.6 vol.%, C5 content of 12.5 vol.%, C6 content of 19.7 vol.%, C7 content of 20.9 vol.%, C8 content of 24.3 vol.%, C9 content of 18.5 vol.% and at least C10 content of 2.5 vol.%. The total of C7 + C8 was 45.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 92.8 vol.%, unsaturated component of 0.6 vol.%, aromatic component of 6.6 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 85.5 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 44.4 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The interconnection pattern is formed by coating the substrate with a first non-electrically conductive epoxy and forming the interconnection pattern by thick film printing techniques. A second non-electrically conductive epoxy is disposed on the non-electrically conductive areas.Preferred Components: The first and second epoxies, which are thermally conductive, have similar thermal expansion characteristics with the solar cell array. The substrate is a printed circuit board.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - A photocell uses the photoelectric converter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The permeation layer contains palladium, niobium, vanadium and/or their alloys, preferably a palladium-silver alloy. The support layer is made from rust-free steel, copper, copper alloys or aluminum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The support layer is made from PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The inlet forms a combined conductive or non-conductive flexible plate that includes a flexible graphite plate, a flexible plate which impregnates rubber into an expanded metal, a flexible plate which impregnates rubber into a nickel wire or a flexible plate which mixes a rubber powder with a powder of copper and graphite. The plate is formed by combining a conductive material or a non-conductive material, with an expanded metal or a conductivity improving material frame.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The porosity of the membrane is controlled by adding a combustible particulate material to the ceramic material which is concurrently deposited with the ceramic material. During sintering the combustible material is removed by combustion.Preferred Materials: The combustible particulate material is selected from carbon, carbon black and organic or polymeric compounds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: One or more pairs of calender rolls is used for lamination. The module is also cured. Preferred Materials: The support consists of flexible material, preferably (laminated) plastics film, metal foil or steel tape; or rigid material, preferably glass. The encapsulation material has a weathering layer, a barrier layer of inorganic oxide and a support layer for the inorganic oxide layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The barrier layer consists of aluminum or silicon oxide and is 30-200 nm thick.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The support for the encapsulation material consists of a (laminated) film based on polyethylene naphthenate (PEN) or a co-extrudate of polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) and PEN. The sealing layer consists of hot-melt material, e.g. polyamide or thermoplastic elastomers and/or ionomers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The impurity comprises a polymeric material that is degradable under conditions in which the photonic material comprises the photonic crystal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains 0.1-10 weight% (wt.%) of palladium component based on palladium element conversion. The active type component of the catalyst comprises palladium and/or palladium oxide (PdO) or its alloy, and palladium, platinum and/or copper. The methanol modification catalyst is maintained at 300-500 degrees C.Preferred Process: The oxidation reaction of methanol is carried out as side reaction. The heat of formation generated from the oxidation reaction is used as reaction heat for water vapor modification.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The contact surface of combustion gas is provided with heat insulating member such as heat resistant tile.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The solar battery module uses the sealing material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus : The position of the buffer unit (10) and the type of adsorber or absorber depends on the gas component to be 'buffered' and is as follows:(1) when the gas component is CO, unit (10) is upstream of a purification unit (3) for selective oxidation of the CO or upstream of the fuel cell (4) and contains CuY or CuZSM-5;(2) when the gas component is water vapor, unit (10) is immediately up- or down-stream of a reforming reactor (2) or a shift-stage in the combustion gas stream and contains activated carbon, Al oxide/alumina, silica gel or a zeolite; and(3) when the gas component is H2, unit (10) is downstream of a fuel cell (4) and contains an alloy of the type AB, AB2, A2B or AB5A = Mg, Ca, Ti, Zr, V or La, andB = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni or Cu. EXAMPLE - None given in the specification.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The intermediate product maybe formed by employing technological manufacturing of a green body, which is sintered through heating so that the powder grains coalesce to a consolidated body. This maybe carried out through pressing of the powder in a tool, which comprises punch that is subjected to impact action, so that kinetic energy is transferred via the punch to the powder, causing then the powder to plasticize and form into the consolidated body. The powder maybe preheated to at least 70 degrees C prior to the formation of the intermediate product. The intermediate product can also be formed through plastic working of a flat plate. The flat plate contains the quantity of material that shall be included in the finished plate.The material is caused to flow out from the first portion to the second portions, so that (i) the remaining quantity of the material within the region of the first portion corresponds to the quantity within the high relief patterned field of the finished plate, and (ii) the resulting quantity in the region of the second portions corresponds to the quantity which shall be included in those portions of the finished plate. The intermediate product can also be formed by machining a plate within the first portion. During formation of the relief pattern, an impact member is stricken against the punch, which transfers impact energy to the intermediate product.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The ceramic material maybe graphite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal material is maybe a light metal e.g., stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, or magnesium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Processor: The carbon monoxide removal zone is contained in the vessel. The processor has a fourth fluid flow path (24) extending from the outlet of the carbon monoxide removal zone to the outlet of the vessel. An auxiliary water-gas shift reaction zone (7) has an inlet and outlet and a catalyst for the water-gas shift conversion reaction. The third fluid flow path extends from the outlet of the water-gas shift reaction zone via the auxiliary water-gas shift reaction zone to the inlet of the carbon monoxide removal zone. It has a cooler between the outlet of the auxiliary water-gas shift reaction zone and the inlet of the carbon monoxide removal zone. The auxiliary water-gas shift reaction zone and the hydrocarbon conversion zone are contained in the vessel. It is an annular reaction zone arranged around the cooler. The inlet of the hydrocarbon conversion zone is connected with the outlet of the first fluid flow path. The vessel has partly double-walled side wall having an inner shell (2) and an outer shell (3) between which the first fluid flow path is defined. The hydrocarbonaceous conversion zone has a catalyst in a fixed arrangement for partial oxidation of the fuel with an oxygen-containing gas and/or to steam reform the fuel. The steam generator is an evaporator (11) in the form of a doubled-walled receptacle in which the walls are defined by water reservoir (29). The carbon monoxide removal zone is mounted on a flange which is the bottom of the vessel. The water-gas shift reaction zone and the hydrocarbon conversion zone are located at the other side of the flange. The vessel has a volume of at most 40 (preferably at most 15) liters.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst in the carbon monoxide removal zone is coated on a metal support (preferably on an aluminum-containing foam).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: Dodecamethylcyclohexasilane is rearranged to trimethylsilylnonamethylcyclopentasilane quantitatively by treating with an aluminum chloride catalyst. The skeleton of cyclohexasilane is rearranged to the skeleton of silylcyclopentasilane, which is thermodynamically stable. All the substituents of the skeleton silylcyclopentasilane are a methyl group and not hydrogen. The phenyl group substituents of the skeleton of cyclohexasilane are converted into hydrogen atoms, and the skeleton of cyclohexasilane into the skeleton of silylcyclopentasilane. To convert the phenyl groups bonded to the silicon of dodecaphenylcyclohexasilane into hydrogen atoms, a treatment with an aluminum chloride catalyst as a Lewis acid to convert the skeleton is carried out. Hydrogenation is done by introducing hydrogen chloride gas. EXAMPLE - Dried tetrahydrofuran (1.5 l) and metallic lithium (27.4 g) were charged to a flask and bubbled with argon gas. Diphenyldichlorosilane (500 g) was added and stirred under cooling with ice. After the metallic lithium completely disappeared, the mixture was poured into iced water to precipitate the reaction product. The precipitate was separated by filtration, and washed in water and then cyclohexane. This crude product was re-crystallized with ethyl acetate obtaining dodecaphenylcyclohexasilane. The dodecylphenylcyclohexasilane (100) and toluene (1000 ml) were charged to the flask. Aluminum chloride (50 g) was added and stirred at room temperature in an argon gas atmosphere for 5 hours. Hydrogen chloride was introduced until the phenyl group disappeared. The obtained dodechlorocyclohexasilane was added to lithium aluminum hydride (42 g) suspended in diethyl ether (500 ml), and stirred for 12 hours. This mixture was filtered to obtain an achromatic and transparent silylcyclopentasilane solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hydrogen-rich fuel stream comprises 100-3000 ppm-volume carbon monoxide.The oxidation catalyst comprises 0.5-10 (preferably 0.5-3) wt.% ruthenium metal. The ruthenium metal comprises crystals having less than 40 Angstrom (preferably less than 10 Angstrom) size.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Parameters: The alumina carrier comprises peak distribution(s) about an average pore diameter of 800-1500 Angstrom and a bimodal pore distribution.The bimodal pore distribution has a first peak with 70-100 Angstrom average pore distribution and a second peak with 800-1500 Angstrom average pore diameter.The oxidation temperature is 70-130 degreesC. The alumina carrier comprises a pore volume of 0.1-2.5 ml/g. EXAMPLE - A 400-cc aliquot of alumina support spheres or extrudates weighing 120 g was introduced to an evaporator. A solution of ruthenium (III) nitrosyl nitrate solution having 1.5% ruthenium was diluted with deionized water (153 g) and was added to alumina support in the evaporator. The evaporator were kept rotated for 15 minutes and steam was introduced into the evaporator to allow free-flow of impregnated catalyst for approximately 4 hours. The catalyst was placed in quartz tube surrounded by furnace and an air flow was introduced to the tube at 6 l/min for 15 minutes. The temperature was raised at 5 degreesC/min to 500 degreesC. The air flow was stopped and nitrogen was commenced at 1 l/min and maintained for approximately 30 minutes. The nitrogen flow was stopped and a hydrogen flow was introduced over the catalyst at 500 degreesC for 1 hour. Hydrogen flow was stopped and nitrogen was introduced as the temperature was slowly brought down to room temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Materials: Storage unit (1) contains an adsorber material, especially a Cu-containing material, a zeolite, Al2O3 or activated carbon.The components accumulated in unit (1) are CO, water or methanol.Catalytic unit (2) is a catalytic burner, a reformer, a partial oxidation stage, a CO oxidation stage or a membrane gas purification stage. EXAMPLE - None given in the specification.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The second material is made from palladium, tantalum, niobium and/or their alloys, preferably a palladium-silver alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The first material is a polymer, especially a polymeric material for cation exchange containing carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid or sulfonic acid groups, preferably Nafion (RTM - Dupont).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oil: The octane value is at least 80, and the sulfur component concentration is at most 1 weight ppm. The composition comprises at least 1 base oil selected from cracked gasoline, reformed gasoline, alkylated gasoline, IP solvate, isopentane and desulfurized light naphtha. EXAMPLE - A base oil of IP solvate of density 0.72g/cm3, surface tension 230muN/cm, and octane 90 is desulfurized and steam reformed in a reactor filler with Co-Mo hydrogenation desulfurization catalyst and zinc oxide hydrogen sulfide absorbent, then in a reactor filled with reforming catalyst on which 0.5 weight% Ru, 1.0 weight% Co, 5 weight% Zr and 2 weight% Mg are supported.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The air penetrating ducts are formed in an air conducting layer (10) that is adjacent and in contact to the cathode layer. They comprise channels (11) formed in the cathode layer or in the air conductive layer and extending along the air flow path. The fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack that is parallelepiped with a rectangular traverse section where the air penetrating ducts of each single cell are directed parallel to the short edge of the rectangle. The fuel cell stack is close to a cylinder and has individual cells each comprising an active area in the form of a circular ring. The circular rings delimit a central tube (16) within the stack from which tube the air penetrating ducts spread and direct the air flow radially through the individual cells.The air flow is generated by at least two blowers at at least two endplates (19) of the fuel cell stack. Gas separator plates (5) are in between the single fuel cells. The single fuel cell at its cathode side comprises a diffusion structure where the air filter is contained. Preferred Condition: The stoichiometric rate is preferably at 45-90. The air flow direction within the fuel cell system is alternately reversed after certain time spans.Preferred Property: The material of the gas separator plates has a ratio heat conductivity parallel to the membrane to density of greater than 0.04 W-m2/kg-K.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The material of the gas separator plates is foil made of expanded graphite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The material of the air filter is a porous stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) foil filled with an electrically conductive material. The foil is compressed and impregnated with a PTFE detergent suspension.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The hydrogen-generating electrode of the first assembly and the fuel electrode of the second assembly are electrically connected; unified; or are combined with a water repellent, electrically conductive layer interposed between them. The device to apply the potential to the first assembly is the second assembly. The hydrogen ion-conductive electrolyte layer is a polymer electrolyte membrane and the fuel is a mixed liquid comprising alcohol and water or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases. The fuel electrode of the first assembly comprises ruthenium as the catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The electrode for fuel cells consists of the metal chosen out of the group containing magnesium, aluminum, vanadium, chrome, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver and tungsten.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Precursor: The precursor mixture contains copper inorganic acid salt aqueous solution and copper alkali precipitation reagent containing copper, zinc and boron. A slurry-like mixture of the precursor containing copper and zinc is prepared by coprecipitation. Alumina precursor containing aluminum salt and basic precipitation reagent is soluble in water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Arrangement: A proportion of the channels or capillaries extends to an outer edge of the membrane or to a selected point within the membrane.Preferred Ratio: The ratio of channel or capillary dimension to membrane thickness is less than 0.5.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The tow or yarn is glass, quartz and/or silica.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal wires are made of platinum or niobium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Dimensions: The membrane is at most 100 microns thick. The voids have a dimension of less than 20 microns in the z direction of the membrane. Preferred Method: The particles and/or fibers are removed by dissolution.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The fibers and/or particles comprise polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyimide, cellulose acetate, polyethylene oxide, cellulose nitrate, poly-saccharides, or polyethylene glycols. The particles may also comprise sodium dichloride, ammonium chloride, calcium carbonate, or sucrose. EXAMPLE - Mixture of chopped silica fibers (0.37 g), silica microfiber (0.18 g), and polyvinyl alcohol fibers (0.05 g) was dispersed with mixing, in water (3000 cm3). A porous fiber sheet was fabricated from the resulting mixture. It was removed from the wire and air dried at 90 degrees C. The porous sheet containing the PVA fibers, was placed on a sheet of plate glass, with a raised border and a solution of perfluoro sulfonic acid, at 30 weight % solids, in dimethylacetamide was applied to the surface. The plate glass sheet was then placed in a vacuum oven at 90 degrees C for 10 hours. Upon removal, a sheet of Nafion (RTM) membrane having an average thickness of 60 microns was obtained. The membrane showed a water uptake of 88.2%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The micro elements include micro-studs (34) including nanotubes. Preferably, the nanotubes include open-ended, single carbon nanotubes. The channels are located between the micro-studs or inside the micro-studs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The semiconductor material comprises a metal oxide, an acid reagent and a surfactant. The metal oxide is chosen from oxides of tin, titanium, zinc, tungsten, lead, iron, bismuth, vanadium, and complex oxides of iron and titanium or strontium and titanium. The acid reagent is inorganic acid, preferably hydrochloric acid. The surfactant is water or aqueous solutions. Preferred Compositions: The weight ratio of semiconductor material and surfactant ranges between 100:1-10:1, preferably 60:1-40:1. Preferred Properties: The thickness of polymer enclosing material is 18 mils and that of polyester polymer is 0.5-3 mils. The temperature resistance of polyester polymer is -72 to 204degreesC. The converting efficiency and standard output power of photovoltaic module are 13% or more and 15 W or more, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The polymeric enclosing material is ethylene vinyl acetate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: The copper system carbon monoxide removal catalyst contains tungsten or molybdenum. The atomic ratio of tungsten or the atomic ratio of copper and molybdenum is 1:0.002-0.2.Preferred Process: The catalyst is obtained by baking a mixture of copper oxide and zinc oxide, obtained by coprecipitation of copper compound and zinc compound. Alternately, the catalyst is obtained by baking the mixture of copper oxide, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide, prepared by the coprecipitation of copper compound, zinc compound and aluminum compound. Carbon monoxide removal reaction is performed at 100-400degreesC, preferably 150-200degreesC. The carbon monoxide remaining after the removal of CO using copper system carbon monoxide removal catalyst, is removed using noble metals group carbon monoxide removal catalyst.Preferred Noble Metals: The noble metals group carbon monoxide removal catalyst contains at least platinum, ruthenium, palladium, and/or rhodium.Preferred Gas: The hydrogen rich process objective gas from which carbon monoxide is to be removed, is a reformed gas obtained by modifying hydrocarbon group original fuel used as heating gas of a fuel cell.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The vinyl ester resin (A) is novolac type vinyl ester resin. Component (B) is diallyl phthalate. The radical polymerization initiator (C) is an organic peroxide or an optical polymerization initiator. The carbon type filler is mainly graphite. The carbon type filler is graphite having aspect ratio of up to 5, average particle size of 5 - 100 microns. The carbon type filler is a carbon fiber produced by gas phase method having fiber diameter of 0.05 - 10 microns, fiber length of 1 micron - 5 mm, and/or carbon nanotube having a fiber diameter of 0.005 - 5 microns and fiber length of 1 - 100 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The proton-conducting functional group is a sulfone group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The following polymer membrane examples are provided in the body of the disclosure: PE, PP, PVC polyvinylidene chloride, PVS, PVDF, PTFE, ethylene/tetrafluorethylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer and tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer. Examples of the side chain polymer include poly chloroalkyl styrene, poly alpha-methylstyrene, poly alpha-fluorostyrene, poly p-chloromethyl styrene, polystyrene, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinylalkylsulfone acid and copolymers including corresponding monomers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Functional Polymer: The aryl polymer comprises aromatic units selected from m-phenylene, p-phenylene, 4,4'-biphenylylene and 2,6-naphthylene groups and thermally stable linkages selected from difluoromethylene, ether, carbonyl, sulfonyl and hexafluoroisopropylidene groups, and is especially a polyethersulfone, polyetherethersulfone, polyetherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyetheretherketoneketone or polybenzimidazole. The degree of sulfonation is 0.1-100%. Preferred Reinforcing Polymer: This comprises repeat units of formula (I) or (II):-(A-O-B-SO2)- (I) -(O-A-O-B-SO2)- (II)A = p-phenylene substituted with 0-4 NH2 or NO2 groups, especially 3-amino-1,4-phenylene or 3-nitro-1,4-phenylene;B = p-phenylene substituted with 0-4 NH2 or NO2 groups, especially p-phenylene.Preferred Plasticizer: This is a linear polyvinylidene fluoride. Preferred Blend: This comprises 30-99.9 wt.% of the functional polymer, 0.1-70 wt.% of the reinforcing polymer and up to 5 wt.% of the plasticizer. Preferred Membrane: This can have a multilayer structure, preferably comprising at least two layers of different polymer blends comprising a sulfonated polyetherketone, an aminated or nitrated polyethersulfone and optionally a plasticizer. EXAMPLE - A membrane comprising a blend of 75 wt.% sulfonated polyetherketone (ion-exchange capacity 2.13 meq/g), 25 wt.% nitrated polyethersulfone (ion-exchange capacity 1.96 meq/g) and 0.5 wt.% polyvinylidene fluoride had a swelling value of 162 wt.% in water at 100degreesC after 72 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: Second and third inlets are located at the fuel gas stream inlet end of the reactor vessel. A mixing zone is located upstream of the partial oxidation catalyst. The mixing zone consists of a series of non-catalyzed monolith slices spaced apart, so that the resonance time within the slice-space combination is 50-200% of the cycle time of the pulsing. The pulsating mechanism is a flow control element, a rotating gas compressor, or a peristaltic flow movement device. The flow control element is an actuator operated flow control valve whose actuator is cyclically driven between two predetermined positions by a pre-programmed control logic, or by a mechanically linked feed-back system; or a feedback loop based flow-control valve whose actuator is cyclically driven between two predetermined positions by incorporating a zero-dampening factor in its feed-back control system. Downstream components are included to propagate or dampen pulsed flow characteristics developed in the reactor into the fuel cell.Preferred Catalysts: The partial oxidation catalyst comprises nickel-based catalyst, precious metal-based catalyst, and precious metal-based catalyst with a metal-oxide promoter. The steam methane reforming catalyst is a metal-oxide-based catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The regenerative fuel cell comprises an array of repeating cell structures that are electrically connected. Preferred Property: The charge of the sulfide/polysulfide electrolyte is preferably 2.2-2.5 for at least a part of the charge/discharge cycle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The main polymer (A) is a polymer with a structure divided into a backbone portion (no acidic or basic sites) for maintaining membrane configuration and a portion with acidic or basic sites.(A) is polybenzimidazole, polyvinyl imidazole, polyvinyl pyridine, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-graft-polyvinyl imidazole, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-graft-polyvinylpyridine, polyphosphonate, polyalkylene glycol, polyalkylenimine, or especially an ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-graft-polystyrene sulfonic acid type polymer.The sub-polymer (B) has a glass transition temperature of less than 150 degreesC and a molecular weight of 100 or more. It contains -O-, -S-, -N-, -P-, or -CO- containing functional groups.Either of the polymers may be formed with a polymer with a sulfonic acid, phosphorus acid, carboxylic acid, or boronic acid (-B(OH)2) group. Preferably (B) contains a perfluorosulfonic acid type polymer. The polymers are formed by crosslink formation or by increasing the molecular weight singly or in conjunction with each other. (B) is impregnated into (A) in a liquid or solution state. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The sub-polymer (B) is polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene imine, or polyphosphoric acid.    EXAMPLE - A PEM of the invention was prepared by immersing a Nafion (RTM; perfluorosulfonic acid type polymer) membrane, dried in hot air, into polypropylene glycol (PPG, molecular weight 300) for 4 hours at 100 degreesC. Proton conductivity of the membrane was measured by securing to a jig (distance between electrodes 10 mm). The proton conductivity at 150 degreesC was found to be 1.5x10-3 and that of a comparison sample, 5.0x10-5. The comparison sample was obtained by casting a mixture of Nafion and PPG (molecular weight 300) in a ratio of 3:2 in dimethylformamide onto a glass board and vacuum drying for 24 hours at 70 degreesC
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The mesophase pitch is petroleum, coal, or synthetic pitch. It has a softening point of at least 150 degreesC based on a flow tester method and an optically anisotropic content of at least 50%.The coarsely granular surface of the particles is composed of the mesophase pitch.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The mesophase pitch is obtained by polymerizing a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or a material containing a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in the presence of hydrogen fluoride and boron trifluoride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The carbon material is continuously produced by continuing adding the mesophase pitch or continuing adding the carbonaceous particles together with the mesophase pitch.The carbonaceous particles are produced from the mesophase pitch or carbonaceous substance. They have 30-1000 microns average particle diameter. EXAMPLE - Mesophase pitch (softening point: 230 degreesC, optically anisotropic content 100 wt.%) obtained from polymerizing naphthalene in the presence of hydrogen fluoride and boron trifluoride was heat-treated at 530 degreesC under nitrogen atmosphere to produce carbonaceous particles (average particle diameter 100 microns). The carbonaceous particles (200 g) were placed in reactor and heated up to 450 degreesC with stirring under nitrogen atmosphere which was changed to air. Mesophase pitch in pellet state was added to the reactor at 10 g/min until 300 g was added. After completion of addition, the contents in the reactor were taken out to have a carbon material (500 g) comprising coarsely granular surface and having 2.5 mm average particle diameter. The carbon material having 13 wt.% oxygen content was shaken in sample tube and showed no powdering and no dusting, and was excellent in fluidity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Complex: The platinum complex has the formula PtLX1X2.L = L1;X1, X2 = independently thiolate of formula .S-R or .S-Ar;Ar = 6-10C optionally substituted aryl. EXAMPLE - Sodium tetrachloroplatinate (500 mg) was dissolved in water (50 ml) with 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine and the solution was boiled for 4 hours and cooled. The precipitates were recovered and dissolved in aqueous potassium hydroxide. The solution was acidified with a solution of quinoxaline-2,3-dithiolate giving a platinum complex with 4,4'dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine and quinoxaline-2,3-dithiolate. A solar cell prepared with this complex had a short circuit current of 6.14 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage of 0.6 V and fill factor of 0.71 under irradiation of AM1.5 (corresponding to a solar beam zenith angle of 48degrees) using solar simulator light (100 mW/cm2).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Additive: The additive contains inorganic compound or organic compound of alkali metal element.The additive contains palladium, platinum, nickel or their compounds.Solution of powder of additive, is used as additive in manufacture of the carbon-based hydrogen gas storage material.Preferred Carbon Material: The carbon material includes carbon nanotubes, graphite nanofiber, carbon fiber or graphite.Preferred Process: Heat processing is performed beyond the melting point of the additive in inert atmosphere, vacuum atmosphere or in mixed gas atmosphere of carbon dioxide and inert gas, after oxidizing the carbon material.Amorphous carbon in the carbon material is preferably oxidized.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The reformer has outer air introducer to introduce outer air into the combustion gas before heating the shift reaction part. The heat exchanger exchanges heat from shift reaction part between combustion gas line and the air duct.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: The metal coating layer is formed after the base material is subjected to a predetermined treatment, preferably after forming an underlying coating layer (62).Preferred Component: The metal forming the metal coating layer is composed of tin alloy with at least one element having higher electrical conductivity than the tin oxide. The coating layer includes conductive particles that form corrosion-resistant layer. The separator further comprises a carbon coating layer (66) formed on a region forming the fluid flow path.Preferred Properties: The metal layer comprises crystal grains of metal having an average grain size of at least 0.1 mm. The metal forming the metal layer has lower melting point than the separator. It contains substance that reduces the melting point of metal when added to the metal.Preferred Material: The metal is tin or its alloy. The tin alloy has lower melting point than the tin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Semiconductor: The p-type inorganic compound semiconductor is a monovalent copper-containing compound semiconductor, preferably CuI or CuSNC.The thiocyanate is a molten salt, preferably (un)substituted imidazolium thiocyanate or (un)substituted pyridinium thiocyanate.At least 0.2 mol% and not greater than 20 mol% of the thiocyanate is used, based on the amount of the p-type inorganic compound semiconductor.The charge transfer layer further contains a molten salt other than the thiocyanate of formula (Y-a), (Y-b) or (Y-c);Qy1 = group which can form 5- or 6-membered aromatic cation together with a nitrogen;Ry1, Ry2, Ry3, Ry4, Ry5, Ry6 = (un)substituted 1-24C alkyl or alkenyl;Ay1 = N or P; andX- = monovalent anion.The photosensitive layer contains fine semiconductor particles sensitized with a dye, preferably a ruthenium complex dye or a polymethine dye.The photoelectric conversion device has an undercoat layer comprising an oxide semiconductor between the conductive layer and the photosensitive layer. Qy1 = in formula (Y-a) is imidazole ring or pyridine ring;    X- = bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)imide anion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Aryl Polymers: These comprise aromatic units selected from m-phenylene, p-phenylene, 4,4'-biphenylylene and 2,6-naphthylene groups and thermally stable linkages selected from difluoromethylene, ether, carbonyl, sulfonyl and hexafluoroisopropylidene groups, and are especially polyethersulfones, polyetherethersulfones, polyetherketones, polyetheretherketones and polyetheretherketoneketones.Preferred Process: The temperature is 0-5degreesC in step (a) and 5-25degreesC in step (b). Step (b) comprises stirring the reaction mixture for up to 10 hours after adding the nitric acid. Additional Steps: The product from step (c) can either be: (A) dissolved in a polar aprotic solvent (especially dimethylformamide, dimethylacetate (sic), dimethyl sulfoxide or N-methylpyrrolidone) and treated with a reducing agent (especially sodium dithionite) at 60-180degreesC; or (B) reacted with a sulfonating agent in the presence of a carboxylic acid anhydride at a temperature below 25degreesC. EXAMPLE - A polyethersulfone (29 g) was dissolved in 96% sulfuric acid (300 ml) at 0degreesC and concentrated nitric acid (5.2 ml) was added dropwise at 0-5degreesC. The mixture was stirred at 5degreesC for 1 hour, at 10degreesC for 2 hours and at 20degreesC for 0.5 hours. The product was precipitated in ice-water and washed acid-free. The yield of nitrated polyethersulfone was over 95 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The standard of relatively high reflectance is a white or a grey calibrator. The value of KTH is 0.2-0.4.Preferred Method: The strip is detected by monitoring the strip sensor for proximity of strip through adaptive thresholding. The monitoring step comprises measuring the output of the photodetector with the light source turned off (VSS-OFF); comparing VSS-OFF to a VTH and if VSS-OFF is greater than the VTH, indicating a fault condition, measuring the output of the photodetector with the light source turned on (VSS), and determining a strip to be inserted if VSS-VSS-OFF is greater than VTH.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The crystalline thin film of the compound semiconductors is formed from Group III-V elements using metal organic chemical vapor deposition system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - The support is tray-shaped and is made from plastic, preferably by vacuum forming.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The amount of TAIC and cross-linking adjuvant added to 100 mass parts of EVA copolymer are 10 mass parts or less and 5 mass parts or less, respectively. EXAMPLE - 100 parts of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer having vinyl acetate content of 26 weight percent (wt.%), 2 parts of 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane and 1 part of gamma-methacryloxy propyltrimethoxy silane, were mixed to form an EVA resin composition. The composition was made into a sheet of 1 mm thickness by pressing at 150degreesC. The sheet was pinched on both sides of an electrode and a voltage is impressed. The volume resistivity was found to be 6.6x1014 OMEGA.cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metallization Stage: The metallization stage comprises the following steps:(A) coating the surface of the composite material obtained in stage (e) with a layer of silica gel;(B) depositing a layer of metal on the coated surface;(C) applying a photosensitive resin layer on the metallized surface;(D) masking the photosensitive resin layer using a patterned mask;(E) irradiating the photosensitive resin layer through the mask pattern;(F) removing the mask and the irradiated resin in the case of a positive-type resin or removing the non-irradiated resin in the case of a negative-type resin, to reveal the metal layer after the resin has been removed;(G) etching the obtained surface to reveal the silica gel layer under the metal layer on the part of the surface not protected by the photosensitive resin; and(H) removing the photosensitive resin remaining on the surface after stage (G), in order to reveal the metal layer below the resin, and thus provide the surface of the composite material with a metallized part and a non-metallized part.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The source electrode may or may not overlap the gate electrode. The photoconductive layer under the source electrode and above the gate electrode forms another photoconductive region. When light illuminates the photoconductive region, the photoconductive region changes from insulative to conductive and the signals are conducted between the drain/source and gate electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The transparent substrate is provided with glass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The transparent substrate is provided with quartz. The dielectric layer is made of silicon nitride. The photoconductive layer is made of amorphous silicon. The passivation layer is made of silicon nitride. The photoconductive layer is made of Cualpha(InxGa1-x)beta(SeyS1-y)gamma.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The inorganic of the sealing material is selected from the group comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate. Copolymer (EVA), an ethylene-methyl acetate copolymer (EMA), an ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer (EEA), an ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer (EMAGA), an ethylene-methacrylic-acid copolymer (EMAA) or ethylene-vinyl-acetate group of copolymers, ethylene-methyl acrylate group of copolymers, ethylene-ethylacrylate group of copolymers, and ethylene-methyl methacrylate group of copolymers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The organic resin compositions of the sealing inorganic material is specified to JIS K7210 standard.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The concentration of impurities present in the nitride semiconductor is 10 to the power 18 per cm cubed to 10%. The impurities present in the nitride semiconductor is silicon, carbon, magnesium or oxygen. The substrate comprises silicon, silicon carbide, sapphire or gallium arsenide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Assembly: The sunroof assembly further comprises a charge regulator that monitors the charge on the battery (26) and detects when the battery has reached a maximum desired power, and when the battery has reached the maximum desired power the regulator prevents the solar cell array (28) from supplying any more power to the battery and the charge regulator prevents current flow from the battery to the solar cell array. The self-contained power supply unit comprises several batteries. The sunroof assembly is a spoiler or a slide-tilt sunroof.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The solar cell array is made of at least one thin film amorphous silicon cell. The window comprises two layers of glass, between which the solar cell array is laminated.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solar cell array is laminated to an underside of the window and encapsulated with polyurethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The solvent in silver-silicone paste is selected from toluene and xylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The two separated silicide regions (4) serve as electrodes. They are produced using a metal which is nickel, platinum, tungsten or cobalt. The photodetector has a tapered input waveguide. The substrate is a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate.Preferred Material: The silicon-based material is silicon, amorphous silicon, silicon germanium and/or amorphous silicon germanium. The silicon-based material layer (5) is made of silicon and epitaxially grown silicon germanium superlattices, or silicon germanium alloy and a silicon layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Components: A shield component of a photodetector/shield unit has a channel configuration in which a photodetector resides. A processor is also included external to the scanner. A cathode ray tube (CRT) (18) employed as an external light source and is electrically connected to a computer that is electrically connected to the scanner screen (32). The scanner further includes a lens device for concentrating light from the external light source onto the object, a fourth layer of plastic material capable of passing light rays and electrical signals, a layer made of Mylar having a transparent electrical circuit on its surface, an electrical circuitry for adjusting the light source to provide a desired light color, and an electrical circuitry for generating color spectral components with the light source. The CRT associated with the scanner screen provides a menu screen. The lid layer is hingedly attached to the scanner screen. The scanner screen further includes a mechanical connector for securing the screen to a computer monitor (16). The scanner screen is connected to the scanner screen holder by a hinge mechanism. The scanner screen holder positions the scanner screen in a vertical position in front of the CRT, and has channels in which a roller wheel can turn and thus guide the scanner screen into and out of the scanner screen holder. The scanner screen also has a slot that serves to hold a sheet of paper in a vertical orientation in front of the CRT.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The rear layer, platen layer and lid layer are all made of rigid or flexible plastic materials.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The self- extinguishing material is selected from hydroxides of aluminum or calcium, aluminum oxide, calcium sulfate, white vitriol, zinc phosphate, etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Composition: Either anion or cation in formula (1) is polymer. The composition contains iodide and iodine. A photo-electrochemical battery comprises a charge-transporting layer having the new electrolyte composition, a photosensitive layer of dye-sensitized semiconductor, and a counter electrode. A non-aqueous secondary battery comprises the new electrolyte composition. Preferred Definitions:    Y in formula (1) is an organic cation of formula (2-a), (2-b), or (2-c).    Qy1 = atomic group forming 5- or 6-membered aromatic cation with nitrogen atom;    Ry1 to Ry6 = alkyl or alkenyl group;    Ay1 = N or P;    Y in formula (1) is lithium cation. Either R1 or R2 contains ethyleneoxy groups or has fluoro-alkyl groups. R1, R2, or Y contains polymerizing groups.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polymer is an epoxide. The reinforcing fibers are carbon fibers, used in an amount of 50 - 70 vol%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The first mechanism comprises a wind-driven propeller, a wind turbine or a water wheel, and rotates a shaft at 10-50 (20) rpm. The number of DC current generators is 10-50 (30). At least one AC current generator may also be present in the generator system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The silicon-containing solid is a coating film formed in a region surrounding a plasma generating space in the vacuum vessel and having a resistivity higher than that of the vacuum vessel.Preferred Properties: The silicon-based film includes microcrystals of a crystal grain size having a Scherrer radius of at least 10. A film forming rate of the silicon-based film after formation of the coating film having a resistivity higher than that of the vacuum vessel is three or more times a film forming rate of the silicon-based film in case of no formation of the coating film. It is 1 nm/sec or higher. The resistivity of the coating film is higher than that of the silicon-based film. A Raman scattering intensity resulting from a crystalline component of the silicon-based film is three or more times a Raman scattering intensity resulting from its amorphous component. A proportion of (220) diffraction intensity of the silicon-based film by X-ray or electron beam diffraction is 50% or more of its total diffraction intensity. A pressure within the vacuum vessel in formation of the silicon-based film is 50 mTorr or more.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The coating film having a resistivity higher than that of the vacuum vessel is composed of silicon. The gases containing the silicon-containing gas as a main component do not contain silicon halide gas. The silicon halide contains at least one kind of fluorine atom and chlorine atom.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The corpuscle is a small ball, rod or plate having different sizes. The corpuscle has a photovoltaic surface and is light-active on one or both sides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The method further comprises forming a first oxide layer (114a, 114b, 118a, 118b), silicon nitride (Si3N4) layer (116a, 116b) and a second oxide layer on the substrate; defining the second oxide material; defining the Si3N4 layer and the first oxide layer to form a Si3N4/oxide material structure as the first protective layer in the first and device areas; and forming a thin oxide layer on the substrate as a second protective layer. Si3N4 serves as an etch stop while defining of the second oxide layer. Pixel cells (106) serve as an etch stop while defining the Si3N43 and first oxide layer.Preferred Property: The reflectivity of the second protective layer is approximately 85%. The thin oxide layer is approximately 500 Angstrom thick. The first oxide layer is approximately 1000 Angstrom thick. The Si3N4 is approximately 4200 thick.Preferred Component: The second protective layer includes a thin oxide layer. The second spacer is formed on the isolation material.Preferred Dimensions: The dimensions for the second pad spacer are approximately 4x4 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The thin oxide layer includes tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The p-well extends through the semiconductor layer to the insulator. The p+ structure and the n+ structure extend through the semiconductor layer to the insulator. Instead of the p-well and the n-base, an n-well and a p-base may be formed. Then, an n+ structure may be formed within the p-base, and a p+ structure may be formed adjacent a second edge of the gate structure. Preferred Dimension: The semiconductor layer is less than 1500 Angstrom thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The substrate is indium phosphide (InP) or gallium arsenide (GaAs). The photodetectors comprise GaAs/aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs), gallium indium arsenide (GaInAs)/InP (AlInAs), GaInAs/AlGaAs, gallium arsenic antimony (GaAsSb)/aluminum gallium arsenic antimony (AlGaAsSb), GaAsSb/AlInAs (InP), or GaAs/GaInP. The aluminum composition in the group can be adjusted to select a particular wavelength. One of the photodetectors has successive layers of AlInAs, GaInAs, and AlGaInAs grown over the substrate and sensitive to wavelength of 1.3-1.5 microns; or successive layers of GaAsSb, GaInAs, GaAsSb, and InGaAs grown over the substrate and sensitive to wavelength of 3.3 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: At least one of the photodetectors is a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) or a band-to-band photodetector. The photodetecting device further comprises a grating over at least one of the photodetectors. The device preferably comprises two or three photodetectors. The device is an active matrix array comprising an array of pixels, each comprising more than one photodetector. The photodetectors in each one of the pixels are activated by multiplexing. Electronic circuits for the multiplexing are integrated on the substrate. The substrate is created by bonding or fusion. The InP based detector is created by growing metamorphic buffer on GaAs. At least one of the QWIP based detector is of n-type or p-type. It is at normal incidence. The well has a 2-dimension electron gas (2-DEG) uniformly doped, self assembled quantum dot InAs subwell. The detectors are grown via a process including molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), CBE (sic), MEE (sic), vapor phase (VPE) epitaxy, or OMVPE (sic).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Compounds: The high-molecular compound consists of a rubber-modified thermoplastic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: Compound (I) is the extracts of a Nigrosine compound. Compound (I) has crystalline modified conditions having strong diffraction peaks at Bragg angles of 9.6, 17.2, 20.2, 21.3, 26.2, 27.0, 27.8 and 29.6 degrees at 2theta +/- 0.2 degrees. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - 10 Compound (I) are specifically disclosed, e.g., compound of formula (II).    EXAMPLE - (In parts by weight). N-aryl-substituted azine type compound (2), vinylbutyral resin (1) and 1-propanol (100) were mixed and stirred with glass beads. The dispersion was applied on an aluminum-deposited polyester film to give a charge-generation layer having a thickness of 0.2microns. On the charge generation layer, a mixed solution of p-dibenzylaminobenzaldehyde diphenylhydrazone(1), polycarbonate resin and toluene (7) was applied in a thickness of 20microns to give a charge transporting layer. The obtained laminate type electrophotographic photoreceptor had a half decay exposure of 1.5 lux. sec. The azine type compound had strong diffraction peaks at Bragg angles of 9.6, 17.2, 20.2, 21.3, 26.2, 27.0, 27.8 and 29.6 degrees at 2theta +/- 0.2 degrees.