Abstract: A process for photochemical collection, storage, and retrieval of solar energy, including solar energy in the visible and near-infrared light spectrum, comprising: exposing to solar radiation of a trans-isomer of particular geometrically isomerizable compounds, while dissolved in a predominantly (greater than 50 percent by volume) aqueous liquid medium, to isomerize the trans-isomer to a thermodynamically less stable, but kinetically stable, cis-isomer of higher energy content, heating the produced cis-isomer to an activation temperature triggering exothermal conversion (or return) of the cis-isomer to the trans-isomer with release of thermal energy; and continuing exothermal conversion of cis-isomer to trans-isomer through use of a portion of the exothermically released thermal energy and transferring of another portion of the released thermal energy from the region of exothermal conversion for availability of this other portion for useful thermal energy applications; with the therein employed geometrical is

Abstract: A gaseous (C.sub.1 to C.sub.4) hydrocarbon mixture having a high methane content (at least 80 percent by volume on a carbon dioxide-free basis) is obtained by passing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a volume ratio of about 47:53 to 60:40 at a temperature between about 350.degree. and about 450.degree. C. and a pressure of about 200 p.s.i.g. to about 10,000 p.s.i.g. at a volumetric space velocity of about 500 to about 6000 in contact with a sulfur resistant catalyst comprising an interspersed mixture of cobalt oxide, aluminum oxide and zinc oxide. The catalyst comprises about 1 to about 15 weight percent of cobalt oxide, about 15 to 60 weight percent of aluminum oxide and about 35 to about 70 weight percent of zinc oxide.

Abstract: Elemental silicon of utility as a corrosion resistant coating, as an absorber in a solar thermal conversion system, etc. is provided by nonaqueous electrolytic deposition thereof on a cathode body through electrolytic reduction of a silicon halide or haloid silane compound as a solute in a liquid aprotic dipolar organic solvent for the compound by passing therethrough an electrolyzing current, generally at near ambient temperature and near atmospheric pressure yet under cover of an inert gas, and desirably by pulse electrolysis. The electroplating composition consists essentially of a nonaqueous solvent solution of the anhydrous liquid aprotic dipolar organic solvent, for example propylene carbonate, dimethylformamide, etc., containing the silicon solute, such as illustrated by silicon tetrachloride and trichlorosilane, in an amount providing, or providing by inclusion therewith of a dissociable electrolyte (e.g.

Abstract: A method of making a two-phase material comprising a mix of concrete and fibers of a material having a modulus of elasticity of at least about 20 million psi substantially uniformly distributed therein with an average spacing between fibers of up to about 0.3 inch. The flexural strengths are measured for a plurality of substantially different average bond areas of the fibers per unit area in planes normal to tensile stress in test specimens of the two-phase material, and the fibers are provided and distributed in such quantity in the bulk mix that the average bond area of the fibers intersecting planes normal to the stress at known regions of highest tensile stress is sufficient to provide at least a preselected flexural strength in such regions.

Abstract: The pH of milk is lowered to 4.5 to 5.5 by direct acidification without the necessity of cooling the milk to avoid local coagulation and casein precipitation by adding acid as a spray from above a portion of the milk surface undergoing high velocity mixing.