Abstract: A dual-pane thermal window unit comprises two non-intersecting or, preferably, substantially parallel, spaced window panes, mounted in a window frame, a first of the panes having affixed thereto a first wall of an electro-optical liquid crystal cell providing a selected light transmittance, and a second of said panes delimiting, with a second wall of said cell, a space providing a thermal break. Each of the first and second walls comprises an electrically conductive film composed of plastic and having sufficient supporting strength to maintain the structural integrity of the cell. The window is light weight, economical to manufacture and efficient and reliable in operation.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a cellulosic membrane about 5 to 50 .mu.m thick prepared by casting a film from solution of a cellulose derivative in a suitable solution and these formed into a packet which encapsulates an osmotic promoter, particularly sodium chloride, sugar or other suitable compound, preferably having a molecular weight below about 500. The packet is capable of taking up at least 0.001 g/cm.sup.2 /min of water and retaining it against an external pressure of at least 0.689 kPa.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified, low density aluminum base alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Li.sub.a Cu.sub.b Mg.sub.c Zr.sub.d wherein "a" ranges from about 2.1 to 3.4 wt %, "b" ranges from about 0.5 to 2.0 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0.2 to 2.0 wt % and "d" ranges from about 0.4 to 1.8 wt %, the balance being aluminum is consolidated to produce a strong, tough low density article.

Abstract: A cell has a body containing at least one electroactive material. The body has both a positive electrical connecting means and a negative electrical connecting means on each of opposite ends of said body. Each of the negative and positive electrical connecting means is positioned such that the cell can be alternatively directly connected electrically in series or in parallel to form a battery power source.

Abstract: Vinylidene chloride and other unsaturated impurities are removed from HCFC-141b by reaction with hydrogen over a catalyst such as palladium on alumina.

Abstract: A process for forming mixtures of short fibers of varying lengths, diameters and aspect ratios composed of an anisotropic polymer.

Abstract: A window unit has at least one pane a face, of which is coated with a transparent conductive polymer layer that is reflective and absorptive in an infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, transparent in the visible region of the spectrum, and has a transparency ratio greater than 2. The window unit minimizes radiative heat transfer and maximizes the transmission of visible light therethrough.

Abstract: A magnetic metallic glass alloy exhibits, in combination, high saturation induction and high Curie temperature. The alloy has a composition described by the formula Fe.sub.a Co.sub.b Ni.sub.c B.sub.d Si.sub.e C.sub.f, where "a"-"f" are in atom percent, "a" ranges from about 75 to about 81, "b" ranges from 0 to about 6, "c" ranges from about 2 to about 6, "d" ranges from about 11 to about 16, "e" ranges from 0 to about 4, and "f" ranges from 0 to about 4, with the provisos that (i) the sum of "b" and "c" may not be greater than about 8, (ii) "d" may not be greater than about 14 when "b" is zero (iii) "e" may be zero only when "b" is greater than zero, and (iv) "f" is zero when "e" is zero. This alloy is suitable for use in large magnetic cores used in various applications requiring high magnetization rates, and in the cores of line frequency power distribution transformers, airborne transformers, current transformers, ground fault interrupters, switch-mode power supplies, and the like.

Abstract: A monolithic silicon nitride ceramic is densified at temperatures lower than 2000.degree. C. and heat treated at temperatures greater than 2000.degree. C. in the presence of at least 6.5 w % of multi-component sintering aids. This monolithic silicon nitride has a highly acicular microstructure Chevron Notch fracture toughness greater than 9 MPa.multidot.m.sup.1/2, R-curve behavior, high Weibull modulus, excellent damage tolerance, high thermal conductivity, and other desirable properties.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified, low density aluminum base alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.ba1 Li.sub.a Cu.sub.b MG.sub.c Zr.sub.d wherein "a" ranges from about 2.1 to 3.4 wt %, "b" ranges from about 0.5 to 2.0 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0.2 to 2.0 wt % and "d" ranges from about 0.4 to 1.8 wt %, the balance being aluminum is consolidated to produce a strong, tough low density article.

Abstract: A magnetic core is fabricated from ferromagnetic metallic glass ribbon and mica paper insulation. The ribbon and insulation are co-wound, so that layers comprise alternate concentric rings. The wound core is then annealed in a vacuum or an inert atmosphere such as dry nitrogen or argon gas. Co-wound cores of this type exhibit excellent magnetic properties at high magnetization rates and high voltage hold off between adjacent laminations, and are particularly suited for pulse power applications.

