Abstract: The present, invention relates to liquid crystal compositions having a smectic A structure for use in an optical device in which the composition is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (12-15). In essence the composition includes a siloxane oligomer (component (a)) which may be seen to construct a layered SmA system of particular spacing and “strength”. Within this structure a low molar mass nematic mesogen (component (c)) is provided that may be considered to be that of a “plasticiser” which moderates the layer “strength”, while simultaneously providing tuneability to the properties of the composition, e.g. its refractive index or dielectric anisotropy. The addition of a side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (component (d)) allows such systems to be further moderated since they can be considered as binding together the la>¾rs, both within a given layer and between layers.

Abstract: A method can include combusting an expanded turbine exhaust and a first fuel within a first reformer to produce a first exhaust. A hydrocarbon can be reformed in the first reformer to produce a reformed hydrocarbon and heat can be transferred from the first exhaust to a first medium. A refrigeration unit can be powered with thermal energy from the heated first medium and can cool a second medium. Heat can be transferred from one or more oxidants to the cooled second medium to produce cooled first and second oxidants. The cooled first oxidant and a second fuel can be introduced to a gas turbine unit to produce the expanded turbine exhaust and mechanical power. The cooled second oxidant can be compressed in a compressor powered with the mechanical power and the compressed second oxidant and the reformed hydrocarbon can be introduced to a second reformer to produce a syngas.

Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation has an I?SmA*?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2., and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.

Abstract: The present, invention relates to liquid crystal compositions having a smectic A structure for use in an optical device in which the composition is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes (12-15). In essence the composition includes a siloxane oligomer (component (a)) which may be seen to construct a layered SmA system of particular spacing and “strength”. Within this structure a low molar mass nematic mesogen (component (c)) is provided that may be considered to be that of a “plasticiser” which moderates the layer “strength”, while simultaneously providing tuneability to the properties of the composition, e.g. its refractive index or dielectric anisotropy. The addition of a side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (component (d)) allows such systems to be further moderated since they can be considered as binding together the la>¾rs, both within a given layer and between layers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or organic non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation is nano-phase segregated in the SmC* phase, has an I?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., has a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, and has a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2, and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.

Abstract: A method can include combusting an expanded turbine exhaust and a first fuel within a first reformer to produce a first exhaust. A hydrocarbon can be reformed in the first reformer to produce a reformed hydrocarbon and heat can be transferred from the first exhaust to a first medium. A refrigeration unit can be powered with thermal energy from the heated first medium and can cool a second medium. Heat can be transferred from one or more oxidants to the cooled second medium to produce cooled first and second oxidants. The cooled first oxidant and a second fuel can be introduced to a gas turbine unit to produce the expanded turbine exhaust and mechanical power. The cooled second oxidant can be compressed in a compressor powered with the mechanical power and the compressed second oxidant and the reformed hydrocarbon can be introduced to a second reformer to produce a syngas.

Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optic device. The liquid crystal electro-optic device comprises at least one liquid crystal cell comprising: a pair of substrates having a gap therebetween; a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes positioned on one of the substrates or one electrode positioned on each substrate; and a ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material disposed in the gap between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material exhibiting an I-? SmC* phase sequence wherein the liquid crystal electro-optic device is bistable in operation. The invention also involves a method for making a liquid crystal electro-optic device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or organic non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation is nano-phase segregated in the SmC* phase, has an I?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., has a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, and has a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2, and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.

Abstract: A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation has an I?SmA*?SmC* phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2., and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described.

Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optic device. The liquid crystal electro-optic device comprises at least one liquid crystal cell comprising: a pair of substrates having a gap therebetween; a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes positioned on one of the substrates or one electrode positioned on each substrate; and a ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material disposed in the gap between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material exhibiting an I-? SmC* phase sequence wherein the liquid crystal electro-optic device is bistable in operation. The invention also involves a method for making a liquid crystal electro-optic device.

Abstract: An apparatus for angularly positioning a shaker bed, including a discharge end, includes an air source providing pressurized air, an hydraulic tank in selective communication with the air source and containing a quantity of fluid, at least one bellow in selective fluid communication with the hydraulic tank, and a lift control assembly controlling communication of pressurized air between the air source and the hydraulic tank and controlling communication of fluid between the hydraulic tank and the at least one bellow.

