Abstract: A process for the addition of functional groups to polysilyne polymers is disclosed. A solution of a poly(phenylsilyne) polymer is reacted with triflic acid. The reaction product is then reacted with a reagent selected from the group consisting of an alkyllithium reagent, a Grignard reagent, an alkoxide salt, and an amide salt to form a resultant polysilyne polymer. The resultant polysilyne polymer may be pyrolyzed to form a silicon-based ceramic.

Abstract: A method for the crosslinking of polymeric electrolytes is presented. The method achieves crosslinking by means of ultraviolet radiation. The resulting crosslinked polymers are stable and useful as solid state battery electrolytes.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor composition and a method for employing the same to prevent corrosion of copper and copper containing metals in contact are disclosed. Protection is afforded thereto by contacting the metal surface with the medium containing sufficient amount of benzotriazole/its derivatives and halogen, preferentially iodide or bromide ions. The inhibitor has particular utility in protecting metal surfaces which are subject to corrosion in aggressive aqueous systems.

Abstract: Graft copolymers are disclosed which comprise an olefin borane-containing homopolymer or copolymer backbone polymer having radically polymerized polymeric segments chemically bonded as side chains or as a chain end. A borane-containing diene homopolymer or a copolymer of a diene and/or at least one alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 22 carbon atoms copolymerized with another monomer containing organoborane functional groups can be used as a backbone polymer to prepare the graft copolymers of the present invention. Under oxidation conditions, the borane group becomes the reaction site for the radical polymerization and copolymerization. Radical polymerizable monomers, such as methyl methacrylate, styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, acrylonitrile and the like, can be polymerized to yield high molecular weight graft copolymer. By this synthetic route, high graft efficiency is observed with only a very low concentration of homopolymer being produced.

Abstract: It has been newly determined that in a reaction of an Ag/Pd metallization with Pb from a lead-based ceramics, a maximum solubility of Pb is observed of approximately 14% (atomic percent). By inclusion of an effective amount of Pb in the Ag/Pd metallization, leaching of Pb from a Pb-based ceramic is either reduced or eliminated. Thus, upon firing, the metallization exhibits an equilibration which prevents Pb from being drawn out of the underlying ceramic. Similarly, Ag/Pd metallization shows a maximum solubility of 16 atomic percent for Bi in Bi-based ceramics. Inclusion of an effective amount of Bi in the metallization prevents a Bi leaching from an underlying ceramic.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for performing thermomechanical processing of gears in which precise control of the thermal, metallurgical and mechanical action during the forming process is maintained. The apparatus comprises an induction heating system which reaustenitizes the surface of the gear with minimum decarburization, a material transfer system which provides timely operations on the work piece, tooling and fixture adjustments which provide accurate initial conditions for forming, and a process control architecture that provides the precise sequence and timing necessary to achieve metallurgically sound and dimensionally accurate gears. Using this invention the induction heating cycle can be controlled from the peak, average or minimum gear surface temperature detected with a high response optical pyrometer. An inert environment is maintained around the workpiece during the induction heating and transfer to quenching above the M.sub.s temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving oxygen are provided on a steady flow basis. The temperature of a storage vessel containing lithium perchlorate (LiClO.sub.4) in the solid state is raised until a molten bath of the LiClO.sub.4 is formed. The molten bath of LiClO.sub.4 is maintained at a setpoint temperature which is less than the temperature at which substantial decomposition of the LiClO.sub.4 occurs. The molten LiClO.sub.4 is then caused to flow from the storage vessel to a reaction vessel whose temperature is raised sufficiently to assure essentially instantaneous and complete decomposition of the LiClO.sub.4. Specifically, within the reaction vessel, a spray of the molten LiClO.sub.4 is directed toward an internal target surface, upon the impingement with which decomposition of the molten LiClO.sub.4 into LiCl and O.sub.2 occurs.

Abstract: An article having a slip-resistant surface and method of producing the same includes metallurgically bonding raised bead-like configurations of a compatible material at select locations on the article surface. The method includes injecting, substantially simultaneously with projecting a high power radiant energy beam, powder particles into a portion of the beam lying a distance away from the point of impingement on the surface portion of the article. The particles interact with the beam for a time period sufficient to cause at least partial melting of a substantial number of particles which are then transported to a selected point on the surface portion. The partially melted particles, along with completely and/or any substantially unmelted particles, are allowed to bond with the surface material thereby forming a raised configuration thereon. The process is repeated for forming another raised configuration at another selected location on the surface portion for thereby forming a slip-resistant article.

Abstract: The present invention provides for conductive electromagnetic shielding (EMS) compositions which can be formulated to provide effective shielding over a broad range of frequencies, e.g. 30 MHz. to 110 GHz. which is based on a mixture of a polymeric or liquid matrix material and a synergestic combination of conductive powders, fibers and optional flake components. The invention also provides for formulations containing the above composition which are adapted for EMS applications such as pliable caulking, thermoformable shaped articles such as housings and cabinetry, flexible gasket material, shielding curtains, coatings and paints which may be applied to substrates such as glass, plastic or metal, structural composites, conformal coatings for printed circuit boards and like applications.

