Abstract: A method of preparing polycarbonate by the melt process comprising the steps of: a) melting a dihydric phenol and a diester of carbonic acid for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a melt; and thereafter introducing a catalyst composition comprising a tetraorganophosphonium salt or a derivative thereof and 1) an alkali and/or alkali earth metal compound or derivative thereof or 2) a less active alkali and/or alkali earth metal derivative thereof into the melt; and b) oligomerizing the product from step a) to a number average molecular weight of from about 3000 to about 7500; and c) polymerizing the product from step b) to a number average molecular weight of from about 16,000 to about 35,000.

Abstract: A radiation imager is disclosed that is resistant to degradation due to moisture by either contact pad corrosion, guard ring corrosion or by photodiode leakage. A contact pad of a large area imager is disclosed that is formed into three distinct and electrically connected regions. The resulting structure of the contact pad regions forms reliable contact that is resistant to corrosion damage. Also disclosed is a data line of an imager, or a display, the resistance of which is reduced by patterning an aluminum (Al) line on top of a transistor island structure, with the formed data line preferably being encapsulated. In addition, a guard ring having first and second regions and photosensitive element are disclosed. The second region comprises an electrical contact between ITO and underlying metal and a second tier which acts as a moisture barrier and is preferably disposed at the corner of the guard ring and separated from the contact pads of the imager in such a manner as to minimize corrosion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of crystallizing an aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer having a molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 20,000 and having from about 5 to about 95 mole % aryl carbonate terminal end groups, based on total end groups, the method comprising effecting contact of the prepolymer with a crystallizing agent comprising an alcohol, preferably, at least 95% by weight of an alcohol.

Abstract: A feedback control for a turbo decoder controls the feedback between component decoders by modifying updated a priori probabilities calculated by one component decoder and used as inputs to another component decoder during the decoding process, resulting in a significant performance advantage. A feedback control switch selects either previously estimated a posteriori probabilities, modifications of these values, or neutral values as a priori probabilities utilized by the next component decoder.

Abstract: Polycarbonate oligomers are prepared by oxidative carbonylation of a dihydroxyaromatic compound such as bisphenol A in the presence of a catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal such as palladium, an inorganic and/or an organic co-catalyst, a halide source and an alcohol-free solvent comprising at least one liquid aromatic hydrocarbon, optionally in combination with a dipolar aprotic liquid such as N-methylpyrrolidinone. These oligomers may be further polymerized by melt polymerization to precursor polycarbonate oligomers which may be converted to high molecular weight polycarbonates by melt or solid state polymerization.

Abstract: A cast superalloy article having a unidirectional crystal structure that is substantially defect free with primary dendrite arm spacing greater than 150 &mgr;m is provided. The unidirectional crystalline microstructure comprises a longitudinal columnar structure aligned parallel with the direction of solidification where said columnar structure is a single crystal or polycrystals or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A magnet, such as a closed, superconductive, magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) magnet, includes a main coil and includes a shielding coil positioned radially outward from the main coil. A magnetizable member is positioned radially outward from the main coil and radially inward from the shielding coil to supplement the strength, and increase the homogeneity of, the magnetic field created, at least in part, by the main coil and to supplement the shielding provided, at least in part, by the shielding coil.

Abstract: A method of forming an internal channel within an article, such as a cooling channel in an air-cooled blade, vane, shroud, combustor or duct of a gas turbine engine. The method generally entails forming a substrate to have a groove recessed in its surface. A solid member is then placed in the groove, with the solid member being sized and configured to only partially fill the groove so that a void remains in the groove. The void is then filled with a particulate material so that the groove is completely filled. A layer is then deposited on the surface of the substrate and over the solid member and the particulate material in the groove, after which at least the solid member is removed from the groove to form the channel in the substrate beneath the layer.

