Abstract: A substance and method for minimizing or eliminating damage to objects caused by animals, especially gnawing and chewing rodents. A wide variety of objects and items can be protected by the practice of the invention. Methods are disclosed for extracting the active repellent ingredient from pepper plants, particularly habanero peppers, and for using the extract to treat the objects to be protected. Disclosed protective treatment methods include applying the extract directly to the item to be protected, and/or mixing the extract with caulks, paints, glues, or rubber coating materials.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for remotely sensing electrical activity and potential for lightning occurrence. The disclosure is particularly directed to the use of such an apparatus and method to detect the electrical alignment of particles in upper levels of electrified storms. Storms are illuminated by radar in one or more orthogonal polarizations and the co-polar and cross-polar returns are correlated coherently and incoherently. The correlation coefficient, or a function thereof, is examined to determine the degree of particle alignment, and therefore the degree of electrification and potential for lightning occurrence. The phase of the correlation computation, in coherent processing, also detects particle alignment, which can be incorporated in the predictive decision. Correlation and phase can be displayed, recorded or, utilized for a prediction or warning.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating, transporting and dissociating gas hydrates are disclosed. The preferred apparatus includes a mobile tank initially containing liquid water. Compressed hydrate-forming gas is combined in a pipe with the liquid water under locally supercooled conditions. The formed gas hydrate is blown into the mobile tank for transport and eventual consumption.

Abstract: A one-pot method of preparing sulfonic acid-terminated polyisobutylene by sulfonation with acetyl sulfate of living polyisobutylene in a single step. The method permits preparation of sulfonated telechelic polyisobutylenes (STPs) by "inifer" initiated carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene with Lewis acid to form a polymer, followed by the addition in the same reaction vessel of acetyl sulfate at the polymerization temperature or the decomposition temperature of the complex.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for determining the permeability and the porosity of small sections at and just below the surface of a slabbed sample of porous rock or other material. The measurement is performed by forcing air or other gas through a central passageway of a deformable (e.g. rubber) probe tip pressed against the surface of the sample to be tested. Permeability of the matter directly under the probe tip is computed from the ratio of flow rate into the sample to the pressure drop between the gas in the probe-tip and the ambient atmosphere. A preferred and an alternative means for measuring flow rate are disclosed involving the use of an optical interferometer to detect displacement of a bellows chamber.

Abstract: Two phase, TiAl.sub.2 -based, ternary aluminides of iron, nickel and other transitional metals are disclosed. A transformation from the tetragonal crystal configurations of the TI--Al system to the face-centered cubic configurations of the TI--Al--Fe and TI--Al--Ni systems is attributed to the transitional elements substituting for titanium in the face-centered cubic crystal lattice of the titanium aluminides. The resulting alloys of the composition Ti.sub.30 M.sub.4 Al.sub.66 or Ti.sub.25 M.sub.9 Al.sub.66, including Ti.sub.30 Fe.sub.4 Al.sub.66 and Ti.sub.30 Ni.sub.4 Al.sub.66, are low density, high temperature, aluminum-rich alloys possessing desirable properties, including ductility.

Abstract: A well testing method and apparatus for reservoir characterization during a drilling operation by making use of conventional drilling facilities. The tests can be performed at various degrees of wellbore penetration in the formation. If the test is conducted as soon as the top of the formation is penetrated by the bit, the effects of formation damage (skin) may be minimized or even eliminated. The proposed technique is particularly suitable for formations displaying weak pore structure, tight formation, and/or relatively low reservoir pressure. The method consists of two major steps; a drawdown test with a variable rate, and a build up test. A computer simulator is necessary and also useful for pressure transient analysis for determination of reservoir pressure and transmissibility. From the data recorded from a single well test utilizing this method and apparatus, fluid mobility and formation thickness can be calculated.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to increasing ice nucleation activity of liquids and gases by using lichens, fungi, and ice nuclei derived from lichen fungi. The invention is particularly useful for snowmaking, cloud seeding, and other industrial freezing and cooling processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to high-hardness, high-toughness, high-density composite materials containing diamond, and a process for making such materials comprising applying shock compression to the composite powders and inducing an exothermic chemical reaction. The process is useful in making metal, ceramic and cermet diamond composite materials.

Abstract: Solvent-type flooding fluids comprising light hydrocarbons in the range of ethane to hexane (and mixtures thereof) are used to displace crude oil in formations having temperatures of about 20 degrees to about 150 degrees Centigrade and pressures above about 650 psi, the light hydrocarbons having dissolved therein from about 0.05% to about 3% of an organotin compound of the formula R.sub.3 SnF where each R is independently an alkyl, aryl or alkyaryl group from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. Under the pressures and temperatures described, the organotin compounds become pentacoordinated and linked through the electronegative bridges, forming polymers within the light hydrocarbon flooding media to render them highly viscous. Under ambient conditions, the viscosity control agents will not readily be produced from the formation with either crude oil or water, since they are insoluble in the former and only sparingly soluble in the latter.

Abstract: A method of mining rock utilizes a high-intensity electron beam to break the rock. The electron beam is directed onto the surface of the rock, and has sufficient energy either to ablate the rock at the zone of beam impingement and generate an ablation pressure that is sufficiently high to fracture the rock or to expand thermally the rock and generate a dynamic pressure in a lateral direction to fracture the rock. The electron beam is moved along the surface of the rock at a speed in phase with the speed of crack propagation in the rock.

Abstract: Underground strata surrounding a coal seam are prestressed by repeated fracturing with a settable material to strengthen and seal the strata to contain a hydrostatic pressure in the coal seam of about 100 to about 500 atmospheres, thereby providing a gas and liquid-tight seal surrounding and within the coal seam. After the strata surrounding the coal seam and the coal seam itself are sealed, an hydrogenating agent is supplied to the coal seam and is maintained at a temperature of approximately 300 to 500 degrees centigrade and a pressure of from about 100 to about 500 atmospheres to liquefy and hydrogenate the coal in situ. When a region of coal is liquefied out to the boundary of the prestressing, the liquefied coal is pumped out for use.