Abstract: A ball glove having a plurality of generally axially oriented ridges, protruding outwardly from the frontal surface of the glove. The ridges extend from the proximal edge to the distal, peripheral edge of the glove and have protrusions formed near the finger tips. The protrusions taper gradually at their distal end and have a shoulder formed at their proximal ends. The glove has a glove-like handpiece removably attached to a shell. The shell includes a plurality of generally axially oriented, flexible, elongated ribs corresponding to the thumb and fingers of the wearer, and an elastomeric polymer skin which is more flexible than the ribs and is conformingly attached to the ribs.

Abstract: A corrosion monitoring apparatus and method for determining the corrosive effects of a chemical environment, having an environmental pressure, on a vessel containing the chemical environment. A probe is exposed to the environment and is made of a material substantially similar to that of which the vessel is made. The probe has a sealed internal chamber which contains a pressurized fluid which is monitored. A pressure transducer is in communication with the sealed internal chamber of the first probe for translating any pressure change within the chamber into a (preferably electrical) signal which is indicated by an electrical meter or similar device. Stress corrosion cracking of the probe causes fluid leakage and, therefore, a pressure change.

Abstract: A method of providing electronic shielding comprising providing a layer of a polyaniline composition on the object to be shielded, whereby the entrance and egress of electromagnetic radiation is prevented. Also presented herein is a method of changing the absorption by a polyaniline composition of electromagnetic radiation by modifying the chemical structure and crystallinographic order of the polyaniline composition, wherein said composition comprises a composition of the formula ##STR1## where y can be equal to or greater than zero, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of --H, --OCH.sub.3, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I, --NR.sup.3.sub.2, --NHCOR.sup.3, --OH, --O, --SR.sup.3, --OR.sup.3, --OCOR.sup.3, --NO.sub.2, --COOH, --COOR.sup.3, --R.sup.3 SO.sub.3 H, --COR.sup.3, --CHO, and --CN, where R.sup.3 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl group.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell comprising a plurality of film layers, at least one of the layers being a semiconductor film of amorphous, hydrogenated carbon. The preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of semiconductor films sandwiched together in layers, every three layers forming a PIN junction. All films are made of amorphous, hydrogenated carbon and vary only by dopant levels within each PIN junction. There are variations in bandgap from one PIN junction to the next in order that the photovoltaic effect in each PIN junction will be caused by a different portion of the spectrum of light.

Abstract: Educational devices using process-oriented educational methods are disclosed to prepare pre-school children, school children, and teenagers for keyboarding. The devices include sets of gloves and indicia applied to the fingers of the gloves to provide pictorial and alphanumeric representations of the computer keyboard. The visual and tactile memorization of the glove images are complemented by auditory and associative memorization provided by a story-telling educational method. Synergistic use of the gloves in the context of supervised story-telling also trains the pre-school children to develop and practice both lateral and vertical thinking skills.sup.1-2, thus preparing them for coping creatively with the inherent hardware/software limitations of computers. The memorization of the alphanumeric representation of the computer keyboard is reinforced through synergistic use of the gloves in a variety of activities including learning the alphabet, learning word-spelling, and learning languages.

Abstract: A battery equalizer for equalizing the voltage on series connected batteries synchronously switches the opposite ends of a tapped autotransformer in alternately reversing connection to the distally opposite terminals of the battery by alternately turning transistor switches on and off in alternate pairs while maintaining a center tap of the autotransformer connected to an intermediate terminal of the series batteries. Switching is accomplished by power field effect transistors and a voltage converter converts the upper battery voltage to a floating voltage so that the voltages of the two batteries can be differenced. The differenced voltage provides an error signal for driving a pulse width modulator which switches the transistors. Two protective power switching field effect transistors are interposed in the circuit and connected to prevent damage to the circuitry in the event of misconnection.

Abstract: An improved mechanical transducer of the type having a body reciprocating in a chamber, the body being linked to a housing by a linkage including an axially compliant spring. An anti-friction fluid bearing applies a lateral centering force upon the body and a linkage component of the linkage has a lateral compliance sufficient for the centering forces exerted by the fluid bearing to at least equal the sum of lateral force exerted by the linkage and other lateral forces exerted upon the body. That lateral compliance allows the centering forces of the fluid bearing to be effective in moving the body away from the chamber wall and thereby minimize contact and consequent wear of the interfacing surfaces between the body and the chamber wall.

Abstract: A rappelling descender having an elongated, substantially hexagonal ring, a capstan attached to a first long side of the ring, and a hand grippable handle attached to a second long side of the ring, opposite the capstan. The hand grippable handle is at least substantially one palm width in length. A first ear extends from one side of the capstan, and a second ear extends from an opposite side of the capstan as the first ear, both ears extending transversely to the capstan.

Abstract: A preparing of a self-supporting or free-standing three-dimensional unitary structural body by a method including generating successively a plurality of cross-sectional layers of the body, one layer top of the other and with the layers joined together to form the body and with the generating of a cross-sectional layer comprising placing a plurality of drops of a liquid composition, containing a first reactant, in a pattern of discrete drops making up the cross-sectional layer and subsequently placing a plurality of discrete drops of other liquid composition, containing another reactant, in contact with the placed drops ion the pattern so that the first reactant and the other reactant react to provide a solid.

Abstract: Educational devices using process-oriented educational methods are disclosed to prepare pre-school children, school children, and teenagers for keyboarding. The devices include sets of gloves and indicia applied to the fingers of the gloves to provide pictorial and alphanumeric representations of the computer keyboard. The visual and tactile memorization of the glove images are complemented by auditory and associative memorization provided by a story-telling educational method. Synergistic use of the gloves in the context of supervised story-telling also trains the pre-school children to develop and practise both lateral and vertical thinking skills, thus preparing them for coping creatively with the inherent hardware/software limitations of computers. The memorization of the alphanumeric representation of the computer keyboard is reinforced through synergistic use of the gloves in a variety of activities including learning the alphabet, learning word-spelling, and learning languages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating patients suffering from one or more of the conditions of cardiac arrest, shock, respiratory failure, hypothermia, hyperthermia and head injury. Chest tubes are inserted through respective holes in each hemithorax of the patient and attached to a gas source and an exhaust pump with connections and valves for alternately inflating and deflating a patient's thoracic cavity with a gas. A gas regulator, including heat exchanger, is interposed between the gas source and the tubes for warming or cooling the gas, and an electrode is mounted on the tubes and connected through a wire to electronic medical equipment. Collapsed seals are formed annularly around the chest tube and expanded after insertion to form a gas seal between the tube and the chest wall. The seal may be a bladder expanded by filling with a fluid or a wire mesh receptacle which is mechanically expanded and can also serve as the electrode.