Abstract: Materials for cryogenic refrigerator regenerators are formed by a high yield spark erosion cell. The materials are made of erbium or dysprosium and are spherical shaped. The spheres have a diameter range of 150 .mu.m to 400 .mu.m with a packing factor of at least 50%. The materials are made by disposing chunks of a starting material into a liquid dielectric in a spark chamber, agitating the chunks, impressing a spark voltage in order to cause melting of the chunks and formation of spherical particles, and collecting the particles at the bottom of the spark chamber. The particles may then be gathered, dried, and separated.

Abstract: A bit-serial processor for selectively carrying out the sequential steps of performing by successive approximations Coordinate Rotation Digital Computation (CORDIC), non-restoring division or non-restoring square rooting calculations is suitable for inclusion in a monolithic integrated circuit with a plurality of sensors for generating respective sensor output signals, circuitry for converting each sensor output signal to bit-serial digital format, and a bit-serial muliptly-add processor. Together with an electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory and a plurality of current transformers, the monolithic integrated circuit implements a system for metering a-c power main conductors.

Abstract: A container for electrochemical reactants for an electrode is provided, as well as electrodes employing the same. The electrodes can withstand the rigorous environment of a nuclear reactor core. The design of the container reduces stresses in the electrode and significantly improves its reliability. The container has a generally cylindrical member of an insulator. The member has a base region with a cut-out extending therethrough. Sidewall means extend from the base to define a cavity for containing electrochemical reactants, e.g., silver chloride. An insert of an insulator at one end mates with the cut-out and at another end mates with and is brazed to a cap for the container. The insert has a second sidewall means for holding the electrochemical reactants, and is shaped to fit within the first sidewall means. The base of the insert and the the cut-out are metallized for acceptance of a silver base.

Abstract: Ortho ester-capped polyphenylene ethers are prepared by the reaction of a polyphenylene ether with a reactive compound containing an ortho ester group, preferably a 4-(2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl group. Chlorotriazines containing the ortho ester substituent are particularly preferred as capping agents. The capped polyphenylene ethers form copolymer-containing compositions with polyesters and other polymers containing carboxylic acid groups.

Abstract: Shelf stable heat curable mixtures of vinyl substituted organopolysiloxane fluid and siloxane hydride are provided. The one part polyorganosiloxane mixtures are catalyzed with an inclusion compound of a cyclodextrin and a complexing ligand such as, cyclopentadiene, 1,5-cyclooctadiene or norbornadiene and a platinum metal material, such as a C.sub.(1-4) alkyl substituted platinum.

Abstract: Method of modifying an aromatic polymer surface to improve adhesion of a metal layer thereon and to the articles produced therefrom. Polymer molecules disposed on the surface of the aromatic polymer such as polycarbonate, are nitrated by a contact with a nitrating solution such as a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acid and then ammonolytically cleaved by a contact with an ammonolytic solution such as ammonium hydroxide. The ammonolyzed surface is thus chemically modified to become hydrophilic. The chemically modified surface is electrolessly plated with a primary metal layer. A secondary metal layer is then electrolessly or electrolytically applied on top of the primary metal layer until a metal layer of a desired thickness is attained.The present invention further discloses articles such as an EMI shielded enclosure or a printed circuit board having metal layers as an EMI shield or a conductive metal trace pattern respectively.

Abstract: Cyclic polycarbonate oligomers are polymerized to linear polycarbonates by the catalytic action of a Wittig salt prepared by the reaction of a triarylphosphine with an alkyl or acyl halide. Certain Wittig salt-forming reactants may be incorporated in the cyclic polycarbonate composition, and interreact when the composition is heated to form the active catalytic species.

Abstract: An apparatus and method employing a radiative heater for control of a shape of a peripheral edge region of a solidification interface in a Czochralski crystal pulling process are provided wherein a radiative heater element, independently controllable from a primary heater, is provided above the upper level of the melt and of the solidification interface around the periphery of the crystal, the radiative heater element being selectively controlled to influence the shape of the solidification interface at the peripheral edge region thereof, in order to eliminate problems experienced with edge downturn at the peripheral edge region of the interface.

Abstract: A thin film transistor includes a two-layer gate metallization comprising a relatively thin first layer of a first conductor and a relatively thick second layer of a second conductor with the second conductor being capable of being etched with an etchant that produces substantially no etching of the first conductor layer. During device fabrication, the thick gate metallization layer (second conductor) is selectively etched until all of that material is removed in the openings in the mask. The thin lower layer (first conductor) is then etched with a minimum of etching into the substrate. The gate dielectric and subsequent layers deposited over this gate metallization have high integrity and highly reliable continuity because of the sloped nature of the gate metallization sidewalls, and because of the shallow gate metallization topography due to minimization of substrate etching during gate metallization patterning.

