Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) membranes having a hydrophilic surface have been prepared by extracting a fugitive hydrophilic pore-forming agent from a gelled film prepared by evaporating the solvent from a homogeneous solution of isotactic polypropylene, functionalized polypropylene an the fugitive agent in a solvent, such as xylene. Most of the functional groups, such as --OH, --NH.sub.2 and --COOH, in the functionalized polypropylene are located on the surfaces of the membrane, including pore surfaces. The resulting membranes, especially membranes having an asymmetric structure, are useful for ultrafiltration, dialysis and/or microfiltration.

Abstract: A method to determine the molecular weights of femtomole or smaller quantities of small molecules, such as peptides, oligonucleotides, or heterocyclics, covalently attached to polystyrene beads on a grid, is presented using imaging time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The determination is made possible by selectively clipping the bond linking the small molecule to the bead, followed directly by a TOF-SIMS assay of the bead on the grid. The method can be applied to large numbers of polystyrene beads having different small molecules attached thereto for direct characterization of massive combinatorial libraries.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of transdermal drug delivery where a drug is contained in or must pass through a hydrogel or lipogel together with an enhancement method to improve mass transfer through the skin, the improvement comprising applying a means for enhancing mass transfer of the drug through the hydrogel or lipogel to the skin.

Abstract: A chest brace apparatus prevents the chest wall from buckling inwards during spontaneous breathing efforts and provides negative distending intra-thoracic pressure to a patient. The apparatus includes a protective adhesive layer placed on the patients skin and a brace structure that is designed to attach to the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface adapted to adhere to a chest region of the patient and the outer surface manifesting an outer adherent layer for attachment to the brace structure. The brace structure is placed about the patient's chest region and includes a frontal resilient segment with a patient-side adherent layer for joinder to the outer surface of the adhesive layer, and flexure strips connected to the frontal resilient segment for imparting an outward flexure thereon so as to distend the patient's chest region by outward pressure exerted on the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer using a piezoelectric annulus, divided into sections, includes at least one input and one output electrode configuration. The input electrodes are formed by covering top and bottom surfaces of the divided section of piezoelectric annulus. The low impedance portions, which are input regions, are poled parallel to the thickness direction and the high impedance portions, which are output regions, are poled tangentially. The transformer is operable at several radial mode resonance frequencies of piezoelectric ring. Two stepped up ac output voltages, in phase or 180 degree out of phase, can be obtained at several resonance frequencies of the piezoelectric annulus. The transformer is also operable as a step-down transformer by inverting the input and output ports.

Abstract: The novel pepper variety of the genus and species Capsicum chinense Jacq. described here was the product of an organized breeding program using forms of this species collected by us during several years in South America and bred via a pedigree breeding program for adaptation to growth in the northeastern U.S. It is characterized by a spreading habit, small light green elliptic leaves, small regularly 5-merous flowers with white corolla having no corolla throat markings, purple anthers, a style that exceeds the anther, two or more flowers per leaf axil, self compatibility, a low level of capsaicin so it is not a hot pepper, green pendant fruits becoming red, yellow, or orange upon maturity and having a rounded base, a usually pointed apex, and thin carpels. Fruits are about 5 cm. long and 2.5 cm wide, weigh approximately 3 grams each, and have 2-4 locules. Pedicels are long, curved, and slender. Seeds are yellow, around 3 mm. in diameter, and 1000 seeds weigh about 3 grams.