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: Either cation or anion of the salt is polymer. The composition contains iodine or iodide. A photo-electrochemical battery comprises a charge-transporting layer having the new electrolyte composition, a photosensitive layer of dye-sensitized semiconductor, and a counter electrode. A non-aqueous secondary battery comprises the new electrolyte composition. Preferred Definitions:    Y in formula (1-1) is an organic cation of formula (2-a), (2-b), or (2-c).    Qy1 = atomic group forming 5- or 6-membered aromatic cation with nitrogen atom;    Ry1 to Ry6 = alkyl or alkenyl group;    Ay1 = N or P atom.    EXAMPLE - An electrolyte composition contained RE-3 of formula (17) (30 wt.%) and F-1 of formula (6F1) (70 wt.%.).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Each quantum well layer includes gallium arsenide (GaAs). Each barrier layer and blocking barrier layer includes AlxGa1-xAs (x = greater than 0 but less than 1). The emitter and collector contact layers are formed of GaAs doped to be conductive.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The multi-quantum well structure is caused to operate under a cryogenic temperature of at least20 (preferably 20-50) K to suppress a thermal contribution to a dark current. It has a structure to support a bound state and a quasibound state within a conduction band or within a valence band. A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) readout circuit is coupled to the collector contact layer to receive a signal caused by radiation absorbed by the multi-quantum well structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The backside layer is of olefin-type resin comprising co-polymerized ethylene and vinyl monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The second region includes an isolation dielectric and overlaps the first region. The two regions of the contact layer (110) meet at a common boundary in abutting contact. The electrode (112) adjacent a common boundary between the two portions is raised and spaced away from the common boundary. A terminal end of the electrode is in abutting contact with the second region.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrode includes a gold layer, an intermediate platinum layer, and a titanium layer. The first region includes indium gallium arsenide. The isolation dielectric is silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The mirrored surface can be made from a foil or non-metal aluminized or silvered film such as Mylar, Kapton or Lucite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The composite includes at least 30 vol.% metallic phase(s); and up to 20 vol.% Laves phase(s). EXAMPLE - A composite sample was prepared by arc casting tapered disks. Prepared pins were subjected to 100 hours exposure (hot time) with a total test exposure of 117 hours in 1-hour cycles and cooled to room temperature after each hot time at 1800, 2000, 2200, or 2400degreesF. An average weight change per unit area as a function of exposure time of the sample was determined. Metallographic evaluation was conducted for diameter and microstructure changes. The resulting composite had: Nb (32.5), Ti (23), Hf (2), Si (17), Cr (13), B (4), Ta (6), Mo (1) and Fe (2). The addition of B and Fe and partial substitution of Ge for Si provided an improved oxidation resistance over temperature test range. Composite's oxidation resistance over temperature range tested was not degraded by the addition of 6 atom.% Ta or 1 atom.% W. The presence of 1 atom.% Mo had a negative effect on the composite's oxidation resistance, and additions of 1.5 atom.% Sn had a neutral effect on high temperature oxidation resistance of the composite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The semiconductor material in the monolithic device, include 2 or more materials selected from silicon having (100) orientation of crystal planes, silicon having (111) orientation of crystal planes, gallium-arsenic, gallium-aluminum-arsenic, gallium-phosphorus and gallium-silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metallic oxide coating film is selected from silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide and tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The method further comprises forming a porous layer (2,3) on top of the first substrate (1), prior to contacting the substrates, the porous layer having a porosity profile and the two porous layers forming a bond between the two substrates. The porosity profile of the second semiconductor substrate is formed by a first layer (6) of high porosity adjacent to the second substrate's surface, followed by a second layer (7) of lower porosity and a third layer (8) of high porosity.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first substrate consists of silicon and the second substrate consists of germanium or gallium arsenide. Alternatively both substrates consist of silicon. The porous layers are formed by anodisation in a solution of hydrofluoric acid and acetic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: The photoelectric converter has the photosemiconductor electrode. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The Metal Oxide Semiconductor is titanium oxide, tin oxide, tungsten oxide, zinc oxide, indium oxide, niobium oxide, and strontium titanate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The semiconductor present in the photosensitive layer is titanium oxide, tin oxide and/or zinc oxide. The semiconductor with more base conduction band lower end potential than semiconductor in photosensitive layer is zirconium oxide, strontium titanate, niobium oxide or zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: Each of the photodetector element units comprises a first optical waveguide layer of a first conductivity type semiconductor and a second optical waveguide layer of a second conductivity type semiconductor. The first optical waveguide layer is between the first blocking layer and the light-absorbing layer and has a band gap intermediate between those of the first blocking layer and light-absorbing layer, and the second optical waveguide layer is provided between the light-absorbing layer and second blocking layer and has a band gap intermediate between those of the light-absorbing layer and the second blocking layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first blocking layer is formed of first conductivity type indium phosphide (InP), the light-absorbing layer is formed of an i-type InyGa1-yAs, where y is greater than 0 but less than 1, and the second blocking layer is formed of second conductivity type InP. The first optical waveguide layer is formed of first conductivity type indium gallium arsenic phosphorus (InGaAsP), and the second optical waveguide layer is formed of second conductivity type InGaAsP.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The outer window includes an outer surface facing away from the inner window and an inner surface (28) facing towards the inner window. The inner window includes an outer surface (26) facing towards the outer window and an inner surface facing away from the outer window. At least one of the surfaces is coated with an optical coating that is transparent in at least one wavelength band from visible wavelength bands or infrared wavelength bands and that is opaque to electromagnetic radiation of radio and radar frequencies. The inner surface of the inner window is coated with the electrically conductive optical coating. The outer and inner surfaces of the outer window and the outer surface of the inner window are coated with a heat resistant anti-reflective coating. The intervening space is occupied by a vacuum, a thermally insulating substance that is a gas, or a coolant. The windows are planar or curved.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The optical coating includes doped gallium arsenide and/or doped germanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The irregularities are made of a transparent conductive material containing zinc oxide. They are formed by etching the conductive material. The photo-electric conversion layer is made of at least one photo-electric conversion elements. An active layer of the photo-electric element is made of crystalline silicon or silicon alloy. Preferred Property: The irregularities partially have indentations in the form of a hemisphere or circular cone with a diameter of 200-2000 nm. The indentations are in the form of a hemisphere or circular cone with a diameter of 400-1200 nm. The root mean height is 25-600 nm and the tantheta is 0.07-0.2, preferably 0.07-0.15.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The adhesive resin consists of an ethylene vinyl acetate resin. The expandable adhesive resin composition contains a pyrolytic foaming agent consisting of an azo compound, a nitroso compound, a hydrazine derivative, and/or bicarbonate.Preferred Component: The sealing film is provided between a transparent protective member at its top surface and a protective member at its bottom surface to seal a cell for the solar battery. At least one of the sealing film interposed between the cell and the protective member at the bottom surface or the sealing film interposed between the cell and the protective member at the top surface uses the sealing film described above.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The optical filter consists of silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, dielectric oxides of niobium oxide, tantalum oxide, zirconium oxide, tungstic oxide or aluminum oxide, fluorides or different types of metals for different filter layers.Preferred Material: The substrate is made of silicon (Si) on which the photosensitive area is doped with boron.Preferred Property: The Si in-type with high resistance.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The SOI chip further comprises a barrier material over the passivation layer on the silicon layer, and in the groove presenting an additional barrier to impurities in the oxide layer outside the groove from diffusing into the oxide layer inside the groove. It further comprises a fill material deposited in the groove adjacent the passivation layer on the side walls of the groove and contacting the substrate through the open bottom of the groove. The groove has a width of 1-2 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The passivation layer is silicon nitride, polysilicon, oxide, or nitride. The fill material is polysilicon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The barrier material is phosphosilicate glass (PSG), borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG), nitride or oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Glass particles comprise filler selected from silica, alumina, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, zirconium oxide, silicon nitride and aluminum nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The substrate is made of silicon and the gate structures are made of polysilicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Parameters: The BARC (30) has a thickness of 1200-1600, preferably 1200 Angstrom. The reduced-width pattern (50) has a width of less than 0.23, preferably 0.08-0.15 or 0.11-0.2 microns. The width of the reduced-width pattern is at most 1, preferably at most 0.1 microns of the first resist pattern (40) width. The resist layer has a thickness of 7700 Angstrom. The over-etching step has a duration that is 50-70% of the time for etching the BARC. The over-etching step has an etch selectivity ratio of BARC to resist of approximately 1:1. Preferred Process: The resist portions are removed using a lithographic tool. The polysilicon (20) is deposited on a semiconductor body.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component : The dye having an acrylic acid site is represented by general formula (1).A1, A2 = COOH, CN, alkoxycarbonyl, acyl group, NO2, cyclohydrocarbon residue, heterocyclic residue group, NH2, OH, H, halogen atom or alkyl group; preferably CN or COOH;X = aromatic hydrocarbon residue, heterocyclic residue or organometallic complex residue group ;n = integer between 1 and 6, preferably 1, 2 or 3.The A1 bonded to the C atom of the COOH group in the acrylic acid site is CN or COOH. The aromatic hydrocarbon residue group is an aromatic hydrocarbon residue group having a substituted amino group, and is a 6-16C aromatic hydrocarbon residue group. A typical aromatic hydrocarbon residue group is a phenyl group having mono- or di-(1-4C) alkyl substituted amino group. The heterocyclic residue group is a 5 - 6 member ring containing 1 - 3 hetero atoms or an 8-15C condensed 5-6 member ring containing 1-3 hetero atoms.Preferred Transducer: The photoelectric transducer further comprises at least one dye having an acrylic acid site and fine oxide semiconductor particles photosensitized with two or more sensitizing dyes ( preferably three or more sensitizing dyes ).Preferred Process: The fine oxide semiconductor particles contain TiO2 as an indispensable component. The photoelectric transducer is produced by using fine oxide semiconductor particles as a carrier for dyes. EXAMPLE - A photoelectric transducer was prepared by immersing a porous titanium dioxide semiconductor thin film electrode P25 (RTM) at RT for 3 - 24 hours in an EtOH solution containing 3 x 10 power-4 M of dye (2), washing with water and drying. The obtained transducer had a photoelectric transfer efficiency of 1.7 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The oxidizing agent is chosen from either of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, formic acid or other carboxylic acids.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Enhancement Characteristic: The enhancement characteristic comprises the apertures being of a diameter less than the wavelength of incident light, preferably 1-5 microns, more preferably around 1 micron. The enhancement characteristic may also comprise a pattern of periodic surface topography on at least one of the illuminated and non-illuminated surfaces of the first metallic electrode (106). The periodic surface topography may comprise a periodic array of dimples or surface corrugations surrounding each of the apertures. Both the illuminated and non-illuminated surfaces may comprise the enhancement characteristics.Preferred Spheres: The first portion (110) of the spheres (102) is one of a III-V or II-VI semiconductor and the second portion (112) is the other of the III-V or II-VI semiconductor, with appropriate doping. Alternatively, the first portion (110) is one of n or p type silicon and the second portion (112) is the other of the n or p type silicon. Preferably, the first portion (110) is an outer portion and the second portion (112) is an inner portion of the spheres.Preferred Device: A substantially transparent overlayer (124) is provided on the illuminated surface of the first metallic electrode (106). A medium, preferably an electrically conductive adhesive, is disposed between the electrodes and surrounding the spheres, for fixing the spheres to the first metallic electrode (106) and for providing electrical contact between the outer portion of the spheres and the first metallic electrode (106) and between the spheres. An underlayer (116) is fixed to the second electrode and can include a pressure sensitive adhesive backing on a free surface for applying the device to another surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The first doping region is further formed beneath the surface of the trench. The bottom of the trench is deeper than the second doping region.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The substrate acts as a photoreceptive surface. The surface of the substrate is formed in an antireflective shape. The regions have edges having a comb-like shape to extend an adjacent length. The bypass function region continuously surrounds the periphery of regions of the solar cell. A surface electrode (7) is provided on the first region. The third region includes a short-circuit member for establishing a short circuit between the substrate and the second region. The bypass region includes a fourth region of a first conductive type having an impurity density higher than that of the substrate and the third region. A fifth region has defective crystals across a boundary between the substrate and the second region. It is formed by implant treatment using charged ions or protons by sandblast treatment using fine particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Wafers: The semiconductor wafers are selected from CdZnTe, CdTe, GaAs, InP, and Si.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The saturated hydrocarbon-based polymer consists of an isobutylene-based polymer. The sunlight electricity generation system is of a brick shape. The member consists of a plate and constitutes the major portion of the brick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The gas confinement apparatus and the gas flow modifier are formed of any suitable shape, and may include openings to produce a balanced gas flow rate. Their inner walls are at 15-45 degrees with respect to the normal to the plane of the substrate surface.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The substrate is silicon, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, aluminum gallium arsenide, indium gallium phosphide, aluminum indium gallium phosphide, aluminum nitride, aluminum gallium nitride, or gallium nitride.The plasma etching gas includes chlorine, boron trichloride, and/or silicon tetrachloride. It may also be in combination with sulfur hexafluoride or carbon tetra fluoride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: For the monoclinic crystalline structure belonging to the P21/c space group, the lattice constant of the c axis of the FexSi2 is 7.68+/-0.20 Angstrom which is equal to the interatomic distance of the (111) plane of the crystalline silicon. The lattice constant of the a axis is 10.17+/-0.35 Angstrom. The lattice constant of the b axis is 7.75+/-0.35 Angstrom. The angle defined by the a axis and the b axis is 95+/-3degrees. For the structure belonging to the C2/c space group, the lattice constant of the b axis is 7.68+/-0.20 Angstrom which is equal to the interatomic distance of the (111) plane of the crystalline silicon. The lattice constant of the a axis is 10.14+/-0.35 Angstrom. The lattice constant of the c axis is 7.76+/-0.35 Angstrom. The angle formed by the a axis and the c axis is 95+/-3degrees. Preferred Dimensions: The thickness of the FexSi2 having the monoclinic crystalline structure is 5-2000 Angstrom. The total thickness of the FexSi2 and beta-FeSi2 having an orthorhombic crystalline structure is 200-10000 Angstrom.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The photoelectric conversion layer consists of semiconductor material containing optical sensitizing dye. The semiconductor material is porous titanium oxide. The conduction layer is formed from intermolecular electron donor-acceptor complex. The complex contains organic donor, preferably carbazole group donor and organic acceptor, preferably quinone group acceptor. Preferred Property: The thickness of hole carrying layer is less than 0.5 mum. The hole carrying layer contains organic polymeric hole transportation material such as organic polysilane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The solar cell portion is formed of a silicon or compound semiconductor. It includes crystal silicon type solar cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The solar battery module further comprises a terminal box for taking out current. Preferred Component: The solar cell portion is an integrated thin film cell portion having thin film cells divided by parallel grooves and electrically connected in series.Preferred Configuration: A light deflection layer is provided between the solar cell portion and the printed matter. The terminal box is positioned on the side surface of the solar battery module.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The semiconductor material contains alternate layers of semiconductor materials of Groups II and VI, Groups III and V, or Groups IV and VI of periodic table. The superlattice structure is alternate layers of indium arsenic-gallium antimony, mercury tellurium-cadmium tellurium, lead tellurium-tin tellurium or aluminum arsenic-gallium arsenic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: (3a) consists of polystyrene, polyurethane, or phenolic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Module: The solar battery module also includes a laminate housing comprising two layers of fluoro plastic film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The P and N type layers are doped with GaN or GaAs and the quantum holes are filled with InGaN or InAs by single crystal growth.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A cusp comprises a composite shell that evidences lightweight, high stiffness, and high thermal conductivity properties. It contains flexible electronic circuitry strips on its outer surfaces that conform to the surfaces for permitting nesting of cusps. The mirrored surfaces are protected with dielectric coating(s) from silica and titania, coated with indium tin oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The mirrored surfaces comprise aluminum or silver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The photovoltaic module converts incident electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, e.g. for powering a building.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The photosensors are made from mercury-cadmium telluride or from indium antimonide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - The reflective layer is a metal or multi-layer dielectric layer. The radiation gathering structure comprises a dipole antenna (36).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The vertical and horizontal joints between adjacent building blocks are sealed by means of silicone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is further provided to another surface of co-extrusion resin layer (5). The polyolefin group resin layer is a linear low density polyethylene group resin layer. The co-extrusion layer which comprises a polyethylene resin layer and cyclic polyolefin resin layer is laminated to the base film through an adhesive layer or a primer agent layer by dry lamination method. The co-extrusion resin layer is laminated to the base film through an anchor-coat agent layer or primer agent layer by melting extrusion lamination method.Preferred Base Film: The base film is fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin type resin film, polycarbonate group resin film, poly (meth) acrylic type resin film, polyamide group resin film or polyester group resin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is a multilayered film of one or two layers or two or more layers.Preferred Thickness: The vapor deposition film has thickness of 50-4000 Angstrom.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The filler layer is made of ultraviolet absorber content polyethylene resin, ultraviolet absorber content polypropylene resin, fluorine resin, cyclic polyolefin resin, polyacrylic type resin or silicon type resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Materials: The substrate is silicon, glass, or quartz. The amorphous precursor material is amorphous silicon. The structure includes a dopant(s) introduced during deposition of the amorphous precursor material. Preferred Properties: The structure has a thickness of 100-400 Angstrom, and an electrical conductivity of at least 1000 times greater than the electrical conductivity of a non-annealed amorphous film. Particularly, the structure has an electrical conductivity of 100 S/cm at a film thickness of 200 Angstrom. Preferred Conditions: The amorphous film is annealed at approximately 700 degrees C, and/or for approximately 4 minutes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Structure: The vinyl house has an oxygen reservoir (22) which stores the oxygen generated by electrolysis of water, and then the stored oxygen is supplied for plant cultivation and fuel cell. The solar battery is combined with wind power apparatus (26) as source of natural energy. The control circuit uses electric power of main power supply (8) for electrolysis of water, and uses hydrogen of hydrogen reservoir for fuel cell in case of emergency.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte Compound: The compound of formula (1) is more specifically represented by formulae (2) and (5).L21, L22, L23 = (substituted) alkylene or alkenylene, alkylenoxy, alkenylenoxy and a repetition or combination of these;R21, R22, R23 = H, Halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, silyl, silyloxy, alkoxy, amino, guanidino, cyano or heterocycle;n2 = 0 - 3;X- = anion.When n2 is 2 or 3 two or more of R21, R22 and R23 may form a ring and at least one of these contains a silicon atom.Preferred Composition: The electrolyte composition comprises 0-10% weight of a solvent.The electrolyte comprises an iodine salt or iodine in addition to (1) and is useable in a photo-electrochemical cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: The photosensitive layer comprises semiconductor fine particles sensitized by a dye.The particles are metal chalcogenides and contain titanium oxide fine particles.The dye is a metal complex and/or a polymethine dye. Q = a ring composed of C, H, N, O and S atoms, preferably an imidazolium or pyridinium cation;    X- = I-.    EXAMPLE - A photo-electrochemical cell with an electrolyte comprising 10% weight a compound of formula (1-a) and 88% weight bis(cyanoethyl) ether had an open circuit voltage of 0.66V, a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 12.8 mA/cm2, fill factor of 0.66, photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.6% and a decrease of Jsc after storage for 80 hours of 86%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Bonding: The converter is bonded to an optical focusing part using silicone, epoxy or similar resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The ethylenic polymer is an ethylenic polymer containing 2-40 weight% glycidyl (meth)acrylate units, or an ethylene-glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymer and/or an ethylene-vinyl ester or unsaturated carboxylate-glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymer. The melt flow rate (190 degreesC, 2160g) before hardening is 0.1-200g/10min.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The base film (1) or (3) consists of fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin-type resin film, polycarbonate-type resin film, poly(meth)acrylic acid-type resin film, polyamide-type resin film or polyester-type resin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The shading film consists of shading property vapor-deposited aluminum film or colored shading property film.The film (4) is composite film or multi-layer film of one inorganic oxide film, or two or more different kinds of inorganic oxide.Preferred Property: The thickness of vapor deposited aluminum film is 100-4000 Angstrom, and the thickness of film (4) is 50-4000 Angstrom.Preferred Arrangement: Alternatively, the protective film is obtained by laminating base film (1) provided with shading film (2) and base film (3) provided with inorganic oxide film (4) such that the two base films form the top and bottom surfaces.The lamination is performed by dry laminate method through an adhesive layer, or a primer agent layer and an adhesive layer. Alternatively, the lamination is performed by melting extrusion lamination method through melting extrusion resin layer. The adhesive layer or melting extrusion resin layer contains ultraviolet absorber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Additive: The additive is a fluorocarbon polymer (preferably polytetrafluoroethylene).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The additive can be an inorganic molybdenum compound (preferably molybdenum sulfide or molybdenum phosphate). It is present at 0.1-10 wt.% of the magnetic-responsive particles. The magnetic-responsive particles and the additive are in dry powder form. The particles are ion particles containing less than 1% carbon and at least 95% iron obtained by water atomization. It is 60-90 wt.% of the total magnetorheological composition. Preferred Parameter: The magnetic-responsive particles have 10-60 (preferably 15-30) mum average number diameter distribution.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The carrier fluid is natural fatty oil, polyphenyl ether, dibasic acid ester, neopentyl polyol ester, phosphate ester, polyester, unsaturated hydrocarbon oil, monobasic acid ester, glycol ester, glycol ether, perfluorinated polyether, halogenated hydrocarbon or preferably mineral oil, paraffin oil, cyclo paraffin oil, naphthenic oil or synthetic hydrocarbon oil. The magnetorheological fluid includes thixotropic agent, carboxylate soap, antioxidant, lubricant, or viscosity modifier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - The substrate can be low or high temperature glass (preferably, a soda lime glass of melting point 550 degrees C and strain point approximately 520 degrees C), a ceramics material or a plastics material. A barrier layer, preferably silicon nitride, is provided between the thin silicon film and the glass substrate.At least one surface of the silicon film has a surface texture with features of height at least 0.8-1 times the average thickness of the film.The surface on which the film is formed is textured with surface features at least 0.2-2 times the average thickness of the film, and the heating step is controlled such that the texturing of the substrate is substantially unaltered and the silicon flows towards the valleys of the texturing, whereby the surface of the silicon film is flattened relative to the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin: The base film is fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, poly (meth)acrylic resin film, polyamide resin film or polyester resin film. The polypropylene group resin film contain homopolymer of propylene or copolymer of propylene and other monomer.Preferred Layer: The inorganic oxide contains bipolar membrane, multi-layered film or vapor deposition film of a different inorganic oxide. The polypropylene group resin is a dry laminate connected with adhesive. The laminate is formed by extrusion molding.Preferred Condition: The film thickness of inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is 50-4,000 Angstrom.Preferred Agent: The whitening agent contains white colored pigment.Preferred Absorber: The ultraviolet absorber contains benzophenone, benzotriazole, acrylonitrile, metallic complex, hindered amine, titanium oxide of particle diameter 0.01-0.06 or zinc oxide of 0.01-0.4 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The interconnection pattern is formed by coating the substrate with a first non-electrically conductive epoxy and forming the interconnection pattern by thick film printing techniques. A second non-electrically conductive epoxy is disposed on the non-electrically conductive areas.Preferred Components: The first and second epoxies, which are thermally conductive, have similar thermal expansion characteristics with the solar cell array. The substrate is a printed circuit board.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The current generation plant converts the line flow pressure of a water supply network into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The semiconductor material comprises a metal oxide, an acid reagent and a surfactant. The metal oxide is chosen from oxides of tin, titanium, zinc, tungsten, lead, iron, bismuth, vanadium, and complex oxides of iron and titanium or strontium and titanium. The acid reagent is inorganic acid, preferably hydrochloric acid. The surfactant is water or aqueous solutions. Preferred Compositions: The weight ratio of semiconductor material and surfactant ranges between 100:1-10:1, preferably 60:1-40:1. Preferred Properties: The thickness of polymer enclosing material is 18 mils and that of polyester polymer is 0.5-3 mils. The temperature resistance of polyester polymer is -72 to 204degreesC. The converting efficiency and standard output power of photovoltaic module are 13% or more and 15 W or more, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The polymeric enclosing material is ethylene vinyl acetate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The groove inside is buried by a metal film. Before contacting the salt or colloid of the metal to the photosensitive layer, the groove inside of the photosensitive layer is exposed. The silicone compound is of formula (I). R1-(-SiR2R3-O-)m-(-SiR4R5-O-)n-R6 (I)R1-6 = 1-10C aliphatic hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by halogen or glycidyl group, 6-12C aromatic hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by halogen or 1-8C alkoxy group;m and n = integers and m + n at least1.The electroless plating liquid contains metal ions of copper, nickel, palladium, gold, platinum or rhodium, and forms a metal film. The metal of lower standard ionization potential is gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. EXAMPLE - A network polysilane (100 weight parts) obtained from phenylmethyl-dichlorosilane, a silicone compound (50 weight parts) e.g. methylphenyl-methoxysilicone resin of molecular weight 930, photoradical generating agent (10 weight parts) such as 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(p-methoxyphenylvinyl)-1,3,5-triazine, and an oxidizing agent (15 weight parts) such as 3,3',4,4'-tetra-(t-butylperoxycarbonyl) benzophenone, are dissolved in toluene (1215 weight parts) to give a photosensitive resin composition. This is coated on a glass substrate having copper wiring to a thickness of 20mum and dried at 120degreesC for 10 minutes to form a photosensitive layer on a glass substrate. A photomask is arranged on this layer and it is exposed using UV light to give an exposed part of metal circuit pattern form.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The varnish layer is removed from the base metal surface after the base metal surface is etched.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: An anaphoretic varnish is used to form the varnish layer. It is made of copolymer(s) produced by copolymerization of methacrylic acid, 1-2C alkyl methacrylate (preferably methyl methacrylate), 3-10C alkyl (meth)acrylate (preferably butyl acrylate), and/or 2-4C hydroxyalkyl methacrylate (preferably 1-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate and/or 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate).Preferably, the copolymer is formed of 1-25 wt.% methacrylic acid, 20-80 wt.% 1-2C alkyl methacrylate, 1-50 wt.% 3-10C alkyl acrylate, and 0-20 wt.% 2-4C hydroxy alkyl methacrylate. It has a weight average molecular weight of 15000-100000 (preferably 50000-60000) g/mol, and an index of polydispersiveness of 1.5-3.5 (preferably 2.0-2.5).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The ablation amplifier is an aromatic carbonyl compound, a polycyclic hydrocarbon compound, a heterocyclic compound, or an aromatic nitro compound. Preferably, it is acetophenone, benzophenone, cinnamic acid, tropolone, diphenylbutadiene or its derivative, chrysene, diphenylfulvene, dipyridyl amine, phenoxazine, 2-phenyl benzimidazole, isoquinoline oxide, nitrophenole, nitroaniline, omega-nitrostyrene, or 1.5-dinitronaphthaline.Further, the anaphoretic varnish contains mono, di, trialkyl amines, monoethanolamine, morpholine, ammonia, and/or sodium hydroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The UV radiation is generated by a laser, preferably by an excimer laser.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The frontal sections are designed as extruded plastic sections.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The protective layer is made of material selected from the group of chromium, chrome alloys, nickel and cobalt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Atom A in formula (I) preferably has an ionic radius which is equal to or smaller than that of sodium, more preferably atom A is calcium, magnesium, lithium, potassium, and/or yttrium.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Specific examples of the hydrogen halide are hydrogen bromide (HBr) and hydrogen iodide (HI).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The inorganic of the sealing material is selected from the group comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate. Copolymer (EVA), an ethylene-methyl acetate copolymer (EMA), an ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer (EEA), an ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer (EMAGA), an ethylene-methacrylic-acid copolymer (EMAA) or ethylene-vinyl-acetate group of copolymers, ethylene-methyl acrylate group of copolymers, ethylene-ethylacrylate group of copolymers, and ethylene-methyl methacrylate group of copolymers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The organic resin compositions of the sealing inorganic material is specified to JIS K7210 standard.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred compound : The diamine is represented by general formula (1)A = single bond or 1-3C divalent hydrocarbon group ;B = -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO2-, single bond, -CO-NH-, -(CH2)n-, -C(CH3)2- or -C6H4- ;R = -C6H4-, -C6H4-O-C6H4-, single bond or 1-10C divalent hydrocarbonThe acid dianhydride is represented by general formula (2).Z = single bond or group selected from following group (a) ;y = single bond or group selected from the following group (b) ;n = 1 - 10Preferred film : The polyimide film ( thickness = 75 mum ) has a transmittance of 70 % or higher at 440 nm, and a break-strength of 2 N/mm or more. Preferred process : The imidization is carried out by heating the polyamide solution at 80 - 400 degreesC. EXAMPLE - A diamine represented by general formula (3) and an acid dianhydride represented by formula (4) were mixed, polymerized, imidized, dissolved in, coated on a substrate and dried to solidify so as to obtain a polyimide film having a transmittance of 78 % at 440 nm and a breaking strength of 5.2 N/mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The groove comprises first and second grooves separated by insulation walls (23a, 23b) made of an electrical insulation material (28). The anode and cathode current collectors (22, 27, 30, 36) further comprises connectors made of a conductor. A thin film solar cell is formed on the uppermost layer of the groove, for converting solar energy into an electrical energy to be charged into the thin film batteries (24-26, 32-34).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The insulation material is silicon dioxide, and/or silicon on glass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The insulation material can be tetraethylorthosilicate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: In step (2), the water is removed from the sludge by filtration, centrifugation, and/or drying.In step (4), the burning of the gases is carried out in a micro-turbine and the waste heat from the burning apparatus is used for drying digested sludge.The solid content of digested sludge is increased to about 50% by weight, preferably between 50-100%.Dewatered sludge is gasified by a reaction with an oxidant selected from oxygen, air and oxygen-enriched air under substoichiometric conditions at elevated temperatures.The temperature exceeds the melting temperature of a non-carbonaceous component of the dewater sludge, preferably between 1700-2800 degrees F.At least one additive between 1-20 wt.% of the total amount of non-carbonaceous material in the sludge is added to the sludge to reduce the melting temperature of the non-carbonaceous fraction of the sludge.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The solvent in silver-silicone paste is selected from toluene and xylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The self- extinguishing material is selected from hydroxides of aluminum or calcium, aluminum oxide, calcium sulfate, white vitriol, zinc phosphate, etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The derivative has the maximum absorption and light generation in the visible light area. The Tg of the derivative is 100-110 degreesC. The derivative is of formula (1) R1=hydrocarbon, R2-R5=H, or aliphatic hydrocarbonZ = thiazol ring.The derivative is prepared by reacting (II) and (III).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The vessel has transceiver data communications via the Internet and satellites for precise navigation and for docking with liquefied hydrogen energy cargo vessels; depots for liquefied hydrogen along shorelines of the oceans; a variable alternative for an eventual phasing out of dwindling fossil fuels; and a liquefied hydrogen fuel for electric power generating stations or airliner fuel. It forms one part of a three part complementary that includes a renewable energy vessel factory ship for the mass production and rescue of the energy harnessing vessels and shoreline hydrogen delivery robotic shuttles. It has ocean space stations for the eventual colonization and exploitation of the oceans. The ocean space stations are readily accessible by surface vessels and helicopters and provide the potential for an eventual golden age of prosperity worldwide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The first mechanism comprises a wind-driven propeller, a wind turbine or a water wheel, and rotates a shaft at 10-50 (20) rpm. The number of DC current generators is 10-50 (30). At least one AC current generator may also be present in the generator system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: Between steps (b) and (d), an intermediate step (c) comprises further growth of the skeleton by electrodeposition of silver, zinc, cadmium, nickel, or preferably copper or lead. In step (d), the further growth complies with the condition 0.5at most(a+b)/(c+d)at most5 where a+b is the further growth in the thickness direction of the skeleton and c+d is the further growth in the plane of the skeleton. The thickness of the skeleton is 10-45 mum. The diameter of the openings in the screen material is 50-100 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The corpuscle is a small ball, rod or plate having different sizes. The corpuscle has a photovoltaic surface and is light-active on one or both sides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The water-powered energy generation plant can be combined with a solar and/or a geothermal installation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The mirrored surface can be made from a foil or non-metal aluminized or silvered film such as Mylar, Kapton or Lucite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Production: comprises: (a) applying a silicone-based coating material formed by blending the silicone-based resin using the Si-O bond of formula (I) as its major skeleton with the composite oxide pigment having a particle diameter of 1 micrometers or less, 10-60 percent by mass, to the metal substrate; (b) burning the silicone-based coating material at 300-600 degrees C for 30-200 seconds; (c) forming the insulating film on the surface of the metal substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: A portion of flammable material is subjected to partial oxidation by supplying high temperature gasification gas containing water vapor and oxygen, prior to gasification process. The oxygen for partial oxidation process and for spouted bed gasification process, is synthesized by electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen using electric power which is generated from solar light.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises parabolic reflector (13) through which solar light is supplied into solar light heating chamber (14a) filled with bed material and into gasification reaction chamber (14b) containing bed material. Electrolysis of water is carried inside electrolytic bath and the oxygen produced by electrolysis is supplied to solar gasifier and char gasifier. A natural gas reformer for reforming synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and methanol synthesis apparatus for synthesizing methanol from mixed gas (synthesis gas) containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, are provided. A desulfurizing apparatus for removing sulfur content from synthesis gas is installed between solar gasifier and methanol synthesis apparatus.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The transformation material comprises n-type semiconductor comprising group VI, rare earth, alkali metal and alkaline earth metals; or p-type semiconductor comprising transition metal, group III metal and group IV elements.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The adhesive resin consists of an ethylene vinyl acetate resin. The expandable adhesive resin composition contains a pyrolytic foaming agent consisting of an azo compound, a nitroso compound, a hydrazine derivative, and/or bicarbonate.Preferred Component: The sealing film is provided between a transparent protective member at its top surface and a protective member at its bottom surface to seal a cell for the solar battery. At least one of the sealing film interposed between the cell and the protective member at the bottom surface or the sealing film interposed between the cell and the protective member at the top surface uses the sealing film described above.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metal composition includes silver, zinc, nickel, gold, palladium, chrome, indium, antimony, aluminum, germanium, phosphorus, silicon, beryllium, cadmium, tungsten, molybdenum and/or manganese.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Binder: The binder is chosen from thermosetting resin, thermoplastic resin, photo resist, electron beam setting resin and optical thermosetting resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred compounds: The thermo-element comprises bismuth-tellurium group semiconductor or bismuth, tellurium and X group semiconductor, where X is selenium, tin or their compounds, such as bismuth tellurium (Bi2Te3), tin selenium (Sb2Se3), tin tellurium (Sb2Te3) and bismuth selenium (Bi2Se3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Enhancement Characteristic: The enhancement characteristic comprises the apertures being of a diameter less than the wavelength of incident light, preferably 1-5 microns, more preferably around 1 micron. The enhancement characteristic may also comprise a pattern of periodic surface topography on at least one of the illuminated and non-illuminated surfaces of the first metallic electrode (106). The periodic surface topography may comprise a periodic array of dimples or surface corrugations surrounding each of the apertures. Both the illuminated and non-illuminated surfaces may comprise the enhancement characteristics.Preferred Spheres: The first portion (110) of the spheres (102) is one of a III-V or II-VI semiconductor and the second portion (112) is the other of the III-V or II-VI semiconductor, with appropriate doping. Alternatively, the first portion (110) is one of n or p type silicon and the second portion (112) is the other of the n or p type silicon. Preferably, the first portion (110) is an outer portion and the second portion (112) is an inner portion of the spheres.Preferred Device: A substantially transparent overlayer (124) is provided on the illuminated surface of the first metallic electrode (106). A medium, preferably an electrically conductive adhesive, is disposed between the electrodes and surrounding the spheres, for fixing the spheres to the first metallic electrode (106) and for providing electrical contact between the outer portion of the spheres and the first metallic electrode (106) and between the spheres. An underlayer (116) is fixed to the second electrode and can include a pressure sensitive adhesive backing on a free surface for applying the device to another surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The protective layer for absorbing stress, has JISA hardness of 50 or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The photoelectric conversion layer consists of semiconductor material containing optical sensitizing dye. The semiconductor material is porous titanium oxide. The conduction layer is formed from intermolecular electron donor-acceptor complex. The complex contains organic donor, preferably carbazole group donor and organic acceptor, preferably quinone group acceptor. Preferred Property: The thickness of hole carrying layer is less than 0.5 mum. The hole carrying layer contains organic polymeric hole transportation material such as organic polysilane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Net: The metal net is made of aluminum, nickel, platinum, chrome, gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium, tantalum and/or ruthenium. Preferred Film: The oxide semiconductor film is a titanium oxide or complex oxide of transparent conduction oxide (e.g. tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide or indium tin oxide) and oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metals: The electro-conductive mesh comprises aluminum, nickel, platinum, chromium, gold, silver, copper, iron, titanium, tantalum, ruthenium, and/or alloys.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The oxide semiconductor layer comprises titanium oxide, and is in the form of micro-particle aggregates, where the micro-particles contain transparent conductive oxides such as tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide and/or indium tin oxide (ITO).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The working fluid is ammonia, NH3 and the solution is a mixture of ammonia and water, NH3/H2O.