Abstract: A method to produce high temperature oxidation resistant metal matrix composites by fiber diameter grading, which comprises the steps of (a) laying up an alloy/fiber preform consisting of a plurality of alternating layers of metal alloy and fibers and (b) consolidating the preform under suitable conditions, wherein the layers of fibers in the preform are graduated so that fiber density is lower nearer what will become the exposed surface of the composite and higher toward the interior of the composite. The difference in fiber density is achieved by spacing the near-surface fibers further apart than the interior fibers.

Abstract: Provided are polymers prepared by the polymerization of monomers of the formulae:

Abstract: Microdevices based on surface tension and wettability are useful as sensors, detectors, actuators, pumps, among other applications. As sensors and detectors they can respond to numerous stimuli such as pressure, temperature, gravity, rotation, acceleration, oscillation, chemical environments, magnetic fields, electric fields, radiation, and particle beams with a great choice of output options. Because of their design, they can be used in a broad range of temperatures and environments. Additionally, unlike other microsensors and detectors, these devices can be exposed to forces and pressures orders of magnitudes greater than their design limit and still return to their original accuracy and precision. These microdevices are also useful as actuators, pumps, valves and shutters. It is possible by joining these devices together to form complex devices that are able to control macroscopic flows for example. They are also able to perform complex electrical switching operations.

Abstract: Provided are novel, electropolymerizable monomers of the formulae: ##STR1##

Abstract: An at least semiconductive polymer film is provided by infiltrating novel rigid-rod heterocyclic polymer film containing a 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-diyl moiety, with a conductive metal salt. These polymers have repeating units of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein Q is --H or --C.sub.6 H.sub.5. Alternatively, the metal salt in the semiconductive polymer film can be reduced.

Abstract: There are provided asymmetrical two-photon chromophores of the formula:D--Ar--Awherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## wherein Fl is a fluorene group of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl groups having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different;wherein D is ##STR3## wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of --H, --OH and --O--C.sub.x H.sub.2x+1, wherein x has a value of 1 to 10;and wherein A is selected from the group consisting of ##STR4## wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of --O-- and --S--.

Abstract: A polymer system having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is --H or --OH, x has a value of 0.5 to 1.0 and y has a value of 1.0-x, exhibits a high glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and a low dielectric constant. The polymer system is useful in the area of microelectronic packaging.

Abstract: Novel processes for fabricating metal matrix composites consisting of discontinuous reinforcing particles in a metal matrix are described. In one aspect, reinforcing particles are coated with a metal matrix material by means of chemical vapor deposition using a volatile metal-containing compound, followed by consolidation of the metal-coated particles. In another aspect, reinforcing particles are coated with a metal matrix material by means of electrochemical deposition of a metal, followed by consolidation of the metal-coated particles. In yet another aspect, reinforcing particles coated with a metal matrix material by one of the aforesaid methods are blended with metal or alloy particles not containing such reinforcement, then consolidated.

Abstract: The cell line EMT-6 are transformed with the chromosomal insertion of the plasmid pSV.sub.2 neoNR10.sub.1, ATCC No. 69617. The transformed cells, EMT-6/pSV.sub.2 neoNR10.sub.1, produce diazoluminomelanin (DALM) intracellularly when provided with nitrate, luminol and 3-amino-L-tyrosine.multidot.HCl (3AT). The modified cells can be used to study mechanisms for radiofrequency and light radiation interactions with breast tumor cells in vitro and in mice. The effects of drugs, hormones, and cytokines that affect the expression of nitric oxide synthase and its activity can also be studied to understand the effects of these materials on breast tumor cells.

Abstract: Presented herein is an improved method to collect and recover microorganisms from environmental samples. The method of this invention comprises the steps of (a) obtaining a sample for testing and, optionally, suspending the sample in a suitable liquid, (b) amending the sample with sodium hexametaphosphate and, optionally, centrifuging the sample to remove solid sediments, insoluble salts, inert materials, and the like, (c) centrifuging the sample through a separation column amended with sodium hexametaphosphate, and (d) recovering the microorganism-containing material remaining above the column for analysis.

Abstract: New lithium ion conducting materials comprise porphyrin rings. These materials function as sites through which the lithium ion passes. In one aspect of the invention, an electrolyte composition consists essentially of a major amount of a lithium porphyrin complex and a minor amount of a polymer binder. In another aspect, an electrolyte composition consists essentially of aligned and spaced lithium porphyrin complex rings, wherein alignment and spacing of the porphyrin rings is achieved through the use of ladder type polymers, comb-like polymers, or crystalline polymers.

