A torsional vibration damper assembly for a hydrokinetic torque coupling device, comprises a torsional vibration damper, and a dynamic absorber operatively connected to the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member rotatable about a rotational axis, a first retainer plate rotatable relative to the driven member coaxially with the rotational axis, and a plurality of damper elastic members interposed between the first retainer plate and the driven member. The damper elastic members elastically couples the first retainer plate to the driven member. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member. The inertial member is mounted to the torsional vibration damper rotatably relative to the driven member. The inertial member is rotationally guided and centered relative to the rotational axis by the driven member of the torsional vibration damper.

A torsional vibration reduction device that is provided inside of a fluid power transmitting device that has a driving side member that generates a fluid flow, and a driven side member that is driven by the fluid flow, includes a rolling element configured to move in a reciprocating manner according to a variation in torque; a retaining member that has a rolling chamber configured to house the rolling element in a manner that enables the rolling element to move in a reciprocating manner; and a housing configured to shield the rolling element and the rolling chamber from fluid inside of the fluid power transmitting device. The retaining member is enclosed and fixed inside the housing, and the housing is fixed to the driven side member.

A method for operating a vehicle drive-train having a continuously power-branched transmission with secondary coupling. In the open operating condition of reversing clutches of a reversing gear unit, torque applied in the area of a drive output can be supported by a range group in the area of a variator. In the event of a command to interrupt the power flow between a drive engine and the drive output, it is checked whether the vehicle is on an inclined surface and if the result of that inquiry is positive, the power flow between the drive engine and the transmission is interrupted at the latest when the rotational speed of the drive output is reduced to zero by opening the reversing clutches, while the active connection between the drive output and the variator is maintained by way of the range group.

A synchronization unit of a switchable gear changing transmission for a vehicle. The synchronization unit includes a friction ring having an outer installation surface and a synchronizer ring having an inner installation surface. The outer installation surface of the friction ring is shaped as a first geometrically structured profile. The inner installation surface of the synchronizer ring is shaped as a corresponding second geometrically structured profile. The first profile of the friction ring is configured to engage with the second profile of the synchronizer ring in such a manner that the friction ring is secured in the radial direction to the axis and in the circumferential direction at the synchronizer ring.

The invention relates to a polymer composition which absorbs infrared radiation (IR), containing a transparent thermoplastic plastic, an inorganic infrared absorber, also referred to as IR absorber hereinbelow, at least one inorganic nano-scale pigment, and the combination of at least two organic coloring agents of a specific structure, and to the preparation and use of the polymer compositions according to the invention and to products produced therefrom.

The present invention relates to an aqueous anti-dusting formulation for use in combination with a binder in the manufacture of fiber wool insulation, the formula comprising: a) oil; b) polyvinyl alcohol; and c) water. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a glass or mineral fiber product with the anti-dusting formulations and to products of the process.

Dryers and methods of using dryers are described herein. The dryer includes a housing, a drying chamber disposed within the housing, and a heating element. The dryer further includes an intake configured to supply intake air to the drying chamber. The dryer includes an exhaust configured to vent exhaust air out of the drying chamber. The dryer includes a pump coupled to the housing. The dryer further includes an energy recovery system coupled to the housing. The pump is configured to reduce the air pressure within the drying chamber. The energy recovery system includes a heat transfer fluid and is configured to use the heat transfer fluid to transfer thermal energy from the exhaust air to the drying chamber.

A hair coloring composition comprising: a) dihydroxyacetone or a derivative thereof; b) from 0.2 to 10 wt % of the total composition of a cationic conditioning compound c) a sulphonic compound of formula: H2N—(CHR1}pS(—X)q—Y in which where p is an integer from 1 to 5, R1 is H or an alkyl group, X is O or S q is an integer from 0 or 1. Y is an alkyl group or hydroxyl group.

A fabric cleaning composition comprising from 1% to 20% by weight of the fabric cleaning composition of an oxygen-based bleaching source and a hueing agent, and wherein the neat composition has a pH between 2.5 and 5.5, and a method of using said fabric cleaning composition.

This application relates to thiophene azo dyes for use as hueing agents, laundry care compositions comprising such thiophene azo dyes, processes for making such thiophene azo dyes, and laundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The thiophene azo dyes contain a formally charged moiety and are generally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. These thiophene azo dyes are advantageous in providing a hueing effect, for example, a whitening effect to fabrics, while not building up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to the treated fabrics. The thiophene azo dyes are also generally stable to bleaching agents used in laundry care compositions.

