Abstract: A method of making a mechanically stable, fiber having an inclusion of ion-conducting material which includes the steps of coating a single-crystal or polycrystalline .alpha.-alumina fiber with a zirconia or a hexaluminate precursor, optionally heating the coated fiber to dry the coating, when the coating is applied as a suspension or sol, heating the coated fiber to a temperature of about 1000.degree. to 1800.degree. C. to promote the growth of alpha-alumina toothlike extensions in the coating and epitaxial formation of the zirconia or hexaluminate on the sides of the extensions, embedding the fiber in an .alpha.-alumina matrix material, and heating the resulting fiber-matrix composite to react and texture the coating and densify the assembly.

Abstract: A method for protecting a titanium aluminide substrate against environmental degradation at higher temperatures, which comprises applying a layer of a ductile titanium alloy to at least one exterior surface of the substrate and applying an oxidation resistant coating to the exterior surface of the ductile layer. The titanium aluminide substrate may be monolithic or a fiber-reinforced composite structure. The oxidation resistant coating is an ion-plated coating of (a) a noble metal, such as gold or platinum, or (b) a coating of tungsten followed by an ion-plated coating of a noble metal.

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: A conductive composite composition consisting essentially of about 10 to 90 parts of the conducting form of polyaniline, balance an aromatic benzobisthiazole, benzobisoxazole or benzobisimidazole rigid-rod polymer, and a process for making a conductive benzobisazole polymer film.

Abstract: A two-photon absorbing chromophore of the formulaE--Ar--Ewherein the Ar core is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl groups having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, and wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing diazoluminomelanin (DALM) which comprises culturing in a medium containing nitrate, 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) and luminol under suitable metabolic conditions, a microorganism containing nitrate reductase.Also provided is a method for directly detecting microorganisms containing nitrate reductase or those into which nitrate reductase can be introduced by recombinant DNA technology, which comprises culturing the microorganism in a medium containing nitrate, 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) and luminol under suitable metabolic conditions, transferring the medium to a microtiter plate or tube coated with antibody or an antiligand to which the microorganism would specifically bind, washing the plate or tube and activating luminescence.Further, there is provided a method for producing diazomelanin (DM) which comprises culturing in a medium containing nitrate and 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3-AT) under suitable metabolic conditions, a microorganism containing nitrate reductase.

Abstract: A method for controlling the interface in a composite between the matrix material and reinforcing filaments or fibers in a composite structure which comprises the application of a patterned coating or combination of coatings on the reinforcing filaments or fibers to vary the bond between the reinforcement and the matrix. Proportioning of weak- and strong-bonded areas, their respective strengths, and design of bonding patterns can be tailored to the materials requirements of the composite.This method can be employed to prepare metal, ceramic and polymer matrix composites.

Abstract: An aryletherketone copolymer having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein the ratio m:n is in the range of 1:99 to 99:1; wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR2## and wherein Ar' is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## wherein Q is --O--, --CH.sub.2 -- or --CO--, is useful in the dispersion of active NLO chromophores containing a basic functionality to form optically clear films.

Abstract: An aryletherketone polymer having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein Q is --O--, --CH.sub.2 -- or --CO--, is useful in the dispersion of active NLO chromophores containing a basic functionality to form optically clear films.

Abstract: A two-photon absorbing chromophore of the formulaD--Ar--Awherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## D is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## and A is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl groups having 8 to 12 carbon atoms, and wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different.

Abstract: A method for preparing optical quality, thin films of polymers and co-polymers, as well as blends of such polymers or co-polymers with flexible polymers and co-polymers which comprises(a) preparing a solution of the polymer or co-polymer or blend in a suitable solvent;(b) forming a film from the solution;(c) cooling the thus-formed film to a temperature below the freezing point of the solvent; and(d) dissolving the solvent out of said film at a temperature below the melting point of the solvent.This method can be employed to prepare films of high optical clarity for electro-optical device applications. Because of their thermal stability, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, films prepared according to this method can also be used as filters and separation membranes.