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The segmented mirror is made of extruded foam, e.g. polystyrene. Its front is coated with reflective sheeting, its rear with a skin of fiber-reinforced plastic, e.g. of glass and polyester resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: Plasma treatment is performed using oxygen plasma treatment, argon plasma treatment, or carbon tetrachloride plasma treatment. It makes a root-mean-square of a surface roughness of the organic insulating at most1 nm. After plasma treatment, the conductive layers are further heat-treated at least 150 degrees C and at most 220 degrees C.Preferred Properties: The first transparent conductive layer has a crystal grain size of at least 20 nm and at most 50 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A cusp comprises a composite shell that evidences lightweight, high stiffness, and high thermal conductivity properties. It contains flexible electronic circuitry strips on its outer surfaces that conform to the surfaces for permitting nesting of cusps. The mirrored surfaces are protected with dielectric coating(s) from silica and titania, coated with indium tin oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The mirrored surfaces comprise aluminum or silver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The photovoltaic module converts incident electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy, e.g. for powering a building.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: One end of the uni-couple is established as a hot end and another end as a cold end. A load connection is included to each of the legs as an opposite end of the connection. It produces a current output. A thermal connection at the same end as the load connection provides thermal contact between the legs but electrical insulation between the legs. It is made of insulating material and plated with a conductive material. It is at the cold end. A bonding interface is included between the segments of each leg. It comprises an alloy including titanium or palladium. It has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to the materials of the segments. Preferred Ratio: A ratio between lengths of segments is approximately 0.5-3.3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Each leg includes at least one segment made of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) type material. The second leg includes a Skutterudite type material, preferably zinc antimonide (Zn4Sb3). The insulating material is alumina. The N type materials include cobalt antimonide (CoSb3). Preferred Ratio: A ratio between the materials is 0.6 for BiTe3 material, 0.5 for the Zn4Sb3 material, and 2.7 for the skutterudite material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Transducer: The transducer comprises a semi-conductor film carrying an azo colorant (1).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The particles sensitized by other metal complex or other organic colorants are used. The particles contain TiO2 as the essential component. The colorant is carried on the particles in the presence of a container compound. Preferred Definition: In (1), Ar1 is substituted by at least two of those groups. At least two substituents are located at neighboring positions on the aromatic ring. Ar2 is substituted by at least two or those groups.    EXAMPLE - Azo dye of formula (4) was dissolved in EtOH to form a solution of 3 x 10-4-5 x 10-4M. A porous base plate was treated in the solution and coated on a glass electrode. The base plate ( obtained by dispersing and treating TiO2 in nitric acid, coating on an electrode having at a thickness of 50 mum, baked at 450degreesC for 30 minutes. ) was impregnated at room temperature for 3 hours to over night to carry the azo dye to produce a transducer. A solar battery had a short circuit currency of 3.89 mA/cm2, a release voltage of 0.58 V and a transformation efficiency of 1.07%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The inorganic compound is adhered in the pores of the carrier. A precise conductive layer is formed on one surface of the support. The conductive layer is contacted with a base layer which consists of a transparent film. The electroconductive film is a high polymer film of thickness 30 microns or less or a drawn porous polytetrafluoroethylene. The inorganic compound is a binder resin or indium-stannic acid compound, antimony doped tin oxide, fluorine doped tin oxide or zinc oxide. Preferred Method: After applying the coating liquid on the porous support, drying is performed at 300degreesC or baking is performed at 150-300degreesC. EXAMPLE - A coating liquid containing polyvinyl butyral of average degree of polymerization 2000 and indium-stannic acid compound dispersed in alcoholic solvent, was coated on a porous support of film thickness 2 mum. Porosity and maximum pore size of the carrier was 70% and 1.1 microns respectively. Drying was performed at 150degreesC for 20 minutes, to obtain an electroconductive film of film thickness 125 microns. Surface resistivity of the film was evaluated and found to be 1.1x101 OMEGA/unit2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The metal filling element is copper (Cu), iron (Fe), or titanium (Ti). The Chevrel material includes units of Mo6Se8. Materials that scatter phonons are added to the Chevrel phase. The additional materials are Cu, nickel (Ni), Fe or Ti.Preferred Compound: The Chevrel phase material is of formula MxMo6X8 or MxRe6Te15 (where M is Cu, silver, Ni or Fe, or rare earth, and X is sulfur, selenium (Se), or tellurium (Te)).The material is CuxMo6Se8, Cu/FexMo6Se8, or TixMo6Se8. It is preferably Cu4Mo6Se8 or TiMo6Se8.Preferred Configuration: The thermoelectric material includes an Mo6 (molybdenum) octahedron cluster surrounded by 8 chalcogens arranged in a distorted cube. The Mo6Se8 units are stacked leaving empty channels where additional metal atoms can be inserted. They are stacked with areas optimized for thermoelectric operation. The Chevrel phase is a rhombohedral Chevrel phase. The metal filling atoms fill voids in the rhombohedral structure.Preferred Composition: The Chevrel material is 97% single phase material.Preferred Property: The material is semiconducting. The Chevrel phase material has a cluster valence electron count of 3.3-4. The cluster valence electron quotient is calculated by adding the valence electrons of M atoms to the valence electrons of the Mo atoms, subtracting the number of electrons required to fill the octets of the chalcogen atoms and dividing by the number of Mo atoms. The additional materials result in a room temperature lattice thermal conductivity value of 10 mW/cmK.Preferred Process: The Chevrel phase materials are formed by mixing materials form a crystal, and annealing the materials to form close to a single phase material. The method involves controlling a thermal parameter that measures the ability of the filling material to rattle inside the voids in the crystal material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is further provided to another surface of co-extrusion resin layer (5). The polyolefin group resin layer is a linear low density polyethylene group resin layer. The co-extrusion layer which comprises a polyethylene resin layer and cyclic polyolefin resin layer is laminated to the base film through an adhesive layer or a primer agent layer by dry lamination method. The co-extrusion resin layer is laminated to the base film through an anchor-coat agent layer or primer agent layer by melting extrusion lamination method.Preferred Base Film: The base film is fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin type resin film, polycarbonate group resin film, poly (meth) acrylic type resin film, polyamide group resin film or polyester group resin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is a multilayered film of one or two layers or two or more layers.Preferred Thickness: The vapor deposition film has thickness of 50-4000 Angstrom.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Production: The production of the substrate comprises:(A) forming the polyimide film through:(a) reacting 4,4'-diamino benzanilide with an acid dianhydride, 95-99.9 percent by mol for the 4,4'-diamino benzanilide in an aprotic polar solvent to form a polyamic acid having an amine terminal;(b) providing a diamine and an acid dianhydride to the polyamic acid during the reaction to extend a molecular chain to uniformly extend the polyamic acid, obtaining a self-supporting gel film;(c) applying thermal or chemical dehydrating ring closure to the gel film with gel film fixing;(d) drawing the gel film to 1.05-2.0 times in the film transporting direction and the direction orthogonally intersecting the film transporting direction;(B) forming the metal electrode on the surface of the polyimide film;(C) forming the amorphous silicon layer on metal electrode; and(D) forming the transparent electrode on the amorphous silicon layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Bonding: The converter is bonded to an optical focusing part using silicone, epoxy or similar resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The partially saturated metal solution is contacted to semiconductor raw material and the base material with coarse crystal plane is turned down to maintain in horizontal position. Subsequently, the super saturated metal solution is contacted with semiconductor raw material. The separator layer is formed by performing the anodization of portion(s) of first semiconductor layer. The separator layer is also formed by carrying out the ion implantation of hydrogen or noble gas. The first semiconductor layer on the crystal base material is separated. The partially saturated metal solution is contacted with the base material and liquid phase epitaxial growth is performed. A second semiconductor layer is formed on base material and several semiconductor layers differing in conductivity is formed. The third semiconductor layer is separated from the single crystal base material. The third layer serves as photoelectric conversion area. Preferred Properties: The surface mean roughness of the coarse crystal plane in the base material by liquid phase growth method is 0.5 microns or more. The junction portion of semiconductor member is p-n type junction portion. The first semiconductor layer has conductivity similar to base material and has resistance higher than the base material. The surface of single crystal base material after isolation process is wrapped.Preferred Base: The coarse crystal plane of the base material has a surface in which mirror surface polishing is not performed and porous area is exposed.Preferred Layer: An insulating surface is formed between the second semiconductor layer and second member side.Preferred Condition: The temperature of partially saturated metal solution formed on the semiconductor membrane is raised from 5-100 degreesC.Preferred Metal: The metal solution is obtained from indium, gallium, tin, aluminum, copper, zinc or their mixtures.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The base film (1) or (3) consists of fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin-type resin film, polycarbonate-type resin film, poly(meth)acrylic acid-type resin film, polyamide-type resin film or polyester-type resin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layers: The shading film consists of shading property vapor-deposited aluminum film or colored shading property film.The film (4) is composite film or multi-layer film of one inorganic oxide film, or two or more different kinds of inorganic oxide.Preferred Property: The thickness of vapor deposited aluminum film is 100-4000 Angstrom, and the thickness of film (4) is 50-4000 Angstrom.Preferred Arrangement: Alternatively, the protective film is obtained by laminating base film (1) provided with shading film (2) and base film (3) provided with inorganic oxide film (4) such that the two base films form the top and bottom surfaces.The lamination is performed by dry laminate method through an adhesive layer, or a primer agent layer and an adhesive layer. Alternatively, the lamination is performed by melting extrusion lamination method through melting extrusion resin layer. The adhesive layer or melting extrusion resin layer contains ultraviolet absorber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Suitable materials for tile construction include any of the various compositions of glass, plastic, or other materials, such as less thanTMmore than TEFLON less than/TMmore than (RTM, polytetrafluoroethylene), less thanTMmore than TEDLAR less than/TMmore than (RTM, polyvinyl fluoride), less thanTMmore than KAPTON less than/TMmore than (RTM, polyimide film), less thanTMmore than LEXAN less than/TMmore than (RTM, polycarbonate), annealed or tempered glass, such as less thanTMmore than PYREX less than/TMmore than (RTM, borosilicate glass), less thanTMmore than BOROFLOAT less than/TMmore than (TM, borosilicate float glass) or combinations thereof.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The glare-resistant film contains at least one of organic material particles and inorganic material particles, and an organic material binder containing:(a) 100 parts by weight (pbw) of a first component containing at least one of an acryl-based resin and a fluorine-based resin; and(b) at least 1 pbw and less than 50 pbw of a second component comprising an organosilicate containing a hydrolyzing silyl group of formula (I) and/or its condensate.(R1O)4-a-Si-R2a (I)R1 = alkyl;R2 = alkyl or alkoxyl; anda = an integer of 0 or 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - The substrate can be low or high temperature glass (preferably, a soda lime glass of melting point 550 degrees C and strain point approximately 520 degrees C), a ceramics material or a plastics material. A barrier layer, preferably silicon nitride, is provided between the thin silicon film and the glass substrate.At least one surface of the silicon film has a surface texture with features of height at least 0.8-1 times the average thickness of the film.The surface on which the film is formed is textured with surface features at least 0.2-2 times the average thickness of the film, and the heating step is controlled such that the texturing of the substrate is substantially unaltered and the silicon flows towards the valleys of the texturing, whereby the surface of the silicon film is flattened relative to the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The filler layer of battery element contains ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin: The base film is fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin, polycarbonate resin, poly (meth)acrylic resin film, polyamide resin film or polyester resin film. The polypropylene group resin film contain homopolymer of propylene or copolymer of propylene and other monomer.Preferred Layer: The inorganic oxide contains bipolar membrane, multi-layered film or vapor deposition film of a different inorganic oxide. The polypropylene group resin is a dry laminate connected with adhesive. The laminate is formed by extrusion molding.Preferred Condition: The film thickness of inorganic oxide vapor deposition film is 50-4,000 Angstrom.Preferred Agent: The whitening agent contains white colored pigment.Preferred Absorber: The ultraviolet absorber contains benzophenone, benzotriazole, acrylonitrile, metallic complex, hindered amine, titanium oxide of particle diameter 0.01-0.06 or zinc oxide of 0.01-0.4 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The interconnection pattern is formed by coating the substrate with a first non-electrically conductive epoxy and forming the interconnection pattern by thick film printing techniques. A second non-electrically conductive epoxy is disposed on the non-electrically conductive areas.Preferred Components: The first and second epoxies, which are thermally conductive, have similar thermal expansion characteristics with the solar cell array. The substrate is a printed circuit board.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The current generation plant converts the line flow pressure of a water supply network into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The solar battery module uses the sealing material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The lens is preferably made from a polyacrylate or polycarbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The lens is preferably made from a polyacrylate or polycarbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The semiconductor material comprises a metal oxide, an acid reagent and a surfactant. The metal oxide is chosen from oxides of tin, titanium, zinc, tungsten, lead, iron, bismuth, vanadium, and complex oxides of iron and titanium or strontium and titanium. The acid reagent is inorganic acid, preferably hydrochloric acid. The surfactant is water or aqueous solutions. Preferred Compositions: The weight ratio of semiconductor material and surfactant ranges between 100:1-10:1, preferably 60:1-40:1. Preferred Properties: The thickness of polymer enclosing material is 18 mils and that of polyester polymer is 0.5-3 mils. The temperature resistance of polyester polymer is -72 to 204degreesC. The converting efficiency and standard output power of photovoltaic module are 13% or more and 15 W or more, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The polymeric enclosing material is ethylene vinyl acetate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conditions: The solvent is heated to at least 100degreesC, preferably 100-250degreesC, and exposed to a pressure of 1 atmosphere.Preferred Process: One portion of mixture of water and optionally substituted polythiophene, is added to at least two portions, preferably 5-10000000 portions of heated solvent per minute as a flow stream and/or aerosol. Addition of mixture is continuous or discontinuous. The mixture is added to the solvent as a discontinuous flow stream or as drops. The mixture is dispersed along the surface of a heated solvent, such that contact between mixture and heated solvent is increased. The mixture is added below the surface of the heated solvent. The solvent is water-soluble, or partially or fully insoluble in water. Water vapor removed from the mixture is a condensate or distillate, and less than 100% (w/v), preferably 50-100% (w/v) of water is removed from the mixture.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polythiophene: The polythiophene is of formula (II).R3 and R4 = hydrogen or 1-6C alkyl group, or together form an optionally substituted 1-6C radical or cyclohexylene-1,2 radical; andn1 = more than 1.The polythiophene is preferably poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The solvent is dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, ethylene glycol, glycerin or dimethyl sulfoxide.    EXAMPLE - 10504 ml of N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) was heated, and contacted with 3000 ml of Baytron P until desired portion of water was removed as vapor, and NMP exchanged triton AO resistant conductive polymer composition was prepared. A conductive polymer composition was spin coated onto a glass substrate to form a conductive coating. The conductive coating had better light transmission and lower surface resistance than Baytron P coating.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The soft pocket comprises an alkaline-resistant reinforced fabric selected from vinylon, nylon, polypropylene and polyethylene. The alkaline-resistant coating on the fabric is selected from the group consisting of neoprene, polypropylene, polyethylene and PVC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte is selected from potassium and sodium hydroxides and sodium chloride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The resin capacitor sealing plate is thermoplastic resin containing polyphenylene sulfide resin/liquid crystal polyester resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred adhesive: The adhesive synthetic fiber contains adhesion component selected from group comprising polyolefin type resin, modified polyester resin, acrylic resin and ethylene or vinyl alcohol copolymer resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The ionic liquid is stable in the presence of water, and the conjugated polymer is stable in the presence of the ionic liquid. The ionic liquid is stable for voltages applied between the conjugates polymer electrode and the second electrode at -3-+3V relative to a standard hydrogen electrode.Preferred Component: The electrochemical device includes an electronic power supply (20) for applying a voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The anion is fluoride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, N(CN)2-, RSO3- (R = optionally substituted alkyl, or Ph), (CF3)2PF4-, (CF3)3PF3-, (CF3)4PF2-, (CF3)5PF-, (CF3)6P-, (CF2SO3-)2, (CF2CF2SO3-)2, (CF3SO2)2N-, CF3CF2(CF3)2CO-, (CF3SO2)2CH-, (SF5)3C-, (CF3SO2)3C-, (O(CF3)2C2(CF3)2O)2PO-, or CF3(CF2)7SO3-.The cation can be pyridinium ions, pyridazinium ions, pyrimidinium ions, pyrazinium ions, imidazolium ions, pyrazolium ions, thiazolium ions, oxazolium ions, triazolium ions, ammonium ions, pyrrolidinium ions, pyrrolinium ions, pyrrolium ions, or piperidinium ions.The counter electrode comprises a metal electrode that is lithium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The conjugated polymer is polyphenylene, polyphenylenevinylene, polyphenylenesulfide, polyfluorene, poly(p-pyridine), poly(p-pyridalvinylene), polypyrrole, polyaniline, polythiopene, polythiophenevinylene, polyfuran, polyacetylene, or their derivatives, or phenylene, phenylenevinylene, phenylenesulfide, fluorene, p-pyridine, p-pyridalvinylene, pyrrole, aniline, thiophene, thiophenevinylene, furan, acetylene, or their derivatives.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The ionic liquid further comprises an organic cosolvent which can be cyclic ethers, esters, carbonates, lactones, nitriles, amides, sulfones, or sulfolanes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred method: The polymerization is carried out in the presence of a dispersant and a dispersion stabilizer.Preferred materials: The water has at most 20 ppb TOC and/or at most 0.1 muS/cm electrical conductivity. EXAMPLE - 740 g paraffin wax (containing 10 ppm oxidation inhibitor), 60 l ultrapure water (TOC = 15 ppb; electrical conductivity = 0.08 muS/cm) and 190 g ammonium perfluorooctanate were put in to a polymerization tank, degassed, heated to 70degreesC, TFE supplied at 1.86 MPa, a solution of 7.5 g disuccinic acid peroxide in 1 l water added under stirring, polymerized 30 min, a solution of 300 g ammonium perfluorooctanate in 1 l water added, polymerized 30 min, heated to 80degreesC, when 25 kg TFE had been added the supply and stirring were stopped (total time = 122 min), to gave an aq. dispersion of TFE polymer. This was agglomerated, and the polymer separated and dried at 160degreesC, to give a fine powder with 2.162 standard specific gravity, compared to 2.171 for a comparative example prepared using water with 540 ppm TOC and 3.1 muS/cm electrical conductivity (polymerization time = 247 min).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The coolant is an aqueous solution of 1-100 (preferably 55-85) vol.% of 1,3-propanediol.The coolant has a freezing point of -40degreesC. EXAMPLE - A coolant solution of 1,3-propanediol (50 vol.%) and water (50 vol.%) were tested for corrosion of an aluminum for 10, 20, and 30 days, respectively, at an elevated temperature of 149degreesC. Initially, weight loss and conductivity were 0, and pH was 6.55. The results after 10, 20, and 30 days showed a pH 5.34, 4.6, 4.99; and conductivity of 9, 9, and 14, respectively. No weight loss was observed and there was also no damage to the specimen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The hydrogen occlusion and releasing material contains benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthrenes, and their alkyl substitution products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The hydrogen storage and supply apparatus further contains a control unit (106) for controlling injection conditions, and a filter (76).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The organic compound is benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthracene or their alkyl substituted products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Components: At least part of edges of the hexagonal carbon layers is exposed at the small ring ends. The coaxial stacking morphology of the truncated conical tubular graphene layers has a shape of a hollow core with no bridge. An outer surface of the carbon fiber is formed of the large ring ends stacked in the axial direction. Exposed part of the edges of the hexagonal carbon layers has an area at least2% of an area of the outer surface.The outer surface includes a smooth surface formed of the large ring ends positioned regularly. The catalytic metal is supported on the smooth surface. Positions of the large ring ends forming the outer surface may be irregular. The outer surface has minute irregularity at the level of atoms. The catalytic metal may be supported on the irregular outer surface. Grooves may be formed in the outer surface and the catalytic metal is supported in the grooves.An inner surface of the carbon fiber is formed of the small ring ends stacked in the axial direction. The inner surface includes a smooth surface formed of the small ring ends positioned regularly and the catalytic metal is supported on the smooth surface.Positions of the small ring ends forming the inner surface may be irregular. The inner surface has minute irregularity at the level of atoms and the catalytic metal is supported on the irregular inner surface. Grooves may be formed in the inner surface and the catalytic metal is supported in the grooves.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The catalytic metal is platinum and/or platinum alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The added metal is at least1 of a metal of Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 and Group 13. Specific metal are Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, Al and/or Ga. A heater can be provided in the cassette.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The carbon dioxide produced in steps (b) and (c) can be recycled for use in step (a). Step (c) can be replaced with a step comprising reacting B2O3 with methane and X2 to obtain BX3, CO2 and H2. Steps (d)-(h) can be replaced by steps (d2), which involve reacting the BX3 with H2 to obtain B2H6 and HX, and (e2) reacting B2H6 with the Y2O to obtain YBH4 and YBO2. The HX produced in step (g) may be further reacted with O2 and copper-containing compound (CuX) to produce X2 and water. The obtained X2 can be recycled for use in step (c). The BX3 of step (g) maybe hydrogenated with an aldehyde consisting of formaldehyde, benzaldehyde and/or acetaldehyde. The BX3 and YHCO3 can also be obtained by reacting a borate ore of formula Y2B2O4 with CO2 and H2O to obtain YHCO3 and boron hydroxide B(OH)3; and reacting the B(OH)3 with HX to obtain BX3 and H2O. The B2O3 and YHCO3 can also be obtained by reacting a borate ore of formula Y2B2O4 with CO2 and water. Preferred Definitions:    Y = H, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, NH4+, TI or alkaline earth metal;    X = F, Cl, Br, I, At, -OH, 1-4C alkoxide, O, S, Se, Te, Po, -SR, -SeR or -TeR.    When Y is an alkaline earth metal, the YBO2, YHCO3, Y2O, YH, YHBX3 and YBH4 are replaced with Y(BO2)2, Y(HCO3)2, YO, YH2, Y(HBX3)2 and Y(BH4)2, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The membrane has a carbon monoxide tolerance of at least 500 ppm.Preferred Components: The dopant includes zeolites, diatomaceous earth, oxides of titanium, silicon, aluminum, or their mixtures. It can be titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, alumino silicates, silicon tetraoxide, silicon oxide polymer, or their mixtures. It can be diatomaceous earth or titania. The oxides comprise zeolite including ZSM-5, 4A, Y, A, or N, preferably ZSM-5 zeolite. The oxide source includes diatomaceous earth, zeolite, titania, silica, alumina, or siloxane polymers. EXAMPLE - Preformed Aciplex 1004 PFSAs, Nafion 115, Nafion 112, and Nafion 105 were pre-treated by refluxing in a 50:50 mixture of water and concentrated nitric acid (70.8%) for 6-8 hours, followed by a 50:50 mixture of water and concentrated sulfuric acid (95-98%) for 6-8 hours to remove trace metal impurities. The membranes were refluxed in deionized water until the pH of the water was at least 6.5 indicating that all excess acid was removed from the membrane, after which the membranes were dried for 24 hours in a vacuum oven at 100 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell stack comprises solid oxide fuel cells. It also comprises proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The reformer is a steam reformer and/or a partial oxidation reformer. The fuel cell system further comprises a reservoir in fluid communication with the air conditioning system and the reformer.Preferred Process: The process further comprises collecting the condensate in the reservoir. The condensate is purified in the reservoir. The air conditioning system is controlled to optimize production of condensate. A flow of air into the air conditioning system is adjusted. A speed of a blower in the air conditioning system is adjusted.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The porous flow channels have porous foam media selected from a group of high alloy stainless steel, high alloy nickel, titanium based alloy and FeCrAIY.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Hydride: The liquid metal hydride is a complex metal-hydride solution which dissolved an alkaline-water solution and the complex metal-hydride solution is neutralized with an acid as a hydrogen generator promoter to generate hydrogen. The metal hydride is solid and is a particle, crushed substance, or solid which can be crushed mechanically. The covering substances which covers the metal hydride is crushed mechanically and is made to melt by supplying heat. Preferred Compound: The hydrogen generation promoter is fluid, preferably liquid and the hydrogen generating promoter is water, water-soluble substance, or an alcohol containing liquid. The hydrogen generating promoter is stored by using a covering substances, such as capsule or a film. Preferred Components: The ischesis portion separates metal hydride, hydrogen generating promoter and produced hydrogen. The contact portion having the hydrogen generating promoter is provided on outside of the storage container. A flow regulator is provided between the contact portions of the storage portion of liquid metal hydride and hydrogen generation promoter, along a longitudinal path. The solid metal hydride is conveyed by solid feed driving unit such as feeder and hydrogen generation amount is adjusted based on the conveyance amount. A unit for breaking the covering substances is provided in the storage circles of the hydrogen generation promoter, or in the path on the upstream side.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Tetrahydronaphthalene and/or decahydronaphthalene is generated in the regeneration tank and supplied to the storage tank.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst comprises a carbon supported platinum catalyst, a carbon supported platinum-iridium bimetallic catalyst, a carbon supported platinum rhenium bimetallic catalyst and/or a carbon supported platinum tungsten bimetallic catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The solid particles comprising iron are dispersed in the molten metal mixture. The method also includes the step of extracting water from the hydrogen-containing gas stream, the step of contacting the iron oxide with a reductant to reduce the iron oxide back to iron, and the step of adding a flux to the molten metal mixture to promote the formation of a slag layer (406) over the molten metal mixture. The steam contacting step comprises injecting steam into the molten metal mixture using a top-submerged lance (408).Preferred Condition: The molten metal mixture is at 895-1134, lower than 1538, not more than 1400, 1134-1300 or 1200-1300degrees C during the steam contacting step.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The molten metal mixture may also comprise a second reactive or diluent metal. The first diluent metal is tin (preferred), copper, or nickel. The hydrogen-containing gas comprises at least 30 vol.% hydrogen gas.The flux comprises silicon dioxide, iron (II) oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium oxide, and/or potassium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer in the dried anode catalyst coat is 50 +/- 10 vol.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Method: The solution is agitated by sonication.Preferred Component: The spray is a pressurized air spray. It spray is generated by an ultrasonic nozzle.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The imidazolium salt is 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: Dechlorination of the polyolefin group plastic is performed between pretreatment process and thermal decomposition process to remove chlorine. Primary catalyst decomposition is performed by supplying a primary catalyst (21) to the thermal decomposition process. The high boiling point component separated is returned to thermal decomposition process. The gaseous phase is separated at the vapor liquid separation process by low temperature processing and the liquid phase is separated at the vapor liquid separation process by distillation.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The recycle apparatus further has a dechlorination apparatus provided between preprocessor and thermal decomposition tank, gas separator (24) to separate the gaseous phase into 2-4C olefin gas and hydrogen, and distillation column (18) to separate the liquid phase into benzene, toluene and xylene. The dechlorination apparatus heats the polyolefin group plastic and removes chlorine. The thermal decomposition gas is supplied to the catalyst decomposition portions (I,II) arranged in parallel, through a distribution controlling valve.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The resin comprises triethylene glycol dimethacrylate and an initiator, preferably 2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'-azodipropionitrile, 1,1'-azobis(1-cyclohexanecarbonitrile) and/or azobisisobutyronitrile. EXAMPLE - (In %). An expanded and partially recompressed graphite sheet with a thickness of 0.25 mm was impregnated with a resin comprising triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (99.2), 2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'-azodipropionitrile (0.3) and 1,1'-azobis(1-cyclohexanecarbonitrile) (0.5). The sheet was immersed in the resin for 1 hour, wiped dry, and cured at 100degreesC for 30 minutes. The product had an electrical resistance of 0.1 mOMEGA and a helium permeability of 0.01 mg/m2.sec, compared with 1.5 mg/m2.sec without impregnation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition may further contain alcohol or ether.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The gas diffusion layer consists of an electroconductive carbon fiber sheet.The plate (19) consists of carbon particle, mixture of carbon fiber and resin, or elastomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The noble metal used to coat the surface of passive metal is chosen from a group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium, copper and nickel. The passive state metal is chosen as either stainless steel containing chromium, pure titanium or titanium-based alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The thin metal sheet comprises lead and silver. The spirally wound electrode is selected from lead, silver, zinc and nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Gasket Material: The gaskets comprise fluoroelastomer material, fluorocarbon, fluorosilicone material, or material selected from group of nitrile, buna-n, silicone, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process Producing hydrogen by partially oxidizing hydrocarbon fuels comprises partially oxidizing hydrocarbon fuel using an oxygen-rich gas flow, reacting the obtained carbon monoxide using water vapor and separating the hydrogen using a membrane. The pressure in the first reactor is 15 bar and the temperature rises to 600degreesC. The pressure in the second reactor is 2-15 bar. A third reactor ensures conversion of the CO of 70-99 wt.% and contains a catalyst of Cu and ZnO supported on alumina operating at 50-300degreesC. EXAMPLE - The yield of hydrogen using the reactor was 72% when the fuel was methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Glycol: The alkylene glycol is monoethylene glycol.Preferred Compositions: The concentrates are diluted with deionized water to give ready-to-use compositions comprising (by wt.) alkylene glycol or derivative (10-90%); water (10-90%); and Si from (I) (2-2000, especially 25-500, ppm). Preferred Definitions:    R1-R4 = identical 1-4C alkyl or -(CH2CH2O)n-R5;    R5 = H or 1-2C alkyl; and    n = 1-3.    EXAMPLE - Tests with a coolant as per WO 00/17951 (i.e. monoethylene glycol (60 volume %) and water (40 volume %)) showed an increase of electrical conductivity after 42 days from 0.8 to 36.2 muS/cm whereas when tetraethoxysilane (742 ppm wt.) was added the increase was only to 3.0 muS/cm. Likewise, corrosion wt. loss for Al was reduced, being 0.04 mg/cm2 for the coolant of WO 00/17951 but only 0.02 mg/cm2 for the new composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Primary Fuel: The primary fuel contains methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, ethylene glycol and/or glycerine.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Auxiliary Fuel: The auxiliary fuel contains lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, dimethyl aminoborane, sodium aluminum hydride, diborane, sodium cyanoborohydride, calcium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium hydride, potassium hydride and/or sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxo) dihydridaluminate.Preferred Fuel Cell: The cell also includes an electrolyte with a pH above 7 (preferably about 8) e.g. 6M KOH aqueous solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The system further comprises a reactor heater; and a combustion catalyst in contact with the interior side of the conduit wall. A gap space of 0.05-1.0 inch exists between the reaction catalyst coating and the membrane. The space comprises a laminar flow disruptor, preferably a packing, particulate, mesh wire, wool, granule, pellet or fluidized catalyst. A heat transfer fin is in thermal contact with the heat conduit and/or membrane. The fin is coated with a reaction catalyst. It may have a gas communication aperture. A combustion catalyst is on an exterior wall of a feed tube. The reactor has a flow disruptor, preferably dimple, protrusion, packing, mesh wire, wool, granulate, pellet catalyst, fluidized catalyst, baffle, or curved membrane. A sweep gas flows through the heater. A feed liquid compressor conveys the mixed gas flow through the portal into the reactor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst coating comprises a methanol reforming catalyst or an ammonia cracking catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: At least one of the first and second valves includes a reverse-flow preventing device that inhibits the hydrogen gas from flowing from the fuel cell toward the storage device. The pump is driven at a first speed for circulating the hydrogen gas and is driven at a second speed higher than the first speed for drawing the hydrogen gas out of the storage device. A pressure-reducing device between the outlet of the storage device and the first point in the first passage reduces pressure of the hydrogen gas discharged from the storage device. A fourth passage (409) extends from a particular point in the first passage between the pressure-reducing device and the inlet of the fuel cell toward an outside of the vehicle. A relief valve (416) in the fourth passage permits and inhibits flow of gas upon opening and closing, respectively. When a pressure of the hydrogen gas in a portion of the first passage between the pressure-reducing device and the fuel cell is higher than a reference pressure, the relief valve is opened to discharge hydrogen gas from the first passage to the outside of the vehicle through the fourth passage. A gas-liquid separator (406) in at least one of the first and second passages separates moisture contained in the hydrogen gas discharged from the fuel cell into a liquid component and a gaseous component and remove only the liquid component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: When the capacity of the positive electrode active material is at least 120 mAh/g, the capacity of the negative electrode active material is 480-600 mAh/g. When the capacity of the positive electrode active material is 120-160 mAh/g, the capacity of the negative electrode active material is at least 400 mAh/g. When the capacity of the positive electrode active material is at least 160 mAh/g, the capacity of the negative electrode active material is 280-370 mAh/g. Preferred Components: The battery further comprises a separator and an electrolyte, which contains lithium salt as electrolytic salt.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The positive electrode active material is complex oxide containing lithium metal of formula LixMO2-delta.M = Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, Fe, V and/or Al;x = 0.4-1.1; anddelta = 0-0.1.The negative electrode active material is a carbon material, preferably coke, graphite, artificial graphite, hard-graphitizable carbon, or low temperature baked carbon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The separator is a sheet made of a polyolefin porous organic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The polyolefinic polymer is polyethylene having weight average molecular weight of 500000. The separator has reduction rate of piercing strength of 10% or less, measured using a pressurization needle with end diameter of 0.5 mm, during frame fixing of separator circumference and preserving for 3 days at 130 degrees Celsius.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polyarylene sulfide is poly-o-phenylene sulfide (PPS). The liquid crystalline plastics material (LCP) is a thermoplastic, e.g. polyterephthalate, PET-LCP, PBT-LCP, poly(m-phenyleneisophthalimide), PMPI-LCP, poly(p-phenylenephthalimide), PPTA-LCP, polyacrylate, PAR-LCP,polyester carbonate, PEC-LCP, polyazomethine, polythioester, polyesteramide, polyesterimide, or their mixtures. The LCP is one or more fully aromatic esters. The LCP is based on p-hydroxybenzoic acid, a co-polyester or copolyester amide. The LCP and/or polyarylene sulfide contains: additives and strengthening materials, e.g. fibers, especially glass-, carbon-, aramide- or mineral fibers, processing aids, a slide material (), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW), PTFE, or a graft-copolymer, which is the product of a grafting reaction involving an olefin polymer and an acrylonitrile/styrene copolymer, antioxidants, an adhesion aid, a nucleating agent, a mold opening adjuvant, glass beads, mineral fillers, such as chalk, Ca carbonate, Wollastonite, SiO2, talc, mica, montmorillonite, optionally organically modified, an optionally organically modified silicate layer, forming a nanocomposite with the LCP or polyarylene sulfide, nylon-nanocomposite, or their mixtures. EXAMPLE - The permeation coefficient of plastics film specimens for hydrogen permeation at 40 and 150 degreesC were obtained using as LPC p-hydroxybenzoic acid and Vestra A950 (RTM) (4-hydroxybenzoic acid based copolyester), and, for example Fortron 0320CO (RTM)(polyphenylene sulfide). The hydrogen gas permeation rate with the above LCP was 80 as against 11000 cm 3/(m squared.dbar) for the non-LCP polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The reducing gas comprises hydrogen based fuel containing hydrogen and argon or nitrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The carrier liquid comprises an organic liquid such as light mineral oil, and hydrocarbon such as alkane chosen from pentane and hexane.Preferred Composition: The composition contains at least 40 weight% (wt.%), preferably more than 90 wt.% of chemical hydride. The composition contains 90-95 wt.% of oil coated chemical hydride particles. The composition comprises 5-10 wt.% of oil.Preferred Properties: The carrier liquid has viscosity of about 32-100, preferably 42-59 Saybolt Universal seconds (S.U.S) at standard temperature and pressure. The carrier liquid exhibits a flash point at preferably 154-177 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The reservoir comprising chemical hydride is canister. The mechanism configured to introduce reactants comprises conduits that have open delivery ends arranged to introduce the reactant (water) to respective selective portion of the chemical hydride. The conduits are parallely arranged or located at different distances along an axis of the reservoir. The mechanism can be moved relative to the chemical hydride contained in the reservoir. The conduit comprise needles, and a valving system. The reactor of hydrogen fuel generation assembly comprises a mixer. The fuel generation assembly further comprises a power-producing device chosen from fuel cell, internal combustion engine and external combustion engine; and conduit unit for conveying condensed water from fuel cell to reservoir. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The chemical hydride is a light metal hydride chosen from lithium hydride, lithium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium hydride, sodium borohydride, sodium aluminum hydride, magnesium hydride and calcium hydride, especially lithium or magnesium hydride. The dispersant is triglyceride of oleic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Assembly: The sunroof assembly further comprises a charge regulator that monitors the charge on the battery (26) and detects when the battery has reached a maximum desired power, and when the battery has reached the maximum desired power the regulator prevents the solar cell array (28) from supplying any more power to the battery and the charge regulator prevents current flow from the battery to the solar cell array. The self-contained power supply unit comprises several batteries. The sunroof assembly is a spoiler or a slide-tilt sunroof.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The solar cell array is made of at least one thin film amorphous silicon cell. The window comprises two layers of glass, between which the solar cell array is laminated.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solar cell array is laminated to an underside of the window and encapsulated with polyurethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Hydride: The metal hydride is preferably sodium hydride, magnesium hydride, and/or calcium hydride.Preferred Reducing Atmosphere: The reducing atmosphere preferably contains at least 10 vol.% hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The hydrogen atmosphere is formed by release of hydrogen from degraded alloy. The water formed during reduction reaction is removed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst active ingredient comprises ruthenium, rhodium, iridium and/or nickel. The heat-resistant oxide comprises oxide of lanthanum, alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal. The co-catalyst component contains 1-50 weight% heat-resistant oxide and 0.1-20 wt.% of catalyst active ingredient. Preferred Process: The hydrocarbon modification reaction is performed along with partial oxidation. Heat balance is maintained using the heat energy produced by partial oxidation, as internal heat source.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The metal component is accommodated in a cartridge container in a vacuum or inert atmosphere during hydrogen generation. Water vapor is sprayed on the metal fine component during hydrogen generation.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The metal fine component is a filament or a porous component, containing iron, aluminum or titanium.Preferred Process: The redox process is carried out using a rich fuel, in a reducing furnace of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The oxidized metal fine component is used as a catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch method. The hydrogen-energy generation system regenerates the metal fine components, by gas atomization method or melt quench method. The hydrogen generated from the system is used as gasification atmosphere of Hynol process method.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Material: The separator is a non-woven fabric which is formed using polyolefin group resin. The non-woven fabric is uniformly heated to 120 degrees C or more using wet heating system and pressurized at 0.05-50 kPa. The separator contains 1x10 power minus 3 - 1x10 power minus 1 mol/square m of non-neutralized acid radicals after immersing in alkali liquid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polyolefin type resin consists of 20 weight % or less of low density polyethylene and polypropylene as the major constituent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The uniform heat processing is performed by a wet heating system. The uniformly heated non-woven fabric is pressurized at 0.05-50 kPa.Preferred Properties: The separator has piercing strength of 5 N or more and thickness of 150 microns or less. The unneutralized acidic radical weight of the separator after immersing in alkaline liquid is 1x10 power minus 3 to 1x10 power minus 1 mol/square m.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polyolefin group resin comprises polypropylene resin as main component and 20 weight % or less of low-density polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred compounds: The gas is hydrogen. The solid is a nanotube comprising carbon or boron nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The fuel cell comprises solid oxide, molten carbonate, phosphoric acid, alkaline, direct methanol or polymer electrolyte membrane or their combinations.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metals: The catalyst metal comprises noble metals containing platinum and/or ruthenium. The grain size of the catalyst metal is 2-5 microns. The high heat conduction material is silicon nitride or silicon carbide. The grain size of the high heat conduction material is 5-10 microns. The catalyst contains 30-80 vol.% of a high heat conduction material with an area ratio of 25-95%. EXAMPLE - Platinum supporting alumina was impregnated using platinum chloride aqueous solution, such that platinum was 1 mass% to the catalyst powder obtained. After drying and baking, platinum carrying alumina catalyst powder was obtained. Platinum carrying alumina catalyst powder, alumina sol, water and silicon nitride with a heat conductivity of 30 W.m-1.K-1 were placed in a magnetic ball mill pot. Mixing and running were performed for 2 hours and slurried. Addition of silicon nitride was made to 50 vol.% in the catalyst coat layer obtained. The grain size of platinum carrying alumina catalyst powder in the slurry obtained was 5 microns and the grain size of silicon nitride was 8 microns. Carbon monoxide (CO) concentration reduction catalyst was obtained by drying the slurry in a plate fin type heat exchanger. CO concentration reduction catalyst was evaluated by changing the coolant temperature, such that reaction temperature was 80-160 degrees C. The outlet CO concentration from the plate fin type heat exchanger in coolant temperature was evaluated as 80 ppm at 90 degrees C, 30 ppm at 120 degrees C and 150 ppm at 140 degrees C. The CO concentration reduction catalyst obtained showed improved CO concentration reduction effect.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalysts: The proton conductive material is a compound oxide, e.g. perovskite or pyrochlore type compound oxide containing alkaline earth or titanium group element, optionally a part of it is replaced by an element with a different atomic valency. EXAMPLE - A diffusion model experiment was conducted by using SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3 - delta as catalyst and a mixture of hydrogen and deuterium. To generate hydrogen, the catalyst was exposed to moisture or steam in the air and then the produced hydrogen gas was trapped for measurement.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The intermittent introduction of oxidizing agent gas to the CO selective oxidation device is carried out over a period of 10-200 ms.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conditions: The lanthanum, chromium and titanium materials are sintered in air at 1650 degreesC or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst is nickel-based and contains nickel at 4% or more. The reaction gas from the catalyst regeneration phase is reused as a source of energy in the process. The two phases are performed, at least for a certain amount of time, parallel, in at least two retorts which operate alternatively generating hydrogen and regenerating the catalyst. The temperature of the cracking phase is 1000-1100degreesC. The retorts are filled or coated with catalyst supported on a ceramic material. The hydrogen obtained is cooled and stored or used in fuel cells. The reaction gas from the regeneration phase is used for generating steam and/or for heating the retorts. The hot chamber is provided with a heat exchanger connected to a steam generator. A heat exchanger is provided at the outlet of the retorts for cooling the gases produced.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Water vapor is obtained by using heat energy of gas produced from the furnace. Methyl tertiary butyl ether is produced by reaction of methanol with isobutylene. Ammonia is produced by the reaction of hydrogen with nitrogen after removing water and carbon dioxide.Oxygen used by the furnace is produced by separating oxygen from air and the resulting nitrogen produced is reacted with hydrogen in the gas, after carrying out the shift reaction. Urea is produced by the reaction of carbon dioxide with ammonia after shift reaction. The compressor driven with water vapor compresses gas during synthesis of methanol or ammonia.Temperature or pressure in the furnace is set so that hydrogen in the gas is increased and a shift reaction is generated after addition of water vapor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus also has a container comprising catalyst such as reduced iron having mean particle diameter of upto 2 mm, which is connected to the shift reaction device and a pre-reduction furnace (2) for reducing an ore to a partially solid state, is connected to the gas route in the melting reducing furnace.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The case has a multi-layer structure which contains at least a portion of metal layer, and a flange for supporting the hydrogen gas outlet and the raw material supply unit. The flange equips a surface with at least a resin and the case main portion equips a contact portion with the flange. The main portion of the case and the flange are subjected to thermocompression bonding. A cooling gas is formed in the chemical reaction portion, and the heat of the gaseous substances is used for heating. The thermal protection structure also isolates the cooling portion (35) thermally from the outside.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particle: The porous heat-resistant particles are ceramic granules and resin particles arranged in layers. The resin layer is between the case and the particle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Surfactant: The surfactant comprises hexadecanol, lignins, glycols, and/or organosilicones, preferably sodium lignosulfonate, nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether, polyalkyleneoxide modified polydimethylsiloxane.Preferred Method: The graphite flakes are exposed to an expansion aid applied prior to, during or immediately after treatment with the oxidizing intercalant solution.Preferred Composition: 0.25-5 pph of surfactant is added to the washed graphite flakes. The oxidizing intercalant solution comprises a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids. The expansion aid comprises organic material sufficiently soluble in oxidizing intercalant solution to achieve an improvement in expansion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: An electrochemical capacitor uses the nonaqueous electrolytic solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carrier: The carrier component of the catalyst is chosen out of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), silicon oxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), metallosilicate and zeolite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The barrier contains powder of calcium aluminate, magnesium aluminate, alumina or calcium aluminate cement.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The positive electrode has surface opposite to negative electrode which contacts to water vapor or water vapor-containing atmosphere. Water formed at negative electrode is retained or stored in closed state. The negative electrode is in porous or mesh state. A catalyst layer between proton conductor and positive electrode and/or negative electrode is provided. A porous separator can also be provided between proton conductor and positive electrode and/or negative electrode. The water supplied in vapor or gaseous state is provided at pressure of 267Pa - 267kPa. The temperature during electrochemical decomposition is -50 to 300 degrees C. The proton liberating group is -XH.X = atom or atom group having divalent bonds such as -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H or -OPO(OH)2
