Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring a reaction mixture using Raman spectroscopy. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method for monitoring bulk and thin film melt polycarbonate polymerization reactions. In this method, the relative and absolute concentrations of the starting materials diphenylcarbonate (DPC) and bisphenol-A (BPA) are determined. Monitoring and maintenance of optimum stoichiometry in such a reaction is critical to ensuring desired polycarbonate product quality.

Abstract: A fluorescent probe is applied to bind to a metal oxide on a substrate and the substrate is exposed to an ultraviolet light to identify the metal oxide. A chemical cleaning or stripping solution is selected by combinatorial high throughput screening (CHTS). In the method, an array of regions is defined on a substrate, a candidate cleaning/stripping solution is deposited onto the regions to effect cleaning/stripping of the regions; a fluorescent probe is applied to bind to a metal oxide on the substrate; the substrate is exposed to an ultraviolet light to identify the metal oxide and a product of the cleaning/stripping is evaluated according to the identified metal oxide. An activated metal substrate composition is provided that comprises a metal substrate with a contaminant metal oxide coating and a fluorescent activator bound to the substrate by reaction with the metal oxide coating.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a cellulosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises at least one auxiliary color stabilizer additive and an arylate polymer comprising ester structural units derived from a resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate-terephthalate. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: A heat sink for a compact, integral lamp system comprises a bimetal strip or a bimetal heat pipe containing a liquid. With temperature change, the bimetal strip or pipe flexes toward one metal or the other, depending on the physical properties of the particular metals. The deformation of the strip causes heat sink fins to press against the surface of the ballast wall, thereby significantly reducing or eliminating the air gaps therebetween and thus more effectively removing heat from the ballast.

Abstract: Copolymers of polycarbonates or polyarylates with polyether polymers such as polyethersulfones, polyetherketones, and polyetherimides are prepared by reaction of the polyether polymer-forming reagents, e.g., bisphenol A disodium salt and bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone, in the presence of the polycarbonate or polyarylate. The reaction may take place in a dipolar aprotic solvent, or in a water-immiscible aromatic solvent in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, preferably a hexaalkylguanidinium halide. Hydroxy-terminated polyether oligomers may be produced from the copolymers by saponification of carbonate or ester groups.

Abstract: An electrochemical stripping method for selectively removing at least one coating from the surface of a substrate is described. The substrate is immersed in an aqueous composition through which electrical current flows. The composition includes an acid having the formula HxAF6, in which “A” is Si, Ge, Ti, Zr, Al, or Ga; and x is 1-6. Various coatings can be removed, such as diffusion or overlay coatings. The method can be used to fully-strip a coating (e.g., from a turbine component), or to partially strip one sublayer of the coating. Related processes and an apparatus are also described.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: interfacial method for preparing polymers comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous solution comprising at least one resorcinol moiety, said solution having a pH less than or equal to about 5; (b) after step (a), preparing a mixture comprising the resorcinol moiety, at least one catalyst and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (c) adding to the mixture from (b) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the rapid screening of potential reactants, catalysts, and associated process conditions. In an embodiment, the invention comprises a method for evaluating catalyst efficacy in polymerization reactions by the determination of product molecular weight and Fries products.

Abstract: A temperature limiting user interface comprises a potentiometer for providing a reference signal to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus being adapted to generate heat as a function of the reference signal; and a temperature-sensitive impedance, thermally coupled to the electronic apparatus so as to receive at least a portion of the heat, and electrically coupled to the potentiometer so as to alter the reference signal as a function of temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for resiliently mounting a photomultiplier tube. The tube is sequentially tapped to move a debris particle therein. The tube is initially inclined for moving the particle to a staging site. The tube may then be re-oriented horizontally for moving the debris particle from the staging site to a target site for subsequent laser blasting thereof.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for a rotary machine wherein the rotary machine comprises a rotor and a casing. The rotor comprises a generally longitudinally-extending axis. The casing is generally coaxially aligned with the axis. The casing circumferentially surrounds, is radially spaced apart from the rotor, and comprises an inner circumferential channel generally coaxially aligned with the rotor. The seal assembly comprises a plurality of seal carrier segments fixedly disposed in a circumferential array in the inner circumferential channel. Each of the seal carrier segments comprises a seal carrier channel. At least one of the seal carrier segments comprises at least one fluid inlet disposed therein. In addition, the seal assembly comprises a (meaning at least one) seal disposed in the seal carrier channel and is movable between radially inward and radially outward positions upon introduction of fluid medium in the fluid inlet.

Abstract: Solid blends of rubbery polymers and amorphous or crystalline polymers, said blends being free-flowing at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature or crystalline melting temperature of the amorphous or crystalline polymer, are prepared by intimate mixing procedures. In general, said mixing conditions include high shear conditions sufficient to convert polymer A to dispersed particles coated with polymer B and produce a free-flowing powder blend.

Abstract: A signal obtained from the drive input of a motor or an insulated winding is applied to a sensor that strongly rejects high frequency drive signal components yet passes discharge signal components. This allows discharge signal components to be detected in the presence of harmonics of the drive signal. The voltage of the drive signal may be varied so that the lowest drive signal voltage producing a discharge event may be determined. That voltage is the motor or winding's corona inception voltage.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting a gas turbine wherein the gas turbine comprises a stator and a rotor. The rotor is coaxially aligned with the stator and spaced apart from the stator so as to define a gap therebetween. The method of retrofitting comprises fixedly securing a sealing member to the stator. The sealing member is configured to restrict a flow of a fluid medium in a fluid path across the gap and generate a pressure drop generally transverse to the gap during operation of the gas turbine.

Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a cellulosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate/terephthalate ester units. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: X-ray source bearing assemblies are described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, an x-ray source includes a target anode, a rotor shaft coupled to the target anode, and a motor coupled to the rotor shaft at an end of the shaft opposite the target anode. The bearing housing, in the exemplary embodiment, includes a rotor bore, the rotor shaft extending through said rotor bore and supported therein by a plurality bearings. The housing and the shaft form a cooling medium pool so that as the shaft rotates, a cooling medium in the pool is radially displaced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing phosphoramides having a glass transition temperature in one embodiment of at least about 0° C., in another embodiment of at least about 10° C., and in still another embodiment of at least about 20° C., the phosphoramides being substantially free of acidic, basic, or halide impurities, or their precursors. The invention also relates to resin compositions comprising at least one thermoplastic resin and at least one phosphoramide having a glass transition temperature of at least about 0° C., wherein the phosphoramide is prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for determining barrier properties of at least one barrier coating with respect to a plurality of fluids. These methods and systems include a combination of acoustic wave and optical detection measurements. A dual-response acoustic wave transducer coated with the barrier coating is exposed to one or more of the fluids. The effects on the barrier coating, such as permeation of the fluid or dissolution of the coating, are measured using acoustic wave and optical techniques and the corresponding barrier properties are determined with respect to the fluids.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the parameters of a normally occurring turbine exhaust gas temperature profile is provided. From that characterization the characteristics of a filter function to eliminate or significantly reduce the strength of aliased signals from that normally occurring pattern are established. Sensors to provide filtering functions for that purpose include a distributed gradient thermocouple system and a resistance thermometer system. Examples of such sensor systems are disclosed. The method and related sensors improve the detection limits associated with exhaust gas temperature profiles used to monitor, diagnose, and control gas turbines.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of a dihydric phenol in the presence of a monohydric phenol uses spectroscopic detection at at least two wavelengths. Because the method does not require a chemical separation of the dihydric phenol and monohydric phenol, it is very rapid and particularly suitable for the analysis of large numbers of samples, such as those derived from combinatorial libraries.