Abstract: Oily hyperbranched polymers derived from ethylene, propylene, butene and/or a C5-C24 &agr;-olefin, and a method for their synthesis, are disclosed. The polymers have non-regular microstructures and are characterized by a ratio ()of methyl hydrogens centered around 0.85 ppm on the 1H-NMR spectra of the polymers relative to total aliphatic hydrogens of from about 0.40 to about 0.65 for polymers derived from ethylene or butene, and a ratio ()of from greater than 0.50 to about 0.65 for polymers derived from propylene. A method for grafting hyperbranched polymers derived from ethylene, propylene, butene and/or a C5-C24 &agr;-olefin onto aromatic rings in organic molecules and polymers, and the resulting grafted materials, are also disclosed. The hyperbranched polymers and grafted materials are useful, for example, as lubricants and lubricant additives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyolefin graft copolymers (II) from linear and well defined polyolefin copolymers (I) containing divinylbenzene comonomer units, wherein R, in formulas I and II, is a C1 to C10 linear or branched alkyl group or a C6 to C10 substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group; and wherein G and G′, independantly, are selected from —H, —OH, epoxy, —NH2, —COOH, anhydride, —Cl, —Br, —M, —COOM (M=metal, e.g., Li, Na, K and Ca) or a polymer chain having the molecular weight of at least about 500, which can be derived from both step and chain polymerization reactions. G and G′ can be selected singly or in a combination of two or more thereof. In the graft copolymer composition, the combined alpha-olefin mole .% (x+y) is from about 50 to 99.9 mole %. Preferably, x+y is from 85 to 99.9 mole %, and most preferably x+y is from 95 to 99.9 mole %.

Abstract: Polyolefin diblock copolymers are prepared via a chain transfer reaction with a borane dimer compound during a transition metal-catalyzed olefin polymerization in a process that resembles a transformation from transition metal coordination polymerization to free radical polymerization via a borane end group. The polyolefin diblock copolymers may be represented by the following formula: (Transition Metal Prepared Polyolefin)-b-(Free Radical Prepared Polymer), wherein the polyolefin segment is a homo-, co- and ter-polymer prepared by transition metal (especially metallocene catalyst) coordination polymerization of at least one olefin, and the free radical prepared polymer segment is prepared by free radical polymerization of at least one vinyl monomer, such as styrene, maleic anhydride, acrylates, methacrylates and their mixtures. The resulting diblock copolymers are useful as the interfacial materials to improve the interaction between polyolefins and other materials.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and recombinant expression constructs for inducing and sustaining high-level production of a recombinant polypeptide in yeast. The invention specifically provides high copy number recombinant expression constructs that express high levels of trans-acting transcription factors that in turn induce expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a heterologous or endogenous recombinant polypeptide. The invention more specifically provides constructs that express galactose-inducible and temperature-sensitive transcription factors. The invention also provides constructs comprising nucleic acids the transcription of which is regulated by the transcription factors expressed by the construct. The invention also provides yeast cells transformed by the recombinant expression constructs of the invention that permit sustained high-level expression of a recombinant polypeptide.

Abstract: A new method of treating water to remove perchlorate contaminant is disclosed. Water is fed through a filter bed containing perchlorate-reducing microorganisms. The microorganisms reduce the perchlorate, thereby decontaminating the water. An oxidizable substrate serves as an electron donor to the microorganisms. The invention results in safe to undetectable levels of perchlorate in the treated water.

Abstract: An electroactive device incorporating the invention is configured from an electroactive ceramic hollow sphere having an inner surface, an outer surface, a wall thickness aspect and a radius aspect. Conductive electrodes are positioned on opposed surfaces of said sphere and conductors enable application of an electrical potential between the conductive electrodes to enable a field to be applied to said sphere that causes a dimension change in the radius aspect and thickness aspect thereof. In one embodiment the sphere has a d33 direction parallel to the thickness aspect, and d31 & d32 directions parallel to the sphere surfaces and in another embodiment the d33 direction is perpendicular to the thickness aspect, and d31 & d32 directions are respectively parallel and perpendicular to the sphere surfaces. The sphere is preferably supported by a rod that either passes throng one opening in the sphere or through two opposed openings. Further, the rod may include a pathway for other instrumentality's.

