Abstract: Disclosed are compositions that include a binder and non-stoichiometric tungsten oxide particles dispersed in the binder. The tungsten oxide particles have an average primary particle size of no more than 300 nanometers. The compositions are transparent and colorless.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preparing a cyclic guanidine comprising reacting (i) a cyanamide, (ii) a polyamine, and (iii) a weak acid. The present invention is also directed to a coating composition comprising the cyclic guanidine.

Abstract: Systems for mixing thermoset compositions are disclosed. Methods for making thermoset compositions using such systems are also disclosed. The systems include a static mixer in combination with a rotary mixer for mixing base and curing agent components of the thermoset compositions.

Abstract: Dielectric composite materials including an electronically tunable dielectric phase and a calcium and oxygen-containing compound are disclosed. The tunable phase may comprise a material such as barium strontium titanate. The calcium/oxygen compound may comprise CaO or a transition metal-containing compound such as Ca2Nb2O7 or CaTiO3. The material may also include a rare earth oxide dopant such as CeO2. The materials resist dielectric breakdown and possess improved combinations of electronic properties. The materials may be tailored for specific applications.

Abstract: Tunable dielectric materials including an electronically tunable dielectric ceramic and a low loss glass additive are disclosed. The tunable dielectric may comprise a ferroelectric perskovite material such as barium strontium titanate. The glass additive may comprise boron, barium, calcium, lithium, manganese, silicon, zinc and/or aluminum-containing glasses having dielectric losses of less than 0.003 at 2 GHz. The materials may further include other additives such as non-tunable metal oxides and silicates. The low loss glass additive enables the materials to be sintered at relatively low temperatures while providing improved properties such as low microwave losses and high breakdown strengths.

Abstract: Septic systems are treated with alkane-utilizing bacteria. Alkanes such as butane are injected into septic system wastewater in order to enhance growth of alkane-utilizing bacteria which degrade wastes. Aerobic processes may be achieved by injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the septic system. Alternatively, anaerobic processes may be used. The alkane and oxygen-containing gas may be injected at any suitable stage of the septic system, such as injection into a septic tank, drainfield and/or grease or oil interceptor tank.

Abstract: A method of making cermet inert anodes for the electrolytic production of metals such as aluminum is disclosed. The method includes the step of spray drying a slurry comprising ceramic phase particles and metal phase particles. The resultant spray dried powder, which comprises agglomerates of both the ceramic phase and metal phase particles, may then be consolidated by techniques such as pressing and sintering to produce a cermet inert anode material. The ceramic phase may comprise oxides of Ni, Fe and at least one additional metal selected from Zn, Co, Al, Li, Cu, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Ta, W, Mo, Hf and rare earths. The metal phase may comprise Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, Au, Rh, Ru, Ir and/or Os. The consolidated cermet inert anode material exhibits improved properties such as reduced porosity. The cermet inert anodes may be used in electrolytic reduction cells for the production of commercial purity aluminum as well as other metals.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a perpendicular writing pole and a longitudinal field generator which rotates the magnetization of the perpendicular recording media prior to writing, thereby facilitating magnetization switching. The longitudinal magnetic field may be provided by a narrowed gap between the trailing write pole and the leading return pole of the head. The gap structure is designed to provide a fringing magnetic field between the poles which generates the longitudinal magnetic field in perpendicular recording media as the media travels under the perpendicular writing pole.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main write pole and multiple return poles. The size of each return pole is controlled in order to provide substantially the same magnetic reluctance through each return pole. The return poles effectively reduce or eliminate the flux antenna effect caused by stray magnetic fields.

Abstract: An automatic door latch is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the latch includes a dead bolt which is automatically moved from a partially retracted or trigger position to a fully extended locking position when a door in which the lock is mounted is closed. When a key is used to unlock the dead bolt from outside of the door, or a finger turn or key is used to unlock the dead bolt from inside of the door, the dead bolt is automatically reset to the trigger position. In a preferred embodiment, the dead bolt lock includes a multi-position switch mounted in the lock housing which engages a contact member mounted on the dead bolt. Retraction of the dead bolt into the housing causes the multi-position switch to engage the contact member and to secure the dead bolt in the trigger position. Subsequent retraction of the dead bolt into the housing causes the multi-position switch to disengage from the contact member, thereby allowing the dead bolt to extend from the housing to the locked position.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the enhancement of the storage capacity of a data disk drive while reducing optical path optics, electronics and/or the mass and complexity of associated read/write heads. The system utilizes light transmitted by optical elements to servo track a data disk and to heat the data disk during reading and writing of data, and magnetic elements for actual reading and writing.

Abstract: An endovascular stent graft is provided for use in treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. The endovascular stent has a tapered section which allows it to accommodate markedly large aortas such as the abdominal aorta and still connects to standard modular aortic stent grafts. Methods of utilizing the stent to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms and distal iliac aneurysms are also provided.

Abstract: Electronically tunable dielectric materials having favorable properties are disclosed. The electronically tunable materials include an electronically tunable dielectric phase such as barium strontium titanate in combination with at least two additional metal oxide phases. The additional metal oxide phases may include, for example, oxides of Mg, Si, Ca, Zr, Ti and Al. The electronically tunable materials may be provided in bulk, thin film and thick film forms for use in devices such as phased array antennas, tunable filters and the like. The materials are useful in many applications, including the area of radio frequency engineering and design.

Abstract: A perpendicular recording head for use with magnetic recording media includes a main pole having a concave tip. The concave tip focuses the magnetic flux from the main pole onto a smaller area of the magnetic recording medium than a conventional main pole when the main pole is at its flying height from the magnetic recording medium. Although the most preferred perpendicular recording head includes a concave cavity having an elliptical profile when viewed from the side, any substantially concave cavity may be used advantageously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium having a solid lubricating layer that has increased thermal stability over traditional solid lubricants. The lubricating layer includes amorphous fluorinated carbon doped with a thermally stabilizing dopant, such as N or SiO2. In one embodiment, a method of lubricating the recording medium by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hard disk drive laser assisted magnetic recording system including a semiconductor laser and magnetic write coil integrally formed into a slider. The slider preferably includes a perpendicular magnetic recording section adjacent a laser section. The laser section may form an air bearing surface of the slider. During recording operations, laser radiation from the laser section heats a region of the magnetic recording media in order to reduce its coercivity.

Abstract: Ceramic inert anodes useful for the electrolytic production of aluminum are disclosed. The inert anodes comprise an oxide of Ni and Fe having a controlled Ni/(Ni+Fe) mole ratio which results in a single-phase structure at the operation temperatures of aluminum production cells. The Ni and Fe oxide material may also have a single-phase structure at the sintering temperature of the material. The single-phase inert anode materials maintain sufficient electrical conductivity at the operating temperatures of the cell, and also possess good mechanical stability.