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The diffraction peak intensity ratio (A/B) of lithium manganese complex oxide is preferably less than 0.30 and more than 0.001 (preferably, less than 0.12 and more than 0.001). The peak intensity ratio of the diffraction peak intensity (C) observed at 24.7+/-1degrees to diffraction peak intensity (B) of the lithium manganese complex oxide, is less than 0.100 (preferably, less than 0.025). Preferred Structure: The lithium manganese complex has layered structure. A portion of manganese site of complex oxide is substituted by metallic element chosen from aluminum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, gallium, niobium, molybdenum, palladium, silicon, tantalum, tungsten, ruthenium, arsenic, tellurium, rhenium and germanium. A portion of lithium site of complex oxide is substituted by a metallic element chosen from potassium, sodium, barium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, gallium, manganese, lead, lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, yttrium, cesium, rubidium, thallium, gold, strontium, europium, silver, actinium, bismuth, mercury and plutonium. Preferred Process: The ground mixture of lithium compound, manganese compound and other metallic compound, is baked at 600-1200degreesC under oxygen-containing atmosphere and then under inert gas atmosphere. Preferred Material: The anode material for lithium secondary battery, contains spinel-type lithium manganese complex oxide. Preferred Battery: The lithium secondary battery comprises anode containing lithium manganese complex oxide and cathode containing carbon material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst in the EXR and ENR are different. A heat medium for heat removal is provided in the ENR, while a heat medium for heating is provided in the EXR. The endothermic reaction performed in the ENR is steam reforming of alcohol, hydrocarbon or dehydrogenation. The exothermic reaction is a water-based shift reaction of catalyzed combustion of hydrogen, hydrocarbon or alcohol, partial oxidation or selective oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The heating surface of the reactor comprises a corrugated fin, flat plate or tube. The reactor is a reformer for a plate fin-type fuel cell which has a combustion side route (CSR) and a modification side route (MSR), with a heat balance of heat generation and absorption. A noble metal group catalyst is supported near the reactor outlet of CSR and active low oxide group catalyst is supported near reactor inlet. The metal load of combustion catalyst in CSR is adjusted.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is chosen from copper-zinc, nickel, platinum, palladium, rhodium and/or ruthenium groups.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The carbon monoxide sensor includes a heating element (24) for heating the sensing element to a temperature that is high as the desorption temperature of the adsorbed carbon monoxide to result in a desorption of the adsorbed carbon monoxide and regeneration of the adsorbent. It also includes permeable membrane (16) support substrate and protective membrane (14) disposed on respective front and behind of the sensing element, temperature sensor (22) and heating element. A reference element (26) has a non-adsorbing material that does not adsorb carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide sensor has two temperature sensors in which a second temperature sensor (28) is coupled to the processing module (12) and sends signals that indicate the temperature of the reference element to the processing module; and two heating elements in which a second heating element (30) is provided to heat the reference element. The two heating elements are connected with one another. Preferred Method: The method includes exposing the reference element comprising non-carbon monoxide adsorbing material to gas, sensing the temperatures of the sensing element and reference element, and subtracting the temperature of the reference element from the sensing element temperature.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The adsorbent is monovalent of silver ion and/or copper ion. The support material is zeolite, alumina, silica gel and/or carbonaceous materials.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Products: A macromolecular solid electrolytic film consists of a film containing the macromolecular solid electrolyte. A solution for covering an electrode catalyst supports catalytic metal particles on the surface of a conductive material consisting of a carbon material by a binder. The binder contains the macromolecular solid electrolyte. A film/electrode bonded body for a solid oxide fuel cell is formed of a macromolecular electrolytic film and a gas electrode connected to the macromolecular electrolytic film. The macromolecular electrolytic film consists of the macromolecular solid electrolytic film. The gas electrode consists of an electrode supporting catalytic metal particles on the surface of a conductive material consisting of a carbon material by a binder. The binder contains the macromolecular solid electrolyte. A solid oxide fuel cell has:(a) a macromolecular electrolytic film;(b) a gas diffusion electrode consisting of a cathode electrode and an anode electrode and disposed at both sides of the macromolecular film;(c) a pair of gas impermeable separators interposed to sandwich the gas diffusion electrode; and(d) a pair of current collectors interposed between the macromolecular solid electrolytic film and the separator.The macromolecular electrolytic film consists of the macromolecular solid electrolytic film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Sensor: The voltage source is that required for the output current to reach a mass transport limited value, and is preferably 0.8V. A Pt catalyst is used on the anode side. A backing is provided on the cathode side and cooperates with part of the membrane electrode assembly to provide a diffusion-limited transport of methanol to the anode side.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Details: The physical barrier for the methanol provides a diffusion limited methanol flux.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The binder comprises a 1:1-2:1 mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene and acrylic polymer in water. The negative electrode also comprises hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose as a thickener.Preferred Composition: The negative electrode comprises 2-4 wt.% of binder, 1-2.5 wt.% of current collector and 0.3-0.8 wt.% of thickener, based on the amount of hydrogen storage alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Alloy: The hydrogen storage alloy is a zirconium-titanium-manganese-vanadium-nickel (Zr0.9Ti0.1(Mn0.7V0.5Ni1.2)0.92) alloy powder with a size of -400 mesh (less than 38 microns).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The raw material of the baking carbon is coal, volatile organic substance obtained from petroleum type pitch, melting soluble organic substance, infusible fibrous organic substance, phenol resin and furfural resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Groups: The polar group is an ester group, ether group, amide group, imide group, hydroxy group and/or carboxyl group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The positive electrode has an active material layer containing lithium cobaltate compound as an active material, on an aluminum foil collector. The positive electrode active material also contains 0.1-3 weight% of tin. The carbonaceous material contains a fibrous carbon material, piece-shape phosphorus, or globular, ball globular or pseudo-spherical graphite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The lithium manganese complex oxide has stratified rock salt structure of hexagonal system. The substance which occludes and desorbs lithium is a transition metal chalcogenide which is chosen from titanium sulfide, molybdenum sulfide, niobium sulfide and vanadium sulfide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A reduction in the operating temperature of the reforming zone(s) by 20% takes at least 8 hours (especially at least 24 hours). The heat shield has a thermal conductivity of less than 35 (especially less than 5) W/mK, and preferably incorporates a vacuum and is combined with a heat accumulator (preferably of phase change material and preferably arranged within the heat shield). If the reformer has multiple zone, the heat shields for the different zones may have different conductivity. Specifically the reformer has first, second and third zones for partial oxidation, steam reforming and catalytic product purification respectively, and the heat shield of the third zone has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the second zone but lower than that of the first zone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The honeycomb structure is formed at least partly from metal sheets of thickness less than 0.06 (preferably less than 0.02) mm; contains more than 600 (preferably more than 1000) channels per square inch; and has a catalytically active surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: NHx-compounds, CO, CH3OH and/or H2 are also used as fuel, catalyst/activator and/or for mineralization in addition to the monosilane. The monosilane is obtained from a magnesium hydride/magnesium/hydrogen storage system. The oxidizing agent is air, O2 or N2, preferably air, and the microfibers are preferably of fabric.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The polymeric material of the proton conductor is chosen out of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyfluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene oxide and polyphenylene oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The aliphatic hydrocarbon polymer porous membrane is polyolefin resin porous membrane or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene resin porous membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The treatment is carried out at 300-950 degrees C with a gas containing 1-100 mol% water vapor.Preferred Materials: The metal is Cr, Mo, V, W, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Te, Ru, F, Ru, Os, Cu, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Ag, Ga, Au and/or Pt and the complex is a carbonyl, cyano or isonitrile, preferably Fe pentacarbonyl, NH4-tetracarbonyl ferrate, -tetracyano-palladate or platinate, or -hexacyano-ruthenate, platinate, cobaltate, chromate or ferrate. EXAMPLE - When a catalyst prepared from 340.22 g tetraethyl orthosilicate and 6.19 g ammonium hexacyanoferrate was used to convert benzene, the conversion was 20%, the selectivity was 98% and the activity was 10% after 48 hours.    In comparison, the conversion was 16%, 91% and 74% for a catalyst prepared from 340.22 g tetraethyl orthosilicate and 6.13 g Fe (II) citrate monohydrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: R1 is an epoxy resin or a group having a C=C bond in a molecule.Preferred Products: A proton-conductive material comprises said polysiloxanes. EXAMPLE - Terms: TMSPM = 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane. GPTMS = 3-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxy silane. TMOS = tetramethoxy silane.    Example 1: Mixture of TMSPM 372.5 g (1.5 mol) and TMOS 152.2 g (1 mol) was added with concentrated sulfuric acid 1.23 g (0.0125 mol) and water 135 g (7.5 mol) and agitated for 2 hours to give a solution which was then flown on to a Petri dish, dried at 50 degrees C for a day, followed by heating at 150 degrees C for 5 hours. Product gel was a self supporting transparent film with 100 micron thickness without any crack. Test results: Proton conductivity (S/cm, 130 degrees C, RH = 0%) = 2x10(-4) at initial, and after 100 minutes to 400 minutes. .    Example 5: Mixture of GPTPM 472.7 g (2.0 mol) and TMOS 152.2 g (1 mol) in ethanol 10 mol was added with aqueous solution of phosphoric acid 64.7 g, water 162 and ethanol 230 g to give a solution which was then similarly treated. Proton conductivity at 60% RH at 130 degrees C = 1x10(-5) S/cm. Test results: Proton conductivity (S/cm, 130 degrees C, RH = 0%) = 2x10(-3) at initial, and after 100 minutes to 400 minutes.    Comparative Example 1: Using TMSPM alone as a silane compound, gave: No gel was preparable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The liquid rubber has a viscosity of not more than 10power4 Pa.s at 25degreesC. The vulcanizate has a hardness (JIS A) of not more than 60 (preferably 5-40).Preferred Composition: The composition comprises a perfluoro rubber and a polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The predetermined degree of vacuum is not more than 20 (preferably not more than 10) Torr. The injection pressure is 2-20 MPa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Powder: The expanded graphite powder is a pulverized powder of expanded graphite sheet. The liquid resin is thermosetting resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst material is selected from platinum, palladium, magnesium, titanium, manganese, lanthanum, vanadium, zirconium, nickel-lanthanum alloy, titanium-iron alloy, iridium, rhodium and gold. The carbonaceous material of the proton conduction material comprises fullerene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The alkali earth metal is magnesium, calcium, strontium and/or barium.The inorganic oxide carrier contains alumina or complex oxide of alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: (2) Is made of a (thermoplastic) elastomer or thermoplastic polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Materials: (3) Is uniformly dispersed throughout (2) and is present at 2-30, preferably 15-25, wt.% on total mass of (2). (Z) is 2-20 wt.% and (X) 1-10 wt.% of (3).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Contrast Agent: (X) Is a rare earth metal, especially gadolinium as an aqueous solution of 'gadopentetic acid'.Preferred Carrier: This is a molecular sieve, i.e. a hydrated metal-aluminum silicate, specifically of formula Na86((AlO2)86. (SiO2)106) .276H2O optionally partly, at least 20 and preferably 40-70% dehydrated, and the total loading of (X) and (Z) is smaller than the dehydration degree of the molecular sieve. Especially loading with (Z) is at least 50% and loading with (X) at least 10% of the dehydration degree. For medical use, (Z) is freely desorbable but (X) is fixed to the carrier.Preparation: The molecular sieve is partially dehydrated at 300-500, preferably 400-450 degrees C for many (particularly 2-6) hour, then loaded with (Z) and (X), especially in a ball mill, to form an adduct, which is then incorporated into the matrix. Dehydration and loading are done under inert gas, particularly nitrogen, at normal pressure. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The porous carrier is rare earth element and beta-alumina or lanthanum and beta-alumina, and is coated with monolysis structure which consists of ceramics, cordierite and/or mullite. The catalyst used in the fuel reformation method is a uniform mixture of hydrocarbon oxidation catalyst comprising porous carrier supporting noble metals and water vapor reformation catalyst comprising carrier made from ceramics supporting nickel, cobalt, iron, silver, copper, zinc, chromium and/or rare earth element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The methane modification catalyst is connected with heater for accelerating catalytic reaction. Preferred Process: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide extraction process are alternately performed for every fixed time.
SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The thermoplastic resin composition comprises 10-70 wt.% of the carbon fibers and 0.1-15 wt.% of the carbon nanotubes. A ratio L/d of the carbon fibers is 10 to 10,000 in which L is the number average fiber length and d is the number average fiber diameter. The thermoplastic resin is at least one selected from a polyolefin, polyamide, a polyacetal, amorphous polyester, a polyphenylene sulfide, a crystalline polyester, a polyether ketone, a polysulfone, a polyether imide and a blend thereof.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The fuel contains hydrocarbon (in vol%) saturated portion (70 or more), aromatic (30 or less), olefin (4 or less) and naphthene (35 or less). The fuel contains 80 mass ppm of sulfur. Preferred Properties: The fuel has a density of 0.83 g/cm3 or less, at 15degreesC, flash point at 0degreesC or more, smoke point of 18 mm or more for hydrocarbon compound, heat capacity at 1 atmospheric pressure and 15degreesC of 2.5 kJ/kgdegreesC or less and latent heat of 350 kJ/kg or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred waste: The waste may be seawater, waste water, exhaust gas, natural gas extraction or collection drain.Preferred apparatus: Hydrogen generated by (2) is used as an energy source for a fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The reactor is a fixed bed reactor. A flow distribution manifold is in fluid communication with the reactor inlet for evenly distributing flow into the reactor. A flow collection manifold is in fluid communication with the reactor for directing the hot reactor product to the reactor outlet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The hexafluoro niobate is a quaternary onium salt and/or alkali metal salt of hexafluoro niobic acid. The quaternary onium salt of hexafluoro niobic acid is preferably tetraalkylammonium salt of hexafluoro niobic acid with 1-3C alkyl groups, preferably methyl or ethyl. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The hexafluoro niobate is lithium hexafluoro niobate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The membrane layer comprises a porous polymeric matrix.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The anode further comprises a proton conducting ionomer, which is perfluoro sulfonic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The coating precursor is an acrylate resin, an epoxy nitrile resin and/or an organo polysiloxane and includes an acrylated urethane oligomer, a photoinitiator and a multi-functional monomer such as isobornyl acrylate monomer or propoxylated glycerol triacrylate monomer. The photoinitiator is a mixture of benzophenone and 1-phenyl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propanone. The coating precursor further comprises an air-release agent such as polydimethyl siloxane and an adhesion promoter such as methacrylated polyol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: A purifier is also provided to remove the CO and CO2 from the stream of H2. The protons of hydrogen pass through a membrane of the fuel cell, while electrons that do not pass form electricity. The protons that pass through the membrane combine with electrons to form hydrogen atoms that combine with atmospheric oxygen to produce water vapor or hot water at elevated temperature. A heat exchanger is further provided to transfer heat from the water vapor to another useful fluid, thus cogenerating thermal energy in the useful fluid while the fuel cell is generating the electricity. A switching converter is connected to the fuel cell for converting the electricity generated into useful voltage levels. A heat source is provided around the cylinder for heating the catalyst.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hydrocarbon gas is a low pressure propane. It is storable as liquefied propane in a container for a safe use aboard recreational vehicles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Water vapor is supplied to a fluidized bed gasification furnace (11) and rotary melting furnace (12) by suction pump (19d).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: The direction of flow of gas in modified layer and combustion layer is same. Preferred Arrangement: The modified layer and combustion layer are alternately laminated. Several compressed tubes (3) are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, in the container. The ends of each compressed tubes are fixed to end faces (H3, H4) of container. The container and the bellows are integrally expanded to longitudinal direction of compressed tubes. The bellows are formed at edge portion of container near the outlet side of combustion layer. A support for catalyst is provided in modified layer and combustion layer. Combustion layer inlet (11) is provided to the upstream of combustion layer. The combustion gas is separated into heating gas and oxygen containing gas. The separated hydrogen gas is introduced in combustion layer, through hydrogen gas inlet. The flow rate of heating gas is controlled by a control unit. A flame propagation prevention layer is provided outside the container of modifier. The flame propagation layer consists of double metal mesh, foam metal or sintered metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The acid is an organic acid. 2-98 weight% of organic acid is present in the solution. Hydrolysis of the alkaline earth metal hydride is performed in the presence of a catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Amines : The odorant is an amine(s, preferably trimethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, n-butylamine, n-pentylamine, n-hexylamine, n-heptylamine, n-octylamine, n-decylamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane and 1,7-diaminoheptane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen storage bed contains a hydrogen storage alloy comprising magnesium (in weight%) (91), nickel (0.9), Misch metal (2), aluminum (5.6) and yttrium (0.5). The alloy further comprises carbon or boron. The Misch metal comprises predominantly cerium, lanthanum and praseodymium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The perfluoro copolymer is of formula -(CF2CF2)p-(CF2CF(-O-(CF2CF(CF3)-O)n-(CF2)m-Z))- (IV), and the oligoether is of formula -(CF(CF3)-CF2-O)q+r- (V), -(CF2CF2CF2-O)q+r- (VI) or -(CF2-O)q-(CF2-CFY-O)r- (VII) where n = 0, 1 or 2; m = 2, 3 or 4; p = an integer 2-20; Z = CO2CH3 or SO2F. The average particle diameter of the perfluoro copolymer is at most 100 mum. Preferred Process: Production of the copolymer layer comprises (i) mixing 10-1000 weight parts of at least 1 solid particle selected from alkali-resistant inorganic particles, electrode powder and/or sacrificial particles, (ii) forming a powder-form solid particle dispersion composition formed by dispersing the perfluoro copolymer and solid particles by extracting the fluoro oligomer using a fluorine solvent, and (iii) heat fixing the composition on the surface of the substrate film at 160-340 degrees C. EXAMPLE - CF2Cl-CFCl2 (580g), CF2=CF-O-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2-SO2F (280g), and methanol (0.02g) are introduced into an autoclave, purged with nitrogen and then purged with tetrafluoroethylene. A CF2Cl-CFCl2 solution (7g) containing 5 weight% (n-C3H7COO-)2 is added and polymerization is carried out. Polymerization is carried out for 7 hours under a TFE pressure of initially 0.165MPa-G to 0.142MPa-G to give the fluoro-polymer composition. A hexafluoropropane oxide oligomer (1200g) is mixed into the polymer composition which is dispersed with n-hexane to give the dispersion composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The solid oxide fuel cell has an interlayer cermet film (58) comprising a second catalyst and a third electrolyte which shows oxide ion conductivity exceeding 0.1 S/cm at 800 degreesC. The interlayer cermet film is interposed between the electrolyte film and the fuel electrode substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The first solid electrolyte and the third electrolyte comprise scandia-stabilized zirconia containing 9-12 mole% scandia (Sc2O3). The second solid electrolyte comprises yttria-stabilized zirconia containing 2-4 mole% yttria (Y2O3) or scandia-stabilized zirconia containing 3-6 mole% scandia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Properties: The initial distillation boiling point, 10 volume% distillation temperature, 95 volume% distillation temperature and final distillation temperature of hydrocarbon compound in the distillation curve are 100-190 degrees Celsius, 120-210 degrees Celsius, 220-300 degrees Celsius and 230-320 degrees Celsius, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The fuel has flash point at degrees Celsius or more, density of less than 0.83 g/cm3 at 15 degrees Celsius, smoke point of 18 mm or more, thermal capacity of less than 2.5 kj/kg.degrees Celsius at 15 degrees Celsius and 1 atmospheric pressure, and latent heat of vaporization of less 350 kj/kg. Sulfur content of fuel is less than 80 mass ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen occlusion material comprises hydrogen occlusion alloy or carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is chosen from the group containing fullerene, carbon nano fiber, carbon nano tube, carbon soot, nano capsule and carbon fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: Polyethylene glycol or its derivatives have an average molecular weight of at least 3,000. Sulfonated polyarylene consists of the structural unit of formula (1).X = -CQQ' or fluorenyl group;Q, Q' = halogenated alkyl or alkyl group, H, halogen atom, or aryl group;R1 - R36 = H, halogen atom, or organic group;Y = -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -CONH-, or -SO2;p, q, r, s = 0-100 mol%;(p+q+r+s) = 100 mol%;t = 0 or 1A method of producing the new membrane comprises coating on a base material a composition which is given by dissolving polyethylene glycol or its derivatives and sulfonated polyarylene in a solvent; then heating the coating. The polyethylene glycol is a macromer having polymerizing functional groups. EXAMPLE - A membrane had a tensile strength of 56 MPa, an elasticity of 2.4 GPa, a water absorptivity of 65 %, and a proton conductivity of 0.08 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The positive anode tabs are welded to an outer side surface of a head of the bolt. The insulating assembly comprises soft closing members (205,206) which close a gap between the cell casing and the anode member, and strong retaining members (207,208) which keep the cell casing and the anode member positioned relatively to each other.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The conductive anode member is made of a 3000 series aluminum alloy.
EXAMPLE - An amorphous mother alloy whose chemical composition was Zr65Pd30Ni5 was molten with electric arc in Ar gas then it was ejected via a quartz nozzle onto rotating (4000 rpm) 20 cm diameter copper roll under 0.3 kg/(square cm) to quench it into amorphous alloy thin tapes (width=1 mm and thickness=20 micron) then they were oxidized by heating them at 280-350 degreesC for 24 hours. The product has occluded 0.78 weight % of hydrogen at 50 degreesC and Pd in the alloy has occluded 2.51 weight % of hydrogen.
EXAMPLE - An alloy powder whose composition was (Ti0.30Cr0.30V0.25Mn0.07Fe0.07B.001), where (B) is at least one element of rare earth metals, was prepared by Ar gas atomizing method, which was sieved to remove particles whose diameter was greater than 100 micron and got 5-20 micron diameter powder particles, which were coated with Cu then further coated with Ni by mechanical alloying, thermally treated in Ar gas to form Ti-Ni compound layer on their surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Platinum Compound: The platinum compound is preferably chloroplatinic acid, dichlorotetraammineplatinum, dinitrodiammineplatinum, platinum nitrate, or a platinum ammine complex salt.Preferred Cobalt Compound: The cobalt compound is preferably cobalt nitrate, cobalt chloride, cobalt acetate, cobalt formate, or acetylacetonatocobalt.Preferred Reduction: The reduction is preferably carried out at 150-800 degreesC in the presence of hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The airflow path forming plate is chosen from the Hastelloy, stainless steel, nickel, molybdenum, copper, aluminum, iron, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum and titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The airflow path forming plate is also chosen from polycarbonate, acrylic resin and carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Positive Electrode Active Material: The positive electrode active material is preferably lithium manganese oxide.Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte is preferably one of LiPF6 and LiBF4, and its concentration in the non-aqueous electrolyte solution is 1.0-3.0 mol/l, preferably 1.5-2.5 mol/l.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The thermoplastic polymer having non ion exchange groups is a thermoplastic polymer having an unsaturated bond ratio in its main chain of at most 3%. The membrane comprises the resin phase and a porous membrane-supporting material. The polymer having repeating units of formula (1) is penetrated in the porous membrane-supporting material. The content of the repeating units of formula (1) in the membrane-supporting material is 0.05-0.7 times the content of the repeating units in the resin phase.Preferred Method: The monomer of the formula (2) is used in an amount of 20-96 mass%, based on the total amount of the polymerizable component and the thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer is mixed with the polymerizable component by impregnating the polymerizable component to a membrane-form molded product of the thermoplastic polymer. A solution obtained by mixing the thermoplastic polymer is impregnated to the membrane-supporting material and formed into a membrane. Then, the polymerizable component is polymerized. The membrane-supporting material is irradiated with electron rays or gamma-rays before or after when the obtained solution is impregnated to the membrane-supporting material. EXAMPLE - A polyethylene film having a thickness of 50 mum and irradiated with gamma-rays of 300 kGy was immersed in a mixed liquid comprising 4-(4-bromobutyl)styrene (100 parts by mass (pbm)) and an initiator benzoyl peroxide (1 pbm) to let the monomer penetrate into the polyethylene film and at the same time to let it polymerize. Thus, the obtained membrane contained 50 pbm polymer of 4-(4-bromobutyl)styrene per 100 pbm polyethylene. It was subjected to amination with trimethylene to obtain an anion exchange membrane having an ion exchange capacity of 1.3 meq/g, a resistivity of 200 OMEGA-cm and a static transport number of 0.98.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The catalyst also contains (c) an alkaline earth metal component. The alumina support contains 5-40 weight% cerium oxide and 95-60 weight% alumina. Component (a) is supported in an amount of 0.1-8 weight% based on metal. Component (b) is supported in an amount of 0.1-20 weight% based on metal. Component (c) is supported in an amount of 1-20 weight% based on metal. EXAMPLE - Ce(NO3)3.6H2O (126g) is dissolved in pure water (200ml) and impregnated into an alumina support (200g). It is dried at 80degreesC for 3 hours and baked at 750degreesC for 3 hours to form a support containing cerium oxide. To this support (40g), ruthenium trichloride (4.3g) and Co(NO3)2.6H2O (9.1g) dissolved in water (30ml) are impregnated. It is dried at 80degreesC for 3 hours. The catalyst is impregnated in NaOH aqueous solution to dissolve the impregnated compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The metallic plate includes through holes, from which the protrusion engages. The intermetallic compounds are precipitated in the metallic plate by a heat treatment after a solution heat treatment; and subjecting the metallic plate to an acid treatment.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The intermetallic compounds are iron-chromium carbides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The source of thermally protective salt is lithium bromide-potassium bromide-lithium fluoride, lithium chloride-lithium bromide-lithium fluoride, a carbonate-based system with melting point of less than 500 degrees C, or a sulfate-based system with melting point of less than 500 degrees C, preferably lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic.The active material film comprises a metal chalcogenide, metal sulfide, pyrite, cobalt disulfide, tungsten disulfide, nickel hydroxide or manganese dioxide. The feedstock mixture further comprises lithium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The lens for transmitting infrared radiation is selected from the group consisting of germanium, zinc, selenium and gallium arsenide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The collapsing magnetic field voltage up converter includes an inductor and a switching device connected in series between the input terminal and the common; an unidirectional mechanism having an anode end connected to the junction between the inductor and the switching device with a cathode end of the unidirectional means being connected to the output terminal; and a storage capacitor connected between the output terminal and the common or the input terminal. The unidirectional mechanism conducts current when the anode end is subject to a higher voltage than that appearing on the cathode end relative to the common. The unidirectional mechanism is a diode or a transistor with base circuitry. An impedance limits current flow out of the output terminal. The impedance and the storage container give the storage capacitor a discharge time constant by current flow through the output terminal greater than 100 seconds. The switching device is a semiconductor-switching device, which may be a transistor. The switch switches on and off in response to an oscillator control signal applied to a control terminal of the switch, and the oscillator control signal being generated by an oscillator. The oscillator is a free running oscillator. The input voltage is 12 V.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The databus is a proprietary database or in accordance with standards such as RS232, ISA, PCI, PCMCIA, OBD, CAN, etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metallic plate is formed of aluminum or aluminum alloy.The uppermost layer of lamination film is formed of metal selected from the group consisting of silver, platinum, iridium, palladium, ruthenium and silver, or their alloys, electroconductive carbide material or carbon.The other layer is formed of metal selected from the group consisting of palladium, ruthenium, silver, zirconium, chromium, boron, nickel, titanium and tin or their alloys, their oxide or nitride, electroconductive carbide material or carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metal fibers of the burner are manufactured from a Fecralloy steel containing iron, chromium, yttrium, silicone, manganese, copper and carbon. The burner operates simultaneously with more than one fuel, preferably with hydrocarbon such as liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, or diesel fuel as one fuel, and a mixture of gases containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen as the other fuel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The temperature T2 is at most 150 degreesC.The alloy has the formula TixCryMz, and contains oxygen and nitrogen included and spinodal decomposition phase in a minimum amount.M = at least one element of Group IIa, IIIa, IVa, Va, VIa, VIIa, VIII, IIIb, and IVb;x + y = 20-100;y/x = 0.5-2; andz = 0-80.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Purification: A filter and a reverse osmosis water purifier purify the water supplied from the water source.Preferred Converter: The converter is oxide or steam electrolyzer, multiphotochemical device, multi-band gap photochemical cell or photoelectrolysis device.Preferred Storage Tank: A hydrogen storage device that stores the hydrogen generated by the converter, has a compressor and a storage tank. The storage tank is metal hydride tank, carbon nanotube tank, vacuum insulated composite tank or slush storage tank.Preferred Power Source: The power source is a solar power source, furnace steam source, wind power source, water drag power source, nuclear power source, human power source or on-shore power source. The power plant is a hydrogen consuming fuel cell. A hydrogen burning mechanical engine that converts the hydrogen into mechanical energy, is a hydrogen burning internal combustion engine, mixed hydrogen fossil fuel burning engine or mixed hydrogen/biodiesel fuel burning engine. A heat exchanger removes excess heat from fuel cell and converter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compositions: The added conductive polymer-forming monomers in the non-aqueous electrolyte are in ratio of 0.1-5 (preferably 0.25-2) vol.%.Preferred Components: The conductive polymer-forming monomers include derivatives of pyrrole or thiophene having 4-10C alkyl. The thiophene is 3-hexyl thiophene. The film forming agents is methyl difluorobenzoate, propane sulfone, 1,4-butane sulfone, vinyl carbonate, or preferably methyl perfluorooctanate. The organic solvent is a mixture of propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and hexaetoxy tricyclophosphazene, or preferably a mixture of propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The lithium transition metal composite oxide is lithium nickel composite oxide having basic composition of lithium-nickel oxide (LiNiO2) and layered rock salt structure, and lithium manganese composite oxide having a basic composition of lithium-manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) and spinel structure. EXAMPLE - A secondary battery was prepared by providing positive electrode material containing a mixture of lithium nickel composite oxide having layered rock-salt structure and lithium manganese composite oxide having spinel structure. This material was applied to both sides of the aluminum foil current collector and roll pressed. A negative electrode material comprising graphitized mesocarbone microbeads, was applied on both sides of copper foil current collector, then roll pressed. A separator was put between positive and negative electrodes. These electrodes were inserted in a cylindrical battery casing containing non-aqueous electrolyte comprising conductive polymer-forming monomer and film forming agent to obtain a cylindrical lithium secondary battery. Results on evaluation test showed that the safety of the obtained battery was improved when compared to a battery having no polymer-forming monomer or film-forming agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The active cathode material preferably comprises lithium-cobalt oxide, lithium-nickel oxide, lithium-nickel-cobalt oxide, lithium-manganese oxide and/or vanadium pentoxide. The active anode material is preferably graphite, coke, lignite or coal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The chlorinated polymer is preferably a blend of 50-95 wt.% chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and 5-50 wt.% of vinylidene chloride/(meth)acrylonitrile/methyl methacrylate terpolymer. The chlorinated PVC is preferably a mixture of polymers with different molecular weights and chlorine contents. EXAMPLE - A separator film comprising a blend of 50 wt.% TempRite 674 x 674 (RTM: chlorinated PVC) and 50 wt.% Saran F281 (RTM: vinylidene chloride terpolymer) was produced by adding a 25% Saran F281 (RTM) solution (40 g) and a 15% TempRite 674 x 674 (RTM) solution (66.7 g) to a slurry of silanized silica (13.3 g) and Citroflex A4 (RTM) plasticizer (26.7 g) in tetrahydrofuran (53.3 g), milling the mixture for 4 hours, casting a film from the mixture, and air-drying the film for 30 minutes. After extraction with methanol, the amount of electrolyte (1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate) absorbed by the film was 90% at room temperature and 167% at 75 degrees Celsius.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conductive electrode substrate is made of nickel which is the main component and other materials such as cobalt, calcium, titanium, silver, yttrium, lanthanide, carbon and their oxides.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Electrode: The substrate includes innumerable number of convex and concave portions which are arranged in alternating columns. The columns of the convex and concave portions are arranged in parallel and define an angle of about 30-60 degrees with respect to longitudinal direction of the electrode. The shapes of the convex and concave portions include hollow cone, triangular pyramid, quadrangular pyramid, hexagonal pyramid or octagonal pyramid. Either the number of convex portions or number of concave portions is more than half of the total number of convex and concave portions. The edges of the convex and concave portions are contoured, so as to enclose gaps between neighboring convex or concave portions. The inclination of the convex or concave portions is perpendicular to the spiral of spiral-shaped electrode. Active material powder or pseudo active material powder is coated on the thin electrolyte proof metal foil on the substrate. The distance between the powder coating and the substrate is maintained within 150 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The porous film is polymeric film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Mixture: The mixture (I) contains 83-90.5 mass% of lithium manganate and 1-2 mass% of chrome, or 1.5-3 mass% of lithium fluoride. Preferred Layer: The metal base material (I) is thicker than the mixture layer (I). A acrylic acid is coated on the mixture layer (I). Preferred Cathode: The cathode member contains a metal base material (II) coated with a mixture (II) containing petroleum coke of size 30-40 mum. The mixture (II) contains 97-98.5 mass% of petroleum coke, 1-2 mass% of graphite and 0.5-1 mass% of acetylene black. The mixture layer (II) is thicker than the base material (II). Preferred Battery: A solid electrolyte is substantially equipped between the anode and the cathode. The electrolyte contains lithium perchlorate which is dissolved in equal amount of ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate. 5-10 mass% of the solid electrolyte is present in the battery in which the mass of an outer cladding housing is deduced. The battery contains one or more purge valve containing an elastic rubber piece consisting of ethylene propylene terpolymer. Preferred Method: The mixture layer (I) is dried by heating at 300degreesC. The acrylic acid is coated on the mixture layer (I) and dried. The cathode member is obtained by forming mixture layer (II) on the base material (II). The mixture layer (II) is dried. The electrolyte is injected between the anode and cathode members. Finally, the electrolyte is dried. Charging of the battery is initially performed at 0.1-0.2C of the design capacity. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The fluoride is lithium fluoride. The metal (I) is aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrolyzing device further converts the aqueous solution into an oxygen gas. It comprises a separator for separating the oxygen gas from the hydrogen gas. The fuel cell further comprises a hydrogen storage tank for storing the hydrogen gas for use in generation of electrical power. The hydrogen storage tank comprises a hydrogen outlet for transferring the hydrogen gas to a remote location. The conveyor system comprises a conveyor drive (84) and a receptacle attached to the conveyor drive. The receptacle is bucket (82) (preferably a butterfly valve), or a vane. The vane is dimensioned to fold against the conveyor drive upon reaching an apex (86) and to unfold from the conveyor drive upon reaching a nadir (88).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: A is calcium. EXAMPLE - The primary powder mixture was prepared (in Ar gas) by mixing CaNi5 powder and Mg powder with the mixing ratio of 1/2, which was molded under 485 MPa to form pellets which were sintered (in Ar gas) at 900 degreesC for 1 hour then sintered pellets were ground (in Ar gas) down to powder, which was mixed (in Ar gas) with Ni powder with the mixing ratio of 1/4 then their mixture was molded, pelletized, and sintered at 900 degreesC for 1 hour.
