Abstract: Provided are chrome-free adhesion pretreatment processes for use on a variety of reinforced or unreinforced plastics and polymers, such as polyimides, polyetherimides and polyvinylchloride. The pretreatment process can be performed in a combination of two sequential operations, which includes treating with a first solution containing nitric acid and subsequently treating with a second solution that includes sulfuric acid and periodate ions. Alternatively, the pretreatment process can be performed by treatment with a single combined composition that includes nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and periodate ions. The pretreatment processes, either done in two separate solutions, sequentially, or in one combined solution, produce an adherent surface for further metallization of the article, with adhesional values of the metal layer higher than those achieved using conventional chromic acid pretreatment processes.

Abstract: A process of enhancing surface adhesion of polyetherimides for metal plating includes contacting sulfuric acid with a surface of a polyetherimide substrate for a first dwell time to form a pre-etched polyetherimide substrate, contacting the pre-etched polyetherimide substrate with a mixture of sulfuric acid and periodate ions for a dwell time to form an oxidized polyetherimide surface, contacting the oxidized polyetherimide surface with an alkaline metal hydroxide solution for a third dwell time without rinsing between the applying steps or between the applying and contacting steps, where the polyetherimide is free of or includes a low volume percentage of reinforcement particles, and the process does not include contacting the polyetherimide substrate with nitric acid in any step.

Abstract: Provided are chrome-free adhesion pretreatment processes for use on a variety of reinforced or unreinforced plastics and polymers, such as polyimides, polyetherimides and polyvinylchloride. The pretreatment process can be performed in a combination of two sequential operations, which includes treating with a first solution containing nitric acid and subsequently treating with a second solution that includes sulfuric acid and periodate ions. Alternatively, the pretreatment process can be performed by treatment with a single combined composition that includes nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and periodate ions. The pretreatment processes, either done in two separate solutions, sequentially, or in one combined solution, produce an adherent surface for further metallization of the article, with adhesional values of the metal layer higher than those achieved using conventional chromic acid pretreatment processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the adhesional pretreatment of plastics surface prior to their metallization by chemical or electrochemical methods and may be used in those industrial fields where decorative or functional metallic coatings on top of the plastic surfaces are needed. The purpose of the proposed invention is a high-quality adhesional pretreatment of plastic surface prior to metallization. The purpose is achieved by treating the plastic before to etch it 5-15 min at 50-70° C. in the alcaline permanganic solution containing 1-3M NaOH and 0.1-0.5 M permanganate ions and acidic permanganic etching solution additionally contains 0.5-8.0 M of copper nitrate and the etching is performed at room temperature during 5-60 min.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the adhesional pretreatment of plastics surface prior to their metallization by chemical or electrochemical methods and may be used in those industrial fields where decorative or functional metalic coatings on top of the plastic surfaces are needed. The purpose of the proposed invention is a high-quality adhesional pretreatment of plastic surface prior to metallization. The purpose is achieved by treating the plastic before to etch it 5-15 min at 50-70° C. in the alcaline permanganic solution containing 1-3M NaOH and 0.1-0.5 M permanganate ions and acidic permanganic etching solution additionally contains 0.5-8.0 M of copper nitrate and the etching is performed at room temperature during 5-60 min.

Abstract: Provided are chrome-free adhesion pretreatment processes for use on a variety of reinforced or unreinforced plastics and polymers, such as polyimides, polyetherimides and polyvinylchloride. The pretreatment process can be performed in a combination of two sequential operations, which includes treating with a first solution containing nitric acid and subsequently treating with a second solution that includes sulfuric acid and periodate ions. Alternatively, the pretreatment process can be performed by treatment with a single combined composition that includes nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and periodate ions. The pretreatment processes, either done in two separate solutions, sequentially, or in one combined solution, produce an adherent surface for further metallization of the article, with adhesional values of the metal layer higher than those achieved using conventional chromic acid pretreatment processes.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for clustering documents that includes receiving at least a first first-level cluster of documents and a second first-level cluster of documents, wherein the first first-level cluster includes one or more first documents associated with a first domain, the first documents satisfying a first first-level classification criterion, and the second first-level cluster including one or more second documents associated with a second domain, the second documents satisfying a second first-level classification criterion. The method also includes creating, by a processor of the computer system, a second-level cluster by combining the first first-level cluster with the second first-level cluster when a) the first first-level cluster and second first-level cluster satisfy a second-level classification criterion; and b) the first domain does not match the second domain.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting invalid webpages by analyzing server redirects. A storage comprising a set of previously stored target addresses is queried to determine whether one or more of the set of previously stored target addresses result from a redirect initiated from more than a predetermined number of originating addresses. On determining that a target address resulted from a redirect initiated from more than the predetermined number of originating addresses, the originating addresses are analyzed to determine, for each address, a difference between information previously stored for the originating address and information associated with the respective target address. If the difference satisfies a predetermined threshold, the originating address is marked as not valid or is removed.

