Abstract: A highly conductive hydrophilic gel comprising a uniform aqueous solution of a crosslinked water-soluble polymer, an amount of a water-soluble electrolyte effective to reduce the transverse electrical resistance of said aqueous mixture to an impedance at 60 Hz less than about 1,000 ohm, which hydrophilic gel also contains a humectant in an amount effective to retard the drying of the conductive hydrophilic gel when it is exposed to the atmosphere while being used. A physiological electrode adapted for providing electrical contact with a surface of a sentient creature and comprising a sheet of the conductive viscoelastic hydrophilic gel.

Abstract: Miscible compositions comprising from about 1 part by weight to about 99 parts by weight of an aromatic polyetherimide and from about 99 parts by weight of about 1 part by weight of an aromatic polybenzimidazole. Preferably, the composition comprises from about 5 parts by weight to about 95 parts by weight of an aromatic polyetherimide and from about 95 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of an aromatic polybenzimidazole. In a composition mostly comprised of an aromatic polybenzimidazole, it is preferred that the aromatic polyetherimide be present in the composition in an amount sufficient to make the aromatic polybenzimidazole more thermally processable and also less susceptible to moisture. More preferably, such compositions are comprised of from about 65 parts by weight to about 95 parts by weight of an aromatic polybenzimidazole and from about 35 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of an aromatic polyetherimide.

Abstract: Miscible compositions comprising from about 1 part by weight to about 99 parts by weight of an aromatic polyimide and from about 99 parts by weight to about 1 part by weight of an aromatic polybenzimidazole. Preferably, the composition comprises from about 5 parts by weight to about 95 parts by weight of an aromatic polyimide and from about 95 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of an aromatic polybenzimidazole. In a composition mostly comprised of an aromatic polybenzimidazole, it is preferred that the aromatic polyimide be thermoplastic and be present in the composition in an amount sufficient to make the aromatic polybenzimidazole more processable for molding purposes and also less susceptible to moisture. More preferably, such compositions are comprised of from about 65 parts by weight to about 95 parts by weight of an aromatic polybenzimidazole and from about 35 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of a thermoplastic aromatic polyimide.

Abstract: A novel miscible composition comprising from about 5 parts by weight to about 95 parts by weight of a polyarylate and from about 95 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of an aromatic polybenzimidazole. In a composition mostly comprised of an aromatic polybenzimidazole, it is preferred that the polyarylate be present in the composition in an amount sufficient to make the aromatic polybenzimidazole more thermally processable and also less susceptible to moisture. More preferably, such compositions are comprised of from about 60 parts by weight to about 95 parts by weight of an aromatic poloybenzimidazole and from about 40 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of a polyarylate. Most preferably, such compositions are comprised of at least about 10 parts by weight of a polyacrylate.

Abstract: A composite comprising a polyarylate or an aromatic polybenzimidazole article and a coating on at least one surface of the article comprised of a blend of from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of a polyarylate and from about 95 to about 5 weight percent of an aromatic polybenzimidazole. A process for preparing the composites comprises dissolving in a mutual solvent from about 5 to about 95 weight percent of the aromatic polybenzimidazole to about 95 to about 5 weight percent of the polyarylate, based on the total weight of those polymers, heating a polyarylate or aromatic polybenzimidazole article to a surface temperature over 100.degree. C., e.g., from about 120.degree. C., to about 180.degree. C., and then coating the polyarylate or aromatic polybenzimidazole article with the solution and subsequently evaporating the solvent, thereby producing a dried coating of a blend of a polyarylate and an aromatic polybenzimidazole on at least one surface of the article.

