Abstract: The present invention provides microwave attenuating, filled composite materials which contain a polymer or ceramic matrix and metallic tubules and processes for making the same and devices which contain such materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides microwave attenuating, filled composite materials which contain a polymer or ceramic matrix and metallic tubules and processes for making the same and devices which contain such materials.

Abstract: A chamber has a lid that permits opening and closing of the chamber for inserting or removing a cell culture from the chamber while the chamber is in a stack of chambers without removing any of the chambers from the stack. The lid of the chamber may have one or more ports which enable substances to be introduced into or removed from the chamber when the chamber is sealed by the lid. In one embodiment, the lid is a side wall of a rectangular chamber in a stack of rectangular chambers. Spacers may be provided between the chambers of the stack to provide space between the chambers and restrict horizontal movement of the chambers relative to each other. A flexible container containing an atmosphere may be connected to a port of the chamber, and the atmosphere may be transferred to the chamber by compressing the flexible container. After a cell culture is introduced into the chamber, the stack of chambers may be placed into an incubator.

Abstract: Tubules which contain an active agent in their lumen and compositions containing such microtubules are effective for providing a slow, controlled release of the active agent. Such microtubules are useful in the production of coating compositions for the protection of surfaces coming into contact with water, adhesive resins for the production of laminated wood products, and devices for dispensing pesticides.

Abstract: An automated biomonitoring system for monitoring water quality includes an exposure chamber for housing an aquatic organism having ventilatory behavior and body movement sensitive to water quality. Electrodes capture electrical signals produced by the organism during its ventilatory behavior and body movement, and a controller responsive to signals from the electrodes determines one or more ventilatory parameters based on the signals. The ventilatory parameters are compared with corresponding thresholds to determine when the water to which the organism is exposed has caused physiological stress to the organism. The signals captured by the electrodes may be corrected for variations in water conductivity so that the signals processed by the controlled are not influenced by conductivity.

Abstract: Tubules which contain an active agent in their lumen and compositions containing such microtubules are effective for providing a slow, controlled release of the active agent. Such microtubules are useful in the production of coating compositions for the protection of surfaces coming into contact with water, adhesive resins for the production of laminated wood products, and devices for dispensing pesticides.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups and compounds useful for preparing such surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: An active matrix circuit for compact, high resolution reflective liquid ctal displays includes a low quiescent current, low output impedance MOS transistor amplifier produced in a CMOS process. A voltage controlled input switch effects the voltage refresh of the active matrix cell by passing a data voltage to the input of the transistor amplifier when a control voltage pulse is present on the input switch control line. All active matrix cells in a given row use the same input switch control line, and all active matrix cells in a given column access the same data input line. Refresh of the active matrix cell voltage terminates when the input switch is opened, storing the data voltage on the input node capacitance of the amplifier. The active matrix circuit is particularly addressed to liquid crystal devices having fast, analog response liquid crystals with large molecular polarizations such as in the Electroclinic Liquid Crystals (ELC).

Abstract: A system that can accurately monitor and control low concentrations of ethylene gas includes a test chamber configured to receive sample gas potentially containing an ethylene concentration and ozone, a detector configured to receive light produced during a reaction between the ethylene and ozone and to produce signals related thereto, and a computer connected to the detector to process the signals to determine therefrom a value of the concentration of ethylene in the sample gas. The supply for the system can include a four way valve configured to receive pressurized gas at one input and a test chamber. A piston is journaled in the test chamber with a drive end disposed in a drive chamber and a reaction end defining with walls of the test chamber a variable volume reaction chamber. The drive end of the piston is pneumatically connected to two ports of the four way valve to provide motive force to the piston.

Abstract: An automated biomonitoring system for monitoring water quality includes an exposure chamber for housing an aquatic organism having ventilatory behavior and body movement sensitive to water quality. Electrodes sense electrical signals produced by the organism during its ventilatory behavior and body movement, and a controller responsive to signals from the electrodes determines a plurality of ventilatory parameters based on the signals. The ventilatory parameters are compared with corresponding thresholds to determine when the water to which the organism is exposed has caused physiological stress to the organism.