Abstract: An electrophoretic separation apparatus includes a capillary tube having a length, a cross section, an inlet and an outlet. A first reservoir containing a solvent and, upon injection, a solute is in fluid-flow communication with the inlet and a second reservoir containing at least a solvent is also in fluid flow communication with the outlet, the capillary thereby being filled at least with the solvent. A first power supply means applies a separation potential between the first and second reservoirs and along the length of the capillary to thereby establish an electrophoretic flow of the solute therethrough. An electrically isolated conductor is juxtaposed to an external surface of the capillary tube and is connected to a second power supply. An electrostatic field is thereby applied across the cross section of the capillary tube to control the electroosmotic flow therein. The electrical isolation of the conductor prevents current flow between the power supply and the conductor.

Abstract: An intravascular membrane lung is adapted for percutaneous venous insertion into a living body and comprises an elongated multi lumen catheter and elongated gas exchange members in the form of a large number of microporous fibers tethered at one end to the catheter and extending away from the catheter in all directions. The microporous fibers are in communication with the lumina of the catheter which includes one conduit for delivery of 100% oxygen to the fibers and another conduit for flushing away carbon dioxide from the fibers. The catheter extends between a proximal end and a distal end being a leading end for insertion into the body. The distal end includes a selectively inflatable balloon having an enlarged size larger than a nominal transverse dimension of said catheter and smaller than the inner nominal dimensions of any of the body cavities into which it extends.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and composition for removing exogenous mucin and protein-mucin deposits from hydrophilic contact lenses.

Abstract: An electrophoretic separation apparatus includes a capillary tube having a length, a cross section, an inlet and an outlet. A first reservoir containing a solvent and, upon injection, a solute is in fluid-flow communication with the inlet and a second reservoir containing at least a solvent is also in fluid flow communication with the outlet, the capillary thereby being filled at least with the solvent. A first power supply means applies a separation potential between the first and second reservoirs and along the length of the capillary to thereby establish an electrophoretic flow of the solute therethrough. An electrically isolated plate is juxtaposed to an external surface of the capillary tube and is connected to a second power supply. An electrostatic field is thereby applied across the cross section of the capillary tube to control the electroosmotic flow therein. The electrical isolation of the plate prevents current flow between the power supply and the plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating obesity in warm-blooded animals, including humans, as well as a method of increasing the muscle mass to fat ratio in farm animals. The methods entail administering to an animal in need thereof, an effective amount of certain 8-phenylxanthines substituted in the 3- or 4-position of the phenyl group by an alkenylene, alkenyleneoxy, alkynylene or alkynyleneoxy bearing a terminal acetic grouping.

Abstract: A system is provided for heating non-metallic material or a discrete layer of the non-metallic material. Microwave energy is introduced into an enclosure defining a first cavity and capable of substantially containing the microwave energy. A semiconductive sheet is positioned at the bottom of the first cavity. Thermal insulation overlies the semiconductive sheet. A second cavity is defined by the undersurface of the semiconductive sheet and flexible microwave shielding in the form of a skirt which is attached to, and depends from, the enclosure. The flexible shielding is composed of a material which also substantially contains the microwave energy. The semiconductive sheet is effective to convert some of the microwave energy into thermal energy and to transmit the thermal energy into the second cavity while transmitting the remainder of the microwave energy directly to the discrete layer, thereby rapidly heating the discrete layer.

Abstract: Intact seed of rapeseed is added to compost at spawning to increase the yield of mushrooms similar to chemical-based delayed-release supplements. No chemicals, however, are needed in its preparation, only a treatment to destroy sprouting of the seed.

Abstract: Polyolefin graft copolymers are disclosed which comprise a polyolefin homopolymer or copolymer backbone polymer having a plurality of free radically polymerized polymeric segments chemically bonded as side chains. It has been found that the use of a borane-containing polyolefin comprising a copolymer of at least one alpha-olefin having from about 2 to 22 carbon atoms copolymerized with another monomer containing organoborane functional groups can be used as a backbone polymer to prepare the graft copolymers of the present invention. Under oxidation conditions, the borane group becomes the reaction site for the free radical polymerization and copolymerization. Numerous free radical polymerizable monomers, such as methyl methacrylate, styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, acrylonitrile and the like, can be polymerized to yield high molecular weight graft copolymers. By this synthetic route, high graft efficiency is observed with only a very low concentration of homopolymer being produced.

Abstract: A fabrication process polycrystalline silicon thin film transistors commences with the deposition of an ultra-thin nucleating-site forming layer onto the surface of an insulating substrate (e.g., 7059 glass). Next, an amorphous silicon film is deposited thereover and the combined films are annealed at temperatures that do not exceed 600.degree. C. By patterning the deposition of the nucleating site forming material on the glass substrate, the subsequently deposited amorphous film can be selectively crystallized only in areas in contact with the nucleating-site forming material.

Abstract: The metal-ceramic actuator includes an electroactive substrate having at least a pair of opposed planar surfaces and a determined thickness, with the ceramic substrate being poled in its thickness dimension. Conductive electrodes sandwich the ceramic substrate and are bonded to its planar surfaces. Metal caps, each having a concave cavity bounded by a rim, are bonded to both planar surfaces of the ceramic substrate. A potential is applied to the conductive electrodes to cause an expansion of the ceramic substrate in its thickness dimension and a concomitant contraction in its planar dimensions. The contraction creates a flexure of the metal caps, which flexures are used to actuate another instrumentality.

Abstract: A phased antenna array is described that includes a conductive ground plane and a plurality of log-periodic antennas, each antenna having a plurality of radiating elements, each radiating element having a resonant frequency. Each log-periodic antenna extends from a common feed region at an acute angle with respect to the conductive ground plane, the angle assuring that all said radiating elements having a common resonant frequency exhibit an identical electrical distance from each other and from the ground plane.