Abstract: A compound suitable for use in a ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal composition having a structure which contains two chiral centers derived from alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid groups and having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is n-alkoxy containing 1-12 carbo atoms and R.sub.2 is n-alkyl containing 1-12 carbon atoms. Methods of preparation and details of liquid crystal mixtures containing these compounds are described.

Abstract: An oil recovery process comprising contacting an oil deposit with a blend of chemicals containing a fluorochemical of the formula[(R.sub.f).sub.n (R').sub.p ].sub.m Z (I)wherein each R.sub.f is independently a perfluoroaliphatic or omega-hydroperfluoroaliphatic group each of which is optionally interrupted by carbonyl, carboxy, carbonylamino, oxygen, sulfur, sulfinyl, or sulfonyl; n is 1-3 and p is 0 or 1 provided what when p is 0, n is 1; m is 1-5000; each R' is independently an organic linking group between R.sub.f and Z having a valency of n+1; and Z is a hydrocarbyl containing residue of valency m.

Abstract: Time duration indicator systems comprising a porous inert carrier and a volatile liquid, capable of reversibly changing the visual properties of the carrier. Such indicator systems can be used for products having a limited duration of use or life.

Abstract: The disclosure is of the use of chrome humate derivatives to reduce the viscosity of and/or to prevent fluid loss in water-based drilling fluids. The composition is much more effective as a drilling mud thinner, and as a fluid loss control agent than the commercially available ferrochrome lignosulfonate, chrome lignite or humate compositions.

Abstract: A method for increasing the viscosity of CO.sub.2 comprising the steps of: mixing semi-fluorinated alkane and liquid CO.sub.2 ; and venting CO.sub.2 vapor from the liquid CO.sub.2 until the liquid CO.sub.2 becomes supersaturated. A gel that comprises a semi-fluorinated alkane; and liquid CO.sub.2. The semi-fluorinated alkane is of the form (F.sub.3 C)--(CF.sub.2).sub.N-1-(CH.sub.2).sub.M-1 -(CH.sub.3).

Abstract: A multicomponent liquid useful in treating wells or subterranean formations comprising ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and octyl alcohol. Also disclosed are clear aqueous acidic solutions of said liquid and the use thereof in treating wells or subterranean formations.

Abstract: Oil is recovered from a subsurface reservoir by surfactants. Surfactant flooding is accomplished especially in reservoirs with marked temperature fluctuations or a temperature gradient which are normally problematic since a soluble surfactant effective for oil mobilization does not retain these properties over wide temperature ranges of, e.g., 10.degree. to 100.degree. C. The new process provides a good surfactant effectiveness even at such extreme temporary and/or local temperature fluctuations. A mixture of a carboxymethylated oxethylate and a polyglucosyl sorbitol fatty acid ester is used. The polyglucosyl sorbitols used as fatty acid esters are those with 2 to 20 glucose units. Recovery of oil by such surfactant flooding is useful above all in reservoirs with temporary or local temperature changes.

Abstract: A microcapsule produced by preparing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an inner aqueous layer containing said water-soluble drug and a drug retaining substance therefor and an oil layer containing a polymer substance, then thickening or solidifying said inner aqueous layer to a viscosity of not lower than about 5000 centiposes and finally subjecting the resulting emulsion to in water drying gives prolonged release of water-soluble drug.

Abstract: Vinyl aromatic compounds are stabilized against polymerization by the addition of an effective amount of a polymerization inhibition composition comprising (a) a phenothiazine compound; and (b) an aryl-substituted phenylenediamine compound. In other aspects, this invention is directed to a vinyl aromatic composition stabilized against polymerization by such polymerization inhibitor composition, as well as to a method of stabilizing a vinyl aromatic composition against polymerization which method comprises adding an effective amount of such polymerization inhibitor composition.

Abstract: Optically active esters of 1-acylproline of the general formula ##STR1## in which at least one of the radicals R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is a mesogenic radical, are suitable as dopes in ferroelectric liquid-crystal mixtures. Proline derivatives in which only the R.sup.1 radical is mesogenic are preferred.

