Abstract: A process for preparing a preform for use in a metal matrix composite, particularly for a magnesium metal composite, and a metal matrix composite, typically made by squeeze casting, using the preform. In the preform the reinforcing material typically is silicon carbide, boron nitride, carbon or graphite. The binder used in the preform is magnesium fluoride, which avoids the known problems which result from the high reactivity of magnesium metal with other binders, such as silica and alumina, which results in the formation of magnesium oxide in the reinforced composite. The presence of magnesium oxide crystals in the metal matrix adversely affects the properties of the composite.

Abstract: Microparticles such as propagules of eukaryotic biocontrol agents are encapsulated in cellular-scale polymer capsules that have a diameter similar to normal eukaryotic cells in a range of about 10 &mgr;m to about 400 &mgr;m. The microparticles are encapsulated by adding a hydrophobic dispersion medium such as a mixture of chloroform and hexane or a mixture of corn oil and n-hexadecane having a specific gravity of about 1 and containing an emulsifier such as lecithin to an aqueous suspension of the microparticles and a polymer matrix precursor such as alginate, agitating vigorously to form a stable emulsion of microscopic globules containing a microparticle, and adding the emulsion to an aqueous solution containing a polymerizing agent such as calcium chloride to polymerize and precipitate the globules to form microparticles encapsulated in polymer matrix capsules that may be of a teardrop shape having a length of 40-200% longer than the diameter.

Abstract: A two-phase proton and electron conductor is described which comprises (a) a proton conductive oxides represented by the formula: ABO3 where A is selected from the group consisting of Ba, Ca, Mg and Sr and B is Ce1−xMx or Zr1−xMx, where x has a value greater than zero and less than one and M is an element selected from the group consisting of Y, Yb, In, Gd, Nd, Eu, Sm and Tb, in combination with (b) an electron conductor comprising palladium. The palladium may be coated on particles of the oxide in the form of an oxide powder. This novel two-phase conductor is particularly useful as a mixed hydrogen ion and electronic conducting membrane for separating hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: A process for making a low volume fraction preform for a metal matrix composite including the steps of: mixing a reinforcement with a binder and sacrificial fillers to provide a castable slurry; placing the slurry in a mold to provide a green cast preform; drying the green casting to remove any water and/or solvent; firing the green preform at a relatively low temperature to burn off the sacrificial fillers; firing the green preform at an elevated temperature to sinter the binder to bond the reinforcement together. The firing steps include particular combinations of temperature and time to ensure decomposition of the sacrificial filler and sintering without destruction or cracking of the green preform.

Abstract: A testing device which measures minute changes in battery electrode thickness due to repeated charge/discharge cycles. The testing device uses a moving wall to detect changes in electrode dimensions, typically thickness. The moving wall is adjacent a surface of the electrode, and is connected a sensor that measures wall displacement induced by electrode dimensional changes. Also included in the testing device is a thermocouple that senses the temperature of the device, allowing the data sampling and processing means to correct for thermal expansion/contraction during operation. The testing device can be used during the battery cycling as it does not interfere with the charge/discharge/recharge process. The testing device can be used to measure either a single electrode, or a plurality of electrodes assembled into an electrode stack and incorporated either into a test cell or into a working battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing high density slurry and paste backfills for use, for example, in mining operations. The high density slurry or paste is produced from a mill tailings mixture in a silo which includes a percolation and decant apparatuses for percolating water out of the mill tailings mixture and for decanting clarified water from atop the settled tailings. While settling occurs, air is introduced from the bottom of the silo to agitate the mixture to ensure substantially homogeneous settlement of the solids. Once settled, the resultant high density slurry or paste is fluidized by air in order to give the paste more readily flowable characteristics.

Abstract: Articles comprising a substrate and a polymeric desiccant either impregnated therein or coated thereon are disclosed as well as processes for their manufacture. The invention also contemplates a process for synthesizing a polymeric dessicant in particulate form for use as such or for use as a coating material for desiccant articles.

Abstract: A reliable gaseous hydrogen detection and measuring device which is simple, easy to use, does not require any reference gas supply, and which can be of reasonably rugged construction. The device utilizes a disc comprising a solid state ceramic hydronium conductor of the general formula Na(H.sub.3 O)Zr.sub.2 Si.sub.x P.sub.(3-x) O.sub.12 together with a silver based electrode system on one side, and a catalytic noble metal electrode, such as platinum, on the other. By measurement of the output voltage across the electrodes, both the presence, and the amount, of hydrogen in a gaseous system can be determined.

Abstract: The invention disclosure relates to a biologically pure isolate of Fusarium avenaceum ATCC 200684 to a herbicidal composition containing the isolate as active ingredient, and to a method of combating weeds, particularly the Rubus species, comprising applying an effective amount of the composition, thereto.

