Abstract: Nuclear fuel rods are disclosed. The nuclear fuel rods include a substrate and a chromium alloy coating layer applied to the substrate. The chromium alloy coating layer comprises chromium (Cr); a element or compound selected from the group consisting of yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), thorium (Th), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), hafnium (I-lf), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), vanadium (V), rhenium (Re), ruthenium (Ru), cobalt (Co), aluminum (Al), carbides, borides, intermetallics, and combinations thereof; and interstitial elements up to 1500 ppm, wherein carbon (C), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N) are each 500 ppm or less.

Abstract: Provided is a protective heel enclosure device that is adapted to prevent the back of the footwear from becoming scuffed or damaged while worn by a user. The footwear protector includes a sleeve having an upper and an elongated heel portion extending downward therefrom. The upper portion of the sleeve includes a zipper, which facilitates the opening of the upper portion of the sleeve. The heel portion of the sleeve includes a sole portion attached thereon, which provides traction so as to prevent skidding. The sleeve is constructed to fit snugly to the back and heel of the footwear. In this way, the protective heel enclosure device of the present invention will not tend to move or will only move relatively minimally against the footwear as it protects the back and heel of the footwear and prolongs the life of the same.

Abstract: Moisturizing compositions comprising microspheres for the purpose of preventing or reducing moisture loss from the skin.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymeric particles which comprises mixing at least one monomer with a polymerization initiator, a crosslinking component and a chain transfer component; effecting bulk polymerization until partial polymerization results; dispersing the aforementioned partially polymerized monomer product in water containing a stabilizing component to obtain a suspension of particles in water and polymerizing the resulting suspension.