Abstract: Novel boron-free glass compositions are described which are particularly suited for making fine diameter glass fibers for HEPA electronic clean-room filtration media using flame-attenuation or rotary glass processing.

Abstract: Glass compositions displaying decreased far infrared radiation transmission, high biosolubility, and excellent moisture resistance are capable of fiberization by the rotary process, and may be used to prepare thermal insulation products exhibiting high thermal insulation efficiency as reflected by low thermal index values. The insulation products also exhibit excellent stiffness and recovery properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cuticular lipid genes, their gene products, and methods of use thereof, for the generation of new plant varieties having novel environmental, disease and pest resistance. In particular, certain isolated or enriched nucleic acids specifying cuticular lipid genes, or portions thereof, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical device having a profile of refractive indices along its optical axis. A desired volume of each of a plurality of types of optical material are dispensed into a mold of known plan area in the form of a frit or a melt and the mold is heated to cause the materials to melt and fuse together to define a contiguous body of optical material having a desired profile. As the optical materials melt, the different types of material separate out so that they are arranged with the most dense material closest to the bottom of the mold and the least dense material closest to the top of the mold. To enhance this effect, the optical materials are layered in the mold in decreasing order of density of the materials from the bottom to the top so that the layers of optical material with the greater densities are closer to the bottom of the mold than the layers of materials with lesser densities.

Abstract: Glass compositions suitable for pot and marble fiberization display excellent chemical resistance to both acids and moisture while being highly biosoluble at the same time. The glass compositions are characterized by ratios of components which are reflective of acid resistance, biosolubility, and moisture resistance. Preferred glasses have a difference between HTV (10.sup.3 poise) and liquidus greater than 500.degree. F., and a biodissolution greater than about 350 ng/cm.sup.2 /hr.

Abstract: Glass compositions displaying decreased far infrared radiation transmission, high biosolubility, and excellent moisture resistance are capable of fiberization by the rotary process, and may be used to prepare thermal insulation products exhibiting high thermal insulation efficiency as reflected by low thermal index values.

Abstract: A method is provided of manufacturing an optical element having an optical axis, and including a plurality of definable adjacent zones of optical material, each zone having a definable refractive index different from the refractive index of an adjacent zone and an Abbe number, the zones of optical materials being arranged parallel to each other to define a profile of refractive indices which is symmetric about a plane of symmetry along the optical axis of the element and parallel to the zones.

Abstract: An optical element having an optical axis, and comprising a plurality of definable adjacent zones of optical material, each zone having a definable refractive index different from the refractive index of an adjacent zone and an Abbe number, the zones of optical materials being arranged parallel to each other to define a profile of refractive indices which is symmetric about a plane of symmetry along the optical axis of the element and parallel to the zones. In one embodiment the optical element is a spectrally invariant lens.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical device having a profile of refractive indices along its optical axis. A desired volume of each of a plurality of types of optical material are dispensed into a mold of known plan area in the form of a frit or a melt and the mold is heated to cause the materials to melt and fuse together to define a contiguous body of optical material having a desired profile. As the optical materials melt, the different types of material separate out so that they are arranged with the most dense material closest to the bottom of the mold and the least dense material closest to the top of the mold. To enhance this effect, the optical materials are layered in the mold in decreasing order of density of the materials from the bottom to the top so that the layers of optical material with the greater densities are closer to the bottom of the mold than the layers of materials with lesser densities.

Abstract: A fused glass block having an axial gradient index of refraction profile between two opposed parallel surfaces, with a change in refractive index from one of the surfaces to the other ranging from about 0.04 to 0.47, is provided. The fused glass block has a change in thermal expansion coefficient from one of the surfaces to the other of less than about 3.times.10.sup.-7 .degree. C..sup.-1, has essentially no strain or birefringence therein, and has a smoothly varying refractive index profile from one of the surfaces to the other. The fused glass block is prepared from at least two pre-selected compositions of a lead-silicate glass series that has been discovered to provide the requisite properties.

Abstract: A fused glass block having an axial gradient index of refraction profile between two opposed parallel surfaces, with a change in refractive index from one of the surfaces to the other ranging from about 0.04 to 0.47, is provided. The fused glass block has a change in thermal expansion coefficient from one of the surfaces to the other of less than about 3.times.10.sup.-7 .degree.C..sup.-1, has essentially no strain or birefringence therein, and has a smoothly varying refractive index profile from one of the surfaces to the other. The fused glass block is prepared from at least two pre-selected compositions of a lead-silicate glass series that has been discovered to provide the requisite properties.