EXAMPLE - The alloy powder whose composition was Ti0.35Cr0.40Mo0.1Nb0.05A0.09M0.01, was prepared by Ar gas atomizing method, which was molten in Ar atmosphere by heating at 1000 degreesC to form alloy powder, which was mechanically alloyed with Cu then further mechanically alloyed with Ni using 1 micron metal powder.    A = at least one of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, V, Zn, Zr, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Al, Si, C, N, P, and B; and    M = at least one rare earth metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin Material: The resin material is a thermoplastic resin containing a reinforcement filler which is a glass fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The hydrogen source is man portable. The ignition control system comprises ignitor(s) which ignite the pellet(s) individually. The elements are thermally insulated with felt, ceramic, asbestos or rock wool layer(s) to reduce heat transfer. The source further comprises a regulator (integrated into the pressure vessel) to control the flow of hydrogen from the vessel and a filter (activated carbon, porous stainless steel or sintered metal) integrated into the vessel. The element(s) comprise a pellet holder with recesses, preferably made of a rigid porous material. The elements further comprise a gas handling layer (comprising a metallic layer contacting the inner surface of the vessel, conducting heat to the exterior) with channels which direct the flow of evolved hydrogen. The ignitors are heated resistance wires or pyrotechnic ignitors, placed in contact with the pellets. The ignitors are activated by a battery, an electrochemical cell, a fuel cell, a capacitor or a power supply. The ignition control system further comprises a pressure transducer to determine the hydrogen pressure in the vessel, this is used to trigger the decomposition of the pellets maintaining the hydrogen pressure at a preset level and prevent ignition if the pressure is above a safe limit. The control system further comprises a temperature probe which prevents ignition if the temperature in the vessel is above a safe limit. The pressure vessel is adapted to be rechargeable with replacement pellets. Preferred Pellet: The pellet comprises a layer of hydrogen generating mixture and a layer of heat generating mixture which is ignited. Preferred Equipment: The portable equipment is a fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: M is selected from aluminum, nickel and cobalt.The active material of the cathode is of formula (II):0 less than x less than 2.The active material of the cathode is of formula (III):The electrode material composition further comprises a conductive additive material. The electrolyte comprises lithium phosphorus hexafluoride (LiPF6) in ethylene carbonate and diethylcarbonate or LiPF6 in methyl acetate and propylene carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The cell comprises a number of anodes and cathodes. A separator (210) is placed between the anode and cathode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The anode and cathode further comprise a polymeric binder material. The polymeric binder material is polyvinylidene fluoride or TEFLON (RTM: polytetrafluoroethylene) powder. The separator is formed from polypropylene or polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The porous membrane separator contacting the inner electrode of the microcell assembly, is coated with permselective membrane comprising a material selected from the group consisting of metals such as palladium and electrically conductive polymeric material, ion exchange polymer, glasses, ceramics and combinations.The microcell precursor containing at least one current collector, is contacted with an electrocatalyst reducing agent comprising sodium hydroxide and hydrophobicity-imparting material comprising PTFE emulsion, fluoropolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene. The current collector is formed of a corrosion susceptible metal and coated with carbonaceous coating of pyrolyzed organic material.
EXAMPLE - A foamed (void ratio=90 %) Ni cube (100 mm) was covered with fluorinated alloy of Mg2Ni, which was bored with nine holes (diameter=16 mm and depth=60 mm) with 30 mm spacing and a SUS diffuser pipe was inserted into all of them to form one unit. The unit installed in a SUS reactor with two outlets (gas and liquid). An aqueous solution containing 10 weight % of NaOH and 5 weight % of NaBH4 was supplied to diffuser pipes with the rate of 3 liters/minute at room temperature, after 60 minutes hydrogen was generated with the rate of 5 liters/minute with high stability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The metallic oxide contains cerium, zirconium and/or zinc. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The noble metal is platinum or rhodium.    EXAMPLE - None given
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred polymers: Polymer (A) is a saturated hydrocarbon type polymer of formula (I) having molecular weight of 500-300,000. Polymer (A) contains at least 50 wt. % of a repeat unit derived from isobutylene. Metal hydroxide (B) is aluminum hydroxide and/or magnesium hydroxide. Metal hydroxide is aluminum hydroxide and is added in an amount of 300-500 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of (A) polymer. EXAMPLE - EPION EP1-3S (RTM)(130 g) dissolved in PS-32(40 g) was added MARK AO-50(RTM)(1 g), A-171(1 g) and U-220 (RTM) (4 g) and dissolved. In another container, talc (50 g), aluminum hydroxide (400 g), dioctyladipate (95 g) and polybutene (95 g) were mixed and added water (4 g). Both mixture were stirred for 1 minute. The obtained mixture had high flowability. At a lapse of 1 hour, the mixture was cured to give white cured substance. The cured substance was held at 23 degreesC for 1 week to give sample. The sample had Shore A hardness of 22. When the sample (5 mm x 20 mm) was approached fire at 180 degreesC or 60 degreesC, the ignition time was each 5 second and extinction time of 10 and 25 seconds, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The crystallographic axis of the carbonaceous material is oriented in a single dimension. The carbonaceous material is chosen from carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber and graphite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The fuel processor further comprises a vaporization zone with this and the reaction zone including parallel channels and/or serpentine channel(s). The generator further comprises an integrated heat source, preferably an electrically driven resistive heater or a chemical heater with a catalyst which oxidizes fuel to produce heat. The chemical heater further includes an air inlet to provide oxygen with an opening for fuel. The integrated heater is coupled to the reaction zone by thermally conductive structures. The ceramic carrier is a monolithic three dimensional multilayer structure. The fuel processor is a fuel reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The aryl vinyl monomer is vinyl toluene, alpha-methylstyrene or preferably styrene. The aromatic derivatives of aryl vinyl monomer comprise 20-80 mol.%, preferably 30-50 mol.%, and aromatic sulfonate, preferably styrene sulfonate. Preferred Concentration: The aryl vinyl monomer is present in the statistical copolymer in a concentration of 20-80 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The olefin monomer is propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, isoprene, or preferably ethylene or butadiene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The first and second dilute solutions have a solute concentration of 0.01-0.2 M.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The cryogenic liquid comprises liquid nitrogen, liquid argon or liquid helium. The noble transition metal ions are ions of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium or rhenium. The reducing gas is hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and argon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The organic ligand can be an acetylacetonate-based molecule, or a cyclooctadiene-based or acetate-based molecule. EXAMPLE - Separate 0.1M solutions of platinum acetylacetonate and rhodium acetoacetonate were prepared in 1,2-dichloroethane, and at room temperature and stirred to dissolve the solute. These solutions were then mixed together (molar ratio 9:1) and stirred vigorously. This mixed solution was introduced, drop-wise, into 1 L liquid nitrogen (LN). The resultant slurry of frozen beads was allowed to settle and the majority of LN decanted. The balance of the LN was allowed to evaporate and the frozen beads were collected onto chilled trays and transferred into a freeze-dryer chamber. The chamber was evacuated to less than 200 mTorr while chilling its contents at 15 degreesC below the melting point of the solvent used (-50 degreesC for 1,2-dichloroethane). The resultant powder was then exposed to flowing hydrogen gas and inert carrier gas, such as, argon-5% hydrogen. The resultant product comprised fine crystal rosettes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The thermally conductive pole of the carbon monoxide removal device, is a heat pipe whose cross-section is 1-62% of the cross-section of the reactor.The length of the heat pipe inserted in the catalyst is 50% or more of the length of the whole catalyst layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The transition metal element for the anode is selected from aluminum, cobalt, chromium, magnesium, nickel or iron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The insulating particles have globular, fibrous, flaked, or aggregated form, which is different from form of negative plate active material, and average particle diameter and average length each of 0.03-2 times of average particle diameter and average length of negative plate active material, respectively, and comprises glass, plastic or ceramic.Preferred Composition: The negative plate mixture contains 2-10 weight% (wt.%) of insulating particles. The non-aqueous secondary battery comprises polymer electrolyte and scale-like natural or artificial graphite as negative plate active material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The fuel cell further comprises a redox polymer disposed on the anode and cathode respectively, for transducing a current between anode and anode enzyme, and cathode and cathode enzyme.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Enzyme: The cathode is arranged for electroreducing oxygen in the presence of cathode enzyme. The cathode enzyme comprises a laccase, cytochrome C peroxidase or a peroxidase. The cathode comprises a microporous membrane having a hydrophobic surface in outer layer and an hydrophilic surface in inner layer. The cathode enzyme is disposed on the inner layer of the microporous membrane. The anode is configured for electro-oxidizing sugar, alcohol or carboxylic acids in a biological systems. The anode enzyme comprises an oxidase or dehydrogenase. The fuel cell further comprises an additional enzyme proximally disposed to the anode which is capable of breaking down starch or cellulose into sugar, alcohol or carboxylic acid. Anode enzyme is immobilized within an inorganic matrix which comprises redox functional groups to transduce current between anode and anode enzyme. The inorganic matrix comprises conductive particles distributed in the matrix. The anode enzyme is a thermostable enzyme.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Arrangement: The fuel cell is coupled to a storage device for storing electrical power generated by the fuel cell. The anode redox polymer has a redox potential of +0.1 volts positive of a redox potential of the anode enzyme. The cathode redox polymer has a redox potential of +0.1 volts positive of a redox potential of the cathode enzyme. A biological fluid such as venous or arterial blood, is pumped through the fuel cell by a heart of the animal. The fuel cell is configured for implantation in human or animal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The zirconic acid compound is supported on porous base, particulate base or thin film.Preferred Process: The crystal precipitated is matured under specific conditions and baked.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polymer layer is made up of derivative of polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyaniline.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: An ammonium salt and plaster or polymeric material is added when forming the solidified redox reaction system. By equilibration of the right direction advance and the left direction advance of the reaction (I), the potential of reaction (I) is continuously generated without attraction of electrons. The first region which contacts the air, and the second region which moves the redox reaction by imparting a potential of reaction (I) between the first region and the sulfide semiconductor and prevents the same transfer to the cathode of O2 and OH- present in the first region, are connected. Induction of the electron release reaction of the cathode is prevented by supporting the stationary state of the redox reaction. In the first region of the redox reaction system, the left reaction of (I) is advanced by that having an electrode for oxidation connected to an auxiliary power source. In the solid reaction system, an adsorbent of a complex ion aqueous solution is active carbon, charcoal, silica gel, plaster, molecular sieve or silica ball-like carbon, and the electron conductor material is platinum, graphite or copper sulfide (Cu2S). The sulfide semiconductor is Cu2S, iron sulfide (FeS), iron sulfide (Fe2S3), nickel sulfide (NiS), iron sulfide.nickel sulfide (FeS.NiS) or iron sulfide.zinc sulfide (FeS.ZnS).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Crystal Structure: First phase of hydrogen occlusion alloys (I,II) has hexagonal crystal structure, and second phase of hydrogen occlusion alloys (I,II) has rhombohedron crystal structure. Phase which has CaCu5 type crystal structure is removed from both phases.Preferred Particle Diameter: The mean particle diameter of hydrogen occlusion alloys (I,II) ranges from 10-150 mum.Preferred Composition: Lm(2) contains 5-68 weight% of lanthanum and less than 20 wt.% of cerium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The terminating step is completed by adding a mineral acid to an aqueous suspension of the purified carbon nanotubes. The converting step includes reacting the carboxylic acid groups on the ends of the nanotubes with reagents. The reacting step includes mixing the nanotubes with amine optionally with solvent, and heating to 50-200 (preferably 90-100) degrees C for 96 hours.Preferred Components: The reagents can be thionyl chloride (SOCl2) and/or phosphorus pentachloride. The amine is octadecylamine, 4-dodecylaniline, and/or 4-tetradecylaniline. The solvent in the reacting step can be toluene, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dimethylformamide, hexmethylphosphoramide, and/or dimethylsulfoxide. The organic solvent can be chloroform, dichloromethane, benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, ether, and/or tetrahydrofuran.Preferred Parameters: The carbon nanotubes have length of 1-1000 nm and diameter of 0.5-100 nm. EXAMPLE - Purified, shortened, polished SWNTs (1.9 g) were heated in SOCl2 (40 ml) and dimethylformamide (12 drops) at 70 degrees C for 24 hours. The mixture was centrifuged, and the SOCl2 layer was decanted. The solid was washed with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting solution was reacted with amine or alkylarylamine. The excess long chain amine/alkylarylamine was removed by repeated washing with alcohol. The remaining solid was worked up to form a concentrated solution, which was added with ethyl alcohol and filtered. The black solid was washed with ethyl alcohol and dried at room temperature under reduced pressure. Yield was 50-90% based on polished, shortened SWNTs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The thermobonding film consists of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer resin or polyvinylidene chloride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The light olefin is propylene and/or butene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: Polymerization of light olefin is performed using a catalyst consisting of aluminum chloride, boron trifluoride, an organic aluminum complex, zeolite, silica-alumina complex and/or a solid phosphorus acidic catalyst. Hydrogenation is performed using a catalyst containing palladium, ruthenium, platinum and/or nickel. Preferred Method: Hydrogen is obtained by steam reforming, auto-thermal reforming or partial oxidation of the fuel oil. EXAMPLE - 150 g of a mixture containing aluminum chloride catalyst (0.45g), isobutane (in weight%) (5.6), n-butane (19.5), 1-butene (8.4), isobutene (22.8) and 2-butene (43.7) was prepared, and polymerized for 20 minutes at 120degreesC. The obtained liquid was washed in water at normal temperature and pressure, followed by washing with an alkali. The oil layer was separated and a polymer was obtained by drying for 12 hours using anhydrous calcium chloride. Hydrogenation of the polymer was performed for 3 hours at 2.5 MPa and 230degreesC, using a palladium catalyst. The catalyst was separated and the reaction product was distilled, to obtain a fuel oil having a boiling range of 170-270degreesC. The fuel oil contained 99.5 volume% (vol.%) of saturated hydrocarbons, 0.5 vol.% of olefins, and less than 0.1 ppm of sulfur content. The fuel oil did not contain any aromatic compounds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substrate is a conducting material made of non-conducting fibers, a conducting plastic film, a metal foil or expanded metal. The metal or alloy is selected from Ni, Cu, Al, Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, NiPCo, NiPMn, NiP, FeNiCr, NiWo, NiPWo, NiSn, CoSn, NiMg or NiMo. The coating is provided with a further coating made of Al, Ag and Ti with a thickness of 10-100 nm or carbon. The lithium-containing spinel is LiMnO4, LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiTiS2 or LiVSe2. The non-conducting fibers are made of glass fibers, mineral fibers, ceramic fibers or artificial fibers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The plastic film is made of polyester, PTFE, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene imine, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, aramid fibers or perfluoroalkoxy fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The heat transfer promotion structure comprises metal fiber including nickel, aluminum, copper, iron and stainless steel, and ceramic fiber including alumina, cordierite and zeolite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The mean particle diameter of the crystals of rutile-type titania is 20 nm or less. The rutile-type titania has a specific surface area of 60 m2/g or more.Preferred Metals: The noble metals are platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: One end of the uni-couple is established as a hot end and another end as a cold end. A load connection is included to each of the legs as an opposite end of the connection. It produces a current output. A thermal connection at the same end as the load connection provides thermal contact between the legs but electrical insulation between the legs. It is made of insulating material and plated with a conductive material. It is at the cold end. A bonding interface is included between the segments of each leg. It comprises an alloy including titanium or palladium. It has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to the materials of the segments. Preferred Ratio: A ratio between lengths of segments is approximately 0.5-3.3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Each leg includes at least one segment made of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) type material. The second leg includes a Skutterudite type material, preferably zinc antimonide (Zn4Sb3). The insulating material is alumina. The N type materials include cobalt antimonide (CoSb3). Preferred Ratio: A ratio between the materials is 0.6 for BiTe3 material, 0.5 for the Zn4Sb3 material, and 2.7 for the skutterudite material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carbonaceous Material: The carbonaceous material is chosen from fullerene, carbon nano-fiber, carbon nano-tube, carbon soot, carbon nano-capsule or carbon fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The upstream side catalyst layer further contains zirconium component and/or cobalt component, and at least one alkali metal component, alkaline earth metal component and rare earth element component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A thickener added to hydrochloric acid and/or alcohol solution, is used for adjusting viscosity of ruthenium chloride solution. The catalyst support is porous alumina fine granules. The reduction is performed by heating to 300-700 degrees C in hydrogen air atmosphere.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: A slurry is formed by adding water to the obtained precipitate, and slurry is coated on a honeycomb carrier to form the catalyst. Alumina or zirconia sol as binder component is added during the formation of slurry. EXAMPLE - 125 ml of 7.7 wt.% of sodium carbonate aqueous solution and 150 ml of mixed aqueous solution containing copper formate and zinc formate were mixed, and a precipitate was formed. The precipitate was matured for 1 hour, stirred at 60degreesC, filtered and washed with water 4 times, followed by baking at 80degreesC for 2 hours and drying at 300degreesC for 10 hours. The catalyst having weight ratio of copper and zinc of 1:1 and BET specific surface area of 74 m2/g, was obtained. Press forming of catalyst powder was performed, and catalyst was cut to 2-3 mm. 1.5 ml of catalyst was used for treatment of a gas containing 10.9% carbondioxide, 7% carbon monoxide, 29.9% water vapor and 52.2% hydrogen, at 200degreesC. Carbon monoxide conversion ratio was measured and was found to be 93.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The manganese oxide or the lithium-manganese composite oxide in the cathode has a spinel crystal structure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte salt other than lithium tetrafluoroborate is lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF4), lithium hexafluoroarsenate (LiAsF6), lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3), lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiN(SO2CF3)2), lithium methide (LiC(SO2CF3)3), lithium tetrafluoroaluminate (LiAlCl4), or lithium fluorosilicate (LiSiF6). The lithium-manganese composite oxide is compound of Li(1+x)MyMn(2-x-y)O4 or preferably lithium permanganate.M = metal element other than Li and Mn;x = 0-0.15; andy = 0-0.3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The magnetic composite material also comprises a polymer coated magnetic microbead material sorbed into the graded density layer. The polymer coated microbead can comprise polystyrene coated organo-iron or iron oxide microbeads. When utilized in the flux switch, the composite can also include an electro-active polymer (e.g., poly(vinyl ferrocenium). The ion exchanger comprises an ion exchange polymer. Preferred Conditions: The polymer coated magnetic microbead material has magnetism that is different from that of the ion exchanger.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The magnetic microbead material comprises rare earth metal or metal oxide. They can include iron or iron oxide. The ion exchanger can comprise perfluorinated sulfonic acid. The electrolyte comprises an electrolyzable gas, oxygen gas or chloralkali.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The oxygen reacting to the cathode is provided by an air feeding as combustion gas. The fuel reacting at the anode comprises a fraction of the gaseous intermediate products of the catalytic combustion reaction. The fuel reacting at the anode comprises hydrogen, carbon or their compounds, along with or with other elements, such as, steam, carbon oxide, alcohol, methane and other hydrocarbons.A voltage continua G is applied to generate an excitation electrical field between the anode and cathode electrodes.The energy generator further includes a non-conductive holed septum placed between the combustion chamber and the fuel cell, a second non-conductive holed septum placed between the fuel cell and the chamber for collecting the burnt gases, and a system for the direct introduction of air on the cathode and of a fuel on the anode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The cathode is composed of iron, while the anode is composed of nickel. The electrodes may also include nickel, platinum, and other catalysts usually employed for the same use.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The gaseous electrolyte is composed of gaseous intermediate products of the catalytic combustion reaction of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon can be methane, propane or other gaseous hydrocarbons.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The catalyst (3) of the catalytic combustion reaction is composed of different ceramic materials, such as, porous or dust, or wire shaped, wire woven and other ceramic materials commonly used for similar reactions. The catalyst comprises clay (3Al2O3.2SiO2) and albite feldspar (NaAlSi3O8) in different types, porous or dust solid form, wire shaped, wire woven.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The aqueous solution comprises 0.01-320, preferably 5 g/l triamminetris(nitrito-N,N,N)rhodium(III), 1-1000, preferably 10-500 ml/l ammonium hydroxide, and 0.01-240, preferably 0.1-10 g/l hydrazine hydrate.The plating composition is autocatalytic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Process: The substrate is uniformly plated with metallic rhodium.Preferred Properties: The temperature of the plating composition is at 60-90degreesC.Preferred Substrate: The substrate can be (non)metal, semiconductor, or ceramic substrates. EXAMPLE - Triamminetris(nitrito-N,N,N)rhodium(III) (Rh(NH3)3(NO2)3) was synthesized by reacting K3(Rh(NO2)3Cl3) with ammonium hydroxide. A sample of nickel foil was cleaned by a sandpaper and immersed for 10 minutes in an electroless rhodium plating bath containing 1 g/l rhodium as (Rh(NH3)3(NO2)3), 200 ml/l NH4OH and 1 g/l N2H4H2O at 70degreesC. A dense bright uniform rhodium coating of 0.2 microns thick was obtained. This rhodium coating is useful for corrosion protection.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The nitrogen produced from ammonia, is occluded in the form of metal nitride, and the stored nitrogen is reacted with hydrogen to form ammonia which is used as raw material for hydrogen production.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Rubber: The liquid rubber is chosen from polydiene, polyolefin, polyether, polysulfide, silicone and fluorine group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The metal plate is made of aluminum (99.5% pure) or an aluminum alloy. The corrosion-resistant layer may be a dense anodized aluminum layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The separator (51) has a dense anodized aluminum layer (61) having a porosity of less than 5% and a thickness of 5-50 microns. A porous anodized aluminum layer having a porosity of at least 5% is provided on the dense anodized aluminum layer. A heat-resistant polymer layer is disposed on the anodized aluminum layer. A conductive film (71) is disposed on the contact face. A corner portion formed between surfaces of the flow channel (81) is in shape of a curved surface having a curvature radius of at least 0.3 (preferably 0.5) mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The corrosion-resistant layer may be a water repellent heat-resistant polymer layer. The polymer is vinyl resin, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, aromatic polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polystyrene, copolymer of styrene and another monomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, silicone resin, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, rayon, cupra, acetate resin, promix, vinylon, vinylidene resin or acrylic resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conductive film is made of platinum, gold, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium and/or silver. It may also be carbon or a conductive carbide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Products: (I) are products obtained by crosslinking either:(a) a mixture of a SO3M-functional polymer, a SO2M-functional polymer and a NR2-functional polymer;(b) a mixture of a SO3M- and NR2-functional polymer and a SO2M-functional polymer;(c) a mixture of a SO3M- and SO2M-functional polymer and a NR2-functional polymer; or(d) a mixture of a SO3M-functional polymer and a NR2- and SO2M-functional polymer.Preferred Polymers: The polymers are functionalized polyethersulfones, polysulfones, polyphenylsulfones, polyetherethersulfones, polyetherketones, polyetheretherketones, polyphenylene ethers, polydiphenylphenylene ethers, polyphenylene sulfides or their copolymers, especially polysulfones, polyphenylene ethers or other lithiatable polymers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Crosslinkers: The crosslinkers are of formula Hal-(CH2)x-Hal or Hal-CH2-phenylene-CH2-Hal. WIDER DISCLOSURE - The acid groups include B(OM)2.    EXAMPLE - A solution of polymers comprising repeat units of formula (VIIIa), (VIIIb) and (VIIIc) in amounts of 1 g, 0.3 g and 0.3 g, respectively, in NMP (18 g) was treated with 1,4-diiodobutane (0.205 ml), stirred for 15 minutes, filtered, degassed and spread on a glass plate. The plate was dried at 80-130 degrees C under vacuum and cooled. The film was removed under water and treated in 10% hydrochloric acid and then deionized water, both at 60-90 degrees C for 24 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The metal matrix particle has size D at least 3 microns and the added component particle has particle size d at most 500 nm.The ultrafine particles have particle size d0 at least 100 nm. The content (Gp) of ultrafine particle is 0.1 atom% at most Gp at most 5.0 atom%, preferably 0.3 atom% at most Gp at most 3.0 atom%.Preferred Particles: The ultrafine particle comprises several nickel and iron ultrafine particles. EXAMPLE - An aggregate of magnesium particles (as metal matrix particles) having a purity of 99.9% and a particle size (D) of 10 microns and aggregate of iron particles (as added component particles) having a purity of 99.9% and particle size of (d0) of 20 nm were prepared. The mixture powder was placed into a container having a volume of 80 ml of a ball mill together with 18 balls having a diameter of 10 mm and subjected to ball milling with the inside of the container maintained at a hydrogen gas atmosphere of 2.0 MPa under conditions of a container-rotational speed of 780 rpm and milling time of 15 minutes. The hydrogen absorbing alloy powder was recovered and dehydrogenated. The rate of hydrogen absorption was high and hydrogen storage capacity was large.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The hydrocarbon compound is at least 60 mol% saturated, at most 40 mol% olefin component, at least 0.5 mol% butadiene part and at most 0.1 mol% of isoparaffin in the at least 4C saturated component. The vapor pressure at 40degreesC is at most 1.55 MPa. The concentration of the hydrocarbon compound at 15 degreesC is 0.500-0.620 g/cm3. The copper plate corrosion degree at 40 degreesC for 1 hour is at most 1. The heat capacity at 15 degreesC is 1.7 kJ/kg.degreesC. The oxygen-containing compound is e.g. methanol, ethanol, dimethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, ethyl t-butyl ether, t-amyl methyl ether, t-amyl ethyl ether, etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The flow rate of gas fuel or vapor in the liquid fuel is corrected and supplied depending on the correction value of the ratio of the flow rate of gas fuel or liquid fuel to the flow rate of the gas containing the oxygen.Preferred Method: Before a liquid fuel is supplied, its required flow rate is determined according to a memorized fuel flow rate correction coefficient. After adjusting flow rate of the gas, the fuel flow rate correction coefficient is determined according to the determined first correction coefficient.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oil: The content of partly aromatic compounds is 16 volume% or less.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The modification catalyst is a ruthenium group catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The fuel oil comprises 0.2 vol.% or less of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds with three or more rings. EXAMPLE - 50.9 g of nickel chloride were dissolved in 500 ml of water. 0.6 g of alumina carrier and 20 ml of nitric acid aqueous solution of concentration 1 mole/liter were added, and pH was adjusted to 1 to prepare a liquid (A). 33.1 g of sodium carbonate were dissolved in 500 ml of water. 11.7 g of water glass and silica were added to prepare a liquid (B). Liquids (A, B) were heated to 80 degreesC, mixed and stirred. The mixture was filtered, and the product was washed with water, dried at 120 degreesC for 12 hours, and baked at 300 degreesC for 1 hour. A desulfurizing agent comprising 63 weight% (wt.%) of nickel supported on silica-alumina carrier was obtained.    15 ml of the agent were filled in a reaction tube, and activated by maintaining at 380 degreesC for 1 hour. The reaction tube was then maintained at 150 degreesC, and JIS No.1 kerosene having sulfur concentration of 15 wt.%, and containing 82 vol.% of saturated portion, 16.8 vol.% of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, 1.1 vol.% of bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and 0.1 vol.% or less of tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon was supplied to the reaction tube at liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) of 10 h-1, under normal pressure. The sulfur concentration of kerosene was reduced to 0.2 wt.% or less. The kerosene was contacted with 30 ml of ruthenium group reforming catalyst containing 0.5 wt.% of ruthenium. Steam reforming was performed under atmospheric pressure, water vapor/carbon molar ratio of 2.5, and LHSV of 1 h-1. Conversion ratio of kerosene was found to be 100%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The total content of normal paraffin and normal isoparaffin in the fuel oil is 55 vol% of more. The sulfur concentration in the fuel oil is less than 0.5 ppm, preferably less than 0.1 ppm. The fuel oil contains 5-100 ppm of amine group compound and phenol group compound.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst used for manufacturing fuel oil, contains nickel and tungsten on a support. The reformed catalyst used for manufacture of liquid raw material of fuel cell is ruthenium group catalyst. EXAMPLE - JIS No.1 kerosene containing 40 ppm of sulfur was contacted with nickel-tungsten-alumina catalyst at 20 MPa and 300 degreesC to form a fuel oil. The density of the oil at 15degreesC was 0.78 g/cm3. The sulfur concentration in the fuel oil was 0.05 ppm and carbon to hydrogen molar ratio was 0.48. The fuel oil contained 25.7 volume percent of normal paraffin, 35.0 vol% of isoparaffin and 39.3 vol% of naphthalene and was free of aromatic compounds. The ignition point (according to JIS K2265) and smoke point (according to JIS K2537) of the fuel oil were 48 degreesC and 40 degreesC, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Fuel: The fuel contains 50 ppm or less of sulfur components, 5 mole% or less of hydrocarbons having a carbon number of two or less, 90 mole% or more 4-3C hydrocarbon and 5 mole% or more of hydrocarbons having five or more of carbon atoms. The fuel has a vapor pressure at 40 degreesC of 1.55 MPa or less, a density at 15 degreesC of 0.500 - 0.620 g/cm3, and a heat capacity at 15 degreesC of 1.7 kJ/kg.degreesC or less. The corrosion degree of the fuel at 40 degreesC for 1 hour is 1 or less. EXAMPLE - A fuel comprising mainly propane obtained from a naphtha fraction using an improved and modified distillation system generated 31140 KJ/kg energy initially and 31110 KJ/kg after 100 hours running. The fuel coefficient was 67 %. The CO2 generation was low.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The pump comprises a peristaltic pump mounted to the pressure tank. It is operatively connectable to the supply tube assembly to incrementally feed alkaline metal contained, the supply tube assembly includes sealed end and an open end, which is sealingly connectable to an opening of the pressure tank. The alkaline metal introduction system includes a pump drive assembly (107) connected to the peristaltic pump. The pump drive assembly is powered by hand using a hand crank. The alkaline metal introduction system further includes a tube retaining assembly, which retains the supply tube assembly in a stationary position during operation of the peristaltic pump. The tube retaining assembly comprises a hand operated lever having a cam portion which is engageable with the sealed end of the supply tube assembly to retain the sealed end in position using camming action. The end plug includes a gripping tab.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The outer tube is made of plastic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The alkaline metal comprises sodium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Construction: The plastic frames (2, 12) are extruded or injection molded around each membrane electrode unit (1) and each bipolar plate (10), or the bipolar plates may be formed from plastic as an integral component. The bipolar plates have at least one cavity for a coolant and the plastic frames for these plates are provided with distributor (5) and collector (8) channels for the coolant, with connections to the cavity, especially side-branches. The bipolar plates are double-walled, filled with non-woven fabric (9) (especially fabric based on electrically conductive plastic) and/or provided with cooling channels. All the channels (3-8) are formed by injection molding, preferably with the distributor channels (3, 5, 6) and the collector channels (4, 7, 8) on diametrically opposite sides of the frames. The end plates have connections for gas supply, cooling and tapping electrical current.Preferred Materials: Electrically non-conducting plastics are used for the frames for membrane electrode units; conductive plastics are used for the frames for bipolar plates, for the end plates themselves and possibly for the fabric (9) between (10) and (1) (or this fabric (9) may be made of metal). The bipolar plates may be in the form of a honeycomb structure of metal or two conductive metal foils. Preferred non-conductive plastics comprise cis- or trans-polyacetylene, poly-p- or poly-m-phenylene, polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly-p-phenylene sulfide or poly-azasulfene. Preferred conductive plastics are doped polymers as listed above.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst in the electrode units (1) consists of precious metal, Raney nickel, tungsten carbide, molybdenum or tungsten sulfide, phthalocyanine complexes or other chelate complexes. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Condition: The reducing of the ruthenium (Ru) composition comprises contacting the composition with a reducing gas at 300-500 degrees C. An oxidation step is at less than 500, preferably less than 300 degrees C.Preferred Property: The alumina carrier comprises a bimodal pore size distribution. It comprises a pore distribution comprising peak(s) having an average pore diameter of 800-1500 Angstrom. It comprises an average bulk density of 0.3-0.7 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - A solution containing Ru (III) nitrosyl nitrate solution (247 g)containing 1.5% Ru (III) was diluted with 153 g of deionized water and added to an alumina support. The support and solution were kept at room temperature for 15 minutes. Steam was introduced for 4 hours. The impregnated catalyst was placed in a quartz tube surrounded by a ceramic-lines tube furnace and a flow of air was introduced to the tube at ambient temperature and 6L/min for 15 minutes. It was raised at 5 degrees C/min to 110 degrees C and held for 2 hours. The air flow was shut off and a nitrogen purge was commenced at a flow rate of 1 L/min at 110 degrees C for 30 minutes. The nitrogen flow was terminated and a hydrogen flow was introduced over the catalyst at 3 L/min. It was raised at 5 degrees C/min to 500 degrees C while continuing hydrogen flow. It was maintained at 500 degrees C for 1 hour. Hydrogen flow was stopped and nitrogen was introduced as the temperature was slowly brought down to room temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Element: The support contains 0.1-20 weight percent of bromine and is porous.Preferred Method: The petroleum group hydrocarbon is contacted with de-sulfurizing agent at 40-100degreesC. After de-sulfurization, the treated hydrocarbon may be contacted with another de-sulfurizing agent containing chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, palladium, iridium and platinum. The water vapor modified catalyst used for manufacture of fuel cell water ingredient is ruthenium group catalyst. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The support is silica, alumina, silica-alumina, zeolite, titania, zirconia, magnesia, zinc oxide, clay, diatomaceous earth and activated carbon. The XVII group element is bromine.    EXAMPLE - In 50 ml of 0.1 mol/l of aqueous hydrogen bromide solution, 100 g of activated carbon was mixed, stirred for 1 hour at room temperature and dried at 70 degreesC to form de-sulfurizing agent. De-sulfurizing agent contained 1 weight% of bromine. 50 g of de-sulfurizing agent was added to 200 ml of kerosene and stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. A part of kerosene was separated and sulfur content was found to be 10 ppm. The treated kerosene was again treated using another de-sulfurizing agent containing diatomaceous earth support comprising nickel. The sulfur content in the processed kerosene was reduced to 0.4 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The inorganic material consists of silicon-zirconium-oxygen, and has pore size of mean diameter 0.3-1 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The organic polymer (A) is typically polyisobutylene. The curative (B) is typically polyorganohydrogen polysiloxane bearing at least two hydrosilyl groups in the molecule. The compound (D) is typically of divinyltetramethyldisiloxane and tetramethyltetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane. EXAMPLE - PAO 5004 (RTM: plasticizer) (12 g) and MARKAO-50 (RTM: antioxidant) (0.4 g) were added to a mixture of EP400A (RTM: allyl-terminated polyisobutylene with a molecular weight of 10,000) (A) (40 g) and CR100 (RTM: alpha-methylstyrene-modified methylhydrogenpolysiloxane) (B) (2 g), Pt-vinylsiloxane complex catalyst (5x10 power-4 equivalent per mol number of alkenyl groups in (A)) and 1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3- tetramethyldisiloxane (100 equivalent per Pt) were added to the obtained mixture and the resulting mixture was blended to give a curable composition with a pot life at 23 degreesC of not less than 2 hours and a curing characteristic at 60 degreesC of not more than 1 hour respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salts: A combination of salts of either (i) 1-2C carboxylic acid(s) and 3-5C carboxylic acid(s) or (ii) 1-5C carboxylic acid(s) and 6-16C carboxylic acid(s) is used.Preferred Method: The fluid or soap is (i) a heat-exchange fluid based on a water-soluble alcohol freezing point depressant or (ii) a lubricant or hydraulic fluid based on mineral or synthetic oil, mineral or synthetic soap, or grease. The working temperature is 20-180 degree. C. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 30% sodium propionate and 70% potassium formate was found to have a melting temperature of 167 degree. C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The first chamber comprises a vertical orientation and a progressively increasing layer of insulation (74) from upper end to the lower end. The flue gas vent includes a flue gas damper (70). A fourth catalyst zone (76) is arranged in the boiler vessel and in fluid communication with the shift effluent conduit and a second effluent conduit (78) for withdrawing a hydrogen product gas stream. An igniter is in the center zone of the first chamber. A fluid level control device (82) is arranged in the boiler vessel to maintain a fluid level at least partially submerging the third chamber. It comprises a stand pipe in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and a height of the fluid level. Steam conduits terminate at a point at or above the upper insulation zone and below the fluid level.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The metalloxane polymer is formed from polycondensate selected from group consisting of silicon-based alkoxides, titanium-based alkoxides and zirconium-based alkoxides. The polymer electrolyte membrane is formed from group consisting of perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid-based polymer, perfluorocarbon phosphonic acid-based polymer, trifluorostyrene sulfonic acid-based polymer, and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene-g-styrenesulfonic acid-based polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The graphite article has a thickness of 1-0.003 inch, and a density of 5-125 lbs/ft3. Preferred Components: The portion of unaligned particles is transverse to the opposed planar surfaces of the sheet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Components: Ceramic fiber particles are mixed into the graphite sheets. The ceramic fiber particles have a length of 0.15-1.5 mm and are stable at not more than 2000degreesF.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The apparatus further comprises a device for mechanically deforming a surface of the graphite sheet to provide a series of repeating patterns on the sheet. An oven receives the mat from the mechanically deforming device to cure the resin impregnated into the sheet. A wash vessel containing water is connected to the reactor vessel to receive reaction product in the form of intercalated graphite particles and partially remove acid from the surface of the intercalated particles. A drying chamber dries the washed intercalated graphite particles. A separator vessel is interposed downstream from the expansion chamber to collect heavy solid mineral impurity particles. A gas scrubber collects gases generated in the expansion chamber. A dryer is further provided to vaporize and remove solvent, without effecting cure of the resin system, prior to contacting the sheet with the mechanically deforming device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The desulfurized naphtha is desulfurized light and/or heavy naphtha. The alcohol is methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The petroleum group hydrocarbon is kerosene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support: The support is porous, and consists of silica, alumina, silica-alumina, zeolite, titania, zirconia, magnesia, zinc oxide, clay, diatomaceous earth and/or activated carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The de-sulfurizing agent has a support such as silica, alumina, silica-alumina, titania, zirconia, zeolite, magnesia, diatomaceous earth, clay or zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The composition of the thermosetting resin is 13-30 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition ratio of the graphite powder is 70-87 wt.%.Preferred Size: The average particle diameter of the graphite powder is 40-100 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The surface roughness of at least a portion contacting with an electrode is 0.1-0.5 microns, as measured by a surface roughness meter having a probe of a diameter of 5 microns. EXAMPLE - Bondcarbon compounds of powders of natural graphite having average diameter of 45 microns, and phenol resin (15 vol.%) were prepared. Each of the compounds was charged into a mold, and applied with 15 MPa pressure. The compound was heated to mold a test piece having a surface roughness of 0.1-0.5 microns.    The same materials and procedures were used for forming a comparative test piece, except that the average diameter of the powder was 10 microns, and the phenol resin used was 10 vol.