Abstract: A screen system employs a resiliently mounted housing, a vibration generator mounted to the housing, a mounting frame fixed to the resiliently mounted housing and a support surface. This system receives a screen including a screen frame and pre-tensioned screen cloth. The frame includes an inwardly extending mounting flange accessible from below the screen when placed in the housing. Clips pivotally mounted relative to the mounting frame include a first rounded lever extending upwardly to selectively engage the inwardly extending mounting flange. Second levers extend downwardly to cooperate with actuators. The actuators include inflatable bodies with contacts which, upon inflation, force the clips to engage the inwardly extending mounting flanges. This engagement retains the screen on a resiliently mounted housing and is able to further tension the screen in place.

Abstract: Siloxane compositions are useful as traction fluids in traction drive systems which are subject to varied operating temperature and pressure conditions. Specific siloxane compositions included contain units of formulae (I) (R3SiO1/2)(RSiO3/2)(SiO4/2), (II) (R3SiO1/2)(RSiO3/2), (III) (R3SiO1/2)(SiO4/2), (IV) (R3SiO1/2)(R2SiO2/2)(RSiO3/2), (V) (R3SiO1/2)(R2SiO2/2), and (VI) (R2SiO2/2)a in varying mole percents, where a is an integer ranging from 3 to 20 and each R is independently selected from alkyl groups comprising 1 to 18 carbon atoms and aryl groups comprising 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Traction fluids suitable for operations under widely varying temperature environments, particularly having excellent low temperature properties are described. The tractions fluids comprise blends of organic oils and siloxane compositions. The siloxane compositions may include MTQ, MT, MQ, MDT, MDM, or D units in varying molar percents.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a siloxane resin composition comprising R1SiO3/2 siloxane units, R2SiO3/2 siloxane units and (R3O)bSiO(4-b)/2 siloxane units wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbons, hydrogen, or mixtures thereof; R2 is a monovalent organic group having 6 to 30 carbons; R3 is a branched alkyl group having 3 to 30 carbons, b is from 1 to 3; and the siloxane resin contains from 2.5 to 85 mole percent R1SiO3/2 units, 2.5 to 50 mole percent R2SiO3/2 units and 5 to 95 mole percent (R3O)bSiO(4-b)/2 units. The siloxane resin is useful to make insoluble porous resin and insoluble porous coatings. Heating a substrate coated with the siloxane resin at a sufficient temperature effects removal of the R2 and R3O groups to form an insoluble insoluble porous coating having a porosity of 1 to 60 volume percent and a dielectric constant in the range of 1.5 to 3.0.

Abstract: Siloxane compositions are useful as traction fluids in traction drive systems which are subject to varied operating temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: Nanoporous silicone resins and silicone resin films having low dielectric constants and a method for preparing such nanoporous silicone resins. The silicone resin comprises the reaction product of a mixture comprising (A) 15-70 mol % of a tetraalkoxysilane described by formula Si(OR1)4,  where each R1 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, (B) 12 to 60 mol % of a hydrosilane described by formula HSiX3,  where each X is an independently selected hydrolyzable substituent, (C) 15 to 70 mole percent of an organotrialkoxysilane described by formula R2Si(OR3)3,  where R2 is a hydrocarbon group comprising about 8 to 24 carbon atoms or a substituted hydrocarbon group comprising a hydrocarbon chain having about 8 to 24 carbon atoms and each R3 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; in the presence of (D) water, (E) hydrolysis catalyst, and (F) organic solvent for the reaction product.

Abstract: A method for hydrolyzing chlorosilanes having at least three chlorine atoms bonded to each silicon atom to form silicone resins. The method comprises adding at least one of hydridotrichlorosilane, tetrachlorosilane, or organotrichlorosilane to a two-phase mixture comprising a non-polar organic solvent, an aqueous phase comprising 0 to about 43 weight percent hydrochloric acid, and a surface active compound selected from the group consisting of organosulfates described by formula R2SO4H and alkali metal salts thereof, where R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups comprising about 4 to 16 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl groups comprising 7 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Soluble silicone resin compositions having good solution stability and a method for their preparation. The silicone resin comprises the reaction product of a mixture comprising (A) 15-70 mol % of a tetraalkoxysilane described by formula Si(OR1)4, where each R1 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, (B) 12 to 60 mol % of a hydrosilane described by formula HSiX3, where each X is an independently selected hydrolyzable substituent, (C) 15 to 70 mole percent of an organotrialkoxysilane described by formula R2Si(OR3)3, where R2 is a hydrocarbon group comprising about 8 to 24 carbon atoms or a substituted hydrocarbon group comprising a hydrocarbon chain having about 8 to 24 carbon atoms and each R3 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; in the presence of (D) water, (E) hydrolysis catalyst, and (F) organic solvent for the reaction product.

Abstract: Nanoporous silicone resins and silicone resin films having low dielectric constants and a method for preparing such nanoporous silicone resins.