A process of covalently modifying a lignocellulosic material is provided. The process includes oxidizing a lignocellulosic material having hydroxyl groups with an oxidant to oxidize at least a portion of the hydroxyl groups to carboxylic acid groups, optionally activating the carboxylic acid groups with an activating agent to form activated carboxylic acid groups, and reacting the carboxylic acid groups or the activated carboxylic acid groups with a first nitrogen-containing reagent selected from amino acids, peptides, or protected derivatives thereof to provide a treated lignocellulosic material. The treated lignocellulosic materials thus prepared displays resistance to degradation.

The present invention relates to metal coated nano-fibres obtained by a process that includes electrospinning and to the use of said metal coated nano-fibres. The process is characterised in that a polymer nano-fibre with functional groups providing the binding ability to a reducing reagent is prepared by electrospinning at ambient conditions. Then this is contacted with a reducing agent, thereby opening the epoxy ring on the surface of polymer nano-fibre and replacing with the reducing agent and the reducing agent modified film is reacted with metal solution in alkaline media. Finally the electrospun mat is treated with water to open the epoxy rings in the structure and crosslinking the chains to provide integrity.

The invention relates to an epilatory mixture comprising a fructan, preferably inulin. Furthermore, an epilatory composition is disclosed comprising said epilatory effective mixture. Also a method of use of said epilatory composition of the invention for the removal of unwanted hair from the skin is disclosed, as well as a method of use of said composition for carrying out an epilatory treatment which can be carried out by a professional person as well as by a non-professional person.

A cleaning composition according to one embodiment includes a surfactant system comprising nonionic surfactant in combination with an anionic surfactant; water present in an amount from 0 to about 40 wt % based on a total weight of the cleaning composition; a solvent system comprising a polyalcohol, the solvent system being present in an amount effective to solubilize the surfactant system in the water; and an enzyme present in an amount of less than about 15 wt %; wherein the cleaning composition is in a form of a continuous phase, wherein the cleaning composition is characterized as exhibiting about a constant cleaning efficacy as measured using test procedure ASTM D4265 when the cleaning composition is added to 69 liters of exterior water in amounts ranging from about 9 to about 22 grams of cleaning composition. Methods for pretreating and cleaning laundry and nontextile surfaces are also presented.

The cellulose nanofiber production method of the present invention comprises an oxidation treatment step for oxidizing native cellulose in a neutral or acidic reaction solution containing an N-oxyl compound and an oxidizing agent that oxidizes aldehyde groups, and a dispersion step for dispersing the native cellulose in a medium following the oxidation treatment step. According to the production method of the present invention, a cellulose nanofiber is provided that has long fibers and demonstrates high strength.

An object of the invention is to provide cellulose fibers which can give a cellulose composite that renders high transparency, a reduction in linear expansion coefficient, and a high modulus of elasticity possible. The invention relates to: a process for producing modified cellulose fibers which includes a modification reaction step of reacting cellulose with an aromatic compound in an organic acid to thereby modify the cellulose with an aromatic-ring-containing substituent; cellulose fibers modified with aromatic-ring-containing substituent; a dispersion of the cellulose fibers; and a cellulose fiber composite obtained from the same.

Functional additives for cleansing compositions exhibiting enhanced anti soil-re-deposition and/or dye transfer inhibitory properties comprising polymers in the form of homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers synthesized from at least one hydrophobic monomer. Examples of hydrophobic monomers include N-vinyl caprolactam, vinyl acetate, vinyl esters, acrylated glycols, methacrylamide, C1 to C12 alkyl- and C1 to C12 dialkylacrylamide, C1 to C12 alkyl- and C1 to C12 dialkylmethacrylamide, C1 to C12 alkyl aery late, C1 to C12 alkyl methacrylate, 4-butyl phenyl maleimide, octyl acrylamide.

Appliances having a detergent dispenser that may be flushed with a water flow for removal of residual treating chemistry while reducing sudsing are disclosed. An example dispenser includes a cup with a bottom wall, a siphon tube projecting upwardly from the bottom wall, a cover for the siphon tube, an opening configured to introduce a liquid stream into the cup from a position above and beyond a periphery of the cover, wherein substantially all of the liquid stream flows downwardly along a trajectory defined by the opening and terminating below and within the periphery of the cover, and wherein the liquid stream directly impinges a portion of at least one of the cup or the siphon tube below the cover.

