The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a polarizing plate having a polarizer layer and a protection film, sequentially having a drawing step of uniaxially drawing a stack film constituted of a base film and a polyvinyl alcohol based resin layer, a removal step prior to bonding of removing by cutting, opposing first end portions in a direction of width after dyeing and cross-linking the resin layer of the stack film, and a bonding step of bonding a protection film on a surface opposite to a surface on a side of the base film of the polarizer layer in the stack film from which the first end portions were removed.

A pressure-sensitive adhesive optical film of the invention comprises an optical film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the optical film, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness (μm) standard deviation of 0.12 μm or less. The pressure-sensitive adhesive optical film makes it possible to reduce the problem of visible unevenness caused by a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

The invention relates to the use of a hot-melt adhesive having high hardness for adhesive bonding of metal films or foils, paper films or foils, and/or plastic films or foils. The invention further relates to a method for adhesively bonding a metal film or foil, paper film or foil, and/or plastic film or foil onto a substrate.

Disclosed is a liquid processing apparatus capable of accurately determining a holding state of a substrate without being influenced by, for example, material or surface condition of a substrate. The liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit that holds a substrate, a camera that photographs a region where a peripheral edge portion of substrate is present when substrate is properly held by the substrate holding unit, and a control unit that determines a holding state of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit based on an image photographed by the camera.

The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus in which ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are arranged closed to and along an induction antenna 1 composed of an inner circumference coil 1a and an outer circumference coil 1b. Ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are each characterized in that the radius from the center of the apparatus and the cross-sectional shape of the conductor body varies along the circumferential angle of the coils. Since the mutual inductances between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the induction antenna 1 and between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the plasma along the circumferential position are controlled, it becomes possible to compensate for the coil currents varied along the circumference of the coils of the induction antenna 1, and to improve the non-uniformity in the circumferential direction of the current in the generated plasma.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a web of a plurality of conductive structures which may be used for example to produce an antenna, electronic circuit, photovoltaic module or the like. The method involved simultaneously patterning at least one pattern in a conductive layer using a plurality of registration marks. The registration marks serve to align and guide the creation of the plurality of conductive structures. Optical brighteners may also be utilized within the adhesive layer and the registration marks of the present invention in order to detect the location where conductive structures are to be placed.

A method for detaching a semiconductor chip from a foil uses a die ejector comprising plates having a straight supporting edge and an L-shaped supporting edge comprises: lifting of the plates to a height H1 above the surface of a cover plate;lowering of a first pair of plates with L-shaped supporting edge;optionally, lowering of a second pair of plates with L-shaped supporting edge;lifting of the plates that have not yet been lowered to a height H2>H1;staggered lowering of plates that have not yet been lowered, with at least one or several plates not being lowered;optionally, lowering of the plates that have not yet been lowered to a height H3

A method of transferring graphene includes depositing graphene on a side of at least one metal substrate to provide a metal substrate-graphene layer, stacking a target substrate on a side of the metal substrate-graphene layer to provide a stacked structure in which a side of the target substrate faces the graphene layer, and exposing the stacked structure to an electrolysis bath to remove the metal substrate and transfer the graphene onto the side of the target substrate.

Methods for etching a substrate in a plasma processing chamber having at least a primary plasma generating region and a secondary plasma generating region separated from said primary plasma generating region by a semi-barrier structure. The method includes generating a primary plasma from a primary feed gas in the primary plasma generating region. The method also includes generating a secondary plasma from a secondary feed gas in the secondary plasma generating region to enable at least some species from the secondary plasma to migrate into the primary plasma generating region. The method additionally includes etching the substrate with the primary plasma after the primary plasma has been augmented with migrated species from the secondary plasma.

A method includes performing a patterning step on a layer using a process gas. When the patterning step is performed, a signal strength is monitored, wherein the signal strength is from an emission spectrum of a compound generated from the patterning step. The compound includes an element in the patterned layer. At a time the signal strength is reduced to a pre-determined threshold value, the patterning step is stopped.

The invention relates to low-viscosity, low-monomer aqueous polymer dispersions based on polychloroprene, and a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof as a contact adhesive.

There is provided an inductively coupled plasma reactor. The inductively coupled plasma reactor is connected to a transformer with multiple magnetic cores and a primary winding, to transfer an electromotive force for plasma discharge to a plasma discharge chamber of a reactor body. Parts of magnetic core positioned in side the plasma discharge chamber are protected by being entirely covered by a core protecting tube. The primary winding is electrically connected to a power supply source providing radio frequency power. In the inductively coupled plasma reactor, since a number of magnetic core cross sectional parts are positioned inside the plasma discharge chamber, the efficiency of transferring the inductively coupled energy to be connected with plasma is very high.