Abstract: Patterned conducting polymer surfaces exhibiting excellent properties may be prepared by:(a) forming a surface of a conducting polymer on a surface of a substrate;(b) forming a surface of a blocking material on said surface of said conducting polymer in a pattern-wise fashion, to obtain a first patterned surface containing regions of exposed conducting polymer and regions of blocking material;(c) treating said first patterned surface with an agent which: (i) removes said conducting polymer from said regions of exposed conducting polymer; (ii) decreases the conductivity of said conducting polymer in said regions of exposed conducting polymer; or (iii) increases the conductivity of said conducting polymer in said regions of exposed conducting polymer; and(d) removing said blocking material to obtain a second patterned surface containing an exposed pattern of conducting polymer.

Abstract: Irradiating, with ultraviolet light, surfaces which contain thiol groups, epoxy groups, or vicinal diol groups, results in surfaces which exhibit a reduced adsorption of biomolecules. In the case of surfaces having thiol groups such irradiation also results in a reduced capacity for the bonding of heterobifunctional crosslinking reagents. Such irradiation may be carried out in a patternwise fashion to obtain patterned surfaces.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups.

Abstract: Fluoropolymeric substrates with metallized surfaces may be prepared by self-assembly of a chemisorbed layer of a metal ion-chelating organosilane onto a fluoropolymer surface after radio-frequency glow discharge plasma surface hydroxylation. The silane covalently binds an aqueous palladium catalyst and subsequent electroless deposition yields homogeneous or patterned metal deposits that exhibit excellent adhesion to the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Conducting substrate for use in display device having a conducting polymer on the surface of a rigid or flexible, flat, curved or bent substrate.

Abstract: High aspect ratio metal microstructures may be prepared by a method involving(i) forming a layer of a photoresist on a substrate;(ii) exposing the layer to actinic radiation in an imagewise manner and developing the exposed layer to obtain a surface which contains regions having no remaining photoresist and regions covered with photoresist;(iii) metallizing the surface to form a layer of metal on the region of the surface having no remaining photoresist and on the sides of the regions of photoresist remaining on the surface; and(iv) optionally, stripping the photoresist remaining on the surface.Such microstructures are useful as electron emitters, anisotropic high dielectric interconnects, masks for x-ray photolithography, carriers for the controlled release of active agents, and ultramicroelectrode arrays.

Abstract: Fluoropolymeric substrates with metallized surfaces may be prepared by self-assembly of a chemisorbed layer of a metal ion-chelating organosilane onto a fluoropolymer surface after radio-frequency glow discharge plasma surface hydroxylation. The silane covalently binds an aqueous palladium catalyst and subsequent electroless deposition yields homogeneous or patterned metal deposits that exhibit excellent adhesion to the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Polymer or copolymer coated catalytic colloidal metal particles bound to a biomolecule such as an antibody, avidin, or streptavidin and kits containing such polymer or copolymer coated catalytic metal particles are useful for detecting the presence of the biomolecule in an assay such as an immunoassay.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for collecting magnetometer data at the earth's surface in order to detect anomalies in the earth's magnetic field caused by buried ferromagnetic objects. A plurality of magnetometers are provided in a predetermined array on a mobile platform. A fixed station is also provided on the earth's surface, and navigational data from a global positioning system (GPS) is collected on the locations of the fixed station and mobile platform in synchronization with a sync signal received from the GPS. While the mobile platform traverses an area on the earth's surface, magnetometer data is collected in synchronization with the sync signal. The apparatus and method provide a significant improvement in the amount of area which can be surveyed in a given time period and in the precision of the location and magnetic field intensity data collected.

Abstract: A surface for the alignment of liquid crystals containing directionally-linked groups.