Abstract: Silica hydrogel is prepared by electrolysis of an aqueous anolyte solution containing an alkali metal silicate and a salt of a non-siliceous anion, such as sodium nitrate or sodium sulfate, in a cell with a cation permselective membrane separating the anolyte and an aqueous catholyte. The electrolysis is effected in the presence of the salt to deposit silica hydrogel on the anode. The hydrogel can be easily recovered from the anode and dried to produce regular and intermediate density silica xerogels having narrow pore size distributions.

Abstract: Silica hydrogel is prepared by electrolysis of an aqueous anolyte solution containing an alkali metal silicate and a salt of a non-siliceous anion, such as sodium nitrate or sodium sulfate, in a cell with a cation permselective membrane separating the anolyte and an aqueous catholyte. The electrolysis is effected in the presence of the salt to deposit silica hydrogel on the anode. The hydrogel can be easily recovered from the anode and dried to produce regular and intermediate density silica xerogels having narrow pore size distributions.

Abstract: A process for electrocleaning articles comprised of a substrate having a copper coating thereover to remove adherent and embedded contaminating carbon particles from the coating, rendering the article in suitable condition for further electroplating operations. The electrocleaning treatment includes immersing the article in an aqueous alkaline solution containing a controlled effective amount of an inorganic complexing agent possessed of copper solubilizing properties and effective to retain the solubilized copper in solution in the form of a complex. The article is cathodically electrified continuously or on an intermittent basis for at least a portion of the period while immersed in the aqueous alkaline solution to accelerate the solubilization of the copper and the dislodgment and removal of the contaminating carbon particles, whereafter the electrocleaned article is rinsed.

Abstract: An attitude insensitive mercury relay including a hermetically sealed non-magnetic enclosure composed of a header and header cap welded together in a high pressure hydrogen atmosphere, including one or more stationary contacts extending insulatedly into the enclosure and a magnetic diaphragm as armature, in the form of a single planar tight spiral having physically separated turns. In one form of a the device, the interior of the enclosure and the diaphragm may be mercury wettable, excluding only an insulating feedthrough button as provided for a stationary contact, and also excluding a portion of the face of the contact, which is intended to sustain impact by the armature, the mercury wettable portion of that face being indented with respect to the impact area, and the quantity of mercury in the enclosure being sufficient, but only sufficient, to sustain a thin layer of mercury on the mercury wettable surfaces. In other forms the enclosure may be non-metallic, e.g.