A multi-layer bonding method of the present invention includes: forming a first bonded substrate by bonding a first substrate and an intermediate substrate in a bonding chamber; conveying a second substrate inside said bonding chamber when said first bonded substrate is arranged inside said bonding chamber; and forming a second bonded substrate by bonding said first bonded substrate and said second substrate in said bonding chamber. According to such a multi-layer bonding method, the upper-side substrate can be bonded with an intermediate substrate and then a first bonded substrate is bonded with a lower-side substrate without taking out the first bonded substrate from the bonding chamber. For this reason, a second bonded substrate can be produced at high speed and at a low cost.

An engineered soilless plant cultivation medium for potting applications includes specific balanced amounts of nutrient additives. Major nutrient cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na, H) are balanced according to optimal base saturation percentage ranges. Nutrient levels, namely, the amount of major nutrient cations, major nutrient anions and minor nutrients satisfy desired ranges for both standard Mehlich III soil extraction tests and saturated paste tests.

To compete with the increasing global food demand, it is necessary to increase the food production. Fertilizers which are in practice now a days has major disadvantage that 50% of nutrient contents loss due to leaching and also leads to ground water contamination. Slow release nitrogenous fertilizers are good in this regard in that they have minimum nutrient loss due to leaching. Potassium aluminum silicate (Leucite) nanoparticles occluded by calcium ammonium nitrates are slow release fertilizers and are synthesized by hydrothermal method. Its application as slow released nitrates fertilizers was determined by observing nitrate release for 16 days.

Provided herein are systems and methods for biomass digestion and products formed thereof. The products include one or more biogases, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified Class A Biosolids, and pathogen reduced organic liquid fertilizer. Through the digestion of waste materials using sequential phases in an efficient digestion process, enhanced biomass conversion efficiency and improved output of products (in quantity and/or quality) are obtained with a significant reduction in dwell time in each phase.

An organic fertilizer and an organic feed are produced by removing cadmium from processing residues of scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) without separating the midgut gland. That is, a small amount of an aqueous citric acid solution is added to the processing residues of scallop including the midgut gland in which cadmium has been accumulated at a high concentration and the mixture of them is heated to 55 to 65° C. Thus, the thin midgut gland membrane is broken and the internal solution of the midgut gland containing cadmium is eluted. Then, solid matters are separated from the mixture including the solid matters and the internal solution of the midgut gland eluted. As the aqueous citric acid solution, a solution prepared by mixing at least 9% by weight of water relative to the processing residues and 1.8 to 3.3% by weight of citric acid relative to the total weight of the processing residues and water is used. The content of cadmium in the solid matters can be further reduced by adding water to the solid matters having been separated and then heating the mixture of them to 55 to 65° C., thereby washing off cadmium remaining in the solid matters.

A ‘bioactive’ composition that has one or more oligogalacturonans ((1→4)-α-D-galacturonan) or any other oligosaccharides (oligoguluronans) that may present an ‘egg box’ conformation, this conformation being further stabilized by one or more polycationic saccharide(s), preferably either a chitosan oligosaccharide or a chitosan polysaccharide. A method prepares this composition and it is used, in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, food, feed, textile, cosmetic, industrial and/or environmental applications.

A method and processes to solubilize and transform phosphorus contents of rock phosphate (RP) into bio-organo-phosphate (BOP) fertilizer have been developed and integrated. The methods include collecting and sorting of organic wastes; blending with RP; subjecting the blend to biocomposting; collection, isolation, selection and growth optimization of consortia of efficient phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) and novel plant growth regulating microorganisms (PGRM); where in PSM produce organic acids and other organic compounds using compost substrate at mesophillic stage, whereas the organic acids released during composting also act in synergism of PSM, thus forming a carbon rich acidic culture resulting in the solubilization of rock phosphate.

A composition comprising at least one nutrient element, wherein the at least one nutrient element possesses a relative energy-state value greater than the relative energy-state value of the at least one nutrient element in a preexisting state, the composition being effective, perhaps because of the greater energy-state value, to improve the ability of a soil, when combined with the composition, to support plant growth better than the soil, when not combined with the composition. Also a composition comprising at least one nutrient element, wherein the composition possesses an energy spectrum more positive than the energy spectrum of the composition in a preexisting state, the composition being effective, perhaps because of the more positive energy spectrum, to improve the ability of a soil, when combined with the composition, to support plant growth better than the soil, when not combined with the composition. Methods of making and using the same for improving soil, plants, plant growth, seeds, and/or plant products, including quality of plant products, are also disclosed, as well as improved soil, seeds, including quality of seeds, plants, and/or plant products, including quality of plant product.