Abstract: An actuator incorporating the invention includes a body of a ferroelectric material. The material is single crystalline and incorporates solid solutions of lead zinc niobate-lead titanate or lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate, described by the formulae: Pb(Zn.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3).sub.1-x Ti.sub.x O.sub.3 and Pb(Mg.sub.1/3 Nb.sub.2/3).sub.l-y Ti.sub.y O.sub.3 l where x and y are defined as 0.ltoreq.x<0.10, and 0.ltoreq.y<0.40. Electrodes enable application of an electric field across the body in a direction that is generally aligned with a <001> crystallographic axis of the ferroelectric material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the thermomechanical net shape finishing of precision gear tooth surfaces by controlled deformation into metastable austenitic condition. To this end, an arrangement of a fixed axis through-feed motion of workpiece and moving axes in-feed motion of two opposed rolling dies are utilized. By means of process control methods and architecture for accomplishing precision mechanical motions, thermal and environmental control and timely and automatic transfer of workpiece, high strength and high accuracy gear tooth contact surfaces are produced.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus and method for forming and projecting a continuous flow of frozen particles for the purpose of abrasive cleaning of substrate surfaces. The device utilizes a cryogenic fluid/dry air mixture that interacts with atomized water to form ice crystals. The crystals are projected through a blast nozzle to be directed at a substrate surface. The ice crystals, of a size range below one hundred micrometers, are produced within the apparatus just prior to the nozzle rather than being conveyed to the nozzle by a hose.

Abstract: A map matching navigation system for monitoring vehicle state characteristics including the location of a vehicle on a map route. The map matching navigation system may operate in a fixed mode wherein the map route is inputted by a user or a flexible mode wherein the map matching navigation system determines the map route from a plurality of measured points which correspond to the location of the vehicle. The map matching navigation system additionally updates the location of the vehicle at a plurality of positions on the map route wherein the vehicle location is known with an increased level of confidence.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for producing nano-scale particles using the interaction between a laser beam and a liquid precursor solution. There are two embodiments. The first embodiment includes the use of a solid substrate during the laser-liquid interaction. In this embodiment the laser beam is directed at the solid substrate which is immersed in the liquid precursor solution and rotating. The second embodiment includes the use of a plasma during the laser-liquid interaction. In the second embodiment, a mixture of a liquid precursor and a carrier gas is injected into a laser beam. Injection of the mixture can be performed either perpendicular or parallel to the laser beam. The apparatus for injecting the liquid precursor and carrier gas into the laser beam includes a plasma nozzle designed to allow the laser beam to enter the plasma nozzle so that the laser beam may irradiate what is flowing through the plasma nozzle to create a plasma flow.

Abstract: A chiral ligand having the following structure: ##STR1## wherein AR is any aromatic and/or ring structure, and R is selected from the group consisting of aryl, oxygenated aryl, alkyl, oxygenated alkyl, AR, oxygenated AR and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for testing the potential fertility of spermatozoa in a sample by contacting an aliquot of the sperm sample onto a protein extracted from native vitelline membranes removed from chicken or turkey eggs to enable quantification of the number of sperm which bind to the protein. Typically, the vitelline membrane protein is coated onto a solid substrate and the protein extract is first prepared by dissecting vitelline membranes (lamina perivitelline plus lamina extravitellina) from either a group of chicken eggs or a group of turkey eggs, rinsing the membranes free of albumin and yolk, and subdividing the membranes into small particles. The resulting protein is heat solubilized, purified with centrifugation and concentrated to yield the protein extract in solution. The extracted protein then is used as a protein substrate for spermatozoa binding, with sequential contacting of the protein extract with the spermatozoa and measuring the amount of sperm-egg binding that takes place.

Abstract: An electro-optic detector senses induced photovoltages in a semiconductor structure through use of an electro-optic sensing material. The sensing material is closely positioned to the surface of a semiconductor structure so as to be locally affected by electric field changes which occur as a result of induced photovoltages. An interrogating optical beam is directed at the semiconductor structure so as to induce locally positioned photovoltages at a surface thereof. An optical sensing beam is directed at the electro-optic sensing material and a detector senses reflections of the optical sensing beam from the electro-optic layer both in regions affected by the local photovoltage field changes and in regions not affected by the local photovoltage field changes. Characteristics of the semiconductor structure are deduced from reflection data derived from the optical sensing beam.

