Abstract: Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of 1,2-dichloropropane, a by-product in the production of chlorohydrin, as a low cost starting material, alone or in combination with 1,2,3-trichloropropane. At least one chlorination step is conducted in the gas phase. The present processes can also generate anhydrous HCI as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, providing further time and cost savings.

Abstract: A ceramic short circuit resistant capacitor that is bendable and/or shapeable to provide a multiple layer capacitor that is extremely compact and amenable to desirable geometries. The capacitor that exhibits a benign failure mode in which a multitude of discrete failure events result in a gradual loss of capacitance. Each event is a localized event in which localized heating causes an adjacent portion of one or both of the electrodes to vaporize, physically cleaning away electrode material from the failure site. A first metal electrode, a second metal electrode, and a ceramic dielectric layer between the electrodes are thin enough to be formed in a serpentine-arrangement with gaps between the first electrode and the second electrode that allow venting of vaporized electrode material in the event of a benign failure.

Abstract: Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of 1,2-dichloropropane, a by-product in the production of chlorohydrin, as a low cost starting material, alone or in combination with 1,2,3-trichloropropane. At least one chlorination step is conducted in the gas phase. The present processes can also generate anhydrous HCI as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, providing further time and cost savings.

Abstract: The use of sulfuryl chloride, either alone or in combination with chlorine, as a chlorinating agent is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies for improving the reaction kinetics of, conserving reactants utilized in, and/or producing a more pure reaction product of, liquid-phase reactions that involve volatile reactants and products are provided. The methods and assemblies herein provide for a feed of reaction liquid to two or more absorption zones, wherein the temperature and/or feed rate of the liquid is independently adjusted prior to introduction into at least one of the two or more absorption zones. More particularly, the temperature and feed rate of the liquid as delivered to each absorption zone can be adjusted independently to optimize the absorption of at least a portion of any gaseous reactants and byproducts from the gaseous product stream and/or to optimize reaction zone conditions. Reaction kinetics may thus be improved, or substantially maintained.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies for improving the reaction kinetics of, conserving reactants utilized in, and/or producing a more pure reaction product of, liquid-phase reactions that involve volatile reactants and products are provided. The methods and assemblies herein provide for a feed of reaction liquid to two or more absorption zones, wherein the temperature and/or feed rate of the liquid is independently adjusted prior to introduction into at least one of the two or more absorption zones. More particularly, the temperature and feed rate of the liquid as delivered to each absorption zone can be adjusted independently to optimize the absorption of at least a portion of any gaseous reactants and byproducts from the gaseous product stream and/or to optimize reaction zone conditions. Reaction kinetics may thus be improved, or substantially maintained.

Abstract: A method that employs a novel combination of conventional fabrication techniques provides a ceramic short-resistant capacitor that is bendable and/or shapeable to provide a multiple layer capacitor that is extremely compact and amenable to desirable geometries. The method allows thinner and more flexible ceramic capacitors to be made. The method includes forming a first thin metal layer on a substrate; depositing a thin, ceramic dielectric layer over the metal layer; depositing a second thin metal layer over the dielectric layer to form a capacitor exhibiting a benign failure mode; and separating the capacitor from the substrate. The method may also include bending the resulting capacitor into a serpentine arrangement with gaps between the layers that allow venting of evaporated electrode material in the event of a benign failure.

Abstract: A capacitor exhibiting a benign failure mode has a first electrode layer, a first ceramic dielectric layer deposited on a surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode layer disposed on the ceramic dielectric layer, wherein selected areas of the ceramic dielectric layer have additional dielectric material of sufficient thickness to exhibit a higher dielectric breakdown voltage than the remaining majority of the dielectric layer. The added thickness of the dielectric layer in selected areas allows lead connections to be made at the selected areas of greater dielectric thickness while substantially eliminating a risk of dielectric breakdown and failure at the lead connections, whereby the benign failure mode is preserved.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies for improving the reaction kinetics of, conserving reactants utilized in, and/or producing a more pure reaction product of, liquid-phase reactions that involve volatile reactants and products are provided. The methods and assemblies herein provide for a feed of reaction liquid to two or more absorption zones, wherein the temperature and/or feed rate of the liquid is independently adjusted prior to introduction into at least one of the two or more absorption zones. More particularly, the temperature and feed rate of the liquid as delivered to each absorption zone can be adjusted independently to optimize the absorption of at least a portion of any gaseous reactants and byproducts from the gaseous product stream and/or to optimize reaction zone conditions. Reaction kinetics may thus be improved, or substantially maintained.

Abstract: A method that employs a novel combination of conventional fabrication techniques provides a ceramic short-resistant capacitor that is bendable and/or shapeable to provide a multiple layer capacitor that is extremely compact and amenable to desirable geometries. The method allows thinner and more flexible ceramic capacitors to be made. The method includes forming a first thin metal layer on a substrate; depositing a thin, ceramic dielectric layer over the metal layer; depositing a second thin metal layer over the dielectric layer to form a capacitor exhibiting a benign failure mode; and separating the capacitor from the substrate.

Abstract: A capacitor exhibiting a benign failure mode has a first electrode layer, a first ceramic dielectric layer deposited on a surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode layer disposed on the ceramic dielectric layer, wherein selected areas of the ceramic dielectric layer have additional dielectric material of sufficient thickness to exhibit a higher dielectric breakdown voltage than the remaining majority of the dielectric layer. The added thickness of the dielectric layer in selected areas allows lead connections to be made at the selected areas of greater dielectric thickness while substantially eliminating a risk of dielectric breakdown and failure at the lead connections, whereby the benign failure mode is preserved.