Abstract: A method for providing improved ductility in a gamma titanium aluminide is taught. The method involves adding inclusions of boron to the titanium aluminide containing chromium and tantalum and thermomechanically working the casting. Boron additions are made in concentrations between 0.5 and 2 atomic percent. Fine grain equiaxed microstructure is found from solidified melt. Property improvements are achieved by the thermomechanical processing.

Abstract: A radiation imager comprises a scintillator mated to a photodetector array. An enclosure ring is disposed around the outer sidewalls of the scintillator and an enclosure ring cover hermetically bonded to the ring extends across the scintillator to form a chamber sealably enclosing the scintillator. The enclosure ring cover is substantially impervious to moisture, is radiation transmissive, and minimizes scattering of light from the scintillator. The cover may be optically reflective or light absorptive. The chamber is evacuated to draw the cover in towards the photodetector array and thus to ensure close contact between the cover and the scintillator and between the scintillator and the photodetector array. Desiccant can be disposed in the chamber to provide additional protection against moisture absorption by the scintillator.

Abstract: A gram-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium which is closely related to Chryseomonas luteola and Flavimonas oryzihabitans, has been found to catalyze the biodegradation and biotransformation of bisphenol alkanes, such as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane or bisphenol A. A variety of bisphenol alkyl alcohols can be made by this procedure.

Abstract: Shelf stable heat curable mixtures of vinyl substituted organopolysiloxane fluid and siloxane hydride are provided. The one part polyorganosiloxane mixtures are catalyzed with an inclusion compound of a cyclodextrin and a complex of a cyclopentadiene, 1,5-cyclooctadiene or norbornadiene and a platinum group metal material, such as a C.sub.(1-4) alkyl substituted platinum or a rhodium halide.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted drying apparatus and method are provided for rapidly drying fabrics. A rotatable drum is enclosed in a nearly hermetic region. A valve is attached to an inlet of the region; a compressor is attached to an exit of the region. With the valve closed, the compressor reduces the pressure within the region to the saturated pressure of water at the temperature of the fabrics. At this point, free moisture in the fabrics evaporates. Continued operation of the compressor removes the vaporous moisture from the system. After most of the free water vapor has been depleted, the valve is opened to allow heated air to flow through the drum and to dry the remaining bound moisture.

Abstract: Reactions between a solid polar and a non-polar compound, especially nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions between an alkali metal salt of a hydroxyaromatic compound or thio analog thereof and an activated halo- or nitro-substituted aromatic compound, are conducted in a non-polar organic solvent such as toluene or xylene, in the presence of a hexaalkylguanidinium or .alpha.,.omega.-bis(pentaalkylguanidinium)alkane salt, or a corresponding heterocyclic salt, as a phase transfer catalyst. The method is particularly useful for the preparation of bisimides from bisphenol A or 4,4'-biphenol salts and 4-nitro- or 4-halophthalimides.

Abstract: Nickel or cobalt diffusion is suppressed in ceramic articles having a nickel or cobalt underlayer followed by a gold overlayer, by heat-treating the article in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 650.degree. C. and subsequently depositing a final gold layer. By suppressing the diffusion of nickel or cobalt, the adhesion of hermetic lids attached thereto by soldering is improved.

Abstract: A method is provided for making an organic carbonate such as, a diaryl carbonate by heating a mixture under elevated conditions of temperature and pressure comprising an arylhydroxy compound, such as phenol, carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a palladium catalyst and carbon dioxide as a desiccant.

Abstract: A composite is produced by admixing a matrix-forming material with organic binding material, forming the resulting mixture into a tape, disposing a layer of fibrous material between at least two of the tapes to form a layered structure, laminating the layered structure, heating the layered structure to remove organic binding material and hot pressing the resulting porous structure to form a composite containing a layer of fibrous material.

Abstract: Ethylenically unsaturated cyclic ortho esters are prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-substituted cyclic ortho ester such as 4-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxy-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane with acryloyl chloride, methacryolyl choride, vinylbenzyl chloride or the like. They form polymers, especially EPDM graft copolymers, which are useful in the formation of copolymer-containing compositions with polyesters, polyamides and the like. The copolymer-containing compositions have excellent physical properties and may be employed to compatabilize blends of the same polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alloy having improved crack growth inhibition and having high strength at high temperatures. The composition of the alloy is essentially as follows:______________________________________ Ingredient Concentration in weight % ______________________________________ Ni balance Co 15 Cr 10 Mo 3 Al 4.5 Ti 4.0 Ta 2.70 Nb 1.35 Zr 0.06 V 1 C 0.05 B 0.03.