The present disclosure therefore relates to a method for lightening keratin materials, in which the following are used: (a) a direct emulsion (A) comprising at least one fatty substance in an amount greater than 25% by weight, such as greater than 50%, at least one surfactant; at least one alkaline agent and an amount of water greater than 5% by weight, of the total weight of the emulsion, (b) a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. It also relates to a multi-compartment device comprising, in one compartment, an emulsion (A), in another compartment a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent.

A photoresist composition includes a binder resin combined with a black dye, a monomer, a photo-polymerization initiator and a remainder of a solvent.

Novel compounds based on distyryl-biphenyl are provided. The compounds conform to the general structure The compounds are useful as optical brighteners. Compositions, such as laundry care compositions, containing such compounds are also provided.

As associative thickener obtainable by free radical polymerization, the preparation thereof and the use thereof in paper coating slips are described. The associative thickener is formed from (a) acid monomers selected from ethylenically unsaturated C3- to C8-carboxylic acids, (b) associative monomers of the general formula H2C═CR1—COO-(EO)n—(PO)m—R2, in which R1 is hydrogen or methyl, n is a number of at least two, m is a number from zero to 50, EO is an ethylene oxide group, PO is a propylene oxide group and R2 is a C8-C30-alkyl group or a C8-C30-alkaryl group, and (c) nonionic, copolymerizable monomers differing from a) and b), the reaction product having been reacted, after the polymerization, with initiators forming nonionic radicals.

A bluing composition concentrate comprises an aqueous medium and at least one colorant that exhibits a blue or violet shade when deposited onto a textile material. The concentrate can be used to produce a bluing composition, and the bluing composition can be used to treat textile materials in such a way as to decrease the visually-perceived yellow coloration of textile articles that can occur with repeated use and laundering.

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising: a) one or more fatty substances; b) one or more surfactants; c) one or more oxidation bases; d) one or more couplers based on 2-hydroxynaphthalene derivatives or particular phenol derivatives, acylaminophenol derivatives or quinoline derivatives; f) one or more basifying agents; e) optionally one or more chemical oxidizing agents; and the fatty substance content representing in total at least 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation. The present invention also relates to a process using this composition, and to a multi-compartment device that is suitable for performing the said process.

The present invention relates to a hair dye composition, and more particularly, to a foam-type hair dye composition comprising: a first agent including a dye and an alkaline agent and a second agent including an oxidant; and a nonionic viscosity increasing agent of a PEG-aliphatic acid ester or a PPG-aliphatic acid ester in one or both of the first agent and the second agent, thereby largely improving dyeing properties without dripping after the composition is coated on hair.

A semiconductor device comprises a two-dimensional (2D) material layer, the 2D material layer comprising a channel region in between a source region and a drain region; a first gate stack and a second gate stack in contact with the 2D material layer, the first and second gate stack being spaced apart over a distance; the first gate stack located on the channel region of the 2D material layer and in between the source region and the second gate stack, the first gate stack arranged to control the injection of carriers from the source region to the channel region and the second gate stack located on the channel region of the 2D material layer; the second gate stack arranged to control the conduction of the channel region.

An active filter device and a circuit arrangement comprising an active filter device are disclosed. In an embodiment the active filter device includes sensor terminals for applying a sensor signal depending on a sensed noise signal, an output terminal for providing a correction signal that is suitable for reducing the noise signal, a signal source adapted for generating a correction signal and a high-pass filter coupled between the sensor terminals and the signal source, wherein the correction signal is generated with a dependence on a high-pass filtered sensor signal.

An SR latch circuit with single gate delay is provided. The circuit has an an enable input and an SR latch. There is first input stage having an input for receiving a set input and having an output for producing a first component of the SR latch circuit output, the first input stage having only one transistor that receives the enable input, the first input stage becoming transparent while enabled, the first input stage having a single gate delay between the input of the first input stage and the output of the first input stage. There is a second input stage having an input for receiving a reset input and having an output for producing a second component of the SR latch circuit output, the second input stage having only one transistor that receives the enable input, the second input stage becoming transparent while enabled, the second input stage having a single gate delay between the input of the second input stage and the output of the second input stage.

A voltage-resistant switch is described. The switch comprises a signal input, a first FET transistor with a first channel with an extended drain and a first gate connector and a second FET transistor with a first channel with an extended drain and a second gate connector. A control signal connector is connected with the first gate connector and with the second gate connector via a second node and with the first channel and the second channel via a second resistor, and a signal connector is connected with the second channel. The voltage-resistant switch can be switched on and off.