Abstract: A magnet, such as a closed, superconductive, magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) magnet includes a main coil, a magnetizable article, and a shielding coil positioned radially outward from the main coil and magnetizable article. Two magnetizable members are positioned radially outward from the main coil and magnetizable article and radially inward from the shielding coil to supplement the strength, and increase the homogeneity of, the magnetic field created, at least in part, by the main coil and magnetizable article and to supplement the shielding provided, at least in part, by the shielding coil.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are carbonylated with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a Group VIIIB metal, preferably palladium; an iodide salt, preferably sodium iodide; and at least one organic bisphosphine such as 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane or 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane. The catalyst system also preferably contains a compound of cerium or lead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to remove quaternary ammonium salt (QS), from brine solution. The process uses an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of activated carbon and pyrolyzed sulfonated polystyrene divinylbenzene resin, or mixtures thereof which aids in removing the quaternary ammonium salt (QS). The process can be generally carried out at a temperature ranging from about −10° C. to about 90° C., at a pH ranging from about 1 to about 13.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are carbonylated with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a Group VIIIB metal, preferably palladium; an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal halide, preferably sodium bromide; and at least one sulfone such as sulfolane. The catalyst system also preferably contains a compound of another metal, preferably lead.

Abstract: A multilayer cell is provided having two solid, nonporous current collectors, two porous electrodes separating the current collectors, a porous separator between the electrodes and an electrolyte occupying pores in the electrodes and separator. A thermoplastic vinyl acetate polymer or thermoplastic polyamide is applied to the multilayer structure; and pressure or heat is applied to seal layers of the cell with the thermoplastic vinyl acetate polymer or thermoplastic polyamide to form the ultracapacitor.

Abstract: An imaging method and system generates images of non-planar portions of a three dimensional data point array wherein the non-planar portion corresponds to a non-planar object. The method includes selecting at least two different intermediate imaging planes, each selected plane including at least a portion of the object to be imaged, generating cross-sectional views perpendicular to each intermediate plane, selecting a viewing plane, projecting the cross-sectional views onto the viewing plane to generate transition value sets, and combining the transition value sets to generate values for each pixel in a display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locally and successively melting a material by induction heating using a horizontal floating-zone crucible to refine and/or analyze the material. An electromagnetic field is generated to create a localized molten zone within the material that is at least partially levitated within the crucible. The crucible has an upper peripheral opening so that an upper portion of the molten zone is generally at a higher temperature than the lower portion of the molten zone adjacent the crucible wall. As a result, insoluble inclusions within the material separate and float to the upper portion of the molten zone. The molten zone may be translated longitudinally through the material to drive the inclusions toward one end of the material. The process can be carried out to refine or characterize the material, or to determine the solidus and liquidus temperatures of the material.

Abstract: A composition comprises cobalt; chromium; carbon; boron; zirconium; aluminum; at least one refractory material; and nickel. The composition is used as a repair material for repairing superalloy articles in a repair process.

Abstract: In performing flow imaging using coded excitation and wall filtering, a coded sequence of broadband pulses (centered at a fundamental frequency) is transmitted multiple times to a particular transmit focal position, each coded sequence constituting one firing. On receive, the receive signals acquired for each firing are supplied to a finite impulse response filter which both compresses and bandpass filters the receive pulses, e.g., to isolate a compressed pulse centered at the fundamental frequency. The compressed and isolated signals are then high pass filtered across firings using a wall filter. The wall-filtered signals are used to image blood flow and contrast agents.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate and an adhesion layer overlying the substrate. The adhesion layer includes a first phase including particles, and a second phase including braze alloy that bonds the particles to the substrate. The article further includes a ceramic layer overlying the adhesion layer. In one embodiment, the ceramic layer is a thermal barrier coating (TBC), formed of stabilized zirconia (ZrO2).

Abstract: An ultracapacitor comprises at least one cell comprising two solid, nonporous current collectors, two porous electrodes separating the current collectors, a porous separator between the electrodes and an electrolyte occupying pores in the electrodes and separator. The cell is sealed with a reclosable hermetic closure.

Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises reaction of a gaseous mixture of oxygen and carbon monoxide with an aromatic hydroxy compound in the presence of a catalyst under controlled pressure, wherein the partial pressure of oxygen is optimized to effect increased yields at reduced overall pressure.