Abstract: High levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer are compounded and devolatilized into homogeneous filled compositions with requisite reinforcing properties and levels of volatiles. In the method, a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer are mixed in a first compounding apparatus to produce a dispersed composition containing volatiles. The dispersed composition is then compounded in a long extruder having an L/D ratio of greater than 50 to devolatilize the dispersed composition.

Abstract: An electrochemical corrosion potential sensor includes a ceramic tip insulating member, and a sensor tip joined to the ceramic tip insulating member, the sensor tip comprising an alloy. Further, a coating is provided on an outer surface of the sensor tip, the coating including a noble metal, and a conductor electrically connected to said sensor tip.

Abstract: A robotic machine includes a robotic arm with a machine tool mounted thereto. A powder injector is mounted near the tool. A local powder feeder is mounted to the arm and includes a local conduit for supplying powder to the injector, and a load cell for measuring powder weight therein to control feedrate. A remote powder feeder is spaced from the arm, and includes a remote conduit joined to the local feeder for supplying powder thereto. A process computer controls the arm, and two feeders and effects staged delivery of the powder from the remote feeder to the local feeder for improving powder delivery response time.

Abstract: An optically nonisotropic composite material. The composite material includes two materials, a transparent bulk optical material and radiation absorbing or reflecting fibers embedded within the bulk material. The fibers are substantially parallel to one another and tend to channel the radiation along the direction of the fibers. The bulk material may be a scintillator, in which case the fibers will tend to channel scintillating radiation along the direction of the fibers. The composite material may be used in a high spatial resolution x-ray device, such as a CT scanner. The composite material may also be used in an electromagnetic radiation detection device. Advantageously, the fibers tend to channel radiation along the fibers towards photodetector cells of the radiation detection device thereby increasing spatial resolution.

Abstract: A composition and method for making a silicone composition is provided which comprises at least one polysiloxane or silicone resin containing at least one linker and either one or two molecular hooks.

Abstract: A compound sanitary napkin including a primary absorbent member and a secondary absorbent member. The primary absorbent member has a length and a width. The secondary absorbent member has a length and a width. The primary absorbent member and the secondary absorbent member have a common length. The primary absorbent member includes an absorbent core and a fluid pervious topsheet superposed on the absorbent core. The secondary absorbent member includes a fluid pervious topsheet, a fluid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet and an absorbent element positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The primary absorbent member is affixed to the secondary absorbent member by union means. The primary absorbent member preferably exhibits a stationary resistance greater than or equal to 50 grams.

Abstract: A method is set forth for processing titanium and titanium alloys into titanium articles, in which the titanium exhibits enhanced ultrasonic inspection results for determining its acceptability in microstructurally sensitive titanium applications. The method for processing titanium comprises providing titanium at a temperature above its &bgr;-transus temperature; quenching the titanium from a temperature above the &bgr;-transus temperature, the step of quenching titanium forming an &agr;-plate microstructure in the titanium; and deforming the quenched titanium into a titanium article, the step of deforming the quenched titanium transforming the &agr;-plate microstructure into discontinuous &agr; particles without crystallization textures. The discontinuous-randomly textured &agr; particles lead to a reduction in ultrasonic noise during ultrasonic inspection.

Abstract: High levels of silica, processing fluid and high molecular weight silicone polymer are compounded into a homogeneous silica filled composition without forming a preconcentrate of fumed silica and polymer. A fumed silica is fed into a unitary continuous compounding apparatus at a first location prior to addition of the silicone polymer. The fumed silica is then compounded with the silicone polymer, which is fed into the compounding apparatus at a location down-stream in the compounding apparatus from the first location. The compounding apparatus can be a co-rotating, intermeshing double screw extruder.

Abstract: The present invention provides resin compositions comprising a thermoplastic resin and at least one phosphoramide having a glass transition point of at least about 0° C., preferably of at least about 10° C., and most preferably of at least about 20° C. The present invention also relates to articles made from the resin compositions. The present invention also provides methods to make the resin compositions-having improved heat properties over compositions known in the art.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of organylorganooxysilanes containing at least one silicon-carbon bond is provided comprising reacting at least one triorganooxysilane with at least one base.