Abstract: A number of new poly(organophosphazenes) have been synthesized which bear 2-butenoxy or 4-allyloxyphenylphenoxy side groups. Co-substituent groups included trifluoroethoxy, phenoxy, or benzyloxyphenoxy groups. Species with 4-allyloxyphenylphenoxy units underwent Si--H coupling to linear silanes or siloxanes to extend the side groups and form hybrid phosphazene/organosilicon polymers. A number of these polymers are rubbery elastomers which are readily cross-linked by heat or light. Seven of the mixed-substituent, cross-linked polymers were incorporated into interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN's) with polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), polyacrylonitrile, poly(acrylic acid) and poly(dimethylsiloxane). The phase compatibility characteristics of the IPN's were assessed by DSC, TEM, FT-IR spectroscopy, and 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy data.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic device includes an electroactive ceramic substrate having a pair of opposed planar surfaces and a thickness aspect. Conductive electrodes sandwich the ceramic substrate and a first sheet metal cap having a concave shape, a substantially unchanging thickness and a rim is joined to a first planar surface of the ceramic substrate. A second sheet metal cap having a concave shape, a substantially unchanging thickness and a rim is bonded to a second planar surface of the ceramic substrate, the second planar surface opposed to the first planar surface. In an actuator embodiment, a potential is applied across the conductive electrodes to cause an expansion of the ceramic substrate in the thickness dimension and a concomitant contraction in its planar dimensions. The contraction causes a flexure of the sheet metal caps, which flexures are used for actuation purposes.

Abstract: A cardiac defibrillator includes a multilayer capacitor with a plurality of conductive electrodes and interspersed dielectric layers, each dielectric layer composed of constituents which cause it to exhibit an antiferroelectric phase. The constituents of each dielectric layer are such as to cause each layer to exhibit plural ferroelectric phases. The defibrillator includes a charging circuit for applying to the capacitor an electric field across each dielectric layer which causes a transition thereof through the plural ferroelectric phases. PLZT is the preferred dielectric material, at constituent values which cause the material to lie within the antiferroelectric phase and to exhibit plural ferroelectric phases.

Abstract: A new aqueous-based process for cleaning organic residues from industrial equipment, reactor vessels, pipelines, valves, manufactured products, industrial components, and appurtenances. The invention employs hydrogen peroxide, and can be aided by iron and/or other catalysts or enhancers. The process is used to clean glass, stainless steel, metal, ceramic, or plastic surfaces that have become soiled, coated, or sorbed with organic material from pharmaceutical, food processing, industrial, biological, or manufacturing practices, including, but not limited to, food grease, machinery grease, oils, asphalt tar, pharmaceutical tar, biological fermentation products, polysaccharides, paints, organic dyes, glues, rubber cement, xanthan gum, aliphatic materials, or aromatic materials. Said organic material that can be removed includes solid, gelatenous, or viscous materials that coat, cling, sorb, or stick to surfaces.

Abstract: An oscillatory drive incorporating the invention includes a driven rotor that is mounted on a shaft and includes plural driven permanent magnets disposed thereon. A spring arrangement is coupled to the driven rotor and limits both clock-wise (CW) and counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation thereof. A first driving rotor includes first driving magnets, is mounted for rotation on the shaft and is positioned to a first side of the driven rotor. A second driving rotor includes second driving permanent magnets, is mounted for rotation on the shaft and is positioned to a second side of the driven rotor. The drive mechanism imparts a CW rotation to the first driving rotor and a CCW rotation to the second driving rotor. The first driving permanent magnets coupling to the driven permanent magnets causes a CW rotation of the driven rotor until the spring arrangement terminates the CW rotation and causes a reversal of rotation direction in the CCW direction.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyphosphazenes is provided that includes the cationic solution polymerization reaction of a phosphoranimine, using a main group or transition metal halide, or other appropriate halide salt, including a linear phosphazene salt of any chain length, or a preformed nonphosphazene polymer containing a main or transition metal chloride, as an initiator.