Removing stimulus responsive polymers (SRPs) includes exposure to high energy metastable species, generated in a noble gas plasma, at an elevated temperature. The metastable species have sufficient energies and lifetimes to scission bonds on the polymer or other residues. At temperatures greater than the ceiling temperature of the SRP, there is a strong thermodynamic driving force to revert to volatile monomers once bond scissioning has occurred. The metastable species are not chemically reactive and do not appreciably affect the underlying surface. The high energy metastable species are effective at removing residues that remain after exposure to other stimuli such as heat.

Removing stimulus responsive polymers (SRPs) includes exposure to high energy metastable species, generated in a noble gas plasma, at an elevated temperature. The metastable species have sufficient energies and lifetimes to scission bonds on the polymer or other residues. At temperatures greater than the ceiling temperature of the SRP, there is a strong thermodynamic driving force to revert to volatile monomers once bond scissioning has occurred. The metastable species are not chemically reactive and do not appreciably affect the underlying surface. The high energy metastable species are effective at removing residues that remain after exposure to other stimuli such as heat.

A method provides for selecting a scale-dissolving agent suitable for components of the scale. The method for selecting the scale-dissolving agent includes a step of determining coordinates of specific physical properties of scale to be removed based on Hansen solubility parameter and a step of selecting the dissolving agent based on the distance between the coordinates of specific physical properties of scale to be removed and the coordinates of specific physical properties of the dissolving agent. Also provided is a method for removing scale using it.

A method provides for selecting a scale-dissolving agent suitable for components of the scale. The method for selecting the scale-dissolving agent includes a step of determining coordinates of specific physical properties of scale to be removed based on Hansen solubility parameter and a step of selecting the dissolving agent based on the distance between the coordinates of specific physical properties of scale to be removed and the coordinates of specific physical properties of the dissolving agent. Also provided is a method for removing scale using it.

An ergonomically designed cylindrically configured wiping towel forming a tube with two open ends, forming a mitt with two openings, and further capable of being constructed with multiple, pre-selected exterior areas of varied colors and patterns for user awareness of soiled portions in order to discourage possible cross contamination. The cylindrically structured tube towel is designed to provide the same amount of cleaning surface as a flat conventional towel in a tubular cavity which encompasses and compacts into a more maneuverable, controlled and tubular device. The cylindrically configured wiping towel turns inside out in order to utilize all towel surfaces.

An endoscope system includes a valve configured to keep an internal space of an endoscope airtight, an air pump configured to open and close the valve by applying a negative pressure and a positive pressure, a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure at a time of the negative pressure and the positive pressure being applied, and a control section configured to receive a detection signal from the pressure sensor, and perform drive control of the air pump.

A process for removing a material that is adhered to an underlying surface includes using a laser beam to heat the material to reduce the strength of adhesion between the material and the underlying surface. A stream of gas is directed at the heated material to displace the heated material from the underlying surface.

A process for removing a material that is adhered to an underlying surface includes using a laser beam to heat the material to reduce the strength of adhesion between the material and the underlying surface. A stream of gas is directed at the heated material to displace the heated material from the underlying surface.

Embodiments of the inventive concept provides an apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus for treating a substrate comprises a housing having a process space therein, a substrate support unit supporting a substrate in the space, a liquid supply unit supplying a liquid to a substrate supported by the substrate support unit, an air flow generation unit generating an air flow in the process space, and the air flow generation unit comprises a first gas supply unit supplying a descending air flow of a first gas in the process space and a second gas supply unit supplying a second gas having lower humidity than the first gas in the space, and when viewed from above, the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit are not overlapped each other.

Embodiments of the inventive concept provides an apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus for treating a substrate comprises a housing having a process space therein, a substrate support unit supporting a substrate in the space, a liquid supply unit supplying a liquid to a substrate supported by the substrate support unit, an air flow generation unit generating an air flow in the process space, and the air flow generation unit comprises a first gas supply unit supplying a descending air flow of a first gas in the process space and a second gas supply unit supplying a second gas having lower humidity than the first gas in the space, and when viewed from above, the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit are not overlapped each other.