Abstract: The present invention is a dynamic condensate system which can replace the hotwell designs currently available. The dynamic condensate system enhances the performance of a compact closed Rankine-cycle or similar engine using a single small-volume apparatus which actively separates noncondensables from the subcooled condensate; lowers condenser pressure; boosts feed-pump inlet pressure; allows the hotwell volume to remain at ambient pressure; and eliminates lateral acceleration effects on the engine. The dynamic condensate system includes a liquid ring pumping element and a side-branch hotwell. There is an inlet to the liquid ring pumping element from a condenser of the engine for receiving liquid and vapor flow. An outlet from the liquid ring pumping element provides a flow path for liquid from the dynamic condensate system to a feed pump of the engine.

Abstract: An in vitro method for testing the effectiveness of antiviral agents is provided. The method allows for screening anti-papillomavirus drugs which can interfere with the early and maintenance stages of papillomavirus infection. The method comprises growing epithelial cells susceptible to infection with papillomavirus in a monolayer system and measuring the effectiveness of various agents present in the growing media to interfere with the growth of the virus. The method is free from interferences caused by the regional variability, since the cell cultures are evenly dispersed monolayers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymineralic particles which are precursors of hydroxyapatite and a method for their production. The present invention is also directed to a synthetic bone-like composition comprising said hydroxyapatite polymineralic precursor particles of hydroxyapatite and optionally, a polymeric material capable of promoting mineralization of hydroxyapatite, which are useful for fixing prosthetic devices, useful as bone substitutes to directly fill bone defects, to provide substrates for cartilage, and to repair teeth, and methods of making such preparations. The present invention is also directed to a method of treating collagen to provide a micro-structure close to that of native bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of (i) inducing somatic embryogenesis from cacao tissue explants and (ii) regenerating cacao plants from somatic embryos. The invention further relates to cacao somatic embryos and plants obtained according to the methods of the invention. Novel tissue culture media adapted for use in the above-identified methods are also within the scope of the invention. The novel media of the invention include primary callus growth medium, secondary callus growth medium, embryo development medium, primary embryo conversion medium, secondary embryo conversion medium and plant regeneration medium.

Abstract: A piezoceramic vibration control device in which stiffness is established by a capacitor in shunt with piezoceramic element of the device. The device can be formed of a stack of piezoceramic elements bonded to one another and precompressed by a spring. A control system is arranged to tune the natural frequency of the vibration control device to a disturbance frequency or s primary structural response frequency by varying the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: A process for sintering green powder metal, metal alloy or metal composition parts employing microwave energy is described.

Abstract: A method for assembling an ultrasonic transducer, first produces a plurality of plates of piezoelectric material. Then the plates are bonded together through use of a polymeric matrix comprising a polymer and intermixed particles having determined dimensional parameters, the particles acting to separate the plates by predetermined distances that are dependent upon the determined dimensional parameters. Preferred particles are polystyrene spheres. A second embodiment produces a plurality of strips of green piezoelectric ceramic material, each strip including a layer of a fugitive material. The strips are then placed in a stack and the stack is fired to convert the green piezoelectric ceramic material into densified ceramic plates. The firing acts to drive off said second fugitive material and to leave voids. The voids are then backfilled with a polymeric material to create a unified structure.

Abstract: Improved Ni, Fe and Co based superalloys having excellent oxidation resistance and weldability. The superalloys are obtained by at least partially replacing the Ni in conventional superalloys with Pd. The alloys may also contain strengtheners and modifiers such as Co, W, Mo, V, Ti, Re, Ta, Nb, C, B, Zr, Y, and Hf. The superalloy has good strength, improved weldability and excellent oxidation resistance suitable for use in many aerospace and power generation turbine applications. A preferred embodiment comprises (in wt %) 1-9% (Al+Ti), 0-0.01% B, 0-0.15% C, 0-25% Co, 5-30% Cr, 0-10% Fe, 0-0.009% (Hf+Y+Sc), 1-15% (Mo+W), 0-8% (Nb+Ta), 40-68% Ni, 4-32% Pd, 0-10% (Re+Rh), 0-5% V, and 0-0.015% Zr.