%. The comparative test piece had a surface roughness of 0.9-1.8 microns. The contact resistance of the test pieces were measured. The contact resistance of the invented composition was 5.1 mOhm.cm2, while that of the comparative sample was 16 mOhm.cm2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The fluid stream passes along both sides of plate-type partition(s), so that at least one endothermic reaction occurs on one side and at least one exothermic reaction on the opposite side, and the partition comprises heat-conducting material. One or more reactants taking part in a later reaction are added to the fluid stream in the zone(s) where the flow reverses and/or along the partition. The kinetically preferred reaction takes plate in a first zone and other reactions in later zones. Both sides of the partition are completely coated with suitable catalysts.Preferred Reactor: The reactor has a pressure-tight housing and removable insert(s) comprising plates (partly) coated with catalysts. The plates are separated by spacers, shaped e.g. like horseshoes. The inlets and outlets for fluid streams pass through the spacer(s). The inlets and outlets preferably are near the middle of the length of the plates in the flow direction and the reversing zone is at each end of a plate. The plates, which consist (partly) of metal, are (partly) folded like a concertina in the flow direction of the fluid stream and/or are structurized, e.g. corrugated, ribbed, folded and/or embossed. The reactor has several (almost) parallel plates, each with a baffle at one end for turning the fluid stream from one side to the back of the plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Agent: The desulfurizing agent is a nickel group desulfurizing agent. Preferred Method: The washing process is performed for 1-10 hours at 120 degreesC in liquid phase solvent in the absence of air.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The organic solvent is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound such as benzene, toluene or xylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The molecular proportions of Cu, Zn and Al in the starting solution (Cu+Zn)/Al is 2-5. The oxygen/methanol molar ratio in the manufacture of hydrogen is 0.20-0.50. The reaction temperature for hydrogen gas formation is 200-245 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process:- A vent is formed on the cathode container, and the sodium is inserted into the anode chamber through the vent. Then, the vent is plugged. The removal of sulfur and/or sodium polysulfide, or ceramic aggregate and/or carbon material and sulfur and/or sodium polysulfide from the anode container, is carried out above the melting point of sulfur or sodium polysulfide. The surface of the removed ceramic aggregate and/or carbon material is washed using acid and/or alkali, or organic substance and/or water.Preferred Composition:- The amount of sodium polysulfide in the anode chamber is less than that of sulfur.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The cathode potential is maintained at at most 0.5, preferably at most 0.1 V for the second period of time.The operating procedures to reduce the cathode potential include the steps of stopping the flow of oxidant to the cell, disconnecting the primary electricity using device and replacing it with a battery in the external circuit, or providing a flow of hydrogen containing gas to the cathode.Preferred Component: The fuel cell system may also include an auxiliary resistive load, and the controller includes mechanism for connecting, for the second period of time, the auxiliary resistive load in the circuit in place of the disconnected electricity using device.The controller includes a mechanism for providing a flow of hydrogen containing fuel to the cathode electrode for the second period of time, in place of the interrupted flow of oxidant.The fuel system includes a power source, and the controller includes mechanism for connecting, for the second period of time, the power source in the circuit in place of the disconnected electricity using device. It includes a supply of inert gas, and the controller includes mechanism for providing, during the second period of time, a flow of inert gas to the cathode electrode in place of the interrupted flow of oxidant. It includes an auxiliary resistive load, and the controller includes mechanism for connecting, for the second period of time, the auxiliary resistive load is in the circuit in place of the disconnected electricity using device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Dimension: The first piece of conducting material is approximately 3/8 inch in length, 0.30 inches in width, and 0.030 inches in thickness. The first piece of conducting material is designed in the shape of a washer having a 11/32 inch central hole (18) and an outer diameter of approximately 0.5 inch in diameter.Preferred Components: The apparatus is directly contacted with a battery terminal and a battery post. The battery post is not in direct contact with the battery terminal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conducting materials are fabricated from 95% copper, 2.5% zinc, and 2.5% tin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The microfiber mat comprises 40-85 wt.% of polymeric microfibers along with glass microfibers having diameter of 0.3-5 mu as remainder. The mat has an uncompressed thickness and is maintained in the lead-acid cell compressed by at least 20% of the uncompressed thickness. The polymeric microfibers are chosen from polyesters, polyolefins, polyacrylics, polyphenylene sulfides, segmented polyester-polyurethane thermoplastics and segmented polyurethanes.Preferred Structure: The separator comprises a microfiber mat having at least two layers and has a thickness of 0.060-0.150 inches. At least one layer is glass microfibers and another layer is modified plastic microfibers. The separator optionally includes another layer which is a central layer comprising 60-80% of the thickness of the separator. The other two layers are adjacent to central layer.Preferred Properties: The cell has a capacity of at least 7500 Ampere Hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The hydrogen gas containing carbon monoxide is manufactured by modification of an organic compound.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst for oxidizing the carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen gas uses a meso-pore molecular sieve and alumina as a support. The meso-pore molecular sieve contains aluminum and an organic carbon group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The fuel oil has caulking index of preferably 0.3 or less. Preferred Composition: The fuel oil contains 15 volume% (vol%) or less of aromatic compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The reforming catalyst is a ruthenium group catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substance: The powdery substance is obtained by cutting a substance by various processes. Preferred Composition: The powdery substance is isotropic graphite material or coke, carbon black obtained from tar pitch. Preferred Process: Heating is performed at 1000-1300degreesC. The powder is molded, baked at 2500-3000degreesC and machined to predetermined form. Preferred Property: The powder substance has a grain size of 0.1-250 mum. Preferred Material: The powdery substance contains a fixed ratio of scale-like natural or artificial graphite. Preferred Binder: The binder is a phenol resin, epoxy resin, melanin resin, diallyl halide resin, thermosetting resin, polyamide resin, polycarbonate resin or thermoplastic resin for polysulfone and is mixed with the powder in a fixed ratio.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Thickness: The thickness of the surface layer part, is 550 mum or less. Preferred Process: Oxidation is performed by circulating oxygen containing gas with oxygen concentration equal to oxygen concentration of air, to aggregate maintained at 170degreesC or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conditions: The molecular ratio of Cu, Zn, Al, and Zr in the starting solution during the production of the CuZnAlZr oxide catalyst satisfies the condition (Cu + Zn)/(Al + Zr)= 2 to 4.In the production of hydrogen gas, the oxygen/methanol molar ratio employed is 0.1-0.5, the steam/methanol molar ratio is 0.8-2, and the reaction is carried out at 200-250 degrees C. EXAMPLE - Water/methanol mixture (molar ratio= 1.3) was introduced into a layer of CuZnAlZr oxide catalyst at 1.6-2.5 cm 3/h. The catalyst was prepared from CuZnAlZr layered double hydroxide (precursor catalyst) containing (atomic ratio) Cu (1.4), Zn (1.65), Al (0.45) and Zr (0.55). Air (oxygen= 20.2%) was introduced at 10-20 cm 3/min, and argon was introduced at 43 cm 3/min. The reaction product and unreacted matter were then analyzed by 2 gas chromatographs connected on line. A 2 m long separation column packed with Porapak Q Trade Mark was attached to 1 gas chromatograph and the water and methanol were analyzed. A 2 m long separation column packed with active charcoal was attached to second gas chromatograph, and hydrogen (H 2), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO 2) were analyzed.    Results showed that when the reaction temperature was 230 degrees C, 85.4 mol% methanol conversion rate, 1626 mmol/kg.s H 2 production rate, 1.1 mol% CO selectivity, and 99.2 mol% CO 2 selectivity were obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Aggregate: The membrane is a structural unit of the aggregate, preferably in the fuel supply, especially a reformer or fuel cell. In particular, the gas mixture is produced by a reformer, especially a methanol-steam reformer supplied with methanol. The membrane is in the reformer, which preferably is a component of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The membrane has pores with diameters in the nm range and especially such that hydrogen can permeate but not other gases or liquids. It is produced from poly furfuryl alcohol, especially by pyrolysis.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a film adjacent to the first electrode, formed of a protonically conductive electrolyte, and a second electrode in contact with the film. The film overlying the first electrode comprises a proton exchange type material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first and second electrodes comprise a material selected from platinum, palladium, gold, nickel, tungsten carbide, ruthenium, molybdenum and alloys of platinum, palladium, gold, nickel, tungsten carbide, molybdenum, and ruthenium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel-bearing fluid is comprised of a mixture of methanol and water, supplied by a separate methanol and a separate water source, and mixed in-situ.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The alloy comprises at least 90 wt.% magnesium, and also 0.5-2.5 wt.% nickel and 1-5.5 wt.% Misch metal. It also includes 3-7 wt.% aluminum, 0.1-1.5 wt.% yttrium, 0.1-3 wt.% boron, 0.1-3 wt.% carbon, and/or 0.3-1.5 wt.% silicon. It has a microstructure including at least two distinct regions a major hydrogen storage phase surrounded by an intergranular region. The intergranular region is enriched in Misch metal, silicon and nickel and reduced in magnesium as compared with the hydrogen storage phase. The Misch metal comprises cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium, and neodymium. Preferred Property: The alloy has a hydrogen storage capacity of at least 6 wt.%, absorption kinetics so that the alloy absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 5 minutes at 300degreesC, and a particle size of 30-70 mum. The intergranular phase has a higher melting point than the storage phase, thus inhibiting sintering of the alloy particles during hydride/dehydride cycling.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Alcohol: The alcohol has is of formula ROH.R = 1-6C alkyl preferably 1-4C alkyl.The alcohol is an aqueous alcohol or a mixture of alcohols.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Hydride: The metal hydride is a simple metal hydride of lithium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, zirconium and titanium or a complex metal hydride represented by formula M2vM3wHy.M2 = Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe or Zr;M3 = aluminum, boron, beryllium or titanium;v = 1-3;w = 1-3; andy = 4-8.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Generator: The flow unit has a control unit for controlled delivery of alcohol from one container (14) to the other container (12).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The heat exchanger is able to heat water by using heat generated when the fuel cell unit generates power. The condensed-water supply system has a heat exchanger for condensing steam from the hot water in the hot water storage tank by cooling that steam with auxiliary water to be supplied to the hot water storage tank and recovering the condensed water, and a condensed-water supply path (8) for supplying the condensed water recovered by the heat exchanger to the water storage tank. The hot water storage tank is provided inside with a partition for defining rooms in the hot water storage tank in such a way that the hot water heated by the heater is led into one of the rooms and steam from the hot water in that room is supplied to the condensed-water supply system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Properties: The solid electrolyte membrane has a thickness of 0.05-0.5 mm, and an ionic conductivity of greater than 1 /ohm-cm.Preferred Components: The anode includes an anode catalyst, a proton-conducting ionomer, and a hydrophobic additive. The cathode includes a cathode catalyst, a proton-conducting ionomer, and a hydrophobic additive. The DC power supply includes a solar cell. The electrolysis cell further comprises a hydrogen purification device connected to the cathode chamber to receive the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen purification device operates to remove liquid from the hydrogen gas. An electrically driven device, i.e. an electrical motor, is connected to the electrical power generating unit to receive the electrical power.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solid electrolyte membrane comprises a polymer material including a perflourinated proton-exchange membrane material (preferably a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid), a modified perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer or polyhydrocarbon sulfonic acid, a carboxylic acid, polystyrene sulfonic acid, or poly(vinylidene fluoride).Preferred Components: The proton-conducting ionomer includes poly-co-(tetrafluoroethylene)-(perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid), and the hydrocarbon additive includes polytetrafluoroethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The anode catalyst includes platinum, ruthenium, titanium dioxide, rhodium, iridium, osmium, tin, rhenium, palladium, tungsten, iron, cobalt, nickel, molybdenum oxide, niobium oxide, or zirconium oxide. The anode catalyst is applied with a loading of ca. 0.1-4 mg/cm2. The cathode catalyst includes platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: Alloy (I) has a hexagonal crystal structure and the phase with CaCu5-type crystal structure is removed. Alloy (II) mainly has a rhododendron structure. The alloys have a mean particle diameter within the limits of 15-80 microns.Preferred Composition: Alloy (II) further contains rare earth elements, nickel and/or cobalt and has a composition RalphaNi5-x-y-zCoxAlyMz, where: R = rare earth element(s); M = manganese, iron, chromium, tin, copper, boron, zirconium, calcium and/or yttrium; and alpha, x, y and z = atomic ratios satisfying the relationships 0.95 less than alpha less than 1.05, 0.2 less than x less than 1.0 and 0.18 at most y and 0 at most z less than 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Content: The content of graphite powder in the molding is 20-97 wt% of total weight. The metathesis catalyst has a structure of formula (1).M = Ru or Os;X,X1 = anionic ligand;L,L1 = neutral electron donating group;Q,Q1 = H or alkyl, alkenyl or aromatic group which may contain a substitution group.One component of the cycloolefins is dicyclopentadiene. EXAMPLE - Terms: DCPD = dicyclopentadiene. TPP = triphenylphosphine. BHT = Sumilizer BHT (RTM) an antioxidant of Sumitomo Kagaku KK. GA-2 = artificial graphite of Nippon Carbon KK. Example 1: Composition containing DCPD (98% purity) 100 parts, BHT 2, TPP 0.05, methathesis catalyst 0.11 and GA-2 100 was kneaded and molded (50 degreesC, 2 hours and then 140 degreesC 2 hours). Results: Bending strength = 30.1 MPa. Surface resistance = 6,100 ohm. Comparative Example 1: Composition containing DCPD (98% purity) 100 parts, BHT 2, TPP 0.05, methathesis catalyst 0.11 and GA-2 20 parts was similarly treated. Results: Bending strength =80.5 MPa. Surface resistance = Higher than 30 x 106 ohm. Test results indicate that up to 20% of graphite powder gives too high surface resistance, and addition of cycloolefins results in higher strength than the conventional resins (epoxy or unsaturated polyesters).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The liquid rubber is chosen from polydiene group, polyolefin group, polyether group, polysulfide group and fluorine group. The elastic gum layer has a thickness of 0.05-4 mm and has a hardness of 20-70 according to JISK 6301 spring-type hardness test A.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Substrate: The substrate is a mixed crystal of Al2O3 and SiO2. It is alternatively a mixed crystal of Al2O3 and MgO.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Catalyst: The platinum content of the active material is between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The enclosure has openings covered by a plastic tape or closed by heat sealing. It is formed of a pair of film layers comprising barrier film layer, puncture resistant layer,or bubble wrap. A natural gas detector is further contained within the enclosure. The fuel cell utilizes a reactant comprising hydrogen and a coolant.
EXAMPLE - A metal powder mixture of composition Ca(0.55)Mg(0.45)Ni3 (all the processes were carried out in Ar gas) was ground, pelletized, sintered by heating at 900 degrees C for 2 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The secondary battery comprises lithium boron nitride (Li3BN2), lithium silicon nitride (Li8SiN7), or lithium aluminum nitride (LiAlN2). The positive electrode comprises at least one lithium containing transition metal oxide of formula LiaCoO2, LiaNiO, LiaMnO, LiaCobNi1-bO2, LiaCobM1-bOc, LiaNi1-bMbOc, LiaMn2O4, LiaMn2-bMbO4.M = Na, Mg, Sc, Y, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Cr, Pb, Sb or B;a = 0-1.2;b = 0-0.9;andc = 2-2.3    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The negative electrode further comprises a conductive agent, a binder or a current collector (6). Preferred Definition:    Me = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo Ru, Sn, W, Pb, or Bi
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: The graphite material has both hexagonal structure and rhombohedral structure, comprises graphite crystal particles (preferably natural), and has a particle size up to 100 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The reaction surface is (i) an Al-Cr-Fe alloy wire netting or rolled-up sheet or (ii) a Si or SiC ceramic monolithic honeycomb, preferably a ceramic of porosity 20-80 (especially 40-70)% and specific resistivity 0.001 OMEGAcm-10 MOMEGAcm fitted with electrical contacts.The ceramic can take the form of a tube coated with Cu, Zn or a Group VIII metal to catalyze the endothermic reformation reaction. Such a tube can also be surrounded by a non-porous, gas-tight metal or ceramic tube which may be coated with a Cu or Group VIII metal to catalyze exothermic reaction between the anode off-gas and air or O2, the reactants for the synthesis gas either (a) flowing through the gap between the tubes and also inwardly through the porous, catalyst-coated and electrically-heated SiC matrix in the inner tube or (b) outwardly from the inner tube into the gap.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The reaction surface can be of a Si or SiC ceramic monolithic honeycomb, especially a ceramic of porosity 20-80 (especially 40-70)% and specific resistivity 0.001 OMEGAcm-10 MOMEGAcm fitted with electrical contacts, the ceramic especially being in tube-form.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials : The reaction surface can be an Al-Cr-Fe alloy wire netting or rolled-up sheet.
WIDER DISCLOSURE - A proton exchange membrane is used as the electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The hydrogen storage powder is agitated during the controlled oxidation reaction by churning the powder to provide an anti-pyrophoric surface layer on each particle of the hydrogen storage powder. It is oxidized by an oxidizing atmosphere or oxidizing gas and non-oxidizing gas to provide a uniform oxide surface layer on at least one particle of the powder. A passivating material is added to the hydrogen storage powder before the oxidization. The method also includes hydriding of a bulk hydrogen storage material before oxidizing the hydrogen storage powder.Preferred Property: The hydrogen storage powder has an average particle size of at most 100 microns without the need for mechanical pulverization after hydriding.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The hydrogen storage powder is an AB2 hydrogen storage material with at least one element from vanadium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, or manganese. It can be an electrochemical or a gas phase hydrogen storage material. It comprises at least one sacrificial modifier, which is cobalt, aluminum, iron, lithium, potassium, sodium, scandium, yttrium, or magnesium. The oxidizing gas is carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, or nitrous oxide. The passivating material comprises chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, molybdenum, tantalum, or tungsten. It can be a hydrophobic organic compound or a layered sulfide compound having niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, or tungsten.Preferred Composition: The oxidizing atmosphere comprises more than 10 wt.% non-oxidizer and 0.5 to less than 90 wt.% oxidizer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer is a fluorinated carbon polymer having side chains that comprise sulfonic, carboxylic, or phosphonic acid groups. At least 50% of the cations of the acid or acid salt groups located in the layer(s) of the membrane are substituted by onium ions. The thickness of the layer(s) in which the cations of the acid or acid salt groups are substituted by onium ions is at most 50% (preferably at most 1%) of the total membrane thickness.Preferred Method: The polymer having side chains that comprise acid or acid salt groups is prepared by alkaline hydrolysis of a polymer having side chains that comprise -SO2X, -COX, or -POX2. The side chains are prepared from at least 2 monomers. One of the monomers is a fluorinated vinyl monomer and the other is a fluorinated vinyl monomer comprising -SO2X, -COX, or -POX2 group. The polymer having side chains which comprise acid or acid salt groups is prepared by a graft polymerization step.X = F or Cl.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The onium cations can be NR4, PR4, AsR4, SbR4, BiR4, or SR3. The onium ions are tetraalkylammonium ions, in which the alkyl groups present in the tetra-alkylammonium ions are each branched or straight-chained 1-20C alkyl. The alkyl groups present in the tetra-alkylammonium ions are branched or straight-chained propyl, butyl, pentyl, or hexyl.R = 1-20C alkyl, 6-20C aryl, or 7-20C alkylaryl.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The salt that prevents swelling of the membrane is sodium bromide, and/or sodium chloride. It has a concentration of 1-10M (preferably 2-6M). The solution comprises 1-25% w/v onium ion(s). The concentration of salt is chosen so that the state of hydration of the membrane during the treatment process is substantially the same as the state of hydration of the membrane in the electrochemical process in which it is to be used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system includes a system for supplying the reforming gas to the combustor and for burning the reforming gas. The reforming gas is surplus in the fuel cell portion. When the value obtained by subtracting the boiling point temperature from the vapor temperature becomes below the predetermined value, electric power taken out from the fuel cell portion is suppressed to increase an amount of heat generated in the combustor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The voltage producing elements comprises positive and negative plates, which are immersed in an electrolytic solution. The plate has respective connecting bar. Additional protrusion and recess are also provided, vertically extending on the outer surface of the respective sidewalls. Each connecting bar includes lateral extension (33). The battery case comprises handle. The battery may comprise hollow posts inside the battery case, and plug-in pins connected to the voltage producing elements. Conductive bushings are also provided through which plug-in pins extend. The battery also comprises an air outlet; a first open mesh tube opposite the air outlet; an air inlet, water tube, a venturi valve, an electrolyte suction tube, a felt baffle, floating balls, and sealing balls above the float. Preferred Construction: The protrusion is a trapezoidal tongue shape or an annular convex shape; while the recess is a trapezoidal groove shape or annular concave shape. The conductive portion, and the positive and the negative connecting bars of the protrusion and recess are formed integrally. Preferred Property: The first float has a specific gravity of less than 1 at 80degreesF. The electrolyte solution has a specific gravity of greater than 1.1 or 1.3. The sealing balls has a specific gravity of greater than 1.4 .    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The plate elements are made of lead foam.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The portions of protrusion and recess made of conductive material are lead or highly conductive lead-alloy, or may be a silver-plated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The oxide of manganese is lithium manganate (LiMn2O4).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials : Among the oils listed in the claims are those from rape- or rapeseed-rich or -poor erucic acid, yellow, brown or black mustard, radish, dodder seed, sunflowers, soya beans, safflowers, milk thistles, cotton, hemp and marigolds (25 types listed), the contents of such oils including myristic-, palmitic-, stearic-, arachic-, behenic-, oleic-, eicosenoic-, erucic-, linoleic- or linolenic-acid or glycerol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Materials : Among the oils listed in the claims are those from rape- or rapeseed-rich or -poor erucic acid, yellow, brown or black mustard, radish, dodder seed, sunflowers, soya beans, safflowers, milk thistles, cotton, hemp and marigolds (25 types listed), the contents of such oils including myristic-, palmitic-, stearic-, arachic-, behenic-, oleic-, eicosenoic-, erucic-, linoleic- or linolenic-acid or glycerol. EXAMPLE - None given in the specification.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The moisture content of the combustible target component is adjusted, such that gasification of the component is performed at 800degreesC or more for generating hydrogen. A fuel cell for generating electricity from pure gas containing hydrogen is included. The electrical power obtained from the electrical power generating device or the fuel cell is supplied to the melting furnace.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The values of X,Y,Z and delta in the chemical formula Li1+XMn2-X-Y-XAYBZO4-delta of anode active material, satisfies the relations, (i) 0 is less than X which is at most 0.1, (ii) 0 is less than Y which at most 0.1, (iii) 0 is less than Z which is at most 0.1, (iv) 0 is less than delta which is at most 0.5 and (v) 0 is less than X+Y+X which at most 0.3. EXAMPLE - Lithium carbonate, manganese dioxide, magnesium carbonate and aluminum oxide were mixed such that the molar ratio of Li:Mn:Mg:Al is 1.1:1.8:0.05:0.05. Baking was performed for 10 hours at 750 degrees C, and the mixture was ground for 4 hours. Baking was again performed for 24 hours in air, at 800 degrees C, to obtain a spinal type lithium manganese complex oxide (Li1.1Mn1.8Mg0.05Al0.05O3.9). Using the complex oxide as positive electrode active material and lithium as negative plate, a secondary battery was produced. Charging and discharging property of the battery was evaluated and found to be excellent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Aggregate: The membrane is a structural unit of the aggregate, preferably in the fuel supply. In particular, the aggregate is a fuel cell and the membrane is in the suction system. The suction system has an ambient air supply pipe changing into an oxygen supply pipe and the membrane is at the transition between these.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The membrane has pores with diameters in the nm range and especially such that oxygen can permeate but not nitrogen. It is produced from polyfurfuryl alcohol, especially by pyrolysis.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The composite oxide of the lithium and the manganese consists of formula (I):M = lithium or elemental metal except manganese;The material capable of doping or dedoping the lithium consists of a carbon material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The porous metal sheet (30) is formed of nickel, and paste of positive electrode active material comprises nickel hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The waste gas oxidizer (WGO) assembly includes inner and outer walls defining an annular space (56) which forms a water flow path. The annular space has a water inlet near its lower end and a water/steam outlet near its upper end. The water flow path comprises a limpet coil about the WGO chamber or an internal heat-transfer coil within the WGO chamber. The WGO inlet comprises a first connector pipe for introducing anode off-gas from a fuel cell and a second connector pipe for introducing cathode off-gas from a fuel cell. The WGO assembly also includes a mixing chamber for mixing anode and cathode off-gases, an ignition mechanism (68) (e.g. spark plug, glow plug, or ignition source) for initiating combustion within the WGO assembly, and a surface radiator connected with a combustion flame holder for radiating heat within the WGO chamber. The autothermal reactor assembly (ATR) assembly comprises an inner chamber and an outer wall, both defining an annular space where process gases flow toward the catalyst bed. The annular space receives thermal energy from hot gases produced in the WGO chamber. The ATR catalyst bed comprises a partial oxidation catalyst (30) and two sequentially-arranged steam methane reformer catalysts (32, 34). The ATR assembly also includes separate air, fuel and water inlets which are converged into a single inlet having a heat exchanger where thermal energy from the WGO chamber is received. The reactor may include a shift reactor, carbon monoxide polishing assembly, a valve for directing reacted gases back to the WGO assembly or the fuel cell, and heat pipes or wedge-shaped conductors to facilitate spread of thermal energy within the ATR assembly.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and density of at most 0.78 g/cm3. The initial temperature of distillation is 24-50 degrees C, the 10 vol.% distillation temperature is 35-70 degrees C, the 90 vol.% distillation temperature is 100-180 degrees C and the final distillation temperature is 130-210 degrees C. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil has a sulfur content of 0.3 vol.%, C4 content of 1.6 vol.%, C5 content of 12.5 vol.%, C6 content of 19.7 vol.%, C7 content of 20.9 vol.%, C8 content of 24.3 vol.%, C9 content of 18.5 vol.% and at least C10 content of 2.5 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C is 45.2 vol.%. The composition has a saturation component of 92.8 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 6.6 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 85.5 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 44.4 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.1 vol.%, C4 content of 5.4 vol.%, C5 content of 42.2 vol.%, C6 content of 49.2 vol.%, C7 content of 3.1 vol.%, C8 content of 0.1 vol.%, C9 content of 0 vol.% and at least C10 content of 0 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C is 3.2 vol.%. The composition has a saturation component of 98.9 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 1.1 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 92.6 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 37.2 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.2 vol.%, C4 content of 0 vol.%, C5 content of 0.3 vol.%, C6 content of 7.2 vol.%, C7 content of 28.1 vol.%, C8 content of 33.1 vol.%, C9 content of 26.4 vol.% and at least C10 content of 4.9 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C was 61.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 91.7 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 8.3 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 79 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 48.6 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and density of at most 0.78 g/cm3. The initial temperature of distillation is 40-100 degrees C, the 10 vol.% distillation temperature is 50-120 degrees C, the 90 vol.% distillation temperature is 110-180 degrees C and the final distillation temperature is 130-210 degrees C. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.2 vol.%, C4 content of 0 vol.%, C5 content of 0.3 vol.%, C6 content of 7.2 vol.%, C7 content of 28.1 vol.%, C8 content of 33.1 vol.%, C9 content of 26.4 vol.% and at least C10 content of 4.9 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C was 61.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 91.7 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 8.3 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 79 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 48.6 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel contains at least 5 vol.% hydrocarbon oil based on fuel total weight. The initial temperature of distillation is 24-50 degrees C, the 10 vol.% distillation temperature is 25-50 degrees C, the 90 vol.% distillation temperature is 45-130 degrees C and the final distillation temperature is 55-150 degrees C. Fuel comprises at most 15 vol.% 4C hydrocarbon compound, at least 5 vol.% 5C hydrocarbon compound, and at least 10 vol.% 6C hydrocarbon compound. The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and density of at most 0.78 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.1 vol.%, C4 content of 5.4 vol.%, C5 content of 42.2 vol.%, C6 content of 49.2 vol.%, C7 content of 3.1 vol.%, C8 content of 0.1 vol.%, C9 content of 0 vol.% and at least C10 content of 0 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C was 3.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 98.9 vol.%, olefin component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 1.1 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 92.6 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 37.2 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: Fuel for fuel cell system comprises at most 15 vol.% 4C hydrocarbon compound, at least 5 vol.% 5C hydrocarbon compound, at least 10 vol.% 6C hydrocarbon compound, at least 20 vol.% 7C and 8C hydrocarbon compound and at most 20 vol.% at least 10C hydrocarbon compound. The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and density of at most 0.78 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.3 vol.%, C4 content of 1.6 vol.%, C5 content of 12.5 vol.%, C6 content of 19.7 vol.%, C7 content of 20.9 vol.%, C8 content of 24.3 vol.%, C9 content of 18.5 vol.% and at least C10 content of 2.5 vol.%. The content of 7C + 8C was 45.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 92.8 vol.%, olefin component of 0.6 vol.%, aromatic component of 6.6 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 85.5 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 44.4 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, and the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.1 vol.%, C4 content of 5.4 vol.%, C5 content of 42.2 vol.%, C6 content of 49.2 vol.%, C7 content of 3.1 vol.%, C8 content of 0.1 vol.%, C9 content of 0 vol.% and at least C10 content of 0 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 98.9 vol.%, unsaturated component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 1.1 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 92.6 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 37.2 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The content of 7C + 8C hydrocarbon compounds is at least 20 vol.% and the content of at least 10C hydrocarbon compounds is at most 20 vol.%. The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The heat capacity at 1 atmosphere and 15 degrees C is at most 2.6 kJ/kg degrees C. The latent of vaporization is at most 400 KJ/kg, the vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa, the research method octane value is at most 101.0, the oxidation stability is at least 240 minutes and the density is 0.78 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.2 vol.%, C4 content of 0 vol.%, C5 content of 0.3 vol.%, C6 content of 7.2 vol.%, C7 content of 28.1 vol.%, C8 content of 33.1 vol.%, C9 content of 26.4 vol.% and at least C10 content of 4.9 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 91.7 vol.%, unsaturated component of 0 vol.%, aromatic component of 8.3 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 79 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 48.6 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The saturated component is at least 30 vol.%. The olefin component is at most 35 vol.%. The aromatic component is at most 50 vol.%. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%, especially at least 60 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.3 vol.%, C4 content of 1.6 vol.%, C5 content of 12.5 vol.%, C6 content of 19.7 vol.%, C7 content of 20.9 vol.%, C8 content of 24.3 vol.%, C9 content of 18.5 vol.% and at least C10 content of 2.5 vol.%. The total of C7 + C8 was 45.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 92.8 vol.%, unsaturated component of 0.6 vol.%, aromatic component of 6.6 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 85.5 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 44.4 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The sulfur content is at most 50 weight ppm. The proportion of paraffin component in the saturated component is at least 50 vol.%. The proportion of branched paraffin in the paraffin component is at least 30 vol.%. The vapor pressure is 10-100 kPa. EXAMPLE - An example of the fuel oil had a sulfur content of 0.3 vol.%, C4 content of 1.6 vol.%, C5 content of 12.5 vol.%, C6 content of 19.7 vol.%, C7 content of 20.9 vol.%, C8 content of 24.3 vol.%, C9 content of 18.5 vol.% and at least C10 content of 2.5 vol.%. The total of C7 + C8 was 45.2 vol.%. The composition had a saturation component of 92.8 vol.%, unsaturated component of 0.6 vol.%, aromatic component of 6.6 vol.%, paraffin component in the saturated component of 85.5 vol.% and a branched paraffin component in the paraffin component of 44.4 vol.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell unit uses an electrochemical process for converting a fuel gas into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains 0.1-10 weight% (wt.%) of palladium component based on palladium element conversion. The active type component of the catalyst comprises palladium and/or palladium oxide (PdO) or its alloy, and palladium, platinum and/or copper. The methanol modification catalyst is maintained at 300-500 degrees C.Preferred Process: The oxidation reaction of methanol is carried out as side reaction. The heat of formation generated from the oxidation reaction is used as reaction heat for water vapor modification.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxide: The metal oxide comprises a lithium-containing metal oxide. A composition for the positive active material contains the positive active material and conductive carbon. A secondary battery using a non-aqueous electrolyte contains the positive active material in its positive electrode. The manufacture of the positive active material comprises: (a) crushing a material obtained by sticking a powdered metal oxide to an appropriate size; (b) obtaining the particles; (c) burning the resulting particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The second material is made from palladium, tantalum, niobium and/or their alloys, preferably a palladium-silver alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The first material is a polymer, especially a polymeric material for cation exchange containing carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid or sulfonic acid groups, preferably Nafion (RTM - Dupont).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The fuel cells are inside subsea well tubing, a riser pipe of an offshore platform, or are affixed to the outside of a subsea riser. The fuels cells are cylindrical or rectangular. The cells define an open longitudinal annular or arcuate bore (30) through which cable or subsea downhole tools can pass. The cells have vertical flow passageways open to the sea, fins or circulating pumps for dissipation of heat. The fuel cells are proton exchange membrane, phosphoric acid, alkaline or solid oxide fuel cells. The cells are remotely replenished using a remotely operated vehicle. They are external, internal or affixed to the subsea device. They supply hot water to flow loops around the pipeline. Radial channels are included in a fuel cell stack to carry generated water to the drain holes. The stack is coated with hydrophobic material. The stack is sloped, preferably frustoconical, conical, hemispherical or bowl-shaped. The reservoirs are, or are in communication with, storage tanks or an underwater vehicle.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The subsea device is a production manifold providing power to subsea wellheads, a subsea wellhead, a communications hub, a pipeline monitor, an intelligent pig, a mechanical manipulator or robot or a heating element attached to the pipeline. More generally, they are wireline tools, measurement-while-drilling instruments, remote telemetry equipment, downhole sensors, intelligent control devices or monitoring units.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The positive (2) and negative (4) stack of plates of the cell is crossed by lines of force of magnetic field. The source of the field is a permanent magnet (1) having poles located outside the positive and negative stack of plates of the cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oil: The octane value is at least 80, and the sulfur component concentration is at most 1 weight ppm. The composition comprises at least 1 base oil selected from cracked gasoline, reformed gasoline, alkylated gasoline, IP solvate, isopentane and desulfurized light naphtha. EXAMPLE - A base oil of IP solvate of density 0.72g/cm3, surface tension 230muN/cm, and octane 90 is desulfurized and steam reformed in a reactor filler with Co-Mo hydrogenation desulfurization catalyst and zinc oxide hydrogen sulfide absorbent, then in a reactor filled with reforming catalyst on which 0.5 weight% Ru, 1.0 weight% Co, 5 weight% Zr and 2 weight% Mg are supported.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Battery pack material with high thermal emissivity such as polycarbonate
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Precursor: The precursor mixture contains copper inorganic acid salt aqueous solution and copper alkali precipitation reagent containing copper, zinc and boron. A slurry-like mixture of the precursor containing copper and zinc is prepared by coprecipitation. Alumina precursor containing aluminum salt and basic precipitation reagent is soluble in water.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The vinyl ester resin (A) is novolac type vinyl ester resin. Component (B) is diallyl phthalate. The radical polymerization initiator (C) is an organic peroxide or an optical polymerization initiator. The carbon type filler is mainly graphite. The carbon type filler is graphite having aspect ratio of up to 5, average particle size of 5 - 100 microns. The carbon type filler is a carbon fiber produced by gas phase method having fiber diameter of 0.05 - 10 microns, fiber length of 1 micron - 5 mm, and/or carbon nanotube having a fiber diameter of 0.005 - 5 microns and fiber length of 1 - 100 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Additive: The additive contains inorganic compound or organic compound of alkali metal element.The additive contains palladium, platinum, nickel or their compounds.Solution of powder of additive, is used as additive in manufacture of the carbon-based hydrogen gas storage material.Preferred Carbon Material: The carbon material includes carbon nanotubes, graphite nanofiber, carbon fiber or graphite.Preferred Process: Heat processing is performed beyond the melting point of the additive in inert atmosphere, vacuum atmosphere or in mixed gas atmosphere of carbon dioxide and inert gas, after oxidizing the carbon material.Amorphous carbon in the carbon material is preferably oxidized.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polyolefin: The polyolefin type resin fiber is preferably a polypropylene type resin fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrode: The thickness of the mixed layer is 10 mum or less. The electrode base material is a porous electroconductive sheet which has a cloth structure having inorganic electroconductive fiber or a nonwoven fabric structure. The inorganic fiber is carbon fiber. The base material contains carbon material as an electroconductive particle. The base material contains a polymer containing a fluorine atom. The catalyst layer contains platinum, palladium, gold, ruthenium and/or iridium. The catalyst layer contains carbon black or a polymer containing a fluorine atom or a proton exchange group. The proton exchange film of the negative electrode composite, is a polymer containing a fluorine atom.Preferred Method: The static contact angle between the electrode base material and the electrode catalyst coating liquid, is 50 degrees or more.Preferred Composite Manufacture: The negative electrode composite is obtained by providing a catalyst layer on both surfaces of a proton exchange film, by applying the catalyst coating liquid on the proton exchange film or a transfer base material. The electrode base material is then provided on both outer surfaces of the catalyst layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Polymer: The polymer consists of a fluoro alkyl ether side chain and a fluoro alkyl principal chain having a sulfonic acid group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst layer contains several layers. The catalyst layer (I) by the upstream side in which reformed gas flows, comprises low-temperature active catalyst containing a catalyst which supported ruthenium and platinum to the outer surface of a porous carrier. The weight ratio of ruthenium with respect to platinum in the low-temperature active catalyst is 0.7-9.5. The temperature of the catalyst layer is measured and the apparatus contains a component to supply reformed gas to another catalyst layer, without passing through the catalyst layer (I), when the temperature exceeds predetermined temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system has a hydrogen storage apparatus which stores high concentration of hydrogen, and supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell during high load. The fuel cell system is equipped with an air supply apparatus, a driving unit which drives the air supply apparatus and a compressor which compresses a portion of reformed gas. Hydrogen is stored in a cylinder used as hydrogen storage apparatus. A carbon monoxide removal apparatus reduces the carbon monoxide concentration in air to an acceptable level. Preferred Property: The stoichiometric ratio of reformed gas in fuel cell and mixed gas of hydrogen is smaller than the condition where only reformed gas is used, depending upon a mixing rate of hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The reformer has heat exchangers (13a,13b) attached to duct (12) on the box. The inner portion of the duct is divided using partition plates (12a,12b), to provide routes (R1-R3). The heat exchanger divides the duct in the shape of sandwich into two. The combustion exhaust gas from the modifier burner and PG burner, and unreacted oxygen gas from fuel cell are introduced into the duct through the routes, and are emitted after being cooled in the heat exchanger.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The nozzle points in a downward direction. The condenser is a current-transformation unit for changing the inflow path of the cracked gas received from the nozzle. The nozzle is a double structure and has a inflow promoting unit for accelerating cracked gas flow from nozzle to the condenser.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The container wall is made from polyethylene, polypropylene, acetyl butadiene styrene, polyamide or polyester.
