Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for rapidly field annealing ferromagnetic cores and the cores produced thereby. A current is applied across a magnetizing source associated with a magnetizing core which induces a flux/voltage in the ferromagnetic core which is disposed about a leg of the magnetizing core. The flux/voltage in the second core induces a current in the second core which in turn induces a field in, and transverse to the width direction of, the ferromagnetic core. A second field may e applied to the ferromagnetic core during cooling. The cores produced display low core loss and either sheared over or square loop properties which are suitable for current and distribution type transformers respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel heat treatment process, and the alloy products produced thereby. The heat treatment process includes heating an alloy at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause crystallization, cooling the alloy at a rate greater than about 10.degree. C. per minute, preferably greater than about 50.degree. C. per minute, and most preferably greater than about 100.degree. C. per minute. Alloys of many compositions and having either amorphous, surface crystallized or partially bulk crystallized structure may be beneficially treated. Alloy strips and cores heat treated according to the present invention display B-H loops which display a discontinuous change in slope at near zero field conditions. Alloy strips which have been heat treated according to the present invention display greatly increased resonant output voltages and are particularly useful as resonant markers in article surveillance systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the concentration of an organic and/or inorganic pollutant in a fluid stream which comprises passing the stream through a bioreacter containing a fixed biologically active biomass comprising an effective number of open or substantially open spaces and a plurality of biologically active bodies comprising a hydrophobic polyurethane substrate having an effective amount of one or more microorganism capable of metabolizing at least one of the said pollutant on, in or on and in said substrate in the absence or in the substantial absence of an absorbent.

Abstract: A diagnostic reagent is disclosed which is capable of binding to a target nucleotide sequence which is bound to a labeled polynucleotide in a target binding region which is at least partially co-extensive with the target binding region in the probe polynucleotide which is capable of binding to the target nucleotide sequence. A method is disclosed in which the reagent is contacted with a sample and with a capturing polynucleotide under conditions such that target nucleotide which may be present in the sample binds to the probe polynucleotide and displaces labeled polynucleotide from the reagent complex, and the capturing polynucleotide binds selectively to the displaced labeled polynucleotide in the region of the labeled polynucleotide that had been bound to the probe polynucleotide. Determination of the displaced nucleotide gives a value which is a function of the presence and concentration of target nucleotide in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, composite article of manufacture which comprises a network of fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 500 grams/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 22 Joules/gram. An elastomeric matrix material having a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved article of manufacture which comprises at least one network of high strength, extended chain fiber or yarn selected from the group consisting of extended chain polyethylene (ECPE) extended chain polypropylene (ECPP) fibers, extended chain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber and extended chain polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber. The fibers and yarn have a denier of not more than about 500 and a tensile modulus of at least about 200 g/denier. The fibers and yarn preferably have a tensile modulus of at least about 500 grams/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 22 Joules/gram. Optionally, a low modulus elastomeric material, which has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at about 23.degree. C., substantially coats the fiber and yarn of the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, complex composite article of manufacture which comprises a network of high strength fibers having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 grams/denier and a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier. An elastomeric material substantially coats each of the individual fibers, and has a tensile modulus of less than about 6,000 psi, measured at 25.degree. C. The coated fibers are provided with at least one additional rigid layer on a major surface of the coated fibers to produce a rigid complex composite. Composites of this construction have improved resistance to environmental hazards, improved impact resistance, and are unexpectedly effective as ballistic resistant articles such as armor plate or helmets.

