...that Charles Goodyear performed some of his experiments on rubber while in debtor's prison? He was there so often he referred to it as his "hotel". Chronically in debt because of poor business sense and ill health, Goodyear depended on the generosity of friends and family. Even after he unlocked the secret to vulcanizing rubber, he was unable to improve his financial situation. When he died, his estate was $200,000 in debt.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7285195 | Electric field reducing thrust plate A method and apparatus for an electrochemical processing cell that is configured to minimize bevel and backside deposition. The apparatus includes a contact ring assembly for supporting a substrate, a thrust plate movably positioned to engage a substrate positioned ... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7267754 | Porous membrane electrochemical cell for uranium and transuranic recovery from molten salt electrolyte An improved process and device for the recovery of the minor actinides and the transuranic elements (TRU's) from a molten salt electrolyte. The process involves placing the device, an electrically non-conducting barrier between an anode salt and a cathode salt. The ... | 09/11/2007 |
| 7250104 | Method and system for optically enhanced metal planarization The methods and systems described provide for radiation assisted material deposition, removal, and planarization at a surface, edge, and/or bevel of a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer. Exemplary processes performed on a workpiece surface having topographical ... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7241416 | Metal injection molded turbine rotor and metal injection molded shaft connection attachment thereto A rotor shaft assembly (101) of a type used in a turbocharger, manufactured by mounting a powder compact of a titanium aluminide rotor (203) to a powder compact of a steel shaft (207), with a metal powder admixed with a binder (211) inter... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7238265 | Electroplating apparatus with functions of voltage detection and flow rectification The present invention provides a fountain-type electroplating apparatus with functions of voltage detection and flow rectification, comprising: an electroplating tank, a rectification device, and an overflow tank, wherein the electroplating tank is positioned inside... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7223329 | Active slender tubes and method of making the same A method of making an active slender tube as implemented as a catheter, guide wire, or any other medical or non-medical micro-mechanical or -system or system's active micro-component is disclosed, comprising preparing an actuator made from a shape memory alloy (SMA)... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7220397 | Modified oxygen reduced valve metal oxides Pressed material such as anodes are described and formed from oxygen reduced oxide powders using additives, such as binders and/or lubricants. Methods to form the pressed material are also described, such as with the use of atomizing, spray drying, fluid bed process... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7217388 | Method for preparing reinforced platinum material The present invention provides a method in which a strengthened platinum material can be produced, in which no blisters occur on the surface of the material even after heat treatment of 1,400° C. or higher and a metal oxide such as zirconium oxide is finely dispers... | 05/15/2007 |
| 7217331 | Method for shaping structures comprised of aluminum alloys A method is provided for forming complex structures from aluminum alloys, particularly from naturally hard AlMg alloys, naturally hard AlMgSc alloys and/or age-hardenable AlMgLi alloys. The method, in a simple manner by means of as few process steps as possible, for... | 05/15/2007 |
| 7217312 | Method of recycling metallic coated scrap pieces A method of recycling metallic coated scrap pieces wherein the coating layer liquidus temperature is lower than the core layer solidus temperature, such as brazing sheet scrap pieces, or metallic coated scrap pieces wherein the upper part of the melting range of the... | 05/15/2007 |
| 7217390 | Method of fabricating ultra-fine cermet alloys with homogeneous solid grain structure The present invention relates to a method of fabricating ultra-fine grain cermet alloys with a homogenous solid solution grain structure. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of fabricating an ultra-fine TiC-base cermet alloy with a homogenous solid ... | 05/15/2007 |
| 7217327 | Method of producing metal member with enhanced corrosion resistance by salt bath nitriding A metal member is produced with enhanced corrosion resistance by salt bath nitriding. Specifically, in a nitriding salt bath containing Li+, Na+ and K+ ions as cation components and CNO− and CO3−− | 05/15/2007 |