Abstract: A method for improving the cooling effectiveness of a gaseous coolant stream which flows through at least one passage hole in a substrate to an exit site on a high-temperature surface of the substrate is disclosed. The method comprises disrupting the coolant stream at the exit site, so that the coolant stream contacts a greater area of the high-temperature surface. In some embodiments, the exit site is a crater. Moreover, the exit site may be formed within a coating applied over the substrate, e.g., a thermal barrier coating applied over a superalloy substrate. Related articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A releasable wrapper for absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence devices, and the like which have side flaps is disclosed. The releasable wrapper covers the adhesive fasteners on the garment-facing side of the absorbent article and provides an individual package for the absorbent article.

Abstract: A fiber optic scintillator includes, for example, a first plurality of radiation absorbing elements comprising a scintillating material for converting radiation into light and a second plurality of radiation absorbing elements interspersed among the first plurality of radiation absorbing elements. The first plurality of radiation absorbing elements has a first radiation absorption efficiency. The second plurality of radiation absorbing elements has a second radiation absorption efficiency and an effective atomic number greater than about 50. The second radiation absorption efficiency is greater than said first radiation absorption efficiency. A scintillator forming method provides a bundle of the second plurality of radiation absorbing elements interspersed among the first plurality of radiation absorbing elements by drawing the bundle, The drawn bundle is cut into a plurality of sections.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for measuring barrier properties of a barrier coating or coating arrays where each barrier coating has a small cross section. To reduce the edge effects in the measurements of barrier properties, measurements are made using a waveguide structure that includes at least one waveguide coated with a chemically sensitive layer and an array of barrier coatings. The coated waveguide is exposed to a material of interest that has the ability to produce an analyzable variation in the chemically sensitive layer, thereby providing the ability to detect an impact of the material of interest on the barrier coatings. In one variation, an initial light wave is propagated within the waveguide structure, a resulting wave associated with the initial wave and each barrier coating is detected, and any impacts on the coatings by the material of interest are correlated to a value of a barrier property for each of the array of barrier coatings.

Abstract: A process for catalytic production of diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds with carbon monoxide and oxygen achieves water removal during reaction by a process comprising the steps of: removing a liquid stream from an oxidative carbonylation reaction mixture in a reaction vessel, subjecting the liquid stream to reduced pressure, and returning at least a portion of dried liquid stream to the reaction vessel. Typical catalyst systems for oxidative carbonylation contain (A) at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal having an atomic number of at least 44 or a compound thereof; (B) at least one guanidinium salt or onium salt; and (C) at least one metal co-catalyst.

Abstract: There is provided an emissive mixture for cathodes of fluorescent lamps comprising a ceramic material having a formula (A1-x Cax)6 (Ta1-y Wy)2 O11+y, where A is barium or a combination of barium and strontium, 0≦x<0.5, 0≦y<1, and one of x or y is greater than zero. The ratio of lamp efficacy to number of lamp starts may be improved by optimizing the amount of Ca and W present in the ceramic material.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts containing manganese and nickel; manganese and iron; manganese and chromium; manganese and cerium; manganese and europium; manganese, cerium, and europium; manganese, iron, and europium; or manganese and thorium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various other inorganic co-catalyst combinations.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of a manganese source in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.

Abstract: A method for coating a plastic substrate with an abrasion resistant metal oxide layer which includes placing the plastic substrate in a vacuum chamber, forming a vacuum in the chamber, conducting electron beam evaporation of an oxide-forming metal or a metal oxide in the vacuum chamber, passing the evaporated metal or metal oxide into an argon plasma into which oxygen and nitrous oxide has been passed, and, exposing the plastic substrate to the plasma, whereby the abrasion resistant layer is deposited on an exposed surface of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing polycarbonates, which utilizes polycondensation catalysts of the formula Cs+An−, wherein An− represents anions such as CH3SO3−, NH2SO3−, C2H2O4−, BF4−, B(C6H5CH3)4−, and CH3C6H4SO3−. We have found that this new class of catalysts provides excellent polymerization rates for the preparation of Bisphenol A polycarbonate from the melt polymerization of diphenyl carbonate and Bisphenol A. Moreover, the catalysts of the invention were found to be very selective in substantially reducing the level of branching side reaction, i.e., formation of Fries product, normally associated with the melt polycarbonate process.