A transmission circuit includes: a first transistor, a first current source, a third transistor. The first transistor has a source terminal coupled to a first reference voltage terminal of the transmission circuit and a drain terminal coupled to a first output terminal of the transmission circuit. The first current source is coupled between a gate terminal of the first transistor and a second reference voltage terminal of the transmission circuit. The third transistor has a drain terminal coupled to the first output terminal of the transmission circuit, a source terminal coupled to the second reference voltage terminal of the transmission circuit, and a gate terminal for receiving a first input signal. The first transistor is of a first conducting type, and the second transistor is of a second conducting type different from the first conducting type.

A signal transfer circuit may include a pass gate coupled between first and second nodes; and a control unit suitable for controlling the pass gate to prevent a current flowing from the second node to the first node during turn-on of the pass gate.

A clock generation circuit may include a reference clock generator configured to generate a pair of first reference clocks in an offset code generation mode, a correction code generator configured to generate a reference correction code according to a duty detection signal based on a phase difference between the pair of first reference clocks, and an offset code generator configured to generate an offset code based on the reference correction code and a preset reference code.

A clock-signal generator circuit, for generating an output clock signal starting from an input clock signal, includes: a monostable stage having a clock input configured to receive the input clock signal, a control input configured to receive a control signal, and an output configured to supply the output clock signal having a duty cycle variable as a function of the control signal; and a feedback loop, operatively coupled to the monostable stage for generating the control signal as a function of a detected value, and of a desired value, of the duty cycle of the output clock signal.

A device (442) for producing a dynamic reference signal (UREF) for a control circuit for a power semiconductor switch comprises a reference signal generator (442) for providing a dynamic reference signal (UREF), which has a stationary signal level after elapse of a predefined time following a switching process of the power semiconductor switch, a passive charging circuit (450) which is configured to increase a signal level of the dynamic reference signal in reaction to a switching of a control signal of the power semiconductor switch from an OFF state to ON state for at least one part of the predefined time above the stationary signal level, in order to produce the dynamic reference signal and an output (A) for tapping the dynamic reference signal (UREF).

A system includes a SiC semiconductor power device; a power supply board that is configured to provide power to a first gate driver board via a connector; the first gate driver board that is coupled and configured to provide current to the SiC semiconductor power device, wherein the first gate driver board is coupled to the power supply board via the connector, and wherein the first gate driver board is separated from the power supply board; and an interconnect board that is coupled to the first gate driver board, wherein the interconnect board is configured to couple the first gate driver board a second gate driver board.

A device for controlling a first control gate transistor, including: a second transistor and a third transistor series-connected between a first and a second terminals of application of a power supply voltage, the junction point of these transistors being connected to the gate of the first transistor; a terminal of application of a digital control signal; a circuit for generating an analog signal according to variations of the power supply voltage; and for each of the second and third transistors, a circuit of selection of a control signal of the first transistor representative of said digital signal or of said analog signal.

Methods and systems include constructing and operating a semiconductor device with a mid-band dopant layer. In various implementations, carriers that are optically excited in a mid-band dopant region may provide injection currents that may reduce transition times and increase achievable operating frequency in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). In various implementations, carriers that are optically excited in a mid-band dopant region within a thyristor may improve closure transition time, effective current spreading velocity, and maximum rate of current rise.

The object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode active material usable for a lithium ion battery capable of high charge/discharge cycle performance and high discharge capacity. The positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery has a layered structure and comprises at least nickel, cobalt and manganese. Further, the positive electrode active material satisfies requirements (1) to (3) below: (1) a primary particle size of 0.1 μm to 1 μm, and a 50% cumulative particle size D50 of 1 μm to 10 μm, (2) a ratio (D90/D10) of volume-based 90% cumulative particle size D50 to volume-based 10% cumulative particle size D10 of 2 to 6, and (3) a lithium carbonate content in a residual alkali on particle surfaces of 0.1% by mass to 0.8% by mass as measured by neutralization titration.

The positive electrode as an embodiment includes a positive electrode current collector mainly composed of aluminum, a positive electrode mixture layer containing a lithium-containing transition metal oxide and disposed above the positive electrode current collector, and a protective layer disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the positive electrode mixture layer. The protective layer contains inorganic particles, an electro-conductive material, and a binding material; is mainly composed of the inorganic particles; and is disposed on the positive electrode current collector to cover the positive electrode current collector in approximately the entire area where the positive electrode mixture layer is disposed and at least a part of the exposed portion of the positive electrode current collector where the positive electrode mixture layer is not disposed on the surface of the positive electrode current collector.