Abstract: A ceramic element of a zirconia oxygen sensor is shaped from a powder mixture. The mixture, comprising a ceramic powder having an average particle size less than or equal to 1 micrometer, a gel-forming material and a gel forming material solvent, is molded at a temperature and pressure sufficient to produce the ceramic element having a density of at least 5.5 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: Magnesium base metal alloy sheet is produced by rolling the rolling stock extruded or forged from a billet at a temperature ranging from 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. The billet is consolidated from rapidly solidified magnesium based alloy powder that consists of the formula Mg.sub.bal Al.sub.a Zn.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of manganese, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, and yttrium, "a" ranges from about 0 to 15 atom percent, "b" ranges from about 0 to 4 atom percent, "c" ranges from about 0.2 to 3 atom percent, the balance being magnesium and incidental impurities, with the proviso that the sum of aluminum and zinc present ranges from about 2 to 15 atom percent. The alloy has a uniform microstructure comprised of fine grain size ranging from 0.2-1.0 .mu.m together with precipitates of magnesium and aluminum containing intermetallic phases of a size less than 0.1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A predetermined pattern of a dielectric polymer is formed on a substrate from a prepolymer which is an ether of the reaction product of a dicyclopentadiene and a phenol.

Abstract: Magnesium base metal alloy sheet is produced by rolling the rolling stock extruded or forged from a billet at a temperature ranging from 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. The billet is consolidated from rapidly solidified magnesium based alloy powder that consists of the formula Mg.sub.bal Al.sub.a Zn.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of manganese, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, and yttrium, "a" ranges from about 0 to 15 atom percent, "b" ranges from about 0 to 4 atom percent, "c" ranges from about 0.2 to 3 atom percent, the balance being magnesium and incidental impurities, with the proviso that the sum of aluminum and zinc present ranges from about 2 to 15 atom percent. The alloy has a uniform microstructure comprised of fine grain size ranging from 0.2-1.0 .mu.m together with precipitates of magnesium and aluminum containing intermetallic phases of a size less than 0.1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A complex part composed of rapidly solidified magnesium base metal alloy is produced by superplastic forming at a temperature ranging from 160.degree. C. to 275.degree. C. and at a rate ranging from 0.00021 m/sec to 0.00001 mm/sec, to improve the formability thereof and allow forming to be conducted at lower temperature. The rapidly solidified magnesium based alloy has a composition consisting essentially of the formula Mg.sub.bal Al.sub.a Zn.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of manganese, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium and yttrium, "a" ranges from 0 to about 15 atom percent, "b" ranges from 0 to about 4 atom percent and "c" ranges from about 0.2 to 3 atom percent, the balance being magnesium and incidental impurities, with the proviso that the sum of aluminum and zinc present ranges from about 2 to 15 atom percent. Such an alloy contains fine grain size and finely dispersed magnesium-, aluminum- rare earth intermetallic phases.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of W, Ta, Nb, "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 at %, "b" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 at %, "c" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 at % and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that the ratio [Fe+X]:Si ranges from abut 2.33:1 to 3.33:1 and that the ratio Fe:X ranges from abut 16:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits high strength, ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engines, missiles, airframes and landing wheels.

Abstract: A magnesium base metal component is forged from a billet by subjecting the billet to a forging process using multiple steps in a closed-die or an open-die forging and a forging temperature ranging from 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. The billet is compacted from a rapidly solidified magnesium based alloy defined by the formula Mg.sub.bal Al.sub.a Zn.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of manganese, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, and yttrium, "a" ranges from about 0 to 15 atom percent, "b" ranges from about 0 to 4 atom percent, "c" ranges from about 0.2 to 3 atom percent, the balance being magnesium and incidental impurities, with the proviso that the sum of aluminum and zinc present ranges from about 2 to 15 atom percent. The alloy has a uniform microstructure comprised of a fine grain size ranging from 0.2-1.0 .mu.m together with precipitates of magnesium and aluminum containing intermetallic phases of a size less than 0.1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A magnetic metallic glass alloy exhibits, in combination, high saturation induction and low magnetic anisotropy energy. The alloy has a composition described by the formula Fe.sub.a Co.sub.b B.sub.c Si.sub.d C.sub.e, where "a"-"e" are in atom percent, "a" ranges from about 72 to about 84, "b" ranges from about 2 to about 8, "c" ranges from about 11 to about 16, "d" ranges from about 1 to about 4, and "e" ranges from 0 to about 4, with up to about 1 atom percent of Mn being optionally present. Such an alloy is especially suited for use in large magnetic cores associated with pulse power applications requiring high magnetization rates. Examples of such applications include high power pulse sources for linear induction particle accelerators, induction modules for coupling energy from the pulse source to the beam of these accelerators, magnetic switches in power generators in inertial confinement fusion research, magnetic modulators for driving excimer lasers, and the like.

Abstract: Azo-type optically active compounds and polymers are provided based on compounds of the general structure[substituted aryl]--N.dbd.N--[substituted aryl]wherein aryl substituents are introduced which hinder or prohibit rotation around the single bonds of the --N.dbd.N-- central moiety (as well as around certain other single bonds), to provide "planarized" structures having improved optically active properties, especially electro-optically active properties. These compounds and polymers find use in optically active waveguides.