Abstract: Disclosed are(1) a composite material of aluminum powder containing spherical carbon particles;(2) a composite material of aluminum powder having a good self-lubricity and a high wear resistance and consolidated with a mixture of(i) 100 parts by weight of aluminum particles of about 1 to about 200 .mu.m in mean particle size; and(ii) about 1 and about 100 parts by weight of spherical carbon particles of about 1 to about 50 .mu.m in mean particle size; and(3) a composite material of aluminum powder having a good self-lubricity, a high wear resistance and a high strength and consolidated with a mixture of(i) 100 parts of aluminum alloy particles containing about 0.3 to about 15% by weight of magnesium and having a mean particle size of about 1 to about 200 .mu.m; and(ii) about 1 to about 100 parts by weight of spherical carbon particles having a mean particle size of about 1 to about 50 .mu.m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mattress position adjustment device. The device includes a lifting frame and a support frame. Each free end of the lifting frame is pivotally joined to an upper crossbar of the support frame by a hinge. The upper crossbar has an elongated opening through which extends a hydraulic device that is pivotally joined to and directly connected to the lifting frame.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a large-sized P/M aluminum alloy product comprising:extruding at a temperature between 350.degree. and 500.degree. C. and at an extrusion ratio of 2 to 10, aluminum alloy powder consisting essentially of (a) 5 to 30% by weight of Si, (b) 0.5 to 10% by weight of at least one species selected from the group consisting of Cu, Mg, Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Mo, Zr and V with the proviso that the total amount of these species cannot exceed 30% by weight, and (c) aluminum in a remaining amount.

Abstract: A rapid, microwave-based Kjeldahl digestion method wherein microwave energy is applied to an acid/sample mixture at the beginning of, and thereafter during the digestion. After the application of microwave energy is discontinued, the digestate is diluted by pulsed addition of water, followed by continuous addition of water. Dilution in this manner prevents a sudden surge in gas evolution, and eliminates the need for an intervening cooling step, thereby reducing processing time. Also provided is a method for fat separation from a fat-containing protein sample during the digestion.

Abstract: A local electroless plating process for plastics comprising the steps of: coating the nonplating surface portion of a shaped plastic product with a pasty masking composition comprising a polymer and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a sulfur compound, nitrogen compound and silicon compound; roughening the surface portion of the plastics product to be plated and applying a catalyst to the rough-surfaced portion; electrolessly plating the plastics product; and removing the polymer coating from the nonplating surface portion of the plastics product.

Abstract: Disclosed are a magnesia-calcium oxide refractory product comprising (i) about 100 parts by weight of a refractory aggregate consisting essentially of about 20 to about 95% by weight of MgO and about 80 to about 5% by weight of CaO and (ii) about 0.5 to about 5 parts by weight of aragonite-type calcium carbonate, and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: A portable test kit for colorimetric analysis of trace levels of dithizone-complexing metal cations including lead, is provided. The test kit includes storage tubes each of which contains the reagents and apparatus required for a single test, and has sufficient volumetric capacity to serve as a vessel for the formation and extraction of colored, metal cation-dithizonate complex. Use of the test kit involves a novel and unique sampling technique for capturing a portion of a colored liquid within a container for viewing of the color. Also provided is an improved method for analyzing for trace levels of such metal cations.

Abstract: A microwave-based apparatus for rapid digestion of a sampel by a Kjeldahl method is provided which includes a reaction vessel surrounded by an insulator in the form of, for example, a cup. The reaction vessel is disposed in the internal chamber of a microwave system, which includes a wall having an aperture. A connector tube is slidably disposed in the aperture, wherein one end of the tube is connected to the mouth of the reaction vessel, and the other end is connected to a suction device external to the chamber. A biasing element is provided outside the chamber to assist in joining the slidable connector tube to the mouth of the vessel, yet enabling removal of the vessel from the chamber without detachment of the biasing element.

Abstract: A valve that opens and closes in response to changes in the physical environment of the valve. This valve is particularly suited as a relief valve in a microwave system-based, closed vessel digestion procedure. This valve includes a pressure-deformable, resilient wall member having a fluid vent port, and an obstructing member that cooperates with the wall member to open and close the valve.Also provided is a lidded vessel employing this improved valve, an apparatus that includes a microwave system and this lidded vessel, and methods using this improved valve.