The invention relates to novel compositions for preventing caking and crust formation in several types of manures or fertilizers in the form of granular solids. Said compositions comprise at least one phosphoric ester and at least one fatty trialkylamine of formula (III) whereinR1 represents a linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group containing between 6 and 24 carbon atoms,R2 represents an alkyl group containing between 1 and 5 carbon atoms,R3 represents a linear or branched alkyl group containing between 1 and 5 carbon atoms, or alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group containing between 6 and 24 carbon atoms.

The present disclosure is directed toward a composition and method of treating and preventing infection of pathogenic microorganisms and endopyhtic microorganisms in a plant through the use of phosphite compositions.

A chemical extractant selected from solutions of K2SO4 and/or Na2SO4 can be used by contacting with untreated broiler litter to selectively and efficiently remove phosphorous from the broiler litter. The broiler litter and extractant solution mixture, after a suitable time, can be separated, such as by filtration. The resulting treated broiler litter is thus significantly lower in P content without being lower by an undesirable amount in more preferred minerals. The treated litter so obtained is suitable for crop soil augmentation. Further, phosphorous can be thereafter precipitated in the form of phytic acid. Since the precipitate is high in mineral content, it can be used for other purposes (e.g., plant food, etc.).

A method for manufacturing pelletized fertilizer includes the following steps of: mixing a biodegradable material and a water-soluble polymer material to form a first mixture; mixing a polyol, water and a nutrient salt to form a second mixture; mixing the first mixture and the second mixture to form a conglomerating gathered third mixture, and stirring the conglomerating gathered third mixture to form small lumps of the third mixture; spraying probiotic endo spores on the small lumps of the third mixture to form a plurality of fertilizer blocks; heating the fertilizer blocks, and extruding the fertilizer blocks to form a fertilizer strip; and cutting the fertilizer strip to form a plurality of pelletized fertilizer.

Method for the stabilization of contaminants within a material selected from soils, mining tailings and by-products, sludge wastes and industrial wastes, by mixing the material with an alum sludge composition. The composition includes one or more aluminum compound(s) and/or complex(es) together with a reactive carbon material.

A method for producing urea granules having low moisture absorption capacity, with a urea granulator, having a granule flow inlet side and oppositely a granule flow outlet side, forming an axis alongside which granules from a urea solution and a urea/ammonium salt-stream are formed, whereby the solution and the salt-stream are sprayed as a mixture or separately via a feed system unit via various nozzles into the granulator onto a seed material. In this process the highest amount of the salt-stream is sprayed into the granulator at the granule flow inlet side and the amount of the salt-stream is decreased alongside the axis of the granulator from the granule flow inlet side to the granule flow outlet side.

The invention employs composites of zeolite and ferric oxide hydroxide for removal of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus wastes from animal environments.

A method for preparing a boron fertilizer, including: (1) heating boric acid to a temperature of 180-200° C., maintaining the temperature for 20-30 min for dehydration of the boric acid to yield pyroboric acid; and (2) cooling down the pyroboric acid to a temperature of 40-60° C., crushing, and screening to yield a powdered, weakly acidic, high-content boron fertilizer. The method is energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and low in cost. The resulting boron fertilizer is weakly acidic, fast in dissolution rate, and has excellent in compounding performance

Provided is a high-value added fertilizer using a microorganism or a component of a microorganism and especially a fertilizer capable of promoting the bearing of fruit trees and fruit vegetables. A reducing fertilizer obtained by subjecting a mixture of a microorganism or a component of a microorganism with phosphoric acid component and/or potassium component to a hydrothermal reaction treatment is capable of promoting the growth the roots, especially, the root hairs of fruit trees and also promoting the enlargement of their fruits. In particular, because of the reducing characteristic, the reducing fertilizer of the present invention has an excellent affinity for cells constituting the roots, and enables phosphoric acid component and potassium component, which are useful fertilizer components, to be absorbed effectively.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising an effective amount of sulphur, an effective amount of zinc sulphate or zinc oxide and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

A locking system is mounted to a door with three rods extending therefrom. The rods have a locked position extending beyond the periphery of the door and an unlocked position not extending beyond the periphery of the door. Three rod receivers are adapted to receive the three rods in the locked position. A handle rotatably engages cam plates which are operatively engaged with the rods whereby rotation of the handle rotates the cam which moves the rod ends from one position to the other. A locking tab extends forwardly from the lower cam plate into a recess and is engaged by a circular lock while the recess prevents movement of the engaged circular lock. A second locking tab extends forwardly from the rod-locking link and a stationary locking tab is aligned thereto. Both locking tabs are engaged by a padlock preventing movement of the rod-locking link.