Abstract: A composition for forming a gasket comprises a curable elastomer material and 0.1-20 weight % (e.g., 4-10 weight %) carbon nanotubes dispersed throughout the elastomer material. A dispensed bead of elastomer material exhibits a Slump ratio of at least 0.7. The composition provides the correct balance of rheology/dispensing characteristics, seal characteristics, and contamination profile characteristics required in form-in-place gasket applications, while simultaneously providing a conductive form-in-place gasket.

Abstract: An article including a surface having a coating thereon, in which the coating includes a base coat, firmly adhered to the surface, and a hydrophilic, biocompatible top-coat. An antibiotic ceramic component is dispersed in one or both of the base coat and top-coat. Preferably, the ceramic component is dispersed in the base coat. In a preferred embodiment, the ceramic component is a zeolite with silver ions exchanged onto internal acidic sites of the zeolite, and the top-coat includes a polysaccharide, such as hyaluronan. The zeolite is highly effective in imparting anti-microbial character to the coating.

Abstract: An article including a surface having a coating thereon, in which the coating includes a base coat, firmly adhered to the surface, and a hydrophilic, biocompatible top-coat. An antibiotic ceramic component is dispersed in one or both of the base coat and top-coat. Preferably, the ceramic component is dispersed in the base coat. In a preferred embodiment, the ceramic component is a zeolite with silver ions exchanged onto internal acidic sites of the zeolite, and the top-coat includes a polysaccharide, such as hyaluronan. The zeolite is highly effective in imparting anti-microbial character to the coating.

Abstract: A Brewster angle refractometer, based on the principal that reflectivity of light polarized parallel to the plane of incidence is minimized at the Brewster angle, is used to determine the refractive index of a material. The refractometer has a precision mechanical drive arrangement for precisely determining the refractive index over a range of 1.4 to 3.0, with an accuracy of at least .+-.0.02.

Abstract: A light-weight, low-cost and high efficiency solar panel includes a light-weight rectangular wood frame which surrounds and houses a copper absorber plate. A pair of spaced glazings, formed from plastic film materials, are disposed above the absorber to define a pair of enclosed air spaces. The lower glazing is capable of withstanding high temperatures and the upper glazing material is capable of providing good weather resistance. The material of the upper glazing extends fully about the frame to protect the entire frame from weathering. Insulation is provided beneath the absorber plate. The frame rests on top of a bottom sheet of insulative foam plastic which is wrapped in a plastic envelope. The surrounding film of the outer glazing is bonded securely to the envelope to encase the entire panel within a protective sealed envelope of weather-resistant plastic film.

Abstract: A new scintillator, di-m-methylphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole, or 2,5-di-m-tolyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole, is prepared by reacting m-toluoyl chloride with hydrazine to form di-m-toluoyl hydrazine which, in turn, is reacted with thionyl chloride to form the desired product. The scintillator, di-m-methylphenyloxadiazole compares favorably with present commercial products, being equal to or better than diphenyloxazole in most important respects and significantly superior in scintillation pulse height and in stability. It can be produced at a fraction of the cost of today's most widely used product.

Abstract: A new scintillator composition, consisting essentially of di-m-methylphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole, or 2,5-di-m-tolyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole, is prepared by reacting m-toluoyl chloride with hydrazine to form di-m-toluoyl hydrazine which, in turn, is reacted with thionyl chloride to form the desired product which is dissolved in an organic solvent. The scintillator, di-m-methylphenyloxadiazole compares favorably with present commercial products, being equal to or better than diphenyloxazole in most important respects and significantly superior in scintillation pulse height and in stability. It can be produced at a fraction of the cost of today's most widely used product.