| 7214305 | Method of manufacturing electronic device Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an electronic device, comprising forming a concave portion on the surface of a base member, forming an electrically conductive seed layer on that surface of the base member on which a plated film is to be formed, and applying a... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7214281 | Aluminum-zinc-magnesium-copper alloy extrusion An aluminum alloy extrusion product having improved strength and fracture toughness, the aluminum base alloy comprised of 1.95 to 2.5 wt. % Cu, 1.9 to 2.5 wt. % Mg, 8.2 to 10 wt. % Zn, 0.05 to 0.25 wt. % Zr, max. 0.15 wt. % Si, max. 0.15 wt. % Fe, max. 0.1 wt. % Mn,... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7214279 | Al/Cu/Mg/Ag alloy with Si, semi-finished product made from such an alloy and method for production of such a semi-finished product An Al/Cu/Mg/Mn alloy for the production of semi-finished products with high static and dynamic strength properties has the following composition: 0.3–0.7 wt % silicon (Si), max. 0.15 wt. % iron (Fe), 3.5–4.5 wt % copper (Cu), 0.1–0.5 wt. % manganese (Mn), 0.3â... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7214254 | Method of removing mercury from mercury contaminated materials A method of reducing mercury levels in a mercury contaminated material using microwave energy. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing the mercury contaminated material in a microwave reactor; (b) providing a stream of gas in the microwave reactor, the stream ... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7211217 | Process for the manufacture of compacts in a powder press A process for the manufacture of compacts, particularly cemented-carbide cutting blades, by compressing metallic powder and subsequently sintering the compacts wherein the compacts are formed in a powder press having a die-plate, an upper ram and at least one lower ... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7211175 | Method and apparatus for potential controlled electroplating of fine patterns on semiconductor wafers Controlled-potential electroplating provides an effective method of electroplating metals onto the surfaces of high aspect ratio recessed features of integrated circuit devices. Methods are provided to mitigate corrosion of a metal seed layer on recessed features du... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7211160 | Aluminum alloy piping material for automotive tubes having excellent corrosion resistance and formability, and method of manufacturing same An aluminum alloy piping material for automotive tubes having excellent tube expansion formability by bulge forming at the tube end and superior corrosion resistance, which is suitably used for a tube connecting an automotive radiator and heater, or for a tube conne... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7211219 | Oil-impregnant sintered bearing and manufacturing method thereof, and motor The present invention is for providing an oil-impregnant sintered bearing, which can reliably preserve an oil film on a sliding face, and a method for manufacturing the oil-impregnant sintered bearing. An oil-impregnant sintered bearing is made by providing an inter... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7211185 | Method and apparatus for electrocoagulation of liquids An electrocoagulation treatment device includes a plurality of spaced reaction plates disposed within a reaction chamber. A voltage is applied to selected reaction plates to create an electrical field within the electrocoagulation chamber. The plates are arranged ve... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7211161 | Al-Mg alloy products suitable for welded construction The invention relates to an Al—Zn—Mg—Cu alloy worked product, characterised in that contains (percentage by weight) ... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7208052 | Method for carburizing steel components A carburizing process for increasing the hardness of a case region of a steel component. In one form the application includes plating the outer surface of a stainless steel component with nickel prior to carburizing. One component includes a stainless steel object h... | 04/24/2007 |
| 7208075 | Reduction of metal oxides in an electrolytic cell A method of reducing a metal oxide in a solid state, in an electrolytic cell, is provided, as is an electrolytic cell suitable for performing the method. The cathode of the electrolytic cell is formed at least in part from the metal oxide to be reduced, and the elec... | 04/24/2007 |
| 7208053 | Method for applying a phosphate covering and use of metal parts thus phospated Metallic surfaces are coated with an aqueous, acidic phosphate solution containing 10 to 60 g/l zinc, 0.5 to 40 g/l manganese, 50 to 300 g/l phosphate ions calculated as P2O5, and optionally other components. ... | 04/24/2007 |
| 7204892 | Hoop for CVT belt and manufacturing method therefor A hoop for a CVT belt including foreign matter existing in a nitrided hardened layer and surface of the hoop, the foreign matter comprises at least one of an oxide-type foreign matter, a nitride-type foreign matter, and a carbide-type foreign matter. The oxide-type ... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7204918 | High efficiency plating apparatus and method An improved apparatus for treating plate-like workpieces with a designated chemical solution, including printed circuit boards, includes: (1) a tray for holding the chemical solution, with the tray having an open top which is configured to receive a horizontally-ori... | 04/17/2007 |
