Abstract: An extractor for separating electrical connectors is disclosed which imparts a prying force to connector elements in a plane normal to the mounting surface. The extractor comprises a lever pivotally connected to a rotatable fork that is adapted to fit under the end of a connector shell. A pair of extractors are deployed at opposite ends of a connector to pry the connector out of its mating socket gently and securely without damage to wires or connecting pins, even under crowded conditions.

Abstract: Inorganic-organic composites suitable for use as separators in alkaline storage batteries requiring gas permeability, thermal stability, chemical stability and good structural strength and a process for making them are disclosed. The composites are more thermally stable prior art separator materials, retain aqueous alkaline electrolytes well and are chemically resistant to 31% KOH solutions at 110.degree. C.

Abstract: Diethynyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbons are prepared which homopolymerize into resins suitable for use as high char materials.

Abstract: Substrates prepared from chemically inert organic fibers that are non-wettable are rendered wettable by mechanically attached coatings of hydrophilic inorganic particles. The resulting inorganic-organic composites are suitable for use as separators in alkaline storage cells.

Abstract: An inorganic-organic composite and method for making same wherein chopped zirconium oxide fibers are bonded together with a polymer. This composite is chemically stable and wettable in aqueous alkaline solutions, exhibits physical, chemical and thermal characteristics ideally suitable for use as separators in alkaline storage batteries, especially nickel-hydrogen and nickel-cadmium batteries.

Abstract: Commercially available alkali halide crystals are passivated in a plasma environment and coated by a plasma polymerization process to form moisture resistant alkali halide cyrstals. Prolonged exposure to high humidity did not cause observable damage to the surface of the crystal.

Abstract: High energy alkaline storage batteries exhibiting exceptionally long storage life are fabricated from cells which show no sign of deterioration after more than 3000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge. The exceptional characteristics of these cells are attributed to improved separators fabricated from zirconium oxide cloth reinforced with organic polymeric materials.

Abstract: A surgically implanted suture retained by one or more epi-surface retention strands and bound by ties is disclosed which serves to provide a permanent hairpiece retention system.

Abstract: Large single crystals of Pb.sub.1-x -Sn.sub.x -Te are grown in a near-equilibrium condition by applying a minimal driving force such that a high degree of growth reliability is achieved. The process utilized allows the growth mechanism to take place approximately 50.degree. C. below the melting point of the charge materials. Crystals grown by this process are ultra pure and exhibit substantially improved compositional and crystallographic homogenuity throughout.

Abstract: A number of alkyl and alkoxy-substituted ortho-cyanophenyl biphenylcarboxylate esters have been prepared for use as components for nematic liquid crystal mixtures which can be used in homeotropically aligned, field effect display devices or in dynamic scattering displays.These materials have large negative dielectric anisotropies and high birefringence.

Abstract: Intrinsically nonwettable polypropylene battery separators are rendered wettable by treating them with polybenzimidazole.Polybenzimidazole (PBI) treated polypropylene (PP) separators exhibited excellent thermal and chemical stabilities, show excellent electrolyte retention, and are gas permeable.

Abstract: Alkaline earth chloride crystals exhibiting substantially improved physical and optical transmission characteristics are grown from starting powders by a one step Reactive Atmospheric Processing (RAP) method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel class of polynitrile (polycyano) substituted polyimide oligomers and the polyamic acid or ester precursors thereof. The nitrile groups on the oligomers allow the compounds to be cured through addition reactions which result in little or no outgassing. In addition, these oligomers are curable with heat in the presence of catalysts such as those which induce cyano trimerizations. The fully cured polyimides derived from these oligomers have excellent thermal and mechanical properties at high temperatures.

Abstract: Novel thermosetting oligomers are formed by reacting epoxy prepolymers with aminoarylacetylenes. When heated to 170.degree. C. or above, these oligomers undergo acetylenic polymerization to form resins which exhibit superior thermal and hydrolytic stability when compared to conventionally cured epoxy resins.

Abstract: Low temperature photonitride (LTPN) films of excellent quality have been prepared at temperatures ranging from 300.degree. C. downward to 100.degree. C. by a photochemical vapor deposition process, wherein a mixture of silane, ammonia, and hydrazine is caused to react to form Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 films at the substrate interface. These films are suitable for the preparation of silicon nitride passivation layers on solid-state devices, such as metal-oxide semiconductors (MOS) and charge coupled devices to impart enhanced reliability.

Abstract: Acetylene-substituted tetraimines are synthesized to form oligomers or prepolymers having melting points as low as 40.degree. C. and which can be polymerized into thermoset plastics at temperatures as low as 150.degree. C.

Abstract: Acetylene-substituted Schiff's bases are prepared by the reaction of either acetylene-substituted amines and dicarboxaldehydes or acetylene-substituted aldehydes and diamines.These compounds are polymerizable and in some examples they yield conjugated polymers useful in the fabrication of conductors and semiconductors.

Abstract: High voltage solid dielectric insulation system transformers and inductors have been designed and produced by a process which results in a substantial improvement in the high voltage, size and weight characteristics of magnetic components prepared therefrom.

Abstract: We have disclosed a new class of thermosetting copolymers derived from terephthalonitrile N,N'-dioxide and polyimide oligomer that cure through addition reactions to form essentially void-free cured resins that exhibit outstanding high temperature stability. These copolymers may be formed from either acetylene terminated polyimide oligomers or nitrile terminated polyimide oligomers. Copolymers prepared in accordance with our invention exhibit little or no outgassing during cure and are extremely useful in the preparation of laminates where high temperature stability and high strength is required.