EXAMPLE - 40 ml of sludge from a methane fermentation vessel treating excessive sludge of biotreatment was fed in a 70 ml bial bottle and stoppered tightly and the gas layer was replaced by nitrogen and a sodium acetate solution was fed to a acetic acid-derived COD of 2000 mg/l. After 3 hours, an empty syringe was inserted and the extent of push-up was measured.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The supernatent liquid obtained from clathrate isolation is concentrated and dioxin is decomposed by microbes or degraded by enzymes. The treated dioxin is subjected to ultraviolet irradiation ozonolysis. gamma-cyclodextrin is chemically modified by alkylation, acylation or hydroxy-alkylation. The dioxin decomposition microbe is wood-rotting fungi or schizophyllum microbe. EXAMPLE - Incineration ashes containing dioxin (92 ng/g) was contacted with 0.1% aqueous solution of methylated gamma-cyclodextrin (500 g). The dioxin contained multichlorinated dibenzodioxin (72 ng/g), multichlorinated dibenzodioxin (18 ng/g), coprana polychlorobenzyl (1.6 ng/g) and had toxic equivalence of 1 ng-TEO/g. The mixture was stirred for 60 minutes and filtered. The treated dioxin contained multichlorinated dibenzodioxin (31 ng/g), multichlorinated dibenzofuran (8.5 ng/g), coprana polychlorobenzyl (1.7 ng/g) and had toxic equivalence of 0.46 ng-TEO/g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The oxidation catalyst is a noble-metal catalyst of palladium or platinum, or an oxidation catalyst containing hexa aluminate compound. A mantle is provided in the modifier. The raw material mixed gas is preheated using the mantle by circulating between pipes. The modified gas from the modification-reaction tube is circulated between the outer and inner pipe. A fin is provided in the inner wall of the inner pipe.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The natural gas vaporized when used as a cooling agent, is used as a raw material in the reforming process. The water vapor contained in the reformed gas, is removed before performing carbon-monoxide conversion process. The reformed process is cooled by heat exchange and the carbon dioxide in the reformed gas is removed by repeating heat exchange process, carbon-monoxide conversion process and carbon-dioxide removal process. A selective-oxidation process is performed just before or after performing carbon-dioxide removal process. The hydrogen obtained is cooled by using liquefied natural gas and is liquefied to produce a liquid hydrogen. EXAMPLE - Natural gas was reformed in the presence of R-67 or R-67-7H (reformed-gas catalyst). The reformed gas was cooled by exchanging heat with natural gas which was used as raw material in the reforming process. The carbon-monoxide contained in reformed gas was converted and gas obtained after carbon-monoxide conversion contained 1% of carbon-monoxide or methane gas. Carbon dioxide contained in the reformed gas was removed and recovered in liquid or solid state and hydrogen having high purity was obtained. The cold heat of liquefied natural gas (LNG) was used effectively. When hydrogen obtained was used as fuel for boiler, the amount of nitrogen oxide in combustion exhaust gas was reduced.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Carrier: The immobilized carrier has hole of 10-2000 microm, on the surface of carrier element having a size of 1-100 mm, and carrier filling factor of 5-30%.Preferred Process: The carrier elements are mutually rubbed with each other for high density distribution of water flow into the biological tank. An adsorption effect is provided to the surface of the carrier element by absorbent or chemical modification. EXAMPLE - The string-like carrier element made of polyurethane, having the length of 1600 cm, and having a square pole of 3 mm was placed inside a biological treatment tank. 4.4 m3 of water was distributed to the tank per day and a microorganism was grown, and pollutants were processed. There was no reduction in the pollutant processing capacity of the carrier element even after 3 years.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: After burying the swelling base material to the proliferation rubble or covering swelling base material by proliferation rubble, combination of electric shock-intermittent shock is performed. The digestive enzyme, plant ejection liquid, saw dust or saw dust extract, pyroligneous acid or bamboo vinegar, are mixed and used in the processing method of organic polymeric product waste material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Ammonia collection process is performed before or after methane fermentation process. The waste material after ammonia collection process is again subjected to the methane fermentation process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition:The polyolefin resin composition contains 0.05-0.5 kg of aging modifier per 100 kg of resin and the aging modifier is fatty ester based, preferably glycerol monostearate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The foam is subjected to aging to reduce the concentration of blowing agent in the foam to less than 50% of the lowest explosive limit within 3 days. The extrusion rate is 150-250 kg/m3. The polyethylene foam product is obtained by mixing blowing agent with plasticized polyethylene resin, aging modifier, and nucleation agent in melting zone of extruder. The mixture is extruded through orifice of the extruder agent and the mixture is expanded to produce a dimensionally stable foam sheet product of thickness less than 0.2 inches and density of 10-60 kg/m3. The nucleation agent is zinc oxide (disclosed). The polyolefin resin contains talc.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polyolefin resin contains 0.05-0.5 kg of nucleation agent per 100 kg of resin to promote a uniform pore structure and 1-20 kg of the blowing agent per 100 kg of resin. The polyolefin resin is a polyethylene resin. EXAMPLE - A blowing agent (A) containing 15% of carbon dioxide and 85% propane, and a blowing agent (B) containing 100% propane were used to prepare foam products (A,B) respectively. While extruding foam, the thickness dimension of the foam was monitored with respect to time. The foam product A exhibited increase in thickness by less than 8% while the product B exhibited decrease in thickness by 17%. Further the foam product A had good quality and prevented production of tight roll stock. The rolls of extruded foam roll stocks (A,B) were measured for aging characteristics. The roll of foam (A) showed a comparable aging in half the time of foam (B), indicating fast aging property of foam A.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The alkaline wash solution is caustic soda and the acid wash solution is sulfuric acid. H2S is converted stoichiometrically by sodium hydroxide into Na2S and water. Similarly, carbon dioxide is converted to sodium sulfate and water. Sodium carbonate arising, reacts with residual hydrogen sulfide to form more sodium sulfide, plus carbon dioxide and water. Sufficient sodium hydroxide is dosed to produce sufficient sodium carbonate. In order to convert sodium sulfide into sodium sulfate, hydrogen peroxide is added under the control of redox potential measurement. Sulfuric acid absorption of NH3, produces ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4). Acid dosing is controlled from pH. An alkaline wash solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and an acid wash solution of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) are employed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: The water is passed through a sedimentation tank and the sediment is separated from the water and passed to the anaerobic digester. The decanted liquid is adjusted to pH 5-6 with phosphate ions and provided with optimum amounts of ammonia, phosphorus and trace elements for bacterial growth. The oxidation treatment comprises irradiation with ultraviolet light of wavelength 200 nm. The pressure drop through the charcoal filter is less than 15 mbar.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT the process is controlled by (a) using valves on some or all of the channels; or (b) adding addition amounts of reactants or starting materials. The apparatus is contained in a single block a few centimeters in size which can be heated or cooled. It may be connected to downstream block for oxidation of carbon monoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metals: The reducible metal comprises cerium oxide. The support comprises activated aluminum and the platinum group metal comprises platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: An annular space is formed between an upper end periphery of the flow adjustment plate and the inner periphery wall of the container to discharge residual sludge of the garbage decomposed by microorganism in the inorganic balls. A discharge hole is formed in a bottom plate of the container. A shower nozzle is provided in an upper portion of the container to be supplied with fresh water for washing out residual sludge adhered to the balls and the interior of the container. A second flow adjustment plate (26) in the form of a truncated conical plate is mounted to the inner peripheral wall of the container to cover the annular space. It is spaced at its lower end from the upper end periphery of the first plate. A water supply nozzle (27) is mounted to a lower peripheral wall of the container to supply fresh water to dilute the washing water discharge from the annular space. A wiper assembly (70) is mounted to an upper portion of the shaft to wipe off residual sludge. The screw propeller assembly (60) comprises a pair of vertically spaced blades and a spiral agitating portion integrally formed with radial blades. The drive mechanism is mounted on the upper plate of the container and placed coaxially with an upper end of the rotation shaft. A heater (80) is mounted to an outer peripheral wall of the container. A disposal device (90) is assembled with an upper portion of the container.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Composition: The field strength is in the range of 10 - 180 mV/cm. The yeast cell is Saccharomyces cerevisiae or S. carlsbergensis, S. uvarum or S. willi. The yeast cells are the cells of the strains deposited at The China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center with an accession number of ACCC2034, ACCC2043, AS2.70, AS2.119, AS2.152, AS2.200, AS2.369, AS2.408, AS2.451, AS2.562, AS2.607, IFFI1021, IFFI1023, IFFI1032, IFFI1037, IFFI1205, IFFI1211, IFFI1221, IFFI1251, IFFI1301, IFFI1307, IFFI1308, IFFI1331, or IFFI1345. The pathogenic microbe is Staphylococcus aures, Diplococcus pneumonia, Bacillus anthracis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli or Salmonella. EXAMPLE - Suppression of the growth of Staphylococcus aures Hansen IFFI1307 cells was done by culturing the microbe in the presence of a series of the alternating electric fields. The ability of the electromagnetic fields (EMF)-treated IFFI1307 cells to suppress the growth of S. aures was tested. Waste water or filtrate from animal manure or garbage containing S. aures was incubated under conditions to reconstitute a solution containing S. aures at more than 1010 cells/ml. One ml of the EMF-treated IFFI1307 cells at a concentration of 2 x 10 to the power of 8 - 5 x 10 to the power of 8 cells/ml was added to 1 L of S. aures solution and cultured for 24 hours (solution A). One L of S. aures solution containing the same number of non-treated yeast cells (solution B) or containing no yeast cell (solution C) were used as controls. After 24 hours of incubation, the solutions were examined using a flow cytometer. The results showed that after 24 hours of incubation, the number of live S. aures in solution A decreased more than 2.7 % relative to solution C. In contrast, number of live S. aures in solution B showed no significant change relative to solution C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxide: The proton electro-conductive oxide comprises SrCeO3, SrZrO3, BaCeO3 and/or CaZrO3.Preferred Composition: The proton electro-conductive oxide (2.4-15 mass%) is contained in the detection electrode. The detection electrode also contains noble metals such as platinum, gold, silver, palladium, iridium, ruthenium and/or rhenium.Preferred Gas Sensor: The gas sensor is a hydrocarbon gas sensor which measures hydrocarbon gas containing 2C or more except ethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The catalyst support material is coated with a shift catalyst which transforms carbon monoxide and water vapor into carbon dioxide and hydrogen. A flow path for circulating a cooling medium is provided in the shape of meanderer, in the reaction container. The quantity of additives added in the catalyst layer, per unit volume of the catalyst layer, differs by position. The ceramics which support the catalyst layer differ form the number of cells per unit cross-section of the metal porous material. The porosity of the ceramics which support the catalyst differs by position.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Catalyst: The shift catalyst is platinum, gold and/or ruthenium. Cerium, lanthanum, ruthenium, silicon, calcium, strontium, magnesium and/or bismuth are added to the shift catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred process : The carbonization is carried out without dehydration or humidity control. The drum is heated by indirectly heating the periphery of the deodorizing furnace. The temperature is controlled by heating and cooling with burner (34) and blower (35) respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process : The aerobic fermentation is at above room temperature, especially 60-70degreesC, and the aerobically-fermented product is extracted in the acid and alkali regions, especially in that order. The anaerobic fermentation is under neutral-to-alkaline conditions, especially at pH 7-10. Following the anaerobic fermentation, the metal sulfides formed are separated off, especially using flocculants such as Fe(OH)3, and suspended with the fluid phase of the comminuted, fermented waste. The gas generated in the anaerobic fermentation is used to heat the suspension. EXAMPLE - Mixed scrap comprising paper and cardboard (24%), composite materials (4%), glass (6%), plastics moldings (3%), plastics film (3%), metal (5%), wood, leather and rubber (5%), textiles (2%), minerals (14%), bio-materials (31%), 'problem' materials (1%) and residue (2%) was comminuted to maximum 250mm particles, processed to remove and recover metals (4%), aerobically fermented with water, nutrients and microorganisms using vapor-saturated air at 60degreesC for 24 hours, freed of solubilized heavy metals, worked up with water to give an 6-10 : 92-90 solids : water mixture, adjusted to pH 9 at 70degreesC, freed of floatables (22 wt.%) and sediment (65 wt.%) and centrifuged to separate off compostable materials, mixed with organic nutrients, adjusted to pH 9 with NaOH and then anaerobically fermented at room temperature for 12 hours. The heavy metals were thus precipitated as sulfides which were flocculated with Fe((OH)3 and processed for disposal, while methane was recyled to heat the suspension.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT, a channel is formed between one wall of the pyrolysis zone and part of the heat exchanger. It is parallel to the pyrolysis zone. A gasification chamber (11) is mounted at the end of the pyrolysis zone for gasification of the pyrolyzed material by adding oxygen. The gasified material is fed with the gases from pyrolysis to the burner.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: Nozzles are in flow communication with the interior of the housing for directing a liquid spray toward the screen. The housing is oriented at 30-50 degrees relative to the horizontal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The hydrogen occlusion and releasing material contains benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthrenes, and their alkyl substitution products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The hydrogen storage and supply apparatus further contains a control unit (106) for controlling injection conditions, and a filter (76).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The organic compound is benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthracene or their alkyl substituted products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The added metal is at least1 of a metal of Group 4, Group 5, Group 6 and Group 13. Specific metal are Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, Mo, Al and/or Ga. A heater can be provided in the cassette.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cells are solid oxide fuel cells. The system further comprises at least one separation device (115) for dividing the lower molecular weight gases into at least one gas stream prior to the electrochemical oxidation step. The separator device consists of carbon fiber composite molecular sieves (CFCMS) or inorganic membranes. It further comprises a nuclear reactor for generating heat. Preferred Method: The method may comprise providing a synthesis gas having chemical components; dividing the synthesis gas into at least two gas streams; and supplying at least one of the gas streams to at least one fuel cell to produce electricity. The step of providing a synthesis gas comprises reforming a hydrocarbon containing gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hydrocarbon containing gas is methane or natural gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The light feed is introduced into the convection zone before the dilution gas is introduced. The dilution gas is superheated steam.Preferred Ratio: The weight ratio of light feed introduced at the feed inlet and the feed introduced with dilution gas is 1:3-20:1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Design: The light feed is gaseous feed and the furnace is designed for liquid feed such as naphtha or gas oil, preferably naphtha. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The light feed is ethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - The fungi is Aspergillus niger, Neurospora crassa and/or Emericella nidulans.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: An auxiliary heating device is used to raise the temperature of the processed material.Preferred Method: Gas produced by carbonization of the processed material is burnt by a melting furnace and made harmless.
EXAMPLE - A timber raw material which contained branch of a felling tree, calamity tree, pruning residue, mowing grass was ground and formed in the shape of a small piece. 10-50% of adding-mixing material which contained classification settled organic refuse which removed solid waste containing resin bag and containers, such as vinyl and organic refuse containing vegetable, fruit, fish, birds and animals, granular killing deodorizing solid agent containing pyroligneous acid and granular mixed medium which mixed chaff were added. The livestock excrement processing material obtained was laid on a floor of livestock-barn. Aerobic fermentation was performed to form a fertilizer. The total weight of the excrement was reduced to 85%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The field fuel is methanol. Preferred Method: The controller during initial operation of the modifier, controls the original fuel feed zone and water feed zone, so that the value of the C/S ratio increases uniformly.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus contains a CO removal unit filled with a CO removal catalyst. The reforming tubes can be freely removed and replaced. A reformer housing encases the reforming tube. Inlet ports disposed on the side surface of the reforming tube has flow-control mechanism, and supplies gas mixture to the reforming rooms. The gas feed apparatus has a hollow penetration tube for passage of gas mixture through the interior of the reforming room(s). The penetration tube has inlet ports to supply gas mixture individually to each of the reforming rooms.Preferred Catalyst: The same catalyst that catalysis both partial oxidation and reforming reactions is used as the catalyst (8a,8b).Preferred Method: A high temperature heating gas is introduced into a space between the reforming tubes and the housing. The high temperature gas is supplied directly to one end of the reforming rooms and discharged from the other end. The gas mixture is supplied to the reforming rooms, after the catalysts (8a,8b) are heated from the outside of the reforming rooms.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The catalyst has a surface area of preferably at least 50 m2/g. Preferred Volume Ratio: The gaseous mixture has a volume ratio of carbon dioxide to methane of 1-10 to 10-1. Preferred Process: Formation of hydrogen from the gaseous mixture is performed at 700-900degreesC. A carbon containing gas is contacted with the catalyst to partially deactivate the catalyst. The catalyst is reactivated by introducing a carburizing gas into the reaction vessel in contact with the catalyst to reactivate the catalyst. EXAMPLE - A gas containing hydrogen (49%), carbon monoxide (CO) (6), carbon dioxide (CO2) (15) and water vapor (30) was contacted with a passivated molybdenum carbide powder (5 g) with a specific surface area of 54 m2/g as a catalyst. Infrared was used for the inlet and outlet gas composition analysis and the magnitude of CO loss or CO2 gain after the water gas shift (WGS) reaction was used to measure the WGS catalytic activity of the catalyst. At 250degreesC, the maximum CO loss was 0.3 mumol/g.sec and the corresponding CO2 gain was 0.75 mumol/g.sec. As a comparison, a commercial copper-zinc catalyst gave 6.11 mumol/g.sec CO loss and 5.67 mumol/g.sec corresponding CO2 gain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The modifier is an edible product selected from glucose, mannose, maltose, trehalose, fructose, arabinose, nigroolico saccharide, lactose, D-glucono-1,5-lactone, arginine hydrochloride, ferrous sulfate, NaH2PO3, palatinit, or vitamin C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell stack comprises solid oxide fuel cells. It also comprises proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The reformer is a steam reformer and/or a partial oxidation reformer. The fuel cell system further comprises a reservoir in fluid communication with the air conditioning system and the reformer.Preferred Process: The process further comprises collecting the condensate in the reservoir. The condensate is purified in the reservoir. The air conditioning system is controlled to optimize production of condensate. A flow of air into the air conditioning system is adjusted. A speed of a blower in the air conditioning system is adjusted.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The porous flow channels have porous foam media selected from a group of high alloy stainless steel, high alloy nickel, titanium based alloy and FeCrAIY.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Condition: Heating is performed at 100-250degreesC. Generation of dioxins from organochlorine raw material in the cellulose waste material, at a low temperature of 300-500degreesC is minimized. The carbonized scum is subjected to abandonment disposal in a reclaimed ground. Odor released by disassembling unprocessed cellulose waste material, generation of gas and contamination of ground water is reduced.Preferred Method: The carbonized scum is pulverized, classified and sorted, and materials other than cellulose raw material is recovered by waste processing or recycling. The method also involves water-washing using a washing device or a process performed by vaporization device. Phosphorus compounds and other chemical substance used initially in the process are thus recovered. EXAMPLE - Phosphoric acid, ammonium phosphate, evaporated or sublimated ammonia, sulfuric acid and water droplet were added to paper system waste material and pulverized at 80-300degreesC in active atmosphere, heat-processed at 100-250degreesC and the gas generated was suppressed for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Dehydration and carbonization was thus promoted. The carbonized cellulose was washed in water and phosphoric acid was collected and recycled. The carbonized waste obtained was used as deodorization material, heat-insulation material and safe carbon raw material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Method: The method additionally comprises discharging the contamination from the ionization chamber (36), and providing at least one optical window (34) in the ionization chamber and removing contamination from the optical window. The method may involve removing a coating deposited on surfaces of an ionization chamber and an optical window for a photo-ionization detector (30) by turning of the pump of the PID; transmitting UV light in the chamber to generate ozone; trapping oxygen in the ionization chamber and preventing gases from flowing into and out of the ionization chamber; and subsequent to removing the coating, turning on the pump to flush the coating from the ionization chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The method comprises melting the synthetic resin by heating, cooling and solidifying the molten resin, and cutting or milling the resulting solid. The synthetic resin film may be cut or crushed and melted used the frictional heat generated. The resulting semi-molten material is rapidly cooled to effect contraction and solidification. A high speed rotary knife is used to effect cutting or crushing. The contracted and solidified material is furthered milled using a rotary knife. The synthetic resin may be pulverized to produce the granules. The granules may be pneumatically supplied and blown into the furnace.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Fertilizer: The horse dung is separated from straw and other foreign matter and is comminuted mechanically or by means of animals (especially chickens) before being dried and either chopped or extruded to produce granules. The time between excretion and processing is no more than a week. Microorganisms, e.g. lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, yeasts, actinomycetes and gray mold, can be added. ACTIVITY - Fertilizer.    No suitable test details given.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given in source material.    EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metal: The heat exchanger plates are preferably of aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: A mixed gas of at most80degreesC is introduced. The dew point of the mixed gas is at most60degreesC at the process pressure. The maximum temperature of the catalyst layer is 150-180degreesC. The mixed gas is a reformed gas obtained by reforming hydrocarbons and alcohols. The carbon monoxide removal catalyst is ruthenium. A part or all of the inner wall surface of the catalyst storage part and the mixed gas flow path is formed by a non-ferrous material such as ceramics or glass e.g. alumina, silica and/or titania, or a synthetic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The support is dried by applying heat. It is coated with a second sol. Carbonization is affected by heating the support with the carbon molecular sieve in an argon atmosphere.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The membrane comprises tube(s) which is corrugated or coiled. The tube comprises an inner tube (11) provided within an impermeable second outer tube (10) and the mixture of the gases is injected into an annulus (14) between the inner and outer tubes. A graphite seal mounts the inner tube in the outer tube. The membrane may also comprise a separating portion to allow passage of the first gas through the membrane and resist passage of the second gas through the membrane, and a support portion. The separating portion is provided on the support surface.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The second gas comprises methane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The first gas comprises an acidic gas or carbon dioxide. The membrane comprises silica, magnesium oxide, gamma-alumina or molecular sieve (preferably carbon molecular sieve). The support portion comprises alpha-alumina, stainless steel or carbon. A group II metal oxide is added to the membrane to increase the chemical affinity of the first gas toward the membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition contains dicumyl peroxide (0.01-0.2 wt.%) and flame retardant (0.2-5 wt.%) in the suspension. The polymer has a bead size and molecular weight of 250-450 microm and 170000-320000, respectively.Preferred Agent: The blowing agent is preferably a mixture of agents and/or fluorinated hydrocarbons. The suspending agent is finely divided tricalcium phosphate, anionic surfactant and non-ionic surfactant having hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) value of 12-18.Preferred Process: The method can alternatively involve using a suspension of polystyrene having molecular weight of 170000-320000 and bead size of 150-500 microm. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Specific Blowing Agent: The blowing agent is specifically claimed to be butane, n-pentane, isopentane, cyclopentane, hexane and/or carbon dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal Hydride: The liquid metal hydride is a complex metal-hydride solution which dissolved an alkaline-water solution and the complex metal-hydride solution is neutralized with an acid as a hydrogen generator promoter to generate hydrogen. The metal hydride is solid and is a particle, crushed substance, or solid which can be crushed mechanically. The covering substances which covers the metal hydride is crushed mechanically and is made to melt by supplying heat. Preferred Compound: The hydrogen generation promoter is fluid, preferably liquid and the hydrogen generating promoter is water, water-soluble substance, or an alcohol containing liquid. The hydrogen generating promoter is stored by using a covering substances, such as capsule or a film. Preferred Components: The ischesis portion separates metal hydride, hydrogen generating promoter and produced hydrogen. The contact portion having the hydrogen generating promoter is provided on outside of the storage container. A flow regulator is provided between the contact portions of the storage portion of liquid metal hydride and hydrogen generation promoter, along a longitudinal path. The solid metal hydride is conveyed by solid feed driving unit such as feeder and hydrogen generation amount is adjusted based on the conveyance amount. A unit for breaking the covering substances is provided in the storage circles of the hydrogen generation promoter, or in the path on the upstream side.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: Alternately, the catalyst has first dispersed phase of copper and/or its oxide, second dispersed phase of cerium oxide, and third dispersed phase of silver and/or its oxide dispersed in a porous matrix consisting of silica, alumina, titania or zirconia. Total amount of porous matrix, copper in the first dispersed phase, cerium in the second dispersed phase and silver in the third dispersed phase, is 100 weight% (wt.%). Amount of copper in the first dispersed phase is 1-40 wt.%, amount of cerium in the second dispersed phase is 0.5-30 wt.%, and amount of silver in the third dispersed phase is 0.1-20 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The refractive index of a-Si:C:H and a-C:H layers is 3.3-3.7, preferably 3.5 and 1.5-1.8, preferably 1.6, respectively. The conductivity of dielectric mirror layers is 10-9 to 10-12 Ohm-1cm-1. The thickness of light-blocking layers is 0.4-0.6 microns. The optical display system is capable of displaying holographic diffraction grating. The dielectric mirror has seven layers and the layer having low refractive index is so formed to be partially light-blocking.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The photoconductive and dielectric mirror layers with high refractive index are formed from a gas material comprising silane, hydrogen and methane and/or acetylene. The dielectric mirror layer having low refractive index is formed from methane or acetylene, and/or hydrocarbon gas or liquid material. The light blocking layer is formed from acetylene, and hydrocarbon gas or liquid material.Preferred Method: The layers in OASLM is formed by chemical vapor deposition method, preferably plasma activator chemical vapor deposition method or electron spin resonance chemical vapor deposition method, and all are made in a single technological cycle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: The residue is mechanically dewatered prior to the sterilization. The raising of the pH is effected by treatment with an additive, especially burned or slaked lime. Removal of the N compounds is effected by:(1) adsorption using a clay mineral, especially a zeolite; or(2) conversion; or also by(3) aerobic and/or thermal and/or solar treatment to bring about drying, the drying being especially to 40-90% dry material and being effected prior to raising the pH by addition of 0.05-0.5 (especially 0.1-0.3) kg burned lime per kg dry material.Addition of the additive (i.e. the lime), the adsorbent or the conversion agent is by spreading followed by working-in using a mixer or rollover device. A suitable device is described in EP899529. EXAMPLE - A 25-30 cm thick sludge layer of surface area 216 m2, pH 7.7, dry content 28% and coliform content 8.1x10 to the power 6 MPN and which tested positive for Salmonella was turned 2-10 times per day in a solar dryer, with burned lime (0.1 kg/kg sludge) being added at day 16. After 22 days the dry content was 89%, the pH 12.1 and the coliform content below 1x10 to the power 3 MPN, while the salmonella was no longer detectable. No ammonia was detected during the process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The bioreactor has a top (13), bottom (12), and continuous wall(s) (14) connecting the top and bottom to form a closed bioreactor. The bioreactor can include a cell density sensor for measuring the concentration of microorganisms suspended in the fluid of the bioreactor. The cell density sensor maybe a spectrophotometer. An overflow tube (16) is positioned in the wall of the bioreactor. A heater (19) is positioned in the bioreactor to heat the bioreactor to 40-120 degrees F, preferably 70-100 degrees F.The first pumping mechanism is a pneumatic pump. The second container is a hopper containing a dry mixture of inorganic and organic nutrients. Aerator is provided to supply air to the bioreactor. The controller includes a solenoid (41) that is connected to an incoming water supply. The solenoid has an open position that permits water flow into the bioreactor and a closed positioned which prevents water from flowing into the bioreactor from the outside water supply.The incoming water supply is fitted with a backflow valve that prevents the microorganisms of the bioreactor from backing up into the water supply. The fluid in the bioreactor includes a buffing system, which maintains a pH of 5.5-8, preferably 7-8.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The ethylene oxide content of the triglyceride adduct is greater than 50 wt.% (preferably greater than 60 wt.%) and the hydroxyl value is less than 90 (preferably 75 or less). The blowing agent comprises 30 parts per 100 parts of polyol component.Preferred Adduct: The adduct is an alkoxylate of linseed, perilla, tung, safflower, soybean, castor, coconut, cottonseed oil and/or their derivatives which have reactive amine, hydroxyl or acid moieties, preferably alkoxylated castor oil, capped with acetoxy, methyl ether or ethyl ether groups.Preferred Compatibilizer: The compatibilizer comprises adduct species chosen from polyoxyalkylene monool, capped polyoxyalkylene and fatty oil other than the adduct. The adduct forms 10-100 wt.% (preferably 25-100 wt.%) of the compatibilizer.Preferred Blowing Agent: The hydrocarbon blowing agent is chosen from i-butane, n-butane, n-pentane, i-pentane, hexane, (methyl)cyclopentane, (methyl)cyclohexane and/or isomers. EXAMPLE - Polyol Stepanpol PS2404 (RTM) (100 weight parts), fire retardant additive Antiblaze 80 (RTM) (10), trimerization catalyst potassium octoate (2.68), amine catalyst Niax C-5 (RTM) (0.32), water (0.5), hydrocarbon Exxsol (RTM) and compatibilizer additive, were blended to obtain a generic foam formulation. The sample was shaken vigorously, mechanically mixed and maintained undisturbed for observation for 7 days. The emulsion stability was studied, and showed that improvement was observed in hydrocarbon based foam mixtures in the presence of polyoxyethylene adducts of castor oil, where the amount of ethylene oxide was greater than 60.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: When amount of water-pouring is nil, and when the process temperature does not reach the fixed temperature, the temperature of the heater is automatically raised. The thermometer is in the nozzle or die plate of the molding machine. Temperature is measured by direct contact with the molded product or by contacting the product with the die plate. The appropriate temperature range for the molded product formation is 100-130degrees.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The sub-processes are chosen from dry etch processes and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. The dry etch processes are chosen from oxide etch processes, poly etch processes and metal etch processes. The PFC abatement system is chosen from combustion scrubbers, chemisorption scrubbers, physical adsorption scrubbers and/or wet scrubbers. At least one combined exhaust stream is passed through a sensor which measures the amount of at least one PFC in the exhaust stream. The combined exhaust stream is passed through a sensor prior to or after treatment by PFC abatement system.Preferred System: The system has a sub-process common line associated with each etching sub-process for 1076PFC's exhausted from at least one device for carrying out each of the etching sub-processes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gas in the first gas chamber is an oxidizable gas alone or in an admixture with an inert gas, and the gas in the second gas chamber is an oxidizing gas, alone or in combination with an inert gas. The oxidizable gas is methane, ethane, propane, acetylene, and/or hydrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gas in the first gas chamber is an oxidizable gas alone or in an admixture with an inert gas, and the gas in the second gas chamber is an oxidizing gas, alone or in combination with an inert gas. The oxidizable gas is methane, ethane, propane, acetylene, and/or hydrogen. The oxidizing gas is oxygen or an oxide of nitrogen. The inert gas is argon and/or helium
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Tetrahydronaphthalene and/or decahydronaphthalene is generated in the regeneration tank and supplied to the storage tank.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst comprises a carbon supported platinum catalyst, a carbon supported platinum-iridium bimetallic catalyst, a carbon supported platinum rhenium bimetallic catalyst and/or a carbon supported platinum tungsten bimetallic catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: The microorganism is contained in a compost that comprises organic waste. The microorganism is at least one microorganism chosen from genera Rhizopus, Saccharomyces, Candida, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichodema, Streptomyces, Frankia, Azotobacter and Bacillus.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The hydrophilic polymer is a water-soluble polymer or a cross-linked polymer, preferably a (co)polymer containing a (meth)acrylic acid type monomer unit or a copolymer cross-linked by a polymerizable cross-linking agent or a reactive cross-linking agent.Preferred Process: The hydrophilic polymer containing material is hydrous sludge, excavation surplus soil, construction sludge, agglomerate aggregated by a coagulant, or a medical/industrial waste cake. The amount of water contained in the material to be treated is previously adjusted. The water is absorbed by the polymer. The internal temperature of the compost is kept at 40-90, preferably 55-90 degrees C. EXAMPLE - Cross-linked sodium polyacrylate was mixed with compost (in g) (80) produced based on garbage such as vegetable scrap discarded from homes. The cross-linked sodium acrylate was previously made to absorb water (50). The mixed sample containing polymer and compost (135), was charged into a closed reactor and left in a constant temperature bath at 58 degrees C. Air from which carbon dioxide was previously removed using 2 N sodium hydrate solution and silica gel, was passed through the reactor at a rate of 3 ml/minute to keep aerobic conditions. The cross-linked sodium polyacrylate was degraded into carbon dioxide and water and the generated carbon dioxide was discharged from the system. The discharged carbon dioxide was trapped with 2 N sodium hydrate solution and the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed was determined by titration at intervals of fixed time. The decomposition percentage of the polymer was found to be 80 % within 80 days.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The solid particles comprising iron are dispersed in the molten metal mixture. The method also includes the step of extracting water from the hydrogen-containing gas stream, the step of contacting the iron oxide with a reductant to reduce the iron oxide back to iron, and the step of adding a flux to the molten metal mixture to promote the formation of a slag layer (406) over the molten metal mixture. The steam contacting step comprises injecting steam into the molten metal mixture using a top-submerged lance (408).Preferred Condition: The molten metal mixture is at 895-1134, lower than 1538, not more than 1400, 1134-1300 or 1200-1300degrees C during the steam contacting step.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The molten metal mixture may also comprise a second reactive or diluent metal. The first diluent metal is tin (preferred), copper, or nickel. The hydrogen-containing gas comprises at least 30 vol.% hydrogen gas.The flux comprises silicon dioxide, iron (II) oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium oxide, and/or potassium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Activated water is used in process (b). Water dehydrated in process (c) is recycled in process (b). Portion(s) of residue obtained in process (c) is collected as process materials for organic resources. Organic substances added in process (d) comprises excrements of livestock domestic fowls, and/or organic sludge. Regulators such as inorganic substance (soil improvement material), a carbide material, pumice stone, aggregate and/or lime are added in process (e) and/or process (f). Residue obtained in process (f) is returned to process (d). The fertilizer obtained from the organic residue is granulated. Addition of the organic and inorganic substances component in processes (d,e) depends on the desired amount of special organic fertilizer to be obtained. The process material are heated with the water-based medium to 30-60 degrees C into which a microorganisms which decompose the organic resources and/or enable fermentation and a preform raw material comprising plant derived cellulose are added. Incubation is performed for at least 24 hours at 30-60 degrees C and aeration is performed and optionally water draining-dehydration is performed.Preferred Regulator: The regulator is an organic material such as carbonized material, charcoal and activated carbon, inorganic material such as red clay or sand, Ioh healing stone, bakuhan-health stone, zeolite, pearlite, diatomacceous earth and/or inorganic soil improvement material such as ceramics.