Abstract: The present invention is a new type of high-strain, pseudo-shear mode piezoelectric ceramic actuator. The pseudo-shear mode actuator employs a stack of pre-poled rectangular ceramic sheets. The stacked sheets form a composite structure assembled from thin sheet soft PZT or PLZT which is poled in the usual direction normal to the major face of the sheet and driven by electrodes upon the major faces. The sheets are conductivity bonded at alternate ends and driven in such a way that alternate sheets expand and contract along the length dimension. Examples of uses would include actuators for linear and rotary motors; step and repeat (inchworm) type actuators; flow sensing and flow control; valving and pumping systems; active noise and vibration control; and large thin panel loudspeakers.

Abstract: A catalytic liquid toner is electrostatically printed on an amorphous silicon layer (or a substrate that is to support such a layer), in an image-wise fashion. After the liquid toner is dried, the amorphous silicon layer is heated, preferably using rapid thermal annealing, to approximately 550° C. for about 2 minutes to cause the toned areas to be converted to polysilicon. The toner used during the printing action is a dispersion of resin particles which contain a metallic catalyst, such as palladium, nickel or chromium.

Abstract: The present invention is an overspray collector and method of collecting overspray. The overspray collector provides a device and method to intercept overspray produced by spraying coating material onto any relatively-flat surface and preventing air pollution by capturing such pollution at its source. The overspray collector includes a shroud which surrounds and moves with the spraying device(s), while maintaining a gap between itself and the work surface being sprayed. Behind the spraying device and opposite the work surface, the shroud terminates in ducting through which overspray-laden air exits. Air inlet slots allow atmospheric air to enter in sufficient quantity to minimize residual airflow through the aforementioned gap. Internal to the shroud, the spray from the spray device(s) impinges upon the work surface and the finest sprayed particles turn laterally along the work surface without depositing thereupon, thus forming overspray.

Abstract: Hydrothermal BaTiO3 crystallites were coated with Bismuth solutions prepared from Bismuth metal-organics and anhydrous solvents. The Bismuth metal-organics were Bi 2-ethylhexanoate and Bi-neodecanoate. Bismuth oxide was also used as a comparison to the Bismuth solutions. BaTiO3 ceramics with either 3.0 wt % equivalent Bismuth oxide or 5.0 wt % equivalent Bismuth oxide were made by sintering the compacts between 700° C. and 1000° C. BaTiO3 ceramics that were coated by Bi-neodecanoate densified >90% theoretical as low as 800° C. for 3.0 wt % equivalent Bi2O3. Average grain sizes of 0.2-0.4 &mgr;m were observed for Bi-coated BaTiO3 ceramics, for sintering temperatures below 950° C. Dielectric K versus temperature measurements of Bismuth-coated BaTiO3 ceramics, sintered in the lower temperature ranges, showed consistently superior dielectric characteristics.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward methods for fabricating polycrystalline thin films. More particularly, the invention is directed toward optimized solid phase crystallization of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited amorphous silicon thin films as a means for obtaining, with a low thermal budget, polycrystalline silicon thin films comprising larger grain sizes and smother surfaces. The process of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is quantified for silane containing various types of dilutants, thereby allowing deposition temperature, type of dilutant, type of plasma and other parameters to be controlled to yield the desired crystallization grain size at the desired thermal budget. Methods of annealing, annealing temperature, and pre-annealment treatments are also quantified such that grain size and thermal budget can be controlled in the fabrication of polycrystalline silicon thin films.

Abstract: Silicon dioxide thin films have been deposited at temperatures from 40.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as the silicon containing precursor. The properties of the PECVD TMS oxides (PETMS-Oxs) were analyzed with Fourier TransformInfrared (FTIR) transmissionspectroscopy, BOEand P-etch rates and both current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) electrical characterization. It was found that the deposition rate for films produced from TMS increased with decreasing temperature; that the --OH inclusions could be affected by TMS flow rate; and that He dilution rate affected trapping for films produced over the temperature range explored. At both 130.degree. C. and 250.degree. C., deposition conditions were identified which formed high quality as-deposited oxide films. Under the best conditions, unannealed Al/PETMS-Ox/c-Si capacitor structures displayed flat band voltages of V.sub.fb -2.9 V and breakdown fields (V.sub.