Abstract: A portable test kit for colorimetric analysis of trace levels of dithizone-complexing metal cations including lead, is provided. The test kit includes storage tubes each of which contains the reagents and apparatus required for a single test, and has sufficient volumetric capacity to serve as a vessel for the formation and extraction of colored, metal cation-dithizonate complex. Use of the test kit involves a novel and unique sampling technique for capturing a portion of a colored liquid within a container for viewing of the color. Also provided is an improved method for analyzing for trace levels of such metal cations.

Abstract: The invention provides a zinc-nickel alloy plating bath comprising about 3 to about 30 g/l of Zn ion, about 0.2 to about 20 g/l of Ni ion, about 20 to about 300 g/l of alkali hydroxide, about 0.05 to about 10 g/l of amino-alcohol polymer, an Ni-complexing agent in an amount of about 1 to about 20 moles per mole of Ni ion, and about 0.01 to about 20 g/l of amino acid and/or a salt of amino acid, the bath having a pH of 11 or more.

Abstract: A microwave-based apparatus useful for rapid digestion is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow tubular body having an end sealingly joined to a reaction vessel disposed within a microwave system. The end of the tubular body has grooves for the flow of air through the sealed tubular body/reaction vessel joint. A scrubber removes digestion off gases. Also provided is a rapid, microwave-based, Kjeldahl digestion method.

Abstract: A lipid membrane is used as a chemo-receptive transducer for quantitative and semi-quantitative analysis of chemical test species in an electrolyte. The lipid membrane is contacted with an electrolyte containing the test species, and an electrical potential difference is applied across the membrane. From measurements of the trans-membrane ion current variation due to the presence of the test species, a quantitative analysis of the test species may be conducted, on a highly selective basis. Receptors showing a high degree of selectiveity towards the species are included in the membrane.

Abstract: A double-walled leak containment system for an underground storage tank is provided. The underground storage tank is surrounded, in order, by an inner polymeric containment layer, a liquid transmissive textile, and an outer polymeric containment layer. The outer polymeric containment layer is advantageously formed by spray coating the textile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel coextrusion apparatus that includes a first flow channel of a greater width than a second flow channel, and an adjustable vane blade between the channels. By the use of interchangeable plates, this unique apparatus is able to prevent any selected layer or layers of a laminate from extending to the full laminate width. This highly advantageous result is obtained by the formation of an isolating edge that is an integral part of a layer or layers that extend the full laminate width. Also provided is process for forming a laminate having an isolating edge.

Abstract: A novel alkali metal cation-charged, cation exchange resin is provided. The resin includes about 15-50 mEq % of calcium ion, and about 5-13 mEq % of magnesium ion. The calcium ion and magnesium ion loading prevent serious depletion of alkaline earth metal values from body fluids. Also provided is a method of treating a host having hypernatremia or hyperkalemia, using the resin. In one embodiment, the resin includes a supplementary amount of bioavailable calcium ion.

Abstract: A protected, lipid membrane-based device useful as a chemoreceptive transducer is provided. The device includes a porous, membrane-protective layer attached to an underlying, lipid membrane. Also provided is a process for using the protected device to determine the concentration of a specified chemical species.There is additionally provided a lipid membrane-based gas sensor. The sensor includes a gas-permeable, hydrated upper layer attached to an underlying lipid membrane. Furthermore, the invention includes a process for using the gas sensor to determine the concentration of an inorganic ion formed from an inorganic ion-forming gas.

Abstract: A novel process for the manufacture of an aqueous ferric nitrate solution is provided. This process overcomes the passivation problem associated with the reaction of nitric acid and iron. The process is effected at a critical reaction temperature less than the ferric nitrate-to-ferric oxide decomposition temperature, thereby yielding a reaction product low in ferric oxide. The process involves repeated cycling of nitric acid through a bed of pieces of iron.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel coextrusion apparatus including, in a preferred embodiment, a die within a feedblock. The apparatus includes edge seam-forming channels, which provide a core layer sandwiched within adjacent layers having integrally seamed edges. Also provided in a unique process for sandwiching a core stream within adjacent layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel edge-laminating apparatus, in which an edge-laminating stream exiting from an edge-laminating flow channel, is driven by flow pressure into an edge of another stream. Also provided is a novel process for forming an edge-laminated stream, and for forming an extruded product.