Abstract: The sensitivity to shock initiation of cast 1,3,3-trinitroazetidine (TNAZ) is reduced when an effective amount of at least one nitro-substituted aromatic amine is added to a melt comprising TNAZ.

Abstract: Molecular dispersions of rigid-rod polybenzobisazole polymer/copolymer in thermosetting matrices in a weight ratio of about 1:99 to 50:50 are prepared by dissolving the rigid-rod polymer in an alcoholic or aprotic solvent, dissolving the thermosetting polymer in an alcoholic or aprotic solvent, combining the two solutions and recovering the resulting molecular composite from the combined solution. These molecular dispersions consist essentially of rigid-rod polybenzobisazole polymer/copolymer having sulfonic acid groups pendant to the polymer/copolymer backbone and thermosetting polymers selected from the group consisting of iminobis(N-propyl-2-phenylethynyl-phthalimide), N-ethyl-(2,6-di-benzocyclobutenoxy)benzylamine, iminobis(N-propylnadic imide) and difunctional benzoxazine monomers of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is a single bond, --CO-- or --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 -- and Q is --CH.sub.3 or --C.sub.6 H.sub.5.

Abstract: Secondary explosive materials, particularly nitramines, are recovered from an explosive composition containing a mixture of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and at least one secondary explosive by the steps of heating the explosive composition to melt the TNT, preferably using steam, separately collecting and recovering the melted TNT, treating the thus-separated secondary explosive with a material which is a solvent for TNT and a non-solvent for the secondary explosive to dissolve the TNT, removing the non-solvent from the secondary explosive, and recovering the secondary explosive.

Abstract: A method for controlling the interface in a titanium matrix composite between the titanium matrix material and a silicon carbide reinforcing filament or fiber which comprises treating such filament or fiber with a phosphorus-containing compound, and thereafter incorporating the treated fiber into a titanium matrix composite. The quantity of phosphorus remaining on the fiber, following treatment, can be miniscule, so long as at least a trace amount of phosphorus remains on the fiber.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of a pitch foam with a microcellular structure and a uniform pore size comprises the steps of (a) pressing a quantity of a pitch to provide a pressed article, (b) placing the pressed article in a pressure vessel, (c) introducing an inert gas into the pressure vessel under an elevated pressure of about 200 to 500 psi, (d) heating the pressed article within the pressure vessel to about 10.degree. to 40.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a continuous fiber which comprises: (a) a coating composition container having an orifice in the bottom portion thereof, coating composition inlet means in the lower portion thereof and fluid inlet means in the upper portion thereof; (b) a furnace positioned above the coating container in axial alignment with the orifice in the coating composition container; (c) means for transporting a continuous fiber tow to be coated through the orifice, through the coating composition in the coating composition container, and through the furnace, including a source of continuous tow, a lower alignment and tensioning means, an upper alignment and tensioning means, and takeup means; (d) a catch vessel positioned below the lower alignment and tensioning means for collecting excess coating composition; and (e) means for removing coating composition from the catch vessel and passing the same to a surge vessel having an outlet in the lower portion thereof in fluid communication with the coating composit

Abstract: New lithium ion conducting materials comprise phthalocyanine rings. These materials function as sites through which the lithium ion passes. In one aspect of the invention, an electrolyte composition consists essentially of a major amount of a lithium phthalocyanine and a minor amount of a polymer binder. In another aspect, an electrolyte composition consists essentially of aligned and spaced lithium phthalocyanine rings, wherein alignment and spacing of the phthalocyanine rings is achieved through the use of ladder type polymers, comb-like polymers, or crystalline polymers.

Abstract: A castable explosive composition consisting essentially of about 50 to 90 weight percent tungsten powder, about 3 to 40 weight percent of a high energy explosive, about 3 to 16 weight percent of an energetic binder, and about 2 to 10 weight percent aluminum powder. The aluminum powder acts as a processing aid, virtually eliminating tungsten settling.

Abstract: E. coli strain JM109 transfected with nitrate reductase gene containing plasmid pIC20RNR1.1 produces diazoluminomelanin when cultured in a medium containing nitrate, 3-amino-L-tyrosine and luminol, under suitable metabolic conditions.