Abstract: A permeable membrane system comprised of at least two sheets, at least one of the two sheets being a grooved permeable membrane having regularly spaced grooves on at least one surface, the grooves having a predetermined spacing factor, the grooved permeable membrane either having essentially no barrier layer or having a barrier layer on one grooved surface, the sheets being positioned in a configuration with the grooves of that one grooved surface of the grooved permeable membrane sheet forming feed channels with a surface of another sheet which covers that one grooved surface, the grooves being about 0.5 to about 100 mils wide and deep and the feed channels being used to deliver the feed stream to the membrane surface. Preferably, both sheets are permeable membranes. The grooves in the sheets are preferably about 5 to about 35 mils wide and deep for reverse osmosis, about 0.5 to about 20 mils wide and deep for gas separation, and about 15 to about 75 mils wide and deep for ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A cover for a drink container, preferably a disposable container, having a rim, said cover made from a resilient non-metallic material, preferably a thermoplastic polymer, and comprising a peripheral rim section adapted to fit snugly over the rim of the container and a resilient cover panel extending between the confines of said rim section to cover the container, said cover panel having a weakening line defining a flap and a hinge for the flap, said flap having a raised pull-tab which may be grasped and pulled so that the weakening line may be torn and the flap opened by folding at its hinge section, said cover panel also having a depressed well section which is of such size and shape and so positioned that when the flap is folded over on its hinge, the pull-tab may be nested in the well and the flap thereby retained in an open position.

Abstract: A system for generation of power from tidal changes which comprises: (A) two or more chambers positioned in proximity to tidally influenced water, each chamber being of a height greater than the maximum tidal height difference, each chamber being capable of being filled with water, and each chamber having a series of vertically arranged ports, each port being controlled by a valve, and (B) a turbine mounted on a float and positioned in such manner that an inlet for the turbine is capable of receiving water from the ports in sequence as the float rises or falls in response to tidal changes.

Abstract: A tennis racquet with variable center of gravity and balance which comprises (a) a head, a handle and a grip, with the handle comprised of two side frames, (b) a weighted mechanism slidably mounted between the two side frames, and (c) ball and detent means between the weighted mechanism and the side frames for readily maintaining the position of the weighted mechanism at intermediate positions between head and grip as the weighted mechanism is slid back and forth between the head and the grip, thereby shifting the center of gravity and the balance toward the head or the grip.

Abstract: A remote-controlled device for depressing the keys of a keyboard instrument which comprises in the device: separate means for depressing each of the desired keys, each of said means being pivotally mounted on a fulcrum, means for selectively rotating the key-depressing means about its fulcrum so that at least a part of each of the corresponding key-depressing means depresses the desired keys of the instrument's keyboard, above which the device is positioned.This invention is concerned with a device to depress the keys of a keyboard, particularly the keys of a musical instrument. More particularly, the device may be used to depress and keep depressed the keys of the keyboard on a pipe organ, especially when the organ is being tuned.

Abstract: A novel medical prosthesis locking device, particularly for dental prostheses, which are to be fixed and yet easily removable for maintenance, etc. The locking device comprises a cylinder which is adapted to be embedded in the prosthesis and a plunger which is adapted to be slidably mounted in the cylinder so that when the plunger is in one position, the prosthesis may be inserted and placed in position within the mouth; and in another position the plunger engages an orifice in an immovable fixture in the mouth, e.g., abutment teeth crowned with short bar extensions containing holes properly aligned with and receptive of the locking end of the plunger of the locking device when the prosthesis is in position.

Abstract: A novel bistable light modulator, particularly useful as a visual display element. An array of bistable visual display elements arranged in closely spaced relation. The array preferably comprises the bistable display elements in rows and columns, i.e., a grid or matrix. Each such element can be made to assume one of two stable states by applying appropriate momentary signals to the elements. The elements appear dark in one state and bright in the other state. Appropriate motivating signals may be either electronic, electrostatic, fluidic, pneumatic, mechanical, sonic, magnetic, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, heat, etc. For example, electrical signals may be applied to the rows and columns of the array, which result in each element being selectable to assume either one of the bistable states. Thus each element in turn can be forced into the desired state.

Abstract: Communications and computer systems are described utilizing an architecture which makes possible the transmission and storage of data in an efficient and rapid manner. The system architecture embodies a plurality of communication sites and computer sites which interact with each other by means of matrices having special properties which permit the control, transmission and storage of data in many time and space saving ways. The matrices also serve as a means of governing the activities of the system. A plurality of computer sites act upon the data in the matrices by transforming, processing and transferring data for the communications network and processing loops. The processing loops provide the basic processing for the system and contain processing units which act independently and respond to the matrices. The matrices contain both the data which is to be operated upon and tutors (instructions) for directing the activities of the processing units.