Abstract: An amphibious water bomber float plane, wherein the water bomber plane is equipped with a pair of floats for landing and taking off on water, with wheels for use on land, and having pair of floats secured for supporting the plane on water, water tanks within the floats for accumulating water for water bombing, scoops mounted in each float for lowering and raising between lowered and raised positions, and, when in the lowered position, the scoops entering the surface of the water causing water to flow upwardly into the tanks, dump doors mounted in each float, in communication with the tanks, the dump doors being swingable between an open dumping position and a closed sealed position, and controls by which the dump doors may be operated from the plane. Also disclosed is a method of water bombing from an amphibious float plane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing materials in a batchwise or continuous fluidised bed, such as a drier, in which the fluidised bed is subdivided into a plurality of smaller areas, to each of which two separately controlled gas flows are provided. The first lower gas flow is provided to the bed preferably all of the time, and is sufficient at least to maintain the bed in an expanded state. The second higher gas flow is provided to each separate area of the bed in sequence by means of a rotary valve arrangement, and is high enough to induce fluidisation in the bed, but not high enough to induce significant solids loss by entrainment in the offtake gas. The higher flow sequence can be chosen to provide almost any desired sequence to the separate parts of the bed. The sequence can be chosen to induce a travelling wave within the bed which can be across or along the bed, and can be skewed relative to the sides of the bed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new kind of transgenic virus which comprise insect transcription factors. Specifically, the transgenic insect virus comprises insect transcription factors that are involved in molting and metamorphosis. Such transgenic insect viruses are useful as biopesticides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing high density slurry and paste backfills for use in mining operations and to associated backfill paste production facilities which incorporate the aforesaid method and apparatus. The high density slurry or paste is produced from a mill tailings mixture in a silo which includes a percolation/decant device for pecolating water out of the mill tailings mixture and for decanting clarified water from atop the settled tailings. While settling occurs, air is introduced from the bottom of the silo to agitate the mixture to ensure substantially homogeneous settlement of the solids. Once settled, the resultant high density slurry or paste is fluidized by air in order to give the paste more readily flowable characteristics. The flowable paste can then be mixed with a setting agent and pumped or transported to the mine site to be used as a settable backfill.

Abstract: A paraffinic solvent is mixed with bitumen froth containing water and solids. Sufficient solvent is added to induce inversion when the mixture is subjected to gravity or centrifugal forces. The emulsion reports to the water phase and a dry bitumen product is obtained.

Abstract: A relatively power efficient, low flow-rate pump comprises an integral rotor-impeller on a hollow shaft which forms the rotational axis. The rotor-impeller is a permanently magnetized with alternating poles about its periphery faces and at least two channels extend through the rotor-impeller from the interior of the hollow shaft to the periphery of the rotor-impeller. The diameter of the rotor-impeller is in the range of from about 5 mm to about 30 mm and the operating rotational speed of the rotor-impeller is from about 10,000 RPM to about 50,000 RPM.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for use in frothless flotation. The apparatus includes a cover which is sealingly engaged to the top of the flotation column and a wash-water tank in communication with the upper part of the flotation column wherein the level in the wash-water tank is maintained at or above the level of the cover thereby preventing the formation of a froth layer in the column. The apparatus is adapted to recycle the pulp and the tails. Gas is introduced to the feed and/or recycled tails in motionless mixers. Bubble-pulp separators are provided which recirculate pulp to enhance the quality of the yield.

Abstract: For the removal of heavy metal contaminants from industrial waste water, a method is proposed for preparing a dense precipitate having superior handling and disposal properties. The method comprises incremental adjustment of the pH to maintain a low saturation ratio and recycling of slurry to provide seed crystals for secondary nucleation.

Abstract: An extensometer for use in a borehole comprises a combination of linear motion transducers located with daisy wheel anchors, which may be attached together if desired with extension bars. Linkages are used to connect the transducers to the daisy wheel anchors. The transducers are set up to measure distance changes both axially along the hole or radially. The extensometer includes at least one axially measuring transducer, and at least two radially measuring transducers. The transducers change in value according to changes in borehole dimensions; the transducer values are monitored electrically.

Abstract: White pine blister rust, which infects five-needle pines such as eastern white pine, western white pine and sugar pine, is caused by the fungus Cronartium ribicola. This invention provides monoclonal antibodies which recognize antigens of basidiospores of the fungus. The antifungal antibodies can be genetiacally incorporated into white pines to generate blister resistant trees.

Abstract: The washer comprises an open-topped vessel having a tube mounted vertically and centrally therein. Post-primary bitumen froth is fed to the upper end of the tube. Pairs of down throw and up throw propellers mounted to rotate in the tube act to shear the froth as it passes down through the tube. At its lower end, the tube is closed off by a transverse wall. Slots are formed in the tube side wall to provide an exit. The sheared mixture thus changes direction as it leaves the tube. In the vessel chamber, solids and water sink downwardly and are removed as tailings through a bottom outlet. The sheared aerated bitumen rises and forms a new forth that is recovered in a launder. Middlings are withdrawn from the chamber and recycled to join the feed. The product froth is reduced in water and solids relative to the feed froth.