Abstract: An aqueous composition for applying to and treating metallic substrates that does not include chrome or chromium-containing compounds, does not include an organic solvent, and promotes adhesion of overcoat layers that are applied to the metallic substrate. The composition is an aqueous solution that includes of two hydrolyzed silanes, and water, wherein the composition has a pH of less than or equal to 5 and is substantially free of organic solvent and any chromium-containing compound. Also provided is a method for applying a chromium-free treatment on a metallic substrate comprising mixing a cross-liking agent with the above-described composition and applying the resulting mixture to the metallic substrate, and drying the metallic substrate.

Abstract: Provided are new TPA chromophores of the formula: wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and Q is —C6H13, —CH2—C6H5, or —C6H11.

Abstract: A quinoxaline-containing hyperbranched ether-ketone polymer having repeating units of the formula: and a method for preparing the polymer are provided.

Abstract: There are provided methods for fabricating baby bottle nipples which mimic the function of the human breast nipple. In the human breast nipple, milk is delivered to the baby through 15-25 fluid-delivery capillaries called lactiferous ducts. These ducts are 2-4 centimeters in length and 500-900 microns in diameter. Baby bottle nipples fabricated in accordance with the methods of this invention have the common feature of at least one hydrophilic fluid delivery passage. In one embodiment, the fluid delivery passage is a microtube. In another embodiment, the fluid delivery passage is a microchannel. In yet another embodiment, the fluid delivery passage comprises a porous reticulated foam with interconnected pores. In each of these embodiments, the fluid delivery passage has at least one dimension in the range of 1-2000 microns.

Abstract: A process for the production of ortho-aminophenols from nitroarenes using a biocatalyst consisting of pure enzymes, partially purified enzymes, cell lysate, intact cells, or a metal reaction linked with a subsequent enzymatic reaction. The biocatalyst is an enzyme system that makes use of a nitroreductase enzyme that initially reduces the nitroarene to the hydroxylaminoarene and a mutase enzyme that converts the hydroxylaminoarene to an ortho-aminophenol. The biocatalyst can also consist of a coupled, two-step metal and enzyme reaction in which the metal, such as zinc, catalyzes the transformation of the nitroarene to the hydroxylaminoarene and the mutase then catalyzes the transformation of hydroxylaminoarene to the corresponding ortho-aminophenol.

Abstract: A high-temperature fiber-reinforced carbon-carbon composite material of essentially uniform density, is fabricated by the following sequence of steps: (a) selecting a fiber/matrix material combination; (b) providing a fiber preform of desired shape and fiber placement; (c) selecting at least one low-viscosity pre-carbon monomer material that wets the surfaces of the fiber preform; (d) impregnating the fiber preform with the monomer; (e) polymerizing the monomer material in-situ in a single phase process into a pre-carbon polymer of desired molecular weight; (f) pryolyzing the pre-carbon polymer to form a carbon matrix material; and (g) repeating steps (d)-(f) to further densify the preform.

Abstract: Novel ether-ketone hyperbranched co-polymers are prepared by co-polymerizing 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)phenol and 4-fluoro-4′-hydroxybenzophenone. The resulting copolymer has repeating units of the formula: wherein n has a value of 0.25 to 0.99.

Abstract: Provided is a method to produce high-temperature lubricious glassy films on silicon-based ceramics. The method comprises the steps of (a) oxidizing a silicon-based component, (b) coating the oxidized component with an alkali metal compound, and (c) heating the component to a high temperature in a sulfur-rich oxidizing environment. The steady state sliding friction coefficient values obtained with this system in 600° C. air are similar to those obtained with liquid lubricants operating under boundary lubrication conditions at much lower temperatures.

Abstract: Provided are chromophores of the formula Q—(—L—Z)x, wherein x is 2 or 3, wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of wherein L is wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of

Abstract: This invention is a rapid low-cost technique for manufacturing thick high-performance carbon and ceramic composites in the form of uniformly densified near-net shaped structures. This is accomplished by impregnating composite preforms with low-viscosity wetting monomers which undergo polymerization followed by pyrolysis reactions in the preform ultimately creating ceramic and/or carbon matrices. Since the monomers possess low-molecular-weight they have low viscosities. Thus, if they wet the fiber and partially-densified preform they can easily impregnate even the smallest pores. Once inside the preforms, polymerization of the monomers is then initiated, resulting in a liquid matrix-precursor of the high molecular weight needed to produce a superior matrix (upon pyrolysis) with high efficiency.

Abstract: A melt-castable explosive composition not based on TNT consisting essentially of about 10 to 20 weight percent of a matrix material having a melting temperature of about 80° to 100° C., about 1 to 5 weight percent of a plasticizer, up to about 20 weight percent of a metal powder, up to about 20 weight percent of an oxidizer and about 70 to 89 weight percent of a high explosive. The matrix material is carnauba wax modified with ozokerite wax in a weight ratio of about 1:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: Amine-terminated hyperbranched quinoxaline-amide polymers having repeating units of the formula: are useful to initiate bismaleimide polymerization and to increase the toughness of thermosets such as BMI and epoxies.

Abstract: New hyperbranched polymers having repeating units of the formula The polymer is prepared by the polymerization of the AB2 monomer N-{3,5-bis(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzene}-4-fluoroisophthalimide.

Abstract: In an integral rocket-ramjet engine the air intake ports are covered with a port cover made of a laminate of Pd and Al. This port cover is rapidly consumed in the brief period between the end of the rocket mode and commencement of the ramjet mode to allow ingress of ram air for the ramjet engine.

Abstract: Electropolymerizable monomers of the formulas wherein R1, R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of —H, —O(CH2)nCH3, wherein n has a value of 0 to 11 and m has a value of 1 to 4, and wherein no more than one of R2 and R3 is —H. Also provided are polymers resulting from the electropolymerization of these monomers.

Abstract: A hyperbranched polymer having repeating units of the formula: wherein Q is —O—, —S— or —NH—.

Abstract: Baby bottle nipples which mimic the function of the human breast nipple are provided. In the human breast nipple, milk is delivered to the baby through 15-25 fluid-delivery capillaries called lactiferous ducts. These ducts are 2-4 centimeters in length and 500-900 microns in diameter. Baby bottle nipples fabricated in accordance with the methods of this invention have the common feature of at least one hydrophilic fluid delivery passage. In one embodiment, the fluid delivery passage is a microtube. In another embodiment, the fluid delivery passage is a microchannel. In yet another embodiment, the fluid delivery passage comprises a porous reticulated foam with interconnected pores. In each of these embodiments, the fluid delivery passage has at least one dimension in the range of 1-2000 microns.

Abstract: Provided are chromophores of the formula Q—(—L—Z)x, wherein x is 3 or 4, wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of wherein L is selected from the group consisting of wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of

Abstract: AB2 monomers of the formula wherein Q is Polymerization of these monomers results in hyperbranched aromatic polyamides.

Abstract: An AB2 monomer of the formula: wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —SH and —NH2HCl, is useful for the preparation of hyperbranched polybenzoxazoles.