The present invention provides a fertilizer utilizing the inexpensive waste and by-product materials of biosolids, gypsum, and/or other phosphorus binding agents, such as iron or aluminum chemicals or by-products with elevated levels of iron and aluminum. The combination of biosolids, gypsum and other phosphorus binding agents, such as iron or aluminum chemicals or by-products with elevated levels of iron and aluminum produces a fertilizer that provides for soil nitrogen needs while limiting the availability of phosphorous to minimize environmental pollution.

The present invention relates to a method for removing sulfur from a gaseous or liquid mixture. This method involves contacting the gaseous or liquid mixture with an iron-enriched matrix under conditions effective to remove sulfur from the mixture through adsorption of the sulfur to the matrix. The iron-enriched matrix used in this method is a lignocellulosic material that is enriched with iron. The present invention also relates to a system, composition, and plant fertilizer that contain the iron-enriched matrix. Methods of making the composition and preparing a plant fertilizer are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a potassium sulphate powder wherein about 80 wt % or more of the powder has a particle size of about 0.2 mm or lower, preferably about 0.13 mm or less. The particle size preferably is such, that about 80 wt % or more is about 0.02 mm or higher, more preferably about 0.04 mm or higher. This potassium sulphate powder dissolves easily in water, more in particular, 50 gram of said potassium sulphate powder dissolves in 1 liter of water without stirring within 1 minute, preferably within 30 sec. This potassium sulphate powder is very suitable as foliar fertilizer, in particular for broad acre crops. Further, the invention relates to the use of foliar potassium fertilizer, to enhance the uptake of potassium from the soil.

A system for the production of ammonium sulfate granules including a pipe cross reactor (PCR) configured to contact concentrated sulfuric acid with anhydrous ammonia to produce a PCR product comprising ammonium sulfate; and a granulator fluidly connected to the PCR, whereby PCR product extracted from the PCR can be introduced into the granulator, an inlet for ammonium sulfate seed material, an ammonia sparger configured to spray liquid anhydrous ammonia directly onto a bed of ammonium sulfate granules within the granulator, a granulator vent configured for extraction of a vapor comprising unreacted ammonia from the granulator, and a granulator product outlet configured for extraction of granulator product comprising ammonium sulfate granules from the granulator. A method of producing ammonium sulfate granules is also provided.

An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous charging of crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock comprised of one or more crop-quality enhancers (fertilizers, soil amendments and the like) to an irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. The crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock is diluted upon so charging to a level within the system solubility limits and the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein crop-quality enhancers are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm mixing chamber efficiently implements the method.

Fertilizer granules and methods of producing fertilizer granules. The fertilizer granules are formed from a fertilizer composition, such as a phosphate fertilizer, includes a fibrous material for the purpose of increasing the granule strength preventing or reducing attrition or dusting formation during storage, transport, and/or handling of the fertilizer. Dust formation can be reduced fifty percent or more. The base fertilizer composition can include a phosphate fertilizer, such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) or diammonium phosphate (DAP), and optionally one or more micronutrients or secondary nutrients, such as elemental sulfur. The fibrous material is pulp or paper sludge, for example.

An esteramide compound of the following formula (I): R1OOC-A-CONR2R3 (I) is described, wherein: A is a covalent bond or a methylene group —CH2—;R1 is an optionally substituted, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group including from 5 to 36 carbon atoms,R2 and R3, either identical or different, are groups selected from a hydrogen atom, and optionally substituted hydrocarbon groups, preferably including from 1 to 36 carbon atoms, andR2 and R3 not being simultaneously hydrogen atoms. Also described, are applications for using the esteramide compound, notably as a solvent.

The present media is to be used with a particulate base having particles of a first maximum diameter for growing plants. The media includes granules which are of biodegradable recycled material and have a diameter relative to the first maximum diameter to penetrate further into the particulate base with each watering. The granules include plant nutrients and are of a material which coagulates after watering and adheres to the particulates of the base. The diameter of the granules may be in the range of 1/16 to ⅛ of an inch.

The invention relates to a fertilizing compound for application to plants and crops, especially fruits, intended for increasing the amount of calcium and subsequently improving the state of health of the plants and the preservation thereof after harvesting. The compound consists of a combination of components such as calcium nitrate, calcium lignosulfonate, organic acids, menadione sodium bisulphite, amino acids and water. The compound is in the form of a liquid preparation, packed in containers of between 20 and 1000 liters, is water-soluble and is applied by fertigation, spraying or in a localized form by border irrigation.

