Abstract: The present invention is an insulating composite comprising (a) a first thermally reflective layer having a reflective surface and an opposing surface and (b) silica aerogel granules. The present invention further includes an insulating element in which the insulating composite is disposed within an air-impermeable container.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the structural agglomeration of aerogel particles. The method comprises the steps of feeding aerogel particles to a mixing apparatus. A binder also is added to the mixing apparatus. After thorough mixing agglomerates from the mixing apparatus optionally are separated according to their size.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface coating composition comprising a resin, a hydrophobic metal oxide, and a carrier, wherein said composition, after application to a substrate, is characterized by moisture resistance, organic alcohol resistance, and a matting effect. In addition, the present invention provides a method of matting a surface coating composition and enhancing the moisture and chemical resistance of the composition, as well as a method of treating a substrate with the surface coating composition, and a substrate coated with such a surface coating composition.

Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.

Abstract: An imaging medium comprises a substrate carrying a color-change layer. This color-change layer comprises two layers or phases comprising two color-forming reagents which react upon heating to cause a change in the color of the layer. The color-change layer is deactivated by exposure to actinic radiation such that after deactivation it no longer undergoes its thermal color-change. The color-change layer is detachable from the substrate by heating to a temperature lower than required to cause the color change, so that upon contact of the imaging medium with a receiving sheet each individual pixel of the color-change layer may be left attached to the substrate, transferred to the receiving sheet but left uncolored, or transferred to the receiving sheet and colored to a color level determined by the energy used in the associated thermal print head element.

Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.

Abstract: There is described a film cassette for housing and dispensing film units of the self-developing type. The cassette includes structure which ensures that it can be inserted only in photographic apparatus particularly adapted to receive it.

Abstract: There is described a self-developing film unit which has a photosensitive member and an image-receiving member and wherein one outermost surface of the film unit comprises a support layer carrying a layer of a releasable material and a layer of an adhesive material. After an image is formed in the film unit by photoexposure of the photosensitive element and photographic processing of the exposed photosensitive element, the support and releasable material layer can be removed and the film unit or the image-receiving element, as the case may be, adhered to a surface for viewing of the image.

Abstract: A speaker enclosure for controlling an air pressure differential across a front and rear portion of a speaker cone comprising an enclosed rear chamber in communication with a primary channel having a constant cross-section, the primary channel in open communication with a convergence channel having a cross-section smaller than that of the primary channel, terminating in an orifice. In an alternate embodiment, a pair of speakers are utilized in a pair of enclosed rear chambers, each rear chamber in open communication with a primary channel of constant cross-section, each primary channel converging and joining in open communication with the convergence channel and terminating in an orifice. Additional embodiments include speaker enclosures with a front chamber adjacent a front side of the speaker to produce a pressure differential between the front chamber and the ambient air. The front chamber may have a sized opening to produce a regulated pressure flow.