Abstract: An improved method for producing a fiber-reinforced ceramic composite having a monazite interface between the reinforcing fiber and the ceramic matrix, which comprises the steps of coating each filament in a continuous fiber tow with an aqueous sol that forms monazite after high temperature heat treatment, heat treating the thus-coated fiber tow to provide a coated tow having a layer of monazite thereon, embedding the fiber in a suitable ceramic matrix, and densifying the composite.

Abstract: A novel rolling element bearing assembly comprises an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of rolling elements, and a carbon-carbon composite retainer. The carbon-carbon composite retainer is fabricated by providing a woven tube, cutting the woven tube into suitably sized rings, piercing the rings for rolling bearing elements, and densifying the resulting retainer. Alternatively, the tube can be densified, then cut into a plurality of retainer blanks which are then pierced. For use at operating temperatures above about 650.degree. C., ceramic coatings, such as silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) and boron nitride (BN) can be used to provide oxidation resistance for the carbon-carbon composite retainer at such elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Gamma titanium aluminide alloys having the composition Ti-(45.5-47.5)Al-(0-3.0)X-(1-5)Y-(0.05-1.0)W, where X is Cr, Mn or any combination thereof, and Y is Nb, Ta or any combination thereof (at %), are treated to provide specific microstructures. To obtain duplex microstructures, the annealing temperature (T.sub.a) range is the eutectoid temperature (T.sub.e)+100.degree. C. to the alpha transus temperature (T.sub..alpha.)-30.degree. C.; to obtain nearly lamellar microstructures, the annealing temperature range is T.sub..alpha. -20.degree. C. to T.sub..alpha. -1.degree. C.; to obtain fully lamellar microstructures, the annealing temperature range is T.sub..alpha. to T.sub..alpha. +50.degree. C. The times required for producing these microstructures range from 0.25 to 15 hours, depending on the desired microstructure, alloy composition, annealing temperature selected, material section size and grain size desired.

Abstract: The dispersion of a solid material in a fluid is improved by modifying the density of the fluid to match the density of the solid material. The method of the present invention comprises the addition of about 1 to 25 weight percent of a saturated oligomer of at least one halocarbon to a slurry of microencapsulated phase change materials in a poly-alpha-olefin fluid to improve the dispersion of the microencapsulated materials in the fluid.

Abstract: The transparency of poly(arylene ether) homopolymers and copolymers is improved by endcapping the polymer chain with an unsubstituted phenolic-based endcapping agent.

Abstract: Benzocyclobutene-terminated monomers of the formula ##STR1## wherein Ar is --SO.sub.2 --, --CO--, or ##STR2## are prepared by reacting a benzocyclobutene of the formula ##STR3## wherein R is --H or --SiMe.sub.3, with a difluorophenyl compound of the formula ##STR4## wherein Ar is as described previously, in the presence of a promoter. A mixture of the resins is obtained when potassium carbonate is employed as the promoter. The bis(benzocyclobutene)-terminated monomer is obtained when cesium fluoride is employed as the promoter.

Abstract: A new benzidine monomer composition containing an asymmetrically situated benzamide (iminobenzoyl) group: ##STR1## was prepared from the benzolyation reaction of 4,4'-dinitro-2-biphenylamine and benzoyl chloride, followed by catalytic hydrogenation. The compound can be used as a comonomer in the preparation of soluble thermoplastic polyamides, polyimides and other high performance polymers whose preparations require a diamine monomer.

Abstract: An article which is sensitive to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the radiofrequency radiation range, consisting essentially of a substrate, a layer of a binder material and a layer of activated diazoluminomelanin. This article is prepared by coating at least one surface of a substrate with a binder, immersing the binder-coated substrate into a solution comprising luminol, 3AT and a soluble nitrite for a period of about 2 to 12 days to provide a layer of diazoluminomelanin (DALM) on the binder layer, removing the DALM-coated film from the solution and rinsing the same, activating the DALM with sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide for a period of about 2 to 12 days.

Abstract: Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) can be advantageously employed to uniformly coat or impregnate an array or preform of fibers with a ceramic material. As a result, more efficient methods for making composite materials of superior quality are provided.