| 7201829 | Mask plate design The present invention includes a mask plate design that includes at least one or a plurality of channels portions on a surface of the mask plate, into which electrolyte solution will accumulate when the mask plate surface is disposed on a surface of wafer, and out o... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7195700 | Method of electroplating copper layers with flat topography A method of electrochemically filling features on a wafer surface to form a substantially planar copper layer is provided. The features to be filled includes a first feature that is an unfilled feature with the smallest width and a second feature having the next lar... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7195696 | Electrode assembly for electrochemical processing of workpiece The present invention provides a novel system, apparatus, and method to deposit conductive films on a workpiece. A system for electroplating a surface of a workpiece using a process solution is disclosed. The system comprises a solution housing configured to house a... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7192510 | Fluid control device and method of manufacturing the same A fluid control device has very fine pores with an average diameter not greater than 10 nm and provides a large flux. The fluid control device comprises an anodized alumina film having fine pores and a silicon based micro-porous film having very fine pores and made ... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7192464 | Composition for powder metallurgy The present invention provides a composition for use in pressed powder metallurgy. The composition includes a plurality of substantially dry, discrete agglomerates, a portion of which include a first metal particle adhered to a second metal particle by a binder that... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7191737 | Hydrogen generator for uses in a vehicle fuel system The present invention discloses an electrolyzer for electrolyzing water into a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The electrolyzer is adapted to deliver this gaseous mixture to the fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The electrolyzer o... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7189294 | Al-Mg-Si series alloy plate, method for manufacturing the same and Al-Mg-Si series alloy material A method for manufacturing an Al—Mg—Si series alloy plate includes the steps of hot-rolling and subsequently cold-rolling an Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot. The Al—Mg—Si series alloy ingot consists of Si: 0.2 to 0.8 mass %, Mg: 0.3 to 1 mass %, Fe: 0.5 mass... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7189313 | Substrate support with fluid retention band An apparatus and method for supporting a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for supporting a substrate includes a body having a band extending therefrom. The band is adapted to retain a fluid on the body thereby forming a shallow processing bath ... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7189292 | Self-encapsulated silver alloys for interconnects Alloys of silver and an alloying element that diffuses to the surface of the high conductivity metal and is oxidizable to form an alloying element oxide such as beryllium are provided along with electronic structures employing the alloys and methods of fabrication. | 03/13/2007 |
| 7186305 | Process for improving the adhesion of polymeric materials to metal surfaces A process is described for treating metal surfaces with a composition comprising an oxidizer, an acid, a corrosion inhibitor, an unsaturated alkyl substituted with an aromatic or non-aromatic cyclic groups, and optionally but preferably a source of adhesion enhancin... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7186304 | Carbo-nitrided case hardened martensitic stainless steels A carbo-nitriding process for forming a martensitic stainless steel, which is case hardened and superior corrosion resistance over carburized process, is provided. A process for forming a martensitic stainless steel which is case hardened is provided. The process co... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7186326 | Efficient analysis of organic additives in an acid copper plating bath Suppressor and anti-suppressor additives in an acid copper sulfate plating bath are analyzed by the cyclic voltammetric stripping (CVS) method without cleaning or rinsing the cell between the two analyses. The suppressor analysis is performed first and the suppresso... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7186323 | Electrolyzed water production system An electrolytic ion-water production apparatus in which purified water without residual chlorine is electrolyzed to produce alkaline-ion water without any chloride smell of lime in use of the apparatus, and in which a mixture of purified water treated by a water pur... | 03/06/2007 |