Abstract: A radio frequency excitor apparatus and method produce an inductively coupled plasma to heat an analytic sample. The apparatus includes a radio frequency generator mechanism for producing electrical power of selected radio frequency. The generator mechanism has a power output tuning mechanism comprised of at least one output tuning inductor for determining the generator radio frequency. A separate plasma load circuit is coupled to the generator mechanism and is comprised of a work coil and a series connected, impedance matching capacitor. The work coil is adapted to produce an inductively coupled plasma and the capacitor is adapted to substantially balance the combined inductive reactances of the work coil and plasma. A control mechanism for controlling the power input into the plasma load circuit stabilizes the plasma.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the constituent elements of a liquid, electrically conductive material includes a probe housing, which delimits a sampling chamber constructed to contain a non-reactive gas, and includes an entry mechanism for introducing aliquot of the liquid material into the sampling chamber. An inner housing is located within the probe housing and is moveable longitudinally relative thereto. A housing adjustment mechanism selectively positions the inner housing longitudinally relative to the probe housing. A spark electrode is disposed within the inner housing and is in communication with the sampling chamber. This electrode is longitudinally moveable relative to the inner housing and is constructed to spark an electrical arc discharge between the spark electrode and the free surface of the liquid aliquot, thereby producing a aerosol sample composed of particles of the material in the gas.

Abstract: The end face of an optical fiber is urged against the highly polished surface of a disk as a laser beam is directed toward the disk to heat the end face above its softening temperature and cause it to conform to the contour and finish of the highly polished surface. A termination ferrule may be simultaneously mounted on the fiber optic cable with a heat bonding agent, using as a heat source either the laser beam or an auxiliary heat source. A hand-held, gun-type unit with a built-in disk and triggered laser can be used to polish and terminate optical fibers in the field.

Abstract: Large single crystals of berlinite are grown onto seed crystals by maintaining the crystals at a fixed elevated temperature in a pressure vessel containing a nutrient of coarse berlinite crystalline powder, held at a fixed lower temperature, and a mixture of hydrochloric and phosphoric acids. Because berlinite shows retrograde solubility in the acid mixture, the nutrient goes into solution, and berlinite deposits on the higher-temperature growing crystal. Large single crystals of alpha-gallium orthophosphate may be grown using the same apparatus and a similar process. The resultant crystals may be cut into wafers useful in surface acoustic wave devices.

Abstract: Improvement in apparatus for making metal filament by depositing molten metal onto the flat peripheral surface of a rotating annular chill roll includes provision of an elastomeric flexible belt supported by at least three guide wheels, carried in frictional engagement with said surface for urging the filament into prolonged contact with said surface.

Abstract: Novel copolyesters are prepared by the interfacial condensation of bifunctional acid halides or anhydrides with bisphenols dissolved in mixtures of alkaline materials and liquid polyhydroxy hydrocarbons, ethers or amines. The copolyesters form useful fibers and plastic materials.

Abstract: Beta pinene is converted to alpha pinene in liquid sulfur dioxide. The process is a regioselective isomerization of organic compounds having a carbon-carbon double bond at a tertiary carbon atom, by sulfur dioxide-induced allylic rearrangement of a hydrogen atom and/or replacement of a proton in the allylic position by a deuteron. The organic compound is contacted with sulfur dioxide at temperatures between about 0.degree. and 70.degree. C. for a time sufficient to effect such isomerization to a more stable isomer; and if deuteration is to take place D.sub.2 O is provided in the solution.

Abstract: Efficient electromagnetic shielding envelopes made of wound metallic glass filaments are disclosed. They are made by winding the filaments around a suitably shaped mandrel and embedding the filaments in a matrix. These shielding envelopes have high shielding ratios at low magnetic fields and are easily manufactured.

Abstract: A system for the photoenhanced reduction of nitrogen. A p-type semiconductor cathode with a band gap between about 0.8 and 3.0 eV is irradiated with light falling within such energy range. The cathode is in contact with an electrolyte and capable of injecting photogenerated electrons into the electrolyte. An anode provides for removal of the resulting holes from the cathode. Cathode and anode are short circuited. For nitrogen molecule reduction, the electrolyte solution contains a chemical species capable in reduced form of chemically binding molecular nitrogen and of facilitating a series of reduction steps on the nitrogen. Specifically, such a chemical species is titanium isopropoxide.