Abstract: A new ytterbium-phosphate glass and a method for producing the same are disclosed. The glass finds special use in forming laser glass. Previously the level of ytterbium that could be incorporated into a phosphate glass without leading to formation of crystals or devitrification was limited. It has been found that much higher levels of ytterbium can be incorporated if an initial glass melt is formed from phosphate and ytterbium prior to adding the other components. Using the present process ytterbium-phosphate glasses having up to 30 mole percent ytterbium can be created. The new glasses function as well and often better than previous ytterbium containing glasses as laser glasses especially when combined with one or more of the lasing ions erbium oxide, neodymium oxide, holmium oxide or thulium oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for a non-invasive method for determining the presence or absence of cancerous cells in the skin and deeper tissue levels. The system includes a portable handheld laser coupled with a spectroscopy system to produce real-time material analysis of the presence of cancerous cells without sample preparation. The system focuses a high peak power laser pulse onto a targeted material to produce a laser spark or micro-plasma. Elemental line spectra emission is created, collected and analyzed by a spectrophotometer. The line spectra emission data is quickly displayed on a laptop computer. “Eye-safe” Class I lasers provide for practical in-situ laser plasma spectroscopy applications such as detection of cancerous skin tissues. The emission data can be used to detect changes in the levels of a series of elements that are associated with cancerous cells versus normal skin cells.

Abstract: A method of transferring energy in an optical fiber (12) from the fiber's cladding element (16) of the fiber's core element (14) is disclosed. The core element (14) includes an active gain component and an energy migration component, and the cladding element (16), which surrounds the core element (14), includes the energy migration component. The method includes the steps of providing a pump (22) for producting energy and optically coupling the pump with the cladding element (16), such that the energy is absorbed and stored in the cladding element (16) by its energy migration component. A further step includes the active gain component in the core element (14) lasing or providing gain, when the transferring of energy from the cladding element's energy migration component to the core element's energy migration component takes place.

Abstract: A thick-film resistor component may include a thick film component formed between a thick-film resistor and an electrically conductive sheet, wherein a portion of the sheet is selectively removed to form resistor contacts while exposing a portion of the thick-film component. Electrical terminals to a thick-film resistor may be sized to reduce stress and/or be selectively positioned relative to the resistor to define a desired resistor value. A thick-film resistor may include one or more resistor segments configured to be selectively open-circuited to incrementally adjust the value of the resistor.

Abstract: A method of transferring energy in an optical fiber structure is disclosed. This method transfers energy from a cladding element of the fiber structure to a core element of the fiber structure. The core element includes an active gain component and an energy migration component. The cladding element, which surrounds the core element, includes the energy migration component. The structure and method can be utilized to provide either an optical fiber laser or an optical fiber amplifier. The method includes the steps of providing a pump for producing the energy and optically coupling the pump with the cladding element. The cladding element, including the energy migration component, is then pumped with the energy produced by the pump such that the energy is absorbed and stored in the cladding element by the energy migration component.

Abstract: A high-gain phosphate glass composition, which can be used to produce ultra-short gain length lasers and optical amplifiers is described wherein the composition of the glass in addition to exhibiting high gain for lasers and amplifiers, also exhibits high thermal shock resistance, high cross section, insignificant concentration quenching, and high solubility for rare earth ions and other properties which enable the material to be fabricated into a new class of ultra-short length micro-laser, fiber laser and amplifier configurations and designs.

Abstract: A pressure transducer suitable for use as a component of a passive occupant detection system installed in a passenger vehicle. The transducer comprises first and second contact members separated by a spacing member. The first contact member has on a surface thereof a primary contact comprising first and second terminations and portions spaced apart in a first direction. The second contact member has on a surface thereof a plurality of secondary contacts crossing and facing the spaced-apart portions of the primary contact through an opening in the spacing member. Application of an increasing force causes the contact members to move toward each other, causing an increasing number of the spaced-apart portions to be shorted out by the secondary contacts and causing an increasing number of secondary contacts to contact the primary contact, thereby altering the electrical path between the terminations of the primary contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a vacuum hose and a pressure hose of a carpet cleaning system to a support. In one embodiment, the support is secured to a railing structure of a building or dwelling. The vacuum hose and pressure hose are extended from a base unit to the support which is secured to the railing structure. Both the vacuum hose and the pressure hose are secured or clamped within the support such that both hoses are supported and held intermediately between the base unit and an application wand. This method of supporting vacuum and pressure hoses of a carpet cleaning system is particularly useful when cleaning floors and carpets on levels above ground.

Abstract: A method of transferring energy in an optical fiber structure is disclosed. This method transfers energy from a cladding element of the fiber structure to a core element of the fiber structure. The core element includes an active gain component and an energy migration component. The cladding element, which surrounds the core element, includes the energy migration component. The structure and method can be utilized to provide either an optical fiber laser or an optical fiber amplifier. The method includes the steps of providing a pump for producing the energy and optically coupling the pump with the cladding element. The cladding element, including the energy migration component, is then pumped with the energy produced by the pump such that the energy is absorbed and stored in the cladding element by the energy migration component.