Abstract: A metallic alloy having a semi-solid range between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy is processed by cooling the metallic alloy from an initial metallic alloy elevated temperature to a semi-solid temperature of less than the liquidus temperature and more than the solidus temperature, and maintaining the metallic alloy at the semi-solid temperature for a sufficient time to produce a semi-solid structure in the metallic alloy of a globular solid phase dispersed in a liquid phase. The cooling may be accomplished by providing a crucible at a crucible initial temperature below the solidus temperature, pouring the metallic alloy into the crucible, and allowing the metallic alloy and the crucible to reach a thermal equilibrium between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate and a composite material bonded to the substrate. The composite material includes a matrix consisting of a metallic alloy having a solidus temperature of at least about 700° C. and a plurality of unstabilized zirconium oxide particles distributed throughout the metallic alloy. The article is prepared by combining a precursor of the metallic alloy and the mass of unstabilized zirconium oxide powder to form a mixture, and applying the mixture as a heterogeneous composite material to a substrate to form the article. The step of applying occurs at an application temperature of greater than the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy.

Abstract: A combination tool includes a tool head having a jaw mechanism with two jaws lying in a tool head plane. A first handle is pivotably attached to the jaw mechanism and rotatable in a first direction about a first pivot axle lying in the tool head plane, between a nested position wherein the first handle lies coplanar with and adjacent to the jaw mechanism and a deployed position wherein the first handle is coplanar with and remote from the jaw mechanism. A second handle is pivotably attached to the jaw mechanism and rotatable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, about a second pivot axle lying in the tool head plane, between a nested position wherein the second handle lies coplanar with and adjacent to the jaw mechanism and a deployed position wherein the second handle is coplanar with and remote from the jaw mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an elastomeric article such as a glove includes an enclosure having a gas-filled interior, a support that receives the elastomeric article thereon and supports the elastomeric article within the enclosure, and a source of a gaseous cleaning agent which introduces a gaseous flow of the gaseous cleaning agent into the interior of the enclosure to contact the elastomeric article. The cleaning agent dislodges particulate contaminant from the elastomeric article and entrains the particulate contaminant in the gaseous flow as it passes by the elastomeric article. The source of the gaseous cleaning agent comprises a nebulizer source of a vaporized cleaning material, and a weakly ionized plasma source disposed within the interior of the enclosure and proximate to the article support location to create a weakly ionized plasma in the ambient atmosphere adjacent to the article support location.

Abstract: A joint structure, such as a bulkhead joined to an annular shell, is formed by providing a conforming pattern of ridges and valleys on the facing portions of the elements to be joined. A tensioned band is applied to the external surface of the annular shell overlying one of the ridges in the annular shell. The tensioned band stresses the joint in compression, offsetting subsequently applied shear stresses so as to negate peeling failure forces. The joint loadings are sustained with a mechanical interlocking, making the use of an adhesive optional.

Abstract: A composite material having less than about 25 volume percent refractory particles in a metal matrix is concentrated to have about 37-45 volume percent refractory particles. The concentrating is accomplished by heating the composite material to melt the matrix, and then contacting the molten composite material to a porous element having an average pore size greater than that of the average particle size. A small pressure differential, on the order of about one atmosphere, is applied across the porous element, so that metal matrix material separates from the composite material and flows through the porous element. The particulate volume fraction in the composite material gradually increases. When the particulate volume fraction exceeds about 37 volume percent, the mass of composite material becomes semi-solid and freestanding. The resulting composite material may be further processed, as by forming to a useful shape or diluting with another matrix material.

Abstract: A composite material is rapidly melted by furnishing a pre-wetted composite material in the form of granules, placing the granules into an induction coil, and powering the induction heater to melt the metal matrix portion of the granules to form a molten mixture. High power inputs to the induction coil may be used, so that the granules are rapidly heated to their melting point and to temperatures above the melting point, from which the molten mixture may be cast. Because of the rapid heating, otherwise-reactive composite materials may be prepared by melting in air.

Abstract: A hand tool such as a knife or a combination tool includes multiple blades, each independently rotatable on a common axle between a closed position within a handle of the tool and an open position extending from the handle. Each blade is positively but releasably locked into its open position. Those blades which remain closed are biased toward the closed position when the opened blade is locked into position and also as it is opened and closed. A single locking, releasing, and biasing mechanism serves all of the blades in one handle.

