Abstract: The invention relates to levelling agents for surface coatings having a weight-average molecular weight of from 5000 to 100,000. The levelling agent is a branched polymer comprising a free-radically or ionically polymerized base molecule into which macromonomeric units containing at one end a monomeric unit which has an ethylenically unsaturated bond and possessing a weight-average molecular weight of from 1000 to 30,000 have been incorporated by free-radical or ionic copolymerization, the weight fraction of the macromonomeric units, based on the total weight of the branched polymer, being from 1 to 60% by weight. The invention further relates to the use of appropriate polymers as levelling agents for coating formulations and to coating formulations comprising the levelling agents of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of block copolymers as leveling agents for surface coatings, having a weight-average molecular weight of from 1000 to 100000. The leveling agent is a linear or branched block copolymer composed of a polysiloxane block and one or more blocks prepared from ethylenically unsaturated monomers by controlled free-radical addition polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration detector device (1) suitable for use as a cochlear implant (12). The detector device (1) comprises a substrate (2) formed and arranged for supporting a plurality of resonator bars (4). The resonator bars (4) are of a uniform length and are supported at each end (6, 8) by the substrate material (2). Each of the resonator bars (4) has a distinct resonant frequency characteristic and is arranged with a piezoelectric generator to generate a signal in response to receiving a vibration which causes the resonator bar (4) to vibrate at its resonant frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to levelling agents for surface coatings having a weight-average molecular weight of from 5000 to 100,000. The levelling agent is a branched polymer comprising a free-radically or ionically polymerized base molecule into which macromonomeric units containing at one end a monomeric unit which has an ethylenically unsaturated bond and possessing a weight-average molecular weight of from 1000 to 30,000 have been incorporated by free-radical or ionic copolymerization, the weight fraction of the macromonomeric units, based on the total weight of the branched polymer, being from 1 to 60% by weight. The invention further relates to the use of appropriate polymers as levelling agents for coating formulations and to coating formulations comprising the levelling agents of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to coating compositions having anti-adhesion and dirt repellency properties, these compositions being admixed as additive with from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the solids content of the coating composition, of a branched polymer which possesses a weight-average molecular weight of from 2000 to 200,000 and comprises a polymeric base molecule and also polydiorganosiloxane side chains which are bonded covalently to the base molecule via Si—C bonds, have a weight-average molecular weight of between 1000 and 30,000, and whose fraction of the total weight of the branched polymer is from 5 to 25% by weight. The present invention further relates to polymeric moulding compounds having anti-adhesion and dirt repellency properties, to which this branched polymer is added as additive in an amount of from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymeric moulding compounds.

Abstract: A magnetic thrust compensator for a mechanical thrust bearing includes a parallel operating axial magnetic bearing including a stator including two parallel stator extensions, a rotor disk situated between the two stator extensions, and first and second electromagnets each situated on a respective stator extension and facing the rotor disk. A controller selectively energizes one of the electromagnets. Additional stator extensions and rotor disks can be used to provide fault tolerance. The electromagnets can each include dual annular windings. The compensator can include an additional stator extension, an additional rotor disk, and bias magnet situated on the additional stator extension and facing the additional rotor disk with the controller being adapted to selectively supply current to the bias magnet.

Abstract: An X-ray interferometer comprises a plane film of material of low X-ray absorption coefficient, a first surface facing one side of the film, and a second surface facing the other side of the film and substantially opposite the first surface, the first and second surfaces being of high X-ray absorption coefficient and being relatively inclined at a small angle, arranged so that when a beam of X-rays is incident on the film at a glancing angle in the plane in which the small angle of relative inclination lies, a first part of the incident beam is, in sequence, transmitted by the film, reflected by the first surface, and reflected by the film as a first partial beam, and a second part of the incident beam is, in sequence, reflected by the film, reflected by the second surface, and transmitted by the film as a second partial beam which intersects the first partial beam.

Abstract: The match-head compositions have a content of microscopic hollow particles or "microspheres", generally 10 to 1000 microns in diameter. Compositions may be formulated for any type of match. Microspheres are described having walls of siliceous materials, plastics materials (such as phenolic resins) and carbon. The presence of microspheres offers considerable savings in materials, and enables good burning rate and striking sensitivity to be achieved without the need for special aeration measures.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction grating consisting of a structure having a surface capable of reflecting x-rays, said surface being grooved so that in cross-section the profile of said surface alternates regularly between geometrically similar lines, in which the height of the alternation varies significantly over the area of the surface. The grating may be plane or curved; the variation in height may occur as a single step, a plurality of steps or may be continuous; the variation may occur either transverse to or parallel to the grooving.

Abstract: A flow control device for accurately regulating the flow of fluid through flexible tubing. A pivotal platen is employed in conjunction with a roller which upon rotation along an intersecting axis with a length of tubing will effect a squeezing or compressive action on the tubing but with the compressive force being applied over a wide area of the tubing so as to not effect a distortion of the tubing after the compressive force is discontinued. The flow control unit can be utilized as a clamp in that it can completely disrupt the flow of fluid through the tubing yet it is highy adapted to being used as a flow control device in conjunction with a parenteral administration set.