An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous charging of crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock comprised of one or more crop-quality enhancers (fertilizers, soil amendments and the like) to an irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. The crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock is diluted upon so charging to a level within the system solubility limits and the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein crop-quality enhancers are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm mixing chamber efficiently implements the method.

An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous charging of crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock comprised of one or more crop-quality enhancers (fertilizers, soil amendments and the like) to an irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. The crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock is diluted upon so charging to a level within the system solubility limits and the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein crop-quality enhancers are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm mixing chamber efficiently implements the method.

The invention relates to an aqueous solution of a mixture for treating urea-based fertilizers/fertilizers containing ammonium that contains 1,2,4-triazole and 3-methylpyrazole in the weight ratio 2/1 and at least one polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and a tenside.

A method for producing biochar particles or pellets which use sulphur and other additives. The method includes producing a mixture with biochar and additives selected from sulphur, lignin, and gluten. The mixture is mixed with water and passed through an extruder to produce an extrudate. The extrudate is then cut into pellets. The pellets are then tumbled/spun with each other and heated to result in mostly spheroidal pellets whose mechanical characteristics allow them to be used with well-known agricultural equipment. The biochar can be produced with sulphur incorporated as an outer coating. To produce this sulphur coated biochar, the method includes feeding a biomass feedstock to a pyrolysis reactor, pyrolyzing the feedstock into biochar particles, size-sorting the biochar particles, and coating the biochar particles with the sulphur coating material.

Disclosed are methods of enhancing plant growth, comprising treating seed at least one month prior to planting with an effective amount of a plant signal molecule, wherein upon harvesting the plant exhibits at least one of increased plant yield measured in terms of bushels/acre, increased root number, increased root length, increased root mass, increased root volume and increased leaf area, compared to plants harvested from untreated seed, or compared to plants harvested from seed treated with the signal molecule just prior to or within a week or less of planting.

The invention is directed to manufacture of fertilizer having commercial levels of nitrogen supplemented with organic substances. The process treats organic matter with acid causing hydrolysis of organic polymers after which the mix is injected with nitrogen. The resultant sterilized and liquefied organic matter is disbursed over recycled material for the production of granules. Because the process allows for the controlled addition of acids and ammonia, desired levels of components can be achieved. The process is scalable, odor controlled and safe thereby allowing for the location of biosolid processing facilities in most any location. Further, the fertilizer of the invention provides a dual nitrogen-release profile when applied to crops. After application to soil, fertilizer of the invention releases an immediate bolus of nitrogen, similar to traditional ammonium sulfate, followed by continued slow release of nitrogen typically over a season.

Methods of inducing bud break of deciduous fruit vines, trees, or shrubs following dormancy by the application of bud breaker compositions that do not contain hydrogen cyanamide.

The steps of the irrigation method include: flowing a stream of water having input and output and intermediate location; interposing a feeding device into the stream of water at the intermediate location, the feeding device having input and output ends; inserting a quantity of nutrient fertilizer into the feeding device; converting the nutrient fertilizer from the viscous state to the less viscous state through the flow of water through the feeding device; and intermixing the viscous nutrient fertilizer with the water entering the feeding device whereby the water leaving the device to plants and soil will include a fertilizer.

An electromagnetic radiation activated device comprises a property changing material and at least one functionalized fullerene that upon irradiation of the functionalized fullerenes with electromagnetic radiation of one or more frequencies a thermally activated chemical or physical transformation occurs in the property changing material. The thermal activated transformation of the property changing material is triggered by the heating or combustion of the functionalized fullerenes upon their irradiation. The device can include a chemical agent that is embedded in the property changing material and is released when the material is heated by the functionalized fullerenes upon irradiation.

The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for the treatment of liquid material based on organic waste products, in particular sludge from sewage disposal plants and the like, wherein the sludge material is added and mixed with chemicals, in particular sulphuric acid, nitric acid, and/or ammonia, during the vaporization and degasification of liquid from the material to increase the solids content thereof. The present invention is characterized, inter alia, in that the material is continuously introduced at the upper part of a vertical mixing vessel (1), in which the material is subject to mixing, after which the material is passed on into a reactor tank (8) for sulphuric acid treatment and at the same time, while sinking through the sulphuric acid treatment reactor tank (8), is exposed to an impact action from a number of rotary processing means (9) disposed in the reactor tank (8), after which the material is passed on into a reactor tank (14) for ammonia treatment and at the same time, while sinking through the ammonia treatment reactor tank (14), is exposed to an impact action from a number of rotary processing means (9) disposed in the reactor tank (14), after which the material is finally passed on into a drier (15) in which the material is dried until a desired solids content is achieved.