Abstract: A dual-pane thermal window unit comprises two nonintersecting 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: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a X.sub.b, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Zr, Ti, Y and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 2-10 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a predominately microeutectic microstructure. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for forming rapidly solidifed metal, such as the metal alloys of the invention, within an ambient atmosphere. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a moving casting surface which has a quenching region for solidifying molten metal thereon. A reservoir holds molten metal and has orifice means for depositing a stream of molten metal onto the casting surface quenching region. A heating mechanism heats the molten metal contained within the reservoir, and a gas source provides a non-reactive gas atmosphere at the quenching region to minimize oxidation of the deposited metal.

Abstract: A process for recovering concentrated mixed acids comprising HF from mixed salts at a high efficiency is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of providing an electrodialytic water splitter comprising at least one unit cell, each cell comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, feeding an aqueous solution comprising at least two salts formed from at least two different anions to the first compartment, one of said anions being fluoride, feeding a liquid comprising water to the second compartment, passing current through said electrodialytic water splitter to produce an aqueous product comprising mixed acids formed from the different anions in the second compartment, and an aqueous salt-containing product comprising a reduced concentration of said anions in the first compartment, and recovering aqueous products from the second compartment. The process is particularly useful in the production of concentrated HNO.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ceramic coated metal substrate having improved processibility characteristics in the manufacture of electronic devices, as for example electronic circuits, and to processes for manufacture of such devices.

Abstract: Superconducting structure are composed of thin film of Ba-Y-Cu-O superconductor epitaxially deposited on a crystal substrate of SrLaAlO, SrLaGaO.sub.4, SrPrGaO.sub.4, SrNdGaO.sub.4, SrSmGaO.sub.4, SrEuGaO.sub.4, CaLaGaO.sub.4, CaPrGaO.sub.4, or CaNdGaO.sub.4.

Abstract: A rapidly quenched Fe-Si Alloy containing 6 to 7 wt % is heat treated to promote and control an order-disorder reaction, thereby improving its ac core loss and exciting power at induction levels about B=1.2 T. The alloy has a substantially <100> texture, a grain size of about 1 to 2 mm, a R2 domain size of 100 to 850 nm, a DO3 domain size of about 5 to 25 nm, an ac core loss of about 1.2 to 1.6 W/kg and an exciting power of about 15 to 46 VA/kg, the core loss and exciting power being measured at an induction level of B=1.4 T and a frequency of f=60 Hz.

Abstract: This invention relates to solutions and plasticized compositions of electrically conductive substituted and unsubstituted polyanilines and to methods of forming such solutions or compositions and use of same to form conductive articles.

Abstract: A process for producing highly uniform microspheres of silica having an average diameter of 0.1-10 .mu.m from the hydrolysis of a silica precursor, such as tetraalkoxysilanes, which is characterized by employing precursor solutions and feed rates which initially yield a two-phase reaction mixture.

Abstract: This invention relates to mixtures of short fibers of varying lengths, diameters and aspect ratios composed of an anisotropic polymer, to compositions containing said fibers and one or more thermoplastic or thermoset resins, and to a process for forming said mixtures.

Abstract: A cell for holding a fluid medium for passing a beam of laser radiation through it to generate Raman shifted radiation is provided with a vaned agitator designed to effect flow of the fluid within the cell across the beam path, so that there is continually provided a fresh column of the optical medium within the beam path.

Abstract: Phenolic cyanate/phenolic triazine copolymers and cured resins prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyamides which comprises condensing an aromatic or aliphatic diamine and an aromatic or aliphatic diacid or an amino acid in the presence of one or more aryl phosphoryl azide compounds.

Abstract: An aircraft storage battery is monitored to determine battery capacity, state of charge and certain fault conditions. The ambient temperature, battery voltage on-board charger output voltage and current to and from the battery are continuously measured. Current voltage (I-V) data is analyzed to determine the internal resistance and polarization of the battery. A determination is made regarding state of charge and fault conditions produced by corroded terminals and low electrolyte level. The low temperature starting limit is determined by comparing the battery's power output capability with starting power requirements of the aircraft. Data produced by the comparison are indicated on the dashboard of the vehicle.

Abstract: A uranium-base alloy consists essentially of the formula U.sub.bal --Ti.sub.x --W.sub.y, where x ranges from about 0.5 to 1.0 and y ranges from about 0.25 to 2.0. The alloy exhibits high strength, good ductility and high density and is especially suited for use in ballistic penetration cores.

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: A method is provided for minimizing radiative heat transfer and maximizing the transmission of visible light through a window having at least one pane. The method comprises the step of applying a transparent conductive polymer layer to a face of the pane, the polymer layer being reflective and absorptive in an infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and being transparent in the visible region of the spectrum, and having a transparancy ratio greater than 2.

Abstract: A process for the production of graft polyester/polyamide copolymers useful in the manufacture of fibers which comprises intimately mixing derivatized polyester and suitable polyamide to form the graft copolymer, and thereafter spinning the graft copolymer into a fiber which is drawn.

Abstract: A conductively cooled, optically diode-pumped slab laser comprises a slab laser host 1 having transparent, thermally conductive heat sink means 2 bonded to its pump faces. Semiconductor lasers or light emitting diodes 3 are mounted on the heat sink means for generating pumplight which is transmitted through the heat sink means 2 into laser host 1 to cause lasing. Heat flow within the laser host 1 is substantially bi-directional, thereby minimizing optically harmful thermal distortion of the host. The apparatus can function as laser amplifier, laser oscillator or combined oscillator/amplifier.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a X.sub.b, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, M, V, Zr, Ti, Y, Si and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 1.5-10 wt % and the balance is aluminium. The alloy has a predominately microeutectic microstructure.The invention provides a method and apparatus for forming rapidly solidified metal within an ambient atmosphere, the rapidly solidified metal being an aluminum based alloy. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a moving casting surface which has a quenching region for solidifying molten metal thereon. A reservoir holds the molten metal and has orifice means for depositing a stream of the molten metal onto the casting surface quenching region.

Abstract: An aluminum based metal matrix composite is produced from a charge containing a rapidly solidified aluminum alloy and particles of a reinforcing material present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to 50 percent by volume of the charge. The charge is ball milled energetically to enfold metal matrix material around each of the particles while maintaining the charge in a pulverulant state. Upon completion of the ball milling step, the charge is consolidated to provide a powder compact having a formable, substantially void free mass. The compact is especially suited for use in aerospace, automotive, electronic, wear resistance critical components and the like.