Abstract: A golf club component is coated with a corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, impact-resistant material, such as zirconium nitride, titanium nitride, di-titanium nitride, titanium aluminum nitride, titanium carbonitride, titanium zirconium nitride, or titanium aluminum carbonitride. Deposition is preferably accomplished by a cathodic arc process using linear deposition sources with simultaneous heating and rotation of the golf club component substrate relative to the deposition sources.

Abstract: A hand tool such as a knife or a combination tool includes multiple blades, each independently rotatable on a common axle between a closed position within a handle of the tool and an open position extending from the handle. Each blade is positively but releasably locked into its open position. Those blades which remain closed are biased toward the closed position when the opened blade is locked into position and also as it is opened and closed. A single locking, releasing, and biasing mechanism serves all of the blades in one handle.

Abstract: The ionic strength or the specific gravity of an aqueous test sample is determined by mixing the sample with a reagent composition on a test strip. The strip includes a bibulous carrier containing an organic phosphonic acid, such as 1-hydroxyethlidene-1,1 -Diphosphonic acid and aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), or inorganic phosphate having one of the structure formulas, ##STR1## where M stands for one equivalent of an alkali metal, ammonium, lower alkyl ammonium, or hydrogen ion, with the proviso that at least one of the M is hydrogen; x is an integer ranging from zero to two and y is also an integer ranging from zero to one, and serving to buffer the metal ions, and a chromogenic indicator capable of providing a detectable response of the ions being sequestered and coordinated within the complex in the mixture.

Abstract: A method for obtaining information about a brain comprises the steps of providing a recording system of the electromagnetic activity produced by the brain, selecting a target pattern of the electromagnetic activity produced by the brain, recording a sample of the electromagnetic activity of the brain using the recording system, and analyzing the sample of the electromagnetic activity of the brain to identify a portion which contains the target pattern. The method further includes identifying a portion which contains the target pattern and which has a focal source at a location in the cortex of the brain, and determining the location in the thalamus which corresponds to the location of this focal source in the cortex of the brain. This determination may be followed by selecting a course of treatment which is directed to the location in the thalamus identified in the step of determining the location in the thalamus, such as a surgical, stimulative, or pharmaceutical treatment.

Abstract: A golf club iron has a metallic club head including a solid metallic club head body with a bottom surface including a sole that contacts a flat surface when the bottom surface of the club head is placed onto a flat surface, a top surface, a hosel extending from the club head body, and a front face on the club head body. The heel and toe of the club are angled upwardly from a trailing edge central sole region, so that a central sole region has a length of from about 1/4 inch to about 3/4 inch to reduce the potential contact area of the club head with the ground. There is a recess in the rear face of the club head body, with a rim around the recess having a thickness of from about 5/16 inch to about 1 inch measured in the central portion of the rear face of the club head body, to lower the center of gravity of the club head.

Abstract: A mass of molybdenum disilicide-silicon carbide composite material is prepared by providing a mixture of molybdenum disilicide-silicon carbide precomposited powder, and plasma spraying the precomposited powder onto a substrate using argon-shrouded plasma spray deposition, to form a plasma-sprayed mass. The plasma-sprayed mass may be subsequently heat treated.

Abstract: A tool includes a body with implements rotatably deployed from the body. The implements have notches in their bases corresponding to open and closed positions, which are engagable by a locking plate of the body. A locking lever rotatably mounted on the body includes a lock actuator plate which does not engage the locking plate when the locking lever is rotated to an unlocked position but does engage the locking plate when the locking lever is rotated to a locked position. The engagement of the locking plate causes it to contact the notches of the implement base, thereby locking the implement either open or closed. The body may be inserted into a handle, such as the handle of a combination tool, so that the operation of the locking lever also locks the body into the handle.

Abstract: A metal-matrix composite material includes a matrix having magnesium in an amount of more than about 0.3 weight percent but no more than about 2.5 weight percent, an alloying element of about 0.8 to about 2.5 weight percent iron or from about 1.0 to about 2.5 weight percent manganese, and the balance aluminum and impurities. Dispersed throughout the matrix is a plurality of metal oxide particles present in an amount of more than about 5 volume percent but no more than about 25 volume percent of the total volume of the matrix and the particles. This material may be cast into casting molds. After casting is complete and during solidification of the matrix alloy, a high volume fraction of intermetallic particles is crystallized in the matrix alloy. The total of the volume fractions of the metal oxide particles and the intermetallic particles is from about 10 to about 40 volume percent, preferably from about 25 to about 40 volume percent.