ACTIVITY - Fertilizer.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Support: The front stage and post stage of the modification catalyst are supported by the same metal base material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The pyrolysis gas is initially at a pressure of 15 - 50 bar, preferably 28 - 38 bar, and, in the deethanizer distillation zone, at 10 - 30 bar, preferably 14 - 24 bar. The condensates introduced in the deethanizer contain dissolved H2 in a proportion such that the head current contains 2 - 10%, preferably 4 - 5% moles of H2. The stage (d) is carried out by selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene by means of the H2 contained in the head current. The gaseous head fraction from the demethanizer may be purified by distillation to recover ethylene and ethane, or mixed with the pyrolysis gas at stage (a). The H2 content of the primary gaseous current from the deethanizer may be increased by addition of H2 from the head of a separator of a partially condensed fluid. Part of the base liquid from the demethanizer may be recycled to the deethanizer to reduce the concentration of acetylene. The concentration of CO in the primary gaseous current has a moderating effect on the catalytic reaction in the acetylene elimination zone. EXAMPLE - A typical gas composition obtained by the cracking of ethane was as follows (% molar): H2 - 36.9; CH4 - 5.4; C2H2 - 0.3; C2H4 - 34.2; C2H6 - 21.0; C3cut - 0.6; C4cut - 0.6; C5+ - 1.0; CO/CO2 - 0.6. The composition obtained from the head of the deethanizer was: H2 - 4.70; CO - 0.04; CH4 - 4.86; C2H4 - 57.10; C2H6 - 32.40; C2H2 - 0.80; C3+ - 0.10.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hydrocarbons are described by an alpha value of at least 0.72.Preferred Composition: The selectivity of methane is 20 wt.% and that of wax is 5, preferably greater than 5 wt.%.Preferred Process: The hydrocarbons are produced by contacting a feed stream in a reaction zone to produce an effluent comprising 5-25C hydrocarbons. The catalyst is generated and the cycling the two steps.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The stabilizing material can be aluminum, silicon, titanium, and/or zirconium.Preferred Composition: The catalyst further comprises 0.05-6, preferably 0.04-6 wt.% promoter from Groups 2-15 of the periodic table.Preferred Components: The promoter can be chromium, iron, molybdenum, nickel, palladium, platinum, rhenium, rhodium, and/or ruthenium (preferably).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The polyester is of formula (I), (II) or (III):R1 = 1-3C alkyl; andR2 = 5-12C alkyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: After immersing a carbon material in to a liquid containing bromine ion the carbon material is dried. Preferred Composition: A salt containing hydrobromic acid and bromine ion more than 1 mol/l is the electrolyte. Salt of at least one kind of bromine ion is potassium bromide or sodium bromide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The noble metal used to coat the surface of passive metal is chosen from a group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium, copper and nickel. The passive state metal is chosen as either stainless steel containing chromium, pure titanium or titanium-based alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The hydrocarbon current may be liquid or gaseous. In liquid conditions, the adsorption temperature is ambient to 80 degrees C at atmospheric to 1.01 x 10E4 kPa and VSHL of 0.5 - 10 per hour. For a gaseous current, contact is effected at a VSHG of 500 - 10000 per hour. EXAMPLE - Balls containing alumina, zeolite 13X and sodium were prepared.    A rotary barrel unit was used to form balls continuously, by simultaneously adding powdered activated alumina (AP) and powdered zeolite 13X (Z) in a solution of sodium acetate. The mass ratio was 1.0 A/0.23 Z/0.04 NaAc. Water was added to maintain the NaAc in solution and ensure sufficient agglomeration. The pH of the solution of NaAc was adjusted to 13.3 by addition of sodium hydroxide solution. The balls, which had a particle distribution of 1.2 - 4 mm were hardened at 60 - 80 degrees C for 3 hours. Finally, the hardened balls were activated in a furnace at 450 degrees C for 1 hour. The amount of each constituent (apart from volatile compounds) was 78.7% AP, 18.1% Z and 3.2% Na 2O.
EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The zinc ferrite silica is obtained silica sol to a mixed solution of aqueous solutions or zinc and iron, forming a precipitate containing zinc, iron and silica, filtering, washing the obtained precipitate, drying and firing. The used desulfurizing agent is regenerated by oxidizing and then re-used. EXAMPLE - A Zn nitrate aqueous solution (50ml) and iron nitrate aqueous solution (100ml) are mixed and colloidal silica is added in an amount equivalent to 1/3 based on the weight of ZnFe2O4-SiO2 obtained. The pH is adjusted to 7-8 by adding ammonia and the hydroxide is precipitated. The obtained hydroxide is heated for 1 hour and filtered and washed with pure water. After drying for 12 hours at 120degreesC, it is fired for 5 hours at 800degreesC. Next, ZrO2 is added in an amount of 2 times based on the obtained ZnFe2O4-SiO2. Lignin as forming aid is added in an amount of 5%. The product is formed into a tablet shape and dried, then fired for 3 hours at 500degreesC. The fired material is ground to give a ZnFe2O4/SiO2/ZrO2 desulfurizing agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The temperatures at which pre-reforming and methanation takes place are adjusted to achieve the desired conversion.The higher carbon hydrocarbon fuel is pre-reformed by partial oxidation, or by using an autothermal reformer.Fuel pre-reforming and methanation are carried out in a single reactor having a first heating zone (12) for fuel pre-reforming, and a second zone (14) for methanation.Waste heat from the fuel cell is recycled to the pre-reformer and/or methanator. Pre-reforming results in at least 97.5% conversion of C2+ hydrocarbons.Preferred Parameter: The methanation takes place at 250-450 degrees C.Partial oxidation takes place at at least 400 degrees C.The autothermal reformer is operated at at least 400 degrees C.The fuel cell is operated at at least 650 degreesC.Preferred Component: The fuel stream comprises not more than 0.5 vol.% C2+ hydrocarbons, and at least 40 vol.% methane resulting from methanation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The heated generated by the process is partly used to heat the air stream and other gases fed to the generator and is then fed back to the retentate side of the generator to meet the requirements for the steam reforming of the carbon-containing feed gas.The combustible components of the hydrogen-depleted synthesis gas stream are oxidized to form carbon dioxide and water directly on the membrane surface at the permeate side of a mixed conducting membrane reactor.Preferred Products: The compound prepared using the hydrogen/nitrogen gas mixture is preferably ammonia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The methane purification catalyst layer contains palladium which is supported on alumina. The hydrophobic coat layer is a zeolite film formed by growing zeolite crystals. The zeolite crystals are grown, after making a zeolite precursor to precipitate on the catalyst layer. The hydrophobic coat layer consists of silicalite, and has a thickness of 20-80 micron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process Producing hydrogen by partially oxidizing hydrocarbon fuels comprises partially oxidizing hydrocarbon fuel using an oxygen-rich gas flow, reacting the obtained carbon monoxide using water vapor and separating the hydrogen using a membrane. The pressure in the first reactor is 15 bar and the temperature rises to 600degreesC. The pressure in the second reactor is 2-15 bar. A third reactor ensures conversion of the CO of 70-99 wt.% and contains a catalyst of Cu and ZnO supported on alumina operating at 50-300degreesC. EXAMPLE - The yield of hydrogen using the reactor was 72% when the fuel was methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Features: The gas dome roof structure includes a double flange (4) in the center, which may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The membrane is fastened and sealed hermetically to the lower flange, from which it is hung. The double flange accommodates the central stirrer mechanism (5). The flange is fastened to a frame structure over the roof of the gas dome, which provides accessibility. Various alternative structures based on the double flange are proposed. Base supports hold the frame structure demountably against side thrust on the fermenter. The gas dome has compensation openings or valves for air pressure equalization.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The heater is arranged inside the heating chamber. The heating vessel has an inner tube which forms the heating chamber and an outer tube which surrounds the inner tube. The material of the inner tube is a high heat resistant material and, between the inner and outer tubes, many heaters are arranged on the outer surface of the inner tube. A refractory material is attached on the outer surface of the inner tube and heat insulating material is attached between the refractory and the inner surface of the outer tube. Between the heater vessel and the evacuating means, a secondary heater is placed which has a secondary heating chamber whose volume is smaller where organic chemicals in the exhaust gas generated by the thermal decomposition are thermally decomposed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst comprises a combination of cobalt and/or nickel oxide and molybdenum and/or tungsten oxide on an alumina, silica or silica-alumina support.Preferred Process: Step (a) comprises impregnating the catalyst with t-dodecyl mercaptan and heating at 100-175 degrees C in an inert atmosphere. Step (b) is effected with dimethyl disulfide in two stages:(i) at 150-250 degrees C until hydrogen sulfide (H2S) breakthrough into the off-gas occurs;(ii) at 250-350 degrees C until the H2S concentration in the off-gas remains constant.The total amount of sulfur supplied in steps (a) and (b) is 100-250% of the stoichiometric amount required for complete conversion of the metal oxides to sulfides, and the amount of tertiary mercaptan is no more than 10% of this amount. EXAMPLE - A commercial hydrotreating catalyst (Akzo KF756) (40 ml) was impregnated with a 15% solution of t-dodecyl mercaptan in hexane (21.7 g) at room temperature. The catalyst was dried under nitrogen at 7 bar and 150 degrees C, placed between beds of carborundum, wetted with straight-run gal oil (SRGO), pressurized with hydrogen (35 bar), treated with dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) to provide 1.5% sulfur in the SRGO, and sulfurized at a hydrogen/SRGO ratio of 250 Nl/l an a space velocity of 2 hour-1, first at 220 degrees C until the H2S breakthrough was at least 3000 ppm and then at 320 degrees C. The catalyst was recovered, washed, dried and ground to 0.2-0.5 mm under argon. In a thiophene hydrodesulfurization test performed at 400 degrees C, the catalyst had 1.26 times the activity of a similar catalyst sulfurized with DMDS/hydrogen alone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred System: The air purification system also comprises a pollution detector for CO, CO2, C6H6, CH4, HCHO, SO2, O2, H2, H2S, NOx, O3 or aerosols, and means for activating the radiation source in response to a signal from the detector.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Method: The first phase comprises blood, blood serum, blood plasma, cerebral spine fluid, saliva, urine, (organ) cells, organs or body parts, or any liquid fraction separated from these, obtained from any living animal, including humans. Alternatively, the first phase can comprise a liquid obtained or separated from a plant, or it can be a waste liquid from a dump, or it can comprise a liquid obtained from household waste, at least one factory or a hospital, or it can comprise well water, city water or any water for human consumption or use, or water from cities, factories, industries, industrial regions, energy sources, mines or any water that has been subjected to a purification process, or water from a stream, lake, river, waterway, ocean, port, sea, glacier or iceberg. The analytes comprise drugs, drug metabolites, doping substances, pharmacogens, ions, metals, environmentally harmful substances, pesticides, herbicides or chemical reaction products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Device: (II) additionally has an area for storage of used biomass and pond of fresh water which are interconnected by a channel. Said unit serves for accumulator in which bacterial biomass is generated which is used for inoculation of treatment systems.Preferred Method: Used in treatment system are members with developed hydrophobic surface, for instance, polyester or lavsan nets, wire brushes on which inoculated microorganisms in ponds are fixed and accumulated. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: A plate-like polystyrene-based resin foam is obtained by the use of the foaming agent. The plate-like polystyrene-based resin foam is produced by using the foaming agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The oxidized diamond carrier optionally supports rhodium, palladium, ruthenium, iridium or cobalt. Alternatively, the synthesis gas is produced by reaction of low saturated hydrocarbon and water vapor at 600-800degreesC in presence of the catalyst. The synthesis gas is produced without performing a hydrogen-reduction process. The low saturated hydrocarbon is methane. The synthesis gas is a mixed gas of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
EXAMPLE - None given in source material.
EXAMPLE - None given in source material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: The process comprises a preliminary step, a successive step, and a final packaging step for protection against atmospheric agents and storage in a waste disposal site. It envisages capturing and treating a gaseous effluent to prevent any discharge of pollutants into an external environment. In the preliminary step, the organic material and the first plastic material are collected in separate tanks to meter their quantities to be mixed. The successive step includes rapid discharge into a pneumatic conveying system with a sudden drop in temperature and corresponding completion of granulation. The tank comprises automatic extraction and weighing systems. The mixing and heating steps are performed simultaneously. The heating step is performed in successive steps. The first heating stage envisages the elimination of the moisture present in the mass, thus increasing the temperature through mechanical friction operations and/or thermal heating operations with contact. During the first heating stage, the mass is supplemented with a second plastic material having a high melting point and increases the temperature through friction. The second heating stage envisages the thermal destruction of the proteins, and envisages the melting of the first plastic material to form a film lining the organic material. The gradual solidification step is performed by controlled introduction of a liquid (preferably a chemical solution or water) which causes a reduction in the temperature to cause granulation of the mixture during evaporation of the liquid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The system further comprises a reactor heater; and a combustion catalyst in contact with the interior side of the conduit wall. A gap space of 0.05-1.0 inch exists between the reaction catalyst coating and the membrane. The space comprises a laminar flow disruptor, preferably a packing, particulate, mesh wire, wool, granule, pellet or fluidized catalyst. A heat transfer fin is in thermal contact with the heat conduit and/or membrane. The fin is coated with a reaction catalyst. It may have a gas communication aperture. A combustion catalyst is on an exterior wall of a feed tube. The reactor has a flow disruptor, preferably dimple, protrusion, packing, mesh wire, wool, granulate, pellet catalyst, fluidized catalyst, baffle, or curved membrane. A sweep gas flows through the heater. A feed liquid compressor conveys the mixed gas flow through the portal into the reactor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst coating comprises a methanol reforming catalyst or an ammonia cracking catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The membrane is made from a perfluoro sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a fluorinated sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a polymer based on polysulfones and/or polysulfone modifications, a polymer based on aromatic polyether ketones, a polymer based on trifuorostyrene or is a composite membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The membrane is made from a perfluoro sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a fluorinated sulfonic acid-containing polymer, a polymer based on polysulfones and/or polysulfone modifications, a polymer based on aromatic polyether ketones, a polymer based on trifuorostyrene, or is a composite membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A heat exchanger cools the connected fuel cell hydride storage reservoir during transfer of the stored hydrogen; and heats the connected fuel cell hydride storage reservoir during evacuation of the reservoir. A pump evacuates the fuel cell hydride storage reservoir. A vent on the electrolyzer vents oxygen produced to the surrounding environment. The accumulator further comprises a compressor. A charge meter measures the amount of hydrogen transferred to the fuel cell hydride storage reservoir.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: At least one of the first and second valves includes a reverse-flow preventing device that inhibits the hydrogen gas from flowing from the fuel cell toward the storage device. The pump is driven at a first speed for circulating the hydrogen gas and is driven at a second speed higher than the first speed for drawing the hydrogen gas out of the storage device. A pressure-reducing device between the outlet of the storage device and the first point in the first passage reduces pressure of the hydrogen gas discharged from the storage device. A fourth passage (409) extends from a particular point in the first passage between the pressure-reducing device and the inlet of the fuel cell toward an outside of the vehicle. A relief valve (416) in the fourth passage permits and inhibits flow of gas upon opening and closing, respectively. When a pressure of the hydrogen gas in a portion of the first passage between the pressure-reducing device and the fuel cell is higher than a reference pressure, the relief valve is opened to discharge hydrogen gas from the first passage to the outside of the vehicle through the fourth passage. A gas-liquid separator (406) in at least one of the first and second passages separates moisture contained in the hydrogen gas discharged from the fuel cell into a liquid component and a gaseous component and remove only the liquid component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Heating is carried out by direct heating or with a high temperature gas which is prepared by completely combusting a combustion gas in which at least the fuel and oxygen are mixed, or by means of electromagnetism. The reforming catalyst and the carbon dioxide absorbent are dispersed and mixed at a level of 30 nm or less. Preferred Composition: The fuel contains carbon monoxide. The reforming catalyst contains platinum and/or palladium, and ruthenium and/or rhodium. The carbon dioxide adsorbent contains alkali metals and/or alkaline-earth metals. Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a combustion gas supplying unit for supplying combustion gas to reactor bed and a switching unit for alternately switching the supplies from source gas supplying unit and combustion gas supplying unit. EXAMPLE - A honey-comb catalyst provided to the reactor bed in a reactor, was contacted with propylene and steam under condition of molar water/carbon ratio of 2.5. Air was supplied to heat reactor bed. While carrying out contacting and heating steps alternately, the hydrocarbon content at the outlet of the reactor was 200-400 degreesC. The fuel reforming reaction was observed at 450 degreesC. Steam reforming reaction and carbon monoxide shift reaction were proceeded. The generated carbon dioxide was quickly adsorbed by carbon dioxide. The resulting reformed fuel gas mostly contained hydrogen. A comparative hydrogen generation process was performed similarly without heating the reactor bed. The resulted reformed fuel contained methane and less amount of hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The hydrogen-containing inorganic compound is metal hydrides, hydrazine or hydrazine derivatives.Preferred Composition: The fuel composition comprises 2-16 weight% (wt.%) of primary fuel and 1 wt.% to saturation amount of auxiliary fuel. The fuel composition also comprises at least one additional compound, and an electrolyte with a pH of more than 7. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, preferably potassium hydroxide in a concentration of 3-12 M, preferably 6 M.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The surface-active compound is a compound with hydroxyl functional group. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The surface-active compound is methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, ethylene glycol or glycerine. The hydrogen-containing inorganic compound is lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, dimethylamino borane (CH3)2NHBH3, sodium aluminum hydride, diborane, sodium cyanoborane, calcium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium hydride, potassium hydride or sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxo) dihydridaluminate    EXAMPLE - No suitable example.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Yeast cells are derived from 52 specific strains e.g. strains having an accession number AS2.4, AS2.593, IFFI1002 and IFFI1411. Antibiotic or organic solvent (with field strength (mV/cm) is penicillin (30-220), chlortetracycline (30-230), oxytetracycline (30-250), doxycycline (30-250), tetracycline (30-230), streptomycin (30-230), kanamycin (30-230), erythromycin (30-250), spiramycin (30-230), bacitracin (30-230), trichloromethane (90-280), toluene or ethylbenzene (80-280), p-xylene (80-280), furazolidonum (80-280), decoquinate (90-280), benzaldehyde (120-280), propylaldehyde (100-200), enanthaldehyde (110-280), m-dichlorobenzene (100-220), acetophenone (116-225), arsanilic acid (90-190), roxarsone (100-190), dodecane (160-300), nonadecane (120-300), octacosane (120-300), trichlorphonum (200-300) or dinitomidum or zoalene (130-310). EXAMPLE - Saccharomyces willianus Saccardo AS2.293 was cultured in the presence of the following series of alternating electric fields (MHz) at field strength (mV/cm) and for a time of (hours): 77, 48 and 15; 83, 48 and 15; 90, 48 and 15; 96, 48 and 15; 77, 200 and 30; 83, 200 and 30; 90, 200 and 30; then 96, 200 and 30. The cells (greater than 108 cells/ml) were added to waste water from a hospital containing penicillin at 100 mg/l and the solution was cultured at 28 degrees C for 24 hours. Penicillin concentration was decreased by at least 23% compared to a control fermented with non-treated cells and a control containing no cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The hydrogen-powered device is a fuel cell or micro-turbine. The metallic material and reaction products are transported in a cartridge, preferably an airtight polymer shell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The metallic material comprises a transition metal (alloy), preferably iron, manganese, chromium or zinc. The solid acid can be sodium hydrogen sulfate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The solid acid can be dry citric acid or oxalic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: An electrical power generating device (1a) using the fuel cell which is a solid electrolyte type fuel cell, generates electricity by using methane (12) as fuel. The high temperature exhaust gas (21) ejected from the electrical power generating device is used for drying dewatered sludge (17) with the drier. At least one portion of the fuel is used for drying the digested sludge.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The porous layer contains aluminum oxide and silicon-zirconium complex oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The micro-etched foil is a metallic material such as stainless steel. The foil has several holes of diameter ca. 50 microns. The holes are spaced apart at a distance of ca. 150 microns. The membrane further contains a layer of replicating material capable of being dissolved in a solvent to form a substrate, attached to the foil. The metal alloy is deposited by sputtering the membrane metal onto the substrate. The metal alloy comprises copper and palladium and/or vanadium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Replicating Material: The replicating material, e.g. cellulose acetate, is dissolved in a solvent. The back of the foil is further coated with replicating material. EXAMPLE - A 60/40 palladium/copper membrane was manufactured by sputtering at 6 mTorr of pressure with argon. A stress-free deposited film was formed. When a second 60/40 palladium/copper comparative sample, was produced by the successive evaporation under a pressure of less than 1 mTorr of layers of copper and palladium, a stress-free deposited film was not formed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The non-ammonia purifying unit has an adsorbent layer for non-ammonia and a catalyst layer for non-ammonia made of a catalyst having oxidizing performance. A catalyst layer for ammonia or non-ammonia is provided downstream from at least one of the ammonia and/or non-ammonia adsorbent layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The adsorbent layer for non-ammonia includes an activated charcoal adsorbent. The adsorbent forming the ammonia adsorbent layer is accretion activated charcoal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst include noble metals from platinum, gold, silver, copper, palladium, ruthenium, or rhodium, and a metal oxide from nickel oxide, manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, iron oxide, or vanadium pentoxide. The adsorbent forming the ammonia adsorbent layer is activated alumina, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, and/or activated clay. The ammonia adsorbent layer includes noble metal from platinum, gold, silver, copper, palladium, ruthenium, and/or rhodium; and/or a metal oxide forming the catalyst layer from nickel oxide, manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, iron oxide, and/or vanadium pentoxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The adsorbent forming the ammonia adsorbent layer is silica gel and/or ion exchange resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst comprises palladium or ruthenium on cerium-promoted zirconia or alumina. EXAMPLE - Cerium oxide (CeO) was impregnated on zirconium oxide (ZrO2) using cerium nitrate (Ce(NO3)3 hexahydrate. The cerium promoted zirconium oxide was dried and calcined. Palladium and ruthenium were co-impregnated on CeO-ZrO2. Palladium nitrate solution containing 20 wt.% palladium was mixed with 1.5 wt.% ruthenium (III) nitrosyl. The catalyst was coated on iron/chromium/aluminum/yttrium felt. Catalyst coating slurry was prepared by mixing powder catalyst with de-ionized water in the ratio of 1:6. The mixture was ball-milled for 24 hours. Before coating, the metal felt was pretreated at 900degreesC in air for 2 hours. The felt was dipped into the catalyst slurry. Between each coating, the felt was dried at 100degreesC for 1 hour. The catalyst was dried at 100degreesC and calcined at 2degreesC/min to 300-500degreesC. The felt was calcined at 300-500degreesC for 3 hours in air. The catalyst felt had superior specific activity performed better than catalyst lacking the cerium promoter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Adsorbents: The nitrogen-selective adsorbent is a CTS-1 zeolite or barium exchanged ETS-4. The methane-selective adsorbent is high aluminum X having a silicon-to-aluminum ratio of about 1, zeolite 13X, carbon or silica gel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Oxygen is provided in the air stream to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The air stream is provided to an electricity producing device. Preferred Component: The membrane has a pore size of 0.2-3 microns. The fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. An air pump is disposed within the enclosure, in which air is drawn into the enclosure through the filter. The filter comprises a hydrophobic gas permeable membrane having a pore size such that a water intrusion pressure of the filter is at least6 psig. The electricity producing device comprises a metal-air battery, or a zinc-air battery.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The membrane is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The purification process involves delivering the streams (112,113,114) as product streams. The streams (112,113,114) are passed through a cold-box (115). The stream (112) of synthesis gas is supplied to an ammonia synthesis process. The waste gas is re-compressed through the cold-box before splitting and passing streams (112,113,114) through the cold-box. The waste gas is also passed through the cold-box prior to re-compression. The purification process further involves providing a Joule Thomson valve (141) through which methane-rich gas is passed, to drop the gas pressure and produce refrigeration; pass the waste gas to a heat exchanger for cooling the stream (112) and pass the waste gas to the cold-box. Preferred Components: An expander turbine (137) is provided in series with the stream (113), to produce refrigeration. A separation column (116) is provided to pass a recompressed gas, after passage through the cold-box for splitting out the waste gas. The gas from the column (116) is passed to and through the cold-box, to lower its temperature and is returned to the column.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The reducing gas comprises hydrogen based fuel containing hydrogen and argon or nitrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The liquid fuel consists of ethanol and/or methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The reformer gas is produced from autothermal reforming and/or partial oxidation reforming. The ethanol containing dissolved carbon monoxide is recycled to form additional gas obtained from the fuel reformer. The carbon monoxide is dissolved within a solution containing cuprous chloride. The solution containing cuprous chloride and dissolved carbon monoxide is separated from carbon monoxide dissolved in the liquid. The hydrogen devoid of carbon monoxide is subjected to scrubbing within the medium for scrubbing impurities within gaseous hydrogen to provide a gas containing hydrogen separated from the medium. The medium containing impurities is subjected to heat to form a vapor containing volatile impurities and a medium for recycle.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The medium for scrubbing consists of silica gel and/or alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The method further comprises opening a first purge valve (14) located between the fuel cell and the hydrogen dilution device to move the reacted fuel gas into the hydrogen dilution device; closing the valve; and momentarily and repeatedly opening and closing a second valve located at the outlet of the hydrogen dilution device to release the reacted fuel gas into the atmosphere.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The hydrogen dilution device comprises a porous frit, a holding chamber, or a hydrogen absorption/desorption medium comprising palladium or palladium oxide. The second valve is automatically or manually opened and closed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: Suitable porous materials include shredded wood, bark, chopped straw, mineral granules, carbon granules and plastics granules, preferably mixed, wetted or impregnated with emission-binding substances, especially aluminum sulfate granules or a dilute nitric acid, phosphoric acid, aluminum sulfate, organic acid and/or sulfamic acid solution, optionally emulsified with fatty acids, glycerides, oils and/or aldehydes. EXAMPLE - A heap comprising 2 parts anaerobically digested sewage sludge, 2 parts shredded greenery and chopped straw, 1 parts sand and 1 part shredded wood was covered with a 10-20 cm layer of comminuted wood. Emissions of ammonia, toluene and benzene (mg/m3) were 80, 0.014 and 0.006 respectively, compared with 200, 5.985 and 0.01 for the uncovered heap.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Process: The fermenter is continuously fed with substrate in pumpable and heapable form and discontinuously emptied by removing the middle liquid layer and overlying floating solid layer. The liquid from the middle layer is used to dilute the incoming substrate. Heapable solids are continuously fed into the fermenter up to the digestibility limit of the methane bacteria. The middle liquid layer is disposed of separately from the solid floating and sediment layers. Several modular fermenters are grouped around a central supply and discharge unit. The fermenters have an inclined base.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - FOOD - Preferred Product: The final product can be dry material or a tincture of the extract.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The carrier liquid comprises an organic liquid such as light mineral oil, and hydrocarbon such as alkane chosen from pentane and hexane.Preferred Composition: The composition contains at least 40 weight% (wt.%), preferably more than 90 wt.% of chemical hydride. The composition contains 90-95 wt.% of oil coated chemical hydride particles. The composition comprises 5-10 wt.% of oil.Preferred Properties: The carrier liquid has viscosity of about 32-100, preferably 42-59 Saybolt Universal seconds (S.U.S) at standard temperature and pressure. The carrier liquid exhibits a flash point at preferably 154-177 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The reservoir comprising chemical hydride is canister. The mechanism configured to introduce reactants comprises conduits that have open delivery ends arranged to introduce the reactant (water) to respective selective portion of the chemical hydride. The conduits are parallely arranged or located at different distances along an axis of the reservoir. The mechanism can be moved relative to the chemical hydride contained in the reservoir. The conduit comprise needles, and a valving system. The reactor of hydrogen fuel generation assembly comprises a mixer. The fuel generation assembly further comprises a power-producing device chosen from fuel cell, internal combustion engine and external combustion engine; and conduit unit for conveying condensed water from fuel cell to reservoir. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The chemical hydride is a light metal hydride chosen from lithium hydride, lithium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium hydride, sodium borohydride, sodium aluminum hydride, magnesium hydride and calcium hydride, especially lithium or magnesium hydride. The dispersant is triglyceride of oleic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The cleaning agent comprises butane, isobutane, IPA, ethylene or polypropylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The core comprises several hydride materials chosen from alkali hydrides, such as sodium hydride or sodium borohydride.The barrier comprises a thermoplastic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The hydrogen generator further comprises:(1) a storage chamber operably connected to the reaction chamber (A) for receiving and storing reaction products;(2) a reaction chamber (B);(3) an aluminum feedstock; and(4) a unit for supplying the aluminum feedstock and water to the chamber (B).Preferred Process: A portion of the barrier stored on a spool is unrolled and then the chemical hydride material (C1) is exposed and reacted. Subsequently, another portion of the barrier is removed to expose the hydride material (C2) and the exposed material is reacted with water in the reaction chamber (A). After transferring heat from chamber (A) to chamber (B), aluminum and water are passed into the chamber (B) and reacted. The temperature of the chamber (B) before reacting aluminum and water is 170-210degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: In step (2), the water is removed from the sludge by filtration, centrifugation, and/or drying.In step (4), the burning of the gases is carried out in a micro-turbine and the waste heat from the burning apparatus is used for drying digested sludge.The solid content of digested sludge is increased to about 50% by weight, preferably between 50-100%.Dewatered sludge is gasified by a reaction with an oxidant selected from oxygen, air and oxygen-enriched air under substoichiometric conditions at elevated temperatures.The temperature exceeds the melting temperature of a non-carbonaceous component of the dewater sludge, preferably between 1700-2800 degrees F.At least one additive between 1-20 wt.% of the total amount of non-carbonaceous material in the sludge is added to the sludge to reduce the melting temperature of the non-carbonaceous fraction of the sludge.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The metallic oxide carrier is zirconia carrier containing sulfate radical. The zirconia carrier is impregnated with ammonium metatungstate aqueous solution and baked for 24 hours at 550-1100degreesC in air to form zirconia carrier containing tungsten. The quantity of tungsten and palladium are 2-20 weight% and 0.01-0.5 wt.% to carrier. The quantity of platinum and tungsten are respectively 0-100 wt.% and 10-200 wt.% against palladium content. The hydrocarbon is unburned methane obtained from burner.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Composition: The carrier and the deodorizing layer are immersed and used for an activated sludge tank. The filler inserted a 2-5 mm carrier to the adsorption layer (6a) post stage and of 10-15 mm carrier to the front stage deodorizing layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The water pool portion has a sealed portion except for the flood portion, having an overflow structure. A hydrogen donor feed zone is provide to the portion (10). A odor transducing portion (11) is provide to the tank (2), to provide water pool circles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: The microorganism contains Bacillus microbe, and actinomycetes, Lactobaccillus or archaebacterium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst active ingredient comprises ruthenium, rhodium, iridium and/or nickel. The heat-resistant oxide comprises oxide of lanthanum, alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal. The co-catalyst component contains 1-50 weight% heat-resistant oxide and 0.1-20 wt.% of catalyst active ingredient. Preferred Process: The hydrocarbon modification reaction is performed along with partial oxidation. Heat balance is maintained using the heat energy produced by partial oxidation, as internal heat source.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The heat is applied in an initial reaction section for drying and in a second degasification section. The carbonization gas is fed to the second stage for quantitative gasification and cracking. The apparatus introduces the gasification agents in the first stage, forming moving streams of solids.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte is yttria-stabilized zirconia. The metal oxide electrode body is formed from La1-xAxCrO3.A = Sr (preferably), Ca or Mg;x = 0-0.5, preferably 0.2
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The oxidant supply and reformate are reacted in a preferential oxidizer located between the reformer and the fuel cell. The oxidant supply is injected into the reformate at an inlet to the anode side of the fuel cell. A first portion of the oxidant supply is injected into a preferential oxidizer and second portion of the oxidant supply is injected into the reformate upstream of the fuel cell. The flow rate of oxidant supply is determined according to FOn = OFS - k(Pn-1/Pn)(OFS - FOn-1), in which: OFS is the oxidant flow determined from the inlet streams to the reformer; Pn is the pressure of the reformer at a time Tn; Pn-1 is the pressure of the reformer at an earlier time Tn-1; FOn-1 is the flow rate of oxidant supply at the earlier time; k is a lag filter coefficient; and FOn is the flow rate of oxidant supply. The determined carbon monoxide content is based upon reaction kinetics in the reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Resolution of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons with Rhodococcus sp. KN-14, N-45 or KN-46. ACTIVITY - Clean up of environmental condition.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - Resolution of volatile aromatic hydrocarbon compounds.    SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - Rhodococcus sp. KN-14 (FERM P-18195), N-45 (FERM P-18197) or KN-46 (FERM P-18196).    EXAMPLE - Rhodococcus sp. KN-14 (FERM P-18195) was cultured in an inorganic medium containing o-xylene at 200 mul as a sole carbon source at 20degreesC for 10 days. Complete resolution of o-xylene was observed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition includes nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin E or vitamin K.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The metal component is accommodated in a cartridge container in a vacuum or inert atmosphere during hydrogen generation. Water vapor is sprayed on the metal fine component during hydrogen generation.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The metal fine component is a filament or a porous component, containing iron, aluminum or titanium.Preferred Process: The redox process is carried out using a rich fuel, in a reducing furnace of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The oxidized metal fine component is used as a catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch method. The hydrogen-energy generation system regenerates the metal fine components, by gas atomization method or melt quench method. The hydrogen generated from the system is used as gasification atmosphere of Hynol process method.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Material from several primary treatment facilities are mixed, prior to adding the necessary component for secondary treatment. After secondary treatment the material is returned to the primary treatment plant in the same container used for transport of primary treated material to secondary treatment plant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Method: Anaerobic bacteria is bred in the decomposition product.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The hydrocarbon gas is methane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell is solid oxide or molten carbonate fuel cell having anode and cathode portions. The gasifier is a coal gasifier, biomass gasifier, or gasifier for waste material. The gasifier receives required reactants for gasification reaction from the fuel cell. A heat exchanger is provided to recover heat from exhaust gas from the fuel-cell cathode portion. The system also includes a second fuel cell module for receiving portion of exhaust gas which is not recycled back to gasifier module, and an after-burner positioned downstream of the fuel cell module for combusting any fuel remaining in the exhaust gas. Preferred Method: The recycled exhaust gas is obtained from the anode portion of fuel cell. It also acts as heat carrier. A portion of gaseous fuel output from the gasifier module enters the heat exchanger so that heat is transferred from the fuel-cell cathode exhaust to the gaseous fuel. The gasifier operates on carbon dioxide, and the fuel cell operates on carbon monoxide.