Abstract: A solid cast block of corrosion inhibitor composition, comprising: (i) about 5 to 20 wt-% silicate, calculated as sodium metasilicate pentahydrate; (ii) about 5 to 90 wt-% borate, calculated as sodium tetraborate pentahydrate; (iii) about 0.5 to 5 wt-% polymeric dispersant such as polyacrylamide; and (iv) a sufficient solidifying amount of water.

Abstract: A glow discharge unit suitable for making surfaces such as carbon-coated electron microscopy grids and glass cover slips hydrophilic. The use of a vacuum leak detector (Tesla coil) in place of a conventional high voltage power supply and a small plastic desiccator for the vacuum chamber make the unit very inexpensive. Due to the small volume of the chamber and the simplicity of the unit, the whole glow discharge process can be carried out in only 2 to 3 min., a time considerably shorter than that required for conventional vacuum evaporators. The hydrophilic surfaces thus obtained improve adsorption of particles by several orders of magnitude in preparation for negative staining, freeze-drying and other procedures.

Abstract: This invention provides novel acrylic copolymers which exhibit nonlinear optical response, and which have utility as a transparent optical component in optical light switch and light modulator devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides an nonlinear optical medium which is a composite of a polymer matrix which exhibits nonlinear optic response, and a silver colloid which is dispersed in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: An optically active carboxylic acid derivative represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a normal alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, m and n represent 0 or 1 but are not 1 at the same time, X represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, Y represents a hydrogen or fluorine atom, provided that when Y is a hydrogen atom, X is a halogen atom, and that when n is 0, Y is ahydrogen atom, and Q* represents an optically active alkyl or 1-alkoxyethyl group having an asymmetric carbon atom.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous basic solution having a calculated pH of 13 or greater of a sulfobetaine which is soluble and stable for extended periods of storage. The sulfobetaine also is soluble and stable in aqueous basic solutions of high concentration, e.g. up to 50% by weight sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal polymer comprising the recurring units represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## in which k is an integer of from 1 to 30,R.sub.1 is ##STR2## R.sub.2 is --COOR.sub.3, --OCOR.sub.3, --OR.sub.3, or --R.sub.3, in whichR.sub.3 is ##STR3## R.sub.4 is --CH.sub.3 or Cl, m is 0 or an integar of from 1 to 10,n is 0 or an integar of from 1 to 10, providing that n is not 0, when R.sub.4 is --CH.sub.3.The ferroelectric liquid crystal polymer of the present invention not only exhibits a ferroelectricity even at temperatures in the vicinity of a room temperature, but also has so fast response speed to the external factors as to be able to display motion pictures, and may be advantageously used as display elements for large size screens and a curved screens.

Abstract: A sealant composition comprises a functionalized polymer component which is prepared by grafting enough carboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, or derivative thereof onto a polymer component to thereby functionalize the polymer component and provide a resultant sealant composition with adhesive which is resistant to deterioration in the presence of water, said polymer component comprising a multiblock copolymer having at least two end blocks A and at least one midblock B, wherein the A blocks comprise monoalkenyl arene blocks and the B blocks comprise substantially completely hydrogenated conjugated diene polymer blocks.

Abstract: A minimum hazard visual screening cloud is formed comprised of an aerosol fine spheres of a titanium dioxide composition, in which the particles are of submicron diameter. The cloud is formed by aerosolizing a compact mass of titanium dioxide spheres of submicron diameter through the action of explosively bursting such compact mass in the atmosphere at the desired cloud location.

Abstract: A spin-on type coalescer filter unit comprises a siphon tube which extends from inside the bottom of the filter element canister along the center line of the element, through the attachment nipple of the filter unit head, and into a fitting designed to receive the tube end. The fitting connects the tube to an oil drain passage so that coalesced oil may be driven through the siphon tube and to a drain line by high pressure in the filter canister.