According to one embodiment, a positive electrode includes a positive electrode layer and a positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode layer includes a positive electrode active material including a first oxide represented by the following formula (α) and/or a second oxide represented by the following formula (β). The positive electrode layer has an intensity ratio falling within a range of 0.25 to 0.7. The ratio is represented by the following formula (1) in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by using CuKα radiation for a surface of the positive electrode layer. LixNi1−a−bCoaMnbMcO2 (α) LixNi1−a−cCoaMcO2 (β) I2/I1 (1)

The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a sodium secondary battery, and a method for preparing the same. The positive electrode active material for the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention is structurally more stable by replacing a part of the transition metal with Li, and accordingly, the thermal stability and life characteristics of the sodium battery including the positive electrode active material are greatly improved.

A carbon material for a non-aqueous secondary battery containing a graphite capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, and having a cumulative pore volume at pore diameters in a range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm of 0.08 mL/g or more, a roundness, as determined by flow-type particle image analysis, of 0.88 or greater, and a pore diameter to particle diameter ratio (PD/d50 (%)) of 1.8 or less, the ratio being given by equation (1A): PD/d50 (%)=mode pore diameter (PD) in a pore diameter range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm in a pore distribution determined by mercury intrusion/volume-based average particle diameter (d50)×100 is provided.

Disclosed are a reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode in which IrO2 is electrodeposited and formed on a porous carbon material and platinum is applied thereon to form a porous platinum layer, a reversible fuel cell including the same, and a method for preparing the same. According to the corresponding reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode, as the loading amounts of IrO2 and platinum used in the reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode can be lowered, it is possible to exhibit excellent reversible fuel cell performances (excellent fuel cell performance and water electrolysis performance) by improving the mass transport of water and oxygen while being capable of reducing the loading amounts of IrO2 and platinum. Further, it is possible to exhibit a good activity of a catalyst when the present disclosure is applied to a reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode and to reduce corrosion of carbon.

Disclosed is an anode for a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) having improved creep property by adding an additive for imparting creep resistance to nickel-aluminum alloy and nickel as materials for an anode. Improved sintering property, creep property and increased mechanical strength of a molten carbonate fuel cell may be obtained accordingly.

One embodiment includes a method comprising the steps of providing a first dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer, depositing a wet first proton exchange membrane layer over the first catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer to form a first proton exchange membrane layer; providing a second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer; contacting the second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer with the first proton exchange membrane layer; and hot pressing together the first and second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layers with the wet proton exchange membrane layer therebetween.

A catalyst composition and a use thereof are provided. The catalyst composition includes a support and at least one RuXMY alloy attached to the surface of the support, wherein M is a transition metal and X≧Y. The catalyst composition is used in an alkaline electrochemical energy conversion reaction, and can improve the energy conversion efficiency for an electrochemical energy conversion device and significantly reduce material costs.

A flow battery includes a positive electrode, a positive electrode electrolyte, a negative electrode, a negative electrode electrolyte, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode electrolyte includes water and a first redox couple. The first redox couple includes a first organic compound which includes a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The first organic compound is reduced during discharge while during charging the reduction product of the first organic compound is oxidized to the first organic compound. The negative electrode electrolyte includes water and a second redox couple. The second couple includes a second organic compound including a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The reduction product of the second organic compound is oxidized to the second organic compound during discharge.

Composites of lithium-ion-conducting ceramic and polymeric materials make superior separators and electrolytes for use in lithium batteries. The ceramic material provides a high conductivity pathway for lithium-ions, enhancing the properties of the less conductive polymeric material. The polymeric material provides flexibility, binding, and space-filling properties, mitigating the tendency of rigid ceramic materials to break or delaminate. The interface between the polymer and ceramic can be made to have a low ionic resistance through the use of additives and coatings.

Provided is a positive electrode active material that can be used to fabricate a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent output characteristics not only in an environment at normal temperature but also in all temperature environments from extremely low to high temperatures. A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the positive electrode active material includes a boron compound and lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide of general formula (1) having a layered hexagonal crystal structure. The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide includes secondary particles composed of agglomerated primary particles. The boron compound is present on at least part of the surface of the primary particles, and contains lithium. Li1+sNixCoyMnzMotMwO2 (1)

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (